Abstract: A method to control the density of a three-dimensional photonic crystal template involves changing the irradiation time from at least four laser beams to yield a periodic percolating matrix of mass and voids free of condensed matter from a photoresist composition. The photoresist composition includes a photoinitiator at a concentration where the dose or irradiation is controlled by the irradiation time and is less than the irradiation time that would convert all photoinitiator to initiating species such that the density of the three-dimensional photonic crystal template differs for different irradiation times. A deposition of reflecting or absorbing particles can be patterned on the surface of the photoresist composition to form a template with varying densities above different areas of the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of compositions and methods for the treatment of blood disorders and malignancies in a subject are described herein. In one embodiment, a composition for the treatment of a blood disorder or a malignancy in a subject comprises decitabine, tetrahydrouridine, and an excipient. In another embodiment, a method for the treatment of a blood disorder or a malignancy in a subject comprises the oral administration of a composition comprising decitabine and tetrahydrouridine. In some examples, the composition may be administered 1-3 times weekly.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining video data from a single monocular camera, wherein the video data comprises a plurality of frames, wherein the camera is attached to a mobile robot that is travelling along a lane defined by a row of crops, wherein the row of crops comprises a first plant stem, and wherein the plurality of frames include a depiction of the first plant stem; obtaining robot velocity data from encoder(s), wherein the encoder(s) are attached to the robot; performing foreground extraction on each of the plurality of frames of the video data, wherein the foreground extraction results in a plurality of foreground images; and determining, based upon the plurality of foreground images and based upon the robot velocity data, an estimated width of the first plant stem. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a deformable electronic device comprises forming a multilayer device structure comprising functional layers on a flexible substrate. At least one, some or all of the functional layers comprises a stack of 2D monolayers, and a number or proportion of misaligned interfaces within each stack of 2D monolayers is controlled to obtain a predetermined bending stiffness. Each of the misaligned interfaces comprises a twist angle and/or lattice mismatch between adjacent 2D monolayers. The functional layers may include electronically active layers and other layers having a dielectric, insulating, and/or protective function.

Abstract: Methods of RNA-guided DNA endonuclease-mediated genome editing in Bacteria and Archaea are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of preparing hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells (HSPCs) for transplant into a subject and to methods of using the treated cells. More particularly, methods of the invention comprise treating HSPCs ex vivo with an effective amount of a GABBR1 agonist and administering the treated HSPCs to the subject.

Abstract: A microfluidic system includes a flexible substrate having a skin-facing surface and a back-facing surface; a microfluidic network at least partially embedded in or supported by the flexible substrate; a sensor fluidically connected to the microfluidic network, wherein the microfluidic network is configured to transport a biofluid from a skin surface to the sensor; and a capping layer, having a capping layer skin-facing surface and a back-facing surface, wherein the back-facing surface of the capping layer is attached to the skin-facing surface of the substrate. The flexible substrate is at least partially formed of a thermoplastic elastomer or a polymer configured to provide a high barrier to vapor or liquid water transmission.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides prime editors, editor systems and methods of uses thereof. Specifically, the disclosure provides methods of use of split prime editors for editing genomic DNA.

Abstract: A unique class of perfluorocarbon-free Dextran-based oxygen nanobubbles (DONBs) and formulations thereof. The critical components in the formulation are chosen among the U.S. Food, and Drug Administration's (FDA) approved compounds, which provide a biocompatible environment for incorporating pharmaceutical agents. Moreover, the nanobubbles are fabricated with simple sonication and homogenization method that easily fulfills the current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) requirements, which will promote scaleup production for commercial manufacturing. The formulated DONBs release oxygen over an extended period to keep the partial pressure of oxygen within the inner retina high and thus preserve retinal tissue from ischemia.

Abstract: A method of spontaneously patterning a polymer during frontal polymerization includes activating an initiation region of a monomer solution to reaction to initiate a polymerization reaction. A polymerization front is generated and propagates through the monomer solution in a radial or longitudinal direction away from the initiation region. The monomer solution is spontaneously heated downstream of the polymerization front by thermal transport away from the polymerization reaction. Once a localized region of the monomer solution reaches a temperature sufficient for spontaneous initiation of another polymerization reaction, a new polymerization front is generated and propagates through the monomer solution in a circumferential or transverse direction.

Abstract: A microheater comprises an optical fiber including a rare earth-doped glass core surrounded by a glass cladding. The rare earth-doped glass core comprises a rare earth dopant at a concentration sufficient for luminescence quenching such that, when the rare earth dopant is pumped with light at an absorption band wavelength, at least about 90% of absorbed pump light is converted into heat.

Abstract: Microfabricated particulate matter (PM) monitors and fractionators within the PM monitors are provided. A primary channel of a vertical or out-of-plane fractionator receives air samples, comprising particles of varying sizes, from the external environment. The air samples then pass through a plurality of microfluidic channels, wherein inertial forces are applied within the microfluidic channels to separate the particles by size. The fractionator comprises a horizontal air outlet for particles having a size below a threshold size and a vertical air outlet for particles having a size above a threshold size. Thus, the proportion of PM in the air sample is reduced prior to deposition on a PM monitor. A virtual cyclone may also be provided that comprises a bend positioned at a flow path through a primary channel of the vertical microfabricated fractionator.

Abstract: Provided are actuation devices, virtual reality devices formed from the actuation devices, and related virtual reality methods. The devices may comprise a plurality of spatially distributed actuators, each actuator configured for interacting with a biological skin surface; a wireless controller configured to receive operative command signals to control each of the actuators; and a wireless power system to power the actuators. Also provided are unique layouts of multiple interconnected devices to achieve large area coverage.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of expanding T regulatory cells through OX40L and Jagged-1 induced signaling. The methods can be used for treating autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a hybrid tube includes a rotatable mandrel and a first housing configured to translate alongside the rotatable mandrel while dispensing a first strip to be helically wound about the mandrel. The first housing includes an angle adjustment mechanism to control a dispensation angle of the first strip. The apparatus also includes least one energy or adhesive source for bonding overlapping strip portions on the rotatable mandrel and forming the hybrid tube. The at least one energy or adhesive source is configured for translation alongside the rotatable mandrel.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides assay containers, sets of containers, portable diagnostic devices, methods of detecting target nucleic acid molecules in a sample, and methods of diagnosing infections, such as COVID-19 infections, in a subject.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for the fermentative production of 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO), compositions and methods for making methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and methods of inducing drought tolerance in plants.

Abstract: An embodiment may involve obtaining a three-dimensional image map of m surfaces within an environment, wherein the surfaces are associated with importance weights that represent how frequently the surfaces are expected to be touched; determining a set of n vantage points for a light source within the environment; calculating an m×n irradiance matrix for each of the surfaces when the light source is in each of the vantage points, wherein each entry in the m×n irradiance matrix is determined by: (i) rasterizing the three-dimensional image map, (ii) identifying a set of visible surfaces, and (iii) calculating an amount of light-based power that would reach each of the visible surfaces; determining a set of n dwell times for the vantage points; and providing instructions, to a disinfecting agent, to traverse at least a subset of the vantage points, pausing at and illuminating at least some.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for accurately predicting the dynamics of symptom response to drugs or other interventions for the treatment of major depressive disorder or other psychological conditions. These methods can allow for a shortening of the time period necessary for the evaluation of a drug or other therapeutic intervention. These predictive methods are based on measured and/or self-reported symptom severity measures at two or more points in time. These measures are then discretized into symptom classes (e.g., low, moderate, severe) and the symptom classes are then applied to the predictive model to predict the progression of symptoms and/or the effectiveness of a drug or other therapeutic intervention.

Abstract: A method for separating sound sources includes digitizing acoustic signals from a plurality of sources with a plurality of microphone arrays, wherein each of microphone arrays includes one or more microphones, wherein at least one of the microphone arrays may be asynchronous to another one of the microphone arrays or may be moving with respect to another one of the microphone arrays. Spatial parameters are estimated of the digitized acoustic signals. The method includes estimating time-varying source spectra for the sources from the digitized acoustic signals as a function of the digitized acoustic signals and data received from at least one other microphone array. Source signals are estimated for one or more of the sources by filtering the digitized acoustic data digitized at the respective microphone array using the spatial parameters of the digitized acoustic data and the time-varying source spectra from all or a subset of the microphone arrays.