Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first processing node configured to participate in a consensus protocol with a plurality of additional processing nodes. The first processing node is further configured in conjunction with its participation in the consensus protocol to implement repeated polling of respective selected subsets of the additional processing nodes, to resolve a state for a given transaction to a particular one of a plurality of possible states for the given transaction responsive to results of the repeated polling; and to initiate at least one automated action based at least in part on the resolved state for the given transaction. In some embodiments, the first processing node utilizes the results of the repeated polling to maintain a directed acyclic graph or other data structure of transactions that characterizes relationships between the given transaction and a plurality of other transactions.

Abstract: Atomic force microscopy apparatus and method that enable observing charge generation transients with nanometer spatial resolution and nanosecond to picosecond time resolution, the timescale relevant for studying photo-generated charges in the world's highest efficiency photovoltaic films. The AFM apparatus includes an AFM, a light source for illumination of a sample operatively coupled to the AFM, a voltage source operatively coupled to the AFM, and a control circuitry operatively coupled to the light source and the voltage source. The AFM apparatus improves the time resolution and enables rapid acquisition of photocapacitance transients in a wide array of solar-energy-harvesting materials.

Abstract: Provided herein are positive electrodes for lithium batteries, particularly lithium sulfur batteries, and the manufacture thereof. Particularly, such electrodes have good performance characteristics, such as capacity and capacity retention, even at very high loading of sulfur (e.g., >5 mg/cm2), as well as flexibility. Exemplary manufacturing techniques include the electrospraying of sulfur (e.g., electrode active sulfur compounds), and an optional additive (e.g., a nanostructured conductive additive), onto a porous, conductive substrate (e.g., a porous carbon substrate, such as comprising multiple layers and/or domains).

Abstract: The methods and systems described herein enable the accurate diagnosis of novel biotypes of depression that transcend current diagnostic boundaries and may be useful for identifying individuals who are most likely to benefit from antidepressant treatment. Functional magnetic resonance imaging is used to characterize the architecture of functional connectivity across the brain to show that patients with depression can be subdivided into four neurophysiological biotypes based solely on unique patterns of abnormal connectivity in resting state brain networks. Clustering subjects on this basis reduces diagnostic heterogeneity, enabling the development of depression biotype classifiers for diagnosing biotypes of depresion in individual patients, These biotypes also predict differing responses to antidepressant treatment, and abnormal connectivity patterns can be used to track changes in depression severity over time.

Abstract: The present technology relates generally to methods for treating, preventing, and/or ameliorating metastasis in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of low dose carbon monoxide.

Abstract: Implanted medical devices need a mechanism of immobilization to surrounding tissues, which minimizes tissue damage while providing reliable long-term anchoring. This disclosure relates to techniques for patterning arbitrarily shaped 3D objects and to patterned balloon devices having micro- or nano-patterning on an outer surface of an inflatable balloon. The external pattern can provide enhanced friction and anchoring in an aqueous environment. Examples of these types of patterns are hexagonal arrays inspired by tree frogs, corrugated patterns, and microneedle patterns. The patterned balloon devices can be disposed between an implant and surrounding tissues to facilitate anchoring of the implant.

Abstract: Quantitative susceptibility mapping methods, systems and computer-accessible medium include generating images of tissue magnetism property from complex magnetic resonance imaging data using the Bayesian inference approach. The tissue magnetism images is then used to monitor remyelination, such as remyelination in multiple sclerosis patients in response to therapy. Multiple sclerosis lesions defined on magnetic resonance imaging are further characterized on tissue magnetism images into hyperintense, isointense and hypointense parts for measuring remyelination. Thus, magnetic susceptibility information and other tissue properties associated with at least one structure are determined.

Abstract: An integrated device for the detection of cancerous tissue including an optical fiber configured to receive at a first end modulated infrared light and to conduct the modulated infrared light from the first end to a second end; and a plasmonic metasurface, disposed on the second end of the optical fiber, configured to localize evanescent infrared light to sub-I 00 nanometer distances from the plasmonic metasurface of the optical fiber such that the localized evanescent infrared light penetrates only the membrane portion of a cell held against the second end, wherein the second end is configured to receive reflected light reflected from the membrane portion the cell, the reflected light including spectroscopic information indicative of whether the cell is noncancerous or cancerous.

Abstract: Waveguides, such as light guides, made entirely of elastomeric material or with indents on an outer surface are disclosed. These improved waveguides can be used in scissors, soft robotics, or displays. For example, the waveguides can be used in a strain sensor, a curvature sensor, or a force sensor. In an instance, the waveguide can be used in a hand prosthetic. Sensors that use the disclosed waveguides and methods of manufacturing waveguides also are disclosed.

Abstract: A vertical gallium oxide (Ga2O3) device having a substrate, an n-type Ga2O3 drift layer on the substrate, an, n-type semiconducting channel extending from the n-type Ga2O3 drift layer, the channel being one of fin-shaped or nanowire shaped, an n-type source layer disposed on the channel; the source layer has a higher doping concentration than the channel, a first dielectric layer on the n-type Ga2O3 drift layer and on sidewalls of the n-type semiconducting channel, a conductive gate layer deposited on the first dielectric layer and insulated from the n-type source layer, n-type semiconducting channel as well as n-type Ga2O3 drift layer, a second dielectric layer deposited over the conductive gate layer, covering completely the conductive gate layer on channel sidewalls and an ohmic source contact deposited over the n-type source layer and over at least a part of the second dielectric layer; the source contact being configured not to be in electrical contact with the conductive gate layer.

Abstract: Quantitative susceptibility mapping methods, systems and computer-accessible medium generate images of tissue magnetism property from complex magnetic resonance imaging data using the Bayesian inference approach, which minimizes a cost function comprising of a data fidelity term and regularization terms. The data fidelity term is constructed directly from the multiecho complex magnetic resonance imaging data. The regularization terms include a prior constructed from matching structures or information content in known morphology, and a prior constructed from regions of low susceptibility contrasts characterized on image features. The quantitative susceptibility map can be determined by minimizing the cost function that involves nonlinear functions in modeling the obtained signals, and the corresponding inverse problem is solved using nonconvex optimization using a scaling approach or deep neural network.

Abstract: Exemplary methods for quantitative mapping of physical properties, systems and computer-accessible medium can be provided to generate images of tissue magnetic susceptibility, transport parameters and oxygen consumption from magnetic resonance imaging data using the Bayesian inference approach, which minimizes a data fidelity term under a constraint of a structure prior knowledge. The data fidelity term is constructed directly from the magnetic resonance imaging data. The structure prior knowledge can be characterized from known anatomic images using image feature extraction operation or artificial neural network. Thus, according to the exemplary embodiment, system, method and computer-accessible medium can be provided for determining physical properties associated with at least one structure.

Abstract: A transmission is presented, including a spool having a bore. An outer member disposed on the spool, and a cord is configured to at least partially wrap around the outer member. The outer member is configured to constrict and unconstrict to a force applied to the outer member. In this way, rotation of the spool causes a tension force to be applied to the cord, and a greater tension force in the cord will cause the outer member to constrict more than a lower tension force in the cord.

Abstract: Provided herein are ceramic nanofibers and processes for preparing the same. In specific examples, provided herein are ceramic nanofiber mats for use as separators in batteries, particularly lithium ion batteries. In some embodiments, the separators described herein may include a nanofiber mat including at least one nanofiber having a continuous matrix material.

Abstract: Technologies for a quantum/classical hybrid approach to solving optimization problems is disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, an optimization problem is decomposed into two sub-problems. The first sub-problem is solved on a classical computer, and a result from the first sub-problem is provided to a quantum computer. The quantum computer then solves the second sub-problem based on the result of the first sub-problem from the classical computer. The quantum computer can then provide a result to the classical computer to re-solve the first problem. The iterative calculation is continued until an end condition is met.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for selecting a patient suffering from fungal-associated intestinal inflammation for treatment with an IL-1 pathway inhibitor, including inflammasome-blocking drugs based on the presence of candidalysin-secreting C. albicans strains in gut tissue.

Abstract: The clinical diagnosis and monitoring of patients with neurological conditions may be established through behavioral examinations, assessments or evaluations, or neuroimaging scans. The system and methods described herein diagnose the cognitive function of a subject by measuring the neural response of the subject to one or more naturalistic sensory stimuli. The system measures the subject's sensory evoked response to the naturalistic sensory stimuli by computing the statistical comparison between the subject's neural signal and either the raw stimulus signal or the stimulus' signal envelope. A latency value, or other signal feature, is extracted from the subject's sensory evoked response and a diagnosis of the subject's cognitive function is then made based on the identified latency value or other extracted signal feature.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of preventing or treating heart failure in a mammalian subject. The methods comprise administering to the subject an effective amount of an aromatic-cationic peptide to subjects in need thereof.

Abstract: The present technology provides compounds, as well as compositions including such compounds, useful for imaging and/or treatment of a glioma, a breast cancer, an adrenal cortical cancer, a cervical carcinoma, a vulvar carcinoma, an endometrial carcinoma, a primary ovarian carcinoma, a metastatic ovarian carcinoma, a non-small cell lung cancer, a small cell lung cancer, a bladder cancer, a colon cancer, a primary, gastric adenocarcinoma, a primary colorectal adenocarcinoma, a renal cell carcinoma, and/or a prostate cancer.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for detecting, identifying and treating glaucoma diseases. More particularly, this invention discloses compositions and methods for affecting intraocular pressure and increasing ocular outflows in glaucoma. Compositions and methods provided include purified and synthesized extracellular vesicle complexes from glaucoma ocular humor for use in methods and devices for detecting, characterizing and treating glaucoma diseases along with active agents. The presence of extracellular vesicle complexes in glaucoma can also be used as a biomarker.