Abstract: Methods of preventing or treating autoimmune disease are disclosed. In some cases, subjects with having or at risk of developing autoimmune disease are identified as possessing one or more autoimmunity-susceptibility HLA alleles at one or more HLA loci. In many cases, the HLA loci are selected from Class I and Class II loci, for example Class I A, B, and C, and Class II DQ, DR, and DP. In many cases, subjects suffering from or at risk of developing an autoimmune disease may be administered a plurality engineered autologous HSCs modified to carry and express a variant susceptibility allele having at least one mutation in the antigen binding cleft that alters antigen binding and/or specificity of that variant HLA molecule. In many embodiments, the engineered HSCs are CD34+ immune cells that express one or more modified HLA proteins.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for imaging and characterizing objects including the eye using non-uniform or speckle illumination patterns. According to the present technology, a method for characterizing at least a portion of an object may include generating, using at least one light source, one or multiple non-uniform illumination patterns on an object. The method may also include detecting, using a detector, backscattered light from the object in response to the generating. The method may further include extracting, using the detector, data representative of the backscattered light. The method may also include processing, using a processing unit, the data representative of the backscattered light to create one or more images of at least a portion of the object.

Abstract: Systems and methods to eliminate or reduce the foreign body response (FBR) that occurs when a medical device is implanted into a patient. The FBR causes a chronic inflammatory response that leads to the encapsulation of a medical device by a fibrous capsule. Macrophages have been discovered to become persistent as a result of the implanted biomaterial which occurs by an up-regulation in cFLIP. This persistence of macrophages appears to be the primary driver of the FBR. Re-sensitizing macrophages to apoptosis using a small molecule inhibitor (e.g., YM155) of cFLIP will abrogate the formation of the fibrous capsule in the FBR.

Abstract: A system and methods to obfuscate encrypted data packets from traffic analysis attacks are disclosed. At a high level, a processing device: executes an application or protocol for receiving traffic associated with the application or protocol; selects an obfuscation interval duration for a next transmission of a data packet; determines, at the obfuscation interval duration, if a queue for transmission of a next data packet associated with the application or protocol is: i) empty, or ii) has a next data packet associated with an application or protocol; and transmits, based on the determination, at least one of: i) a length-adjusted next encrypted data packet, or ii) an encrypted obfuscation data packet. In The transmitted length-adjusted encrypted next data packet can be generated using the next data packet and is adjusted in length with an obfuscation payload prior to encryption and subsequent transmission.

Abstract: A heterogeneous energy storage device and a method for controlling a heterogeneous energy storage device are provided. In one implementation, a heterogeneous energy storage device is provided. The heterogeneous energy storage device includes a first energy storage device, a second energy storage device and a capacitive device. The first energy storage device has a first energy capacity and a first power to energy ratio (P/E). The second energy storage device has a second total energy capacity and a second P/E ratio different from the first P/E ratio. The capacitive device is coupled in series with the first energy storage device, wherein the second energy storage device is coupled in parallel with the series combination of the capacitive device and the first energy storage device. In another implementation, a method of controlling a heterogeneous energy storage device including a first energy storage device and a second energy storage device is provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides formulations for a drug product comprising a PEGylated CBS protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. Dosages and dosing regimens are provided for treatment of homocystinuria in a subject in need thereof. Additionally, the dosages and dosing regimens are also provided to reduce the level of homocysteine (Hcy) or increase the levels of cysteine (Cys) and/or cystathionine (Cth) in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The system and methods of the present invention involve estimating model parameters for non-linear systems of Differential Equations (DEs). This includes receiving data from these systems and applying Weak-form Estimation of Nonlinear Dynamics methods to the data. These methods are robust to instances of large measurement noise. The system and methods also involve converting strong form representations of a model to weak forms, solving regression problems to perform parameter inference, and using Errors-In-Variables frameworks and iteratively reweighted least squares algorithms. The system and methods of the present invention can be applied to various models from different fields such as population biology, neuroscience, and biochemistry. The system and methods are highly robust and exhibit computational efficiency when used to estimate parameters in some common models including logistic growth, Lotka-Volterra, FitzHugh-Nagumo, Hindmarsh-Rose, a Protein Transduction Benchmark model and Kuramoto-Sivashinsky.

Abstract: Methods of treating, preventing, delaying, or reversing presbyopia in a subject involve administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of an aggrelyte to the subject. The aggrelyte may be one or more of N,S-diacetyl-L-cysteine methyl ester, S-acetyl-N-(3,3,-dimethylbutanoyl)-L-cysteinate, or N-acetyl cysteine methyl ester. The aggrelyte may be administered topically.

Abstract: A high-frequency inverter architecture is provided that compensates for coupling variations in wireless power transfer (WPT) systems, while adapted to operate at a fixed frequency and maintaining high efficiency. This implementation, termed a variable compensation inverter (VCI), includes a plurality of high-frequency inverters feeding a lossless resonant network, with the inputs of the inverters fed by controllable voltages. By appropriately controlling the input voltages of the individual inverters and their relative phase-shift, the VCI can maintain near-resistive, and slightly but sufficiently inductive, loading of the inverters even as the reactance of the WPT coupler changes; hence, providing compensation while maintaining zero-voltage and near-zero-current switching. The VCI also ensures that the output power of the WPT system is maintained at a fixed level even during coupling variations.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods allowing for rapid, accurate, robust, and low-cost diagnosis of infectious diseases via extraction-free, direct PCR techniques.

Abstract: Materials that can be templated by one or more of biological material and biologically-derived material, structures including such materials, and methods of forming and using the materials and structures are disclosed. Exemplary materials and structures can be used to reflect, polarize and/or retard electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Dynamic windows with adjustable tint give users greater control over flow of light and heat. Reversible metal electrodeposition dynamic windows include (i) a transparent or translucent conductive electrode; (ii) an electrolyte solution in contact with the electrode, the electrolyte solution comprising metal cations that are reversibly electrodeposited onto the transparent electrode upon application of a cathodic potential; and (iii) a counter electrode. The electrolyte solution advantageously includes a small amount of an additive (e.g., an inhibitor, an accelerator, a leveler, or an organic or inorganic molecule that similarly serves to enhance the surface morphology of the metal cations during reversible metal electrodeposition onto the transparent electrode). Such enhancement of surface morphology during the reversible electrodeposition of the metal tinting layer over the electrode enhances one or more of color neutrality, transmittance characteristics of visible wavelengths (e.g.

Abstract: A novel combinatorial and high-throughput platform that enables rapid screening of complex and heterogeneous copolymer brushes as enzyme immobilization supports named Combinatorial High-throughput Enzyme Support Screening (CHESS). Using a 384 well-plate format, we synthesized arrays of three-component polymer brushes in the microwells using photo-activated surface-initiated polymerization, and immobilized enzymes in situ. The utility of CHESS to identify optimal immobilization supports under thermally and chemically denaturing conditions was demonstrated using Bacillus subtilis Lipase A (LipA). The identification of supports with optimal compositions was validated by immobilizing LipA on polymer-brush modified biocatalyst particles. We further demonstrated that CHESS could be used to predict the optimal composition of polymer brushes a priori for the previously unexplored enzyme, alkaline phosphatase (AlkP).

Abstract: A portable computed tomography (CT) system is provided herein. In an example, the portable CT system includes an O-shaped gantry defining an opening, an x-ray source operably coupled to the O-shaped gantry, a flat panel detector (FPD) coupled to the O-shaped gantry, and an antiscatter grid (ASG) operably coupled to a side of the FPD facing the opening of the O-shaped gantry. The FPD includes an x-ray absorbing sensor layer and a detector pixel array. The ASG includes a plurality of vertical walls defining open-ended channels and formed of a radiation-absorbing material. The open-ended channels are arranged in a geometric pattern pointed toward the x-ray source to receive x-rays in an x-ray emission path from the x-ray source.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology are generally related to a multimedia distraction system for patients receiving external beam radiation therapy. More specifically, some embodiments relate to a system for providing a video image to a patient while undergoing a treatment to avoid the need to anesthetize. The system comprises a video image source, a projector communicatively coupled to the video image source, abeam expander coupled to the projector, and a screen transparent to the radiation beam used in a radiation therapy treatment. The present technology can be used to distract a patient during multiple types of external beam radiation therapy including three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, volumetric modulated arc therapy, and non-coplanar arcs, without interfering with the treatment.

Abstract: Controlling the propagation and interaction of light in complex media has sparked major interest. Unfortunately, spatial light modulation devices suffer from limited speed precluding real-time applications (e.g., imaging in live tissue). To address this problem, various embodiments use a phase-control technique to characterize complex media based on use of fast 1D spatial modulators and 1D-to-2D transformation performed by the same medium being analyzed. Some embodiments use a micro-electro-mechanical grating light valve (GLV) with 1088 degrees of freedom modulated at 350 KHz, enabling unprecedented high-speed wavefront measurements. Some embodiments continuously measure the transmission matrix, calculate the optimal wavefront and project a focus through various dynamic scattering samples in real-time, (e.g., within 2.4 ms per cycle).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology include a wearable physiological monitoring device, related algorithms and software that are tied to a portable electronic device for readout. The wearable device can perform real-time measurement of a number of physiological and environmental parameters including heart rate, pulse oximetry, respiration, movement, environmental particulate matter, moisture, temperature (e.g., ambient air and body temperatures) and geospatial location. Some embodiments may establish a physiological baseline for a patient by measuring the above parameters during a healthy state. Collected data can be wirelessly transmitted to a portable electronic device or monitoring and feedback platform where software will analyze the data and make assessments of the device wearer's health based upon the wearer's baseline.

Abstract: The invention relates to one or more mutations configured to stabilize the prefusion “up” protomer trimeric Spike protein from SARS-CoV-2. The inventive technology further relates to systems, methods, and compositions to display one or more proteins on the surface of a yeast cell. Specifically, in one embodiment the invention relates to systems, methods, and compositions to display one or more Spike protein from SARS-CoV-2 on the surface of a yeast cell, and more preferably a Spike protein from SARS-CoV-2 stabilized in its prefusion conformation on the surface of a yeast cell.

Abstract: A compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts or prodrugs thereof, having the chemical structure: and methods of using these compounds to inhibit WEE1 kinase and treat cancer in a subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a securement assembly for an enteral access device or vesical access device (“access device”). The securement assembly includes a base and a lid. The base is generally configured to support an external port of the access device and the lid is pivotably coupled to the base. The base comprises a border rim and a central portion, wherein the border rim is configured to engage a skin surface of a patient around a stoma and the central portion is configured to engage the external port of the access device. The central portion may comprise opposing side arms defining an aperture through which a tube of the access device extends.