Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improved imaging of internal tissue structures, such as lesions in the peritoneum, are disclosed employing Differentially Polarized Light (DPL) imaging. The optical system can include a laparoscope having at least one optical illumination waveguide for directing illuminating radiation and an optical collection waveguide having an aperture for collecting and transmitting radiation backscattered from a tissue region to a detector. The system further can include a polarizer for polarizing the illuminating radiation and a second analyzing polarizer disposed in the optical return path, whereby backscattered radiation of differing polarizations can be passed to the detector. End cap assemblies are also disclosed that that can be fitted to conventional laparoscopes, e.g., by a threaded connection or the like, to facilitate DPL imaging by polarizing the illuminating light of the laparoscope. For example, the end cap can include a polarizing film within a stainless steel housing.

Abstract: Multi-state switchability is highly desirable in optoelectronic devices. For liquid crystal (LC) based devices, the stability of any configuration is achieved through a balance between imposed interactions and the LC's orientational elasticity. In most cases, the latter acts to resist deformation. By combining surface topography and chemical patterning, provided here are the effects of saddle-splay orientational elasticity, a property that, despite being intrinsic to all LCs, is routinely suppressed. Utilizing theory and continuum elastic calculations, provided here are example conditions for which, even using generic, achiral LC materials, spontaneously broken surface symmetries develop. Also provided are multi-stable devices in which a weak, but directional, applied field switches between spontaneously-polar surface state domains. The disclosed approach is useful in low-field and fast-switching optoelectronic devices, beyond those attainable by current technologies.

Abstract: A dental tissue regenerative composition. The composition includes a combination of (1) human dental pulp stem cells and (2) at least one of human umbilical vein endothelial cells or vascular endothelial growth factor. The combination is encapsulated in a light-activated gelatin methacrylate hydrogel.

Abstract: The invention provides aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, compositions thereof, and methods for use thereof.

Abstract: Identified compounds demonstrate protein kinase inhibitory activity. More specifically, the compounds are demonstrated to inhibit receptor interacting kinase 2 (RIPK2) and/or Activin-like kinase 2 (ALK2). Compounds that are either dual RIPK2/ALK2 inhibitors or that preferentially inhibit RIPK2 or ALK2 could provide therapeutic benefit.

Abstract: Arrays of single molecules and methods of producing an array of single molecules are described. Arrays with defined volumes between 10 attoliters and 50 picoliters enable single molecule detection and quantitation.

Abstract: Disclosed are combination therapies including administration of I-DASH inhibitors and PGE2 antagonists, and the use of such therapies in the treatment of cell proliferative diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nanoporous membrane including a porous support layer and a selective layer. The selective layer, being deposited on a surface of the porous support layer, has an effective pore size smaller than that of the porous support layer and contains an array of polymeric nanoparticles that have on their surfaces a plurality of —C(?O)XR groups. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating a nanoporous membrane described above and using the nanoporous membrane for separating a mixture that contains two solutes.

Abstract: Techniques for generating and managing, including simulating and training, deep tensor neural networks are presented. A deep tensor neural network comprises a graph of nodes connected via weighted edges. A network management component (NMC) extracts features from tensor-formatted input data based on tensor-formatted parameters. NMC evolves tensor-formatted input data based on a defined tensor-tensor layer evolution rule, the network generating output data based on evolution of the tensor-formatted input data. The network is activated by non-linear activation functions, wherein the weighted edges and non-linear activation functions operate, based on tensor-tensor functions, to evolve tensor-formatted input data. NMC trains the network based on tensor-formatted training data, comparing output training data output from the network to simulated output data, based on a defined loss function, to determine an update.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and a method for automated extraction of silk fibroin from silk cocoons. The silk extraction system can include a boiling tank, a rinsing tank, and a rinse bowl attached to a robotic arm. The rinse bowl has a porous bottom surface adapted to retain an extracted silk fibroin. The robotic arm can move the rinse bowl between the boiling tank and the rinsing tank for separate stages of processing. A silk processing algorithm is executed by a processor to automate the process.

Abstract: Described herein are single domain VHH polypeptides (antibodies) that bind to and/or neutralize the cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6), in particular, human IL-6 (hIL-6). Anti-hIL-6 VHH polypeptide products, methods, pharmaceutical compositions, and kits are provided for treating a subject having or at risk of having a disease, disorder, pathology, or infection associated with or induced by IL-6 or dysfunctional IL-6 signaling. The methods, compositions and kits include a single domain, anti-hIL-6 VHH polypeptide (antibody), or hIL-6 binding portion thereof, that specifically binds to and/or neutralizes IL-6 and treats or prevents IL-6-induced illnesses and diseases. The anti-hIL-6 VHHs, or hIL-6 binding portion thereof, may be recombinantly produced and expressed.

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: The disclosure generally relates to the artificial intelligence (AI) automatic methods, computer program product, and systems and methodology for dietary and medical treatment planning, food waste estimation, analyzing three-dimensional food image construction, measurement, nutrient estimation, nutritional assessment, evaluation, prediction and management. More particularly, the embodiments described herein relate to utilizing an AI-based algorithm that can automatically, detect food items from images acquired by cameras for dietary assessment, dietary planning, and for estimating food waste. In one aspect, the method may include food calorie estimation techniques using machine learning and computer vision techniques for dietary assessment. In another aspect, the tools may apply to personalized nutrition. The method may also include the automation of nutrition planning.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a filtration membrane. The method includes providing a copolymer solution by dissolving a statistical copolymer in a mixture of a co-solvent and a first organic solvent, coating the copolymer solution onto a porous support layer to form a polymeric layer thereon, coagulating the polymeric layer on top of the support layer to form a thin film composite membrane, and immersing the thin film composite membrane into a water bath to obtain a filtration membrane. Also disclosed are a filtration membrane prepared by the method, and a process of filtering a liquid using the filtration membrane thus prepared.

Abstract: A method comprising: obtaining a plurality of data sets, each of the plurality of data sets being generated, at least in part, by using by a different one of a plurality of sensors, each of a plurality of sensors including a wearable sensor that is worn by a user or a sensor that is positioned at a same location as the user; combining the plurality of data sets to produce a fused data set; processing the fused data set to identify at least one of a performance of the user in completing a task, a cognitive load of the user, and/or one or more objects that are positioned at the same location as the user; and outputting an indication of a state of the user based on an outcome of the processing.

Abstract: A method is directed to continuously, non-invasively, and directly measuring blood pressure, and includes providing a calibrated measurement device having a blood-flow control balloon and a sensor array. The method further includes placing the sensor array in a non-invasive manner over the surface of a patch of skin connected to an artery by adjoining soft tissues and inflating the blood-flow control balloon with a controlled amount of pressure. In response to the inflating of the blood-flow control balloon, changes in the artery geometry and forces are detected, via the sensor array, during a heartbeat cycle. The changes correspond to spatio-temporal signals from the artery or in the adjoining soft tissues. The spatio-temporal signals are measured and processed, via a controller, to determine blood-pressure parameters.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a composition comprising a hierarchical opal that exhibits structural color when exposed to incident electromagnetic radiation. The hierarchical opal comprises nanoscale periodic cavities separated by a lattice constant, and includes a surface having grooves. The grooves may form a diffractive optical element on the surface of the hierarchical opal, such as a diffuser, a diffraction grating, a beamsplitter, a beam displacement opic, a Fresnel lens, and a micro lens, among others.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides systems and methods for detecting malware, including receiving thermal images of an integrated circuit, and generating a power density profile using at least one of the thermal images. The present disclosure further includes comparing the power density profile to an expected power density profile of the integrated circuit, and determining, based on the comparison, if the integrated circuit is in an abnormal operating state.

Abstract: Arrays of single molecules and methods of producing an array of single molecules are described. Arrays with defined volumes between 10 attoliters and 50 picoliters enable single molecule detection and quantitation.

Abstract: Systems and methods may ethically evaluate intelligent systems operating in a real-world environment. The systems and methods may generate a clone of the intelligent system, and test the clone in a simulation environment. If the clone passes the testing, the systems and methods may permit the intelligent system to continue operating in the real-world environment. If the clone fails the testing, the systems and methods may override the intelligent system, such as disabling the intelligent system and assuming control in the real-world environment. The systems and methods may be implemented at a hardware level of a data processing device to prevent interference with the systems and methods by the intelligent system.