Abstract: A process for the preparation of a granulated or pelletized weak anion exchange medium from a phenol-containing organic material like peat, followed by low-temperature torrefaction of the granules to produce a high degree of physical stability of the granules at high-pH conditions, followed by chemical pretreatment of the stable granule via a hydrolysis reaction, and optionally surface treatment with acids, followed by the main chemical treatment of the hydrolyzed granule via separate aldehyde and amine reagents, or alternatively via an adduct reagent like hexamethylenetetramine is provided by this invention. The weak anion exchange medium of this invention can be used in a variety of aqueous solution treatment processes, such as wastewater treatment for removing mineral acids like H2SO4, HNO3, HCl, HBr, HF, H3PO4, HI, or formic acid from the wastewater. The resulting anion exchanger medium is particularly useful for treating wastewaters in a low-pH environment.

Abstract: A method for targeted delivery of cargo to a target locus in a subject and components of the system. Generally, the method includes administering to the subject a cell that has an artificial saccharide-derived target presented on the surface of the cell, allowing the cell to localize to a target locus in the subject, then administering to the subject an agent that specifically binds to the artificial target. In some embodiments, the agent can include a therapeutic compound. In some embodiments, the agent can include a detectable label. In some of these embodiments, that method can further include detecting the detectable label.

Abstract: Localization and navigation systems and techniques are described. An electronic device comprises a processor configured to maintain a state vector storing estimates for a position of the electronic device at poses along a trajectory within an environment along with estimates for positions for one or more features within the environment. The processor computes, from the image data, one or more constraints based on features observed from multiple poses of the electronic device along the trajectory, and computes updated state estimates for the position of the electronic device in accordance with the motion data and the one or more computed constraints without computing updated state estimates for the features for which the one or more constraints were computed.

Abstract: A system and method for performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), or magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging (MRS I) at multiple resonant frequencies using a coil system. The coil system includes at least one conductive loop and a capacitor forming a radiofrequency (RF) resonant antenna and a tuning-matching circuit electrically connected to the RF resonant antenna to operate at multiple resonant frequencies across a desired operational range. The coil system also includes two legs electrically connecting the tuning-matching circuit to the RF resonant antenna and having a length selected to generate at least two selected resonant frequencies with a selected frequency difference.

Abstract: A vision-aided inertial navigation system (VINS) implements a square-root multi- state constraint Kalman filter (SR-MSCKF) for navigation. In one example, a processor of a VINS receives image data and motion data for a plurality of poses of a frame of reference along a trajectory. The processor executes an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF)- based estimator to compute estimates for a position and orientation for each of the plurality of poses of the frame of reference along the trajectory. For features observed from multiple poses along the trajectory, the estimator computes constraints that geometrically relate the multiple poses of the respective feature. Using the motion data and the computed constraints, the estimator computes state estimates for the position and orientation of the frame of reference. Further, the estimator determines uncertainty data for the state estimates and maintains the uncertainty data as a square root factor of a covariance matrix.

Abstract: Ultra-high field (“UHF”) magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) is used to localize the endopiriform nucleus (“EPN”) as a target for neuromodulation treatment. Single or multiple different image contrasts can be used to guide localization of the EPN. Treatment plan data are generated based on the localized EPN, and may include coordinate data, trajectory data, or both, for delivering neuromodulation treatment to the localized EPN.

Abstract: The present invention relates to diagnostic and therapeutic agents comprising recombinant antibody fragments to bind a protein associated with cancer and methods of use of these diagnostic and therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A process comprises feeding a stream of reactant compounds to a reactor and discharging a liquid plasma into the reactant stream in the reactor, wherein the plasma initiates or accelerates a reaction of the reactant compounds to form a product composition. The reactor can comprise one or more chambers, a high-voltage electrode positioned at a first portion of the one or more chambers, a ground electrode positioned at a second portion of the one or more chambers, and a dielectric plate between the ground electrode and the high-voltage electrode that comprises openings through which the reactant stream can pass from the first portion to the second portion or from the second portion to the first portion. Discharging the plasma can include supplying electrical power to the high-voltage electrode such that plasma is discharged where the reactant stream flows through the openings.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a method of producing a population of induced multipotent placental cells, the method comprising culturing a population of pluripotent stem cells in the presence of an induction media comprising a retinoid, and optionally a Wnt signaling agonist. Certain embodiments also provide cells, compositions, kits and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A medical implant is adapted to be implantable within a gallbladder in order to limit movement of any gallbladder stones present within the gallbladder. The medical implant includes a resilient body that is adapted to fit within the interior volume of the gallbladder and a plurality of pores that are formed within the resilient body. The pores are adapted to allow bile to flow through the pores.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for producing a chimeric non-human animal expressing a human ETV2 gene comprising: a) generating an ETV2 null non-human animal cell, wherein both copies of the non-human ETV2 gene carry a mutation that prevents production of functional ETV2 protein in said non-human animal; b) creating an ETV2 null non-human blastocyst by somatic cell nuclear transfer comprising fusing a nucleus from said ETV2 null non-human animal cell of a) into an enucleated non-human oocyte and activating said oocyte to divide so as to form an ETV2 null non-human blastocyst; c) introducing human stem cells into the ETV2 null non-human blastocyst of b); and d) implanting said blastocyst from c) into a pseudopregnant surrogate non-human animal to generate a chimeric non-human animal expressing human ETV2.

Abstract: An artery can be occluded by implanting an occlusion implant within a subintimal space within a wall of the artery. As an example, a catheter having a side port just proximal of an inflatable balloon disposed near a distal end of the catheter can be advanced through the artery to a site at which an occlusion is desired. The inflatable balloon can be inflated and a guidewire can be advanced through a lumen of the catheter, out of the side port and into a subintimal space of the artery, with the inflated inflatable balloon guiding the guidewire towards the artery wall. An occlusion implant can be advanced over the guidewire into the subintimal space and the guidewire can be withdrawn, leaving the occlusion implant positioned within the subintimal space.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions that include an extract of human feces, and methods for using such compositions, including methods for replacing or supplementing or modifying a subject's colon microbiota, and methods for treating a disease, pathological condition, and/or iatrogenic condition of the colon.

Abstract: A catheter may be used for treating chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) by remodeling a venous valve within a vein. The catheter is advanced through the vein to a position proximate the venous valve, the catheter including a hollow needle extendable out a first side wall of the catheter and an inflatable balloon located on a second, opposing, side wall of the catheter. The inflatable balloon is inflated in order to urge the catheter towards a vessel wall opposite that of the inflatable balloon. The hollow needle is advanced at least partially into the vessel wall opposite that of the inflatable balloon and a bulking agent is injected near the venous valve in order to remodel the venous valve. The bulking agent may be injected within a subintimal space within the vessel wall, or into an advential space outside of the vessel wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides in certain embodiments compositions comprising at least one CD200 inhibitor, and methods of reversing or modulating immune suppression in a patient having a disease or disorder arising from abnormal cell growth, function or behavior, which method comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a CD200 inhibitor composition.

Abstract: Copolymers polymerized from at least one or more cinchona alkaloid containing compounds; and an acrylamide containing monomer, an acrylate containing monomer, or combinations thereof. Method of forming a copolymer-genetic component complex that includes a genetic component and a copolymer where the copolymer includes one or more cinchona alkaloid containing compounds and an acrylamide containing monomer, an acrylate containing monomer, or combinations thereof. Methods of delivering a genetic component to a cell.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include a kinetic response system for measuring analyte presence on a chemical sensor element. The chemical sensor element includes one or more discrete binding detectors, each discrete binding detector including a graphene varactor. The kinetic response system includes a measurement circuit having an excitation voltage generator for generating a series of excitation cycles over a time period. Each excitation cycle includes delivering a DC bias voltage to the discrete binding detectors at multiple discrete DC bias voltages across a range of DC bias voltages. The kinetic response system includes a capacitance sensor to measure capacitance of the discrete binding detectors resulting from the excitation cycles. The kinetic response system includes a controller circuit to determine the kinetics of change in at least one of a measured capacitance value and a calculated value based on the measured capacitance over the time period. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for identifying compounds that cause structural changes in a protein bound to an actin filament. The methods include the use of cells that include two actin-binding proteins, each labeled with a chromophore, and exposing the cells to a test compound. The method further includes detecting a change in fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the chromophores.

Abstract: Pennycress seed, seed lots, and seed meal having reduced fiber content and improved suitability for use in producing animal feed are provided.

Abstract: Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for polymer-based extrusion. Some non-limiting embodiments provide for extrusion of a liquid photopolymerizable monomer in a channel/die with the aid of a lubricating component, such as poly(dimethylsiloxane)-graft-poly(ethylene oxide) grafted copolymer (PDMS-PEO), and driven by fluid pressure (e.g., a fluid pump). Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to growing soft robots. Some non-limiting embodiments provide a novel class of robots which grow in an environment by growing at their tip (or robot head) by using the self-lubricated photopolymerization extrusion techniques of the present disclosure. Emulating biological tip growth, this process is facilitated by converting an internal monomer fluid into the solid body of the growing robot through polymerization.