Abstract: In an example, an energy harvesting system includes a support apparatus and a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element may be configured as a plate supported at its periphery by the support apparatus to enable a central portion of the piezoelectric element to move along an axis that is orthogonal to a contact surface of the plate. A body having a mass is configured to move in a direction that is substantially parallel to the axis of the plate and apply force to deform the contact surface of the plate, such that electrical energy is generated by the piezoelectric element based on the applied force.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to modulating neural activity within brainstem circuitry to evoke a certain bodily function (e.g., cardiorespiratory response) in a patient. A controller can configure a light signal (such as an infrared light signal) to deliver an amount of radiant exposure to a specific portion of the brainstem for a time. The specific portion of the brainstem can include brainstem circuitry that is the control center for the certain bodily function. The configured light signal can be delivered to the specific portion of the brainstem by an optrode for the time. During application, the light signal can deliver the amount of radiant exposure to the specific portion of the brainstem to evoke the certain bodily function.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure is a system including a waveform generator, a controller, and an electrical contact. The waveform generator is for generating an electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB). The controller is coupled with the waveform generator. The controller is configured to receive an input comprising at least one parameter to adjust the ENCB. The electrical contact is coupled with the waveform generator. The electrical contact is configured to be placed into contact with a nerve. The electrical contact comprises a high charge capacity material that prevents formation of damaging electro-chemical products at a charge delivered by the ENCB. The electrical contact is configured to deliver the ENCB to the nerve to block transmission of a signal related to a pain through the nerve.

Abstract: A method of treating a fungal infection in a subject includes topically administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a fungal iron acquisition inhibitor to treat fungal infection in the subject.

Abstract: As one example, an apparatus includes a dielectric microsensor having a microfluidic chamber that includes a capacitive sensing structure. The microfluidic chamber is adapted to receive a volume of a blood sample, and a bioactive agent is adapted to interact with the blood sample, as a sample under test (SUT), within the microfluidic chamber. A transmitter can provide an input radio frequency (RF) signal to the dielectric microsensor, and a receiver can receive an output RF signal from the dielectric microsensor. A computing device is configured to compute dielectric permittivity values for the SUT based on the output RF signal over a time interval in which the dielectric permittivity values are representative of the bioactive agent interacting with the blood sample over the time interval. The computing device is further configured to provide a readout representative of hemostatic dysfunction for the blood sample based on the dielectric permittivity values.

Abstract: A method for multi-dimensional, relaxation-diffusion magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) includes performing, using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, a pulse sequence that integrates free-waveform b-tensor diffusion encoding into a magnet resonance fingerprinting pulse sequence to perform a multi-dimensional, relaxation-diffusion encoding while acquiring MRF signal evolutions, processing, using a processor, the acquired MRF signal evolutions to determine at least one relaxation parameter and at least one diffusivity parameter, and generating, using the processor, a report including at least one of the at least one relaxation parameter and the at least diffusivity parameter.

Abstract: An interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) structured hydrogel includes a crosslinked first natural polymer macromer with a first elasticity and an interpenetrating network of crosslinked second natural polymer macromers having a second elasticity higher than the first elasticity, the IPN structured hydrogel being cytocompatible, and, upon degradation, produce substantially non-toxic products.

Abstract: A neuromodulation apparatus for stimulating neural activity in a renal nerve of a patient is provided, the apparatus comprising a transducer Patient for applying a signal to the renal nerve so as to produce a physiological response. Methods of treating sleep apnoea are also provided, including methods using the neuromodulation apparatus.

Abstract: A method for forming a bioactive agent spatially patterned includes providing a photocrosslinkable hydrogel that includes a photocrosslinkable base polymer, photocrosslinkable bioactive agent coupling polymer macromers, and at least one bioactive agent that couples to the photocrosslinkable bioactive agent coupling polymer macromer, an selectively exposing discrete portions of the photocrosslinkable hydrogel to actinic radiation effective to initiate cross-linking of the base polymer and the bioactive agent coupling polymer macromers at the exposed portions.

Abstract: A method of treating retinal degeneration in a subject includes administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I).

Abstract: The present application provides a system and method for quantifying perfusion using a dictionary matching approach. In some aspects, the method comprises performing a predetermined pulse sequence using an MRI system to acquire MRI data from the subject after having delivered a dose of a contrast agent to the subject. The method also includes comparing the MRI data to a dictionary to determine perfusion information, and generating, using the perfusion information, a report indicative of perfusion within the subject.

Abstract: Methods for recycling thermoset polymers, particularly by changing them into dynamic networks with the use of an appropriate catalyst solution which transforms the thermoset polymer into a vitrimer-like composition. The methods include the step of swelling a crosslinked thermoset polymer in a solution including a catalyst, whereby the catalyst diffuses into the thermoset polymer, in particular into the thermoset network. Upon removal of the liquid portion of the solution, such as solvent, the catalyst facilitates the occurrence of exchange reactions at elevated temperatures, rendering the system a dynamic network. The vitrimerized composition having the thermoset polymer and catalyst is recyclable and processable and thus suitable for many end uses.

Abstract: Anti-lymphoma plant virus particles are described. The anti-lymphoma plant virus particles include a filamentous or rod-shaped plant virus particle linked to an antimitotic agent. A therapeutically effective amount of an anti-lymphoma plant virus particle can be administered to a subject to provide a method of treating lymphoma.

Abstract: A molecular probe comprising a linear peptide that includes an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8, and SEQ ID NO: 9; a contrast agent; and a non-peptide linker that covalently links the peptide to the contrast agent.

Abstract: A method of targeting cancer tissue in a subject includes administering to the subject a plurality of functionalized Tymovirus virus or virus-like particles loaded with or conjugated to an imaging agent, a therapeutic agent or a targeting agent.

Abstract: A method of treating cancer in a subject in need thereof includes administering in situ to the cancer a therapeutically effective amount of a virus or virus-like particle.

Abstract: Compounds and methods of modulating 15-PGDH activity, modulating tissue prostaglandin levels, treating disease, diseases disorders, or conditions in which it is desired to modulate 15-PGDH activity and/or prostaglandin levels include 15-PGDH inhibitors described herein.

Abstract: A method for fabricating electrodes sized and dimensioned to record, measure, and/or stimulate very fine nerve structures (e.g., microscale or less) is described herein. The method can include securing a tip of an electrode, comprising a conductor substantially encased by an insulator, to a proximal portion of an inserter. The electrode can be wound around a proximal portion of the inserter and a portion of the electrode can be secured to a distal portion of the inserter. A tension in the electrode can be maintained during the winding to keep the electrode in place during the winding.

Abstract: Methods and systems generate synthetic late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) magnetic resonance images using a magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) acquisition. From a single acquisition, MRF image data is obtained, including co-registered T1 and T2 tissue property maps. Different tissue regions of interest are identified, such as viable myocardium, scar, and blood and T1 and T2 values for each are determined. Based on these, different sets of pulse sequence parameters are determined, e.g., using different synthetic image contrast models receiving the MRF image data. Synthetic LGE images at different contrasts are generated as a result, including a synthetic bright-blood LGE image, a synthetic dark-blood/gray-blood LGE image, and a synthetic optimized imaged.

Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein facilitate segmentation of vascular plaque, training a deep learning model to segment vascular plaque, and/or informing clinical decision-making based on segmented vascular plaque. One example embodiment accessing vascular imaging data for a patient, wherein the vascular imaging data comprises a volume of interest; pre-process the vascular imaging data to generate pre-processed vascular imaging data; provide the pre-processed vascular imaging data to a deep learning model trained to segment a lumen and a vascular plaque; and obtain segmented vascular imaging data from the deep learning model, wherein the segmented vascular imaging data comprises a segmented lumen and a segmented vascular plaque in the volume of interest.