Abstract: An autonomous system and method for controlling the operation of a steerable surgical device includes multiple surgical device actuation elements, an imaging apparatus (e.g., ultrasound) arranged external to a mammalian body, and at least one processor. The processor(s) is/are configured to generate a transit path between an insertion point and a target point, control the surgical device actuation elements to advance the steerable surgical device along one or more segments of the transit path, identify deviation of position relative to the transit path utilizing signals from the imaging apparatus and generate an updated transit path, and control the surgical device actuation elements to advance the steerable surgical device along at least one segment of the updated transit path. Transit of the steerable surgical device between the insertion point and the target point may be controlled without human intervention.

Abstract: An antibody targeting Galectin-9 is provided as are methods of using the same treatment of chronic immune conditions such as infections, inflammatory diseases and cancer, in particular malignant mesothelioma.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stable immunogenic composition capable of eliciting a robust and durable immune response, comprising at least one antigen consisting of a filovirus glycoprotein and at least one nano-emulsion adjuvant which are co-lyophilized and can be reconstituted immediately prior to use. Also disclosed is a vaccine composition comprising at least two antigens, wherein each antigen is specific to a different genus of filovirus and which also comprises at least one nano-emulsion adjuvant.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for energy generation from salinity gradients using asymmetrically porous electrodes. In certain embodiments, an energy generation system includes at least one pair of asymmetrically porous electrodes positioned within a chamber in selective fluidic communication with a freshwater source (e.g., a river) and a saltwater source (e.g., an ocean). Asymmetry between a first average percent volume per unit pore-width of a first electrode and a second average percent volume per unit pore-width of a second electrode creates differing interfacial potentials between the first electrode and the second electrode when such electrodes are immersed in freshwater and saltwater. By cyclically immersing the electrodes in freshwater and saltwater, energy is harvested from Gibbs free energy from mixing saltwater and freshwater. Such a system does not require a membrane or an external charge source. Methods of generating energy using asymmetrically porous electrodes are also provided.

Abstract: Enabling quick feature delivery is essential for product success and is therefore a goal of software architecture design. But how may we determine if and to what extent an architecture is “good enough” to support feature addition and modification, or determine if a refactoring effort is successful in that features may be added more easily? The applications may use Feature Space and Feature Dependency, derived from a software project's revision history that capture the dependency relations among the features of a system in a feature dependency structure matrix (FDSM), using features as first-class design elements. The applications may also use a Feature Decoupling Level (FDL) metric that may be used to measure the level of independence among features.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein provide for methods for synthesizing magnesium borohydride from hydrogenation of magnesium boride at moderate temperature and pressure in the presence of a modifier. The modifier may be in form of hydrides, liquid hydrogen carriers, ammonia borane, metallic species, croconate anion based materials, ethers, amines or imines, metal carbides, borides, graphene, arenes, magnesium, aluminum, calcium or ionic liquids. Some embodiments provide for charging magnesium boride in presence of a modifier at high pressure hydrogen while simultaneously heating the material. The modification in some instances may lead to an improved magnesium boride product with enhanced properties for application in other hydrogen storage systems.

Abstract: Apparatus include divergence optics removably coupled to receive a probe beam in a first imaging mode to cause the probe beam to diverge before impinging on a first area of a target surface, and to not receive the probe beam in a second imaging mode to cause the probe beam to impinge on a second area of the target surface smaller than the first area, collection optics configured to receive, in response to the probe beam, luminescence light emitted from the first area and spectral light emitted from the second area, and an optical detector coupled to the collection optics, wherein the optical detector includes a luminescence imaging detector portion and a spectral imaging detector portion adjacent to the luminescence imaging detector portion, wherein the luminescence imaging detector portion is configured to receive the luminescence light emitted from the first area and the spectral imaging detector portion is configured to receive the spectral light from the second area.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stable immunogenic composition capable of eliciting a robust and durable immune response, comprising at least one antigen consisting of a filovirus glycoprotein and at least one nano-emulsion adjuvant which are co-lyophilized and can be reconstituted immediately prior to use. Also disclosed is a vaccine composition comprising at least two antigens, wherein each antigen is specific to a different genus of filovirus and which also comprises at least one nano-emulsion adjuvant.

Abstract: In one aspect, an embodiment of this invention comprises an apparatus for updating an active fuel gauge of a battery cell. The apparatus comprises a memory, a sensor, and a processor. The memory stores data regarding an active fuel gauge of the battery cell based on a first voltage and state of charge (SOC) relationship. The processor receives first, second, and third resting voltage measurements at different times. The processor calculates differences in capacity between pairs of the resting voltage measurements based on the first voltage and state of charge (SOC) relationship. When the differences are equal the reference capacity difference, the processor identifies an estimate of a remaining capacity of the battery cell corresponding with the active fuel gauge. When the differences are not equal to the reference capacity difference, the processor updates the active fuel gauge based on an identified second voltage and SOC relationship.

Abstract: A spatial Fourier transform spectrometer is disclosed. The Fourier transform spectrometer includes a Fabry-Perot interferometer with first and second optical surfaces. The gap between the first and second optical surfaces spatially varies in a direction that is orthogonal to the optical axis of the Fourier transform spectrometer. The Fabry-Perot interferometer creates an interference pattern from input light. An image of the interference pattern is captured by a detector, which is communicatively coupled to a processor. The processor is configured to process the interference pattern image to determine information about the spectral content of the input light.

Abstract: Methods described herein, in some embodiments, permit extraction of particle structural and/or surface charge data from gradient induced particle motion in channels. In one aspect, a method of manipulating particle motion comprises introducing a fluid into a channel, the fluid comprising particles, and driving particle accumulation to a preselected location in the channel by setting advective velocity of the fluid to offset diffusiophoretic mobility of the particles at the preselected location.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising 2-arylsulfonamido-N-arylacetamide derivatized Stat3 inhibitors and certain pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and methods of their use.

Abstract: Isoorientin analogues and related compounds that inhibit glycogen synthase kinase-3? activity are provided as are methods of using these compounds in the treatment of cognitive, neurodegenerative or neurological diseases or conditions, as well as cancer, obesity, diabetes, inflammatory or autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disorder, metabolic syndrome X, hair loss, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, cocaine addiction, dental caries, bone loss and glaucoma.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for performing logical filtering of hazard alerts by an area of geography the hazard is expected to impact and issuing alerts based on that area. Based on a geographical location, a hazard type, and a hazard severity, one or more geographic areas the hazard is expected to impact may be determined. One or more automated alerts may be issued to alert users in those areas that could be affected by the hazard.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring lung water content of a patient. The system may include microwave sensors and a processor. The system may transmit microwave signals into, and receive microwave signals from, the thorax of a patient using the microwave sensors. The received microwave signals may each have at least one frequency component with a magnitude and a phase. The system may analyze the phase of the received microwave signal corresponding to a first pair of the microwave signals to monitor changes in the lung water content. The system may analyze the magnitude of the received microwave signal corresponding to a second, different pair of the microwave sensors to determine whether the lung water content is increasing or decreasing. The system may also analyze the received microwave signals to determine a blood pressure indicator and to determine lung water content.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to using high frequency ultrasound to assess blood volume changes in a subject. A baseline blood volume value can be determined based on a weight of a subject or based on an initial/previous assessment test value. An image taken with the high frequency ultrasound can be retrieved. A test blood volume value can be measured in a field of view of the image. For example, the test blood volume can be determined based on a destruction/replenishment of a contrast agent during imaging by the high frequency ultrasound. A change in blood volume in the subject can be estimated by comparing the test blood volume value to the baseline blood volume value. The estimate of the change in blood volume can be used to assess a condition of the subject.

Abstract: A hybrid method and system for data encryption significantly reduces the computational cost of encryption and reduces the cost of the processors needed to perform encryption and decryption.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for harvesting ambient energy involve repeated circuit reconfiguration. An apparatus includes a primary charge storage device, a first secondary charge storage device, a second secondary charge storage device, and switching circuitry. The switching circuitry is configured to cyclically alter connection of the first and second secondary charge storage devices between a series state and a parallel state. First and second moveable electrically conductive elements may include electrically conductive liquid droplets of materials such as water or mercury. At least one of the primary storage device, the first secondary charge storage device, or the second secondary charge storage device includes a capacitance that varies in response to receipt of ambient energy. Concurrently altering relative capacitance and circuit configuration results in exponential growth of harvested energy.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system that adaptively compensates for subject motion in real-time in an imaging system. An object orientation marker (30), preferably a retro-grate reflector (RGR), is placed on the head or other body organ of interest of a patient (P) during a scan, such as an MRI scan. The marker (30) makes it possible to measure the six degrees of freedom (x, y, and z-translations, and pitch, yaw, and roll), or “pose”, required to track motion of the organ of interest. A detector, preferably a camera (40), observes the marker (30) and continuously extracts its pose. The pose from the camera (40) is sent to the scanner (120) via an RGR processing computer (50) and a scanner control and processing computer (100), allowing for continuous correction of scan planes and position (in real-time) for motion of the patient (P).

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for harvesting ambient energy involve an electrically conductive charge-carrying movable electrode. An apparatus includes an electrically conductive charge-carrying electrode, a first dielectric interface region, a second dielectric interface region, and at least one reference electrode. The first and second dielectric interface regions differ in surface charge density. In certain aspects, the movable electrode moves proximate and relative to the first and second dielectric interface regions in response to receipt of ambient energy, thereby providing first and second capacitances. The first capacitance differs from the second capacitance, and/or the first surface charge density differs from the second surface charge density. Movement of the movable electrode in combination with the differing capacitances and/or charge densities results in energy accumulation, thereby enabling ambient energy to be harvested efficiently and effectively.