Abstract: Systems and methods for imitation learning in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a method for imitation learning. The method includes steps for initializing a Q-function, training the Q-function using a non-adversarial objective based on a set of one or more expert trajectories, and determining a policy based on the trained Q-function.

Abstract: Reagents and methods to cloak and uncloak RNA polymers and applications thereof are provided. Photocloaking molecules are used to label RNA polymers. Radiant energy is used to remove photoreleaseable protecting adducts and revert a RNA polymer to its native form.

Abstract: A charging cable apparatus having a connector, an electrically-conductive cable extending from the connector, the cable configured to be connectable to a charging station for receiving a charging current from the charging station, and having a heat pipe with a phase change section having a wicking structure, the wicking structure having a working fluid therein during operation for receiving heat generated during current flow within the cable. The charging cable apparatus may further have an external condensing surface in fluid communication with the phase change section of the heat pipe for accelerating condensation of evaporated working fluid. The charging cable apparatus may be connected to a charging station for charging an electric battery such as a battery of an electric vehicle.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate to lithium-based batteries, and particularly to coordinated solvent molecules that can increase the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte without undermining its non-flammability. Some embodiments include a liquid-state polymer electrolyte composed of LiFSI salts, Dimethoxyethane (DME) solvents, and polysiloxane tethered with ion solvating moieties. DME coordinates with both the salt and the polymer, while together with the salt, they synergistically plasticize the polymer to increase the ionic conductivity. The resulting non-flammable polymer electrolyte has a room temperature ionic conductivity of 1.6 mS/cm and a wide operation window of 25-100° C. Benefiting from its liquid nature, the electrolyte can pair with commercially available electrodes without further cell engineering. Embodiments can extend the ionic conductivity range of polymer electrolytes and provide a new design pathway for next generation safe and manufacturable electrolytes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include solid-state electrolytes comprising a porous host and solid polymer electrolyte fillers dispersed within pores of the porous host. Further embodiments include batteries comprising an anode, a cathode, and a solid-state electrolyte of the disclosure disposed between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for and relates to the identification of novel biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer or the biochemical reoccurrence of prostate cancer. The biomarkers of the invention show altered methylation levels of certain CpG loci relative to normal prostate tissue, as set forth.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing online spike recovery from multi-channel electrophysiological recordings in accordance with various embodiments of the invention are described. One embodiment of a method of performing online spike recovery from multi-channel electrophysiological recordings includes: determining a set of waveform templates; continuously obtaining multi-channel electrophysiological recordings using a multi-channel electrode; and automatically performing online spike recovery from the multi-channel electrophysiological recordings using a processing system that performs a method for sparse signal recovery that continuously adjusts a processing buffer size based upon newly obtained multi-channel electrophysiological recordings.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for modulating growth of a genetically modified bacterial cell present in a human organ, for modulating growth of a genetically modified bacterial cell in an organ (e.g., gut), for displacing at least a portion of a population of bacterial cells in an organ, and for facilitating gut colonization by a genetically modified bacterial cell. Also provided are genetically modified bacterial cells, e.g., cells that include a heterologous carbohydrate-utilization gene or gene set that provides for the ability to utilize as a carbon source a rare carbohydrate of interest that is utilized as a carbon source by less than 50% of bacterial cells present in a human microbiome.

Abstract: Methods and systems for deconvoluting tumor ecosystems for personalized cancer therapy are disclosed. Generally, human cancers exhibit large variation in behavior between and within patients, which is in large part related to cellular composition. Identifying cell types can identify specific types of tumors and/or cancers present in an individual. Further embodiments generally describe identifying therapies from clinical trials to which the tumor or cancer ecotypes respond, thus providing personalized therapies based on the identified cancer or tumor type.

Abstract: Provided herein are recombinant circular RNA (circRNA) molecules comprising an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) operably linked to a protein-coding nucleic acid sequence. The IRES includes at least one RNA secondary structure element; and a sequence region that is complementary to an 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Methods of producing a protein in a cell using the recombinant circRNA molecules are also provided.

Abstract: A catalyst structure includes: (1) a substrate; (2) a catalyst layer on the substrate; and (3) an adhesion layer disposed between the substrate and the catalyst layer. In some implementations, an average thickness of the adhesion layer is about 1 nm or less. In some implementations, a material of the catalyst layer at least partially extends into a region of the adhesion layer. In some implementations, the catalyst layer is characterized by a lattice strain imparted by the adhesion layer.

Abstract: A method for phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) acquires undersampled PC-MRI data using a magnetic resonance imaging scanner and reconstructs MRI images from the undersampled PC-MRI data by reconstructing a first flow-encoded image using a first convolutional neural network, reconstructing a complex difference image using a second convolutional neural network, combining the complex difference image and the first flow-encoded image to obtain a second flow-encoded image, and generating a velocity encoded image from the first flow-encoded image and second flow-encoded image using phase difference processing.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating fibrosis and/or cancer in a subject in need thereof. The methods include providing a composition comprising an inhibitor of IL-4/IL-13 receptor function and administering an effective amount of the composition to the subject to treat fibrosis and/or cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides an immunoconjugate comprising an antibody construct which includes an antigen binding domain and an Fc domain, an adjuvant moiety, and a linker, wherein each adjuvant moiety is covalently bonded to the antibody via the linker. Methods for treating cancer with the immunoconjugates of the invention are also described.

Abstract: Residual, refractory or relapsed cancer is treated by immunostimulation in the presence of allogeneic immune effector cells, optimally in combination with radiation therapy. The methods of the disclosure induce a systemic allogeneic anti-tumor immune response that results in tumor regression in untreated sites of disease, i.e. non-injected, non-irradiated, etc.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to an apparatus and methods of forming and/or using an apparatus comprising a plurality of device components. An example method includes geometrically optimizing a periodic or aperiodic device comprising a plurality of device components by optimizing a topology, for each device component, from a starting point to have particular optical properties for a particular optical response. Each device component includes a plurality of geometric structures. The optimization includes selecting the starting point for a continuous profile to have the particular optical properties for the particular optical response, iteratively converging the continuous profile to a discrete profile, and, while iteratively converging to the discrete profile, adjusting edges between boundaries of the device components by accounting for fabrication constraints.

Abstract: A neat-fuel direct-injected compression ignition engine having a thermal barrier coated combustion chamber, an injection port injects fuel that satisfies a stoichiometric condition with respect to the intake air, a mechanical exhaust regenerator transfers energy from exhaust gas to intake compression stages, an exhaust O2 sensor inputs to a feedback control to deliver quantified fuel, a variable valve actuation (VVA) controls valve positions, an exhaust gas temperature sensor controls exhaust feedback by closing the exhaust valve early according to the VVA, or recirculated to the chamber with an exhaust-gas-recirculation (EGR), heat exchanger, and flow path connecting an air intake, a load command input, and a computer operates the EGR from sensors to input exhaust gas according exhaust temperature signals and changes VVA timing, the load control is by chamber exhaust gas, the computer operates a fuel injector to deliver fuel independent of exhaust gas by the O2 signals.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ladder polymers comprising fused aromatic and non-aromatic rings. Also disclosed are the manufacture and use of these ladder polymers, e.g., in separation membranes, such as membrane for gas separation.

Abstract: Systems and method for video communication using text-based compression in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a method for video communication using text-based compression, where the method includes receiving a file comprising captured audio-video content, encoding captured audio-video content to a text transcript using an encoder, transmitting initialization data, and the text transcript to a decoder, initializing a facial animation model and a text-to-speech (TTS) system using the initialization data, and reconstructing an animated version of the captured audio-video content using the text transcript, the facial animation model and the TTS system at the decoder.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein relate to reconstructing a scene in three dimensions from a two-dimensional image. One embodiment processes an image using a detection transformer to detect an object in the scene and to generate a NOCS map of the object and a background depth map; uses MLPs to relate the object to a differentiable database of object priors (PriorDB); recovers, from the NOCS map, a partial 3D object shape; estimates an initial object pose; fits a PriorDB object prior to align in geometry and appearance with the partial 3D shape to produce a complete shape and refines the initial pose estimate; generates an editable and re-renderable 3D scene reconstruction based, at least in part, on the complete shape, the refined pose estimate, and the depth map; and controls the operation of a robot based, at least in part, on the editable and re-renderable 3D scene reconstruction.