Abstract: Tracer kinetic models are utilized as temporal constraints for highly under-sampled reconstruction of DCE-MRI data. In one embodiment, a method for improving dynamic contrast enhanced imaging. The method includes steps of administering a magnetic resonance contrast agent to a subject and then collecting magnetic resonance contrast agent from the subject. A tracer kinetic model (i.e. eTofts or Patlak) is selected to be applied to the magnetic resonance imaging data. The tracer kinetic model is applied to the magnetic resonance imaging data. Tracer kinetic maps and dynamic images are simultaneously reconstructed and a consistency constraint is applied. The proposed method allows for easy use of different tracer kinetic models in the formulation and estimation of patient-specific arterial input functions jointly with tracer kinetic maps.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices including a light guide tool for multi-axis additive manufacturing. The light guide tool includes a tubular light guide. The tubular light guide may be made from an optically transmissive material enclosed by one or more reflective side walls that are interposed between opposing optically transmissive ends. The light guide tool includes an optical coupling fixed to a first end of the optically transmissive ends of the tubular light guide. The optical coupling is configured to couple to a lens. The light guide tool includes a transparent non-stick coating. The transparent non-stick coating is adhered over a second end of the optically transmissive ends of the tubular light guide. The light guide tool includes a lens. The lens is coupled to the optical coupling and configured to emit a two-dimensional light pattern.

Abstract: A non-human organism for upgrading intermediate oxidation products formed by catalytic degradation of alkanes or polystyrenes is provided. The non-human organism is genetically modified to convert the intermediate oxidation products to secondary metabolites, and in particular to include a positive feedback loop construction in the promotor system. A method includes steps of catalytically degrading alkanes or polystyrene in an oxidizing environment to form intermediate products with one or more catalysts and contacting the intermediate products with the non-human organism such that intermediate oxidation products are converted to secondary metabolites.

Abstract: Retinal disease is responsible for many instances of vision impairment. Often, individuals with vision impaired due to retinal disease continue to have functioning retinal neurons. Thus, systems, methods, and devices to stimulate retinal neurons may restore sight for vision-impaired individuals. Systems, methods, and devices provided herein direct ultrasound energy into retinal neurons and modulate phase and amplitude of ultrasound energy in time and space domains in order to variously stimulate various retinal neurons, generating neural responses consistent with visual reproduction of intended images.

Abstract: A drug delivery for treating renal cancer, and in particular, clear cell renal carcinoma is provides. The drug delivery system includes a plurality of nanoparticles wherein each nanoparticle includes CD70-targeting peptides conjugated thereto and anti-HIF2? siRNAs conjugated thereto. A method for treating renal cancer is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for purifying a monoterpene or sesquiterpene having a purity greater than about 98.5% (w/w). The process comprises the steps of derivatizing the monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) to produce a monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) derivative, separating the monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) derivative, and releasing the monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) from the derivative. Also encompassed by the scope of the present invention is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) having a purity greater than about 98.5% (w/w). The purified monoterpene can be used to treat a disease such as cancer. The present monoterpene (or sesquiterpene) may be administered alone, or may be co-administered with radiation or other therapeutic agents, such as chemotherapeutic agents.

Abstract: Human interactive texture generation and search systems and methods are described. A deep convolutional generative adversarial network is used for mapping information in a latent space into texture models. An interactive evolutionary computation algorithm for searching a texture through an evolving latent space driven by human preference is also described. Advantages of a generative model and an evolutionary computation are combined to realize a controllable and bounded texture tuning process under the guidance of human preferences. Additionally, a fully haptic user interface is described, which can be used to evaluate the systems and methods in terms of their efficiency and accuracy of searching and generating new virtual textures that are closely representative of given real textures.

Abstract: Embodiments of the presently disclosed technology provide a synergistic combination of a conjugated open-shell donor-acceptor polymer with a carbon-based compound (e.g., reduced graphene oxide) to produce a composite electrode material which demonstrates state-of-the-art capacitance and potential window, with excellent kinetics and cycle life. The conjugated open-shell donor-acceptor polymer may comprise a plurality of alternating electron-rich monomers (i.e., donors) and electron-deficient monomers (i.e., acceptors) bonded together via a conjugated backbone. The conjugated backbone may comprise a connection of n-orbitals of the plurality of monomers in alternating single and double bonds that facilitates unpaired electron delocalization—thereby stabilizing charge for the polymer. The carbon-based compound of the composite electrode material may provide porous, conductive scaffolds for the composite electrode material, resulting in electrodes scalable to microns-thick films with fast kinetics.

Abstract: A system for identification of a biological structure present in a liquid biopsy sample is provided. The system identifies common biological structures and rare biological structures based on their fluorescence characteristics and morphology. The identified biological structures may be used in diagnosis and treatment of a human afflicted with a disease. Examples described in this disclosure also relate to methods and assays that may be used together with the systems of this disclosure for diagnosis and treatment of a human afflicted with a disease.

Abstract: An optimized protein-free tripartite vaccine that protects against lethal blood and lung infections caused by a variety of nosocomial pathogens across taxonomic kingdoms, including Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi.

Abstract: The invention relates to antiviral compounds, compositions comprising antiviral compounds, and methods of use. In particular, the antiviral compounds are cytidine triphosphate synthetase 1 (CTPS1) inhibitors that are effective in treating and/or preventing viral infection and in particular, SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or COVID-19 disease.

Abstract: There is disclosed squaraine compounds of formula I: wherein each of Y1 and Y2 is independently chosen from an optionally substituted amino group and an optionally substituted aryl group. Also described are organic optoelectronic devices comprising a Donor-Acceptor heterojunction that is formed from one or more of the squaraine compounds. A method of making the disclosed device, which may include one or more sublimation step for depositing said squaraine compound, is also disclosed.

Abstract: Given developing resistance of tumor cells to current chemotherapeutic and targeted therapeutic agents, novel cancer therapies with enhanced potency and specificity are substantially required. Applicant has provided herein extracellular nanoparticle vesicles that redirect immune effector cells towards cancer cells for killing. Relative to conventional immunotherapeutic antibodies with defined orientation and geometry for their distinct antigen-binding arms, antibodies displayed on spherical exosomes can promote formation of immunological synapses as well as enhanced efficacy to activate immune cells.

Abstract: A method of aerobic depolymerization of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites using sustainable reagents and conditions. A cured matrix is digested into soluble monomers and oligomers by catalytic aerobic oxidation. Carbon fibers are removed for re-use, then the remaining material is treated and valuable monomers are isolated. The isolated monomers can be converted back into resin precursors for re-use. The method solves the problem created because the typically irreversible cure reaction impedes recycling and re-use of FRP composites.

Abstract: Several embodiments disclosed herein relate to compositions and methods for treating or repairing damage to ocular tissue. In particular, several embodiments relate to patches that interact, e.g., by way of an adhesive, with damaged retinal tissue to repair or mend a hole, tear or detachment of the retina from underlying ocular tissue. Still additional embodiments relate to self-assembling patches.

Abstract: A redirecting rotating mirror arrangement includes a directional antenna subcomponent having a direction of maximum received or transmitted beam intensity. The redirecting rotating mirror arrangement also includes a rotatable mirror that reflects an electromagnetic beam to or from the directional antenna subcomponent. The rotatable mirror is inclined at an inclination angle with respect to a horizontal plane. The arrangement also includes a motor that rotates the rotatable mirror about the direction of maximum received or transmitted beam intensity such that the electromagnetic beam is either received from or transmitted to a range of angles as the rotatable mirror rotates.

Abstract: A method of making an ink for use in additive manufacturing of a self-healing product includes providing a thiol material. The method further includes oxidizing the thiol material to form a thiol-disulfide oligomer. The method further includes applying an alkene material to the thiol-disulfide oligomer to allow a thiol-ene reaction and form a self-healing ink embedded with a disulfide bond.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and robots for multi-layer prepreg composite sheet layup. The robotic system may include a memory for storing a dataset including start and end point pairs of a mold of a 3D part that defines a layup sequence, a first robot or a first robot arm that is configured to conform a prepreg layer or sheet onto the mold of the 3D part, and a second robot or a second robot arm that is configured to hold or grasp the prepreg layer or sheet above the mold of the 3D part and stretch or relax the prepreg layer or sheet when the first robot or the first robot arm conforms the prepreg layer or sheet onto the mold. The robotic system may also include one or more processors connected to the first robot or the first robot arm and the second robot or the second robot arm.

Abstract: In various embodiments of the present disclosure, an oxygen-generating bioelectrical reactor comprises two chambers, a first oxidative chamber configured for the abiotic oxidation of water to generate molecular oxygen, and a second reductive chamber configured for the biotic reduction of an insoluble metal(loid) oxide or hydroxide. In various embodiments, the biotic reduction comprises microbially-catalyzed metal(loid) ion reduction of the insoluble metal(loid) oxide or hydroxide, wherein a dissimilatory metal(loid) reducing microorganism transfers electrons obtained from the oxidation of the water extracellularly to the metal(loid) ions.

Abstract: A method assessing tissue morphology using machine learning includes a step of training a machine learnable device to predict the status of a diagnostic feature in stained tissue samples. The machine learnable device is trained with a characterized set of digital images of stained tissue samples. Each digital image of the characterized set has a known status for the diagnostic feature and an extracted feature map provides values for a extracted feature over an associated 2-dimensional grid of spatial locations. A step of inputting the set of extracted feature maps is inputted into the machine learnable device to form associations therein between the set of extracted feature maps to and the known status for the diagnostic feature to form a trained machine learnable device. The status for the diagnostic feature of a stained tissue sample of unknown status for the diagnostic feature is predicted from the trained machine learnable device.