Abstract: A novel “contour person” (CP) model of the human body is proposed that has the expressive power of a detailed 3D model and the computational benefits of a simple 20 part-based model. The CP model is learned from a 3D model of the human body that captures natural shape and pose variations. The CP model factors deformations of the body into three components: shape variation, viewpoint change and pose variation. The CP model can be “dressed” with a low-dimensional clothing model. The clothing is represented as a deformation from the underlying CP representation. This deformation is learned from training examples using principal component analysis to produce so-called eigen-clothing. The coefficients of the eigen-clothing can be used to recognize different categories of clothing on dressed people. The parameters of the estimated 20 body can be used to discriminatively predict 3D body shape using a learned mapping approach.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for a neural implant are provided. In one embodiment, a neural implant that can both optically stimulate neurons and record electrical signals from neurons is provided, including a wide band gap semiconductor opto electronic microarray, such optoelectronic microarray including a plurality of needles, each providing both optical transparency and electrical conductivity; a flexible optical conduit from the optoelectronic microarray to an optical signal source; a flexible electrical conduit from the optoelectronic microarray to an electrical signal sensor; integration of the optical and electrical conduits to a single monolithic optical cable; a circuit assembly coupled to the electrical signal source and the optical signal source; and a processor for providing control of at least one of the electrical signal sensor and the optical signal source. Further embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: System and methods for detecting analytes are provided. The system includes a plasmonic interferometer with a first surface having a first and second scattering element and an aperture disposed between the first scattering element and the second scattering element. A first distance between the aperture and the first scattering element and a second distance between the aperture and the second scattering element are selected to provide interference of light at the slit. The system also includes a light source for illuminating the first surface of the plasmonic interferometer, a detector positioned for detecting light transmitted through the aperture, and a sample holder for disposing a sample to be analyzed onto the first surface of the plasmonic interferometer.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for a nanocomposite having a phase change polymer matrix and conductive nanoparticles to provide greatly enhanced responsivity to temperature and/or humidity. A sensing film includes carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and the polymer. Operation near the transition temperature increases the TCR by over an order of magnitude, thus providing a new platform for devices such as IR sensors, bolometers and imaging elements, MEMS devices, compensating or uncompensated circuit elements and other electronic devices. Nanocomposite films may be under about one micron thick, and coatings, constant environment chambers or mounts, and other engineered improvements and variations may be provided to further enhance the response, range, response times or sensitivity of the film-based devices. One embodiment employs a nanocomposite film under one micron in thickness to operate as an uncooled but highly sensitive infrared bolometer under ambient conditions.

Abstract: Cancer, obesity, and diabetes are examples of PTP1B-related diseases. The invention herein provides embodiments of therapeutic methods and compositions for treating PTP1B related diseases by engineering peptides that bind to the functional spine of PTP1B to alter the conformation of the protein and inhibit a function of PTP1B. Molecules bind to amino acid residues of the functional spine of PTP1B, regulate the catalytic cycle, and treat PTP1B-related diseases. For example, molecules bind to at least one of Tyr152, Tyr153, His175, Thr178, Pro185, Phe191, Leu192, Asn193, Cys215, Gly218, Phe280, Val287, Trp291, Lys292, Leu294, Ser295, and Glu297 to reduce at least one symptom of a PTP1B related disease.

Abstract: Provided herein are inventive enopeptin compounds of Formula (I): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Further provided are methods of preparation, use, and treatment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for inhibiting growth of pathogens and to substrates with selenium nanoparticles or selenium nanoclusters having antipathogenic properties.

Abstract: Therapeutic compositions for treatment of protein serine/threonine phosphatase-related diseases are obtained by engineering amino acid sequences that disrupt interaction between the protein serine/threonine phosphatase and a protein inhibitor and are provided herein. Calcineurin and PPI are examples of protein serine/threonine phosphatases. RCAN1 is an inhibitor of calcineurin and is overexpressed in patients with serious diseases, such as Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease. Molecules that bind RCAN1 at regions that interact with calcineurin selectively modulate functions of calcineurin to treat these diseases. Methods of treating a subject for a protein serine/threonine phosphatase-related disease by administering a molecule having an amino acid sequence selected from the group of SEQ ID NOs: 1-19 are further provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to construct a device that includes a plurality of nanowires (NWs) each having a core and at least one shell. The method includes providing a plurality of radially encoded NWs where each shell contains one of a plurality of different shell materials; and differentiating individual ones of the NWs from one another by selectively removing or not removing shell material within areas to be electrically coupled to individual ones of a plurality of mesowires (MWs). Also disclosed is a nanowire array that contains radially encoded NWs, and a computer program product useful in forming a nanowire array.

Abstract: The candidates are screened and then employed by administering to patients in need thereof of a drug candidate that affects heterotypic intercellular mechanotransduction. At least two types of cells are labeled with distinct intracellular fluorescent marker labels and combined to form a cell suspension and cultured to form a microtissue, such as spheroids. The cells or the spheroids are combined with a drug candidate, either before, during or after forming the spheroids. The distribution of the different cell types is compared to that of essentially the same suspension culture in the absence of the drug candidate. Alternatively, the cell power of cells cultured in a non-adherent mold that determines at least in part, the shape of microtissue formed is measured and compared with essentially the same cell suspension cultured in the same manner in the absence of a drug candidate. A patient in need thereof can be administered a drug identified as affecting heterotypic intercellular mechanotransduction.

Abstract: Methods, compositions, systems, devices and kits are provided for preparing and using a multi-layer polymeric microstructure composition for delivering a therapeutic agent to a subject. In various embodiments, the therapeutic agent includes at least one selected from the group of: a drug, a protein, a sugar, a carbohydrate, and a nucleotide sequence. In related embodiments, the composition is a fiber, a suture, a sphere, an implant, or a scaffold.

Abstract: A method of using clathrate hydrates (including ammonia clathrates), in electrochemical transformations. Noted are converting clathrate guest molecules such as CO2, CH4, alkanes, and alkenes; and, optionally, the use of clathrates-promoting molecules such as tetra hydro furan, to produce higher value carbon molecules including propane and formic acid.

Abstract: This invention comprises a multiplex-capable oligonucleotide which is capable of hybridizing to at least one of the C. difficile tcdB, tcdC, or cdtB genes, wherein, wherein said primer consists of a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 1 through 9, or a sequence that exhibits no more than one substitution of a base to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 1 through 9 and method for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) determining of the presence of a toxigenic strain of C. difficile in a biological sample utilizing said probes.

Abstract: Genetic models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are described, which can be used to identify novel treatments of ALS and therapeutic targets. Methods for making and using human-derived mutants of the Drosophila dSOD1 gene that model familial ALS are provided. Methods of identifying therapeutic ALS gene targets also are provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the synthesis and use of nitrofuran compounds, especially Nifurtimox, as medicaments to treat cancer, especially neuroblastoma, and to inhibit angiogenesis. The invention also provides compositions, unit dosage forms, and kits comprising the compounds.

Abstract: A method for context-aware self-calibration includes measuring for a plurality of time segments, at least one feature of at least one biosignal or each of at least one channel. Each biosignal is created in response to a user imagining an intended direction for each time segment. An object is moved along an actual decoded direction determined by an output of a decoder configured to correlate for each time segment the at least one feature to the intended direction. The decoder self-calibrates to minimize for each time segment, an error between the actual decoded direction, and the intended direction inferred subsequent to the respective time segment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards methods for growing diamond nanowires via chemical vapor deposition and apparatuses that incorporate these diamond nanowires.

Abstract: Provided herein are inventive enopeptin compounds of Formula (I): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Further provided are methods of preparation, use, and treatment.

Abstract: A system and method of estimating the body shape of an individual from input data such as images or range maps. The body may appear in one or more poses captured at different times and a consistent body shape is computed for all poses. The body may appear in minimal tight-fitting clothing or in normal clothing wherein the described method produces an estimate of the body shape under the clothing. Clothed or bare regions of the body are detected via image classification and the fitting method is adapted to treat each region differently. Body shapes are represented parametrically and are matched to other bodies based on shape similarity and other features. Standard measurements are extracted using parametric or non-parametric functions of body shape. The system components support many applications in body scanning, advertising, social networking, collaborative filtering and Internet clothing shopping.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a wearable device for estimating a location of the device within a space is provided, the device comprising a plurality of cameras mounted to a structure, at least a portion of the structure being adapted to facilitate a user wearing the device, the plurality of cameras having substantially fixed positions and orientations on the structure relative to each other, and at least one processor configured to receive image data from the plurality of cameras, perform feature detection on the image data to obtain a first plurality of features from the image data, and determine an estimate of the location of the device in the space based, at least in part, on a location associated with a second plurality of features obtained from image data previously captured of the space that matches the first plurality of features.