Abstract: Periodic placement of directional dynamic bonding units along a flexible polymer backbone enables the formation of large supramolecular structures during strain. These structures, which form due to the alignment of stretched backbone chains, lock the stretched chains in their elongated state due to the formation of the directional dynamic bonds. Application of an appropriate stimulus (i.e., heat or light) weakens the dynamic bonds and enables the elongated chains to retract, performing measurable work and enabling the use of these structures as polymer actuators. Importantly, the high strength of the dynamic bonds enables a large amount of entropic energy to be stored in the elongated chains, enabling the polymer to achieve a large actuation force during recovery.

Abstract: Next-generation wearable electronics require enhanced mechanical robustness and device complexity. Besides previously reported softness and stretchability, desired merits for practical use include elasticity, solvent resistance, photo-patternability and high charge carrier mobility. The present embodiments provide a molecular design concept that simultaneously achieves all these targeted properties in both polymeric semiconductors and dielectrics, without compromising electrical performance. This is enabled by covalently-embedded in-situ rubber matrix (iRUM) formation through good mixing of iRUM precursors with polymer electronic materials, and finely-controlled composite film morphology built on azide crosslinking chemistry which leverages different reactivities with C—H and C?C bonds. The high covalent crosslinking density results in both superior elasticity and solvent resistance.

Abstract: An oral appliance includes: 1) a body defining a channel to accommodate an upper dentition; and 2) a motion sensor. The body includes a front portion defining a recess, and the motion sensor is affixed to the front portion.

Abstract: Improved resolution of a time-varying optical image is provided with a wide field optical intensity modulator having a bandwidth greater than that of the detector array(s). The modulator configuration can have high photon collection efficiency, e.g. by using polarization modulation to split the incident light into several timegated channels.

Abstract: Methods and oligonucleotide reagents for diagnosing chikungunya virus and Zika virus infections are described. In particular, the invention relates to quantitative assays that can detect all lineages of chikungunya virus and Zika virus and distinguish chikungunya virus and Zika virus from each other as well as dengue virus and other arbovirus pathogens.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include conformationally restricted analogs of catecholamine type compounds (e.g., isoprenaline, adrenaline, noradrenaline) which activate ?2AR with high selectivity over ?1AR. The subject beta-2 selective adrenergic receptor agonist compounds may serve as bronchiodilators and find use in the treatment of a variety of bronchoconstrictive diseases and conditions. Also provided are compositions and methods for treating preterm labor. A method of treating acute asthma including administration of a subject compound to a subject in need thereof is provided. The subject method can provide for reduced undesirable side effects associated with non-selective ?-adrenergic receptor agonism, such as inotropic and chronotropic effects that leads to elevated blood pressure. The compounds can also be used to prevent or treat heart failure. Kits and compositions for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating or alleviating one or more symptoms of depression and/or anxiety in a subject comprising administering an effective amount of an NCAM peptide mimetic to the subject. The symptoms of depression and/or anxiety are typically observed in or associated with a neurological condition. The present invention also provides methods for treating a neurological condition such as a psychiatric disorder in a subject comprising administering an effective amount of an NCAM peptide mimetic to the subject.

Abstract: The present embodiments generally relate to enabling participants in an online gathering with networked audio to use a cancelling auralizer at their respective locations to create a common acoustic space or set of acoustic spaces shared among subgroups of participants. For example, there are a set of network connected nodes, and the nodes can contain speakers and microphones, as well as participants and node mixing-processing blocks. The node mixing-processing blocks generate and manipulate signals for playback over the node loudspeakers and for distribution to and from the network. This processing can include cancellation of loudspeaker signals from the microphone signals and auralization of signals according to control parameters that are developed locally and from the network.

Abstract: A stretchable sensor is provided. The stretchable sensor includes a first stretchable electrode including a first elastomer and a first conductor dispersed in the first elastomer, a stretchable active layer formed on the first stretchable electrode and including a third elastomer and an ion conductor dispersed in the third elastomer, and a second stretchable electrode formed on the stretchable active layer and including a second elastomer and a second conductor dispersed in the second elastomer. The stretchable sensor is effectively capable of sensing a temperature without being affected by strain and recognizing strain without being affected by temperature.

Abstract: A radiation beam field shaping device is made from a 3D printed frame that contains and gives shape to a granular material with bulk density of at least 3 g/cm3 and composed of metal grains having a size between 1 ?m and 4 mm. The frame has a hole in the bottom with surrounding walls that defines the desired beam shape. In one implementation, the metal grains are composed of solid tungsten alloy ball bearings and/or tungsten alloy powder.

Abstract: One variation of a method for tracking objects within a surgical space during a surgery includes: based on a first image depicting the surgical space at a first time, detecting a first object and a constellation of objects in the surgical space, estimating distances from each object—in the constellation of objects—to the first object, and calculating a contamination risk of the first object based on contamination scores and distances to the first object for each object in the constellation of objects; calculating a contamination score of the first object based on a combination of the contamination risks of the first object during the surgery; and, in response to the contamination score of the first object exceeding a threshold contamination score prior to contact between the first object and a patient, serving a prompt within the surgical space to address sterility of the first object.

Abstract: Tandem solar cell configurations are provided where at least one of the cells is a metal chalcogenide cell. A four-terminal tandem solar cell configuration has two electrically independent solar cells stacked on each other. A two-terminal solar cell configuration has two electrically coupled solar cells (same current through both cells) stacked on each other. Carrier selective contacts can be used to make contact to the metal chalcogenide cell (s) to alleviate the troublesome Fermi level pinning issue. Carrier-selective contacts can also remove the need to provide doping of the metal chalcogenide. Doping of the metal chalcogenide can be provided by charge transfer. These two ideas can be practiced independently or together in any combination.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward an electrodeposition-based dynamic glass element comprising an electrolyte that includes an aqueous solvent and an additive, wherein the electrolyte is stable over a temperature range that is greater than the stable temperature range of the aqueous solvent alone. In some embodiments, the freezing point of the electrolyte is lowered by its inclusion of the additive. Additives suitable for use in accordance with the present disclosure include alcohols, metal salts, sugars, cryoprotectants, and the like. In some cases, the freezing point of the aqueous-solvent-based electrolyte is lowered from 0° C. to ?40° C. by virtue of the inclusion of the additive. In some cases, the maximum stable temperature of the electrolyte is increased from 100° C. to 110° C. by virtue of the inclusion of the additive.

Abstract: Methods of treatment based on a breast cancer's biomolecule response to targeted treatment are provided. Expression levels of various biomolecules or histological assessment of infiltrating immune cells after initiation of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) targeted treatment can be used to determine whether a breast cancer will achieve a pathologic complete response. Based on likelihood of a pathologic complete response, a breast cancer can be treated accordingly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ionic liquid electrolytes comprising lithium cations, sodium cations, organic cations, and fluorinated anions, wherein a concentration of the lithium cations is about 1.3 M or greater. Also disclosed are batteries comprising an anode, a cathode, and the electrolyte of this disclosure disposed between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: Kerr and electro-optic frequency comb generation in integrated lithium niobate devices is provided. In various embodiments, a microring resonator comprising lithium niobate is disposed on a thermal oxide substrate. The microring resonator has inner and outer edges. Electrodes are positioned along the inner and outer edges of the microring resonator. The electrodes are adapted to modulate the refractive index of the microring. A pump laser is optically coupled to the microring resonator. The microring resonator is adapted to emit an electro-optical frequency comb when receiving a pump mode from the pump laser and when the electrodes are driven at a frequency equal to a free-spectral-range of the microring resonator.

Abstract: Aspects of the cutaneous stimulation devices include a cutaneous stimulation module and a cutaneous association element configured to stably associate the module with a skin location. The cutaneous stimulation module may be an active or passive module. Also provided are methods of using the devices, e.g., in rehabilitation and/or pain mitigation applications.

Abstract: A method for machine learning based artifact rejection is provided. The method may include applying a machine learning model to identify artefactual independent components in transcranial magnetic stimulation electroencephalogram data collected during a transcranial magnetic stimulation procedure. Clean transcranial magnetic stimulation electroencephalogram data is generated by removing, from the transcranial magnetic stimulation electroencephalogram data, the artefactual independent components. Real-time adjustments to parameters of the transcranial magnetic stimulation procedure may be performed based on the clean transcranial magnetic stimulation electroencephalogram data. Related systems and articles of manufacture, including computer program products, are also provided.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating a subject having a MYC-driven neoplasia. Aspects of the methods include administering to the subject an amount of an inhibitor of a target gene effective to treat the subject for the MYC-driven neoplasia. Methods are also provided for identifying a MYC-dependent target gene in a MYC-driven neoplasia. Aspects of the method include identifying the MYC-dependent target gene based on a phenotype detected in a first tumor cell line conditionally expressing MYC that is absent or quantitatively different in a second tumor cell line conditionally repressing MYC when the two cell lines are contacted with a CRISPR-based gene silencing agent. Kits and cell lines for practicing the methods of the disclosure are also provided.

Abstract: Dynamic thin film interferometry is a technique used to non-invasively characterize the thickness of thin liquid films that are evolving in both space and time. Recovering the underlying thickness from the captured interferograms, unconditionally and automatically is still an open problem. A compact setup is provided employing a snapshot hyperspectral camera and the related algorithms for the automated determination of thickness profiles of dynamic thin liquid films. The technique is shown to recover film thickness profiles to within 100 nm of accuracy as compared to those profiles reconstructed through the manual color matching process. Characteristics and advantages of hyperspectral interferometry are discussed including the increased robustness against imaging noise as well as the ability to perform thickness reconstruction without considering the absolute light intensity information.