Abstract: The present invention relates to a new pneumatic-actuated multifunctional doming actuator. The doming actuator can be used as a doming actuator, which can maintain machine/robotic operation on vertical surfaces without falling. The doming actuators exhibit rapid switchable adhesion/deadhesion on target surfaces upon pressurizing/depressurizing the embedded spiral pneumatic channels. The present invention also relates to novel load-carrying and climbing soft robots using the doming actuators. The soft robots are operable on a wide range of horizontal and vertical surfaces including dry, wet, slippery, smooth, and semi-smooth surfaces. In addition, the doming actuators can be used as a driving actuator for swimming soft robotics and as an actuator for soft grippers.

Abstract: A system for distributed dual-function radar-communication comprises a plurality of dual-function radar transmitters positioned within a region of interest, each configured to transmit at least one radar waveform, with each transmitter for having a minimum transmit power, a maximum transmit power, and a working transmit power, a plurality of radar receivers positioned within the region of interest, each configured to receive the radar waveforms, at least one controller communicatively connected to at least one connected transmitter of the plurality of dual-function radar transmitters, configured to calculate a vector of transmit power values for the plurality of dual-function radar transmitters. A method of transmitting a radar waveform is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for network-scale parallel computing comprises a set of computer-readable instructions implementing the steps of executing a computational process from at least one client node by communicating via a content addressable service network implemented using the Tuple Space abstraction, data parallel semantics and Unidirectional Virtual Ring architecture, with any number of service computers, networks and storage to deliver lossless, non-stop services. A network-scale distributed storage system, an enhanced Domain Name System (DNS) system, a network-scale database system and a network-scale hybrid transactional analytical processing systems are also described.

Abstract: A mobile-platform imaging device uses compression of the target region to generate an image of an object. A tactile sensor has an optical waveguide with a flexible, transparent first layer. Light is directed into the waveguide. Light is scattered out of the first layer when the first layer is deformed. The first layer is deformed by the tactile sensor being pressed against the object. A force sensor detects a force pressing the tactile sensor against the object and outputs corresponding force information. A first communication unit receives the force information from the force sensor. A receptacle holds a mobile device with a second communication unit and an imager that can generate image information using light scattered out of the first layer. The first communication unit communicates with the second communication unit and the mobile device communicates with an external network.

Abstract: The present invention provides porous biomimetic scaffolds and methods for making the same. The scaffolds have graded pore sizes for enhanced cell penetration. The scaffolds are useful for wound regeneration by facilitating cell penetration into the scaffold interior and due to their inherent immunomodulatory effects. The scaffolds have tissue modeling specification by mimicking the inherent stratified structure of certain tissues.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Fab fragment based switchable antibody system for generating site-specific antibody conjugates. Methods are described for the attachment of molecules to specific sites the Fab fragment and for the attachment of the Fab fragment to a target molecule (e.g., an antibody) directed against any desired target antigen (tumor, bacterial, fungal, viral, parasitic etc.) The attachment is via binding of the Fab fragment to an epitope linked to the target molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides in part wearable devices for balance control. The wearable devices are capable of non-invasively monitoring and stimulating the wearer's vestibular system such that it produces postural responses. The wearable devices deliver low levels of electrical current to the vestibular system of a user to maintain balance. In one example, the wearable device is in the form of a pair of glasses.

Abstract: A magnetometer-based metal detection device and methods of use are described. The device includes a proximal portion, a central body and a distal portion, and at least one magnetometer positioned within or on the distal portion. The at least one magnetometer includes at least one sensor capable of sensing a magnetic field in three orthogonal axes. Also described is a method of calibrating the device to achieve rotational invariance, and a method of determining a directionality or directional line along which a target metal object lies.

Abstract: Novel multi-metal catalysts comprising abundant Earth metals are described herein. Devices comprising the catalysts of the invention are also described. Methods of producing the catalysts are also described herein. Methods of producing hydrogen using the catalysts of the invention are also described herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing blood viscosity along a flow direction, suppressing turbulence in blood flow, and treating rouleaux are disclosed. One method includes applying a unidirectional magnetic field to a flow of blood in a direction parallel or antiparallel to a direction of the flow of blood, and maintaining the application of the unidirectional magnetic field to the flow of blood until a blood viscosity along the direction of the flow of blood is reduced and/or the turbulence in the blood flow is suppressed. One system includes an annular magnet sized to encircle a portion of a patient's body. The magnet is adapted to generate a unidirectional magnetic field in a region within the annular magnet. The unidirectional magnetic field has a strength sufficient to reduce the blood viscosity in the portion of the patient's body and/or suppress turbulence in the blood flow by a predetermined amount. The system will also break rouleaux for patients with rouleaux, but the process will take more time.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel ceramic-metal oxide-polymer composite material. A functionalized metal oxide nanolayer coating can be bonded between LICGCs and polymers/oligomers, which protects the LICGC from corrosion, has a low interfacial resistance to Li+ migration, and can be a SIC. Hybrid ceramic-polymer electrolytes were formed by engineering the interface between a LICGC and a polymer, polyethylene oxide (PEO), by sputter coating a 200 nm thick SiO2 layer onto a lithium ion conducting glass ceramic (LICGC) and silanating the SiO2 with a functionalized PEG in the presence of LiTFSI. A low interfacial resistance (Rinterfacial) was measured, the same as that obtained for a SiO2 interface soaked with liquid tetraglyme/LiTFSI. The pegylated SiO2 interface (unlike the tetraglyme/LiTFSI interface) protected the LICGC from corrosion by Li0 metal. The (PEG-LiTFSI)—SiO2-LICGC could be bonded with polyethylene oxide/LiTFSI.

Abstract: An alginate and stearic acid composition is described, including methods of molding it into tablets further comprising a drug, and methods of controlling the drug release from the tablets.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel multi-functional (e.g., repelling biofilms, promoting formation of minerals, and having anti-infection properties) biocomposites and methods of use thereof. In various embodiments, the present invention also provides method for simultaneously treating biofilms, promoting mineralization, treating infection, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for the diagnosis, treatment, assessment, and characterization of hyperlipidemia-related diseases and disorders, including atherosclerosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity and diabetes mellitus in a subject in need thereof, based on the expression level of at least one miRNA that is associated with these diseases and disorders.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention comprise functionalized N,N-dialkylamino phenyl ethers derivatives having a disease-modifying action in the treatment of diseases associated with lysosomal storage dysfunction that include Gaucher's disease, and any disease or condition involving lysosomal storage dysfunction.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention comprise functionalized lactone derivatives having a disease-modifying action in the treatment of diseases associated with dysregulation of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 7 activity.

Abstract: Compositions for specifically cleaving target sequences in retroviruses include nucleic acids encoding a Clustered Regularly Interspace Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR) associated endonuclease and a guide RNA sequence complementary to one or more target nucleic acid sequences in a retrovirus genome.

Abstract: A method of treating a subject having a retroviral infection, by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a vector encoding a CRISPR-associated endonuclease and at least two guide RNAs, wherein the guide RNAs are complementary to two target sequences spanning from the 5?- to 3?-LTRs of the sequence in the retrovirus, and eradicating the retroviral infection. A method of immunizing a subject at risk of retroviral infection, by administering a prophylactically effective amount of a composition comprising a Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)-associated endonuclease, and two or more different guide RNAs (gRNAs), wherein each of the at least two gRNAs is complementary to a different target nucleic acid sequence in a long terminal repeat (LTR) of proviral DNA of a retrovirus to the subject, and preventing retroviral infection in the subject.

Abstract: A method of preventing transmission of a retrovirus from a mother to her offspring, by administering to the mother a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)-associated endonuclease, and the two or more different multiplex gRNAs, wherein each of the at least two gRNAs is complementary to a different target nucleic acid sequence in a long terminal repeat (LTR) of proviral DNA of the virus that is unique from the genome of the host cell, cleaving a double strand of the proviral DNA at a first target protospacer sequence with the CRISPR-associated endonuclease, cleaving a double strand of the proviral DNA at a second target protospacer sequence with the CRISPR-associated endonuclease, excising an entire HIV-1 proviral genome, eradicating the HIV-1 proviral DNA from the host cell, and preventing transmission of the proviral DNA to the offspring.

Abstract: A method of treating a subject at risk for having a virus infection, by administering to the subject a prophylactically effective amount of a composition comprising a vector encoding a CRISPR-associated endonuclease and at least two guide RNAs, wherein the guide RNAs are complementary to two target sequences spanning from the 5?- to 3?-LTRs of the sequence in the virus, and preventing a retroviral infection.