Abstract: A modular truss joint is a web plate with at least three connectors. Each connection includes a web integrally formed as a portion of the web plate of a certain length. Each connection is positioned at a connector angle with respect to the other connectors. The connections have continuous flanges on a periphery of the modular truss joint. Each flange is oriented transversely to the web. The connectors form a modular structure by each connecting to at least one wide flange body to form a moment resisting connection such that the modular truss joint resists flexure of the modular structure.

Abstract: Methods and systems relating to topics in space-polarization modulated communications. The topics include: adaptive space-polarization modulated communications using channel state information at the transmitter; adaptive decision boundaries at the receiver; carrier frequency offset estimation for multi-carrier modulation schemes; transmission of analog images using polarization and coherence dispersion information; and reduction of peak-to-average power ratio in multi-carrier modulation schemes.

Abstract: A multi-port transmitter can synthesize and send a first plurality of transmit signals having a separability characteristic which permits them to be differentiated from one another. A receiver can then detect one or more receiver signals which include one or more combinations of received versions of the first plurality of transmit signals. The receiver may use the separability characteristic to determine the received versions of the first plurality of transmit signals from the one or more receiver signals. Then, the receiver may determine an estimated signal corresponding to the estimated receiver response to a second plurality of virtual transmit signals which comprise a combination of the first plurality of transmit signals. Determining the estimated signal may include forming a combination of the received versions of the first plurality of transmit signals.

Abstract: An example device includes a magnetic film, two or more spin wave generators, and one or more detectors. The magnetic film is capable of supporting spin waves. The two or more spin wave generators are operable to create a diffraction pattern of the spin waves in the magnetic film. The two or more spin wave generators generate the spin waves based on a source signal. The one or more detectors are operable to measure an amplitude of the spin waves in the diffraction pattern. The amplitude measured by a particular detector is indicative of a property of the source signal.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an active Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection by detecting certain RNA biomarkers present in secreted extracellular vesicles isolated from a bodily fluid. The RNA biomarkers in the secreted extracellular vesicles may include a certain Mycobacterium RNAs as well as certain host cell RNAs. Also provided is an RNA signature of certain Mycobacterium and host cell RNA present in secreted extracellular vesicles indicative of an active tuberculosis infection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing a characteristic of a transmitter, a receiver, or a propagation channel are disclosed. At least one receiver signal resulting from at least one transmitter signal that has propagated through a propagation channel can be obtained. A first signal pair can be formed from a first receiver signal and a first transmitter signal, or from first and second receiver signals obtained from spatially-separated receiver antennas, or from first and second receiver signals which are attributable to different transmitter signals. Amplitude and phase information of a plurality of frequency components for each signal in the first signal pair can be determined. A set of comparison values for the first signal pair can be determined by comparing respective frequency component phases or respective frequency component amplitudes. A characteristic of the set of comparison values can then be analyzed.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for detecting an increased probability or risk of neurodegeneration in a subject. In some embodiments the method comprises assaying a sample from the subject for lysozyme and/or cathepsin S and detecting the lysozyme and/or cathepsin S from the sample, wherein an increased lysozyme and/or cathepsin S compared to levels in a control subject sample indicate an increased probability or risk of neurodegeneration. Methods of treatment and screening assays for determining drug effectiveness are also provided herein.

Abstract: A surface-confined aqueous reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (SCARAFT) polymerization method was developed to coat capillaries for use in capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). This coating produced an electroosmotic an order of magnitude lower than that of commercial linear polyacrylamide (LPA)-coated capillaries. Coated capillaries were evaluated for bottom-up proteomic analysis using CZE. The very low electroosmotic mobility results in a 200 min separation and improved single-shot analysis. Various types of coatings were prepared by simply changing the functional vinyl monomers in the polymerization mixture.

Abstract: The invention provides a capillary isoelectric focusing (cIEF) system based on a sandwich injection method for automated chemical mobilization. This system was coupled with an electrokinetically pumped nanoelectrospray interface to a mass spectrometer. The nanoelectrospray emitter employed an acidic sheath electrolyte. To realize automated focusing and mobilization, a plug of ammonium hydroxide was first injected into the capillary, followed by a section of mixed sample and ampholyte. As focusing progressed, the NH3H2O section was titrated to lower pH buffer by the acidic sheath buffer. Chemical mobilization started automatically once the ammonium hydroxide was consumed by the acidic sheath flow electrolyte.

Abstract: A DNA/RNA detection technology is provided. The open flow detection technique includes a substrate defining a pair of opposing microchannels, a pair of opposing electrodes in the opposing microchannels, and at least one ion exchanging nanomembrane coupled between the opposing microchannels such that the opposing microchannels are connected to each other only through the nanomembrane, wherein the nanomembrane is functionalized with a probe complementary to the macromolecule. A voltammeter is provided to measure the electrical current or potential across the nanomembrane, and detect a change in the measured electrical current or potential to quantify the presence of the macromolecule.

Abstract: Analogs of largazole are described herein. Methods of treating cancer, blood disorders, autoimmune disease, and Alzheimer's Disease using largazole analogs and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same are additionally described herein. Methods for preparing largazole analogs are likewise described.

Abstract: An adjustable structural connection—a connection which can be adjusted to alter the location and angle of member attachment—transforms the traditional notion of connections as a static means of connecting members at specific angles to a dynamic means of assembling a variety of structurally efficient forms. The adjustable connection connects a diagonal member to a vertical or horizontal member using either curved plate mounted to both of the structural members or a temporarily rotatable link. The adjustable connection can be used in a kit-of-parts type system, using multiple versions of the adjustable connection, which can join members at a wide variety of angles using a small number of unique components.

Abstract: A plasma plate is used to minimize drag of a fluid flow over an exposed surface. The plasma plate includes a series of plasma actuators positioned on the surface. Each plasma actuator is made of a dielectric separating a first electrode exposed to a fluid flow and a second electrode separated from the fluid flow under the dielectric. A pulsed direct current power supply provides a first voltage to the first electrode and a second voltage to the second electrode. The series of plasma actuators is operably connected to a bus which distribute powers and is positioned to minimize flow disturbances. The plasma actuators are arranged into a series of linear rows such that a velocity component is imparted to the fluid flow.

Abstract: Molecular constructs and dual recognition constructs having a sequence encoding a TCR affinity weakening motif, and DNA and RNA sequences corresponding thereto, are presented. Modified T-cells and other cells transformed with the molecular contracts express a modified TCR that imparts a reduction, in non-specific binding, -an enhancement of binding specificity and an enhancement of binding affinity for a target antigen, compared to non-transformed (wild-type, native) T-cells, are described. The modified TCRs possess an affinity enhancing motif and an affinity weakening motif. Methods of transforming cells and methods of using enriched populations of transformed cells, in the treatment of cancer and infections arid T-cell mediated pathologies are provided. The affinity weakening motif imparts a weakened interaction, of a TCR with major histocompatibility complex proteins, such as HLA proteins in humans.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for diagnosing an active mycobacterium tuberculosis infection by detecting certain RNA biomarkers present in secreted extracellular vesicles isolated from a bodily fluid. The RNA biomarkers in the secreted extracellular vesicles may include a certain mycobacterium RNAs as well as certain host cell RNAs. Also provided is an RNA signature of certain mycobacterium and host cell RNA present in secreted extracellular vesicles indicative of an active tuberculosis infection.

Abstract: The invention provides a strategy for site specific covalent modification of antibodies using a specialized targeting covalent heterobivalent ligand (cHBL), and corresponding design for a covalent heterobivalent inhibitor (cHBI) that can be used to prevent Immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated allergic reactions triggered by drug molecules, according to one embodiment. These molecules contain four important components: (1) an IgE antigen binding site (ABS) ligand that can be a mimotope for the allergen protein, a small molecule, or a peptidomimetic, (2) an appropriate linker, which can be any flexible or rigid chemical linker, providing spacing between the ABS binder and the other moieties, (3) a nucleotide binding site (NBS) ligand, and (4) a reactive moiety to form a covalent link with an amino acid side chain of target IgE antibodies.

Abstract: Provided are nanowire-coated fibers and compositions comprising one or more nanowire-coated fibers and methods of making the fibers and compositions. The fibers can be organic or inorganic fibers. The nanowires can be metallic or semiconducting nanowires. The nanowires are disposed on at least a portion of a surface of a fiber or fibers. The fibers and compositions can be used as barcodes (e.g., for anti-counterfeiting methods). The fibers and compositions also can be used as photodetectors (e.g., methods of detecting electromagnetic radiation).

Abstract: The invention provides an alternating current electrospray technology that can generate micron sized droplets in oil at very high throughput for emulsion or digital PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). This technology outperforms the throughput of the current gold standard in droplet generation using flow-focusing technology by at least a factor of 100. The design is simple and can generate a billion to a trillion monodispersed droplets in about one hour. This is much faster than flow-focusing which is limited to a few million droplets per hour. The droplet size and generation rate can also be easily adjusted by changing the voltage of the AC electric field. The range of produced droplet sizes is about 1-100 microns, wherein the droplets are monodispersed in size.

Abstract: A device for detecting bacteria in a sample, comprising: a substrate having a surface; and a plurality of Fe(III)-bound or Fe(III)-binding siderophores specific to the bacteria and covalently attached to the surface; wherein the siderophores are selected from the group consisting of one or more natural siderophores, siderophores having one or more of the formulas described herein, or combination thereof. Methods of detection are also provided.

Abstract: A method of crosslinking a hetero-bifunctional photo crosslinking compound to an immunoglobulin having at least one heterocyclic photo reactive group and at least one non-photo reactive group where the non-photo reactive group is coupled to an effector molecule and the photo reactive group is coupled to the nucleotide binding site of an immunoglobulin. Alternatively, the photo crosslinker contains an orthogonal reactive group such as a thiol, which can be coupled to an effector molecule or functionalized ligand.