Abstract: An exemplary portable automated device is developed for in vitro testing of blood vascular occlusion as a result of sickle cell disease. The portable automated device may be controlled by a computer (e.g., smartphone) application. Calibration of the portable device may be performed using a component of known impedance value. With the developed portable automated device, analysis may be performed on sickle cell samples on a microfluidic platform that mimics the structure of human capillaries. Significant differences in cell impedance signals may be observed between sickle cells and normal cells, as well as between sickle cells under hypoxia and normoxia conditions.

Abstract: An assistive device for stair-climbing assistance includes a powered rail-sliding platform that assists its user through a unique human interface. The device provides powered assistance (a gentle pulling force) and protection (through a safety belt) to help users climb or descend stairs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating ground-level terrain elevation models, preparing vector street data to assist in generating such models, and finding approximate elevation of any point using such terrain models are provided. Lidar data can be analyzed, and Lidar elevation values at roadway/street intersections can be used to determine a model of the ground-level elevation in an area or region. Outliers can be removed. The ground-level elevation at any point in the mapped area can be determined using elevation levels for nearby roadway intersections.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for efficiently generating edited DNA, ranging from DNA molecules with simple point mutations to complex DNA libraries. The methods and kits use a single-stranded deoxyuridine (dU)-containing template to align a series of DNA oligomers that contain mutations relative to the template strand, giving rise to the sequence variation in the product. The methods and kits may be used to produce DNA libraries or to generate multiple, widely spaced mutations in a target sequence.

Abstract: Methods and systems for crystallizing a thin film provide an optics system configured to produce a laser spot beam directed towards the thin film and truncate the laser spot beam before the laser spot beam comes into contact with the thin film. The truncated laser spot beam is continually translated in a first direction while irradiating an amorphous silicon area of the thin film to generate a molten zone in the irradiated amorphous silicon area, where the thin film cools and solidifies to form crystal grains.

Abstract: The technology described herein is directed to IL-4 and/or IL-13 inhibitors and uses thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided trajectory prediction that leverages game-theory to improve coverage of multi-modal predictions. Examples of the systems and methods include obtaining training data including first trajectories for a first plurality of agent devices and first map information of a first environment for a past time horizon and applying the training data to a game-theoretic mode-finding algorithm to generate a mode-finding model for each agent device that predicts modes of the first trajectories. A trajectory prediction model can be trained on the predicted modes as a coverage loss term between predicted modes. Future trajectories can be predicted for a second plurality of agent devices based on applying observed data to the trajectory prediction model. A control signal can then be generated to effectuate an autonomous driving command on an agent device of the second plurality of agent devices based on the predicted future trajectories.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for detecting heavy metals in tissues and cells while identifying cell types at the single-cell level with intracellular or cell surface heavy metal content. The cell type can be identified by contacting the cell with an antibody that binds a biomarker conjugated to a heavy metal that is different from the heavy metal detected in or on the surface of the cell. The methods include detecting heavy metals using mass cytometry.

Abstract: Disclosed is DNA valency sorting chromatography, a purification method for separating solutes based on the number of barcoded DNA molecules present on their surface, which can operate using conventional low-pressure chromatography equipment and instrumentation. Solutes can take a variety of forms, including biological macromolecules, polymeric nanoparticles, gold or silver nanospheres, gold nanorods, iron oxide nanoparticles, and semiconducting nanocrystals. In contrast to most existing purification procedures, DNA valency sorting is highly selective for the DNA sequence specifically, rather than the characteristics of the solute as a whole, and uses extremely gentle elution conditions. As a result, it is applicable to a range of solute characteristics, including variable chemical composition, surface charge, and materials with hydrodynamic diameters up to 80 nm, which cannot be purified with a well-defined number of macromolecules by any other existing technique.

Abstract: Water-filtering compositions including a geopolymer and a sequestration agent are provided herein. Filters including the compositions are further provided. Water filtration systems including the filters are further provided. Processes for the preparation of the compositions are further provided. Methods of reducing an amount of a chemical species from a body of water are further provided. Chemical species that are reduced include neutral or ionic heavy metal species or polyfluorinated chemical species.

Abstract: Methods of treating a valvular heart disease are provided. Methods for treating valvular heard disease include administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one hedgehog pathway inhibitor. Also provided are methods for reducing fibrosis in a subject, which comprise administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one hedgehog pathway inhibitor.

Abstract: A minimally invasive device, containing a pressure channel, camera, and optical fiber imaging probe, to measure the stiffness of tissues in vivo and ex vivo is disclosed. The device is inserted into a patient and navigated to a tissue of interest, where stiffness is evaluated by applying suction and measuring the elongation or by applying compression force and measuring the compression of the tissue. Biopsies can be taken for further analysis, or tissue can be removed using an ablation laser. Small fluorescent molecules or therapeutics can also be delivered for improved visualization and targeted treatment. As such, this technology may be used to evaluate the stiffness of biomaterials as well as tissues and organs that are difficult to access, allowing for simultaneous diagnosis, treatment, and excision of diseased tissues.

Abstract: A pyrolyzed MOF catalyst for in the carbon dioxide reduction reaction and methods of making the catalyst. The catalysts are composed of highly porous transition metal organic frameworks exhibiting large pores with regular distribution of transition metals within the structure.

Abstract: Microscopic analysis of a sample includes a fluorescent dye disposed within the sample. A mid-IR optical source generates a mid-infrared beam, which is directed onto the sample to induce a temperature change by absorption of the mid-infrared beam. An optical source generates a probe beam directed to impinge on the sample. A detector detects fluorescent emissions from the sample when the probe beam impinges on the sample. A data acquisition and processing system acquires and processes the detected fluorescent emissions from the sample to: (i) generate a signal indicative of infrared absorption by the sample, (ii) generate a signal indicative of temperature in the sample based on the signal indicative of infrared absorption by the sample, (iii) generate an image of the sample using the signal indicative of temperature in the sample.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for color-coded visualization to aid in diagnosis and prognosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The color-coded visualization mechanism can be driven by an integrated machine learning (ML) model, which can take as its inputs neuroimaging (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET)) data, neuropsychological test scores, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker, and/or risk factors. With these inputs, the ML model can generate a color-coded visualization of the disease state.

Abstract: A method for magnetic resonance imaging performs chemical shift encoded imaging to produce complex dual-echo images which are then applied (with imaging parameters) as input to a deep neural network to produce as output water-only and fat-only images. The deep neural network can be trained with ground truth water/fat images derived from chemical shift encoded images using a conventional water-fat separation algorithm such as projected power approach, IDEAL, or VARPRO. The chemical shift encoded imaging comprises performing an image acquisition with the MRI scanner via a spoiled-gradient echo sequence or a spin-echo sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to granular composite density enhancement, and related methods and compositions. The applications where these properties are valuable include but are not limited to: 1) additive manufacturing (“3D printing”) involving metallic, ceramic, cermet, polymer, plastic, or other dry or solvent-suspended powders or gels, 2) concrete materials, 3) solid propellant materials, 4) cermet materials, 5) granular armors, 6) glass-metal and glass-plastic mixtures, and 7) ceramics comprising (or manufactured using) granular composites.

Abstract: Systems and methods for artificial sight in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a retinal prosthesis system including an external controller, a scene imager, an eye imager, an implanted controller, and a stimulation interface in communication with the implanted controller, where the stimulation interface is positioned to stimulate a plurality of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) of the eye, where the external controller is configured to obtain image data describing a scene from the scene imager, obtain eye position data from the eye imager, determine a field of view (FOV) in the scene based on the eye position data; where the implanted controller is configured to obtain the FOV from the external controller, continuously select stimulation pulses from a dictionary based on the FOV, and stimulate the plurality of RGCs using the stimulation interface in accordance with the selected stimulation pulses.

Abstract: Systems comprising: a memory; and a hardware processor and configured to: execute a hypervisor having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the hypervisor executes at a first exception level that allows the first portion to access data of a virtual machine in the hardware processor and the memory, and wherein the second portion of the hypervisor executes at a second exception level that prevents the second portion from accessing the data of the virtual machine in the hardware processor and the memory. Methods comprising: executing a first portion of a hypervisor at a first exception level that allows the first portion to access data of a virtual machine in a hardware processor and memory; and executing a second portion of a hypervisor at a second exception level that prevents the second portion from accessing the data in the hardware processor and the memory.

Abstract: Copper-filled carbon nanotubes and methods of synthesizing the same are provided. Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition can be used to synthesize vertically aligned carbon nanotubes filled with copper nanowires. The copper filling can occur concurrently with the carbon nanotube growth, and the carbon nanotubes can be completely filled by copper. The filling of Cu inside the CNTs can be controlled by tuning the synthesis temperature.