Abstract: Systems and methods for simultaneous position and impedance control for myoelectric interfaces are disclosed herein. Properties such as control refinement, retention, generalization, and transfer allow users to learn simultaneous and proportional motion simply by interacting with a myoelectric interface, regardless of its initial intuitiveness. The presently disclosed technology expands on these motor learning approaches by implementing a multidirectional impedance controller in this framework. Using sEMG inputs from upper limb muscles, users simultaneously control both the stiffness and set-point of 3-DOFs. Users stabilize control in the presence of external forces in an analogous way to natural limb movements. Despite having no haptic feedback, subjects learn to tune the stiffness of the object being controlled to stabilize movement along desired paths.

Abstract: Systems and Methods for multi-modal or multimedia image retrieval are provided. Automatic image annotation is achieved based on a probabilistic semantic model in which visual features and textual words are connected via a hidden layer comprising the semantic concepts to be discovered, to explicitly exploit the synergy between the two modalities. The association of visual features and textual words is determined in a Bayesian framework to provide confidence of the association. A hidden concept layer which connects the visual feature(s) and the words is discovered by fitting a generative model to the training image and annotation words. An Expectation-Maximization (EM) based iterative learning procedure determines the conditional probabilities of the visual features and the textual words given a hidden concept class. Based on the discovered hidden concept layer and the corresponding conditional probabilities, the image annotation and the text-to-image retrieval are performed using the Bayesian framework.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for determining carotid intima-media thickness are provided. In some embodiments, a method for determining carotid intima-media thickness of a carotid artery is provided, the method comprising: receiving a frame from a plurality of images, wherein each of the plurality of images includes a portion of the carotid artery; receiving a user selection of a location with the frame; setting a region of interest, based on the received user selection; detecting a first border and a second border within the region of interest; applying one or more active contour models to the first border and the second border to generate a smoothed first border and a smoothed second border; and calculating the intima-media thickness based at least in part on the smoothed first border and the second smoothed border.

Abstract: Nanoscale metal halide perovskites are provided. The nanoscale metal halide perovskites may have a 2D structure, a quasi-2D structure, or a 3D structure. Methods also are provided for making the nanoscale metal halide perovskites. The color emitted by the nanoscale metal halide perovskites may be tuned.

Abstract: Non-caloric artificial sweeteners (NAS) are used as a substitute for natural sugars by providing the sweet taste. This invention measures the effects of artificial sweeteners on the enzyme kinetics of biological systems. The claimed invention is directed to a method of measuring the effect of an artificial sweetener on enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of a sugar comprising establishing a first sugar enzymatic conversion rate, then determining a second sugar enzymatic conversion rate, and lastly comparing the first sugar enzymatic rate and the second sugar enzymatic conversion rate. The sugar enzymatic conversion rates can be measured by either nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy or a glucometer. The methodology presented may be applied to the elucidation of kinetic parameters for invertase catalyzed conversion of sucrose to glucose and fructose.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic graphene-like nanoparticle or graphitic nano- or microparticle. The magnetic graphene-like nanoparticle or graphitic nano- or microparticle of the invention exhibits a high relaxivity, and is useful as a MRI contrast agent. The present invention also provides a composition for use with MRI imaging, comprising a sufficient amount of the magnetic graphene-like nanoparticles or graphitic nano- or microparticles and one or more physiologically acceptable carriers or excipients. The present invention also provides methods of using the magnetic graphene-like nanoparticles or graphitic nano- or microparticles as MRI contrast agents. The present invention further provides methods of producing the magnetic graphene-like nanoparticle or graphitic nano- or microparticle.

Abstract: Fused cyclic pyrimidine compounds, including tautomers thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs, solvates and hydrates thereof, are disclosed having the general Formula I: These compounds are useful in methods for treating cancer, selectively targeting cancerous cells via the proton coupled folate transporter, folate receptor alpha, and/or folate receptor beta pathways, inhibiting GARFTase in cancerous cells, and selectively targeting activated macrophages in a patient having an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems and methods for image matching and retrieval process are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collaborative illumination estimation for mobile mixed-reality devices are provided. Embodiments described herein compose an illumination estimate using video data capturing an environment which includes a reflective object, such as a light probe. Radiance samples are computed from light reflections from the reflective object, which are then interpolated to compose a realistic estimation of physical lighting of the environment. Robust illumination estimation is provided in a computationally efficient manner, supplying real-time updates to facilitate integration with augmented reality (AR) systems and other image processing applications. The computational efficiency of this approach allows for implementation in lower-resource environments, such as mobile devices. In some examples, multiple devices can collaborate to capture the environment from different viewpoints and enhance realism and fidelity in their illumination estimates.

Abstract: A self-balancing bicycle system is provided by the present disclosure. The system includes a bicycle, a sensor coupled to the bicycle, a steering control assembly comprising an actuator and being coupled to the bicycle and configured to adjust a steering angle of a front tire of the bicycle, and a controller coupled to the sensor and configured to receive a value from the sensor. The controller is further coupled to the steering control assembly and further configured to adjust the steering angle based on the value.

Abstract: A cell-based assay for identifying a compound that inhibits iron transport in Gram-negative bacteria, engineered bacterial cells, and kits for conducting the same. The assay involves contacting a candidate compound with an engineered Gram-negative bacteria in the presence of iron for a sufficient period of time, exposing the reaction solution to an energy source to generate the detectable signal, and detecting changes in the detectable signal in the reaction solution over time. The engineered Gram-negative bacteria comprises an iron transport protein on its outer membrane that comprises an amino acid residue that has been engineered with a detectable label that generates a detectable signal. The changes in the detectable signal in the assay system over time correspond to the effect of the candidate compound on iron transport in the Gram-negative bacteria.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for de novo determinations of molecular structures or assemblies, including biologically relevant protein structures or assemblies, from IMS-MS data alone. The systems and methods perform a comprehensive conformational analysis of a molecule or molecular assembly, predict IMS-MS spectra for the molecule or molecular assembly, and report structures that best explain experimental spectra for the molecule or molecular assembly.

Abstract: Provided herein are multi-layered protective coverings, wearable multi-layered protective devices, and methods of using the multi-layered protective coverings and wearable multi-layered protective devices.

Abstract: A shared optics and telescope, a filter, and a micropulse differential absorption LIDAR are provided, with methods to use the same. The shared optics and telescope includes a pair of axicon lenses, a secondary mirror, a primary mirror including an inner mirror portion and an outer mirror portion, the inner mirror portion operable to expand the deflected annular transmission beam, and the outer mirror portion operable to collect the return signal. The filter includes an etalon and a first filter. The micropulse differential absorption LIDAR includes first and second laser signals, a laser transmission beam selection switch, a first laser return signal switch, and a toggle timer.

Abstract: An electron spectroscopy system and method are disclosed. In another aspect, an ultrabright and ultrafast angle-resolved electron spectroscopy system is provided. A further aspect of the present system employs an electron gun, a radio frequency cavity and multiple spectrometers. Yet another aspect uses spectrometers in an aligned manner to deflect and focus electrons emitted by the electron gun. Moreover, an ultrafast laser is coupled to an electron spectroscopy system. A bunch of monochromatic electrons have their energy compressed and reoriented in an additional aspect of the present system. A further aspect of the present electron spectroscopy system employs adaptive and/or adjustable optics to optimize both time and energy compression. Another aspect provides at least two RF lenses or cavities, one before a specimen and one after the specimen.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula I and II and salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, Y, R3, and R4 have any of the meanings described in the specification, as well as compositions comprising such compounds and salts, and methods for treating cancer using such compounds and salts.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, there is provided an onboard integrated computational system for an unmanned aircraft system (“Stabilis” autopilot). This is an integrated suite of hardware, software, and data-to-decisions services that are designed to meet the needs of business and research developers of UAS. Stabilis is designed to accelerate the development of any UAS platform and avionics system; it does so with hardware modularity and software adaptation. The Stabilis offers multiple technological advantages technological advantages including: Plug-and-adapt functionality; Data-to-decisions capability; and, On board parallelization capability.

Abstract: The disclosure encompasses resurfaced cell-penetrating nanobodies and their methods of use. The resurfacing of nanobodies with positively-charged amino acids facilitates their penetration into a cell and allows targeting of a specific intracellular protein.

Abstract: The invention provides organic complexes of Zn2+ that are useful for treating cancer, as well as compositions and kits comprising such complexes, and intermediate monomer compounds that are useful for the preparation of such complexes.

Abstract: The invention provides seed and plants of catnip hybrid ‘CR9’. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds, and tissue cultures of catnip hybrid ‘CR9’, and to methods for producing a catnip plant of the present invention by crossing such plants with themselves or with another catnip plant, such as a plant of another genotype, variety, or cultivar. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants.