Abstract: A method and apparatus provides for improved imaging of objects underwater. The method and apparatus are particularly useful in a degraded underwater visual environment. The method and apparatus are also useful in undersea operations in which enhanced visualization at close range is desirable. Exemplary operations include diver assist, ship hull inspections, underwater robotic operations (e.g. sample collection, mine neutralization), etc.

Abstract: A practically implementable robust direction-of-arrival (DoA) estimation approach that is resistant to localization errors due to mobility, multipath reflections, impulsive noise, and multiple-access interference. As part of the disclosed invention the inventors consider infrastructure-less 3D localization of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) with no GPS assistance and no availability of global clock synchronization. The proposed method can be extended to challenging communication environments and applied for the localization of assets/objects in space, underground, intrabody, underwater and other complex, challenging, congested and sometimes contested environments. Each AUV leverages known-location beacon signals to self-localize and can simultaneously report its sensor data and measurement location.

Abstract: Based on the discovery that MBLAC1 is a specific, high-affinity target for Ceftriaxone (Cef), MBLAC1 may be used for identifying treatments for addiction to substances of abuse. Methods for identifying therapeutic agents for treatment of addiction to a substance of abuse include using an assay to determine if a test agent is capable of binding to MBLAC1 or disrupting binding between MBLAC1 protein and Cef, and identifying such a test agent as a candidate therapeutic agent for treatment of addiction to a substance of abuse. MBLAC knock-out (KO) animals, methods of use thereof, and kits are used for identifying a therapeutic agent that reduces the actions of at least one substance of abuse. Methods also include using cellular extracts from tissue or cultured cells taken from wild-type (WT) MBLAC1 and MBLAC1 KO animals for screening for novel, Cef-like molecules in vitro, and using cells from a MBLAC1 KO animal to test for Cef-like actions of a test molecule.

Abstract: An exemplary mobile impedance-based flow cytometer is developed for the diagnosis of sickle cell disease. The mobile cytometer may be controlled by a computer (e.g., smartphone) application. Calibration of the portable device may be performed using a component of known impedance value. With the developed portable flow cytometer, analysis may be performed on two sickle cell samples and a healthy cell sample. The acquired results may subsequently be analyzed to extract single-cell level impedance information as well as statistics of different cell conditions. Significant differences in cell impedance signals may be observed between sickle cells and normal cells, as well as between sickle cells under hypoxia and normoxia conditions.

Abstract: Novel cyclic peptides, cyclic peptide conjugates and compositions containing them for treating neurological diseases in a subject include an Odorranalectin (OL) sequence or modified OL sequence as a scaffold and a biologically active peptide or protein and/or therapeutic agent conjugated thereto. Methods of treatment of neurological diseases are based on intranasal delivery of a cyclic peptide or cyclic peptide conjugate as described herein. Combinatorial libraries that include a plurality of cyclic peptides have also been developed and can be used to screen for a ligand(s) for a receptor of interest.

Abstract: A novel polymer is provided by polymerization of xylitol and dodecanedioic acid. The polymer, poly(xylitol-dodecanedioic acid) or PXDDA, shows high elasticity. PXDDA significantly improves cell adhesion and promotes cell proliferation compared to an FDA-approved polymer, poly(lactic acid), and tissue-culture plates. PXDDA can be synthesized by a simple melt condensation polymerization without the use of any toxic catalysts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a vehicle. The methods comprise: receiving, by a computing device from at least one sensor, first sensor information specifying actions taken by a person while driving the vehicle or another vehicle; performing machine learning operations to learn first driving habits of the person based on at least one of the first sensor information; determining at least one autonomous driving rule for a particular driving style setting of a plurality of driving style setting options based on the machine-learned driving habits of the person; programming the particular driving style setting using the at least one autonomous driving rule; and causing the vehicle to enforce the at least one autonomous driving rule when the particular driving style setting is selected.

Abstract: Novel compounds (small molecules) that potently and selectively inhibit MMP-13 (i.e., MMP-13 inhibitors) are used for treatment of multiple myeloma. The MMP-13 inhibitors described herein are highly selective for MMP-13 and when administered to an individual in need thereof, the compounds selectively kill multiple myeloma cells, reduce growth of multiple myeloma cells, inhibit multiple myeloma-induced osteoclastogenesis, and increase survival time in the individual.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a HAUCS sensing platform. The methods comprise: autonomous travel by a UAAV to a first location in proximity to a body of water (“BoW”) in accordance with a mission plan; actuating a mechanical device to transition a sensor from a retracted position in which the sensor is adjacent to a UAAV to an extended position in which the sensor resides a given distance from a UAAV; collect, by HAUCS sensing platform and sensor, sensor data concerning a water condition of BoW at different depths; actuating the mechanical device to transition the sensor from the extended position to the retracted position after the sensor data has been collected; causing the sensor data to be processed using a machine learning-based analytical engine to determine whether a water distress condition exists/is predicted to occur; and modifying the mission plan when the water distress condition exists/is predicted to occur.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing federated power management in an electronic circuit. The methods comprise: performing first operations by a processing device to obtain information indicating a current level of charge for each of a plurality of capacitors which have been supplied energy from a power source; transforming, by the processing device, each capacitor's current level of charge into a number of service units for a respective electronic load device of a plurality of electronic load devices; determining, by the processing device, at least one of recharging priorities for the plurality of capacitors and discharging priorities for the plurality of capacitors at least based on the results of said transforming; and performing second operations by the processing device to cause the plurality of capacitors to be recharged in accordance with the recharging priorities or discharged in accordance with the discharging priorities.

Abstract: Systems and methods for restricting a first computing device's output of information. The methods comprise: receiving, at the first computing device, information and at least one viewing restriction set for the information; collecting situational awareness information by the first computing device; using the situational awareness information to determine if the at least one viewing restriction is satisfied; and displaying the information on a screen of the first computing device if a determination is made that the at least one viewing restriction is satisfied or preventing the displaying of the information if a determination is made that the at least one viewing restriction is not satisfied.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a fully or semi autonomous vehicle. The methods comprise: receiving first sensor information specifying a person's emotion and physiological response to the autonomous vehicle's operation, or a person's general mood; predicting a first mood of the person based on at least one of the first sensor information and demographic information indicating a level of distrust, fear, anxiety or stress relating or not relating to autonomous vehicles by people having at least one characteristic in common; selecting a first vehicle operational mode from a plurality of pre-defined vehicle operational modes based on the predicted first mood of the person; and causing control of the autonomous vehicle in accordance with rules associated with the selected first vehicle operational mode.

Abstract: Neuroprotective compounds for reducing neurological damage due to cellular stress in an individual are of Formula 1: or an enantiomer, diastereomer, racemic mixture or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: Ar=aryl; Y=aryl substituent (ortho, meta, or para) selected from the group consisting of: alkyl, alkyloxy, alkylamino, R5R6N, and halo; X?O, N, or S; R?H, alkyl, aryl, OH, alkyloxy, aryloxy, NH2, alkylamino, R5R6N, or arylamino; R1 and R2=alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, alkyl, or H, individually; R3=arylCH?CH, alkylCH?CH, alkyl; R4?H, alkyl, or aryl; and R5 and R6=alkyl, individually. Methods of reducing neurological damage due to cellular stress in an individual include administering to the individual during or after the cellular stress a neuroprotective compound of Formula I in a therapeutically effective amount to restore synaptic function during or after the cellular stress.

Abstract: We describe the use of comparative structural analysis and structure-guided molecular design to develop potent and selective inhibitors (10d and (S)-17b) of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13). We applied a three-step process, starting with a comparative analysis of the X-ray crystallographic structure of compound 5 in complex with MMP-13 with published structures of known MMP-13 inhibitor complexes followed by molecular design and synthesis of potent, but non-selective zinc-chelating MMP inhibitors (e.g., 10a and 10b). After demonstrating that the pharmacophores of the chelating inhibitors (S)-10a, (R)-10a, and 10b were binding within the MMP-13 active site, the Zn2+ chelating unit was replaced with non-chelating polar residues that bridged over the Zn2+ binding site and reach into a solvent accessible area.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating cancers, such as melanoma and/or metastatic melanoma, using compounds that interact with and/or inhibit cellular proteins lamin A/C, ATP-dependent RNA helicase DDX1 (DDX1), heterogeneous nuclear ribonuclear protein H1/H2 (hnRNP H2), and/or heterogeneous nuclear ribonuclear protein A2/B1 (hnRNP A2/B1). The invention additionally provides a method for identifying compounds active against melanoma cells.

Abstract: Systems and methods for object enumeration in a culture tank. The methods comprise: obtaining an array of two dimensional images of an illuminated scene in a culture tank; correcting non-uniform background illumination in the two dimensional images; improving a color contrast between a background and object edges shown in the two dimensional images; performing a defocus analysis using the two dimensional images to generate a focus map image; generating a modified focus map image by eliminating isolated spots shown in the focus map image and merging relatively small spots with adjacent relatively large objects in the focus map image; classifying each object shown in the modified focus map image as an object of interest or an object of no interest; and counting the number of objects classified as objects of interest.

Abstract: Systems and methods for guiding a sensor to a location of a propagating wave source. The methods comprise: receiving, by the computing device, a plurality of signals generated by a plurality of electrodes of the sensor while the sensor resides at the first location in the object; processing, by the computing device, the plurality of signals to determine coordinates of an estimated location of the propagating wave source relative to the first location at which the sensor resides; and providing a visual aid facilitating sensor movement by plotting a dot on a grid overlaid on top of an object image displayed by the computing device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for guiding a sensor to locate a source of a propagating wave. The methods involve: presenting an electronic display comprising an image representing an object in which the sensor is placed and a visual indicator representing the sensor; receiving signals generated by electrodes while the sensor resides at a first location in the object; determining a First Recommended Direction of Travel (“FRDT”) for the sensor based on the received signals; using the FRDT to generate a mask that is to cover at least a portion of the image representing a portion of the object that is absent of the source; and modifying the electronic display to include the mask overlaid on top of the image and an arrow showing FRDT.

Abstract: Methods for characterizing scattering in a medium of a Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) system and systems therefrom are provided. A method includes obtaining off-axis power return characteristics with respect to a first wavelength of light and on-axis power return characteristics for at least the first wavelength of light. The method also includes estimating at least one beam attenuation coefficient (c) based on the off-axis power return characteristics and common volume parameter function for the LiDAR system and an extinction coefficient (?) for the medium based on the on-axis power return characteristics. The method further includes extracting a value for at least one diffuse attenuation coefficient (Kd) for the medium using a beam spread parameter for the LiDAR system (D) and a pre-defined relationship between ?, c, D, and Kd.

Abstract: The subject invention provides materials and methods useful in safely and effectively preventing pathological proliferation of blood vessels. The prevention of the over-proliferation of blood vessels according to the subject invention is particularly advantageous for treatment of certain ocular conditions including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and diabetic retinopathy. In preferred embodiments, the subject invention provides materials and methods for effective treatment of pathological ocular neovascularization using gene therapy. In a specific embodiment the materials and methods of the subject invention can be used to treat AMD.