Abstract: An optical device is disclosed. The optical device includes a silicon substrate, an aluminum oxide layer, an aluminum layer between the silicon substrate and the aluminum oxide layer, and a metasurface nanostructure. The metasurface nanostructure may include a graphene monolayer on the aluminum oxide layer and an electrically conductive nanoantenna array in direct contact with the graphene monolayer, where each nanoantenna in the nanoantenna array may include multiple segments, each segment having one or more parameters selected to achieve simultaneous resonance in the mid-infrared and the near infrared spectral regions when the graphene monolayer is irradiated with a near infrared pump pulse and a continuous mid-infrared probe. The optical device generates mid-infrared pulses via ultrafast modulation of hot carriers in the monolayer graphene.

Abstract: This disclosure provides novel binary and ternary diagnostic tests with improved sensitivity and specificity for the presence of antigenic derivatives of lipo arabino mannan (LAM) present in biological fluids (e.g., sputum, serum, urine) of subjects infected with various mycobacterial pathogens, including M. tb and NTMs. The disclosed diagnostic tests detect and differentiate infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTMs). The diagnostic tests detect different forms of LAM in the sample of patients, using capture antibodies that are either specific for TB, specific for NTMs or crossreactive with all forms of LAM, in conjunction with high-affinity species-specific or crossreactive detection antibodies.

Abstract: A novel monitoring method evaluates tissue ablation progress. An antenna in a distal portion of an ablation applicator sends and receives electrical information from the target tissue during ablation. The information is used to determine ablation progress. A related ablation monitoring system includes a power monitor and processor operable to evaluate ablation progress based on reflected electrical properties during the ablation. The invention has particular benefits when used in endoscopic-based microwave ablation.

Abstract: A compression ratio (CR) adapter (CRA) for end-to-end data-driven compressive sensing (CS) reconstruction (EDCSR) frameworks is provided. EDCSR frameworks achieve state-of-the-art reconstruction performance in terms of reconstruction speed and accuracy for images and other signals. However, existing EDCSR frameworks cannot adapt to a variable CR. For applications that desire a variable CR, existing EDCSR frameworks must be trained from scratch at each CR, which is computationally costly and time-consuming. Embodiments described herein present a CRA framework that addresses the variable CR problem generally for existing and future EDCSR frameworks with no modification to given reconstruction models nor enormous additional rounds of training needed. The CRA exploits an initial reconstruction network to generate an initial estimate of reconstruction results based on a small portion of acquired image measurements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to anti-matriptase antibodies and immunoconjugates of anti-matriptase antibodies with cytotoxic agents and the use thereof for killing or inhibiting the growth of matriptase-expressing cancer cells, such as those of multiple myeloma and breast cancers. In particular, immunoconjugates comprising an anti-matriptase monoclonal antibody and anticancer agents such as auristatin, including monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) and monomethyl auristatin F (MMAF) are introduced, which have potent antitumor activity in vivo. Moreover, importantly; there was no weight loss or other evidence of toxicity in the animals, indicating that no significant free drug was released into the circulation from the conjugate. The present invention also provides compositions comprising these new immunoconjugates and use of them for treatment of malignancies comprising cells that express matriptase.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for making oleofuran compounds according to formula 3 from a furan aldehyde or ketone and a fatty alcohol. The method comprises combining the furan compound and the fatty acid in the presence of a first catalyst to form an intermediate compound, and exposing the intermediate compound to hydrogen in the presence of a second catalyst to form the oleofuran compound. The hydrogen may be either hydrogen gas or hydrogen provided by a hydrogen donor.

Abstract: Various autonomous aquatic herbicide application vessels are described. In one embodiment, a system for aquatic herbicide application includes an aquatic vessel, a propulsion system to propel the aquatic vessel over a body of water, a holding container to hold a substance, a substance applicator to apply the substance to the body of water, and a controller. The controller can include a control processor configured to navigate the aquatic vessel using the propulsion system and apply the substance to the body of water using the substance applicator. According to one embodiment, the system includes a global positioning system to determine a geographic location of the system and a memory to store a route for application of the substance in the body of water. Further, the controller is configured to autonomously control the propulsion system to track the route based on changes in the geographic location of the system over time.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a fusion protein comprising (1) a bacterial microcompartment (BMC) shell protein comprising one or more subunit, and (2) a first component of a specific-binding pair, operably linked to the BMC shell protein such that the first component faces (i) a lumen (inside) side, or (ii) outside of a BMC shell formed incorporating the fusion protein and the fusion protein does not disrupt or prevent the folding of the BMC shell protein or the ability of the BMC shell protein to integrate with other BMC shell proteins into a BMC shell; wherein the first component is capable of forming a stable or irreversible interaction with a second component of the specific-binding pair.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention a method for producing a composite paper by providing a particulate sorbent, providing a paper pulp, and mixing the particulate sorbent and the paper pulp to develop a mixture. The method includes producing an article from the mixture that includes the particulate sorbent at least partially distributed through at least a portion of the article. Further, the at least one article is configured and arranged to uptake and release carbon dioxide as a function of moisture content. Some embodiments of the invention include a composite paper-like assembly including at least a first and second layer including hydrophobic fibers, and sorbent particles and/or a sorbent loaded paper sandwiched between the first and second porous sheets. Some further embodiments include a method for producing a material that supports a moisture swing by providing a material including activated carbon, and infusing the activated carbon with ionic salt.

Abstract: Provided are humanized monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or fragments thereof that bind with specificity to the Thomsen-Friedenreich (TF) human tumor antigen. Three distinct variable heavy and three variable light chains are provided, and can be combined to make a total of twenty-five distinct heavy and light chain combinations. Methods of using the mAbs and fragments thereof for cancer therapy and diagnostic imaging are provided, as are methods for making the mAbs and fragments thereof. In vitro cell cultures that express the mAbs and fragments thereof, and kits are also provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a cyber-physical system for providing cloud prediction for photovoltaic array control are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a source, a drain, and a channel electrically connected to the source and the drain. The channel has a channel length from the drain to the source which is less than or equal to an electron mean free path of the channel material. A first gate has two arms, each extending between the drain and the source (i.e., at least a portion of the distance between the source and the drain). Each arm of the first gate is disposed proximate to a corresponding first and second edge of the channel. Each arm of the first gate has a periodic profile along an inner boundary, wherein the periodic profiles of each arm are offset from each other such that a distance between the arms is constant. A Bloch voltage applied to the first gate will reduce the effective channel with such that Bloch resonance conditions are met.

Abstract: A solution-cathode glow discharge mass spectrometry (SCGD-MS) apparatus comprises a SCGD source and a mass spectrometer. The SCGD source may comprise conductive rods, a power source, and a capillary. A method for ionizing an analyte comprises flowing an electrically conductive liquid onto a conductive rod, applying an electric potential to a second conductive rod such that a plasma discharge forms between the first conductive rod and the electrically conductive liquid to produce ions, and separating the ions in a mass spectrometer. The analyte may be a polypeptide that may be contacted with trypsin. The analyte may be a solid, liquid, gas, chemical complex, or ion in solution. The method may comprise sequencing the polypeptide.

Abstract: As disclosed herein, the preS antigen on infectious hepatitis B virus (HBV) particles can provide B and T ceil epitopes that promote the humoral and cellular responses and enhance the seroprotection rate by overcoming non-responsiveness to the S antigen-only vaccines. Therefore, compositions and methods are disclosed using the preS antigen to develop vaccines and immune therapies for treating or preventing hepatitis B infection, in particular, virus-like particles (VLPs) are disclosed that contain the preS antigen on its surface. These VLPs can be used alone or in combination with vaccines containing the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) to vaccinate subjects against HBV as well as to activate T ceils for adoptive T cell therapy to eradicate HBV infected hapatocytes.

Abstract: A programmable medical wire system includes a programmable wire assembly that includes: a core conductor; at least one actuator conductor electrically coupled to the core conductor, the actuator conductor being programmed to move toward a predetermined shape based on actuation; at least one selective conductor electrically coupled to the actuator conductor and configured to be electrically energized to actuate the actuator conductor to move toward the predetermined shape; at least one emitter configured to produce electromagnetic radiation of a given wavelength coupled to the programmable wire assembly; and at least one detector configured to receive emissions of the emitter and communicate signals of the emission remotely from the emitter. One or more of the selective conductors can be energized to activate the actuator conductors and/or core conductor and cause the actuator conductors and/or core conductor to bend or twist in a preprogrammed manner and return to original shape when deenergized.

Abstract: A vertically oriented plasma reactor is provided. In another aspect, a plasma reactor includes a vertically elongated vacuum chamber, a wall internally projecting within a middle section of the housing, magnets, electrodes and a radio frequency source. A further aspect employs a workpiece-entry port and an opposite workpiece material-exit port, with one located adjacent a top end and the other adjacent a bottom end of a vertically elongated reactor housing or vacuum chamber. Yet another aspect employs a moving or falling-bed plasma reactor for use in activating biochar material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for synthesizing a biopolymer, a method for preparing an apparatus for synthesizing a biopolymer, and a method of synthesizing a biopolymer. The apparatus comprises (a) a substrate comprising a top surface and a plurality of wells, wherein each of the plurality of wells comprises a first electrode disposed on the bottom of the well and a linker attached to the sides of the well; and (b) a fluidic chamber system disposed on the top surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus monitoring system stability of a DC power system includes a switching power converter with a control loop. The converter is connected to a DC bus of the system. A monitoring loop injected into the control loop includes a sensor circuit monitoring voltage and current of the DC bus and a small signal injector producing a periodic signal with variable amplitude and frequency and injects the periodic signal on a reference signal of the control loop. The monitoring loop includes a stability measurement circuit that varies a frequency input to the small signal injector until the periodic signal has a frequency equal to a system minor loop gain crossover frequency of an impedance ratio of a converter closed loop output impedance and an impedance of the DC power system. The monitoring loop includes a measurement output circuit that outputs a DC power system stability margin at the crossover frequency.

Abstract: Various embodiments for system and method of adaptive lighting for data-driven non-line-of-sight imaging are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and methods for detecting social media designed to spread malicious information to “viral” proportions are disclosed. Historical cascade event data from preselected social media accounts as well as information from related accounts is applied to one or more causality metrics to generate a set of causality values. Causality values are further refined and analyzed to determine how casual a user is with respect to a cascade as opposed to other similar users.