Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided that incorporates a highly organized co-culture of live cells within a microengineered platform, by which the architecture and cellular constituents of an organ or other native tissue environment may be modeled over a long period of culture for biological and/or pharmacological studies. Vertical posts (e.g., microposts) may be used to induce alignment of hydrogel-encapsulated tissues in a cell suspension region of a microfluidic device. Such a device can complement animal studies in recapitulating pathophysiological characteristics of disease. When populated with cardiac cells, such a device provides a three-dimensional (3D) biomimetic human cardiac tissue model that enables the study of pathophysiological events involved in the transition of healthy to diseased cardiac tissue, to better inform therapeutic strategies and functional outcomes in cardiac-based therapies. Other types of cells may be used in certain embodiments.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions that are useful for treating allergic diseases, bacterial infections, fungal infections, viral infections, mastocytosis, mast cell-mediated inflammation and parasite infections (e.g., helminth infections).

Abstract: A method for rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing by tracking sub-micron scale motion of single bacterial cells including obtaining a biological sample from a subject including live bacteria. Different doses of antibiotic are added to a multi-well glass slide and adding portions of the biological sample to the wells. Bacterial cells are tethered onto the surface. The tethered bacterial cells are imaged and tracked. Bacterial sub-micron motion of tethered cells is measured at the different doses. A processor performs statistical analysis on a population of cells for each antibiotic dose to generate an antibiotic dose curve proportional to the motion changes, where the antibiotic dose curve plots data including a decrease in movement over time indicating a proportional effectiveness of an antibiotic applied to a well.

Abstract: This disclosure presents a new type of variable stiffness magnetic spring, which can have a highly linear translational force characteristic. The variable stiffness is achieved through the rotation of a central magnet. Both positive and negative spring constants can be created. Using an analytic-based field analysis modelling technique, the operating principle and linearity characteristics of the adjustable magnetic spring are studied. The use of a magnetic spring with an adjustable negative spring constant could enable an ocean generator to continuously operate in a resonant state, thereby greatly increasing its power generation capability. The described variable stiffness spring could also be useful in other energy harvesting applications, robotic actuator applications, and/or other applications.

Abstract: A method for determining a characteristic of a direct-gap semiconductor comprises measuring at least one optical constant of a first sample of a direct-gap semiconductor with an optical spectrometer, calculating an estimated value of an optical parameter of the first sample of the direct-gap semiconductor based on fitting the model ?g(ln(1+e(h?-Eg)/(pEu))/ln(2))p to an optical absorption curve based on the at least one optical constant, obtaining at least one second value of the optical parameter, and calculating an estimated characteristic of the direct-gap semiconductor from the estimated value of the optical parameter and the obtained second value of the optical parameter. A method for determining a temperature of a direct-gap semiconductor and a system for determining a characteristic of a direct-gap semiconductor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A harmonic tag system includes a harmonic tag and a first antenna configured to receive a fundamental signal and transmit an identifier of the harmonic tag at a fundamental frequency. The harmonic tag system includes an energy harvesting unit configured to convert the fundamental signal into power. The power activates a sensor. The harmonic tag system also includes a harmonic doubler configured to generate a harmonic signal at a harmonic frequency based on (i) the fundamental signal and (ii) a sequence. The harmonic tag system further includes a digital modulation unit configured to selectively trigger an activation of the harmonic doubler. The harmonic doubler is triggered sequentially in an off state and an on state, and the digital modulation unit produces the sequence. The harmonic tag system also includes a second antenna configured to transmit data of the sensor at the harmonic frequency.

Abstract: Provided herein are unsymmetrical bis(azolium) salts, unsymmetrical CCC-NHC metal complexes, and methods of forming the same. The unsymmetrical bis(azolium) salts include a central aryl ring that is substituted with two heterocyclic rings in an ortho, meta, or para fashion. The unsymmetrical CCC-NHC metal complexes include metalated unsymmetrical bis(azolium) salts. The method of forming the unsymmetrical CCC-NHC metal complexes includes reacting a dihalogenated benzene with a first azole to form a mono(azole)benzene, reacting the mono(azole)benzene with a second azole to form an unsymmetrical bis(azole)benzene, alkylating the unsymmetrical bis(azole)benzene to form an unsymmetrical bis(azolium) salt, and metalating the unsymmetrical bis(azolium) salt to form the unsymmetrical CCC-NHC metal complex. Also provided are a bis-ligated CCC-NHC metal complex and an unsymmetrical bimetallic complex.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a first processor coupled to the non-volatile memory and configured to receive a data set associated with an object and user information associated with a spatial position of a user in a multi-user virtual (IMVR) environment, and a second processor coupled to the volatile memory, the second processor configured to render an instance of the portion of the object in the IMVR environment from a perspective of the user based on the spatial position of the user. The first processor is configured to generate a look-up table (LUT) based on a set of inputs received from a user. The second processor is configured to render, based on the LUT and information related to a manipulation by a user, an updated instance of the portion of the object that manifests an effect of the manipulation in the IMVR environment.

Abstract: The complexes disclosed herein are cyclometalated metal complexes of Formula (I) that are useful for full color displays and lighting applications.

Abstract: Preparing a porous hybrid media includes contacting porous media (e.g., strong base ion-exchange media) with an aqueous solution including aluminum ions to yield a aluminum-ion-containing porous media, contacting the aluminum-ion containing porous media with a reducing agent to impregnate elemental aluminum in the porous media, and oxidizing the elemental aluminum to yield a porous hybrid media including aluminum hydr(oxide) impregnated in the porous media. In some cases, a pH of an aqueous mixture including the aluminum-ion-containing porous media may be adjusted to form a floc including aluminum hydroxide, and the aluminum hydroxide-containing porous media may be contacted with a reducing agent to yield a porous hybrid media including aluminum hydr(oxide) impregnated in the porous media. The porous hybrid media may advantageously be prepared at low temperature (e.g., room temperature).

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of making composite materials. The methods may include infiltrating a carbon nanoscale fiber network with a ceramic precursor, curing the ceramic precursor, and/or pyrolyzing the ceramic precursor. The infiltrating, curing, and pyrolyzing steps may be repeated one or more times. Composite materials also are provided that include a ceramic material and carbon nanoscale fibers.

Abstract: An optical beam deflection device includes a dual-twist Pancharatnam phase device (DTPPD) with first and second Pancharatnam layers each with an in-plane twist and a transverse twist that is at least 60° over the thickness of each Pancharatnam layer, and more preferably at least 75°, and still more preferably at least 90°, with the twist sense of the second Pancharatnam layer being opposite the twist sense of the first Pancharatnam layer. To provide switchable beam deflection, an electro-optic polarization element inputs a circularly polarized light beam to the DTPPD with left-handed circular polarization or right-handed circular polarization controlled by an electrical input.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fluoroscopic needle guide device for use in medical procedures that facilitate the direct targeting of a pre-identified target in a subject and methods for reaching the same with a medical device. The present disclosure includes fluoroscopic needle guide devices including detachable alignment indicators and methods for using the same.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide adsorbent including a hierarchical zeolite. The hierarchical zeolite defines micropores having a pore width between about 0.4 nm and about 2 nm, and at least one of: mesopores having a pore width between about 2 nm and about 50 nm; and macropores having a pore width greater than about 50 nm.

Abstract: Compositions are disclosed herein that include macrocycle derivatives incorporating bridged macrocycles. Also disclosed are methods of producing and using the compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed are isolated single heavy chain variable (VHH) monoclonal antibodies, antigen binding fragments thereof, and bispecific antibodies include these VHH monoclonal antibodies, wherein the VHH monoclonal antibody or antigen binding fragment specifically binds a canine programmed death (PD)-1. Nucleic acid molecules encoding these VHH monoclonal antibodies and antigen binding fragments are also disclosed, as are expression vectors including these nucleic acid molecules and host cells including these expression vectors. Methods of detecting canine PD-1, and methods of increasing cytotoxic T cell activity and treating tumors are also disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated method for assessing metabolic rate and maintaining indoor air quality and efficient ventilation energy use. A physical sensor assesses room occupancy. An actuated ventilation system is set to a constant CO2 level in a predetermined healthy range, where the actuated ventilation system includes a CO2 sensor. The actuated ventilation system sets a first air ventilation rate and the sensor measures a first CO2 level. The system determines whether CO2 level is in a healthy range, if not then the CO2 level is adjusted by setting a subsequent air ventilation rate. A subsequent CO2 level is measured. If the CO2 level is determined to meet a predetermined healthy range, then an assessment of change of air ventilation rate (? ACH) is determined. The determination of air change rate can be further augmented by a physical pressure based measurement. The overall metabolic rate is generated.

Abstract: A computer implemented scheme for a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system where point cloud feature extraction and segmentation by efficiently is achieved by: (1) data structuring; (2) edge detection; and (3) region growing.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for gray-box adversarial testing for control systems with machine learning components are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is early genetic screening to aid in the selection of dogs for assistance training programs. Disclosed methods include a method for predicting the probability of canine success in a training program, involving genotyping a biological sample from a canine; determining at least one mobile element insertion copy number within the Williams-Beuren Syndrome (WBS) locus on canine chromosome 6; and predicting the probability of the canine's success in a training program based on the at least one mobile element insertion copy number. Another disclosed method is a method of producing dogs that are more likely to exhibit a sociable behavior, involving providing a male and female dog for breeding; determining at least one mobile element insertion copy number within the Williams-Beuren Syndrome (WBS) locus on canine chromosome 6 for each of the provided dogs; and mating the dogs of step (a) to produce offspring.