Abstract: A light-activated construct composed of two photoreceptive polypeptide domains connected to one another by a flexible linker is provided, as is a fusion protein containing the same and polynucleotides encoding said construct and fusion protein. Methods of making and using the light-activated construct and fusion protein are also provided.

Abstract: New synthetic methods to provide access to previously unexplored functionality at the C8 position of substituted imidazo[5,1-d][1,2,3,5]tetrazines of Formula I. Through synthesis and evaluation of a suite of compounds with a range of aqueous stabilities (from 0.5 to 40 hours), a predictive model for imidazotetrazine hydrolytic stability based on the Hammett constant of the C8 substituent was derived. Promising compounds were identified that possess activity against a panel of GBM cell lines, appropriate hydrolytic and metabolic stability, and brain-to-serum ratios dramatically elevated relative to TMZ, leading to lower hematological toxicity profiles and superior activity to TMZ in a mouse model of GBM.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for monitoring unstructured environments. A predetermined path can be determined according to an assignment of geolocations to one or more agronomically anomalous target areas, where the one or more agronomically anomalous target areas are determined according to an analysis of a plurality of first images that automatically identifies a target area that deviates from a determination of an average of the plurality of first images that represents an anomalous place within a predetermined area, where the plurality of first images of the predetermined area are captured by a camera during a flight over the predetermined area. A camera of an unmanned vehicle can capture at least one second image of the one or more agronomically anomalous target areas as the unmanned vehicle travels along the predetermined path.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for eliciting an immune response in a subject (such as against Shigella) are provided. In examples, the compositions can include fusion proteins including one or more epitopes from Shigella or E. coli. In examples, the methods can include administering a disclosed fusion protein to a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are antibacterial compounds that accumulate in Gram-negative bacteria, methods of preparing the compounds, and methods of using the compounds to inhibit or kill microbes, and methods of treating microbial infections, such as Gram-negative bacterial infections. Compounds selected for conversion to potential Gram-negative antibacterial compounds were identified based on compounds having low globularity and low flexibility. Amine substituents were then strategically added to the selected compounds to provide compounds having antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria.

Abstract: Novel Fusidic Acid (FA) based compounds that have equivalent potency against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium) as well as an improved resistance profile in vitro when compared to FA. Importantly, the new compounds display efficacy against a FA-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus in a soft-tissue murine infection model. This disclosure delineates the structural features of FA necessary for potent antibiotic activity and demonstrates that the resistance profile can be improved for this scaffold and target.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus comprising: a membrane, wherein the membrane has a first side and a second side, wherein the membrane has a first pore disposed therein, wherein the first pore extends through the membrane from the first side of the membrane to the second side of the membrane, wherein the membrane has a second pore disposed therein, and wherein the second pore extends through the membrane from the first side of the membrane to the second side of the membrane; a first channel disposed on the first side of the membrane, wherein the first channel is along a first longitudinal axis; a second channel disposed on the first side of the membrane, wherein the second channel is along a second longitudinal axis, and wherein the first channel and the second channel are disposed side by side adjacent to each other; a third channel disposed on the second side of the membrane, wherein the third channel is along a third longitudinal axis, wherein the third channel is in

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, devices, kits, and articles of manufacture for detecting pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) in a biological sample, for instance a whole blood or serum sample obtained from a pregnant subject, and estimating gestational age (GA) based on the detection of PAPP-A, such that clinical or personal decisions informed by GA can be made without ultrasound.

Abstract: A piezoelectric thin film (PTF) is located above a carrier substrate. The PTF may be X-cut LiNbO3 thin film adapted to propagate an acoustic wave in at least one of a first mode excited by an electric field oriented in a longitudinal direction along a length of the PTF or a second mode excited by the electric field oriented at least partially in a thickness direction of the PTF. A first interdigitated transducer (IDT) is disposed on a first end of the PTF. The first IDT is to convert a first electromagnetic signal, traveling in the longitudinal direction, into the acoustic wave. A second IDT is disposed on a second end of the PTF with a gap between the second IDT and the first IDT. The second IDT is to convert the acoustic wave into a second electromagnetic signal.

Abstract: A microfluidic diagnostic device with a three-dimensional (3D) flow architecture comprises a polymeric body having first and second opposing surfaces and comprising first flow channels in the first opposing surface, second flow channels in the second opposing surface, and connecting flow passages extending through a thickness of the polymeric body to connect the first flow channels to the second flow channels, thereby defining a continuous 3D flow pathway in the polymeric body. The microfluidic diagnostic device also includes a first cover adhered to the first opposing surface to seal the first flow channels, a second cover adhered to the second opposing surface to seal the second flow channels, and one or more access ports in fluid communication with the continuous 3D flow pathway for introducing liquid reagent(s) and/or a sample into the polymeric body.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems that provide a genetic program to control bacterial life cycle and function execution, thereby conferring programmable microbial transition between planktonic and biofilm states and facilitating the development of cellular functions across physiological domains.

Abstract: An imaging substrate is provided to facilitate wide field photothermal infrared spectroscopic imaging of samples disposed thereon. The substrate includes at least two reflective layers and at least one spacer layer disposed therebetween which, together, form an optical cavity. The spacer layer(s) exhibit expansion and/or refractive index change as a function of heating by incident infrared illumination. Such localized heating results in a localized change in the effective reflectivity of the substrate by locally tuning/detuning the optical cavity. Thus, the pattern of effective reflectivity of the substrate can be made to correspond to the pattern of infrared absorptivity of a sample mounted on the substrate by illuminating the sample and the substrate with infrared illumination.

Abstract: The neural network includes layers, and the layers each include a plurality of units, the plurality of units each have a weight coefficient associated with each input to a unit, and an importance parameter indicating importance of the weight coefficient. The method includes: in learning of a task, adjusting a first weight coefficient based on the importance parameter of the first weight coefficient and a first gradient of the first weight coefficient determined using a training set; and after the learning has been completed, determining, based on the training set, respective second gradients of a plurality of second weight coefficients included in a first layer including the first weight coefficient, and calculating the importance parameter of the first weight coefficient to be used in learning of a next task based on the respective second gradients.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the induction of cell death, for example, cancer cell death. Combinations of compounds and related methods of use are disclosed, including the use of compounds in therapy for the treatment of cancer and selective induction of apoptosis in cells. The disclosed drug combinations can have lower neurotoxicity effects than other cancer therapies that achieve the same or similar therapeutic effect.

Abstract: A saliva-based testing method that bypasses the need for RNA isolation/purification is described herein. In experiments with inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus spiked into saliva, this method has a limit of detection of 500-1000 viral particles per mL, rivalling the standard NP swab method. Initial studies showed excellent performance with 100 clinical samples. This saliva-based process is operationally simple, utilizes readily available materials, and can be easily implemented by existing testing sites thus allowing for high-throughput, rapid, and repeat testing of large populations.

Abstract: A system and method remotely allocate bandwidth among content consumers on a computing network based on optimizing an aggregate objective pertaining to a plurality of flows of content. The system and method create a profile for each flow of the plurality of flows from a content provider to a content consumer on the computing network. Information is stored in each profile based on at least a metric associated with the corresponding flow. A target bandwidth for each profile is computed remotely, based on optimizing an aggregate objective pertaining to the plurality of flows of content. The optimizing is also based on the information stored in their respective profiles. The system and method distribute the bandwidth to each flow of the plurality of flows based on the target bandwidth remotely computed for each profile.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging systems and methods are provided for time-efficiently producing a plurality of image contrasts, the plurality of image contrasts including a first contrast being coupled with a second contrast and acquired over a plurality of key parameters that govern the second contrast to which the first contrast is coupled. In addition, the plurality of image contrasts is used to simultaneously map the first contrast, the second contrast, and additional contrasts.

Abstract: The invention relates to FcRn polypeptides, to antibodies and related fragments thereof containing the FcRn polypeptides, to production of said antibodies and fragments and to use of said antibodies and fragments for therapy of various conditions.

Abstract: A method of decomposing a cured aromatic epoxy resin uses a molten salt bath at less than about 350° C. The molten salt bath includes a plurality of alkali metal hydroxides. The cured aromatic epoxy resin can be in intimate physical contact with a metal or alloy. The cured aromatic epoxy resin can be patterned by a lithographic method. The lithographic method can be multibeam interference lithography to form a three-dimensional photonic crystal template on a conductive substrate for electrodeposition of metal. Contacting the three-dimensional photonic crystal template with the electrodeposited metal with the molten salt bath can form a metal matrix device displaying a periodic pattern that is the inverse of the periodic pattern of the decomposed three-dimensional photonic crystal template.

Abstract: A method of making a carbon-metal oxide composite electrode for a supercapacitor includes continuously injecting a carbon material solution into a coagulation solution, where the carbon material solution comprises a carbon source and a liquid, and the coagulation solution comprises a metal nitrate or chloride and an organic solvent. An extruded structure comprising the metal nitrate or chloride interspersed with carbon is formed from the continuous injection. The extruded structure is annealed under conditions sufficient to convert the metal nitrate or chloride to metal oxide. Thus, a composite structure comprising the metal oxide and the carbon is formed, where the metal oxide is uniformly dispersed within the composite structure.