Abstract: A sub-laminate module is described for use in forming composite laminate structures. The module includes a first ply set containing a first ply layer oriented at a first angle and a second ply layer oriented at a second angle, the second angle being unequal the first angle; a second ply set containing a third ply layer oriented at a third angle and a fourth ply layer oriented at a fourth angle, the fourth angle being unequal the third angle; first and second equal acute angles are defined by differences between an absolute value of the first and second angles and the third and fourth angles, respectively, wherein the second ply layer is positioned adjacent the third ply layer and the second and third ply layers are both positioned intermediate the first and fourth ply layers, so as to define a staggered double-double helix sequence of the respective ply layers. Associated composite laminate structures and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed related to using acoustic waves to detect neural activity in a brain and/or localize the neural activity in the brain. Sensors positioned outside of a skull encasing the brain can detect acoustic waves associated with the neural activity in the brain. From output signals of the sensors, a particular type of neural activity (e.g., a seizure) can be detected. A location of the neural activity can be determined based on outputs of the sensors. In some embodiments, the ultrasound energy can be applied to the location of the neural activity in response to detecting the neural activity.

Abstract: Blockchain-based, smart contract platforms have great promise to remove trust and add transparency to distributed applications. However, this benefit often comes at the cost of greatly reduced privacy. Techniques for implementing a privacy-preserving smart contract is described. The system can keep accounts private while not losing functionality and with only a limited performance overhead. This is achieved by building a confidential and anonymous token on top of a cryptocurrency. Multiple complex applications can also be built using the smart contract system.

Abstract: Aspects of various embodiments are directed to sensor apparatuses and methods thereof. An example sensor apparatus includes a capacitor and sensor circuitry. The capacitor includes a first substrate having a first electrode, a second substrate having a second electrode, and a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer has a plurality of dielectric structures arranged in a pattern, the first and second electrode being separated by the dielectric layer and arranged with an overlapping area with respect to one another. The sensor circuitry is coupled to the capacitor and configured and arranged to detect normal and shear forces applied to the sensor apparatus based on changes in capacitance derived from changes in at least one of a distance between first and second electrodes and the overlapping area of the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of modulating seed germination and seed longevity in plants by modifying FLOE1 level or activity; and plants generated by such methods.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant quantum computing scheme implements quantum computing based on three-dimensional cluster states using just a small number of physical components. The technique may be implemented using a single actively controlled qubit [100], e.g., a quantum emitter, and a pair of delay line loops [106, 108], which can be physically realized using existing technologies in quantum photonic and phononic systems. A three-dimensional cluster state is prepared by using the actively con-trolled qubit to generate data qubits that propagate through the two delay line loops, interact with the actively controlled qubit, and then are measured by a detector [110].

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems for immune cell regulation and methods of immunotherapy. Systems of the present disclosure for immune cell regulation comprise a chimeric receptor polypeptide, a chimeric adaptor polypeptide, a gene modulating polypeptide (GMP), and a cleavage moiety.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting complex networks in MRI image data in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes an image processing system, including a processor, a display device connected to the processor, an image capture device connected to the processor, and a memory connected to the processor, the memory containing an image processing application, wherein the image processing application directs the processor to obtain a time-series sequence of image data from the image capture device, identify complex networks within the time-series sequence of image data, and provide the identified complex networks using the display device.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward methods and apparatuses for interacting a first liquid and a second liquid in one or more fluidic channels of a capillary structure. The methods and apparatuses can include providing at least one capillary barrier that positions a meniscus of the first liquid at a fluid-interface region using capillary forces within the capillary structure. Additionally, a path is provided along one of the channels for the second liquid to flow toward the fluid-interface region. Additionally, gas pressure is released, via a gas-outflow port, from the fluid-interface region while flow of the first liquid is arrested. Further, the first liquid and the second liquid contact in the fluid-interface region with the capillary barrier holding the first liquid at the fluid-interface region.

Abstract: A metal-hydrogen battery includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrolyte disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The second electrode includes a bi-functional catalyst to catalyze both hydrogen evolution reaction and hydrogen oxidation reaction at the second electrode.

Abstract: Processes and materials to detect cancer from a biopsy are described. In some cases, cell-free nucleic acids can be sequenced, and the sequencing result can be utilized to detect sequences derived from a neoplasm. Detection of somatic variants occurring in phase can indicate the presence of cancer in a diagnostic scan and a clinical intervention can be performed.

Abstract: A method for photoacoustic imaging is performed by measuring RF time samples from transducer elements, and reconstructing an estimated initial pressure image from the measured RF time samples and a pre-calculated forward model matrix. The reconstructing involves minimizing the difference between the pre-calculated forward model matrix applied to the image estimate and the measured RF time samples by implementing a superiorized modified conjugate gradient least squares algorithm to minimize the total variation norm. The model matrix factors each of the transducer elements into sub-wavelength mathematical elements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure feature an intrinsically microporous ladder-type Tröger's base polymer including a repeat unit based on a combination of W-shaped CANAL-type and V-shaped Tröger's base building blocks, methods of making the intrinsically microporous ladder-type Tröger's base polymer, and methods of using the intrinsically microporous ladder-type Tröger's base polymer to separate a chemical species from a fluid composition including a mixture of chemical species. Embodiments of the present disclosure further include ladder-type diamine monomers for reacting to form a Tröger's base in situ, and methods of making the ladder-type diamine monomers using catalytic arene-norbornene annulation.

Abstract: One or more embodiments relate to stable catalysts prepared through the encapsulation of platinum particles inside an alumina framework. These catalysts do not sinter at 800° C. in the presence of oxygen and steam, conditions in which conventional catalysts sinter to large extents, while showing similar reaction rates. Extending this approach to Pd/Pt bimetallic catalysts leads to maintained small particle size at temperatures as high as 1,100° C. in air and steam. This strategy can be broadly applied to other metal and metal oxides for applications where sintering is a major cause of materials deactivation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for decoding intended symbols from neural activity in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a symbol decoding system for brain-computer interfacing, including a neural signal recorder implanted into a brain of a user, and a symbol decoder, the symbol decoder including a processor, and a memory, where the memory includes a symbol decoding application capable of directing the processor to obtain neural signal data from the neural signal recorder, estimate a symbol from the neural signal data using a symbol model, and perform a command associated with the symbol.

Abstract: Systems and method for detecting anomalies in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes receiving a first data stream collected from a first sensor, identifying a first set of anomalies in the first data stream using a first model, receiving a second data stream collected from a second sensor, identifying a second set of anomalies in the second data stream using a second model, determining a set of joint anomalies using the first set of anomalies, second set of anomalies, and a threshold, wherein a threshold is some time period, and updating how anomalies are identified in the first and second set of models using the set of joint anomalies.

Abstract: Disclosed are a polymer including a first structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 1 and a second structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 2, an organic semiconductor material, and a stretchable polymer thin film and electronic device including the same. Chemical Formulas 1 and 2 are described in the detailed description.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated diagnosis and prognosis support using radiomics in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a method for non-invasively identifying triple negative breast cancer, comprising obtaining a magnetic resonance imaging scan of a patient's breast, generating a tumor segmentation mask for the scan of the patient using a first machine learning model, extracting several radiomic features from the segmented scan of the patient, providing the several radiomic features to a second machine learning model, and obtaining, from the second machine learning model, a likelihood that the patient has triple negative breast cancer. In a further embodiment, the second machine learning model further provides an estimated survival time of the patient.

Abstract: A method for reducing pulmonary hypertension in a mammal that employs FK506 is provided. In certain embodiments, the method comprises administering FK506 to a mammal having pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with defective MBPR2 signaling at a dosage sufficient to reduce blood pressure in the pulmonary artery of the mammal.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the identification of peptide sequences that are ligands for a T cell receptor (TCR) of interest, in a given MHC context.