Abstract: Disclosed aspects may include, for example, maximizing a quality of experience when selecting encoding bitrates for downloading dynamically adaptive 360-degree panoramic video. Some embodiments include predicting a future orientation of a display region based on a first display region of the video, identifying predicted list of tiles for rendering the second display region, calculating a quality of experience from a plurality of encoding bitrates for the tiles in the second display region and one or more tiles in a margin area so that downloading the plurality of tiles at one or more bitrates is within estimated available embodiments, and downloading tiles for display.

Abstract: A nerve activity blocking system (100) includes a blocking electrode (102) configured to generate a blocking electrical signal that blocks, at least in part, an action potential propagating through a nerve system of a body. using a low frequency alternating current. The blocking electrical signal prevents propagation of the action potential by overriding another electrical signal controlling an organ of the body.

Abstract: Studies in mouse models of Fragile X and preliminary studies in human youth demonstrate that ERK1/2 is biomarker useful to monitoring the treatment of people diagnosed with ASD. Results reported herein demonstrate that acamprosate has the ability to reduce levels of ERK1/2 activation associated with many of the symptoms of ASD. Accordingly, in addition to its utility as a diagnostic marker for ASD ERK1/2 activation levels can be used to monitory patients treated with acamprosate.

Abstract: A catalyst comprising a functionalized substrate having a first charged functional group, a metal dispersed on the substrate, wherein the metal comprises at least one of Pt, Rh, Pd, Ag, Au, Ni, Os, Ir, Mn, Co, alloys thereof, oxides thereof, or mixtures thereof, and an ionomer are disclosed. Methods manufacturing a functionalized catalyst comprising catalyzing a substrate with a metal, functionalizing the catalyzed substrate with a first charged functional group, and add an ionomer to the loaded functionalized catalyst are also disclosed. Also, methods comprising catalyzing a substrate with a metal, functionalizing the substrate with a first charged functional group, and adding an ionomer to the loaded functionalized catalyst are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are P2X7 receptor ligands having the formula (I): in which R=—(CH2)n—(O—CH2CH2)m—Ol—(CH2)p—X, l=0-1, m=0-6, n=2-3, p=0-2, and X=Br, Cl, F or 18F. In illustrative embodiments, R=—(CH2)n, and n=2-3. The receptor ligands are used in methods related to conditions related to the P2X7 receptor. The non-radioligands are useful for modulating inflammation conditions associated with the P2X7 receptor. The radioligands, containing 18F, are useful for as radiotracers in imaging processes, and thus for the detection and evaluation of inflammation and therapies. Also provided are processes for preparation of these P2X7 receptor ligands.

Abstract: Antimicrobial compositions having bactericidal activity are described. Also described is a method of treating bacterial infections using compositions comprising antimicrobial peptides or variants thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions for assessing peptidoglycan biosynthesis in bacteria, for identifying bacteria, and for screening for bacterial cell wall-acting and/or cell wall-disrupting agents via modified D-amino acids and methods of use thereof. Also disclosed are live bacteria having one or more modified D-amino acids as described herein incorporated into peptidoglycan of a bacterial cell wall.

Abstract: Co-culture of isolated human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived endothelial and smooth-muscle progenitor cells results in the formation of cellular spheroids having capillary-like structures (referred to herein as ‘capillary fragments’) at their core. Bioprinting of these spheroids into scaffold-free tissue constructs facilitates the development of microvasculature within the engineered tissue. Methods of using these bioprinted engineered tissues for cell therapy are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed comprising measuring, with a first scanner, a central part of the visual image, measuring, with a second scanner, a peripheral part of the visual image, calculating, by a processor, a pan-retinal measure of image contrast for an extended area of the retina, and optimizing a pan-retinal visual quality. Methods further comprising optimizing a pan-retinal visual quality are also disclosed. Systems are also disclosed comprising either a scanner or a laser, a non-transitory memory having instructions that, in response to an execution by a processor, the processor receives a first measurement of the central part of the visual image, receives a second measurement of the peripheral part of the visual image, and calculates a pan-retinal measure of image contrast for an extended area of the retina. Methods of manufacturing lenses, including contact lenses are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and device for classifying collected images. The method and device include instructions to compare a captured image to a known set of images to determine the location depicted therein; and applying a classification upon the image based upon the determined location depicted therein and whether the determined location indicates that the image has the potential to depict privacy sensitive information.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for therapeutic delivery are disclosed. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to nanoparticle compositions that sequester the activity of a target molecule while leaving other domains accessible to bind targeted tissues of interest. Methods for thrombus dissolution include administering a nanoparticle reversibly coupled to a target molecule that can dissolve a blood clot. Compositions and methods for inducing blood clotting are also disclosed. Methods for inducing blood clotting include administering a nanoparticle reversibly coupled to a target molecule that can induce the formation of a blood clot. Methods for sequestering a target molecule are also disclosed. The method includes reversibly coupling a target molecule to a nanoparticle having an affinity ligand that reversibly couples the target molecule, and thus, sequesters the target molecule activity until the target molecule interacts with its substrate resulting in the release of the target molecule.

Abstract: A four-biomarker panel for diagnosis of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) and methods of prognosing and/or diagnosing cGVHD using the biomarker panel are disclosed.

Abstract: Various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to the modelling, treatment, reducing resistance to the treatment, prevention, and diagnosis of a condition/disease associated with insufficient quantity and/or quality of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and differentiated blood cells thereof. Embodiments include compositions and methods for treating the condition/disease, comprising the step of providing to a subject at least one therapeutically effective dose of a composition disclosed herein. Other embodiments include methods for generating and/or collecting hematopoietic stem cells from a subject.

Abstract: A method and system for determining depth of an image using a single imager and a lens having a variable focal length is provided. The system comprises a microfluidic lens having a variable focal length controlled by a lens controller and an imager receiving an image of an object from the lens, wherein the imager is configured to receive a first image comprising a first plurality of pixels from the lens at a first focal length and a second image comprising a second plurality of pixels from the lens at a second focal length, the second focal length being different than the first focal length, non-volatile memory, wherein the first image and the second image are stored in the non-volatile memory, a depth module configured to determine a distance between the lens and the object based by a comparison of the first image of the object and the second image of the object.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are materials and methods for creating and/or isolating variants of yeasts especially variants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that can grow on sugars other than D-glucose in the presence of amounts of 2-deoxy-glucose and or D-glucose that inhibit most strains of yeast from growing on sugars other than D-glucose. Selection media that can be used to isolate such variants include pentose sugars such as D-xylose, L-glutamine and 2-deoxy-glucose. Mutations in the Grr1 and Red genes in some strains also produce variants that can grow on sugars including the pentose D-xylose in the presence of 2-deoxy-glucose.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to methods and compositions useful in cell and tissue biology and therapeutics. In particular, an in vitro method for differentiating pluripotent cells into endothelial colony forming cell-like cells (ECFC-like cells) is provided. A purified human cell population of NRP-1+CD31+ ECFC-like cells is provided, wherein at least some of the cells in the population have a high proliferation potential. Therapeutic and test agent screening methods for using the cell populations of the present disclosure are provided.

Abstract: Described herein are biomimetic Janus particles useful as artificial antigen presenting cells capable of activating T cells in vitro. “Bull's eye” ligand patterns mimicking either the native or reverse organization of the T cell immunological synapse are provided on the surface of nano- or micro-sized particles. Methods for activating T cells in vitro using biomimetic Janus particles described herein are also provided. T cells activated by the biomimetic Janus particles can be used in adoptive immunotherapies for treating cancer, tolerance induction in autoimmune disease, autologous immune enhancement therapy, and viral infection immunotherapy. Also described herein are methods for producing a biomimetic Janus particle.

Abstract: A wavelength selective structure for selectively reflecting or absorbing incident electromagnetic visible or infrared radiation. The wavelength selective structure includes a wavelength selective structure with a plurality of layers, including a compound layer forming a plurality of surface elements, an electrically isolating intermediate layer, wherein the compound layer is in contact with a first surface of the electrically isolating intermediate layer, and a continuous electrically conductive layer in contact with a second surface of the electrically isolating intermediate layer. The compound layer includes at least one metallic layer and at least one dielectric layer. The selective surface has at least one resonance band for selectively reflecting or absorbing visible or infrared radiation based on a resonant electromagnetic coupling between the plurality of surface elements and the continuous electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: Various aspects relate to the use of C-1 gentamicin as an antibiotic effective for the treatment of a bacterial infection, a genetic disorder, or cancer in a subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system including a non-confocal microscope with an attached imaging fiber optic for direct and real time in-situ visualization of mammalian microscopic structures for diagnostic and therapeutic uses.