Abstract: Autonomous vehicles plan at a task level to compute a sequence of symbolic actions to fulfill service requests, where efficiency is the main concern. The vehicle computes continuous trajectories to perform actions at the motion level, where safety is important. Task-motion planning in autonomous driving faces the problem of maximizing task-level efficiency while ensuring motion-level safety. Task-Motion Planning for Urban Driving (TMPUD) enables the task and motion planners to communicate about the safety level of driving behaviors. The motion planner incrementally advances the vehicle toward a goal with an associated incremental utility, based on at least a safety of motion trajectories. The task planner defines the goal and a sequence of the actions to advance the vehicle toward the goal, dependent an optimization of aggregate prospective utility of the task and the safety of the motion trajectories.

Abstract: The epsilon polymorph of vanadyl phosphate, ?-VOPO4, made from the solvothermally synthesized H2VOPO4, is a high-density cathode material for lithium-ion batteries optimized to reversibly intercalate two Li-ions to reach the full theoretical capacity at least 50 cycles with a coulombic efficiency of 98%. This material adopts a stable 3D tunnel structure and can extract two Li-ions per vanadium ion, giving a theoretical capacity of 305 mAh/g, with an upper charge/discharge plateau at around 4.0 V, and one lower at around 2.5 V.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides cellulose/metal composites and their use in removing impurities from liquids, including water. Carboxylated nanocelluloses are combined with metal ions and the resulting composite may be contacted with a liquid, including water, to remove impurities therefrom.

Abstract: The current disclosure provides methods for detecting and analyzing K17 expression in a bladder sample obtained from a subject. The current disclosure also pertains to methods and kits for identifying a mammalian subject with bladder cancer by detecting the expression of K17 in a sample. The present methods include both cell-based and cell-free methods for determining the level of keratin 17 in a sample obtained from the bladder of a subject.

Abstract: Provided are methods for transferring graphene from graphene-on-metal foil onto a substrate. The method does not require chemical etching to remove the metal foil and provides more a uniform graphene with improved electronic properties. The present invention also provides compositions comprising graphene, a binder, and a substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus method for driving light emitting diodes (LEDs), comprising: receiving an alternating current input; producing a DC current having a voltage with an AC-DC boost power-factor correction stage, having a variable-frequency operation, and a set of switches controlled in dependence on the voltage to limit a peak LED current; and producing an LED drive current with a DC-DC power conversion stage having a set of switches to selectively pulse-width modulate the LEDs to control a brightness, wherein the set of switches in the AC-DC boost power-factor correction stage and the set of switches in the DC-DC power conversion stage are each controlled to switch at zero current.

Abstract: A resistive random access memory (RRAM) device includes a plurality of memory cells, each of at least a subset of the memory cells including first and second electrodes and an organic thin film compound mixed with silver perchlorate (AgClO4) salt as a base layer that is incorporated with a prescribed quantity of inorganic metal oxide molecules using vapor-phase infiltration (VPI), the base layer being formed on an upper surface of the first electrode and the second electrode being formed on an upper surface of the base layer. Resistive switching characteristics of the RRAM device are controlled as a function of a concentration of AgClO4 salt in the base layer. A variation of device switching parameters is controlled as a function of an amount of infiltrated metal oxide molecules in the base layer.

Abstract: A multi-hypervisor system, comprising: a plurality of hypervisors comprising a first hypervisor and a second hypervisor, at least one of the plurality of hypervisors being a transient hypervisor; and at least one Span VM, concurrently executing on each of the plurality of hypervisors, the at least one transient hypervisor being adapted to be dynamically at least one of injected and removed under the at least one Span VM concurrently with execution of the at least one Span VM on another hypervisor, wherein the at least one Span VM has a single and consistent at least one of memory space, virtual CPU state, and set of input/output resources, shared by the plurality of hypervisors.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes of producing the following compound: and methods of using the compound in targeted PET and SPECT imaging.

Abstract: Provided are ceramic foams. The ceramic foams may have a hierarchical pore gradient. The ceramic foams may be silica aerogels. The ceramic foams may be made by reaction of one or more precursors in the presence of an inert gas generated by a pore-forming gas-forming additive. The ceramic foams may be used as insulating materials.

Abstract: A cancer vaccine technology is provided which knocks out expression of cell surface immune checkpoint proteins, to facilitate their processing by immune cells, and optionally by knocking-in the expression of cytokines to boost immune response. Non-replicating tumor cells lacking cell surface CD47 are highly effective immunizing agents against subcutaneous mouse melanoma. Whole-cell vaccines inhibited tumor growth, and immunophenotyping showed a dramatic increase in activated effector cell subsets and M1-type macrophages aided by a significant reduction in the tumor-associated macrophage and myeloid derived suppressor cell compartments. A remarkable downregulation of cell surface CD47 was observed in the tumors that did escape after vaccination with genetically modified cells, suggesting the intricate involvement of CD47 in a prophylactic situation. An effective vaccination strategy to increase tumor-specific immune response in solid tumors is provided to improve the outcome of cancer immunotherapy.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes electron-photon and electron-phonon interactions in 2D material systems. In some embodiments, novel entangled states are implemented. Such entangled states may involve the superposition of electronic and phononic modes in these materials. The states may be utilized to realize the transduction of quantum information and sensing. In an aspect, the present disclosure may be a quantum sensor having a single-phonon emitter configured to emit a single phonon. A phononic transducer is configured to receive the emitted single phonon from the single-phonon emitter and propagate the single phonon. A phonon detector is configured to detect an arrival of the propagated single phonon received from the phononic transducer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides nucleic acid compositions that incorporate one or more halouracil molecules. More specifically, the present disclosure reveals that the replacement of uracil nucleotides within a microRNA nucleotide sequence with a 5-halouracil increases the ability of the micro-RNA to inhibit cancer progression and tumorigenesis. As such, the present disclosure provides various nucleic acid (e.g., microRNA) compositions having 5-halouracil molecules incorporated in their nucleic acid sequences and methods for using the same. The present disclosure further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the modified nucleic acid compositions, and methods for treating cancers using the same.

Abstract: Oral compositions and methods of use thereof are provided herein. The oral compositions comprise a first component comprising at least one Eh-raising compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and a second component comprising at least one zinc compound, an anti-microbial agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of treating a human having a disease or disorder that would benefit from increasing platelet counts. The method involves inhibiting the enzyme activity of biliverdin IX? reductase (BLVRB) activity or inhibiting the expression of BLVRB gene.

Abstract: Provided is a method of disrupting memory, including administering to a subject a peptide, wherein the peptide prevents biding of kidney and brain expressed protein to protein kinase M zeta. Administering may include administering to a subject in need of treatment for an addition, neuropathic pain, or an anxiety disorder. The peptide may include amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, OR SEQ ID NO: 6. Also provided is a lipopeptide including the amino acid sequence and a fatty acyl group selected from a C12 to a C18 fatty acid.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying persons utilizing a camera and a wireless transceiver. The wireless transceiver receives wireless packets (e.g., Wi-Fi packets) from one or more mobile devices associated with one or more persons. The channel state information (CSI) is determined based on signals associated with the packets, and first motion characteristics are determined based on the CSI data. Congruently, the camera generates images, and associated image data is received, wherein the image data is associated with the one or more persons. Second motion characteristics are determined based on the image data. The first motion characteristics are matched with the second motion characteristics along with a quantified uncertainty, and the matched motion characteristics are assigned with weights that are based on the second motion characteristics (e.g., image-based). The one or more persons are identified based on the matched motion characteristics and the weights.

Abstract: A method of treating and attenuating L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia, comprising administering an effective dose of at least one pharmacological agent, e.g., vilazodone, having serotonin-specific reuptake inhibition (SSRI) and serotonin receptor 1A (5-HT1AR) partial agonism activity, in conjunction with L-DOPA. Other agents, such as an L-DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor, e.g., carbidopa, or other adjunct treatments may also be provided.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems can include, for example: receiving a plurality of signal instances of a signal emitted by a transmitter, wherein respective signal instances of the plurality of signal instances are collected at different positions. There is also set forth herein receiving by a movable receiver moving within a first location a plurality of signal instances of a signal emitted by a transmitter, wherein signal instances defining the plurality of signal instances are collected by the moveable receiver at different respective receiver positions within the first location. There is also set forth herein discovering a direction of arrival parameter value that specifies a direction of arrival of the signal emitted by the transmitter, wherein the discovering includes using a set of signal instances from the plurality of signal instances.

Abstract: A pre-prodrug, comprising a drug, e.g., doxorubicin, which has off-target toxicity (e.g., cardiotoxicity) with respect to its antineoplastic activity, and an amine functionality of the drug incorporated into a disubstituted maleimide (DMI). The pre-prodrug may be linked to a targeting or de-targeting agent or a polar modulator, e.g., charged ligand, amino acid, peptide, etc., to increase therapeutic index. The pre-prodrug is hydrolyzed to the prodrug, having a disubstituted maleamic acid (DMA). A polar modulator such as glutamic acid prevents cellular uptake of the prodrug, but not the doxorubicin drug released from the prodrug after dissociation. The prodrug is pH sensitive, and below pH 7.0, tends to cleave to form free drug and cyclized maleic anhydride. Tumor environments tend to be more acidic, e.g., pH 6.8, than cardiac tissue, e.g., pH 7.4, and therefore the heart is spared while the drug is selectively released within a tumor.