Abstract: Computer-implemented system and method are disclosed herein for fine tuning a neural network model. The method includes seeking, in a loss landscape, a nonlinear path with a loss barrier from a loss function associated with a first neural network model. The method further includes altering, in response to said seeking, one or more mechanisms of the first neural network model to induce a second neural network model.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a mass spectrometry tag may comprise a linker region, a mass balance region, and a reporter region. The mass spectrometry tag may be configured to fragment in a mass spectrometer via an energy dependent process to produce multiple reporter molecules. For example, the reporter region of the tag may be configured to produce at least two reporter molecules via fragmentation. In some embodiments, one or more regions of the tag may comprise at least one heavy isotope. In some such embodiments, the ability to fragment into multiple reporter molecules as well as the placement and/or number of heavy isotope(s) allows the mass spectrometry tag to be distinguished from other similar mass spectrometry tags. In some such embodiments, the ability to distinguish between tags having the same or substantially similar total mass to charge ratio and reporter region mass may allow the system to have a greater multiplexing capacity than conventional systems.

Abstract: A tape for collecting tissue samples in a manner compatible with imaging in a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) system, includes a tape substrate having two side walls forming a trough. The trough is defined by a bottom surface of the tape substrate and internal surfaces of the side walls, with an open side therebetween. A support film is attached to a top surface of the tape substrate, and a plurality of apertures is spaced at predetermined locations along the length of the tape substrate, each aperture being covered by the support film. The tape includes a stacked configuration in which the tape substrate is wound in layers, the bottom surfaces of the side walls in one layer being in contact with the support film in an immediately adjacent layer. The apertures in the second layer are aligned within the trough of the first layer, between the side walls.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds useful for the treatment of various proliferative diseases. These compounds, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof may be formulated in pharmaceutical compositions, and may be used in methods of treatment and/or prophylaxis of proliferative diseases, including cancer, and more specifically, pancreatic cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are non-myeloablative antibody-toxin conjugates and compositions that target cell surface markers, such as the CD34, CD45 or CD117 receptors, and related methods of their use to effectively conditioning a subject's tissues (e.g., bone marrow tissue) prior to engraftment or transplant. The compositions and methods disclosed herein may be used to condition a subject's tissues in advance of, for example, hematopoietic stem cell transplant and advantageously such compositions and methods do not cause the toxicities that are commonly associated with traditional conditioning methods.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some embodiments, are recombinant viral genomes comprising an inhibitory oligonucleotide that reduces inflammation for use, for example, in gene therapy.

Abstract: Provided herein are polymeric particles and compositions (i.e., “backpacks”) that can adhere to cells and provide delivery of payload agents to those cells, and/or direct therapeutic activity of those cells.

Abstract: In some aspects, a device comprises a plurality of walls defining a slot and one or more channels wherein the one or more channels are intersected by the slot; wherein the one or more channels have a cross-section in a plane perpendicular to a vertical axis of the device that changes along the vertical axis; and one or more floats sized to allow movement of the one or more floats within said one or more channels, wherein the one or more floats have a surface characteristic that is different from the surface characteristic of the walls such that, upon contact with a fluid, said walls and said floats form different contact angles and induce a repulsive capillary force between the walls and the one or more floats at a surface of the fluid; and wherein the slot has a width that is smaller than the width of the one or more channels such that the one or more floats are prevented from moving between the one or more channels.

Abstract: The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery of the human-specific regulatory control of cGAS and the structure of the active human cGAS-DNA complex, as well as compositions comprising the modified hcGAS polypeptide, hcGAS-DNA complex, hcGAS-DNA-ATP complex, and methods of screening for modulators of the structure, expression, and/or activity of such polypeptides and complexes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a neural computer including an image sensor capable of controlling a photocurrent. The neural computer according to an embodiment includes a preprocessor configured to receive an image and generate a feature map for the received image; a flattening unit configured to transform the feature map generated by the preprocessor into tabular data to provide data output; and an image classifier configured to classify images received through the preprocessor by using the data output by the flattening unit as an input value. The preprocessor includes an optical signal processor configured to receive the image and generate the feature map.

Abstract: Fabrication of a low-cost and miniaturized solid-contact thread-based ion sensing electrode (ISE) that is suitable for point-of-care applications is described. The fabrication process is simple and scalable. Different types of threads and a variety of different conductive ion-to-electron transducer inks can be used to fabricate the thread-based ISEs with Nernstian responses. Multiple thread-based sensors can be easily bundled with the reference electrode to fabricate a customized sensor for multiplexed ion-sensing in small sample volumes. The thread-based electrodes can be used in both single-use and reusable fashion. The thread-based multiplexed ion-sensor is used for detection of a wide array of ions in many different types of aqueous solutions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for focused direction deposition of a micron or nanometer dimension polymeric fiber and materials of such fibers are described herein. Systems and methods employ one or more gas flows to entrain and deflect fibers produced by a rotary jet spinning system forming a focused fiber stream. Some embodiments enable control of alignment and distribution of the fibers with a relatively high fiber throughput.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for preparing an alpha-keratin solution comprising alpha-keratin protofibrils and intermediate filaments in liquid crystal phase and uses thereof for fabricating, e.g., shape-memory polymeric fibers, yarns, threads, fabrics, structures and objects.

Abstract: A textile actuator and harness system can include a harness configured to be worn with a portion extending across a wearer's joint. The harness comprises a substantially inextensible section and at least two mounting locations spaced for positioning across the joint, with at least one located along the substantially inextensible section of the harness. A textile envelope defines a chamber and is made fluid-impermeable by (a) a fluid-impermeable bladder contained in the textile envelope and/or (b) a fluid-impermeable structure incorporated into the textile envelope. The textile envelope is secured to the harness at each mounting location, and the textile envelope has a pre-determined geometry configured to produce assistance to the joint due to inflation of the textile envelope during a relative increase in pressure inside the chamber.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some embodiments, are molecular authentication methods, systems, and compositions.

Abstract: A nanopore system provided herein includes first and second fluidic reservoirs in fluidic communication with a nanopore forming a fluidic path between the reservoirs. An enzyme clamp, provided in the first fluidic reservoir, abuts the nanopore and is reversibly bound to a sequential plurality of polymer subunits of a target polymer molecule in ionic solution. The clamp has an outer clamp diameter that is greater than the nanopore diameter. An electrical circuit includes an electrode in each of the reservoirs for applying a voltage bias across the nanopore. A pulse generator is connected in the electrical circuit to apply control pulses across the nanopore to step the clamp along sequential polymer subunits of the target polymer molecule. The system includes no fuel or source of fuel for the clamp. A controller is connected in the electrical circuit for controlling the collection of electrical indications of polymer subunits.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compounds of Formula (I) and (II), which may be ROCK2 inhibitors. The present disclosure also provides pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising the compounds, and methods of treating or preventing diseases and disorders associated with ROCK2 (e.g., fibrotic disease, autoimmune disease, inflammatory-fibrotic condition, inflammatory condition, edema, ophthalmic disease, cardiovascular disease, central nervous system disorder, cancer) by administering to a subject in need thereof the compounds or pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a photonic material for reducing transmission of ultraviolet light. The photonic material has spherical scatterers in a matrix material. The spherical scatterers have an amorphous arrangement in the matrix material and are configured to scatter ultraviolet light traveling in the matrix material. The amorphous arrangement of the spherical scatterers causes multiple scattering of the ultraviolet light. Absorbing material is disposed within the matrix material or the spherical scatterers and absorbs the ultraviolet light traveling in the matrix material.

Abstract: A method of modulating some or all copies of a gene in a cell is provided including introducing into a cell one or more ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequences that comprise a portion that is complementary to all or a portion of each of the one or more target nucleic acid sequences, and a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a Cas protein and maintaining the cells under conditions in which the Cas protein is expressed and the Cas protein binds and modulates the one or more target nucleic acid sequences in the cell.

Abstract: An optical component comprises a metasurface comprising nanoscale elements. The metasurface is configured to receive incident light and to generate optical outputs. The geometries and/or orientations of the nanoscale elements provide a first optical output upon receiving a polarized incident light with a first polarization, and provide a second optical output upon receiving a polarized incident light with a second polarization that is different from the first polarization.