Abstract: A method for user association, i.e., user equipment-base station, UE-BS, association, in a cellular network is specifically designed for user association, for instance in 5G mmWave cellular networks. The method is based on the rational that network throughput may be low because of the weakest UE suffering from a weak direct link or high interference from other BSs in the network. Thus, swapping the worst UE-BS connection is likely to provide the UE a stronger link, i.e. a better connection to another BS, and/or reduce the interference, which consequently improves the throughput. An optional approach is based on matching theory, which uses preference lists maintained at the BSs and UEs.

Abstract: Articles and methods to separate blood cells from plasma are generally provided. In some embodiments, an article comprises an absorbent layer comprising a sample collection region laterally spaced from and fluidically connected with filters. The sample collection region may be removable, in some embodiments. In some embodiments, an article comprises a first filter and a second, filter configured to separate blood cells from plasma positioned between the environment external to the article and the first filter. In the context of the present disclosure, it has been recognized that the articles and methods described herein can be used to passively separate plasma with a high purity from whole blood.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods including the steps of (i) providing silk fibroin material comprising substantially amorphous structure, and (ii) applying at least one of elevated temperature and elevated pressure to the silk fibroin material to form a silk fibroin article, wherein the applying induces fusion between at least a portion of the silk fibroin and structural change of fibroin in the silk fibroin material. In some embodiments, the present disclosure also provides silk fibroin articles made in accordance with the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosure are directed to methods for identifying a subject responsive to treatment of a psychiatric illness, diagnosing and treating a psychiatric illness in a subject, determining the efficacy of a medicament for treating a psychiatric illness in a subject, a panel of biomarkers for use in the methods thereof, and compositions for treating a psychiatric illness in a subject. The biomarkers and methods using such biomarkers described here can identify subsets or populations of patients having impaired endogenous neurosteroidogenesis, where the biomarkers serve as predictive biomarkers for identifying patients having a psychiatric illness who are responsive to neuroactive steroid (NAS)-based treatments.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed toward fluidic devices that allow lateral and/or vertical transport of a fluid comprising cells, and possibly at least a portion of the cells disposed in the fluid, through one or more layers therein. For example, some fluidic devices comprise a layer comprising a channel that allows for lateral transport of a fluid comprising cells and/or cells disposed in such a fluid. As another example, some fluidic devices comprise a layer comprising a vertical transport region that allows for vertical transport of a fluid comprising cells and/or cells disposed in such a fluid. The fluidic devices described herein may also comprise one or more layers that filter cells and/or do not allow for transport of cells therethrough. The use of such layers in combination with layers allowing for lateral and/or vertical cell transport may advantageously allow cells to be transported through one or more portions of a device and retained at another portion of the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods may ethically evaluate intelligent systems operating in a real-world environment. The systems and methods may generate a clone of the intelligent system, and test the clone in a simulation environment. If the clone passes the testing, the systems and methods may permit the intelligent system to continue operating in the real-world environment. If the clone fails the testing, the systems and methods may override the intelligent system, such as disabling the intelligent system and assuming control in the real-world environment. The systems and methods may be implemented at a hardware level of a data processing device to prevent interference with the systems and methods by the intelligent system.

Abstract: A wearable sensor for monitoring an external bodily fluid includes a sensor thread, a wick, a substrate, and a communication interface all of which are disposed on a substrate. The wick wicks the external bodily fluid to a functionalized region of the thread. The communication interface transmits, to an external device, data indicative of what the sensor thread has measured in said external bodily fluid. The external device can then carry out real-time analysis or storage.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for stabilization of active agents. The active agents are distributed, mixed or embedded in a silk fibroin matrix, thereby retaining the bioactivity of the active agents upon storage and/or transportation. In some embodiments, the storage-stable vaccine-silk compositions are also provided herein.

Abstract: An apparatus for earning out near-infrared spectroscopy using intensity-modulated near-infrared radiation or pulsed near-infrared radiation includes sources and detectors. For each source, there exists first and second distances. The first distance is a distance between the source and a first detector. The second distance is a distance between the source and the second detector. For each source, the difference between these two distances is the same. Additionally, wherein, for each source, the detector at a shorter distance is the same detector that is at a longer distance for the other source. A processor derives, from signals received by the detectors, a parameter indicative of two matched slopes. Tins parameter is either phase of the intensity-modulated near-infrared radiation or mean time-of-flight data for the pulsed near-infrared radiation. The processor then provides output data based on an average of the matched slopes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a metadevice including a substrate, a resonator loop coupled to the substrate. The resonator loop having a first gap in the resonator loop. The metadevice includes an organic electrochemical transistor positioned in the first gap, a gate electrode, and an electrolyte extending between the organic electrochemical transistor and the gate electrode.

Abstract: Provided are single-domain antibodies (sdAbs), also called heavy-chain-only variable domains (VHHs) or camelids, that contain reactive, non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) and crosslink to target antigen protein. The target antigen may be a toxin or a neurotoxin produced by a pathogenic organism or microorganism that causes or is associated with a disease or pathology. Compositions and methods using the reactive ncAA-containing sdAbs to treat subjects afflicted with a pathology caused by a toxin- or neurotoxin-producing pathogen, such as Botulinum, are provided. In some cases, the compositions and methods comprising the sdAbs treat or prevent intoxication and inhibit and/or neutralize toxin or neurotoxin activity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a filtration membrane. The method includes providing a copolymer solution by dissolving a statistical copolymer in a mixture of a co-solvent and a first organic solvent, coating the copolymer solution onto a porous support layer to form a polymeric layer thereon, coagulating the polymeric layer on top of the support layer to form a thin film composite membrane, and immersing the thin film composite membrane into a water bath to obtain a filtration membrane. Also disclosed are a filtration membrane prepared by the method, and a process of filtering a liquid using the filtration membrane thus prepared.

Abstract: Disclosed are proteasome inhibitors, fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-activated prodrugs of proteasome inhibitors, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the inhibitors and prodrugs. Also disclosed are related pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of using the inhibitors and prodrugs and compositions thereof, for example, in treating cancer or other cell proliferative diseases. In vitro and in vivo methods of quantifying the expression of FAP in a biopsy sample and a mammal, respectively, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are engineered multicellular organisms. The disclosed organisms comprise an aggregate of ciliated cells, and the organisms move when the ciliated cells are actuated. The engineered multicellular organisms also are capable of kinematic self-replication. The engineered multicellular organisms are capable of moving a plurality of dissociated ciliated cells into piles of ciliated cells which form a multicellular organism comprising an aggregate of ciliated cells which moves when the ciliated cells are actuated. Also disclosed are systems and methods for designing, preparing, and utilizing the engineered multicellular organisms.

Abstract: Disclosed are gas-phase ODH and OCP processes for converting alkanes (e.g., C2H6 and C3H8) to alkenes (e.g., C2H4 and C3H6) or oxygenates (e.g., methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, or propylene oxide) or converting alkenes (e.g., ethylene and propene) and oxygenates (e.g., methanol, ethanol, isopropanol or propylene oxide) to longer carbon-chain alkenes or longer carbon-chain alkanes with or without solid catalysts.

Abstract: Polypeptide products, methods, pharmaceutical compositions, and kits are provided for treating a subject exposed to, or at risk for exposure to, C. difficile microbial pathogens and toxin B produced by C. difficile (TcdB) pathogens. The methods, compositions and kits include a single domain, anti-TcdB VHH polypeptide (antibody), or toxin B binding portion thereof, that specifically binds to and/or neutralizes TcdB and treats or prevents illness and disease associated with C. difficile infection and TcdB intoxication. The anti-TcdB VHHs, or toxin B binding portion thereof, may be recombinantly produced.

Abstract: A microneedle or microneedle device includes a microneedle body extending from a base to a penetrating tip formed from a silk fibroin based material, which is easy to fabricate and highly biocompatible. The microneedle device can include one or more microneedles mounted to a substrate. The silk fibroin can include active agents to be transported into or across biological barriers such as skin, tissue and cell membranes. The silk fibroin microneedles can be fully or partially biodegradable and/or bioerodible. The silk fibroin is highly stable, affords room temperature storage and is implantable. The silk fibroin structure can be modulated to control the rate of active agent delivery.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and program products for acquiring and analyzing images of a sample. An artificial intelligence (AI) module may be trained to identify, within multi-dimensional image data corresponding to images of objects, wavelength patterns corresponding to one or more defects within the objects. An analysis module is configured to detect one or more defects in the sample using the AI module for analyzing the images of the sample. In some embodiments, the samples are food samples and the defects include one or more pathogens.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for treating neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Rett syndrome and cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder.

Abstract: Methods, spray devices, and kits for the in situ formation of silk fibroin fibers and/or aerosols are disclosed. Rapidly mixing a silk fibroin solution and a beta sheet initiation solution forms a mixed solution, which is rapidly expanded to form the silk fibroin fibers and/or aerosols. The beta sheet initiation solution includes a hygroscopic polymer having a molecular weight of between 7.5 kDa and 15.0 kDa. The rapid mixing and rapid expanding occur within one second of one another. Silk fibroin aerosols are formed when a molecular weight distribution of fragments in the silk fibroin solution is below an aerosol-fiber threshold. Silk fibroin fibers are formed when the molecular weight distribution is below the aerosol-fiber threshold.