Abstract: The present subject matter relates to techniques for single transducer harmonic motion imaging. The disclosed system can include a transducer. The transducer can be configured to generate an amplitude-modulated acoustic radiation force (AM-ARF) by sinusoidally modulating a duration of an excitation pulse of an acoustic radiation force, induce a harmonic motion on a target tissue using the AM-ARF, and simultaneously track the harmonic motion by collecting a tracking pulse. The tracking pulse can be interleaved between the excitation pulse.

Abstract: Biomarkers for assessing the efficacy of prophylactic treatments of stress-induced affective disorders are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound having the structure wherein A is a ring structure, with or without substitution; X1 is C or N; X2 is N, O, or S; Y1 is H, -(alkyl), -(alkenyl), -(alkynyl), -(cycloalkyl), (haloalkyl), -(alkyl)-O-(alkyl) or -(alkyl)-(cycloalkyl); Y 2 is H, -(alkyl), -(alkenyl), -(alkynyl), -(cycloalkyl), (haloalkyl), -(alkyl)-O-(alkyl) or -(alkyl)-(cycloalkyl); Y3 is H-(alkyl), -(alkenyl), -(alkynyl), -(cycloalkyl), (haloalkyl), -(alkyl)-O-(alkyl) or -(alkyl)-(cycloalkyl); Y 4 is H-(alkyl), -(alkenyl), -(alkynyl), -(cycloalkyl), (haloalkyl), -(alkyl)-O-(alkyl) or -(alkyl)-(cycloalkyl); Y5 is H, -(alkyl), -(alkenyl), -(alkynyl), -(cycloalkyl), (haloalkyl), -(alkyl)-O-(alkyl) or -(alkyl)-(cycloalkyl); a and P are each present or absent and when present each is a bond.

Abstract: A framework for a few-shot learning method is disclosed. In a first part, self-supervision and classification supervision are used to train a feature extractor. An example self-supervision method comprises running grayscale images through an edge filter, normalizing the filtered images, setting the normalized images to ground truth, generating feature-extracted images, using a decoder to reconstruct images from the feature-extracted images, determining a loss between the reconstructed images and the ground truth images, and using the loss to update parameters of the feature extractor. In a second part, a few-shot adaptation process is performed to adapt the model to a novel rapid test kit.

Abstract: Described here are techniques for identifying risk of primary graft dysfunction (PGD) of a subject. The disclosed method can include collecting serum of the subject, measuring a level of a PGD marker from the serum, wherein the PGD marker comprises plasma kallikrein (KLKB1), providing a PGD risk value that is quantified based on the level of the PGD marker using an adaptive Monte Carlo cross-validation (MCCV) model, and identifying the risk of PGD based on the PGD risk value.

Abstract: Optical imaging or spectroscopy described can use laminar optical tomography (LOT), diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS), or the like. An incident beam is scanned across a target. An orthogonal or oblique optical response can be obtained, such as concurrently at different distances from the incident beam. The optical response from multiple incident wavelengths can be concurrently obtained by dispersing the response wavelengths in a direction orthogonal to the response distances from the incident beam. Temporal correlation can be measured, from which flow and other parameters can be computed. An optical conduit can enable endoscopic or laparoscopic imaging or spectroscopy of internal target locations. An articulating arm can communicate the light for performing the LOT, DCS, or the like. The imaging can find use for skin cancer diagnosis, such as distinguishing lentigo maligna (LM) from lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM).

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides techniques for inducing collagen cross-linking in human tissue, such as cartilage, by inducing ionization of the water contained in the tissue to produce free radicals that induce chemical cross-linking in the human tissue. In an embodiment, a femtosecond laser operates at sufficiently low laser pulse energy to avoid optical breakdown of the tissue being treated. In an embodiment, the femtosecond laser operates in the infrared frequency range.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of fatty liver disease. More specifically, embodiments of the invention provide a pharmaceutical carrier and a compound that reduces adipsin activity in liver cells.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a method for treating a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) disease in a subject afflicted therewith comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of a compound which is a non-retinoid retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) antagonist effective to treat the subject, thereby treating the subject. The subject invention provides a method for treating gout in a subject afflicted therewith comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of a compound which is a retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) antagonist effective to treat the subject, thereby treating the subject.

Abstract: Water-responsive actuators and methods for creating water responsive actuators are disclosed. In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a first layer, for example a plastic tape, and a second layer, for example bacterial spores and cured adhesive. The second layer can be created in a pattern. The pattern can include joints, which can contract when exposed to dry air and can thereby bend the actuator, and can expand when exposed to humid air and thereby return the actuator its original position.

Abstract: A heating and/or cooling temperature adjusting apparatus disposed proximate a point of use comprising a heat exchange structure, at least one thermal mass unit comprised of a material which changes phase at a predetermined temperature, and a housing which at least partially encloses the heat exchange structure and thermal mass unit. Additionally, a plurality of thermal mass units can be employed, each with equivalent, or differing, temperature threshold points for conversion between solid, liquid or gaseous phases. The presence of the thermal mass unit at the point of use allows for the heating/cooling system to rapidly adjust the temperature of the room while simultaneously decreasing the duty cycle of the heating/cooling generator (e.g. boiler).

Abstract: Systems and methods of performing temperature swing solvent extraction (TSSE) descaling of produced water and desalination of high-salinity brines, e.g., those having a total dissolved solids (TDS) greater than about 250,000 ppm are capable of producing descaled water products including less than about 5% weight percent TDS. The brine/produced water feedstreams and combined with a solvent having temperature-dependent water solubility at a temperature TL. Water is extracted from the feedstream into the solvent to form a water-in-solvent extract component and a raffinate component, from which a solid phase can be precipitated as more water is portioned in the solvent and basicity increases. Heating of the water-in-solvent extract component reduces the solubility of the water therein, producing a biphasic mixture of dewatered solvent and descaled water that can be separated.

Abstract: Methods for prophylactically treating a stress-induced affective disorder or stress-induced psychopathology in a subject are provided. Also provided are methods for inducing and/or enhancing stress resilience in a subject. In certain embodiments, an effective amount of (R,S)-ketamine or (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine ((2R,6R)-HNK) is administered to a female or male subject prior to a stressor.

Abstract: Engineered skin substitutes comprising an outer-facing portion and an inner-facing portion and methods of making the same are provided. The skin substitutes are configured to conform to a shape and a dimension of a body part of a subject, and have at least one surface that circles back on itself so as to enclose at least a portion of the body part. In some instances, dermis and epidermal layers can be formed in an air liquid interface. The exemplary skin substitutes are wearable and can be made to conform to a generic body part or a specific body part from a three-dimensional representation of the body part.

Abstract: Methods and devices for positioning a nerve stimulation device on a subject are provided. Aspects are directed to methods of positioning a stimulation device on an anatomic target of a subject comprising positioning an alignment guide adjacent to at least a first alignment point associated with the anatomic target on the subject, wherein the alignment guide indicates a first target location on the anatomic target of the subject, and positioning the stimulation device at the first target location.

Abstract: Measurement devices can be used for identifying concentration of arsenic species in water samples. The measurement devices can take the form of test strips including a substrate with at least one testing region that includes an amount of a testing medium. The silver reagent includes a polymer framework and a silver component that is stabilized by the framework, yet remains reactive enough to function as a colorimetric sensor for arsenic, e.g., ((Ag(H2btc))(Ag2(Hbtc)))n. The initially substantially colorless testing medium exhibits a color change response when exposed to arsenic species, e.g., arsine, generated from samples including as little as 5 ppb arsenic, with an increasingly dark color as the concentration of arsenic is increased. Test strips fabricated with the silver coordination polymer display robust stability towards both light and water, allowing for an alternative to mercury-based field test kits in real-world field tests under direct sunlight and high humidity conditions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for rapid and accurate detection of nucleic acid in a single reaction chamber are provided. In one aspect, a patient specimen suspected of comprising a first nucleic acid is used to form a crude lysate which is combined with an infrared absorbing material, a detecting nucleic acid, and at least one reporter molecule in the single reaction chamber and heated by irradiating the reaction mixture with infrared light. Another aspect is directed to an apparatus for detecting a presence or absence of a plurality of different molecules within a reaction container. The apparatus comprises an infrared light source aimed to illuminate contents of the reaction container; an excitation light source positioned to illuminate contents of the reaction container; and a spectrometer positioned to detect emission light emanating from the reaction container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to noninvasive microbiome analyses of Barrett's esophagus (BE) patients in which changes in the relative abundance of certain bacteria indicate a disease likelihood or pathogenic state. Additional aspects of the present invention relate to manipulating the microbiome to treat or prevent BE and related conditions. Embodiments also include monitoring for development of disease or monitoring treatment for prevention or elimination of disease states.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to photomechanical compounds and methods for producing such photomechanical materials. The compound can include a solid-state compound having a formula including [Cluster1][Cluster2]. Cluster 1 can include copper and azobenzene, and Cluster 2 can include a counterion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating an electromechanical map are disclosed herein. The methods includes obtaining ultrasound data comprising a series of consecutive image frames and radio frequency (RF) signals corresponding to the location in the heart; measuring displacements and strains based on the ultrasound data to determine an electromechanical activation in the location; converting the ultrasound data into a series of isochrone maps; and combining the series of isochrone maps to generate the electromechanical map. The electromechanical map illustrates the electromechanical activation and internal wall structures of the heart.