Abstract: Measuring the number of glomeruli in the entire, intact kidney using non-destructive techniques is of immense importance in studying several renal and systemic diseases. In particular, a recent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technique, based on injection of a contrast agent, cationic ferritin, has been effective in identifying glomerular regions in the kidney. In various embodiments, a low-complexity, high accuracy method for obtaining the glomerular count from such kidney MRI images is described. This method employs a patch-based approach for identifying a low-dimensional embedding that enables the separation of glomeruli regions from the rest. By using only a few images marked by the expert for learning the model, the method provides an accurate estimate of the glomerular number for any kidney image obtained with the contrast agent. In addition, the implementation of our method shows that this method is near real-time, and can process about 5 images per second.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a system. The system includes a sensor device having a sensor element having a sensor output and an amplification element having at least one amplification stage, an amplifier input, and an amplifier output. The sensor output can be coupled to the amplifier input. Further, each amplification stage of the amplification stage(s) can have at least four thin film transistors, an input node, and an output node. Meanwhile, the sensor element can detect a physical quantity and/or an event and can provide an electric signal to the amplification element in response to detecting the physical quantity and/or the event, and the amplification element can amplify the electric signal received from the sensor element. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for size-based particle separation and methods for its use, where the microfluidic device comprises: (a) an inlet reservoir, where the inlet reservoir is configured for communication with an inlet electrode, (b) an insulator constriction coupled to the inlet reservoir via a microchannel, where the insulator constriction comprises an insulating material, and (c) a plurality of outlet channels each defining a first end and a second end, where the first end of each of the plurality of outlet channels is coupled to the insulator constriction, where the second end of each of the plurality of outlet channels is coupled to one of a plurality of outlet reservoirs, and where the plurality of outlet reservoirs are configured for communication with one or more outlet electrodes.

Abstract: Multi-band photodetectors can be formed by series connecting unipolar and, optionally, bipolar semiconductor structures, each having different photodetection bands. Under default mode of operation, the detector with highest resistance and lowest current will be the current limiting device and will be the active photodetector. When the active photodetector is illuminated with strong light in its own detection band it will be optically biased. This active photodetector will no longer be the highest resistance device, and the next photodetector will be the active photodetector. Repeating this operation pattern, allows switching photodetection bands of the multi-band photodetector. The resistances, dark current and photocurrent of the devices should be engineered to have proper switching. Moreover, the illuminating surface, and photodetector placement should be optimized for proper light biasing. The current passing through the device will always be equal to the current of the active photodetector.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to potassium ion sensors and monomers derived from such sensors. The disclosure also provides for polymers (e.g., random copolymers, nanoparticles, polymer thin films, and sensors) having polymerized monomeric potassium ion sensors as described herein. These compounds and polymers are useful for measuring intracellular and extracellular potassium ion concentrations.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating or limiting development of age-related macular degeneration, as well as methods for identifying compound suitable for such use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the crystal structures of dolastatin 16, dolamethylleuine and dolaphenvaline. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing dolamethylleuine and dolaphenvaline. The present invention further relates to computer readable medium with crystal structural data and/or information stored thereon.

Abstract: A method for the in vivo production of styrene from renewable substrates using a recombinant microorganism is disclosed. Additionally, a method for the in vivo production of styrene oxide from renewable substrates using a recombinant microorganism is also disclosed. In both cases, the host cell expresses at least one gene encoding a polypeptide that possesses phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity in addition to at least one gene encoding a polypeptide that possesses trans-cinnamic acid decarboxylase activity. In the case of styrene oxide, the host cell must additionally express at least one gene encoding a polypeptide that possesses styrene monooxygenase activity.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions, devices, and methods for analyzing a polymer and/or polymer unit. The polymer may be a homo or hetero-polymer such as DNA, RNA, a polysaccharide, or a peptide. The device includes electrodes that form a tunnel gap through which the polymer can pass. The electrodes are functionalized with a reagent attached thereto, and the reagent is capable of forming a transient bond to a polymer unit. When the transient bond forms between the reagent and the unit, a detectable signal is generated and used to analyze the polymer.

Abstract: Naphthyl-containing compounds having structural formula S2R for use in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). R may include an aromatic group, a heterocyclic group, or a group that is both aromatic and heterocylic. In some examples, R is phenyl, biphenyl, and thiophenyl. OLEDs including these compounds are shown to emit in a range between 400 nm and 700 nm. These OLEDs are suitable for devices including televisions, laptop computers, computer monitors, personal digital assistants, mobile phones, portable media players, watches, test devices, advertising displays, information displays, indication displays, and large-area light-emitting elements for general illumination.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for identifying therapeutic agents that are multifunctional radical quenchers. It also provides compounds of formula (I), (II), or (II-A): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, compositions comprising these compounds, and methods of using these compounds in a variety of applications, such as treatment or suppression of diseases associated with decreased mitochondrial function resulting in diminished ATP production and/or oxidative stress and/or lipid peroxidation.

Abstract: Some embodiments can include a method of manufacturing first electronic device(s) and second electronic device(s), the method including: providing a carrier substrate having a first side and a second side, a first substrate bonded to the first side of the carrier substrate, and a second substrate bonded to the second side of the carrier substrate; depositing at least one layer of a first material over the first substrate while the first substrate is bonded to the first side of the carrier substrate to create a portion of the first electronic device(s); and depositing at least one layer of a second material over the second substrate while the second substrate is bonded to the second side of the carrier substrate to create a portion of the second electronic device(s). In many embodiments, the first substrate and/or the second substrate includes a flexible substrate. Other related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Porphyrin polymers of Structure 1, where n is an integer (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or greater) are synthesized by the method shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The porphyrin polymers of Structure 1 are soluble in organic solvents such as 2-MeTHF and the like, and can be synthesized in bulk (i.e., in processes other than electropolymerization). These porphyrin polymers have long excited state lifetimes, making the material suitable as an organic semiconductor for organic electronic devices including transistors and memories, as well as solar cells, sensors, light-emitting devices, and other opto-electronic devices.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide capture and release includes contacting a gas comprising carbon dioxide with a mixture comprising a precursor and a solvent and reducing the precursor to form a capture agent. The capture agent is reacted with the carbon dioxide to form a non-volatile species containing carbon dioxide. The non-volatile species is oxidized to regenerate the precursor and to release carbon dioxide. The mixture may be formed by combining the precursor and the solvent.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to sequential state elements (SSEs). More specifically, embodiments of flip-flops are disclosed, along with computerized methods and systems of designing the same. In one embodiment, the flip-flop includes a substrate and subcircuits that are formed on the substrate. The subcircuits provide subfunctions, wherein each of the subcircuits provides at least one of the subfunctions. More specifically, the subfunctions are provided in a sequential logical order by the subcircuits so that the flip-flop provides a flip-flop function. However, the subcircuits are interleaved out of the sequential logical order with respect to a corresponding subfunction provided by each of the subcircuits along a vector defined by the substrate. In this manner, interleaving the subcircuits along the vector of the substrate can provide separation between charge collection nodes without requiring increases in size. Thus, the flip-flop can be more compact and less expensive to manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new auristatin compounds and prodrugs thereof, compositions comprising them and uses thereof.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to sequential state elements (SSEs), triple-mode redundant state machines (TMRSMs), and methods and systems for testing triple-mode redundant pipeline stages (TMRPSs) within the TMRSMs using triple-mode redundant SSEs (TMRSSEs). The SSEs, TMRSMs, TMRPSs, and TMRSSEs may be formed as integrated circuits on a semiconductor substrate. Of particular focus in this disclosure are SSEs used to sample and hold bit states. Embodiments of the SSEs have a self-correcting mechanism to protect against radiation-induced soft errors. The SSE may be provided in a pipeline circuit of a TMRSM to receive and store a bit state of a bit signal generated by combinational circuits within the pipeline circuit. More specifically, the SSEs may be provided in a TMRSSE configured to perform self-correction. Also disclosed are methods for using the TMRSSE to test redundant pipeline stages of the TMRSM.

Abstract: Some embodiments include an imaging system. The image sensor array includes multiple image sensor sheets configured in an array grid. Each image sensor sheet of the multiple image sensor sheets can include a flexible substrate layer, and the flexible substrate layer can include a first flexible substrate side and a second flexible substrate side opposite the first flexible substrate side. Meanwhile, each image sensor sheet of the multiple sensor sheets can include multiple image sensors over the first flexible substrate side, the multiple image sensors can include multiple flat panel image detectors configured in a sheet grid, and the image sensor array can include an approximately constant pixel pitch. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are methods for performing patterned chemistry and arrays prepared thereby.