Abstract: Compositions and methods for the detection of rare target polynucleotides in a complex mixture.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for providing a prediction about breeding, comprising the steps of: acquiring from a user at least one of information on at least one target phenotype to be had by a subject individual and information on limiting conditions related to the subject individual; determining genotypes that satisfy the limiting conditions among genotypes that are correlated with the at least one target phenotype; and providing the user with at least one of estimated information on at least one phenotype acquirable by mating the determined genotypes and estimated information on a probability of the at least one target phenotype being acquired by mating the determined genotypes, on the basis of at least one statistical model.

Abstract: Processes and reaction mixtures including non-aqueous solvent mixtures are presented. Non-aqueous solvent mixtures including fluoride salt and non-aqueous solvent combinations are provided that possess high fluoride ion concentrations useful for a range of applications, including organic synthesis. Further non-aqueous solvent mixtures are provided including a salt possessing a non-fluoride anion and a non-aqueous solvent that, when contacted with aqueous fluoride-containing reagents, extract fluoride ions to form non-aqueous fluoride-ion solutions possessing high fluoride-ion concentrations. The salts include an organic cation that does not possess a carbon in the ?-position or does not possess a carbon in the ?-position having a bound hydrogen. This salt structure facilitates its ability to be made anhydrous without decomposition. Example anhydrous fluoride salts include (2,2-dimethylpropyl)trimethylammonium fluoride and bis(2,2-dimethylpropyl)dimethylammonium fluoride.

Abstract: A system and method for 3D microfabrication projects light capable of initiating photopolymerization toward a spatial light modulator that modulates light responsive to digital masks corresponding to layers of the structure. Projection optics focus the modulated light onto an optical plane within a photopolymerizable material supported on a stage. A computer controller causes the spatial light modulator to project a sequence of images corresponding to the digital masks while coordinating movement of the stage to move a position of the optical plane within the photopolymerizable material to sequentially project each image of the sequence to generate the structure by progressively photopolymerizing the photopolymerizable material.

Abstract: The methods described herein enable the evaluation of compounds on subjects to assess their therapeutic efficacy or toxic effects. The target of analysis is the underlying biochemical process or processes (i.e., metabolic process) thought to be involved in disease pathogenesis. Molecular flux rates within the one or more biochemical processes serve as biomarkers and are quantitated and compared with the molecular flux rates (i.e., biomarker) from control subjects (i.e., subjects not exposed to the compounds). Any change in the biomarker in the subject relative to the biomarker in the control subject provides the necessary information to evaluate therapeutic efficacy of an administered drug or a toxic effect and to develop the compound further if desired. In one aspect of the invention, stable isotope-labeled substrate molecules are administered to a subject and the label is incorporated into targeted molecules in a manner that reveals molecular flux rates through one or more metabolic pathways of interest.

Abstract: The adjustable airway mannequin with visual feedback models the human skull, maxilla, upper teeth, lower teeth, jaw, spine and airway mounted on a backboard. Adjustments can be made to the height of the maxilla, the height of the upper teeth, the tension and distance of the jaw movement representing mouth opening, the anterior-posterior displacement of the jaw relative to the maxilla and skull, the presence or absence of the upper teeth and lower teeth, the range of motion of the spine, and tension on the airway to mimic a variety of anatomies. The mannequin may include one or more electronic proximity and position sensors that operate through magnetic field sensing, accelerometry, and optical sensing to monitor one or more of face length, jaw length, mouth opening, jaw tension, larynx position, head height off the table, and spine mobility.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (three dimensional) segmentation method with intensity-based Doppler variance (IBDV) based on swept-source OCT. The automatic three dimensional segmentation method is used to obtain seven surfaces of intra-retinal layers. The microvascular network of the retina, which is acquired by the IBDV method, can be divided into six layers. The microvascular network of the six individual layers are visualized, and the morphology and contrast images can be improved by using the segmentation method. This method has potential for earlier diagnosis and precise monitoring in retinal vascular diseases. Each tomographic image is composed of eight repeat scans at the same position, which achieves a high time difference to improve the sensitivity of the angiographic method. A subpixel registration algorithm is used to reduce the eye movement. The GPU was used to accelerate the data processing to achieve real-time preview of the acquired data.

Abstract: A novel Self-Locking Optoelectronic Tweezers (SLOT) for single microparticle manipulation across a large area is provided. DEP forces generated from ring-shape lateral phototransistors are utilized for locking single microparticles or cells in the dark state. The locked microparticles or cells can be selectively released by optically deactivating these locking sites.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for real-time, quantifiable monitoring of high-risk areas of biological tissue are described. The methods and apparatus use impedance spectroscopy to detect subtle changes in tissue health.

Abstract: This invention is directed to synergists for organophosphate (OP), carbamate (CM) and/or pyrethroid/synthetic pesticides (SP). This invention is further directed to a composition comprising organophosphate, carbamate, and/or pyrethroid/synthetic pyrethroid, and at least one boronic acid derivative. This invention further provides methods for killing insect pests.

Abstract: A guide RNA comprising: a gRNA spacer sequence at the 5? end of the guide RNA, wherein the spacer sequence is complementary to a target gene, a scaffold sequence that binds to Cas9, and an RNA capture and sequencing domain comprising: a barcode sequence, and a primer binding sequence; nucleic acids and vectors encoding the guide RNA; cells expressing the guide RNA; and a library comprising a plurality of guide RNAs. Also disclosed are methods of introducing a genetic perturbation into a cell, methods of assessing an effect of at least one genetic perturbation on RNA expression in a cell, methods of identifying nucleic acid sequences associated with a disease state and a method of identifying candidate therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A microscopy method includes a trained deep neural network that is executed by software using one or more processors of a computing device, the trained deep neural network trained with a training set of images comprising co-registered pairs of high-resolution microscopy images or image patches of a sample and their corresponding low-resolution microscopy images or image patches of the same sample. A microscopy input image of a sample to be imaged is input to the trained deep neural network which rapidly outputs an output image of the sample, the output image having improved one or more of spatial resolution, depth-of-field, signal-to-noise ratio, and/or image contrast.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptide conjugates that target an integrin such as ?v?6 integrin. In particular embodiments, the peptide conjugates comprise a moiety such as a PEG moiety, an imaging agent, or a therapeutic agent. The peptide conjugates of the present invention are particularly useful for imaging a tumor, organ, or tissue. Compositions and kits containing the peptide conjugates of the present invention are also provided herein.

Abstract: Direct detection of mutagenesis in prokaryotes by reversion of an inactivating mutation (reversion mutation assay), producing a quantitative signal for in vivo mutagenesis, may greatly reduce the amount of test chemicals and labor involved in these assays. Further, transcriptional coupling of ?-lactamase reversion and GFP, translational fusion between ?-lactamase and GFP with stop codon in GFP, and a novel dual reporter to monitor continuous mutagenesis may be used in methods described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of converting a depolymerized lignin aromatic compound into a bioproduct, comprising: (a) providing a composition comprising a depolymerized lignin aromatic compound, optionally a depolymerized cellulose, and optionally a depolymerized hemicellulose, and (b) introducing a genetically modified microorganism to the composition, wherein the genetically modified microorganism is capable of converting the depolymerized lignin aromatic compound into a bioproduct; such that the depolymerized lignin aromatic compound is converted into a bioproduct.

Abstract: A wireless optical curette system is disclosed for allowing a user to visually examine in real-time and debride a target surface within a cavity of a patient. In at least one embodiment, at least one instrument attachment provides at least one fiber optic bundle extending between a working end of the instrument attachment and an opposing engagement end of the instrument attachment. An imaging assembly is selectively engagable with the engagement end of the instrument attachment and provides at least one light source and at least one imaging sensor in selective optical communication with the at least one fiber optic bundle, along with at least one microprocessor configured for wirelessly transmitting captured digital images, via at least one transceiver positioned within the imaging assembly, to at least one of a computing device and an imaging display for displaying the digital images in real-time.

Abstract: A flexible thin film metal oxide electrode fabrication methods and devices are provided and illustrated with thin film polyimide electrode formation and IrOx chemical bath deposition. Growth factors of the deposited film such as film thickness, deposition rate and quality of crystallites can be controlled by varying the solution pH, temperature and component concentrations of the bath. The methods allow for selective deposition of IrOx on a flexible substrate (e.g. polyimide electrode) where the IrOx will only coat onto an exposed metal area but not the entire device surface. This feature enables the bath process to coat the IrOx onto every individual electrode in one batch, and to ensure electrical isolation between channels. The ability to perform selective deposition, pads for external connections will not have IrOx coverage that would otherwise interfere with a soldering/bumping process.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to method of processing three-dimensional images or volumetric datasets to determine a configuration of a medium or a rate of a change of the medium, wherein the method includes tracking changes of a field related to the medium to obtain a deformation or velocity field in three dimensions. In some cases, the field is a brightness field inherent to the medium or its motion. In other embodiments, the brightness field is from a tracking agent that includes floating particles detectable in the medium during flow of the medium.

Abstract: The invention includes an improvement in a method of assessing a gemstone having at least one planar face with an internally reflecting surface including the steps of optically modifying the at least one planar face of the gemstone to return a sample beam from an internally reflecting plane corresponding to the at least one planar face to an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system; selectively directing the sample beam from an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system onto the gemstone; and generating an OCT image map of the gemstone to determine volume, gem carat weight and/or quality.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a variant tyrosine hydroxylase that provides for increased production of L-DOPA in a host cell that expresses the tyrosine hydroxylase. The present disclosure provides nucleic acids encoding the variant tyrosine hydroxylase, and host cells genetically modified with the nucleic acids. The present disclosure provides methods of making L-DOPA in a host cell. The present disclosure provides methods of making a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid (BIA), or a BIA precursor. The present disclosure provides methods of detecting L-DOPA level in a cell. The present disclosure provides methods of identifying tyrosine hydroxylase variants that provide for increased L-DOPA production; and methods of identifying gene products that provide for increased tyrosine production.