Abstract: Disclosed herein are ACE2 recombinant proteins and methods of using such for therapeutic and/or diagnostic purposes. Also provided herein are methods for producing such recombinant proteins.

Abstract: A consensus-based decentralized multi-robot approach is presented for reconstructing a discrete distribution of features, modeled as an occupancy grid map, that represent information contained in a bounded planar 2D environment, such as visual cues used for navigation or semantic labels associated with object detection. The robots explore the environment according to a random walk modeled by a discrete-time discrete-state (DTDS) Markov chain and estimate the feature distribution from their own measurements and the estimates communicated by neighboring robots, using a distributed Chernoff fusion protocol. Under this decentralized fusion protocol, each robot's feature distribution converges to the ground truth distribution in an almost sure sense.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for analyzing a tumor, and more specifically, analyzing a tumor to identify a biological aggressiveness of the tumor. One example method for tumor analysis includes: receiving one or more input features associated with a geometric shape of a tumor, the one or more input features including at least a value indicating a circularity of the tumor; determining, via a machine learning component, a characteristic of the tumor based on the one or more input features, the characteristic being indicative of patient survivability; and outputting an indication of the characteristic.

Abstract: An apparatus for a heart of a patient having a cardiac assist device adapted to be implanted into the patient to assist the heart with pumping blood. The apparatus has a sensor adapted to be implanted into the patient. The sensor in communication with the cardiac assist device and the heart which measures native volume of the heart. Alternatively, the sensor monitors the heart based on admittance while the cardiac assist device. Alternatively, the sensor monitors the heart based on impedance.

Abstract: Multi-stage distributed beamforming for distributed mosaic wireless networks is provided. Embodiments described herein present systems, devices, and methods that provide increased range, data rate, and robustness to interference and jamming. A distributed mosaic wireless network includes a transmitter, a receiver, and one or more distributed clusters of radios referred to herein as mosaics or relay mosaics. Each mosaic consists of several distributed, cooperative radio transceivers (e.g., mosaic nodes) that relay a signal sent by the transmitter towards the receiver. In some embodiments, a single-stage beamforming technique is implemented whereby the transmitter sends a signal to a first mosaic, which then relays this signal by beamforming to the receiver. In some embodiments, a multi-stage beamforming technique is implemented whereby the transmitter sends a signal to a first mosaic, which then relays this signal by beamforming to a second mosaic, which then relays this signal by beamforming to the receiver.

Abstract: Composite material can include a matrix material, a fiber dispersed in the matrix material, and an ultraviolet (UV)-light sensitive mechanophore grafted to a surface of the fiber. A method for making a fiber-reinforced polymer composite can include contacting a fiber in a first solution, rinsing and then drying intermediate fiber, contacting dried fiber in a third solution, rinsing, and then drying the rinsed fiber thereby generating functionalized fiber that is sensitive to ultraviolet light. The functionalized fiber can be combined with a polymer matrix material, cured, and irradiated, thereby generating a fiber-reinforced polymer composite.

Abstract: Systems for physical unclonable function (“PUF”) generation, PUF devices, and methods for manufacturing PUF devices. In one implementation, the system includes a plurality of PUF devices and an electronic controller. Each of the plurality of PUF devices include a first electrochemically-inactive electrode, a second electrochemically-inactive electrode, and a layer of silicon suboxide. The layer of silicon suboxide is positioned directly between the first electrochemically-inactive electrode and the second electrochemically-inactive electrode. The electronic controller is communicably coupled to the plurality of PUF devices. The electronic controller is configured to read binary values associated with the plurality of PUF devices.

Abstract: The performance of quantum key distribution by systems and methods that use wavelength division multiplexing and encode information using both wavelength and polarization of photons of two or more wavelengths. Multi-wavelength polarization state encoding schemes allow ternary-coded digits, quaternary-coded digits and higher-radix digits to be represented by single photons. Information expressed in a first radix can be encoded in a higher radix and combined with a string of key values to produce a datastream having all allowed digit values of that radix in a manner that allows eavesdropping to be detected without requiring the sender and receiver to exchange additional information after transmission of the information.

Abstract: Collapsible branched anastomosis devices allow for the formation of percutaneous vascular anastomoses using a Seldinger wire technique. This minimally invasive approach eliminates the need for a large surgical incision and also avoids the use of time consuming hand-suturing. The devices collapse to a fraction of their expanded volume and are configured to fit within a delivery sheath for over the wire delivery through a small incision in a blood vessel.

Abstract: The instant disclosure is directed to compositions comprising an encapsulated spheroid, and methods of making and using the same. A composition may comprise a spheroid comprising a plurality of cells and aminoglycoside antibiotic-derived hydrogel beads, wherein the spheroid is encapsulated by the aminoglycoside antibiotic-derived hydrogel beads to form an encapsulated spheroid. A method may comprise administering the composition to a subject in need thereof. Another method may comprise administering a compound to the encapsulated spheroid. A method of creating an encapsulated spheroid may comprise coating a surface with an aminoglycoside antibiotic-derived hydrogel, culturing a plurality of cells on the surface, thereby creating a spheroid, and encapsulating the spheroid with a plurality of aminoglycoside antibiotic-derived hydrogel beads.

Abstract: Methods and systems, including those employing machine learning, utilizing one or more algorithms for relating the structure of a molecule in a library to its function are described. Embodiments described herein relate structure to function by considering the covalent structure of the molecule, the components of that structure that are common to many molecules in the library, and the properties of those components as they relate to the function in question. Applications include, for example, enhancement and amplification of the diagnostic and prognostic signals provided by peptide arrays for use in analyzing the profile of antibodies in the blood produced in response to a disease, condition or treatment.

Abstract: Methods for light-induced electroplating of aluminum are disclosed herein. Exemplary methods may comprise preparing an ionic liquid comprising aluminum chloride (AlCl3) and an organic halide, placing the silicon substrate into the ionic liquid, illuminating the silicon substrate, the illumination passing through the ionic liquid, and depositing aluminum onto the silicon substrate via a light-induced electroplating process, wherein the light-induced electroplating process utilizes an applied current that does not exceed a photo-generated current generated by the illumination.

Abstract: Antibodies that selectively bind to glycosylated PD-1 relative to unglycosylated PD-1 are provided. In some aspects, PD-1 polypeptides comprising glycosylated amino acid positions are also provided. Methods for making and using such antibodies and polypeptides (e.g., for the treatment of cancer) are also provided.

Abstract: A surgical loupes head strap is disclosed. The surgical loupes head strap may include a first monofilament and a second monofilament coupled by at least one sleeve. The surgical loupes head strap may further include a first coupler with a first hole and a second hole, where the first hole is configured to surround and couple to a first end of the first monofilament, and the second hole is configured to surround and couple to at least a portion of a first surgical loupes headgear temple. The surgical loupes head strap may further include a second coupler with a first hole and a second hole, where the first hole is configured to surround and couple to a first end of the second monofilament, and the second hole is configured to surround and couple to at least a portion of a second surgical loupes headgear temple.

Abstract: Modular dendrimers with cationic groups and lipophilic groups are provided herein. In some aspects, the dendrimers provided herein may be formulated in compositions which contain a nucleic acid and one or more helper excipients. In some aspects, these compositions may also be used to treat diseases or disorders with a therapeutic nucleic acid.

Abstract: The current disclosure describes effective therapeutic treatments and diagnostic/prognostic methods for colorectal cancer based on the expression or activity level of biomarkers. Aspects of the disclosure relate to a method for treating a subject for colorectal cancer, the method comprising treating the subject for colorectal cancer after the expression level of one or more biomarker genes from Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, Table 4, Table 5, Table S2, Table S3, Table S4, Table S5, FIG. 4A, and/or FIG. 4B has been determined in a sample from the subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns methods and compositions related to adoptive cell therapy and its efficacy related to the gut microbiome. In specific cases, it may be determined for an individual whether or not a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy will be effective for an individual based on their gut microbiome. An individual may be provided a composition comprising one or more particular microbe compositions based on analysis of the gut microbiome of the individual and prior to administration of CAR T-cell therapy, in specific embodiments.

Abstract: Chronic tobacco smoke exposure (TSE)-induced lung injury includes increased alveolar and airway inflammation, type II alveolar epithelial cells (A2Cs) senescence and apoptosis, and mucus hypersecretion by airway epithelial cells (AECs) that can be treated by the caveolin-1 peptide CSP7 (SEQ ID NO:1). Caveolin-1 and p53 mediated induction of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression by interleukin 17A, TSE, pollution and other causes leads to lung injury, which can be abrogated by CSP7 treatment, which abolishes A2Cs senescence and apoptosis and AEC mucus hypersecretion. CSP7 treatment of lung tissue of patients with TSE-induced lung injury decreases A2C apoptosis and AEC mucus hypersecretion. Lung injury with A2Cs senescence and apoptosis and AEC mucus hypersecretion caused by TSE-induced PAI-1 expression in lung tissue of patients is abolished by CSP7.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides ?2?-1 C-terminal domain mimetics for the treatment of pain, epilepsy or other disorders in a subject. Further provided is an ?2?-1 C-terminal domain peptide which blocks binding of ?2?-1 to the glutamate receptors NMDAR and AMPAR.

Abstract: The invention provides for novel glaucoma surgical devices comprising a microfluidic meshwork. The meshwork comprises interconnected, cellular-dimensioned microfluidic channels. Excess fluid in the eye can be drained and diffused through the microfluidic channels. The meshwork is porous and highly flexible, affording mechanical compliance similar to that of eye tissue. The meshwork minimizes foreign body reactions to the implant, decreasing fibrosis and capsule formation.