Abstract: Methods and systems for using encapsulated microbubbles to process biological samples are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for using encapsulated microbubbles to process a biological sample includes creating a mixture comprising encapsulated microbubbles mixed with a biological sample and adding activation energy to the mixture to cause at least some of the microbubbles to oscillate or burst and thereby process the sample, including effecting cell lysis, shearing DNA, and/or performing tissue dispersion.

Abstract: The vibration-driven energy harvester includes: a first electrode; a second electrode facing the first electrode; a holder holding the first electrode and the second electrode so as to be movable relative to each other; a half-wave rectifier electrically connected to the first and the second electrodes that causes current flowing from the first electrode to the second electrode to flow to an output unit, and cuts off current flowing from the second electrode toward the first electrode; and a second rectifying element electrically connected to the first and the second electrodes that allows the current flowing from the second electrode to the first electrode and blocks the current flowing from the first electrode to the second electrode, wherein: the first electrode has a positively charged electret in a surface facing the second electrode, or the second electrode has a negatively charged electret in a surface facing the first electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for inducing a CAR mediated trans-signal in a T cell. The trans-signaling CAR T cells comprise a first CAR having a first signaling module and a second CAR having a distinct second signaling module. The present invention also provides cells comprising a plurality of types of CARs, wherein the plurality of types of CARs participate in trans-signaling to induce T cell activation.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to formulations and methods for treatment of disease such as chemoprevention of cancer, for example oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and for methods of preparing the formulations. Further, the disclosure relates to local administration in slow release dosage forms for treatment of disease. The extended-release formulations are comprised of biodegradable polymeric implants (for example millicylinders and microspheres as well as in situ forming gels) and therapeutic agents selected from an anti-interleukin 6 agent, a synthetic vitamin A analogue and/or metabolite, and/or an estradiol metabolite for the local delivery of therapeutic agents to a site where a cancer has been previously excised or to prevent progression of a precancerous lesion.

Abstract: Polypeptides, and methods for their use, are disclosed that have an amino acid sequence at least 75% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, are provided, wherein (a) the polypeptide degrades a PFQFQLPY (SEQ ID NO: 140) peptide and/or a PFPQPQQPF (SEQ ID NO: 68) at pH 4; (b) residue 467 is Ser, residue 267 is Glu, and residue 271 is Asp; and (c) the polypeptide comprises an amino acid change from SEQ ID NO: 1 at one or more residues selected from the group consisting of 221, 262E, 268, 269, 270, 319A, 320, 354E/Q/R/Y, 358S/Q/T, 368F/Q, 399, 402, 406, 424, 449, 461, 463, 105, 171, 172, 173, 174, and 456.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and methods of use thereof for treatment of certain disorders and conditions, for example brain injuries such as stroke or traumatic brain injuries.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for translating optical beams.

Abstract: Localization and navigation systems and techniques are described. An electronic device comprises a processor configured to maintain a state vector storing estimates for a position of the electronic device at poses along a trajectory within an environment along with estimates for positions for one or more features within the environment. The processor computes, from the image data, one or more constraints based on features observed from multiple poses of the electronic device along the trajectory, and computes updated state estimates for the position of the electronic device in accordance with the motion data and the one or more computed constraints without computing updated state estimates for the features for which the one or more constraints were computed.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for precoding and decoding polar codes using local feedback are described. One example method for improving an error correction capability of a decoder includes receiving a noisy codeword vector of length n, the codeword having been generated based on a concatenation of a convolutional encoding operation and a polar encoding operation and provided to a communication channel prior to reception by the decoder, performing a successive-cancellation decoding operation on the noisy codeword vector to generate a plurality of polar decoded symbols (n), generating a plurality of information symbols (k) by performing a convolutional decoding operation on the plurality of polar decoded symbols, wherein k/n is a rate of the concatenation of the convolutional encoding operation and the polar encoding operation, and performing a bidirectional communication between the successive-cancellation decoding operation and the convolutional decoding operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the delivery of agents to a subject, particularly to the central nervous system (CNS).

Abstract: Methods and systems that provide data privacy for implementing a neural network-based inference are described. A method includes injecting stochasticity into the data to produce perturbed data, wherein the injected stochasticity satisfies an F-differential privacy criterion and transmitting the perturbed data to a neural network or to a partition of the neural network for inference.

Abstract: An automated lawn mower has a frame that is attached to a conventional lawn mower to retrofit the conventional lawn mower for automated lawn cutting operations. In some embodiments, one or more wheels of the conventional lawn mower are removed, and the frame is coupled to the lawn mower at one or more connection points for the removed wheels. The frame is coupled to a motor, a controller, and a plurality of wheels. During operation, the motor drives the wheels under the control of the controller in order to move the automated lawn mower over a lawn for grass cutting operations.

Abstract: The present application provides, inter alia, a compound of Formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and methods of use of the compound of Formula (I) for treatment and prevention of cyanide poisoning.

Abstract: A controller to communications between a baseband unit (BBU) and a remote radio head (RRH) in a mobile fronthaul (MFH) network. The controller to initialize a pseudorandom seeding in the BBU and RRH and to cause the BBU and RRH to generate a pair of matching pseudorandom bit sequences (PRBS) to enable the BBU and RRH to synchronize communications therebetween; to select a wavelength and to select a route, through the MFH network, to enable the BBU and RRH to communicate using the selected wavelength and route; to select an error correction code and a modulation format for communications between the BBU and RRH; to encode one or more parameters of a physical layer in the MFH network into the PRBS; and to monitor a data stream between the BBU and RRH to determine if a bit error rate has changed for each frame of the data stream.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are composite materials and methods of making and use thereof. The composite materials disclosed herein can comprise: a first metal oxide particle having a thermal stability and a specific reversible oxygen storage capacity, wherein the first metal oxide particle comprises a first metal oxide comprising a transition metal oxide; and a second metal oxide disposed on the first metal oxide particle; wherein the composite material has a thermal stability and a specific reversible oxygen storage capacity; and wherein the thermal stability of the composite material is greater than the thermal stability of the first metal oxide particle. The methods of use of the composite materials described herein can comprise using the composite material as a catalyst, as an oxygen carrier, as a catalyst support, in a fuel cell, in a catalytic converter, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Hydraulically-amplified, self-healing, electrostatic transducers that harness electrostatic and hydraulic forces to achieve various actuation modes. Electrostatic forces between electrode pairs of the transducers generated upon application of a voltage to the electrode pairs draws the electrodes in each pair towards each other to displace a liquid dielectric contained within an enclosed internal cavity of the transducers to drive actuation in various manners. The electrodes and the liquid dielectric form a self-healing capacitor whereby the liquid dielectric automatically fills breaches in the liquid dielectric resulting from dielectric breakdown. Due to the resting shape of the cavity, a zipping-mechanism allows for selectively actuating the electrodes to a desired extent by controlling the voltage supplied.

Abstract: Systems and methods of continuous cooling at cryogenic temperatures. One exemplary aspect involves a refrigeration system that includes: a chamber adapted to hold liquid and gaseous coolant received from a cooling pot; a first adsorption pump having an inlet end in fluid communication with the chamber, the first adsorption pump configured to capture gas from the liquid and gaseous coolant when the first adsorption pump is enabled; a second adsorption pump having an inlet end in fluid communication with the chamber, the second adsorption pump configured to capture gas from the liquid and gaseous coolant when the second adsorption pump is enabled; a means for desorbing the gas captured by the first adsorption pump; and a means for desorbing the gas captured by the second adsorption pump.

Abstract: The various robotic medical devices include robotic devices that are disposed within a body cavity and positioned using a support component disposed through an orifice or opening in the body cavity. Additional embodiments relate to devices having arms coupled to a device body wherein the device has a minimal profile such that the device can be easily inserted through smaller incisions in comparison to other devices without such a small profile. Further embodiments relate to methods of operating the above devices.

Abstract: System and methods for inserting and securing an intrauterine device.

Abstract: The present invention features methods, systems, and compositions for inhibiting function of EspZ or an EspZ equivalent, and for inhibiting or reducing virulence of pathogens that utilize EspZ or EspZ equivalent, such as those pathogens that belong to the attaching-effacing (A/E) family. The methods may feature the use of an inhibitor peptide that targets at least a portion of EspZ, such as one of the transmembrane domains. In certain embodiments, the inhibitor peptide disrupts proper dimerization or oligomerization of EspZ.