Abstract: A set of interlocking blocks consists a plurality of first blocks and a plurality of second blocks capable of forming kinematic interlock. Each of the first blocks and second blocks comprise at least one male joint and female joint for mating with its counterpart. The motion of the first blocks and second blocks are constrained by joints. Subsequent first blocks and/or second blocks reinforce and immobilize prior first blocks and/or second blocks. Assembly of an interlock structure consisting the set of interlocking blocks may be performed via translation motions.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions derived from 2,2?bisimidazoles building blocks and methods of making the same. The disclosed compositions are capable of withstanding temperatures up to 600° C. and substantially flame resistant.

Abstract: A system may mitigate leakage currents in non-isolated charging stations for electric vehicles. The system may include a bank of one or more parallel capacitors per phase electrically coupled to an AC voltage source, wherein a neutral point of the one or more parallel capacitors is electrically coupled to a DC ground; a bank of one or more inductors per phase electrically coupled to the one or more parallel capacitors, wherein each inductor is in series with and downstream from one capacitor; a rectifier electrically coupled to and downstream from the one or more parallel inductors, wherein the rectifier converts the AC voltage source to a DC voltage for supply to a battery; a DC bus electrically coupled to the rectifier; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to mitigate leakage currents by controlling a voltage of at least one of the bank of one or more parallel capacitors.

Abstract: A method to control the density of a three-dimensional photonic crystal template involves changing the irradiation time from at least four laser beams to yield a periodic percolating matrix of mass and voids free of condensed matter from a photoresist composition. The photoresist composition includes a photoinitiator at a concentration where the dose or irradiation is controlled by the irradiation time and is less than the irradiation time that would convert all photoinitiator to initiating species such that the density of the three-dimensional photonic crystal template differs for different irradiation times. A deposition of reflecting or absorbing particles can be patterned on the surface of the photoresist composition to form a template with varying densities above different areas of the substrate.

Abstract: An example microscope includes a pump laser for providing a first illumination to a sample. A laser array provides a second illumination to the sample. The laser array may include a plurality of laser elements, each providing oblique illuminations to the sample. An illumination collecting source collects the first illumination and the second illumination from the sample. The illumination collecting source may capture transient 3D refractive index (RI) variations in the sample due to the first illumination and second illumination.

Abstract: Disclosed herein a self-healing, flexible, conductive compositions. The conductive compositions include conductive polymers and acidic polyacrylamides. The compositions are useful in a wide range of applications, including wearable electronics and sensors. The compositions may be prepared using environmentally friendly procedures.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes novel compounds that are somatostatin receptor type 4 agonists.

Abstract: Rehabilitation or ambulation assistance can be provided to a user by sensing at least one first pressure beneath the user's right foot, sensing at least one second pressure beneath the user's left foot, and predicting the user's gait based on the sensed at least one first pressure and the sensed at least one second pressure. A plurality of motors are energized at a plurality of times that are synchronized with phases of the user's gait so that the plurality of motors pull on respective cables at respective times in a coordinated sequence. Each of the cables has a first end affixed to a pelvic belt or harness that is shaped and dimensioned to fit securely on the user's pelvis, and the timing of the energizing is based on the gait predictions.

Abstract: Methods of infecting a mosquito with Wolbachia and controlling a mosquito population with the Wolbachia-infected mosquito are provided herein. The method includes microinjecting a suspension including Wolbachia cells and buffer into a target mosquito embryo to produce a Wolbachia-infected G0 female. The suspension including Wolbachia cells and buffer is obtained by homogenizing a donor insect embryo, tissue, and/or whole body infected with Wolbachia to form a homogenate and the Wolbachia cells are separated from the homogenate.

Abstract: Embodiments of compositions and methods for the treatment of blood disorders and malignancies in a subject are described herein. In one embodiment, a composition for the treatment of a blood disorder or a malignancy in a subject comprises decitabine, tetrahydrouridine, and an excipient. In another embodiment, a method for the treatment of a blood disorder or a malignancy in a subject comprises the oral administration of a composition comprising decitabine and tetrahydrouridine. In some examples, the composition may be administered 1-3 times weekly.

Abstract: A method for identifying brain-state dependent functional areas of unitary pooled activity (FAUPAs) using a statistical model that does not require a priori knowledge of the activity-induced ideal response signal time course is provided. A system for identifying a functional network in a brain of a living object includes a FAUPA identifier configured to identify FAUPAs by analyzing a plurality of images of the brain over a predetermined period. The plurality of images include a plurality of voxels, and the FAUPA identifier analyzes each voxel of the plurality of voxels in relation to one or more surrounding voxels of each voxel until each voxel of the plurality of voxels is evaluated. A brain network identification module configured to construct the functional network based on the identified FAUPAs that are functionally connected. A display module configured to display images of the brain depicting the FAUPAs included in the functional network.

Abstract: A system for training a neural network includes a neural network configured to receive a training input in an image space and produce an enhanced image. The system further includes an error signal generator configured to compare the enhanced image to a ground truth and generate an error signal that is communicated back to the neural network to train the neural network. Additionally, the system includes a neural input enhancer configured to modify the training input in response to receiving at least one of an output from the neural network or the error signal. Modifying the training input improves one of an efficiency or a training result of the neural network beyond the communication of the error signal to only the neural network.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for obtaining useful compounds from lichens.

Abstract: In certain examples, methods and semiconductor structures are directed to multilayered structures including TMD (transition metal dichalcogenide material or TMD-like material and a polymer-based layer which is characterized as exhibiting flexibility. A first layer including a TMD-based material (e.g., an atomic-thick layer including TMD) or TMD-like material is provided or grown on a surface which in certain instances may be a rigid platform or substrate. A plurality of electrodes are provided on or as part of the first layer, and another layer or film including polymer is applied to cover the first layer and the electrodes. The other layer is integrated with the TMD material or TMD-like material and the first layer, and the other layer provides a flexible substrate such as when released from the exemplary rigid platform or substrate.

Abstract: A medical device for retrieval of kidney stone fragments from a urinary tract is provided. The medical device has a plurality of magnets arranged within a flexible sheath forming a flexible wire. The magnets are magnetically attached end-to-end and arranged with their magnetic polarities alternating in direction. The magnetization direction of each of the magnets is orthogonal to the length axis of the flexible wire. A removable inner stylet is situated within the flexible sheath allowing for modifiable flexibility of the wire. The medical device is dimensioned to be introduced into the urinary tract and standard endoscopic devices. The medical device is further dimensioned to allow for the wire with magnetically attached stone fragments to be retrieved from the urinary tract. The magnetic field along the length axis is sufficient to attract to the surface of the flexible wire superparamagnetic nanoparticles which have bound themselves to kidney stone fragments.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modifying allogeneic donor ?? T cells for use in the treatment of high risk leukemias are provided.

Abstract: An anode includes: (1) a current collector; and (2) an interfacial layer disposed over the current collector. The interfacial layer includes an ion-conductive organic network including anionic coordination units, organic linkers bonded through the anionic coordination units, and counterions dispersed in the ion-conductive organic network.

Abstract: The invention includes a chimeric autoantibody receptor (CAAR) specific for anti-muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) B cell receptor (BCR), compositions comprising the CAAR, polynucleotides encoding the CAAR, vectors comprising a polynucleotide encoding the CAAR, and recombinant cells comprising the CAAR.

Abstract: Vaccine vectors and methods of using the vaccine vectors to enhance the immune response to an Apicomplexan parasite and reduce the morbidity or mortality associated with subsequent infection are provided herein. The vaccine vectors include a polynucleotide encoding a Rhomboid polypeptide and optionally include an immune-stimulatory polypeptide suitably expressed on the surface of the vaccine vector.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of compounds and compositions for the treatment or prevention of Flavivirus infections, such as dengue virus infections and Zika virus infections. Aspects of the invention include methods for treating or preventing Flavivirus virus infection, such as dengue virus and Zika virus infection, by administering a compound or composition of the invention, to a subject in need thereof; methods for inhibiting Flavivirus infections, such as dengue virus and Zika virus infections, in a cell in vitro or in vivo; pharmaceutical compositions; packaged dosage formulations; and kits useful for treating or preventing Flavivirus infections, such as dengue virus and Zika virus infections.