Abstract: In one example, a bearing or transmission has an outer race that extends circumferentially about a central axis. An inner race is disposed within the outer race and extends circumferentially about the central axis so as to be coaxial with the outer race. A plurality of load-bearing rolling elements are disposed between the inner race and the outer race, and are spaced circumferentially from one another so as to not contact one another. A plurality of separator rolling elements are disposed within the outer race. Each separator rolling element is disposed between a respective pair of the load-bearing rolling elements such that the separator rolling element is in rolling contact with the load-bearing rolling elements of the respective pair. The load-bearing and separator rolling elements form a contiguous ring.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for lamellar and defect reconstruction of corneal stromal tissue using biomaterials that form a defined gel structure in situ. Such gels can serve as cellular or acellular lamellar substitutes to reconstruct corneal stroma, facilitate matrix remodeling, and support multilayered re-epithelialization of wounded corneal stromal tissue, as well delivery vehicles for cells, biomolecules, and/or pharmaceutical agents to wound sites throughout the body.

Abstract: A method for enhancing a near-infrared fluorescence image includes providing a NIR fluorescence image produced by detecting light in the NIR-I or NIR-IIa windows emitted by fluorophores; and inputting the NIR fluorescence image to a convolutional neural network to produce as output a translated image, where the convolutional neural network is trained using a set of NIR-I or NIR-IIa fluorescence images and a set of NIR-IIb fluorescence images. Preferably, the convolutional neural network is a U-Net.

Abstract: A method of charging and/or discharging energy in reusable fuel workpieces or particles includes a solar furnace with counter-flowing workpieces and gas, to exchange heat therebetween, with the exiting gas and workpieces being at about ambient temperature. A further aspect employs a production plant including a reduction reactor configured to use excess electrical energy generated by renewable power generators to charge and/or discharge solid-state thermochemical fuel. Another aspect includes a fuel flow control valve using air pulses. An oxygen-deprived and reusable fuel, such as magnesium manganese oxide, or magnesium iron oxide, is also provided. In another aspect, an apparatus for producing a solid-state fuel includes a reduction reactor including a reactor chamber configured to receive concentrated solar energy, and a reactor tube having a recuperation zone, a reduction zone, and a quenching zone, wherein the reduction zone passes through the reactor chamber.

Abstract: Provided are methods for forming polymer-infiltrated nanoparticle films by using capillary action to draw mobile molecular chains into the pores of a bed of nanoparticles. The chains can spread across the entire bed of nanoparticles. The disclosed methods also provide the formation of patterned polymer-infiltrated nanoparticle film compositions, as well as laterally graded compositions and compositions that feature a polymer gradient through the composition's thickness. Articles can be formed that include a plurality of polymer types infiltrated into the bed of nanoparticles.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to immune cells comprising one or more vectors comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a chimeric antigen receptor specific for CD19 and a nucleic acid sequence encoding an enhancer of T cell priming (e.g., IL-18), compositions comprising the T cells, and methods of generating and/or using the T cells to treat diseases associated with the expression of CD19.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for encoding information as the pattern of the lengths of RNA tails (or other tail biomolecules, e.g., polypeptides) attached to a dsDNA (or other backbone biomolecule) and the relative locations of attachment thereto. This information can be quickly and accurately read out by passing such information-encoding payload biomolecules through a nanopore and detecting the pattern of conductance of the pore (e.g., the ionic conductance through the pore and/or the transverse conductance of the membrane bearing the pore) as the payload passes therethrough. The conductance can be processed by subtracting a time-varying correction factor therefrom that represents the expected conductance for a ‘tail-free’ backbone as it transits through the pore, by applying a time-varying velocity factor that is dependent on the number of tails present in the pore over time to normalize individual tail dwell times, and/or other processing steps.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe systems and methods to determine RNA structure and uses thereof. Many embodiments utilize one or more machine learning models to determine an RNA structure. In various embodiments, the machine learning model is trained using experimentally determined RNA structures. Certain embodiments identify one or more ligands or drugs that bind to an RNA structure, which can be used to treat an individual for a disease, disorder, or infection. Various embodiments determine structure of other molecules, including DNA, proteins, small molecules, etc. Further embodiments determine interactions between multiple molecules and/or molecule types (e.g., RNA-RNA interactions, RNA-DNA interactions, DNA-protein interactions, etc.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe systems and methods to enhance RNA stability and uses thereof. Many embodiments alter the sequence of an RNA therapeutic molecule (e.g., vaccines) to encode for a variant peptide while maintaining and/or increasing stability of the RNA therapeutic.

Abstract: Systems and methods for shaping temporal and amplitude profiles of optical pulses in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes at least two laser emitters where each emitter configured to generate at least two input optical pulses, a pulse-shaping device configured to apply dispersions of different orders on each of the at least two input pulses, and a nonlinear crystal where the at least two input pulses applied with dispersions combine to emit an output optical pulse having an angular frequency that is the sum of the angular frequencies of the at least two input pulses.

Abstract: Provided is a phase modulator including an antenna pattern, a lower reflective layer spaced apart from the antenna pattern in a vertical direction, a spacer provided between the antenna pattern and the lower reflective layer, and a phase shift pattern included in the spacer, the phase shift pattern including a phase shift material.

Abstract: The invention features a composition comprising a potent cytotoxic compound and a pH low insertion peptide, where, e.g., the cytotoxic compound cannot be used alone due to a lack of targeting. The pH low insertion peptide targets cytotoxic compounds to acidic diseased tissue, translocates cytotoxic compounds across plasma membranes into the cytosols of cells in acidic diseased tissues and induces cell death predominantly in the targeted acidic diseased tissue.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to a biometric sensing device that combines sensing with an actuator for two way communication between a finger on a surface and the device. The sensor can also function as an actuator. A finger can be authenticated based on an image of the finger generated by the sensor and also based on a response to energy delivered to the finger by the actuator. Two way communication can provide more robust authentication than fingerprint sensing alone.

Abstract: Precise concentric, symmetric, and repeatable circular scoring (cutting) of Descemet's membrane is made possible by a handheld surgical ophthalmic device. The precision of the cut is provided by a stabilizing point on a stabilizing arm as well the anchoring insertion point at the limbus. Stabilization through the insertion point and the stabilizing arm provides a two-point fixation thereby establishing a cutting plane. The cutting plane allows for precise depth of cut whereas the rotating blade's consistent radius allows for circularity of the cut. The stabilization arm fixates on tissue, and is then removed when the procedure is completed. Consistent torque and contact pressure of the cutting blade is provided through rotational control via the depression of a button on a handle thereby removing the need to “free-hand” the desemetorhexis.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention utilize technology to facilitate student question creation. Interactive platforms such as mobile phones or tablets can allow questions to be written, saved, and communicated electronically. In one embodiment, a method for collaboratively generating a question includes generating question data in response to input of a question and answer choices on a first device, sending the question data to a repository, sending the question data from the repository to a second device, displaying the question and answer choices on the second device, generating revised question data in response to input that changes the question, sending the revised question data to the repository, sending the revised question data to a third device, displaying the question and answer choices on the third device, receiving input of the selection of answer choices on the third device, and providing feedback whether the selection is correct.

Abstract: Anti-Fn amyloid-like FadA antibodies and compositions are provided and methods of treating cancers, including pancreatic and colorectal, and periodontal diseases. Methods include preventing, reducing development, or treating disease in a subject in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent which inhibits or blocks an amyloid-like FadA secreted from Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn).

Abstract: Methods of deconvolving a feature profile of a physical system are provided herein. The present method may include: optimizing a regression between a) a feature profile of a first plurality of distinct components and b) a reference matrix of feature signatures for a second plurality of distinct components, wherein the feature profile is modeled as a linear combination of the reference matrix, and wherein the optimizing includes solving a set of regression coefficients of the regression, wherein the solution minimizes 1) a linear loss function and 2) an L2-norm penalty function; and estimating the fractional representation of one or more distinct components among the second plurality of distinct components present in the sample based on the set of regression coefficients. Systems and computer readable media for performing the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds that can act as inhibitors of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (“NAMPT”), and methods for their use in treating or preventing diseases, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension (“PAH”). The compounds described herein can include compounds of Formula (II) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: wherein the substituents are as described.

Abstract: An isotropic imaging filter is provided that includes a photonic crystal slab, where the photonic crystal slab includes a square lattice of air through holes, a dielectric constant, a thickness (d), a through hole radius (r), and a lattice constant (a), where the square lattice of air holes are separated according to a value of the lattice constant, where the thickness is configured according to d=M(a), where the through hole radii is configured according to r=N(a), where the thickness and the hole radii are configured to generate isotropic bands of guided resonances of an incident image.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for modifying primary T cells. In one aspect, the invention comprises administering to a cell a stem-loop Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) RNA (st-crRNA) and a Cpf1 enzyme.