Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for treating respiratory and pulmonary vascular disease. In particular, provided herein are spray dried simvastatin for delivery to the lung.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described that enable three-dimensional (3D) imaging of objects. One example system includes a light source that produces multiple light beams having specific spectral content and polarization states. The system also includes phase masks that modify the intensity or phase of the light, and projection optics that allow simultaneously projection of at least three fringe patterns onto an object having particular phase, polarization and spectral characteristics. The detection system includes a camera that simultaneously receives light associated with the at the fringe patterns upon reflection from the object, and a processing unit coupled to the camera unit that determines one or both of a phase or a depth information associated with the object. The system and associated methods can efficiency produce 2D images of the object and allow determination of characteristics such as surface profile. The disclosed systems and methods can be effectively implemented with moving objects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for digital reflex quantization and signature analysis. Movement of a stimulating device invoking a reflex response in an organism is captured as stimuli data. Electromyographic (EMG) of the reflex response is captured as EMG data. Movement resulting from the reflex response of a limb/appendage of the organism is captured as motion data. One or more of the stimuli data, the EMG data, and the motion data are analyzed to determine one or both of a motion signature and an EMG signature defining quantitative evaluation of the reflex response.

Abstract: The disclosure provides mutant Brassica plants that have increased locules and seed production relative to native wild-type plants. Such plants include a point mutation in the clavata 1 gene (CLV1), such as a G->A substitution at position 1745 of the Brassica rapa coding sequence, which leads to an S582N substitution in the protein sequence. Equivalent substitutions can be made in any Brassicaceae coding/protein sequence. Also provided are methods of using such plants in breeding programs, as well as parts of such plants (such as seeds), and methods of making commodity products from such plants (e.g., oil). Also provided are mutant CLV1 sequences. Brassica plants harboring the disclosed CLV1 mutation can include other desirable traits, such as herbicide tolerance.

Abstract: Compact occlusion-capable optical see-through head mounted displays (OCOST-HMDs) are described having a double-wrapped path and capable of rendering per-pixel mutual occlusion, and correct see-through viewing perspective or a pupil-matched viewing between the virtual and real views. An example device includes a polarizer, a polarizing beam splitter, an objective lens, a spatial light modulator (SLM), an eyepiece lens, a quarter wave plate, and a reflective optical element configured to reflect the light that is incident thereupon in a first direction, and to transit the light received from a microdisplay that is incident thereupon from a second direction. The components form a first double-pass configurations that allow the light that passes through the objective to reflect from the SLM and propagate again through the objective, and a second double-pass configuration that allows the light that passes through the eyepiece to reflect from the reflective optical element and propagate again through the eyepiece.

Abstract: An imaging system and method for detecting a target in a sample. The imaging system includes a lens-free holographic microscope having a light source in a first plane spaced above an image sensor. The image sensor extends in a second plane. The system also includes a microfluidic chip positioned between the light source and the image sensor. The microfluidic chip extends in a third plane, which is parallel to the second plane. There is at least one chamber in the microfluidic chip configured to receive a sample solution with a target. The system also has a plurality of functionalized beads positioned within the at least one chamber in the microfluidic chip. Any two of the plurality of functionalized beads have an affinity for binding together when exposed to the target in the sample solution.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for treating pulmonary hypertension. In particular, provided herein are dry powder formulations of fasudil for delivery to the lung.

Abstract: A multichip system includes a plurality of processor chips each having one or more cores and a plurality of antenna module for establishing interchip wireless communication. Each antenna module is disposed on a chip. At least one antenna module includes an antenna element array and a Butler matrix. The antenna element array includes n circular patch antenna elements for 360° end-fire scanning, where n is equal to 4 or a multiple thereof. The Butler matrix has n/4 submatrices. Each submatrix include two input 90° hybrids each having two outputs and two inputs for selectively receiving signals from a transceiver. The Butler matrix also includes two output 90° hybrids each having two outputs and two inputs. The two inputs of each output 90° hybrid are coupled to an output of different ones of the input 90° hybrids. Each output of the output 90° hybrids are coupled to a different antenna element.

Abstract: An adaptive force guidance system for laparoscopic surgery skills training includes self-adjusting fuzzy sliding mode controllers and switching mode controllers to provide proper force feedback. Using virtual fixtures, the system restrictS motions and/or guide a trainee to navigate a surgical instrument in a 3D space in a manner that mimics a human instructor who would teach trainees by holding their hands. The self-adjusting controllers incorporate human factors such as different force sensitivity and proficiency level.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods of providing the next generation of quantum enabled cyber security systems. Such systems include a quantum network of satellites that will provide global coverage. The quantum satellite network includes quantum subnetworks comprised of LEO satellites. Some of these LEO satellite-based quantum subnetworks are connected to a subnetwork of MEO satellites. The MEO satellite subnetworks may then be interconnected to the global network of GEO satellites. The LEO/MEO satellites may also be used to interconnect terrestrial quantum networks. Each quantum communication subnetwork may be based on the cluster state concept.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of medicinal chemistry and relates to a new class of small-molecules having a pyrrolidinone-acetamide (or similar) structure (e.g., Formula I) which function as inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease (PLpro), which function as inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 related viral 3CL protease (MPpro), which function as therapeutics for the treatment of viral infection characterized with PLPpro and/or Mpro protease activity and/or expression (e.g., COVID-19), and which function as therapeutics for the treatment of other conditions characterized with PLPpro and/or Mpro protease activity and/or expression.

Abstract: An optomechanical inertial reference mirror combines an optomechanical resonator with a reflector that serves as an inertial reference for an atom interferometer. The optomechanical resonator is optically monitored to obtain a first inertial measurement of the reflector that features high bandwidth and high dynamic range. The atom interferometer generates a second inertial measurement of the reflector that features high accuracy and stability. The second inertial measurement corrects for drift of the first inertial measurement, thereby resulting in a single inertial measurement of the reflector having high bandwidth, high dynamic range, excellent long-term stability, and high accuracy. The reflector may be bonded to the resonator, or formed directly onto a test mass of the resonator. With a volume of less than one cubic centimeter, the optomechanical inertial reference mirror is particularly advantageous for portable atomic-based sensors and systems.

Abstract: A security framework for life-critical and safety-critical devices, specifically medical devices, using: a) runtime, adaptive methods that dynamically assess the risk of newly discovered vulnerabilities and threats, and b) automatic mitigation methods that reduce system risk by seamlessly reconfiguring the device to operate within different execution modes. This technology automatically isolates threats by disabling affected system components. A multi-modal software design uses adaptive software in which operational modes have monotonically decreasing cumulative risk. Formal risk models are used to model the individual risk of accessing or controlling system components and to automatically calculate the cumulative risk of software modes. The automated detection of potential threats by the system or reporting of known vulnerabilities will dynamically change the system risk.

Abstract: Methodology of unwrapping of phase from an optical image in the presence of both noise and unreliable phase fringes configured to tackle both problems simultaneously and, in the most efficient of multiple related implementations, including at least three prongs: i) SD-ROM based denoising procedure, ii) reliable estimation of the gradient of both the wrapped and unwrapped phase with the use of the forward and inverse Laplacian operators; and iii) fringe quality improvement with the use of Fuzzy Logic based Edge Detection. Transformation of optical images with the use of such methodology to provide an image representing visually-perceivable representation of the object's shape. Computer program product configured to implement the same.

Abstract: A method for producing a streak-suppressed MR image of a subject includes (i) generating an interference correlation matrix from M coil images, (ii) producing eigenvectors of the interference correlation matrix, and (iii) determining, from the subspace-eigenvectors, a projection matrix of the interference null space. The subspace-eigenvectors include a plurality of subspace-eigenvectors that span an interference subspace and a plurality of null-space-eigenvectors that span an interference null space.

Abstract: Provided are vertical flow detection devices and related methods. The devices may comprise a membrane having a first surface and a second surface with a plurality of porous structures extending between the first and second surfaces to form fluid conduits from a first fluid chamber formed by the first surface and a second fluid chamber formed by the second fluid surface. A capture agent is immobilized on and/or in the membrane. A rigid porous membrane support mechanically supports the membrane and to provide a relatively uniform flow across the membrane. Various gaskets or holder elements are positioned around an outer edge of the membrane to prevent fluid leakage around the membrane. A fluid pump is configured to force a fluid sample flow in a direction from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: An encapsulation device system for therapeutic applications such as but not limited to regulating blood glucose. The system may comprise an encapsulation device with a first oxygen sensor integrated inside the device and a second oxygen sensor disposed on an outer surface of the device, wherein the sensors allow for real-time measurements (such as oxygen levels) related to cells (e.g., islet cells, stem cell derived beta cells, etc.) housed in the encapsulation device. The system may also feature an exogenous oxygen delivery system operatively connected to the encapsulation device via a channel, wherein the exogenous oxygen delivery system is adapted to deliver oxygen to the encapsulation device.

Abstract: Cancer specific DNA methylation regions have been studied to find cancer specific DNA methylation markers for most common cancers. Differentially methylated regions for individual cancer types were identified and those were further filtered against data from normal tissues to obtain marker regions with cancer specific methylation, resulting in total of 1,250 hypermethylated and 584 hypomethylated marker CpGs. Optimal sets of six markers for each TCGA cancer type that could identify most tumors with high specificity and sensitivity (AUC 0.969-1.00) were chosen from hypermethylated markers and a universal 12 marker set that can detect tumors of all 33 TCGA cancer types (AUC>0.84) was also chosen from hypermethylated markers.

Abstract: Catalyst systems employing inexpensive and readily-available protic co-catalysts to increase a proton reduction rate in a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are described herein. The protic co-catalysts function to increase the rate without being consumed in the process of water splitting to hydrogen and oxygen. They may simultaneously serve to stabilize the pH of the water and be the electrolyte to carry the current for the electrolytic splitting of water. The protic co-catalysts also decrease the overpotential energy requirement for the process of water splitting. These protic co-catalysts can be used with both heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts, as well as assist photocatalysis and other processes for the reduction of protons.

Abstract: A stabilizing locking clamp for a kinematic optical mount includes a clamp plate configured for optical access and a plurality of clamp actuators affixed to the clamp plate. The clamp actuators are positioned such that each clamp actuator exerts a force on a front plate of the kinematic optical mount in a push-push configuration. A stabilizing kinematic optical mount includes a kinematic optical mount and a plurality of clamp arms, each clamp arm including a clamp actuator positioned to exert a force on a front plate of the kinematic optical mount in a push-push configuration. The stabilizing locking clamp and stabilizing kinematic optical mount reduce temperature-dependent and vibration-induced changes in pitch and yaw, thereby improving pointing stability for optical setups that rely on critical beam alignment.