Abstract: An adaptive force guidance system for laparoscopic surgery skills training includes self-adjusting fuzzy sliding mode controllers and switching mode controllers to provide proper force feedback. Using virtual fixtures, the system restrictS motions and/or guide a trainee to navigate a surgical instrument in a 3D space in a manner that mimics a human instructor who would teach trainees by holding their hands. The self-adjusting controllers incorporate human factors such as different force sensitivity and proficiency level.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods of providing the next generation of quantum enabled cyber security systems. Such systems include a quantum network of satellites that will provide global coverage. The quantum satellite network includes quantum subnetworks comprised of LEO satellites. Some of these LEO satellite-based quantum subnetworks are connected to a subnetwork of MEO satellites. The MEO satellite subnetworks may then be interconnected to the global network of GEO satellites. The LEO/MEO satellites may also be used to interconnect terrestrial quantum networks. Each quantum communication subnetwork may be based on the cluster state concept.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of medicinal chemistry and relates to a new class of small-molecules having a pyrrolidinone-acetamide (or similar) structure (e.g., Formula I) which function as inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease (PLpro), which function as inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 related viral 3CL protease (MPpro), which function as therapeutics for the treatment of viral infection characterized with PLPpro and/or Mpro protease activity and/or expression (e.g., COVID-19), and which function as therapeutics for the treatment of other conditions characterized with PLPpro and/or Mpro protease activity and/or expression.

Abstract: An optomechanical inertial reference mirror combines an optomechanical resonator with a reflector that serves as an inertial reference for an atom interferometer. The optomechanical resonator is optically monitored to obtain a first inertial measurement of the reflector that features high bandwidth and high dynamic range. The atom interferometer generates a second inertial measurement of the reflector that features high accuracy and stability. The second inertial measurement corrects for drift of the first inertial measurement, thereby resulting in a single inertial measurement of the reflector having high bandwidth, high dynamic range, excellent long-term stability, and high accuracy. The reflector may be bonded to the resonator, or formed directly onto a test mass of the resonator. With a volume of less than one cubic centimeter, the optomechanical inertial reference mirror is particularly advantageous for portable atomic-based sensors and systems.

Abstract: A security framework for life-critical and safety-critical devices, specifically medical devices, using: a) runtime, adaptive methods that dynamically assess the risk of newly discovered vulnerabilities and threats, and b) automatic mitigation methods that reduce system risk by seamlessly reconfiguring the device to operate within different execution modes. This technology automatically isolates threats by disabling affected system components. A multi-modal software design uses adaptive software in which operational modes have monotonically decreasing cumulative risk. Formal risk models are used to model the individual risk of accessing or controlling system components and to automatically calculate the cumulative risk of software modes. The automated detection of potential threats by the system or reporting of known vulnerabilities will dynamically change the system risk.

Abstract: Methodology of unwrapping of phase from an optical image in the presence of both noise and unreliable phase fringes configured to tackle both problems simultaneously and, in the most efficient of multiple related implementations, including at least three prongs: i) SD-ROM based denoising procedure, ii) reliable estimation of the gradient of both the wrapped and unwrapped phase with the use of the forward and inverse Laplacian operators; and iii) fringe quality improvement with the use of Fuzzy Logic based Edge Detection. Transformation of optical images with the use of such methodology to provide an image representing visually-perceivable representation of the object's shape. Computer program product configured to implement the same.

Abstract: A method for producing a streak-suppressed MR image of a subject includes (i) generating an interference correlation matrix from M coil images, (ii) producing eigenvectors of the interference correlation matrix, and (iii) determining, from the subspace-eigenvectors, a projection matrix of the interference null space. The subspace-eigenvectors include a plurality of subspace-eigenvectors that span an interference subspace and a plurality of null-space-eigenvectors that span an interference null space.

Abstract: Provided are vertical flow detection devices and related methods. The devices may comprise a membrane having a first surface and a second surface with a plurality of porous structures extending between the first and second surfaces to form fluid conduits from a first fluid chamber formed by the first surface and a second fluid chamber formed by the second fluid surface. A capture agent is immobilized on and/or in the membrane. A rigid porous membrane support mechanically supports the membrane and to provide a relatively uniform flow across the membrane. Various gaskets or holder elements are positioned around an outer edge of the membrane to prevent fluid leakage around the membrane. A fluid pump is configured to force a fluid sample flow in a direction from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: An encapsulation device system for therapeutic applications such as but not limited to regulating blood glucose. The system may comprise an encapsulation device with a first oxygen sensor integrated inside the device and a second oxygen sensor disposed on an outer surface of the device, wherein the sensors allow for real-time measurements (such as oxygen levels) related to cells (e.g., islet cells, stem cell derived beta cells, etc.) housed in the encapsulation device. The system may also feature an exogenous oxygen delivery system operatively connected to the encapsulation device via a channel, wherein the exogenous oxygen delivery system is adapted to deliver oxygen to the encapsulation device.

Abstract: Cancer specific DNA methylation regions have been studied to find cancer specific DNA methylation markers for most common cancers. Differentially methylated regions for individual cancer types were identified and those were further filtered against data from normal tissues to obtain marker regions with cancer specific methylation, resulting in total of 1,250 hypermethylated and 584 hypomethylated marker CpGs. Optimal sets of six markers for each TCGA cancer type that could identify most tumors with high specificity and sensitivity (AUC 0.969-1.00) were chosen from hypermethylated markers and a universal 12 marker set that can detect tumors of all 33 TCGA cancer types (AUC>0.84) was also chosen from hypermethylated markers.

Abstract: Catalyst systems employing inexpensive and readily-available protic co-catalysts to increase a proton reduction rate in a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are described herein. The protic co-catalysts function to increase the rate without being consumed in the process of water splitting to hydrogen and oxygen. They may simultaneously serve to stabilize the pH of the water and be the electrolyte to carry the current for the electrolytic splitting of water. The protic co-catalysts also decrease the overpotential energy requirement for the process of water splitting. These protic co-catalysts can be used with both heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts, as well as assist photocatalysis and other processes for the reduction of protons.

Abstract: A stabilizing locking clamp for a kinematic optical mount includes a clamp plate configured for optical access and a plurality of clamp actuators affixed to the clamp plate. The clamp actuators are positioned such that each clamp actuator exerts a force on a front plate of the kinematic optical mount in a push-push configuration. A stabilizing kinematic optical mount includes a kinematic optical mount and a plurality of clamp arms, each clamp arm including a clamp actuator positioned to exert a force on a front plate of the kinematic optical mount in a push-push configuration. The stabilizing locking clamp and stabilizing kinematic optical mount reduce temperature-dependent and vibration-induced changes in pitch and yaw, thereby improving pointing stability for optical setups that rely on critical beam alignment.

Abstract: The invention features probiotic bacteria expressing Clostridium difficile SlpA, or fragment thereof, and its use for the treatment or prevention of Clostridium difficile infection and gut colonization.

Abstract: An adhesive composition for use in coupling together two substrates to form a structure, such as for use in coupling together two wooden substrates to form a wooden structure, includes a mixture of a modified guayule resin and soy protein. The modified guayule resin can be a base-solvent modified guayule resin or can be an HiCh-modified guayule resin each respectively formed from an unmodified guayule base resin. The unmodified guayule base resin is obtained in a rubber extraction process of guayule at solvent removal temperatures ranging from 104 to 166 degrees Celsius. The method for forming the adhesive composition includes forming a modified guayule resin and mixing the formed modified guayule resin with soy protein. The adhesive composition, when used in forming structures, provides enhanced wet shear strength as compared with adhesive compositions including soy protein alone.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of medicinal chemistry and relates to a new class of small-molecules having a pyrazolopyridine (or similar) structure (e.g., Formula I) which function as inhibitors of the viral protein 2C protein activity and/or expression, and which function as therapeutics for the treatment of viral infection characterized with viral protein 2C activity and/or expression (e.g., non-polio enterovirus infection) (e.g., enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) infection, enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) infection, and coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for treating or limiting development of cardiovascular disease-related neurological disorders by administering a compound of general formula (I), as defined herein.

Abstract: Methods and systems wherein laser induced refractive index changes by focused femtosecond laser pulses in optical polymeric materials or ocular tissues is performed to address various types of vision correction, and the laser induced changes to the refractive index avoid ablation and removal of the optical polymer materials while minimizing scattering losses.

Abstract: A particleboard includes a fiber component and an adhesive composition including a mixture of a modified guayule resin and soy protein. The modified guayule resin can be a base-solvent modified guayule resin or an H2O2-modified guayule resin. The fiber component can be a natural fiber such as a natural fiber selected from guayule bagasse, wood chips, wood particles, wood waste straw, wood fiber, and any combination thereof. The particleboard is formed by mixing the adhesive composition with the fiber component, introducing the mixture to a press, and pressing the mixture in the press.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring viability and function of islet cells or stem cell-derived beta cells in an implantable device featuring setting the temperature of the cells in the implantable device to a low temperature to reduce metabolic levels of the cells and reduce oxygen requirements of the cells, and measuring oxygen consumption rates. An oxygen sensor at the inlet of the implantable device and an oxygen sensor at the outlet of the implantable device are used to calculate oxygen consumption rates of the cells, which in turn are indicative of viability. The reduction in temperature can also be used for loading cells into the implantable devices to help reduce ischemic and/or physical injury. The present invention may be used with other cell types, e.g. hepatocytes, heart cells, muscle cells, etc.

Abstract: Many biologic processes taking place inside a living organism are unpredictable in time and space, and cannot be known exactly. These mechanisms and interactions among them are better modeled as physiological random processes, the statistics of which are fully described by joint characteristic functionals. The present invention provides methods for the estimation of joint characteristic functionals through imaging of multiple physiological random processes. This technology can be used to study complex diseases, such as tumors and viral infections, by imaging the biological processes involved with disease progression and response to treatment.