Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to novel immunostimulatory compositions of use to stimulate non-specific immune responses in a subject. In certain embodiments, immunogenic compositions disclosed herein can be directed to use in the eye of a subject. In some embodiments, the immunogenic compositions disclosed herein enhance non-specific immune responses in the eye of a subject to treat or reduce the risk of onset of an eye condition. In other embodiments, compositions disclosed herein can be used to treat eye infections due to a microorganism, tumors of the eye, as well as, chronic wounds of the eye.

Abstract: The inventive technology relates to novel paratransgenic strategies for the control of pathogens. The inventive technology may specifically include a novel paratransgenic system configured to deliver one or more inhibitory RNA molecules to pathogen/disease-transmitting organisms. In a preferred embodiment, the invention may include one or more genetically engineered symbiotic bacteria configured to persist throughout the life-cycle of a mosquito and deliver one or more interfering RNA molecules to pathogen/disease-transmitting mosquitoes.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a first processor coupled to the non-volatile memory and configured to receive a data set associated with an object and user information associated with a spatial position of a user in a multi-user virtual (IMVR) environment, and a second processor coupled to the volatile memory, the second processor configured to render an instance of the portion of the object in the IMVR environment from a perspective of the user based on the spatial position of the user. The first processor is configured to generate a look-up table (LUT) based on a set of inputs received from a user. The second processor is configured to render, based on the LUT and information related to a manipulation by a user, an updated instance of the portion of the object that manifests an effect of the manipulation in the IMVR environment.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, the present disclosure may relate to a system including a gaseous fuel consuming engine operating at an air to fuel ratio (AFR) and including a throttle valve controlling a speed of engine, and an engine controller coupled to the engine. The engine controller may be configured to obtain the speed of the engine and obtain the AFR of the engine. The engine controller may also be configured to, based on a transient event affecting the engine, coordinate modification of both the throttle valve to change the speed of the engine and trim valve to change the AFR of the engine to maintain at least one of the speed and the AFR of the engine within a threshold deviance.

Abstract: A portable sampling device includes a housing at least partially enclosing an inner chamber and an airflow assembly disposed within the inner chamber and comprising a portion of an airflow path. The airflow assembly includes a portion of a printed circuit board (PCB); a manifold configured to be sealably coupled to the portion of the PCB to define at least one airflow channel disposed between an inner surface of the manifold and an outer surface of the PCB; and one or more pumping elements positioned on the PCB.

Abstract: Disclosed is multimaterial 3D printing (MM3P) to fabricate centimeter-scale robots by utilizing soft materials to create soft joints to replace revolute joints and also soft links to replace rigid links. A three-spring rotational-prismatic rotational (RPR) model is developed to approximate the motion of soft joints or links, which is further utilized to numerically predict the motion of the leg mechanism with multiple soft joints and links. The accuracy of the proposed numerical method is validated with experimental results. A functional walking robot actuated by a single DC motor is demonstrated.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to consortia of bacteria strains and composition comprising one or more bacterial strains disclosed herein. These consortia of isolated bacteria cultures and compositions comprising said cultures, having greater activity than would be observed for the individual bacteria cultures and compositions. A composition of the disclosure may advantageously be used for enhancing the availability of soil phosphorus and other macronutrients and/or micronutrients to plants, and thereby enhancing their growth and yield.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a biosignature that distinguishes Lyme disease, including early Lyme disease, from STARI. The present disclosure also provides methods for detecting Lyme disease and STARI, as well as methods for treating subjects diagnosed with Lyme disease or STARI.

Abstract: The present invention provides photocatalysts, methods for their preparation, and methods for preparing linear polymers with high propagation rate.

Abstract: The invention provides novel compounds and methods that are useful in promoting reactions that proceed through an oxidative quenching pathway. In certain embodiments, the reactions comprise atom transfer radical polymerization.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, and the like, for an electrochemical sensing platform for point-of-care diagnostic applications. The ES platform may include functionality for many types of ES applications, including but not limited to, voltammetry, galvanometry, amperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). In some embodiments, the platform includes sensor analog front end, stimulus generation, analog sensor data acquisition and conditioning, digital-to-analog conversion, back-end digital signal processing, wired or wireless interface, and a user application for interacting with the platform. In some embodiments, the platform includes a number of functional modules to provide a low cost and high mobility to the device, while maintaining the performance specifications. Signal generation, digital data acquisition/processing may be managed by an on-board microcontroller or off-board computing device.

Abstract: A transcatheter prosthetic heart valve includes a stent frame and a leaflet material. The stent frame includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The leaflet material includes a lower portion attached to the stent frame and an upper portion that includes leaflets capable of moving between an open configuration and a closed configuration. At least a portion of the leaflet material weaves through the stent frame. The transcatheter prosthetic heart valve also includes one or more reinforcement components coupled to the stent frame and/or to the leaflet material to enhance performance of the transcatheter heart valve.

Abstract: The exemplary system and method facilitate excitation of RF magnetic fields in ultra-high field (UHF) magnetic resonance (MRI) systems (e.g., MRI/NMR system) using a slotted waveguide array (SWGA) as an exciter coil. The exemplary exciter coil, in some embodiments, is configurable to provide RF magnetic field B1+ with high field-uniformity, with high efficiency, with excellent circular polarization, with negligible axial z-component, with arbitrary large field of view, and with exceptional possibilities for field-optimizations via RF shimming.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for improving plant yield, biomass accumulation and stress tolerance. A novel AP2-like transcription factor MPG1, which when modulated impacts grain yield, biomass and abiotic and biotic stress tolerance when compared to non-modulated plants. The invention further provides methods using recombinant expression cassettes, host cells, transgenic plants and breeding methods using the same.

Abstract: A subsurface monitoring system and method is provided that includes a sensor array and a monitoring system in communication with the array. The sensor array may include several sensors, such as subsurface temperature sensors, water-level sensors, and oxidation reduction potential sensors may be disposed in a vertical and/or horizontal fence through the subsurface of the monitored site. The sensor array may measure, collect, and analyze the subsurface conditions and provide the measurements to a monitoring system. The monitoring system may provide access the measurements via a user interface for analysis of the measurements. In addition, the monitoring system may process the measurements to generate one or more graphs of information for better understanding of the conditions of the subsurface of the monitored site.

Abstract: A product includes a metallogel material having metal ions dispersed in an assembly having an organic compound. A method includes combining a metal salt, an organic compound precursor, and a glyme for forming a metallogel material having metal ions dispersed in an assembly having an organic compound.

Abstract: A system for and methods of analyzing a test sample through the use of a rotary apparatus that includes a microfluidic paper-based apparatus (mPAD). The apparatus includes two or more layers that are rotatable with respect to one another. A middle layer may comprise a microfluidic apparatus having one or more reagent channels. Each of the reagent channels may include reagent dried on the surface of the channel, and, together with an absorption pad, may be aligned vertically with a sample chamber. Male and female engagement surfaces on each of the middle layer, the top layer, and the bottom layer interlock to secure each layers in vertical alignment so that fluid flows through the apparatus to contact a test sample with a reagent and facilitate detection of a target analyte in the test sample in the sample chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides efficient processes for preparing brush polymers. In general, the process comprises three distinct reaction steps utilizing two separate catalysts. In the first step, the initiating compound comprising norbornene is contacted with a silane in the presence of a catalyst, thereby forming a silated intermediate. This silated intermediate is then contacted with a monomer in the presence of a catalyst via Group Transfer Polymerization (GTP). The resulting compound from GTP is contacted with a ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) catalyst to prepare the brush polymer. Surprisingly, the brush polymers obtained from the above process are accessed in an efficient and rapid GTP methodology as compared to prior methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to triblock and pentablock copolymers and methods of making thereof. Aspects of the disclosure further relate to block copolymer hydrogels that exhibit both fatigue resistance and fracture resistance with superior rates of recovery.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to determine the concentration of a species within a sample. An example method may include collecting optical loss data over a range of frequencies from the sample using a spectroscopy system; placing the optical loss data into a plurality of bins, each bin having a defined frequency width; determining an average optical loss data value for the optical loss values within each bin that have an optical loss value less than a threshold value; removing the optical loss data within each bin having a value outside a tolerance range bounding the average optical loss data value for the respective bin; fitting a spectral curve to the remaining optical loss data; and determining the concentration of the species within the sample based on the spectral curve.