Abstract: The present invention relates an indicator system for assessing a reduction state of unconsolidated material that includes a delivery tube defining an interior chamber, and a substrate disposed within the interior chamber and including a reactive coating thereon. The reactive coating is at least partially removable from the substrate upon exposure to a reducing condition of unconsolidated material over a period of time. An indicator device including a reactive coating comprising a manganese oxide is also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for improved delivery of mRNA into eukaryotic cells using histidine-lysine (HK) peptide polymers are disclosed. The branched polymers comprising four short peptide branches linked to a three-lysine amino acid core. The peptide branches consist of histidine and lysine amino acids, in different configurations, and they can vary in their location on the lysine core.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic system including a temperature controller and a thermoplastic microfluidic chip that enables rapid PCR in a PCR chamber of the microfluidic chip. Thermal control of the PCR chamber is achieved by applying voltage to heater electrodes patterned directly onto one layer of the microfluidic chip. The temperature controller adjusts the voltage applied to the heater electrodes by changing temperature controller parameters selected to minimize duration of each PCR cycle. Furthermore, simple operation of the microfluidic chip is provided through using an integrated passive capillary valve, requiring minimum operator intervention and eliminating the need for fluidic interfacing, pumping, or metering during chip loading.

Abstract: An implantable acellular polymeric scaffold device functionalized with aggrecan is provided. Also provided are methods of fabricating a polymeric scaffold device, including methods of fabricating the scaffold device via 3D printing. Methods of treating a cartilage defect in a subject in need thereof comprise application of the disclosed scaffold device in combination with microfracture procedures. A specialized lid for a centrifugation well plate is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to compositions for targeted delivery of an agent and agent delivery systems comprising a novel tissue-targeting peptide ligand (CKPFDRALC) (SEQ ID NO: 1) named ART-2. In certain aspects, the ART-2-coated liposomes encapsulating an agent, such as a therapeutic agent, diagnostic agent, imaging agent, or any combination thereof, were more effective in inhibiting, diagnosing, or imaging a disease or disorder, such as an arthritis progression, than control, despite a comparable safety profile.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and media for wireless power transfer are provided.

Abstract: Mcl-1 selective inhibitors, Bcl-2 selective inhibitors, and Mcl-1/Bcl-2 dual inhibitors and methods of using the same for the treatment of disease are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV, compositions comprising the same and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Phospholipid-conjugated Ags were used as an agnostic delivery platform to cell type, activation state, and inherent uptake capabilities for engineering APCs to control Ag-specific cellular immune responses. Lipid-mediated delivery (termed depoting) of MHC class I and II-restricted Ags successfully loaded resting polyclonal B cells, CD40? activated B cells, and DCs in a dose-dependent manner for priming Ag-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, respectively. When lipid-conjugated Ags were paired with polymer-conjugated Ags and incorporated in nanoparticles (NPs), diverse APCs with varying NP internalization capabilities all processed the lipid-conjugated Ags via depoting while only DCs processed the PLGA-conjugated Ags via endocytosis. Multivariate analyses of cytokine secretions indicated that lipid-conjugated Ags could be distinctly classified from polymer-conjugated Ags.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for automatic emergency airway detection. The apparatus includes a frame with a carriage guide configured to be secured around a neck of a subject. A carriage including a sensor is configured to move along the carriage guide. The sensor is configured to measure a value of a parameter indicating a topography of the neck of the subject. A processor includes a memory with instructions to receive first data from the sensor of the value of the parameter as the carriage is moved along the carriage guide and to determine, with the first data, second data indicating a position along the carriage guide corresponding to the cricothyroid region of the neck. The processor subsequently transmits a first signal indicating the second data. A method of using the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A robotic system for remote operation of human-controllable equipment includes a remotely operable robotic subsystem configured to be at least one of mounted on or arranged adjacent to the human-controllable equipment to be controlled, and a remote controller that is configured to be operated by a human. The remote controller emulates a control representation of the human-controllable equipment such that a human can provide commands using the control representation. The remotely operable robotic subsystem is configured to receive commands from the remote controller to thereby operate the human-controllable equipment.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods of inducing an immune response in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an immunologically-effective amount of a live Salmonella Typhi vector comprising a heterologous antigen from a pathogen, wherein the heterologous antigen comprises an outer membrane protein, an antigenic fragment thereof or a variant thereof, wherein the antigen is delivered to a mucosal tissue of the subject by an outer membrane vesicle.

Abstract: An aortic aneurysm carries increasing risk of rupture with growing aneurysm diameter. This condition is typically asymptomatic, so screening and surveillance are essential. Ultrasound and other imaging methods are employed for such monitoring at high accuracy. However, these methods require an expert and are expensive. Aortic aneurysms are considerably under-detected at present and may become even more under-detected in the future as the disease prevalence increases with societal aging. This disclosure present devices that are convenient in use and cost for aortic aneurysm screening and surveillance.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for removal of undesired portions of a fruit or vegetable, such as removal of calyxes from strawberries before they are flash frozen. An automated process for high-throughput fruit or vegetable calyx removal includes a loading system, an identification system, and a removal system. The loading system is configured to transport the fruit or vegetable through the automated process. The loading system may also orient the fruits or vegetables along an axis of the fruit and or align the fruit or vegetables in a desired pattern, orientation, and/or arrangement. The identification system is configured to locate the calyx and determines calyx position data and an optimal cutting path for individual fruit. The removal system uses data received from the identification system to separate the calyx from the fruit or vegetable.

Abstract: The disclosure describes aspects of using multiple species in trapped-ion nodes for quantum networking. In an aspect, a quantum networking node is described that includes multiple memory qubits, each memory qubit being based on a 171Yb+ atomic ion, and one or more communication qubits, each communication qubit being based on a 138Ba+ atomic ion. The memory and communication qubits are part of a lattice in an atomic ion trap. In another aspect, a quantum computing system having a modular optical architecture is described that includes multiple quantum networking nodes, each quantum networking node including multiple memory qubits (e.g., based on a 171Yb+ atomic ion) and one or more communication qubits (e.g., based on a 138Ba+ atomic ion). The memory and communication qubits are part of a lattice in an atomic ion trap. The system further includes a photonic entangler coupled to each of the multiple quantum networking nodes.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for a computer device capable of assessing, measuring, managing, and optimizing cyber risk. For example, certain embodiments described herein may guide risk assessment for individual organizations and for integrated elements of critical infrastructure. Certain embodiments may provide features that make it possible for policy makers and organizational leaders to assess a range of risks introduced by threat actors: a standardized system for classifying cyber threats and events by their effects, tools to associate organizational functions with information technology (IT) network maps or topologies, operations to assess the severity of disruptive and exploitative cyber events, and operations to understand the integrated nature of risk across different parts of a simple organization, across major divisions in a complex organization, or to display the interconnectedness of organizations in a complex system.

Abstract: Energy harvesters (EH) which can effectively harvest wasted vibrational/kinematic energy and convert it into electrical energy for battery-free sensor operation are described herein. The energy harvesters can be integrated with a power management circuit and a wireless sensor for monitoring wind turbine blades. The target application of the energy harvesters includes powering the wireless sensors used for wind turbine blade structural monitoring.

Abstract: An inverted battery device has a pair of electrodes, first and second volumes, and an electrical conductor. One of the pair of electrodes is configured as an anode and the other is configured as a cathode. A first electrolyte solution and the anode are disposed in the first volume, while a second electrolyte solution and the cathode are disposed in the second volume. The electrical conductor extends between the first and second volumes to couple the pair of electrodes to each other such that electrons travel between the pair of electrodes. The device is constructed to produce ions rather than electrons such that an ionic current can be generated in a separate system, such as a biological system or other ionic system, when coupled between the anode and cathode.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe techniques for controlling coherent crosstalk errors that occur in multi-channel acousto-optic modulators (AOMs) by applying cancellation tones to reduce or eliminate the crosstalk errors. For example, a method and systems are described that include applying a first radio frequency (RF) tone to generate a first acoustic wave in a first channel of the multi-channel AOM, wherein a portion of the first acoustic wave interacts with a second channel to cause a crosstalk effect, and applying a second RF tone to generate a second acoustic wave in the second channel, wherein the second acoustic wave reduces or eliminates the crosstalk effect caused by the portion of the first acoustic wave.

Abstract: A new and distinctive variety of Malus domestica Borkh, apple tree named ‘MD-TAP2’ is distinguished by its attractive tree architecture, reduced need for hand pruning and training, observed tolerance to high temperatures during the growing season, fireblight (Erwinia amylovora) and fruit which is harvested two weeks earlier than its seed parent.