Abstract: Disclosed are monoacylated Toll-like receptor 2 ligands which can be used in both the development of targeted agents for the imaging and treatment of pancreatic cancer as well as other cancers, and as an adjuvant for cancer immunotherapy. The monoacylated compounds disclosed herein have a higher binding affinity for TLR2 relative to a known potent diacylated agonists, but only ?½ the bioactivity. Competition of the monoacylated compound with the diacylated compound for binding TLR2 was confirmed. Hence, the reported monoacylated compounds are inhibitors/antagonists of TLR2 activation.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an optical connection to at least one planar optical waveguide integrated on a planar integrated circuit (PIC) uses a machine vision system or the like to detect one or more positions at which one or more optical connections are to be made to at least one planar optical waveguide located on the PIC. A spatial light modulator (SLM) is used as a programmable photolithographic mask through which the optical connections are written in a volume of photosensitive material using a photolithographic process. The SLM is programmed to expose the photosensitive material to an illumination pattern that defines the optical connections. The programming is based at least in part on the positions that have been detected by the vision system. The optical connections are printed by exposing the photosensitive material to illumination that is modulated by the pattern with which the SLM is programmed.

Abstract: Embodiments for sound and elastic-wave systems with fermionic quantum-like behavior and in particular to an approach for the phase-based encoding of information are disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with a method for transferring optical signals to and from an optical component incorporated in a photonic integrated circuit (PIC), an incoming optical signal in a first polarization state is received at a splitter section of a polarization splitter rotator (PSR). The splitter section causes the optical signal to be directed to a first waveguide of a pair of waveguides of the PSR. One of the waveguides rotates a polarization state of an optical signal traversing therethrough into an orthogonal polarization state and the other waveguide maintains a polarization state of an optical signal traversing therethrough. The incoming optical signal is directed from the first waveguide to the optical component. An outgoing optical signal is received in a second waveguide of the pair such that the outgoing optical signal traverses the second waveguide and the splitter section to be output by the PSR.

Abstract: Bridged polysilsesquioxane based sunscreens prepared as nanoparticles via oil/water microemulsion polymerization, sol-gel polymerizations, or a modified Stober process. Minimized leaching and decreased levels of photo-degradation were achieved with covalent incorporation, with bridged incorporation necessary to ensure isolation of the sunscreen and any photo-products from skin. SPF values of were found to be comparable to existing commercial sunscreens. Furthermore the bridged polysilsesquioxane based sunscreens can be classified as broad-spectrum, and rate from moderate to superior in terms of UVA protective ability.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly (e.g. no acid, base, or cyanide) system and process for large scale extraction of metal ion into aerobic molten salt (or ionic liquid) and the electrodeposition of metal (e.g. copper, gold, silver, etc.) from the metal ion dissolved in the molten salt. The non-volatile low vapor pressure liquid salt is reusable, and heat from the molten slag can heat the molten salts or ionic liquids. Another embodiment comprises a one-pot apparatus for the extraction of metal (e.g. copper) from metal earths and electrodepositing the metal using a low melting (209° C.) aerated Na—K—Zn chloride salt in which copper metal oxidizes and is converted to soluble copper chloride. When an electrical power supply is connected to the graphite vessel (cathode) and to copper rods in the melt (anodes), then the copper chloride is deposited as copper metal by electroreduction on the bottom of the graphite reaction vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a nanocomposite particle (“nanoSCINT particle”) adapted for use in scintillating proximity assay in a relatively high quantity. The nanoSCINT particle comprises a silica shell that encapsulates a nanoparticle organic polymer that is doped with at least one scintillating compound. In particular, the process of the invention includes adding a plurality of batch-wise portions of a polymerization initiator to an emulsion comprising a relatively high amount of polymerizable organic compound to produce a nanoparticle organic polymer, which is then doped with at least one scintillating compound, and then encapsulated with a silica shell to produce nanoSCINT particles in gram quantities in a single process. Unlike conventional methods, a single process of the invention provides at least about 5 g, typically at least about 7.5 g, and often at least about 10 g of nanocomposite particles.

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: The invention provides a novel arrangement of photon sensors on a scintillation-crystal based gamma-ray detector that takes advantage of total internal reflection of scintillation light within the scintillation detector substrate. The present invention provides improved spatial resolution including depth-of-interaction (DOI) resolution while preserving energy resolution and detection efficiency, which is especially useful in small-animal or human positron emission tomography (PET) or other techniques that depend on high-energy gamma-ray detection. Moreover, the new geometry helps reduce the total number of readout channels required and eliminates the need to do complicated and repetitive cutting and polishing operations to form pixelated crystal arrays as is the standard in current PET detector modules.

Abstract: A scintillation-crystal based gamma-ray detector with photon sensors disposed on edge surface(s) of the crystal to take advantage of total internal reflection of scintillation photons within the thin-slab detector substrate to improve spatial resolution of determination of a scintillation event (including depth-of-interaction resolution) while preserving energy resolution and detection efficiency. The proposed structure benefits from the reduced—as compared with related art—total number of readout channels elimination of need in complicated and repetitive cutting and polishing operations to form pixelated crystal arrays used in conventional PET detector modules. Detectors systems utilizing stacks of such detectors, and methods of operation of same.

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 label-free detection and characterization system includes an optical source; an optical path arranged to be optically coupled to the optical source; an optical resonator disposed proximate the optical path along a side of the optical path, the optical resonator having an optical whispering-gallery mode and being optically coupled to the optical path through an evanescent field to excite the optical whispering-gallery mode; an optical receiver arranged to be optically coupled to the optical path. The optical source is frequency locked to a resonance frequency of the optical resonator and provides light sufficiently intense to provide four-wave mixing while being coupled with the optical resonator resulting in a comb spectrum received by the optical receiver. The comb spectrum provides characteristic changes in the presence of a substance in contact with the optical resonator to provide detection and characterization of the substance.

Abstract: Different configurations of multi-faceted optical elements and associated methods are described that split an input optical beam into multiple output beams, and in a reverse configuration, combine a set of input beams into an output beam. One example multi-faceted optical element includes K optical facets, where K is greater than or equal to six, and K-2 internal surfaces. Each internal surface reflects at least a portion of the incident light and includes a coating designed to modify one or more of a spectral content, polarization, intensity or phase of the incident beam. The multifaceted optical element is configurable to either split an input light beam into four or more output light beams, or to combine four or more input light beams into a single output light beam. Such a multi-faceted optical element can be implemented as part of, for example, a display system, a multi-spectral camera or a polarization camera.

Abstract: An anatomical model includes a first container, a second container disposed within the first container, and a third container disposed within the second container. The second container and the third container simulate components of kidney anatomy, and the model includes ballistics gel to improve echogenicity during an ultrasound-guided training procedure using the model.

Abstract: A polarization and color sensitive pixel device and a focal plane array made therefrom. Each incorporates a thick color/polarization filter stack and microlens array for visible (0.4-0.75 micron), near infrared (0.75-3 micron), mid infrared (3-8 micron) and long wave infrared (8-15 micron) imaging. A thick pixel filter has a thickness of between about one to 10× the operational wavelength, while a thick focal plane array filter is on the order of or larger than the size or up to 10× the pitch of the pixels in the focal plane array. The optical filters can be precisely fabricated on a wafer. A filter array can be mounted directly on top of an image sensor to create a polarization camera. Alternatively, the optical filters can be fabricated directly on the image sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for measuring polarization properties and phase information, for example as can be used in microscopy applications. According to one example of the disclosed technology, an apparatus includes a light source, an interferometer configured to receive light generated by the light source and split the received light into two split beam outputs. The split beam outputs including combined, interfering light beams. Two light sensors, each including a polarization-sensitive focal plane array receive a respective one of the split beam outputs from the interferometer. Thus, some examples of the disclosed technology allows for simultaneous or concurrent measurement of properties of light including intensity, wavelength, polarization, and phase.

Abstract: A method for controlling a first device that includes a photovoltaic array such as a satellite in Earth orbit includes receiving a laser beam that is scanned over a plurality of photovoltaic cells in the photovoltaic array. A trajectory of the laser beam along the photovoltaic array is identified based on receipt of the laser beam by the plurality of photovoltaic cells. The trajectory is compared to a plurality of pre-defined gesture strokes to identify a first gesture stroke most closely matching the trajectory. A pre-defined action associated with the first gesture stroke is performed.

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: Various examples are provided for object identification and tracking, traverse-optimization and/or trajectory optimization. In one example, a method includes determining a terrain map including at least one associated terrain type; and determining a recommended traverse along the terrain map based upon at least one defined constraint associated with the at least one associated terrain type. In another example, a method includes determining a transformation operator corresponding to a reference frame based upon at least one fiducial marker in a captured image comprising a tracked object; converting the captured image to a standardized image based upon the transformation operator, the standardized image corresponding to the reference frame; and determining a current position of the tracked object from the standardized image.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of medicinal pharmacology. In particular, the invention relates to protease activated receptor type 2 (PAR2) modulating compounds (e.g., mimetic peptides), compositions comprising such modulating compounds, and their use as therapeutics for the treatment of conditions involving PAR2 activity.