Abstract: Tetrazine non-canonical amino acids, methods for genetic encoding proteins and polypeptides using the tetrazine amino acids, proteins and polypeptides comprising the tetrazine amino acids, and compositions comprising the proteins and polypeptides having at least one post-translational modification thereof comprising in vivo reaction with the incorporated tetrazine amino acid and a second molecule.

Abstract: Provided are antisense morpholino oligomers targeted against bacterial virulence factors such as genes that contribute to antibiotic resistance or biofilm formation, or essential genes, and related compositions and methods of using the oligomers and compositions, for instance, in the treatment of an infected mammalian subject.

Abstract: Microfluidic diatomaceous earth analytical devices (?DADs) comprising highly porous photonic crystal biosilica channels are disclosed. The ?DADs can simultaneously perform on-chip chromatography to separate small molecules from complex samples and acquire the surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectra of the target chemicals with high specificity. The ultra-small dimensions of the diatomaceous earth microfluidic channels and the photonic crystal effect from the fossilized diatom frustules allow unprecedented sensitivity down to ppb-level.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a porous aluminum oxide thin film having a surface RMS roughness value of less than 1 nm. The thin film may also comprise phosphorus. The disclosed thin films may have a refractive index of from 1 to 2, such as from 1 to 1.5. Also disclosed are embodiments of as method for making the disclosed thin films, comprising forming an aqueous solution of the alumina precursor, a surfactant and optionally a phosphorus-containing precursor, and depositing the solution on a substrate.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for demonstrating a completely new statistical association between earthquake events, for determining spatially-dependent increases in risk levels following a primary earthquake event, and for generating and disseminating alerts accordingly. A time window after a primary earthquake event is chosen. Observed earthquakes within the time window are compared with baseline rates of earthquake events. The observed events are statistically analyzed against pure chance to determine a statistical association between primary earthquakes and follow-on earthquakes. Increases in earthquake risk are determined for multiple spatial zones. Responsive to a primary event, spatially dependent probabilities of a follow-on earthquake, or risk increases, are determined and used to generate and disseminate corresponding alerts. A system comprising seismic sensors, a computing apparatus, and subscriber nodes is described. Variants are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synthesizing nanocrystals using continuous, microwave-assisted, segmented flow reactor.

Abstract: Devices and methods for legged locomotion, including a robotic leg for spring-mass legged locomotion incorporating passive dynamics.

Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments concern systems and methods of preparing dialysate for use in a home dialysis system that is compact and light-weight relative to existing systems and consumes relatively low amounts of energy. The method includes coupling a household water stream to a dialysis system; filtering the water stream; heating the water stream to at least about 138 degrees Celsius in a non-batch process to produce a heated water stream; maintaining the heated water stream at or above at least about 138 degrees Celsius for at least about two seconds; cooling the heated water stream to produce a cooled water stream; ultrafiltering the cooled water stream; and mixing dialysate components into the cooled water stream in a non-batch process.

Abstract: A method to generate siRNAs in vivo is described, as are constructs and compositions useful in the method. The method does not depend on the use of DNA or synthetic constructs that contain inverted duplications or dual promoters so as to form perfect or largely double-stranded RNA. Rather, the method depends on constructs that yield single-stranded RNA transcripts, and exploits endogenous or in vivo-produced miRNAs or siRNAs to initiate production of siRNAs. The miRNAs or siRNAs guide cleavage of the transcript and set the register for production of siRNAs (usually 21 nucleotides in length) encoded adjacent to the initiation cleavage site within the construct. The method results in specific formation of siRNAs of predictable size and register (phase) relative to the initiation cleavage site. The method can be used to produce specific siRNAs in vivo for inactivation or suppression of one or more target genes or other entities, such as pathogens.

Abstract: The invention is based on the recognition that known antimicrobial compounds, such as nisin or other lantibiotics, can be made to form a long lasting antimicrobial surface coating by linking the peptide with a block polymer, such as PLURONIC® F108 or an end group activated polymer (EGAP) in a manner to form a flexible tether and/or entrap the peptide. The entrapped peptide provides antimicrobial action by early release from entrapment while the tethered peptide provides longer lasting antimicrobial protection. Antimicrobial gels and foams may be prepared using the antimicrobial peptide containing block copolymers.

Abstract: Provided are antisense oligomers targeted against bacterial mRNAs and other macromolecules associated with a biochemical pathway and/or cellular process, and related compositions and methods of using the oligomers and compositions to treat an infected mammalian subject, for example, as primary antimicrobials or as adjunctive therapies with classic antimicrobials.

Abstract: Embodiments of substrate-based devices disclosed herein comprise a polymeric substrate with a hydrophobic polymer coating that defines wells or openings on the polymeric substrate and/or serves as an adhesive agent between stacked substrates of the device. Also disclosed herein are embodiments of plate frames that can be used to align and hold well plate devices described herein. Methods of fabricating the disclosed devices also are described.

Abstract: mRNA polymer complexes and drug delivery systems are disclosed herein that include a cationic polymer electrostatically complexed to an mRNA molecule that encodes a desired protein. Also disclosed herein are methods of treating as well as methods of slowing the loss of, increasing, and/or maintaining lean muscle mass in a subject, such as using mRNA polymer complexes and drug delivery systems.

Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments concern systems and methods of preparing dialysate for use in a home dialysis system that is compact and light-weight relative to existing systems and consumes relatively low amounts of energy. The method includes coupling a household water stream to a dialysis system; filtering the water stream; heating the water stream to at least about 138 degrees Celsius in a non-batch process to produce a heated water stream; maintaining the heated water stream at or above at least about 138 degrees Celsius for at least about two seconds; cooling the heated water stream to produce a cooled water stream; ultrafiltering the cooled water stream; and mixing dialysate components into the cooled water stream in a non-batch process.

Abstract: Disclosed microreactors operate in an electrical discharge mode, such as a pulse mode, an arc mode or a corona discharge mode, and most preferably in a corona discharge mode. A microreactor may comprise multiple, simultaneously operating corona discharges. The microreactor typically has at least one feature measured on a millimeter scale. Certain disclosed microreactors comprised multiple reactor plates in a stack. Each plate comprised plural corona discharge electrodes positioned in series along each of plural corresponding microchannels. A method for using disclosed microreactors and systems comprising disclosed microreactors, such as for chemical transformations, fluid purifications, or both, also is disclosed.

Abstract: Implantable passive engineered mechanisms and a method for implanting such devices in a subject are described. The implantable passive engineered mechanism may be made of or comprise a biocompatible material and is appropriately sized for implantation in a subject. Exemplary implantable passive engineered mechanisms may be selected from a strut, a pulley, a lever, a compliant mechanism, a scissor lift, a tendon network, springs, planetary gears, rigid or soft hydraulics, a linkage system, a cam/clutch system, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments the system comprises plural inserts, such as pulleys, levers, and/or tendon networks. Plural inserts may be arranged hierarchically to distribute force differentially from an input to one or more outputs.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating hypertension in a subject are provided, including administering an antisense oligomer effective to reduce expression of cytochrome P450 3A5 (CYP3A5) enzyme. The antisense oligomer includes phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligonucleotide (PMO), phosphorothioate 2?-O-methyl oligoribonucleotides (PSO), locked nucleic acid nucleotide, locked nucleic acid analog nucleotide, or another modified oligonucleotide backbone or nuclease-resistant backbone. The antisense oligomer is administered transdermally, subcutaneously, or orally, and optionally with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In one embodiment, the antisense oligomer is an oligomer that is antisense to mRNAs that encode CYP3A5, for instance targeted at the AUG start site of the mRNAs that encode CYP3A5 or at a G4 structure within CYP3A5.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of bio-lamina bioreactors and methods of making and using the same. The bio-lamina bioreactors disclosed herein can make fuels from organic reactants using fluid flow through the bio-lamina bioreactors in combination with microorganisms capable of reacting with the organic reactants. The microorganisms are embedded within biofilms present within the bio-lamina bioreactor. The bio-lamina bioreactor further comprises bio-lamina substrates comprising unique flow channels and structural projections that facilitate fluid flow and interactions with the microorganism cultures of the biofilm.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which comprises: logic to privately compare one or more received Order Preserving Encrypted (OPE) signal strength (RSS) values, from a plurality of secondary users (SUs), with a OPE threshold value; a transmitter to send the comparison result to a fusion center (FC); and a receiver to receive the OPE threshold value from the FC.

Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to electrocaloric devices, methods of making electrocaloric integrated circuits, and methods of thermally cycling integrated circuits. The electrocaloric device can include an electrocaloric material having a solid solution of two or more components of BNT, BKT, BZT, BMgT, or BNiT. The electrocaloric material can have an ergodic transition temperature within a range of 50 C to 300 C. The device can also include electrodes associated with the electrocaloric material, as well as an electrical source to add or reduce electrical field between the electrodes across the electrocaloric material to generate heating or cooling relative to the ergodic transition temperature of the electrocaloric material.