Abstract: Presented herein are methods for preventing or treating tumor growth, tumor metastasis and/or abnormal proliferation of tumor cells in a subject, wherein the methods involve administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising methylnaltrexone. Also presented herein are methods for inhibiting or slowing the growth of a tumor in a subject, wherein the methods include selecting a subject who is a suitable candidate for treatment with methylnaltrexone, and administering a composition comprising methylnaltrexone to the subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a HLA-G specific chimeric antigen receptor, a nucleic acid, a HLA-G specific chimeric antigen receptor expression plasmid, a HLA-G specific chimeric antigen receptor expressing cell, a pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer, and use of the HLA-G specific chimeric antigen receptor expressing cell. The chimeric antigen receptor specifically binds to human leukocyte antigen G. The nucleic acid encodes the HLA-G specific chimeric antigen receptor. The HLA-G specific chimeric antigen receptor expression plasmid expresses the HLA-G specific chimeric antigen receptor. The HLA-G specific chimeric antigen receptor expressing cell is obtained by transducing the HLA-G specific chimeric antigen receptor into an immune cell. The pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer includes the HLA-G specific chimeric antigen receptor expressing cell and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for estimating a mental/neurological disease with high precision is provided. This medical apparatus includes a computational processing device, a recording device having an estimation program which causes the computational processing device to execute processing recorded therein, a calculation unit configured to calculate a score of a subject, a detection unit configured to detect a disease whose score exceeds a reference range, and an estimation unit configured to estimate a mental/neurological disease.

Abstract: Method for detecting colon or colorectal cancer by measuring heavy metal concentrations in colon or colorectal tissue using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS).

Abstract: Systems and methods for forecasting of State of Charge (SOC) of lithium ion batteries are provided. A multi-step forecasting process with experimentally obtained decreasing C-Rate datasets together with machine learning can be used. The multi-step approach can combine a univariate technique with machine learning techniques. An Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and/or Holt Winters Exponential Smoothing (HWES) can be combined with each other and/or with machine learning techniques such as Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) and Nonlinear autoregressive neural network with external input (NARX-net).

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure relates methods and compositions for genetic engineering of cells (e.g., bacterial cells, etc.). The disclosure is based, in part, on a combination of genetic recombination systems (e.g., a “targeting oligonucleotide” and a “payload plasmid) that enable high-throughput chromosomal engineering and do not involve the preparation of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) recombination substrates. In some aspects, the disclosure provides engineered bacterial cells comprising a targeting oligonucleotide and a payload plasmid.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising: a semiconductor die; a photosensitive array of photodiodes and single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs), the photodiodes comprising reverse biased diodes; and a front-end circuit coupled to the photosensitive array; and an output for outputting image data from the front-end circuit. The photosensitive array and the front-end circuit are provided in the semiconductor die.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forecasting renewable energy generation using holistic weather and system analysis are provided. Derate factors of energy sources can be considered, along with regional weather variability, site specific weather, and a cross-view of the sky from ground based and/or geo-stationary satellite imaging. The forecast can include short-term forecasting and long-term forecasting.

Abstract: Computer-aided methods for performing computations using adversarially-robust neural networks is disclosed that includes providing a uncoded neural network comprising a plurality of neurons and associated inputs for each of the plurality of neurons, each neuron configured to perform a calculation according to an activation function. The method further includes transforming, using the computing device, at least one uncoded neuron into a coded neuron by adding, using the computing device, an error correcting code as an additional input to the at least one uncoded neuron, the error correcting code comprising a redundant combination of the associated inputs off the uncoded neuron, and revising, using the computing device, the activation function of the at least one uncoded neuron to accommodate the error correcting code as the additional input.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents a separator for a lithium-containing battery, including a polymeric membrane; and a ceramic coating on at least one surface of the polymeric membrane, wherein the ceramic coating is chemically reactive with lithium ions to provide an ionically conductive and electrically insulating surface layer; and wherein the ceramic coating has a thickness of about 1 ?m or more and about 10 ?m or less.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical device and method for neuroprosthetics comprises microactuators and microelectrodes. The microelectrodes are to be positioned in a nerve bundle and bonded with the microactuators through an interconnect. The position of each of the microactuators can be individually tuned through control signals so that the microelectrodes are implanted at desired positions in the nerve bundle. The control signals are transmitted to the microactuators and generated with a open-loop or closed-loop control scheme that uses signals acquired by the microelectrodes from the nerve bundle as feedback.

Abstract: Techniques for performing quantum information processing using an asymmetric error channel are provided. According to some aspects, a quantum information processing includes a data qubit and an ancilla qubit, the ancilla qubit having an asymmetric error channel. The data qubit is coupled to the ancilla qubit. The ancilla qubit may be driven with a stabilizing microwave field to create the asymmetric error channel.

Abstract: The invention is directed to utilization of a series of cross-linked 1,4-benzenediamine-co-alkyldiamine polymers and the use of the polymers to remove mercury from a hydrocarbon in fluid form.

Abstract: A curable composite material containing nanodiamonds, denture bases and other dental prosthetics made from the composite material and methods for treating dental stomatitis using these prosthetics.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing reliability of electrical power transmission systems are provided. Embodiments disclosed herein use Outage Impact Index (OII), a new reliability indicator, to identify periodic (e.g., annual) system risks in transmission systems of a bulk power system (BPS) for a given voltage class. OII provides key performance indices which can be used by power utilities to quantify and assess transmission system performance, establish baselines from chronological trends, and minimize system risks by developing corrective measures to address any identified system issues.

Abstract: Provided herein are immunomodulatory nanoparticles, compositions containing the same, and methods of use thereof, such as for the treatment of traumatic brain injury.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microneedle including: a needle part including a plurality of tips formed from a liquid formulation formed with a medicinal solution and capable of penetrating the skin; and a base for supporting the plurality of tips; and a guide part configured to guide the needle part to penetrate the skin, wherein the needle part is provided with separation guides formed between the tips and the base to separate the tips from the base. According to such a configuration, the tips rapidly penetrate the skin and are rapidly separated therefrom, which allows quantitative drug delivery.

Abstract: An integrated method for mesophase pitch and petrochemicals production. The method including supplying crude oil to a reactor vessel; heating the crude oil in the reactor vessel to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined amount of time; reducing asphaltene content in the crude oil by allowing polymerization reactions to occur in the reactor vessel at an elevated pressure in the absence of oxygen; producing a three-phase upgraded hydrocarbon product comprising gas, liquid, and solid hydrocarbon components, where the liquid hydrocarbon component comprises deasphalted oil and the solid hydrocarbon component comprises mesophase pitch; separating the gas, liquid, and solid hydrocarbon components; directly utilizing the liquid hydrocarbon component for petrochemicals production; and directly utilizing the solid hydrocarbon component for carbon artifact production.

Abstract: A perfusion plate that can be combined with pillar plates containing cell layers is disclosed. The perfusion plate can have an inflow reservoir and an outflow reservoir connected by at least one channel, which fluidly connects the perfusion wells to the reservoirs for the flow of a fluid such as growth media. A perfusion plate can be part of an assembly containing a pillar plate, a lid, and a transparent bottom for visualizing cell growth in the perfusion wells. The perfusion-pillar plate assembly can facilitate perfusion-based tissue culture and tissue communication for high throughput, high-content, drug screening.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve includes an on/off seat-type main valve with two ports having a displaceable poppet for opening and closing the main flow channel; an on/off seat-type pilot valve with three ports, with a magnetomotive force producing coil, a magnetic circuit, and an anchor movable with the magnetomotive force produced by the coil; and a frame with required channels and spaces for the poppet and for the anchor. Closing the inlet channel displaces the poppet and opens the main flow channel. Opening the inlet channel forces the poppet to close the main channel. The anchor includes a frame with a first sealing element for closing the low-pressure outlet channel of the pilot valve and with a second sealing element for securing the closing of the high-pressure inlet channel of the pilot valve. The sealing surface of the second sealing element is movable in relation to the frame of the anchor.