Abstract: The described invention provides small molecule anti-cancer compounds for treating tumors that respond to cholesterol biosynthesis inhibition. The compounds selectively inhibit the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway in tumor-derived cancer cells, but do not affect normally dividing cells.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of training a neural network to improve a characteristic of a protein comprises collecting a set of amino acid sequences from a database, compiling each amino acid sequence into a three-dimensional crystallographic structure of a folded protein, training a neural network with a subset of the three-dimensional crystallographic structures, identifying, with the neural network, a candidate residue to mutate in a target protein, and identifying, with the neural network, a predicted amino acid residue to substitute for the candidate residue, to produce a mutated protein, wherein the mutated protein demonstrates an improvement in a characteristic over the target protein. A system for improving a characteristic of a protein is also described. Improved blue fluorescent proteins generated using the system are also described.

Abstract: The disclosure describes imaging and therapy techniques comprising nanodroplets. More particularly, aspects of the disclosure relate to the use of nanodroplets to modify nanobubbles or microbubbles to provide improved imaging and/or therapeutic techniques and compositions.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a) a therapeutic agent; b) a metal-organic framework (MOF) or a coordination polymer; and c) a pharmaceutically acceptable polymer; wherein the therapeutic agent is encapsulated within the metal-organic framework or coordination polymer to form an encapsulated therapeutic agent, and wherein the encapsulated therapeutic agent is further encapsulated, entrapped, embedded, dispersed within, or complexed to the pharmaceutically acceptable polymer. The present disclosure also provides methods of making said compositions, methods of treating a disease or disorder comprising administering to a subject said compositions. The present disclosure also provides microneedles and implantable medical devices comprising said compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an important therapeutic strategy of targeting MNK to block eIF4E phosphorylation for the treatment of persistent inflammatory pain in later life. In one embodiment, a therapeutic drug that targets MNK and inhibits MNK is selected in order to block eIF4E phosphorylation and the therapeutic drug is administered to the subject with sufficient dosage to block eIF4E phosphorylation. The treatment is suitable for aged subjects experiencing inflammatory pain such as age-associated inflammation, age-associated low-grade inflammation, CFA-induced acute inflammation, spontaneous pain, mechanical hypersensitivity or thermal hypersensitivity.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system can include multiple photovoltaic power inverters that convert sunlight to power. An amount of power for each of the inverters can be measured over a period of time. These measurements, along with other data, can be collected. The collected measurements can be used to generate artificial neural networks that predict the output of each inverter based on input parameters. Using these neural networks, the total solar power generation forecast for the photovoltaic system can be predicted.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides one or more amino lipids such as an amino lipids containing a sulfonic acid or sulfonic acid derivative of the formulas: wherein the variables are as defined herein. These amino lipids may be used in compositions with one or more helper lipids and a nucleic acid therapeutic agent. These compositions may be used to treat a disease or disorder such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, or other genetic diseases.

Abstract: A skyrmion logic gate is provided. The logic gate comprises a first track configured for propagation of magnetic skyrmions and a second track configured for propagation of magnetic skyrmions. A junction links the first and second tracks. A continuous current flows through the logic gate, wherein skyrmions propagate due to the current.

Abstract: An electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) microfluidic device comprises at least one integrated electrochemical sensor, the electrochemical sensor comprising: a reference electrode; a sensing electrode; and an analyte-selective layer positioned over the sensing electrode. In some embodiments, the electrochemical sensor measures a concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample exposed to the electrochemical sensor based on a potential difference between the reference electrode and the sensing electrode. The first analyte and the second analyte can be selected from a group consisting of K+, Na+, Ca2+, Cl?, HCO3?, Mg2+, H+, Ba2+, Pb2+, Cu2+, I?, NH4+, (SO4)2?.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of determining tumoral sensitivity to hormonal (endocrine) therapy based upon an index of estrogen receptor (ER)- and progesterone receptor (PR)-related genes, referred to as the sensitivity to endocrine therapy index (SETER/PR index), and may have additional consideration for the proportion of ER gene (ESR1) RNA transcripts that contain a mutation relative to the value of the SETER/PR index. Further provided are methods of treating breast cancer patients determined to be sensitive to an endocrine therapy by the SETER/PR index.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are nanoparticles comprising a lipid core comprising a sterol; and a complex comprising a cationic agent and a therapeutic agent, wherein the complex is encapsulated within the lipid core. Methods to produce the nanoparticle comprise: combining a cationic agent, a therapeutic agent, and a first water-immiscible solvent with a first aqueous solution, thereby forming a mixture comprising a complex comprising the cationic agent and the therapeutic agent; combining the mixture with a second waterim-miscible solvent, thereby forming an aqueous phase and an organic phase, and separating the organic phase comprising the complex; combining the organic phase comprising the complex with a sterol and a first water-miscible organic solvent; and dispersing the complex in a second aqueous solution to form a herein disclosed nanoparticle. Methods for treating a disease and for reducing nanoparticle burst rate are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device for in vivo tissue evaluation includes an elongated manipulator including an elongated proximal tube and an articulable distal portion, and a sensor provided at a distal end of the articulable distal portion, the sensor including a sensor head configured to be pressed against tissue and measure a reaction force of the tissue.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to engineered heme sequestering peptides and their use in treating cancer and inhibiting microbial infections and colonization.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect seizures using analog circuitry. One example method generally includes obtaining, at a seizure detection system, one or more electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, detecting a plurality of features associated with each of the one or more EEG signals, generating a bitstream indicating a seizure probability associated with each feature of the plurality of features to yield a plurality of bitstreams indicating a plurality of seizure probabilities, and generating a seizure detection output based on the plurality of bitstreams indicating the plurality of seizure probabilities of the plurality of features.

Abstract: Cellulose materials and methods of making the cellulose materials are described herein. The method can include contacting a cotton fabric with an oxidizing system to obtain an oxidized cotton material and processing the oxidized cotton material to form the cellulose material. The oxidizing system can include an aqueous mixture of a N-oxyl compound and a hypochlorite compound. During oxidation, the pH of the aqueous mixture can be maintained at from 8.5 to 11. Cellulose products can be formed from the cellulose materials. For example, the cellulose products can be used to form a packaging material, a biomedical device or implant, a drug delivery material, a fiber, a textile material, a template for electronic components, or a separation membrane. Methods of making the cellulose product include dissolving or suspending an active ingredient in a medium comprising the cellulose material.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to antibodies binding to PD-L1 and methods of using such antibodies to treat cancers, such as those that express or overexpress PD-L1.

Abstract: A method of measuring a junction temperature of a SiC MOSFET can be provided by applying a gate-source voltage to an external gate loop coupled to a gate of the SiC MOSFET, detecting a first time when the gate-source voltage exceeds a first value configured to disable conduction of a current in a drain of the SiC MOSFET, detecting, after the first time, a second time when a voltage across a common source inductance in a package of the SiC MOSFET indicates that the current in the drain is greater than a reference value, defining a time interval from the first time to the second time as a turn on delay time of the SiC MOSFET and determining the junction temperature for the SiC MOSFET using the turn on delay time.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and kits for the diagnosing a neurological disease within primary care settings comprising: obtaining a blood test sample from a subject, measuring IL-7 and TNF? biomarkers in the blood sample, comparing the level of the one or a combination of biomarkers and neurocognitive screening tests with the level of a corresponding one or combination of biomarkers in a normal blood sample and neurocognitive screening tests, and predicting that an increase in the level of the blood test sample in relation to that of the normal blood sample indicates that the subject is likely to have a neurological disease.

Abstract: Described herein are water desalination membranes and methods of desalinating water. Sulfonated poly(arylene ether) polymers are also disclosed, including those comprising one or more sulfonate groups at various points along the polymer chain. The polymers may be used as at least a portion of a water desalination membrane. The polymers described herein are useful for preventing transport of aqueous ionic species (e.g., Na+ and Cl?) across a membrane made from the polymers while allowing water to pass. Chlorine-stable polymers are described, as well as polymers exhibiting good performance for rejecting monovalent cations in the presence of polyvalent cations.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of imaging cancerous cells in a subject, wherein the cancerous cells are localized to the skeletal system or central nervous system of the subject, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of 18F-fluoroacetate, detecting a first signal emitted by 18F-fluoroacetate, and generating an image representative of the location and/or amount of the first signal to image the cancerous cells. In some embodiments, the methods further comprising diagnosing, prognosing, staging, and/or monitoring the progression of a disease or disorder, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia and/or leptomeningeal disease.