Abstract: Imaging a distribution of one or more optical sources includes: receiving respective optical signals from a spatial mode sorter during each of two or more detection intervals of time; after each of the two or more detection intervals of time, processing information based at least in part on: (1) the respective optical signal received in the corresponding detection interval of time, and (2) a first set of models comprising a set of distributions related to one or more optical sources, each model corresponding to a different number of optical sources in the distribution, and configuring the spatial mode sorter based at least in part on the processing; and providing an estimated measurement characterizing the distribution of one or more optical sources based at least in part on the processed information. The processing after at least one of the two or more detection intervals of time includes computing an eigen-projection.

Abstract: A system for providing a contour map of the surface of a heliostat from reflected sunlight using a fly's eye camera. The system includes an entrance screen configured to receive sunlight reflected by said heliostat; an array of imaging apertures extending across the entrance screen, each aperture forming an image of said heliostat from a different viewpoint to provide a plurality of heliostat images; one or more digital cameras configured to view all of said plurality of heliostat images; an image processor configured to map out from the plurality of heliostat images a location of sunlight delivered to the entrance screen to obtain a plurality of maps, and to provide, based on centroids of said maps a tip and tilt of each said subsection The reflecting surface profile of the heliostat is obtained by integration of the subsection tilts across all the subsections.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling boundary layer transition for a high-speed vehicle are disclosed. The method includes determining a location of onset of boundary-layer transition that naturally develops during high-speed flight of the high-speed vehicle, and providing a pair of flow control strips at a surface/wall/skin of the high-speed vehicle such that the boundary-layer transition is delayed or prevented during high-speed flight of the high-speed vehicle. The delayed or prevented locations of the transition result in a change in the high-speed boundary layer during the high-speed flight of the high-speed vehicle. The change in the high-speed boundary layer transition affects skin friction drag, aero-thermodynamic heating, and pressure fluctuations in the boundary layer of the high-speed vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are contractile cell constructs, methods for using them to treat disease, and methods for making them.

Abstract: This present disclosure is directed to a silver metal wire coated with silver sulfide reference electrode, the preparation via anodization of a silver metal wire in a sodium and/or potassium sulfide solution and use thereof, including test methods to measure corrosion in test articles such as metal pipes. The reference electrode exhibits good stability characteristics, including stability under high temperature conditions.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods for treating or limiting development age-related macular degeneration, comprising (a) a GPR143 receptor agonist, including but not limited to L-DOPA, L-DOPA analogues, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and (b) melatonin, a melatonin analogue, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and related compositions.

Abstract: Peptide analogues of ?-amyloid and methods of using said analogues for neuroprotection are described herein. The ?-amyloid peptide analogues have a sequence that is at least 50% identical to an N-terminal ?-amyloid core fragment. A pharmaceutical composition of the ?-amyloid peptide analogues in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier can be administered to a subject for neuromodulation. The ?-amyloid peptide analogues, while lacking neurotoxicity, effectively provides for protective activity against ?-amyloid toxicity.

Abstract: A signal comprises a plurality of codewords associated with a set of codewords, each codeword comprising a plurality of symbols associated with a symbol constellation. Processing includes: mapping quantum states associated with symbols of a particular codeword of the signal to a plurality of input qubits, and applying quantum operations to the input qubits according to a quantum circuit for decoding the signal. The quantum operations comprise: controlled unitary multi-qubit operations performed on two or more qubits in a first set of qubits controlled based on two or more qubits in a second set of qubits, an initial quantum measurement performed on an initially measured qubit in the first set of qubits, at least one controlled unitary single-qubit operation performed on a post-measurement state associated with the initially measured qubit, and quantum operations that invert at least a portion of the operations in the plurality of controlled unitary multi-qubit operations.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for sleep optimization are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the system includes one or more peripheral devices, a network, one or more networked computers, and one or more remote servers. The peripheral devices and/or the networked computers collect one or more types of sleep data, calculate one or more sleep parameters, and transmit said sleep parameters to the one or more remote servers. The remote servers then perform calculations to determine optimal sleep recommendations. The sleep recommendations are then output to one or more networked computers and/or one or more peripheral devices as adjustments to sleep time and sleep duration.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to automated chip design, such as a pareto-optimization framework for automated network-on-chip design. In one example, a method for network-on-chip (NoC) design includes determining network performance for a defined NoC configuration comprising a plurality of n routers interconnected through a plurality of intermediate links; comparing the network performance of the defined NoC configuration to at least one performance objective; and determining, in response to the comparison, a revised NoC configuration based upon iterative optimization of the at least one performance objective through adjustment of link allocation between the plurality of n routers. In another example, a method comprises determining a revised NoC configuration based upon iterative optimization of at least one performance objective through adjustment of a first number of routers to obtain a second number of routers and through adjustment of link allocation between the second number of routers.

Abstract: External cavity laser systems are described that can operate with essentially no mode hopping. One example configuration of the laser system includes a semiconductor laser device, a folded cavity external to the semiconductor laser device, where at the semiconductor laser device is positioned at a fold in the folded cavity. In this configuration, at least one mirror is positioned in the folded cavity to enable sustained propagation of light within the folded cavity, and at least two polarization elements are positioned in the folded external cavity. The polarization elements cause a polarization state of the light that impinges in different directions on each semiconductor laser device that is positioned at a fold to be orthogonal to one another, thus eliminating or substantially reducing mode hopping in the laser output.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein relate to fully or partially autonomous or remotely operated aerial pollination vehicles that use computer vision and artificial intelligence to automatically detect plants, orient the vehicle to a pollen dispensing position above each plant, and pollinate the individual plants.

Abstract: A unit configured as constituent part of a fuel cell for use in novel electrochemical hydrogen compressor material technology system includes a combination of a hydrocarbon auto-thermal reformer, a water-gas shift reactor, and at least two countercurrent flow heat recuperators at least one of which is downstream from both the reformer and reactor. Optionally, two of the at least two recuperators are separated by the reactor to generate H2 in addition to that already contained in reformate formed at the reformer. The unit may include a proton conducting membrane that includes an inorganic polymer with pores filled with an organic polymer, each of which is configured to operate individually within a wide range of temperatures with no added solvent.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of medicinal pharmacology. In particular, the invention relates to a new class of small-molecules having a pyrazino-pyrimidine-dione (or related) structure which function as modulators (activators, inhibitors) of protease activated receptor type 2 (PAR2), and their use as therapeutics for the treatment of conditions involving PAR2 activity (e.g., asthma, chronic pain, cancer and/or vascular disorders).

Abstract: A light projection system including a light source and a light controller to generate modulatable beams of light and an angular light modulator (ALM) positioned to selectively direct the light from each beam. The light controller can be a spatial light modulator or a processor programmed to control light output. The angular light modulator may be a digital micromirror device (DMD). The ALM may be configured to direct the images into diffraction orders or using scanning the images. A LIDAR system to detect a position of an object including a first source of a two-dimensional array of beams of light and ALM to project light into a selected one of a plurality of directions. An illumination system, comprising a first angular-spatial light modulator (ASLM) and a second ASLM system configured such a first beam and a second beam of light intersect.

Abstract: A gaze tracking platform for human-machine interface device, such as a wearable Augmented Reality Near-to-Eye Display. The gaze tracking method, digital illumination assisted analog feedback tracking employs neither auxiliary camera nor digital image processing of human eye image that confronts challenges in gaze tracking speed, power, cost and space. Instead, an analog-digital hybrid method to track the gaze inspired by the groove tracking method that is widely adopted for optical data storage systems. In the method, a digital micromirror device generates angular modulated and infrared illuminating beam. The cornea reflects the infrared light and a segmented photodiode detects the reflection while providing a feedback servo signal to the digital micromirror device controller. The feedback signal is integrated over a time provides the variation gaze. Moreover, infrared and angularly modulated illumination is time-multiplexed with information displayed in visible wavelength.

Abstract: Provided herein are dynamic adaptive scheduling (DAS) systems. In some embodiments, the DAS systems include a first scheduler, a second scheduler that is slower than the first scheduler, and a runtime preselection classifier that is operably connected to the first scheduler and the second scheduler, which runtime preselection classifier is configured to effect selective use of the first scheduler or the second scheduler to perform a given scheduling task. Related systems, computer readable media, and additional methods are also provided.

Abstract: Modular cultivation systems utilized in a Vertical Farm or Plant Factory is described herein. The modular cultivation system has a growing module that includes an expandable and collapsible support frame with growing boards or pods, lighting boards, and an irrigation system arranged within the support frame to maximize the quantity of crops that can be grown within an available volume of space in a Vertical Farm unit, warehouse or greenhouse per unit time. The modular cultivation system further includes a mover robot for moving the growing module. The Vertical Farm relies on an ambulatory cultivation system and a cyclical automated operational protocol for planting, growing and harvesting made possible by the ambulatory growing module. Thus, access for crop planting, maintenance and harvesting is conveniently carried out through automation, that is, by commanding a specific ambulatory cultivation system to move autonomously to designated locations in the vertical farm.

Abstract: Collapsible branched anastomosis devices allow for the formation of percutaneous vascular anastomoses using a Seldinger wire technique. This minimally invasive approach eliminates the need for a large surgical incision and also avoids the use of time consuming hand-suturing. The devices collapse to a fraction of their expanded volume and are configured to fit within a delivery sheath for over the wire delivery through a small incision in a blood vessel.

Abstract: Methods and systems for screening therapeutic compositions for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or for the prevention of progression of AMD, wherein retinal pigment epithelium cells (RPE) are cultured and the level of hypoxia-induced exosome release from the RPE cells is subsequently measured. In the present invention, the level of hypoxia-induced exosome release can be correlated with AMD onset and severity.