Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and apparatus for detecting microamplifications or microdeletions in the genome of a fetus. In some embodiments, the method comprises receiving sequence tags for each of a plurality of DNA fragments in a biological sample; determining genomic positions for the sequence tags; determining whether the density of DNA in each of a plurality of genomic regions is aberrantly high or low; identifying as a microamplification a set of consecutive genomic regions having aberrantly high density; and identifying as a microdeletion a set of consecutive genomic regions having aberrantly low density. The biological sample may be a blood sample obtained noninvasively from a female subject pregnant with the fetus.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to applications (e.g., classification of biological samples) of the analysis of the count, the fragmentation patterns, and size of cell-free nucleic acids, e.g., plasma DNA and serum DNA, including nucleic acids from pathogens, such as viruses. Embodiments of one application can determine if a subject has a particular condition. For example, a method of present disclosure can determine if a subject has cancer or a tumor, or other pathology. Embodiments of another application can be used to assess the stage of a condition, or the progression of a condition over time. For example, a method of the present disclosure may be used to determine a stage of cancer in a subject, or the progression of cancer in a subject over time (e.g., using samples obtained from a subject at different times).

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an actuator, comprising a first torsion spring body and a second torsion spring body, each of the first torsion spring body and the second torsion spring body comprising: an inner ring; an outer ring; and a plurality of elastic units, connected in parallel between the inner ring and the outer ring. An outer ring of the first torsion spring body and an outer ring of the second torsion spring body are rigidly connected, and an inner ring of the first torsion spring body and an inner ring of the second torsion spring body are aligned with each other. The actuator further includes a motor element and a braking element. The motor element is for providing an output torque, and is connected with the inner ring of the first torsion spring body. The braking element is for providing a braking torque, and is connected with the inner ring of the second torsion spring body.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus determine whether a first chromosomal region exhibits a deletion or an amplification associated with cancer in a sample from a subject (e.g., where the sample includes a mixture of cell-free DNA from tumor cells and non-malignant cells. Nucleic acid molecules of the biological sample are sequenced. Respective amounts of a clinically-relevant chromosomal region and of background chromosomal region(s) are determined from results of the sequencing. A parameter derived from these amounts (e.g. a ratio) is compared to one or more cutoff values, thereby determining a classification of whether first chromosomal region exhibits a deletion or an amplification associated with cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new methods for diagnosing a pregnancy-associated disorder by analyzing fetal DNA present in the mother's blood. More specifically, this invention relies on the discovery that the maspin gene is differentially methylated in fetal DNA and in maternal DNA and provides these new diagnostic methods, which distinguish fetal DNA from maternal DNA and detect prenatal disorders based on abnormalities in fetal DNA level and methylation status.

Abstract: The present application discloses a microtome. The microtome includes: a blade cutting a soft material in a first direction, the first direction being a feeding direction of the soft material; a blade holder holding the blade; an actuator providing a vibration in a second direction along a cutting edge of the blade; and a frequency-tunable resonator driven by the actuator into vibration and fixedly connected to the blade holder to transfer the vibration to the blade holder and the blade, the resonator having a tunable resonant frequency in the second direction.

Abstract: A magnetic current dipole feeding structure for patch and dielectric resonator antennas is disclosed in which a wire coil helix is placed above the ground plane and below the patch or top of the dielectric resonator block, the coil having half wound in a right-hand orientation and another half in a left-hand orientation, meeting at a common point in the middle. One end of the double torsion coil can be excited with radio frequency (RF) signals, and the other can be grounded on the ground plane. Some embodiments have the other end fed by an equal signal. These double torsion coils can be used in pairs to provide differential feeding to the patch or dielectric resonator, and pairs placed orthogonally to a first pair can be used for another polarization.

Abstract: Separation of fat and water signals in MRI images can be achieved by a technique that includes using a spin-lock RF pulse sequence that incorporates adiabatic pulses and using Dixon methods for water/fat separation. The spin-lock RF pulse sequence can be, for example, an adiabatic continuous-wave constant-amplitude spin-lock (ACCSL) pulse sequence. Data acquisition can use any acquisition method compatible with Dixon methods. Following data acquisition, a source image can be generated and analyzed (e.g., using Dixon methods) to generate separate water and fat images. A spatial distribution of a spin-lock based imaging biomarker (e.g., T1rho) can be determined from the water image and/or the fat image.

Abstract: A magnetic current dipole feeding structure for patch and dielectric resonator antennas is disclosed in which a wire coil helix is placed above the ground plane and below the patch or top of the dielectric resonator block, the coil having half wound in a right-hand orientation and another half in a left-hand orientation, meeting at a common point in the middle. One end of the double torsion coil can be excited with radio frequency (RF) signals, and the other can be grounded on the ground plane. Some embodiments have the other end fed by an equal signal. These double torsion coils can be used in pairs to provide differential feeding to the patch or dielectric resonator, and pairs placed orthogonally to a first pair can be used for another polarization.

Abstract: Techniques for a visual disability detection system that employs virtual reality to assess visual performance of a patient based on activities of daily living are described. The virtual reality platform can integrate the testing of different components of visual function based on activities of daily living to provide a direct and clinically relevant measure of the impact of any visual disability on a patient's daily life. By simulating daily tasks for evaluation of visual disability, clinicians can better understand from a patient's perspective how visual impairment affects their daily tasks and quality of life.

Abstract: Herein provided are peptide inhibitors and methods for treating polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases. Also disclosed are related compositions and kits for therapeutic use in the treatment of polyQ diseases.

Abstract: Pulse sequences for an MRI apparatus can provide improved quantitative relaxometry in liver and other tissues. Relaxation parameters such as T1rho or T2 (or both at once) can be measured. The pulse sequence can include a magnetization preparation pulse sequence and an acquisition pulse sequence including a fast spin echo (FSE) pulse sequence. Flip angles and echo time for the FSE pulse sequence can be chosen to optimize image quality without affecting the quantification of a relaxation parameter. Additional pulse sequences, e.g., for enhanced blood suppression and/or fat suppression can be incorporated. The acquisition pulse sequence can have a duration that allows data for a single slice image to be acquired during a breath-hold.

Abstract: Radio frequency antennas sharing a ground plane are largely decoupled using one or more lumped capacitive elements set into holes within the ground plane. The holes, which are precisely placed, can extend to a side of the ground plane. A stub extends from a fringe of the hole either straight or bending in an L shape, and a capacitor connects between an end of the stub and another side of the hole. Capacitive elements can also be supported on raised solder pads above a ground plane or off to one side of the ground plane. Methods for manufacturing the decoupling apparatus are described.

Abstract: Accurate and effective methods for measuring cardiovascular and respiratory parameters are provided. The method for deriving a depth-specific photoplethysmography (PPG) signal from multi-wavelength PPG signals includes choosing light wavelength combinations, calibrating a multi-layer light-tissue interaction model referring to a physiological signal, and generating the depth-specific PPG signal from the multi-wavelength PPG signals based on the calibrated light-tissue interaction model. The disclosed method for cuff-less blood pressure measurement includes recording a physiological signal and multi-wavelength PPG signals of a predetermined body part, deriving the depth-specific PPG signal reflecting the arterial blood volume with the physiological signal as a reference, calculating the pulse transit time (PTT) from the physiological signal and the derived arterial blood PPG signal, and calculating the blood pressure from the calibrated PTT and blood pressure relationship.

Abstract: An apparatus for acquiring air quality data from removable and/or replaceable sensor, processing and storing the acquired data, and transmitting the processed data to backend server is enabled. The apparatus includes a microcontroller coupled with a Universal Sensor Interface (USI). The USI may include an element configured to transmit continuous electrical power to a removable and/or replaceable sensor, an element configured to transmit intermittent electrical power during time intervals corresponding to sensing intervals, an element configured to transmit an indication that the removable and/or replaceable sensor is currently coupled with the sensor interface, and one or more elements configured as a serial peripheral interface. A modular sensor system is thereby enabled, configurable to manage multiple removable and replaceable sensors such as air quality sensors.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to delivering a polynucleotide into a target cell, particularly, into the nucleus of the target cell. The method comprises the steps of contacting the polynucleotide with the cell and applying pressure on the polynucleotide and the cell in a manner that forces the polynucleotide into the cell. The pressure can be between about 0.1 Pa to about 50 Pa; whereas, the polynucleotide is contacted with the cell at a concentration of between about 0.1 ?M and about 100 ?M. The method can be practiced for cells in culture or cells in vivo.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a hybrid implant system for fixing and repairing orthopedic fracture and a manufacturing method therefor. The hybrid implant system comprises an implant body having holes on both ends and a locking part configured for attaching the implant body to a broken bone through the holes. The hybrid implant system further comprises a healing assembly made from a material promoting healing of the bone. The implant body has at least one window on a side, the at least one window is aligned with a broken location of the bone, and the healing assembly is inserted into the window in a self-locking manner towards an interior of the implant body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for 3D building extraction, comprising: extracting building footprints from one or more stereo images for a building; determining, from rational polynomial coefficient of the stereo images, first height estimation of the extracted building footprints; obtaining, from multi-temporal SAR images for the building, scatters with stable attributes; determining second height estimation for the determined scatters; and combining the first height estimation and the second height estimation to generate a fused height for each of the extracted building footprints.

Abstract: Optimal routes and speeds for a heavy-duty truck traversing a network of roads can be automatically determined so as to minimize fuel costs (and optionally other operating costs) while still making on-time delivery of freight to a destination. Route and speed optimization can be based on a network model in which edges correspond to road segments and each edge has an associated cost function that reflects fuel consumption for a truck traversing the corresponding road segment. Given a starting location, destination location, delivery deadline, and truck information, an efficient search algorithm can be executed by a computer to determine an optimal path and speed through the network model, subject to the constraint of arriving at the destination by the delivery deadline. A truck operator can follow the route to the destination, driving at the optimal speed.

Abstract: Whether a fetus has an aneuploidy associated with a first chromosome is detected using ratios of alleles detected in a maternal sample having a mixture of maternal and fetal DNA. DNA from the sample is enriched for target regions associated with polymorphic loci and then sequenced. Polymorphic loci (e.g., single nucleotide polymorphisms) in the target regions with fetal-specific alleles are identified on a first chromosome and on one or more reference chromosomes. A first ratio of the fetal-specific alleles and shared alleles is determined for the loci on the first chromosome. A second ratio of the fetal-specific alleles and shared alleles is determined for the loci on the reference chromosome(s). A third ratio of the first and second ratio can be compared to a cutoff to determine whether an aneuploidy is present, and whether the aneuploidy is maternally-derived or paternally-derived.