Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for typing and characterizing sperm. The technology employs a sequencing-based method for detecting and measuring RNA transcripts from single sperm cells and the analysis of the sequencing data for the prediction of male parent contribution to autism.

Abstract: A system to output a cross-talk cancelled spatial audio signal to two speakers, including a user tracking module to provide a location and orientation of a head of a user, and a time-domain dynamic crosstalk cancellation module to receive a spatial audio signal, the location and orientation of the head of the user from the user tracking module, a location for each of the two speakers, and generate the time-domain crosstalk cancelled spatial audio signal based thereon.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems for the label-free detection of target molecules in samples. The systems include a sensor probe positioned in a sensing region and configured to bind to receptors for the target molecules. The systems also include electrodes configured to expose the sensor probe to an alternating electric field, and a light source optically coupled to the sensor probe and configured to provide light along a length of the sensor probe. In addition, the systems also include a position sensitive photodetector configured to detect a position of light exiting the sensor probe, and a processor configured to assess, based at least in part on the position of the light exiting the sensor probe, an amplitude of oscillation of the sensor at a frequency of the alternating electric field and a direction of a displacement of the sensor. Additional systems and related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are expression cassettes that can be used to express proteins in plants. In some embodiments, the expression cassettes include polynucleotides that encode polypeptides that are at least 96% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2 operably linked to a promoter and a transcription terminator and optionally a tag sequence. Also provided are recombinant vectors, cells, and transgenic plants, progeny, and seeds that include the presently disclosed expression cassettes, and methods for using the disclosed expression cassettes to alter geminivirus resistance and suppress virus-induced leaf chlorosis, leaf curling, or both in plants.

Abstract: A method and device for electro-thermo-mechanical tensile testing of wires is disclosed. The device includes a sample frame having upper and lower parts, with the upper part coupled to the lower part through a plurality of sacrificial supports, the upper and lower parts each having an electrical contact pad. The upper and lower parts are electrically non-conductive. The device also includes a wire sample with tracking beads, the wire sample affixed to the upper and lower parts such that the electrical contact pads of the upper and lower parts are communicatively coupled through the wire sample. The device also includes a piezo actuator coupled to the upper part, a weight coupled to the lower part, a power supply configured to pass a current through the wire sample, an electronic balance beneath the weight, and a digital camera pointed at the tracking beads of the wire sample.

Abstract: A multimodal optical technique that can measure the mechanical, optical, and acoustical properties of the sample at microscopic resolution, which is based on the integration of a Brillouin microscope and a photoacoustic (PA) microscopy is provided. The multimodal technique not only can acquire co-registered Brillouin and PA signals of the sample but also allows us to utilize the sound speed measurements by PA to quantify the sample's refractive index, which is an essential property of the material and cannot be measured by either technique individually. We demonstrated the colocalization of Brillouin and time-resolved PA signals by measuring the interface of kerosene and 1% CuSO4 aqueous solution. In addition, we measured the refractive index of saline solutions with a precision of 0.003 and validated the result against published data. This multimodal modality could open new way for charactering biological cell and tissue in physiological and pathological conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods or kits with inflammatory cytokines to pretreat 1-ISCs to augment their immune modulatory effect, in prevention and treatment of various diseases such as multiple sclerosis, arthritis, lupus, sepsis, hepatitis, cirrhosis, Parkinson's disease, chronic infections, and GvHD. The present invention relates to novel methods for enhancing the immunosuppressive or the immune stimulatory activities of mesenchymal stem cells (JvfSCs).

Abstract: A power source for a micro-device is provided. The power source may include a cup, a lid and electrolytes. The cup may be formed of a hard metal material and walls of the cup may define a cavity. An opening in the cup may provide access to the cavity and a surface of the cavity may be deposited with one of an anode or cathode material. The lid may be formed of a hard metal material, the lid may cooperate with the cup to fit into the opening closing off the cavity. The cavity may be coated with the other of the anode or cathode material. Electrolytes may be contained in the cavity.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to substituted dibenzo[b,f]azepines of the formula (II): wherein the variables n, X3, R1, R2, R4, and R5 are defined herein, and uses of such compounds to treat conditions including neurodegenerative diseases and cancers.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive radar data from a radar, the radar data including radar pixels having respective measured depths; receive camera data from a camera, the camera data including an image frame including camera pixels; map the radar pixels to the image frame; generate respective regions of the image frame surrounding the respective radar pixels; for each region, determine confidence scores for the respective camera pixels in that region; output a depth map of projected depths for the respective camera pixels based on the confidence scores; and operate a vehicle including the radar and the camera based on the depth map. The confidence scores indicate confidence in applying the measured depth of the radar pixel for that region to the respective camera pixels.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for decreasing permissiveness to infection by PRRSV. The methods involve inserting peptides or oligopeptides into the CD163 SRCR domain 5 to disrupt the protein structure and thereby prevent PRRSV infection. The deletion of the exon 13 region of PSTII eliminates infection. The replacement of cysteine residues with alanines in SRCR5 as a means to disrupt disulfide bond formation. The final method is the deletion of, or amino acid substitution within the SRCR4-5 interdomain region.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an antibody that specifically binds an IgE receptor and methods of its use.

Abstract: The invention provides a compound of formula I: or a salt thereof, wherein Y, Z, L, and W have any of the values described in the specification, as well as compositions comprising a compound of formula I or a salt thereof. The compounds are useful as tools for visualizing FtsZ and monitoring cell division in a broad range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens of acute clinical importance and for identifying new FtsZ inhibitors.

Abstract: A beam transmitter, a receiver, and a LIDAR, along with methods to operate each are provided. The beam transmitter comprises a first and a second transmission channel (201a, 201b), each transmission channel including a first online laser, a first offline laser, and a first laser transmission selection switch operable to toggle between including the first online laser signal and the first offline laser signal in a first transmission beam. The beam transmitter further includes at least one light redirection device operable to coalign the first transmission beam with the second transmission beam. The receiver comprises a first splitter (402a, 402b), a first filter (404a, 404b), a first detector channel (406a, 406b), a second splitter (408a, 408b), a second filter (410a, 410b), and a second detector channel (412a, 412b). The LIDAR includes the beam transmitter, the receiver, and a shared telescope.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula I: and salts thereof wherein R1-R5 have any of the meanings described in the specification. The compounds are useful for treating bacterial infections (e.g. tuberculosis).

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymer stabilized nematic liquid crystal microlenses. The microlenses can be made from a nematic liquid crystal, a chiral dopant, a reactive monomer, and a photoinitiator. The microlenses can be prepared by spin coating a liquid crystal mixture onto an array including a nickel transmission electron microscope grid. The focal length of the microlens array can be tuned electrically.

Abstract: A secure processor, comprising a logic execution unit configured to process data based on instructions; a communication interface unit, configured to transfer of the instructions and the data, and metadata tags accompanying respective instructions and data; a metadata processing unit, configured to enforce specific restrictions with respect to at least execution of instructions, access to resources, and manipulation of data, selectively dependent on the received metadata tags; and a control transfer processing unit, configured to validate a branch instruction execution and an entry point instruction of each control transfer, selectively dependent on the respective metadata tags.

Abstract: Isolated or recombinant EphA5 or GRP78 targeting antibodies are provided. In some cases, antibodies of the embodiments can be used for the detection, diagnosis and/or therapeutic treatment of human diseases, such as cancer. A method of rapidly identifying antibodies or antibody fragments for the treatment of cancer using a combination of in vitro and in vivo methodologies is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and analyzing activities of a person operating a machine, particularly driving a vehicle, is provided. A first magnet is attached to a hand of the person and a second magnet is attached to the head of the person. A smart watch having a magnetometer is attached to the other hand of the person. The magnetometer is in magnetic communication with both the first magnet and the second magnet to generate a first magnetic signal and a second magnetic signal. Both signals can be received by a processor and applied to mathematical models by the processor to generate indicators representative of positions and motions of the hands and the head. An alarm can be generated based on the indicators.

Abstract: A screen reading system for providing accessibility to multimodal document content includes a memory storing: a document file defining a displayable document page containing text and images presented in panels to define a graphic narrative; an accessible content database stores audio files for the text and images, defined page locations for the audio files, panel locations for panels, and narrative sequencing for at least some of the audio files and the panels; and a processor-executable screen reading engine that when executed by a processor displays the document page on a display, receives user input to the display, and plays the audio files in response to the user input. The screen reading engine facilitates multiple modes of screen reading and can provide haptic feedback.