Abstract: Macroporous 3-D tissue engineering scaffold comprising elastomeric cross-linked polymer units and interconnected macropores containing living cells are produced by step of: in a mixture of the cells and elastomeric polymer units comprising activatable crosslinking groups, activating the crosslinking groups to form the scaffold.

Abstract: A method for analyzing planar sample is provided. In some cases the method comprises: (a) incubating the planar sample with a capture agent that is linked to an oligonucleotide, wherein the capture agent specifically binds to complementary sites in the planar sample; (b) reading a fluorescent signal caused by extension of a primer that is hybridized to the oligonucleotide, using fluorescence microscopy. Several implementations of the method, and multiplexed versions of the same, are also provided.

Abstract: Described herein is a mixing entropy battery including a cationic electrode for sodium ion exchange and an anionic electrode for chloride ion exchange, where the cationic electrode includes at least one Prussian Blue material, and where the mixing entropy battery is configured to convert salinity gradient into electricity.

Abstract: A device for estimating scatter in X-ray imaging is described. An anti-scatter grid with varying grid ratio is used in conjunction with an X-ray detector. The anti-scatter grid comprises attenuating lamellae that block scattered radiation. The anti-scatter grid contains regions of lesser or greater scatter rejection efficiency, which can be achieved by variations in the grid ratio. Contrast between these regions can be used to estimate residual scatter content. A method for estimating scatter from this device is further described.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for disrupting at least one reward-related behavior in an individual through the use of light-responsive opsin proteins used to control the polarization state of the cholinergic interneurons of the nucleus accumbens or the striatum.

Abstract: Improved monitoring of one or more blood coagulation factors is provided. Factor-specific molecular probes having a dye-quencher arrangement are employed. In preferred embodiments, a compact integrated optical source and detector device is used for fluorescence measurements. Continuous and real-time monitoring of the activity of one or multiple blood factors is provided. Such real-time information can be used to automatically control delivery of drugs such as coagulants and/or blood thinners.

Abstract: An apparatus can have a power supply circuit configured to receive, from an antenna, a first signal at a frequency exceeding a GHz, and including a rectifier circuit that is impedance matched to the antenna at the first frequency and that is configured to generate a supply voltage by rectifying the first signal at the first frequency. A signal generation circuit can be configured to use the supply voltage to generate a second signal at as higher frequency and to operate in two different power modes in response to a data signal. A transmitter circuit can be configured to use the supply voltage to create pulse at the higher frequency of the signal and in response to the data signal, and that includes an amplifier circuit configured to receive the data signal and provide an amplification of the data signal to the antenna.

Abstract: Disclosed are dispersed graphene sheets, ribbons, graphene molecules and the like which are pristine in the plane, i.e., free of significant defects and chemical modifications such as oxidation. The materials could be functionalized at the edges. These materials are dispersed in solutions rather than in aggregated or insoluble forms as their parent starting materials. Also disclosed is a method comprising the steps of intercalating an insoluble graphitic material. The method may comprise exfoliating graphite and re-intercalating the resultant material with an acid composition, such as oleum, and a strong organic base such as tetrabutylammonium hydroxide in a solvent solution to form a homogenous suspension, which is then agitated to form dispersed graphene materials. The materials may be solubilized with a hydrophilic polymer and can be further manipulated by transfer into different solvents, formation of films, application to optical and electronic devices, and other applications.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the disclosure is directed to an example embodiment in which a circuit-based arrangement includes a circuit-based substrate securing a channel, with an effective width that is not limited by the Debye screening length, along a surface of the substrate. A pair of reservoirs are included in or on the substrate and configured for containing and presenting a sample having bio-molecules for delivery in the channel. A pair of electrodes electrically couple a charge in the sample to enhance ionic current flow therein (e.g., to overcome the electrolyte screening), and a sense electrode is located along the channel for sensing a characteristic of the biological sample by using the electrostatic interaction between the enhanced ionic current flow of the sample and the sense electrode. Actual detection occurs by using a charge-signal processing circuit to process the sensed charge signal and, therefrom, provide an output indicative of a signature for the bio-molecules delivered in the channel.

Abstract: Velocity controllers in accordance with embodiments of the invention enable velocity estimation for tracked objects. One embodiment includes a tracker controller, including: a processor; and a memory containing: a velocity tracker application; a state space describing relationships between measured locations, calculated locations, and changes in locations, where the calculated locations in the state space correspond to unoccluded points on the surface of the tracked object; wherein the processor is configured by the velocity tracker application to: pre-process the state space to identify a tracked object; estimate a velocity of the tracked object using a location history calculated from the measured locations of the tracked object within the state space and a motion model calculated from the state space; and return the velocity of the tracked object.

Abstract: Correlated double sampling (CDS) for magnetoresistive (MR) sensors is provided. Here the MR sensor output is sampled at two closely spaced times. The first sample is MR signal+baseline+noise and is sampled when the modulated magnetic field is non-zero. The second sample is baseline+noise only because it is sampled when the modulated magnetic field is zero. The difference between the first and second samples will have significantly reduced low frequency noise and baseline cancellation. Modulation of the electrical bias provided to the MR sensor can be used to provide a baseline signal for temperature compensation. In a second aspect, we provide MR sensor arrays having input and output multiplexing and demultiplexing for row and column line selection, in combination with a per-sensor switch to prevent noise accumulation and bandwidth reduction from idle MR sensors.

Abstract: A battery includes 1) an anode, 2) a cathode, and 3) an electrolyte disposed between the anode and the cathode. The anode includes a current collector and an interfacial layer disposed over the current collector, and the interfacial layer includes an array of interconnected, protruding regions that define spaces.

Abstract: The procedure of dielectric electrophoresis (dielectrophoresis or DEP) utilizes field-polarized particles that move under the application of positive (attractive) and/or negative (repulsive) applied forces. This invention uses negative dielectric electrophoresis (negative dielectrophoresis or nDEP) within a microchannel separation apparatus to make particles move (detached) or remain stationary (attached). In an embodiment of the present invention, the nDEP force generated was strong enough to detach Ag-Ab (antigen-antibody) bonds, which are in the order of 400 pN (piconewtons) while maintaining the integrity of the system components.

Abstract: A method for performing wave-encoded magnetic resonance imaging of an object is provided. The method includes applying one or more wave-encoded magnetic gradients to the object, and acquiring MR signals from the object. The method further includes calibrating a wave point-spread function, and reconstructing an image from the MR signals based at least in part on the calibrated wave point-spread function. Calibration of the wave point-spread function is based at least in part on one or more intermediate images generated from the MR signals.

Abstract: Enema compositions containing corticosteroids or salicylic acid derivatives are disclosed. The compositions are liquid at room temperature but turn to gels at body temperature. They are useful for treating inflammatory bowel disease.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for combined transplantation of a solid organ and hematopoietic cells to a recipient, where tolerance to the graft is established through development of a persistent mixed chimerism. An individual with persistent mixed chimerism, usually for a period of at least six months, is able to withdraw from the use of immunosuppressive drugs after a period of time sufficient to establish tolerance.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides opsins, including variant opsins with increased activity and/or increased trafficking to the plasma membrane. The opsins are useful in therapeutic and screening applications, which are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are animals expressing light-responsive opsin proteins in the basal lateral amygdala of the brain and methods for producing the same wherein illumination of the light-responsive opsin proteins causes anxiety in the animal. Also provided herein are methods for alleviating and inducing anxiety in an animal as well as methods for screening for a compound that alleviates anxiety in an animal.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for alleviating cancer or infection in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising an isolated PD-1 variant polypeptide. The PD-1 variant polypeptide can inhibit the activity of PD-1 by, for example, competitive or non-competitive inhibition of the interaction between wild-type PD-1 and one or more of its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2.

Abstract: Methods are provided for evaluating a subject for graft survival, e.g., in terms of predicting graft survival, identifying the presence of a deleterious graft condition, such as CAN and DT, identifying the severity and class of acute rejection, etc, in a subject are provided. In practicing the subject methods, the expression of at least one gene in a sample from the subject, e.g., a blood or biopsy sample, is assayed, e.g., at the nucleic acid and/or protein level, to evaluate the subject. Also provided are compositions, systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The methods and compositions find use in a variety of applications.