Abstract: In various embodiments, method and devices for delivering large cargos (e.g., organelles, chromosomes, bacteria, and the like) into cells are provided. In certain embodiments method of delivering a large cargo into eukaryotic cells, are provided that involve providing eukaryotic cells disposed on one side of a porous membrane; providing the cargo to be delivered in a solution disposed in a reservoir chamber on the opposite side of the porous membrane; and applying pressure to the reservoir chamber sufficient to pass the cargo through pores comprising said porous membrane wherein said cargo passes through cell membranes and into the cells.

Abstract: A wireless implant and associated system for motor function recovery after spinal cord injury, and more particularly a multi-channel wireless implant with small package size. The wireless implant can further be used in various medical applications, such as retinal prostheses, gastrointestinal implant, vagus nerve stimulation, and cortical neuromodulation. The system also includes a method and its implementation to acquire the impedance model of the electrode-tissue interface of the implant.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for inhibiting respiratory complex III in a cell. The present invention also provides methods for treating cancer in a subject.

Abstract: A gas sensor, a method of manufacturing a gas sensor, a method for fabricating a micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) die for a heater or thermopile, and a micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) die for a heater or thermopile. The gas sensor comprises a first micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) die comprising a light source; a second MEMS die comprising a light detector; a sample chamber disposes in an optical path between the light source and the light detector; and a holder substrate; wherein the first and second MEMS dies are disposed on the holder substrate in a vertical orientation relative to the holder.

Abstract: Disclosed are systemic and intravaginal non-hormonal contraceptives comprising a spermicidal triterpenoid. The contraceptive may be in the form of a foam, cream or gel, or in unit form of a pill, vaginal contraceptive film (VCF), suppository, sponge, transdermal or hypodermal patches or a slow release intravaginal device or intrauterine device such as a drug-impregnated silicone elastomer vaginal ring or polymeric IUD.

Abstract: A ponderomotive phase plate, also called a laser phase plate or standing wave optical phase plate, has a first minor and a second minor that define an optical cavity. An electron beam passes through a focal spot of the optical cavity. A laser with variable polarization angle of laser light is coupled to the optical cavity. A standing wave of polarized laser light, with an anti-node at the focal spot of the optical cavity, causes variable modulation of the electron beam. The variable modulation of the electron beam is controllable by the variable polarization angle of the laser light. In a transmission electron microscope, an image plane receives the electron beam modulated by the standing wave optical phase plate. An image formed at the image plane is based on the variable polarization angle of the polarized laser light.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for list decoding of polarization-adjusted convolutional (PAC) codes are described. One example method for improving error correction in a decoder for data in a communication channel includes receiving a noisy codeword, the codeword having been generated using a polarization-adjusted convolutional (PAC) code and provided to the communication channel prior to reception by the decoder, and performing PAC list decoding on the noisy codeword, wherein an encoding operation of the PAC code comprises a convolutional precoding operation that generates one or more dynamically frozen bits, and wherein the PAC list decoding comprises extending, based on the one or more dynamically frozen bits, at least two paths of a plurality of paths in the PAC list decoding differently and independently.

Abstract: Redox flow battery systems utilizing the reversible interconversion between carbon dioxide, (or bicarbonate or carbonate) and formate/formic acid. The battery system comprises an electrocatalyst that converts carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, or carbonate into formate to store electron equivalents, and oxidizes formate to release stored electrons and discharge. A non-limiting example of an electrocatalyst that can be used for reversible interconversion of carbon dioxide and formate is Pt(depe)2.

Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating diffraction effects during sound propagation in a scene, which include generating, for each distance value from distance values, a subpath between a first point of the scene and a second point of the scene passing through a third point of the scene which is at a distance from a path between the first point and the second point equal to the distance value. Furthermore, for each generated subpath, a transmission value related to a degree of occlusion of the subpath by objects in the scene is determined. Also, a diffraction amplitude response is determined using a first transmission value determined for a first subpath generated for a first distance value from the distance values and a second transmission value determined for a second subpath generated for a second distance value from the distance values.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems that are related to facilitating an automated, fast and accurate model for cardiac image segmentation, particularly for image data of children with complex congenital heart disease are disclosed. In one example aspect, a generative adversarial network is disclosed. The generative adversarial network includes a generator configured to generate synthetic imaging samples associated with a cardiovascular system, and a discriminator configured to receive the synthetic imaging samples from the generator and determine probabilities indicating likelihood of the synthetic imaging samples corresponding to real cardiovascular imaging sample. The discriminator is further configured to provide the probabilities determined by the discriminator to the generator and the discriminator to allow the parameters of the generator and the parameters of the discriminator to be adjusted iteratively until an equilibrium between the generator and the discriminator is established.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed of assembling metal particles into nanoparticles. The method includes electromagnetically levitating the metal particles; inductively heating the electromagnetically levitated metal particles beyond their melting point into metal droplets; and wherein an evaporation flux achieved at a surface of the metal droplets result in a supersaturation of metal atoms around the metal droplets leading to nucleation and growth of the nanoparticles.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that non-invasively analyzes blood flow in a sample of living tissue. During operation, the system obtains light from a temporally coherent source, and splits the obtained light between a reference path and a sample path. Next, the system multiply scatters light from the sample path by passing the light through the sample. The system then recombines light from the reference path and the multiply scattered light from the sample path. Next, the system uses a sensor array to detect an interference pattern resulting from the recombination. Finally, the system analyzes signals from the sensor array to determine a blood flow in the sample.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed mouth-based biosensors and biofuel cells. In one aspect, an electrochemical sensor device for detecting analytes in saliva includes a substrate including an electrically insulative material, a first electrode disposed on the substrate at a first location, in which the first electrode includes a surface including a chemical agent (e.g., a catalyst or a reactant) corresponding to an analyte in saliva; and a second electrode disposed on the substrate at a second location separated from the first electrode by a spacing region, the first and second electrodes capable of sustaining a redox reaction involving the chemical agent and the analyte to produce an electrical signal, such that, when the device is present in the mouth of a user and electrically coupled to an electrical circuit, the device is operable to detect the analyte in the user's saliva.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of use for modulating bile acids, including phenylalanocholic acid, tyrosocholic acid and leucocholic acid, to treat diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease. In embodiments, the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions that modulate levels of a bile acid conjugate in a subject. In embodiments, the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions that modulate levels of a bile acid conjugate in a particular organ or bodily region of the subject.

Abstract: An esophageal deflection device includes an elongate outer tube that has a natural curved deflection at a position that corresponds to a targeted esophagus region for deflection. The outer diameter of the outer tube is substantially matched to an inner diameter of the esophagus to closely contact the esophagus wall, or is at least half of the inner diameter, or is smaller and includes suction ports for drawing the esophagus wall inward. An insertion rod or tube includes a portion that is stiffer than the curved deflection, and slides into the elongate outer tube to straighten the tube and can serve to guide the deflection device into an esophagus. Subsequent withdrawal of the insertion tube or rod will allow the curved deflection to return to its natural shape and deflect the targeted region of the esophagus.

Abstract: In various embodiments functionalized graphene oxide(s) are provided that demonstrate improved antimicrobial activity, where the graphene oxide(s) are functionalized to increase carbon radical (·C) density.

Abstract: During operation of the system, a sample of the biological material is placed against a surface of a waveguide, which is comprised of a UV-transparent waveguide material. Then, the system launches UV light from a UV light source via side-illumination into an input end of the waveguide, wherein a launch angle for components of the UV light is greater than a critical angle between the waveguide material and air, so that the UV light propagates through the waveguide via total internal reflection to reach the sample. The launch angle is also less than a critical angle between the waveguide material and the sample, so that when the UV light reaches the sample, the UV light escapes the waveguide through refraction to illuminate the sample. Finally, an imaging mechanism located on an opposite side of the waveguide from the sample captures an image of the illuminated sample.

Abstract: X-ray crystallography has defined conformational properties of a key functional region of the G protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Mimics of these epitopes have utility as immunogens, as tools for discovery of antibodies and other monoclonal binding agents, and as pharmacological agents to modulate activity of the host receptors for this viral protein.

Abstract: Described herein is an implantable device having a sensor configured to detect an amount of an analyte, a pH, a temperature, strain, or a pressure; and an ultrasonic transducer with a length of about 5 mm or less in the longest dimension, configured to receive current modulated based on the analyte amount, the pH, the temperature, or the pressure detected by the sensor, and emit an ultrasonic backscatter based on the received current. The implantable device can be implanted in a subject, such as an animal or a plant. Also described herein are systems including one or more implantable devices and an interrogator comprising one or more ultrasonic transducers configured to transmit ultrasonic waves to the one or more implantable devices or receive ultrasonic backscatter from the one or more implantable devices. Also described are methods of detecting an amount of an analyte, a pH, a temperature, a strain, or a pressure.

Abstract: Communication systems and methods are disclosed that utilize Probability Amplitude Shaping (PAS) and Trellis Coded Modulation (TCM) to transmit short block-length messages. While capacity-approaching codes, such as Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes, Turbo codes, and Polar codes, can achieve data rates approaching the Shannon limit at large block-lengths, the performance of these codes can deteriorate dramatically at short block-lengths. Communication systems configured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention can utilize classical codes to encode short block-length messages to achieve communication rates exceeding Polyanskiy's Random Coding Union bound. In several embodiments, message bits are transmitted using a TCM system in which message bits that have been previously encoded by an error detection code are encoded using a convolutional code (CC). In a number of embodiments, the error detection code and the CC are obtained via a joint optimization with respect to a Frame Error Rate bound.