Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for modeling neural architecture. Regions of interest of a brain of a subject can be identified based on image data characterizing the brain of the subject. the identified regions of interest can be mapped to a connectivity matrix. The connectivity matrix can be a weighted and undirected network. A multivariate transformation can be applied to the connectivity matrix to transform the connectivity matrix into a partial correlation matrix. The multivariate transformation can maintain a positive definite constraint for the connectivity matrix. The partial correlation matrix can be transformed into a neural model indicative of the connectivity matrix.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to a potassium metal battery, particularly a potassium metal secondary battery, that includes a cathode; an anode that includes potassium metal; and a non-aqueous electrolyte that includes a potassium salt as well as a solvent. The solvent may include dimethoxyethane, digylme, triglyme, tetraglyme, or a mixture of any two or more thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for modeling neural architecture. Regions of interest of a brain of a subject can be identified based on image data characterizing the brain of the subject. the identified regions of interest can be mapped to a connectivity matrix. The connectivity matrix can be a weighted and undirected network. A multivariate transformation can be applied to the connectivity matrix to transform the connectivity matrix into a partial correlation matrix. The multivariate transformation can maintain a positive definite constraint for the connectivity matrix. The partial correlation matrix can be transformed into a neural model indicative of the connectivity matrix.

Abstract: Compounds and compositions of matter are provided that are small molecule antimicrobials. The compounds are selected from JH-144, TH-04 or TH-08 or combinations thereof. Compositions of matter are provided which in an embodiment may comprise a carrier, and in further embodiments may comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, film, biofilm or edible film. Methods of use are provided in which the composition may be administered to a subject in need thereof, and in an embodiment where the subject has a bacterial infection. Other embodiments provide the composition may be contacted with surface to eliminate or reduce bacteria.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating complex transmit field B1+ a transmit coil of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system in both k-space and image domains are described herein. Estimating complex RF field B1+ in the k-space domain includes acquiring complex data in a k-space domain, estimating a complex B1+ map in the k-space domain of a transmit coil and storing the complex B1+ map. The complex B1+ map can be estimated based on the complex images. Estimating complex transmit field B1+ in the image domain includes acquiring at least two complex images in a k-space domain, transforming the complex images into an image domain, estimating a complex B1+ map in the image domain of a transmit coil, and storing the complex B1+ map.

Abstract: A biometric monitoring system comprises a substrate with a first surface having a length and a width. A first transmitting antenna is coupled to the first surface at a first end of the length of the first surface. A second transmitting antenna is coupled to the first surface at a second end of the length of the first surface. The first and second transmitting antennas extend across the width of the first surface. A plurality of receiving antennas are coupled to the first surface, each of which extends across the width of the substrate and is spaced apart from an adjacent receiving antenna along the length by a predetermined distance. A controller is configured to supply a first signal to the first transmitting antenna and sequentially measure a transmission coefficient or voltage of the first signal at the plurality of receiving antennas until an attenuation in the transmission coefficient or voltage exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Adeno-associated virus type 9 methods and materials useful for intrathecal delivery of polynucleotides. Use of the methods and materials is indicated, for example, for treatment of lower motor neuron diseases such as SMA and ALS as well as Pompe disease and lysosomal storage disorders. It is disclosed that administration of a non-ionic, low-osmolar contrast agent, together with a rAAV9 vector for the expression of Survival Motor Neuron protein, improves the survival of SMN mutant mice as compared to the administration of the expression vector alone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are nanoparticle compositions and methods of use such as for chemoprevention of cancer, for example oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The nanoparticle composition comprises a Janus particle comprising at least two chemopreventive agents, wherein at least one of the chemopreventive agents is selected from freeze-dried black raspberries (BRB), a synthetic vitamin A analogue, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and an anti-interleukin 6 agent. Methods for improving oral health comprising administering to a subject the nanoparticle compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A permeable floating concrete vessel for creating floating aquatic habitats is disclosed. The vessel includes an interior space to hold growth material and a plant. The vessels includes one or more channels so a root of the plant can extend through the channel and into a body of water in which the vessel is secured. The vessel is made from a buoyant material, such as water-permeable concrete material. In an exemplary embodiment the water-permeable concrete material includes a mixture of cement, glass microspheres, expanded glass aggregate, and microfibers. Two or more vessels may be connected together via a connecting member to form an array of the vessels.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds comprising dicarba-closo-dodecaborane. The compounds can be, for example, estrogen receptor beta (ER?) agonists. In some examples, the compounds can be selective ER? agonists. Also provided herein are methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating cancer in a subject, suppressing tumor growth in a subject, treating an inflammatory disease in a subject, treating a neurodegenerative disease in a subject, treating a psychotropic disorder in a subject, or a combination thereof by administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the compounds or compositions described herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a contact lens comprising a lenticular in a superior portion of the contact lens wherein the contact lens attaches to an upper eyelid of a wearer by the lenticular interacting with an upper tarsal plate of the upper eyelid of a wearer, said interaction allows the contact lens to translate upwards in downgaze and maintain rotational stability. In one aspect, the lenticular has a top surface, said top surface having a shape selected from the group consisting of flat, flat with rounded corners, concave, convex or tapered having a thicker portion closer to an edge of the contact lens, or combinations thereof. In another aspect, the lenticular is comprised of a plurality of lenticular sections. In yet another aspect, the lenticular is anatomically-shaped.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a contact lens comprising a rounded, minus-carrier, lenticular-like curve over a central, upper portion of the lens that allows the contact lens to translate upwards in downgaze.

Abstract: A transcatheter prosthetic heart valve includes a stent frame and at least one sheet of leaflet material formed in to a tube, which includes a lower portion disposed on an exterior of the stent frame and an upper edge portion disposed within the stent frame. The upper edge portion includes at least a portion configured to wrap around a first portion of the top edge of the stent frame and fold towards an exterior of the stent frame. The upper edge portion also includes at least another portion configured to weave through the stent frame and fold towards the interior of the stent frame.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a first upper frame portion and a stent frame connected to the first upper frame portion via at least two stent frame extensions. The stent frame includes a base and at least two stent posts extending upwardly from the base towards the first upper frame portion. The first upper frame portion, the base, and the at least two stent posts each has an inner surface and an outer surface. The prosthetic heart valve also includes at least one sheet of leaflet material configured to encircle the stent frame and weave through the stent frame between the first upper frame portion and the base.

Abstract: Thermoelectric devices and methods of using thermoelectric devices. A thermoelectric device includes a thermoelectric element comprised of a material having a non-zero Berry curvature. The device may operate as a Nernst generator that generates electricity in response to application of a temperature gradient to the thermoelectric element, or as an Ettingshausen cooler that pumps heat into or out of an object to be heated or cooled in response to application of a current to the thermoelectric element. In either application, the non-zero Berry curvature of the material allows the device to operate without an externally applied magnetic field.

Abstract: Membranes, methods of making the membranes, and methods of using the membranes are described herein. The membranes can comprise a support layer, and a selective polymer layer disposed on the support layer. The selective polymer layer can comprise an oxidatively stable carrier and a borate additive dispersed within a hydrophilic polymer matrix. The oxidatively stable carrier can comprise a quaternaryammonium hydroxide carrier (e.g., a mobile carrier such as a small molecule quaternaryammonium hydroxide, or a fixed carrier such as a quaternaryammonium hydroxide-containing polymer), a quaternaryammonium fluoride carrier (e.g., a mobile carrier such as a small molecule quaternaryammonium fluoride, or a fixed carrier such as a quaternaryammonium fluoride-containing polymer), or a combination thereof. The borate additive can comprise a borate salt, a boric acid, or a combination thereof. The membranes can exhibit selective permeability to gases.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for making a determination about an eye in ambient lighting conditions comprising detecting ambient light reflected out of an eye of a subject from a retina of the eye of the subject and making a determination about the eye of the subject based upon the reflected ambient light.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and materials useful for determining metabolizer status. Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach using a genotyping panel and integration of genotypes of CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 to assess CYP3A metabolizer status, applicable to all CYP3A substrates, including approximately 40% of all drugs. Algorithms for CYP3A metabolizer status are described. Where the contribution ratios of CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 to overall drug levels or drug effects are known, the algorithm can be used to calculate optimal dosing. Where the contributory ratios to overall drug effects are not available, the contributory ratios can be calculated with use of the genotypes for use in drug development. Embodiments of the present invention can be used in optimizing drug treatments, selecting dose, designing therapeutics, and predicting efficacy.

Abstract: Automated image analysis methods to identify and quantify tumor buds in a high resolution image of a section of a tumor that is stained using either pan-cytokeratin AE1/3 or hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) are disclosed. The methods may be used to aid and/or replace manual visual inspection for tumor buds and may be used to predict a clinically relevant outcome or treatment in some cases. The disclosed methods may be used for many different cancer types, such as colorectal cancer.

Abstract: A polypeptide is disclosed that binds tumor-associated antigens (TAA) on the surface of cancer cells and a NKG2D receptor. The NKG2D receptor is expressed on the surfaces of killer cells such as natural killer cells, T cells, natural killer T cells, and gamma delta T cells. In some cases, the TAA is CS-1 or EGFRvIII. Also disclosed are polynucleotides encoding the disclosed polypeptides, vectors comprising the disclosed polynucleotides, and host cells comprising the disclosed vectors. Also disclosed are bivalent antibodies comprising the disclosed polypeptides. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the disclosed antibodies. Also disclosed are methods of treating cancer in a subject using the disclosed bi-specific antibodies.