Abstract: The present invention includes methods of improving proteolytic stability of a polypeptide, comprising alkylating at least one selected from the group consisting of a N-terminus amino group, the NH group of the N-terminus first internal amide bond, another primary amino group, a thiol group and a thioether group within the polypeptide. The present invention further includes polypeptides incorporating such chemical modifications.

Abstract: An approach to communication of a quantized value includes communicating one or more parameters characterizing a distribution of the values, and then repeatedly quantizing values according to the distribution and communicating the transmitted values. In some examples, the quantizing of the values is according to a maximum-entropy codebook determined from the distribution (or from the parameters characterizing the distribution). In one application, a network communication method communicates link state values among nodes of the network using this approach to communication of quantized values. For example, link state information is distributed among nodes of the network by distributing parameters characterizing distributions of the link state values for particular links, and quantizing the link state values according to codebooks determined from the parameters. In some examples, the parameters characterizing the distributions are distributed less frequently than the quantized values.

Abstract: Methods, tip assemblies and kits are provided for introducing material into cells. The tip assemblies include an attachment portion, a channel portion, and a constriction that function to reduce fluid pressure as a fluid passes through the constriction portion from the channel portion, whereby the tip assemblies form pores in the membranes of cells and introduce material into the cells. The material includes for example one selected from the group of: an inorganic compound, a drug, a genetic material, a protein, a carbohydrate, a synthetic polymer, and a pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are provided for treating a subject exposed to or at risk for exposure to a disease agent using a pharmaceutical composition including at least one recombinant binding protein or a source of expression of the binding protein, wherein the binding protein neutralizes a disease agent that is a toxin, for example a Clostridium difficile toxin, a Shiga toxin, a ricin toxin, or an anthrax toxin.

Abstract: A system and method, for measuring phase delay and amplitude of a near infrared signal emanating from tissue of an animal subject in response a near infrared signal input to such tissue, operate by processing a signal from an optical detector and a corresponding signal from an optical detector emulation circuit. In some aspects, the processed signals are fed into zero crossing detectors that in turn feed a time-to-digital converter providing at an output thereof a digital measure of the phase delay of the received optical signal.

Abstract: Described herein are microfluidic devices and systems for high density cell culture and/or high throughput cell assays. Methods of using the same are also provided herein. In some embodiments, the microfluidic devices and systems described herein provide rapid and automated trapping of single embryos in ordered arrays.

Abstract: Disclosed is a statistical copolymer that includes both zwitterionic repeat units and hydrophobic repeat units and a filtration membrane that contains a selective layer formed of the statistical copolymer. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the above-described filtration membrane.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for the treatment of wounds in a mammalian subject. Particularly, novel bioactive polypeptides are provided that promote tissue repair and regeneration, including the activation of/stimulation of wound healing and wound closure, stimulate keratinocyte and endothelial cell motility and/or proliferation.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to uridine nucleoside derivatives, compositions comprising therapeutically effective amounts of those nucleoside derivatives and methods of using those nucleoside derivatives or compositions in treating disorders that are responsive to ligands, such as agonists, of P2Y6 receptor, e.g., neuronal disorders, including neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease) and traumatic CNS injury, pain, Down Syndrome (DS), glaucoma and inflammatory conditions.

Abstract: A method of making an electrically active structure includes applying a backplane onto a substrate, applying a paint layer onto said backplane, applying a stencil layer on said paint layer, patterning an electrically active structure onto said paint layer through said stencil layer, and removing said stencil layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides silk photonic crystals that can be used to enhance light-induced effects. Also disclosed are biocompatible, functionalized, all-protein inverse opals and related methods.

Abstract: The inventions provided herein relate to silk-based scaffolds and methods of producing the same, which can be used for a range of tissue engineering applications. The fabrication methods described herein provide a versatile platform to incorporate hollow conduits (e.g., for nutrient/oxygen delivery) through three-dimensional silk-based scaffolds that have tunable bulk properties (e.g., but not limited to, porosity, mechanical, degradation rate) and allow endothelialization and/or cell compartmentalization, for engineering a variety of complex tissue equivalents.

Abstract: An ionic material that contains a crosslinked polydimethylsiloxane network and an ionic liquid and, optionally, a lithium salt. Also disclosed are a methods of preparing the above-described ionic material, as well as a battery and a capacitor each including the ionic material as an electrolyte.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a biopolymer optofluidic device including providing a biopolymer, processing the biopolymer to yield a biopolymer matrix solution, providing a substrate, casting the biopolymer matrix solution on the substrate, embedding a channel mold in the biopolymer matrix solution, drying the biopolymer matrix solution to solidify biopolymer optofluidic device, and extracting the embedded channel mold to provide a fluidic channel in the solidified biopolymer optofluidic device. In accordance with another aspect, an optofluidic device is provided that is made of a biopolymer and that has a channel therein for conveying fluid.

Abstract: The present application discloses biopolymer-based ink formulations that are useful for inkjet printing and other applications. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are the use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain CNCM I-3690 for reducing diet-induced weight gain and/or diet-induced insulin resistance, and treating disorders resulting therefrom, such as overweight, obesity and obesity-related disorders in a subject.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to generating a Sudoku array and particularly, but not exclusively, to methods and systems for generating a Sudoku array for a puzzle or for encrypting data.

Abstract: Devices for use in fluorescence or luminescence lifetime imaging include a chip featuring an imaging region that includes a photodetector for receiving optical signals, and a time-to-digital converter for providing digital phase output based on the received optical signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to shear sensor arrays. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a floating element shear stress sensor array on a chip that is calibrated to high shear levels and is calibrated to determine the sensitivity to streamwise pressure gradients.

Abstract: The disclosure provides ceramic materials comprising calcium phosphate material and silk and processes and methods for preparing and uses thereof.