Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiment that are directed to a method comprising storing each encrypted data block, of a cyphertext page, with corresponding encrypted error correction code (ECC) bits in a persistent memory device (PMD). In exemplified embodiments, the encrypted ECC bits verify both an encryption counter value of an encryption operation and a plaintext block of the cyphertext page from a decryption operation. In other embodiments, the method includes decrypting, using the decryption operation during a read operation of a memory controller, a respective one block of the cyphertext file and the corresponding encrypted ECC bits stored in the PMD using a current counter value to form the plaintext block and decrypted ECC bits. Further, the may include verifying the plaintext block with the decrypted ECC bits; and performing a security check of the encryption counter value in response to the plaintext block failing the verification, using the decrypted ECC bits.

Abstract: A flexible, artifact-free, and lensless fiber-based imaging system for biological objects. This system combines image reconstruction by a trained deep neural network with low-loss image transmission through disordered glass-air Anderson localized optical fiber. High quality images of biological objects can be obtained using short (few centimeters) or long (more than one meter) segments of disordered fiber with and without fiber bending. The deep neural network can also be designed to perform image classification. The system provides the unique property that the training performed within a straight fiber setup can be utilized for high fidelity reconstruction/classification of images that are transported through either straight or bent fiber making retraining for different bending situations unnecessary.

Abstract: A subwavelength gold hole/disk array that when coupled with a ground plane induces extraordinary transmission through the hole/disk array and zero back reflection. The hole/disk array functions as a “light funnel” in couling incident radiation into the cavity with about 100% efficiency over a narrow resonant bandwidth, which results in frequency-selective perfect (˜100%) absorption of the incident radiation. Such an optical frequency-selective absorber enables flexible scaling of detector response to any wavelength range by pattern dimensional changes, enabling uncooled frequency selective detection and “color” imaging in the infrared domain. Methods and applications are disclosed.

Abstract: A device comprising monolithic substrates forming a chip including a wireless, battery-less monolithically-integrated neural interface (MINI) device. The chip comprises an integrated circuit (IC) being embedded in a first monolithic substrate and comprising a plurality of amplifiers configured to amplify received neural signals from a monitored subject, and a radio data signal generator configured to process the amplified neural signals and generate a multiplexed digital signal. The chip includes radio-frequency (RF) planar coils embedded in a second monolithic substrate, being electrically connected to the IC through the first monolithic substrate, being configured for wireless transmission of the multiplexed digital signal to a remote wireless device and being configured to receive wireless power signals to power the IC. A plurality of on-chip electrodes is included to directly sense the neural signals of the subject and provide the neural signals to the plurality of amplifiers.

Abstract: Methods, systems, compositions include biocompatible polymer coated nanoceria that function as aqueous redox catalyst with enhanced activity at an acidic to moderately alkaline pH value between 1 and 8. The compositions are used as oxidizing agents for decomposition, decontamination or inactivation of organic contaminants, such as, pesticides and chemical warfare agents. Another use includes nanoceria as targetable nanocatalyst prepared by conjugating various targeting ligands to the nanoparticle coating to form a colorimetric or fluorescent probe in immunoassays and other molecule binding assays that involve the use of a molecule in solution that changes the color of the solution or emits a fluorescent signal, where localization of nanoceria to organs or tissue is assessed by treatment with an oxidation sensitive dye or other detection devices.

Abstract: Methods of protecting skin of a mammal by application of silk-derived compositions useful for treating or preventing a wide variety of skin conditions. Silk solutions and silk mats are prepared and applied to the skin surface. The silk compositions may be self-adhesive or sutured to cover a wound or area of skin exposed to physical stresses and strains, thereby preventing a wound and/or promoting wound healing.

Abstract: A system for remote tactile telepresence wherein tactile telepresence sessions are time-coded along with audiovisual content wherein playback is heard, seen, and felt. Embodiments associate motion capture with the tactile profile so that remote, haptic recipients may see renderings of objects (e.g., hands) imparting vibrotactile sensations.

Abstract: Techniques for growing, at least one of: (a) quantum dots and (b) nano-crystals, on a surface of a material are provided. One method comprises placing a precursor on the surface; adding an antisolvent to the precursor; and growing at least one of the quantum dots and the nanocrystals on the surface.

Abstract: Lazy Persistency (LP), a software persistency method that allows caches to slowly send dirty blocks to the non-volatile main memory (NVMM) through natural evictions. With LP, there are no additional writes to NVMM, no decrease in write endurance, and no performance degradation from cache line flushes and barriers. Persistency failures are discovered using software error detection (checksum), and the system recovers from them by recomputing inconsistent results. LP was evaluated and compared to the state-of-the-art Eager Persistency technique from prior work. Compared to Eager Persistency, LP reduces the execution time and write amplification overheads from 9% and 21% to only 1% and 3%, respectively.

Abstract: A system and method that relies on the principles of material science, deformable body mechanics, continuum mechanics and additive manufacturing to reduce the costs associated with additive manufacturing. Physical properties are used by numerical solution methods, such as the Finite Element Method (FEM) or Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH), to deform an original model of an object to be manufactured into a viable configuration that reduces fabrication material, time, and cost when manufacturing an object through additive manufacturing.

Abstract: A topological laser system is described. The laser system comprises an array of optical elements arranged in an array and coupled between them such that the array is configured for supporting one or more topological modes. The plurality of optical elements comprises optical elements carrying gain material configured for emitting optical radiation in response to pumping energy. The laser system further comprises a pumping unit configured to provide pumping of a group of the optical elements of the array within at least a portion of the spatial region corresponding with said topological mode; and at least one output port optically coupled to one or more of the optical elements associated with said topological mode. The at least one output ports is configured for extracting a portion of light intensity from said laser system.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for conditioning and adapting an individual having an environmental anxiety disorder to real-world environments through computer simulations. The subject is fully or partially immersed in a computer-simulated environment for a time-limited session. Real-time monitoring of the human subject is performed for a change in a sensor-derived, quantified anxiety level. Responsive to an increase in anxiety level, the computer-simulated environment modulates the sensory complexity of one or more features of the simulation wherein the human subject adapts to increasingly complex environments.

Abstract: A solar power system has a photovoltaic module that supplies electrical current derived from sunlight to a heater system of a hot water tank. The heater system uses the electrical energy from the photovoltaic module, and optionally also from a local power grid, to heat water up to a selected maximum stored hot water temperature. Control circuitry senses when the level of electrical power is below a threshold solar-power level, and in response sets the stored hot water temperature for the heater system to a first lower temperature value. The control circuitry also senses when the level of electrical power is above the threshold solar-power level, an in response sets the stored hot water temperature for the heater system to a second elevated temperature value higher than the lower temperature, making advantageous use of solar power when available. A mixing unit adds cold water to set the dispensed water temperature.

Abstract: A guide hole structure can include a body defining one or more guide holes through the body between a first surface and a second surface. The guide hole structure can include one or more contact area reducing features forming and/or extending from an inner surface of the body to form the one or more guide holes. The one or more contact area reducing features can be configured to reduce a contact area of a shaft inserted into and/or through the one or more guide holes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel compositions and methods for stimulation of and the production or expansion of natural killer (NK) cells. Numbers of NK cells can be increased following contact with exosomes modified with one or more stimulatory peptides. Methods and compositions for the production of exosomes, wherein the exosomes comprises stimulatory peptides are also described. Also described are methods of treating cancer using the disclosed NK-stimulating exosomes or NK cells stimulated by the disclosed methods.

Abstract: Described are interdigitated electrodes, which may optionally be plasmonic, useful for in vitro biosensing applications. Such devices may significantly reduce undesired background noise by separating the excitation source (light) from the detection signal (current), and thereby, leading to higher sensitivity for bioanalysis compared with conventional interdigitated electrodes. Also described are methods of making such interdigitated electrodes, which allow a substrate, which may optionally be plasmonic, to be tuned not only to maximize the targeted interaction of the cells with the nanoscale geometry, but also for the excitation wavelength to minimize biological sample interference.

Abstract: A dual inclined beam line-scanning confocal microscope apparatus, associated method, and applications thereof. An embodied dual-inclined beam line-scanning confocal microscope (2iLS) utilizes dual, parallel excitation beams each having a focused line shape that are scanned over a fluorescent sample. The emitted fluorescence from the sample is spatially filtered and detected by an array detector. 2iLS microscopy provides high resolution, ultrasensitivity, and deep optical sectioning capability. A reduced excitation intensity lowers photobleaching and photodamage.

Abstract: The present invention includes a composition, method of making and method of using a novel C5-substituted carbapenem antibiotic of formula 1: R1 is H or CH3 R2 is not H, and is CH3, or C1-C6 straight chain, or branched alkyl, or C3-C6 cycloalkyl group, or unsaturated alkenyl, including C?CH2; R3 is H, CH3, or a C1-C6 alkyl or cycloalkyl group, a heteroatom-substituted alkyl; and R4 is a C1 to C6 alkyl, or substituted alkyl group, especially including substituents which possess positive charge, or a hydroxyl group; or R4 is an SRa, where Ra is an unsubstituted C1 to C6 alkyl group, a substituted C1 to C6 alkyl group, or a functional group that is positively charged, or which bears a positive charge when in aqueous solution at pH 7; or R4 is a CH2ORb, where Rb=C1 to C6 alkyl or substituted alkyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or a heteroaryl groups.

Abstract: A synergistic composition can be used to treat water containing nitrogen compounds and phosphorus compounds. The synergistic composition includes iron filings, clay particles, aluminum particles, and sand particles. The iron filings, clay particles, and aluminum particles act synergistically to remove nitrogen compounds and phosphorus compounds from water. Specifically, the clay particles attract the nitrogen compounds and the phosphorus compounds to be absorbed onto a surface of the iron filings and the clay particles. The aluminum particles react with the nitrogen compounds via an oxidation reaction to form ammonia compounds, and react with the phosphorus compounds to produce aluminum phosphate. As such, the synergistic relationship between the iron filings, clay particles, and aluminum particles remove nitrogen and phosphorus compounds from water and recover the compounds in usable forms, namely, ammonia and aluminum phosphate.

Abstract: Novel compositions and methods for the treatment and prevention of malaria are disclosed herein.