Abstract: Systems and methods of predicting the retention rates of students attending an educational institution are provided. The method includes receiving an initial dataset related to a cohort of students attending the educational institution, dividing the initial dataset into a training dataset and a testing dataset, training a predictive algorithm via the training dataset to generate a prediction model, and processing the testing dataset via the prediction model to output a prediction results dataset. The prediction results dataset includes a listing of the cohort of students organized from most likely to leave the educational institution to least likely to leave the educational institution. The method includes filtering a percentage of the prediction results dataset to identify a watchlist of students likely to leave the educational institution.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a computing device. The computing device is configured to couple to a display. The computing device includes an ambient detection module configured to detect a characteristic of ambient light relative to at least a portion of a display area of the display. The computing device further includes a displayed image optimization module configured to optimize a feature of at least a portion of a displayed image based, at least in part, on the characteristic of the ambient light.

Abstract: A composition is orally or topically administered to a patient susceptible to infection by an orthopoxvirus such as monkeypox (mpox). The composition includes inhibitors configured to bind to orthopoxvirus envelope proteins, e.g., MPXV A29 from mpox. The inhibitors can include sulfated polysaccharides or glycans such as heparin, chondroitin sulfate A, chondroitin sulfate B (dermatan sulfate), chondroitin sulfate C, chondroitin sulfate D, chondroitin sulfate E, pentosan polysulfate, mucopolysaccharide polysulfate, or combinations thereof. Binding of the composition to the envelope proteins inhibits the interaction between the virions and heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) and thus the ability of the virions to enter the host cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes implantable screws, implants, and systems. The implantable screws including a proximal section, a distal section, and a middle section with two members coupling the proximal section and the distal section. The implantable screws may be used by applying a physiological load onto the first implantable screw and the second implantable screw to flex a middle section of each implantable screw and displace a proximal section relative to a distal section of each implantable screw.

Abstract: Provided is a method of mineralizing tissue, including placing within a body of a subject a substance, wherein the substance includes osteopontin and osteocalcin. Also provided is a tissue mineralization-promoting substance including osteopontin and osteocalcin, and an article for promoting tissue mineralization, including an implant which may be an orthopedic implant or an endosseous implant, and a substance disposed on a surface of the implant including osteopontin, and osteocalcin. A method of making a tissue mineralization-promoting substance, including combining osteopontin and osteocalcin, is also provided. Other features, including calcium phosphate, type-I collagen, mesenchymal stem cells, and growth factors, are also provided.

Abstract: The composition inhibits severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) via competitive binding to SARS-COV-2 spike protein. The composition includes a plurality of sulfated glycosaminoglycans which bind to SARS-COV-2 spike protein, preventing binding to and uptake by host cells. The sulfated glycosaminoglycans, including N-, 2-O, 3-O, or 6-O sulfate groups, or combinations thereof, include heparins and fucoidans, such as those isolated from brown seaweed. The compositions show antiviral activity, with EC50 as low as 0.08 ?M, and low cytotoxicity, making it promising for clinical use. While established SARS-COV-2 treatments such as remdesivir need to be administered intravenously, the compositions discussed herein are advantageously capable to being delivered as a nasal spray, metered dose inhaler, oral delivery, etc.

Abstract: A slow-light photonic modulator includes a silicon-on-insulator substrate that includes a silicon device layer on top of a silicon dioxide buried layer. A ridge waveguide is formed partially etching the silicon device layer. The ridge waveguide includes a grating arm and a reference arm. A grating waveguide and a grating electrode are in the grating arm. A straight waveguide and a reference electrode are in the reference arm. A lateral junction is formed by doping the ridge waveguide with p-type and n-type dopants. In some embodiments, the slow-light photonic modulator further includes an unequal phase shifter architecture that is configured to set the modulator in quadrature without the use of external waveguide heaters.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for enhancing contrast sensitivity and resolution in a grating interferometer by machine learning, which can improve both image contrast sensitivity and spatial resolution in a grating interferometer by machine learning, the apparatus including: an image acquisition unit; a numerical phantom generation unit, a convolution layer generation unit to extract features from input data; an activation function application calculation unit that can apply a rectified linear activation function to an output value of the convolution calculation to perform smooth repetitive machine learning; a CNN repetitive machine learning unit that corrects a convolution calculation factor while repeatedly performing forward propagation and backward propagation processes; and an image matching output unit that matches and outputs features extracted by repetitive machine learning of the CNN repetitive machine learning unit.

Abstract: A luminaire includes a frame, an ambient light source positioned within the frame adjacent a first end of the frame, a downlight light source positioned within the frame adjacent a second end of the frame, a diffuser connected to the frame and at least partially surrounding the ambient light source, and a reflector configured to direct light emitted by the downlight light source. A first driver is in electrical communication with the ambient light source and is configured to adjust the illuminance of the ambient light source. A second driver is in electrical communication with the downlight light source and is configured to adjust the illuminance of the downlight light source. A controller is in electrical communication with and send control signals to the drivers to change the light sources between a plurality of illuminance modes, which includes a circadian effective mode and a circadian ineffective mode.

Abstract: In an embodiment, there is provided a light guide for an edge-lit light panel. The light guide includes a first light coupling surface; a second light coupling surface; a first light output surface; and a second light output surface. The second light coupling surface opposes the first light coupling surface. The second light output surface opposes the first light output surface. The first light output surface and the second light output surface are coupled between the first light coupling surface and the second light coupling surface. Each light coupling surface is configured to receive incident light from a respective light source and to produce at least a portion of a batwing light beam inside the light guide. The at least a portion of the batwing light beam is concentrated adjacent the first light output surface, the first light output surface corresponding to a first light extraction surface.

Abstract: One embodiment provides an apparatus for fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLI). The apparatus includes a deep neural network (DNN). The DNN includes a first convolutional layer, a plurality of intermediate layers and an output layer. The first convolutional layer is configured to receive FLI input data. Each intermediate layer is configured to receive a respective intermediate input corresponding to an output of a respective prior layer. Each intermediate layer is further configured to provide a respective intermediate output related to the received respective intermediate input. The output layer is configured to provide estimated FLI output data corresponding to the received FLI input data. The DNN is trained using synthetic data.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing sulfated polysaccharides by reacting a PAPS production/regeneration system utilizing the metabolic activity of a microorganism or a treated matter thereof with a microorganism expressing a sulfation enzyme or a treated matter or extract thereof upon mixing of inexpensive raw materials such as magnesium sulfate. The invention also provides a method for producing PAPS from inexpensive raw materials. The methods involve preparing a transformant (a) of a bacterium of the genus Corynebacterium, which contains a gene encoding an ATP sulfurylase and a gene encoding an APS kinase, which are expressible, and in which a cell plasma membrane of the transformant (a) is substance-permeable, or a treated matter of the transformant (a), and conducting a reaction for producing PAPS by using a reaction solution containing ATP or an ATP source, a sulfate ion source, and the transformant (a) or the treated matter thereof.

Abstract: One or more temperature control units are distributed throughout an environment to provide localized heating and cooling. The temperature control units include a thermal storage system including one or more substances of high latent heat capacity, a heat distribution surface, a solid-state heat pump positioned between the thermal storage system and the heat distribution surface, an environmental sensing module including a proximity sensor, and unit control modules in communication with the solid-state heat pumps. The solid-state heat pumps are individually controllable so that heating and cooling can be provided simultaneously from separate heat pumps in the same temperature control unit, or separate temperature control units in the same environment.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a novel class of polymers with superior mechanical properties and chemical stability, as compared to known polymers. These polymers are particularly well suited for use in anion exchange membranes (AEMs), including those employed in fuel cells. Novel methods for the manufacture of these polymers are also described.

Abstract: A membrane for separating organic solvents such as methanol and toluene is provided. A plurality methacrylate polymer brushes, e.g., composed of hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) monomers or aminoethyl methacrylate (AEMA) monomers, are grafted from a crosslinked polyimide support using Single Electron Transfer-Living Radical Polymerization (SET-LRP). The polymer brushes themselves are also crosslinked by ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), triethylene glycol dimethacryalte (TEGDMA) trimesic acid, and/or itaconic acid. These hydrophilic polymeric brush membranes demonstrate pore stiffening and yet also opening, obtaining high selectivity at reasonable permeability and reduced energy requirements for commercially relevant separations, e.g., methanol/toluene. The addition of the crosslinker prevents loss of selectivity as a result of imparting increased rigidity, enabling the membranes to be operated at higher operating pressures for increased throughput.

Abstract: The composition inhibits severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) via competitive binding to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The composition includes a plurality of sulfated glycosaminoglycans which bind to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, preventing binding to and uptake by host cells. The sulfated glycosaminoglycans, including N-, 2-O, 3-O, or 6-O sulfate groups, or combinations thereof, include heparins and fucoidans, such as those isolated from brown seaweed. The compositions show antiviral activity, with EC50 as low as 0.08 ?M, and low cytotoxicity, making it promising for clinical use. While established SARS-CoV-2 treatments such as remdesivir need to be administered intravenously, the compositions discussed herein are advantageously capable to being delivered as a nasal spray, metered dose inhaler, oral delivery, etc.

Abstract: A cross-connect switch architecture is described. A cross-connect switch device includes a cross-point switch array, a plurality of photo detectors and a plurality of amplifiers. The cross-point switch array includes a plurality of switches. Each switch is coupled between a respective photo detector and a respective amplifier and is configured to couple the respective photo detector to the respective amplifier when the switch is selected.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel microbial polycultures of two or more cell strains, capable of producinges, flavonoids, and anthocyanidin-3-O-glucosides, and methods of use thereof. Also disclosed is a microbial cell capable of producing phenylpropanoic acids, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: An anion exchange membrane is composed of a copolymer of 1,1-diphenylethylene and one or more styrene monomers, such as 4-tert-butylstyrene. The copolymer includes a backbone substituted with a plurality of ionic groups coupled to phenyl groups on the backbone via hydrocarbyl tethers between about 1 and about 7 carbons in length. High-temperature conditions enabled by these copolymers enhance conductivity performance, making them particularly suitable for use in anion exchange membranes in fuel cells, electrolyzers employing hydrogen, ion separations, etc. The properties of the membranes can be tuned via the degree of functionalization of the phenyl groups and selection of the functional groups, such as quaternary ammonium groups. Several processes can be used to incorporate the desired ionic functional groups into the polymers, such as chloromethylation, radical bromination, Friedel-Crafts acylation and alkylation, sulfonation followed by amination, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A multicopter rotor fault diagnosis system includes a multicopter, a plurality of local sensors, and a controller. The multicopter includes a body, a plurality of booms secured to the body, and a plurality of rotors. Each boom has a proximal end secured to the body and extends radially outward to a distal end. Each rotor is secured to the distal end of a respective boom. Each sensor is secured to a respective boom and is positioned a distance from the body. The local sensors are configured to measure out-of-plane strain of the booms and to continuously generate boom strain signals. The controller is in communication with the body and the local sensors. The controller is configured to receive the continuously generated boom strain signals and to perform a pattern recognition algorithm to simultaneously detect and identify faults associated with the rotors.