Abstract: A system, neural network, and corresponding method generate 3D landmarks associated with an object in a 2D image. An embodiment is a system comprising a neural network detector configured to produce planar coordinates of landmarks at points of the object in the 2D image and a depth coordinate estimator. The planar coordinates include planar coordinate pairs. The depth coordinate estimator is configured to receive the 2D image and the planar coordinates and to estimate a depth coordinate for each planar coordinate pair of each landmark to generate the 3D landmarks. The system reduces network parameters from MB to KB and has better performance relative to state-of-the-art methods. The system may be configured to apply the 3D landmarks for face alignment, virtual face makeup, face recognition, eye gaze tracking, face synthesis, or other face related application.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are engineered bacteria that manufacture biofilms from bacterial amyloid structures. These biofilms and biofilm matrices are capable of generating fibrous proteinaceous networks and being used as 3D-printing inks.

Abstract: Ultra-low power methods and sensor devices are provided for determining the presence and magnitude of electromagnetic radiation or other signals. The sensor devices and methods provide both qualitative and quantitative analyses and can be deployed in remote locations for continuous monitoring over years without requiring a replacement power supply.

Abstract: Side channel attacks (SCA) such as correlation power analysis (CPA) have been demonstrated to be very effective in breaking cryptographic engines. The inherent dependence of the power consumption on the secret key can be exploited by statistical analysis to retrieve the key. Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to a new power obfuscation switched capacitor (POSC) DC-DC converter design, which can conceal the leakage of information through power consumption. It works by adding an extra phase to the conventional two-phase switched capacitor (SC) converter, during which a part of the charge from the flying capacitor is extracted and stored on a storage capacitor. This guarantees that the same amount of charge is drawn from the input power supply in each cycle. The design was successfully evaluated by analyzing the power supply to an Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) unit powered by the converter.

Abstract: Piezoelectric acoustic metamaterial resonators include a piezoelectric substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface and a plurality of magnetostrictive members disposed on the top surface of the piezoelectric substrate and extending along a length of the piezoelectric substrate and spaced across a width of the piezoelectric substrate.

Abstract: Wireless power transfer (WPT) efficiency is enhanced using an ultra-low power (ULP) distributed beamforming technique. A phase and frequency offset correction technique is used for beam-forming optimization, a backscattering communication technique is used to reduce power over-head, and a new rectifier and MPT method is used for high efficiency RF-to-DC conversion.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and apparatus for a self-synchronizing software defined radio apparatus wherein the method includes instructing, by a leader module of an RF clock module of the software defined radio apparatus and via a controller module comprising a central coordinator operative to provide a data bridge, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver to transmit a two-tone frequency signal at f1 and f2 over air, separated by a desired input clock frequency, the RF transceiver operative to receive and transmit RF signals, receiving, at a follower module, a transmitted signal, extracting, by the follower module, an envelope of the received signal, and passing the received signal through a filter to obtain a reference clock without modifying existing physical/link layer protocols.

Abstract: Functionalized catalysts for use in a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) contain nanoparticles containing a transition metal enveloped in layers of graphene, which renders the nanoparticles resistant to passivation while maintaining an optimal ratio of transition metal and transition metal oxide in the nanoparticles. The catalysts can be utilized with anionic exchange polymer membranes for hydrogen production by alkaline water electrolysis.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for predicting an intra-aortic pressure of a patient receiving hemodynamic support from a transvalvular micro-axial heart pump. In some implementations, an intra-aortic pressure time series is derived from measurements of a pressure sensor of the transvalvular micro-axial heart pump and a motor speed time series is derived from a measured back electromotive force of a motor of the transvalvular micro-axial heart pump. Furthermore, in some implementations, machine learning algorithms, such as deep learning, are applied to the intra-aortic pressure and motor speed time series to accurately predict an intra-aortic pressure of the patient. In some implementations, the prediction is short-term (e.g., approximately 5 minutes in advance).

Abstract: A deep learning medical device implantable in a body is provided. The device includes a processing and communication unit and a sensing and actuation unit. The processing and communication unit includes a deep learning module including a neural network trained to process the input samples, received from the sensing and actuation unit, through a plurality of layers to classify physiological parameters and provide classification results. A communication interface in communication with the deep learning module receives the classification results for ultrasonic transmission through biological tissue. Methods of sensing and classifying physiological parameters of a body and methods of embedding deep learning into an implantable medical device are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds and compositions that modulate cannabinoid receptors, methods of modulating cannabinoid receptors, and methods of treating various disorders related to the modulation of cannabinoid receptors. This disclosure is directed to methods of treating cannabinoid dependence, neuropathy, inflammation, glaucoma, a neurodegenerative disorder, a motor function disorder, a gastrointestinal disorder, hypothermia, emesis, loss of appetite, or anorexia associated with AIDS.

Abstract: A framework for joint computation, caching, and request forwarding in data-centric computing-based networks comprises a virtual control plane, which operates on request counters for computations and data, and an actual plane, which handles computation requests, data requests, data objects and computation results in the physical network. A throughput optimal policy, implemented in the virtual plane, provides a basis for adaptive and distributed computation, caching, and request forwarding in the actual plane. The framework provides superior performance in terms of request satisfaction delay as compared with several baseline policies over multiple network topologies.

Abstract: Selective small molecule regulators of GIRK potassium channels are provided, which are effective in treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and other medical conditions.

Abstract: Tellurium nanowires synthesized using green chemistry methods and having unique morphologies and functional properties are provided. The nanowires have a core of hexagonal crystal phase tellurium and a polymer coating, and can be used for treating cancer without apparent cytotoxicity toward normal human cells.

Abstract: Methods and systems for allocating radio access network (RAN) spectrum resources among a plurality of mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) of a network of base stations. The methods and systems include determining a slicing enforcement policy that assigns resource blocks (RBs) of frequency units and time slots of spectrum resources to each MVNO according to a slicing policy in which each MVNO is allocated an amount of the spectrum resources on at least one base station in a determined time span. The slicing enforcement policy minimizes overlap between each MVNO's set of RBs with another MVNO's set of RBs on a same base station, and interference between each MVNO's set of RBs with another MVNO's set of RBs on an interfering base station.

Abstract: A polymorphic platform for wireless communication systems is provided that employs trained classification techniques to determine physical layer parameters from a transmitter at a receiver. The system includes a learning module to determine transmitted physical layer parameters of the signal using a trained classification module, such as a deep learning neural network. The trained classification module receives I/Q input samples from receiver circuitry and processes the I/Q input samples to determine transmitted physical layer parameters from the transmitter. The system includes a polymorphic processing unit that demodulates data from the signal based on the determined transmitted parameters.

Abstract: Hybrid nanopores, comprising a protein pore supported within a solid-state membrane, which combine the robust nature of solid-state membranes with the easily tunable and precise engineering of protein nanopores. In an embodiment, a lipid-free hybrid nanopore comprises a water soluble and stable, modified portal protein of the Thermus thermophilus bacteriophage G20c, electrokinetically inserted into a larger nanopore in a solid-state membrane. The hybrid pore is stable and easy to fabricate, and exhibits low peripheral leakage, allowing sensing and discrimination among different types of biomolecules.

Abstract: Zero power wireless sensors, devices, and systems are used for crop water content monitoring. The sensors consume no power while monitoring for the presence of dry crop conditions. Infrared reflectance from plants is measured and when selected spectral conditions are met, a circuit is closed, activating an alarm, an RFID tag, or a radio transmitter. The deployed sensors consume no power while monitoring, reducing or eliminating the need to change batteries.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices for use with reagents bound to microspheres for determination of the concentration of an analyte in a liquid sample are provided. The devices include two sequential mixing channels that promote rapid binding of microsphere-bound reagents with reagents in solution and a means for detecting labeled microsphere-bound reaction products. Also provided are methods for using the devices with microsphere-bound reagents to determine the concentration of an analyte in a liquid sample and to measure the binding affinity of antibody for an antigen.

Abstract: A method for preparing a press-hardened steel component is provided. The method includes forming a heated blank by heating a steel alloy blank to a first temperature in a first zone of a furnace having two or more zones, and after the heating of the steel alloy blank to the first temperature, heating the steel alloy blank to a second temperature in a second zone of the furnace. The second temperature is greater than the first temperature. The first zone has a first flow rate for a protective gas, and the second zone has a second flow rate for the protective gas that is greater than the first flow rate. The method further includes stamping and quenching the heated blank at a constant rate to a temperature between a martensite finish temperature of the steel alloy defining the steel alloy blank and room temperature to form the press-hardened steel component.