Abstract: A temperature-corrected biochemical sensor includes an optical resonator disposed proximate a single-mode optical fiber, the optical resonator being optically coupled to the optical fiber to receive optical whispering-gallery output light; a sensor detection system arranged to receive and detect the optical whispering-gallery output light to provide sensor signals; a temperature-correcting optical system to provide a reference beam of light to be combined at least partially coherently with a return light from the resonator to provide an interference light and convert, the interference light to temperature-correction signals; a data storage device comprising temperature calibration data for at least the optical fiber and the optical resonator; and a data processing system to calculate at least one physical property of a particle in contact with the optical resonator using the sensor signals such that the calculated physical property is temperature corrected using the temperature calibration data and the temper

Abstract: A LIDAR system architecture which transmits light via an optical phased array and receives the reflected signal with a spherically shift invariant sensor. Phased arrays offer the ability to quickly scan a desired area by manipulating the electrical, or in this case-thermal, properties of an array of sensors. Similarly spherically shift invariant systems offer the ability to bring light into focus at the same location regardless of its angle of arrival.

Abstract: Provided are automated cell culture systems and related in vitro cell culture methods, including for a co-culture of different cell populations having different cell culture conditions. For example, the system may comprise a bioreactor having a plurality of cell culture compartments, the bioreactor having a fluid port fluidly connected to the plurality of cell culture compartments. A pump fluidly connected to the fluid port can provide a cell culture medium to the plurality of culture compartments. A sensor is operably connected to at least one of the plurality of cell culture compartments for measuring at least one cell culture parameter. In this manner, a controller electronically connected the pump and sensor, is configured to automatically adjust a pump flow rate and/or a cell culture gas content to provide a desired steady-state cell culture parameter for facilitating cells interactions and collection of products representative of said interactions.

Abstract: The present invention provides autoradiography methods and systems for imaging via the detection of alpha particles, beta particles, or other charged particles. Embodiments of the methods and systems provide high-resolution 3D imaging of the distribution of a radioactive probe, such as a radiopharmaceutical, on a tissue sample. Embodiments of the present methods and systems provide imaging of tissue samples by reconstruction of a 3D distribution of a source of particles, such as a radiopharmaceutical. Embodiments of the methods and systems provide tomographic methods including microtomography, macrotomography, cryomicrotomography and cryomacrotomography.

Abstract: Compositions and methods that utilize a combination of essential oils or other plant-derived extracts or compounds and an emulsifier as an antimicrobial are provided. In some embodiments the compositions further include ozone. In some embodiments, the composition includes one or more plant essential oils, plant extracts, or plant-derived compounds, or combinations thereof, and an emulsifier (such as a saponin). The antimicrobial composition may also include water, peracetic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, and/or hydrogen peroxide. Methods of killing a microorganism, including contacting the microorganism with the disclosed antimicrobial compositions are also provided. The microorganism may be present on a food item or a food contact of non-food contact surface and may be in the form of a biofilm. In some examples, the antimicrobial composition is used one or more times (such as 1 to 5 times).

Abstract: A falloposcope is described, and a method of screening a patient for fallopian tube and/or ovarian cancer with the falloposcope. The falloposcope can perform optical imaging, including fluorescence imaging and/or optical coherence tomography (OCT), and optionally include a channel for a sampling wire, within a diameter of about 0.7 millimeter. The method includes inserting the falloposcope through a lumen of vagina, cervix, uterus, and fallopian tube so a tip of the falloposcope is in proximity to a first fallopian tube or ovary of the patient; providing fluorescence stimulus wavelength through an illumination fiber of the falloposcope while imaging light at fluorescence emission wavelength through a coherent fiber bundle to form fluorescence emissions images; and determining suspect tissue. Then the sampling wire is used to collect cells from the suspect tissue for karyotype and other analysis.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and related devices for preprocessing a biological sample during transit. The method may comprise the steps of: storing a biological sample in a storage container having walls that defines a storage volume; transporting the storage container with the stored biological sample to a sample processing facility; controlling one or more storage container parameters during the transporting step to initiate preprocessing of the biological sample; wherein the controlling step improves a processing parameter at the sample processing facility.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nitroreductase-releasable pro-drug of the formula: where Ar1, m, n, Z, Y, L, and A are as defined herein, and methods for using and producing the same. Compound of formula I is useful in oral administration of the active pharmaceutical ingredient to the distal gut region of a subject to treat a wide variety of clinical conditions associated with distal gut region of a subject, such as colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), infectious diarrhea, bacterial infections, and bacterial overgrowth.

Abstract: A rotationally shift invariant and multi-layered array system for full-field of view and/or photon collection by 4 pi steradian field of view. In the system, all of the incoming light (i.e., light from all directions), in a solid angle of 4 pi steradians, is focused inside the optics. The optics have a spherically shift invariant structure, providing rotational shift invariance. The system comprises a nontraditional use of the Gabor Superlen and is a configuration of multiple microlens array shell structures with concentrically arranged bulk optical components. Examples of such bulk optical components include Luneburg lenses, micro-structured surfaces, a single lens, a plurality of single lenses, ball lenses, metalenses, diffractive optical elements, and magnetic lenses. In an embodiment, the Gabor Superlens (i.e., microlens array) is planar. In an embodiment, no moving parts are required for the system to achieve truly full-field of view imaging and/or photon collection by 4 pi steradian field of view.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring viability and function of islet cells or stem cell-derived beta cells in an implantable device featuring setting the temperature of the cells in the implantable device to a low temperature to reduce metabolic levels of the cells and reduce oxygen requirements of the cells, and measuring oxygen consumption rates. An oxygen sensor at the inlet of the implantable device and an oxygen sensor at the outlet of the implantable device are used to calculate oxygen consumption rates of the cells, which in turn are indicative of viability. The reduction in temperature can also be used for loading cells into the implantable devices to help reduce ischemic and/or physical injury. The present invention may be used with other cell types, e.g. hepatocytes, heart cells, muscle cells, etc.

Abstract: Method and systems for measuring growth rate in plant or aquatic animal species such as embryonic or adult fish. The methods and systems utilize the measurement of NADH2 production by detecting a colorimetric and fluorescent shift when a redox indicator such as resazurin is added to a sample. The colorimetric/fluorescent shift is indicative of the reduction of the redox indicator by NADH2. The methods and systems of the present invention may be used to predict growth potential of a plant or animal, and measuring the growth rate of said plant or animal may be helpful for identifying and selecting individuals within a group that have greater growth potential. The methods and systems of the present invention may help eliminate the need for special equipment (e.g., for measuring oxygen consumption), decrease variability of measures, and minimize the effects of external factors (feeding/hormonal status).

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for measuring surface roughness and surface shape of an optical element using a dual-mode interferometer are disclosed. The devices implement optical filters, with a compact form, that allows measurement of both surface characteristics without rearranging the system components. One example interferometric system includes a laser light source and a low coherence light source that alternatively provide light to a collimator, followed by a polarizer, and a polarizing beam splitter. The system further includes two optical filters, a quarter waveplate, two objectives and a reference optical component. Each light source produces a set of interferograms, where one set of interferograms is used to measure the surface shape and another set of interferograms is used to measure the surface roughness of the optical component.

Abstract: A tiled head-mounted display device, comprising: an optical component including a plurality of prisms with free-form surfaces, each prism being a wedge prism comprising a first optical surface, a second optical surface and a third optical surface; and a display component including a plurality of micro-displays, wherein the number of the micro-displays and the number of the prisms with free-form surfaces is identical. The tiled head-mounted display device according to the present invention is compact and light, provides wide field of view and high resolution, especially for the optical tiling head-mounted display device, the exit pupil planes of each display channels are coincident, thus avoiding pupil aberration and keeping exit pupil diameter and eye clearance same as the single ocular. There is no resolution variance throughout the entire field of view, thus preventing extra trapezoid distortion.

Abstract: An optical system comprising a segmented optical element comprising a plurality of segments disposed adjacent each other to define a pupil, wherein one or more of the plurality of segments comprises a pair of curved edges, wherein the segmented optical element is arranged such that a curved gap is defined between adjacent segments.

Abstract: The invention relates to cylindrical tunable fluidic lenses. The cylindrical optical power of the lenses may be continuously tuned within at least ±10 diopters, without inducing any significant spherical aberration, or any other significant aberrations. The lenses feature a geometry that produces minimal or no spherical defocus. These cylindrical tunable fluidic lenses could be used to induce and/or correct cylindrical optical aberrations in adaptive optical systems, particularly in ophthalmologic applications related to objective and automatic assessment of the refractive error of the eye, without the need of receiving feedback from the subjects.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for treating, ameliorating, and preventing anesthesia-induced hypothermia and/or postsurgical associated hyperalgesia in a mammalian subject comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an ion channel TRPV1 inhibitor.

Abstract: A multi-order diffractive Fresnel lens (MOD-DFL) that is suitable for use in a space telescope for studying transiting earth-like planets of distant stars is provided. The MOD-DFL may comprise a MOD-DFL array comprising a plurality of MOD-DFL segments that are secured to a mounting surface of a deployment device, such as a balloon, for example, in a preselected arrangement to form the MOD-DFL. An array telescope may be formed of an array of deployment devices, such as an array of balloons, for example, each having a MOD-DFL secured to a mounting surface of the respective deployment device, an optics system disposed inside of the respective deployment device, and a camera disposed inside of the respective deployment device. Each MOD-DFL comprises a plurality of MOD-DFL segments arranged in a preselected arrangement to form the respective MOD-DFL.

Abstract: Surface-engineered immune cells, such as natural killer cells, grafted with targeting moiety-drug complexes. The present invention combines chemotherapy and immunotherapy by engineering the immune cells to target specific tumor cells through antigen recognition and deliver potent chemotherapeutic agents, thereby destroying the tumor cells. The surface-engineered immune cells may be prepared using a one-step method. The present invention also provides kits for preparing the surface-engineered immune cells.

Abstract: A method for measuring a shape of a reflector surface of a heliostat at night using a bright star at different elevation and azimuthal settings according to an embodiment of the current invention includes setting the heliostat in fixed orientation such that aberrated and overlapping star images formed are translated due to Earth's rotation in a translation direction across the heliostat array receiver; viewing images of the bright star using a fixed array of cameras placed at or near an array receiver of the heliostat, wherein each camera of the fixed array of cameras has a large aperture lens, and simultaneous exposures are made quickly enough and repeated for long enough, so that, as they translate past the cameras, the aberrated star image is fully sampled in two dimensions, and wherein every point on the reflector surface of the heliostat appears in one or more of the recorded images as being bright from reflected starlight; and processing the recorded images from the fixed array of cameras with a data pr

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a modified MC1R peptide ligand comprising a peptide that is a melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) ligand and a functionality or linker, such as a click functionality, for conjugation to a surface or agent. The modified MC1R peptide ligand can be coupled, e.g., via a click reaction with a complementary click functionality attached, to a moiety to form an MC1R-targeted agent. Drugs, contrast agents, polymers, particles, micelles, surfaces of larger structures, or other moieties can be targeted to the MC1R. The subject invention also pertains to a MC1R peptide ligand-micelle complex comprising a peptide that is a melanocortin 1 receptor ligand connected via a click reaction product to a micelle. The micelle is stable in vivo and can target melanoma tumor cells by association of the peptide ligand with the MC1R or the tumor and selectively provide a detectable and/or therapeutic agent (such as an imagable contrast agent and/or anti-cancer agent) selectively to the tumor cell.