Abstract: Apparatus and methods for forming an image of an object which involves focusing partially to fully spatially-coherent radiation onto a sample and collecting the resulting scattered radiation (the “standard data set”) on an array detector. In addition to the standard dataset, an additional measurement or plurality of measurements is made of a relatively-unscattered beam, using the array detector, which comprises the “modulus enforced probe (MEP) dataset”. This MEP dataset serves as an extra constraint, called the MEP constraint, in the phase retrieval algorithm used to reconstruct the image of the object.

Abstract: A qubit array reparation system includes a reservoir of ultra-cold particle, a detector that determines whether or not qubit sites of a qubit array include respective qubit particles, and a transport system for transporting an ultra-cold particle to a first qubit array site that has been determined by the probe system to not include a qubit particle so that the ultra-cold particle can serve as a qubit particle for the first qubit array site. A qubit array reparation process includes maintaining a reservoir of ultra-cold particles, determining whether or not qubit-array sites contain respective qubit particles, each qubit particle having a respective superposition state, and, in response to a determination that a first qubit site does not contain a respective qubit particle, transporting an ultracold particle to the first qubit site to serve as a qubit particle contained by the first qubit site.

Abstract: Transducer systems disclosed herein include self-sensing capabilities. In particular, electrostatic transducers include a low voltage electrode and a high voltage electrode. A low voltage sensing unit is coupled with the low voltage electrode of the electrostatic transducer. The low voltage sensing unit is configured to measure a capacitance of the electrostatic transducer, from which displacement of the electrostatic transducer may be calculated. High voltage drive signals received by the high voltage electrode during actuation may be isolated from the low voltage sensing unit. The isolation may be provided by dielectric material of the electrostatic transducer, a voltage suppression component, and/or a voltage suppression module comprising a low impedance ground path. In the event of an electrical failure of the transducer, the low voltage sensing unit may be isolated from high voltages.

Abstract: The present invention relates in certain aspects to the discovery of novel 2-naphthimidamide compounds that are capable of binding Type II Transmembrane Serine Proteases (TTSPs). In certain embodiments, the compounds of the invention can be used to treat or prevent Influenza A viral infection in a mammal.

Abstract: A bioprinter for manufacturing an organomimetic device includes at least one extruder configured to extrude a material, a three-dimensional movement assembly, and a build-plate mounted to the three-dimensional movement assembly. The build-plate may be configured to support the organomimetic device being manufactured. The bioprinter may further include a controller operably coupled to and configured to control the at least one extruder, the three-dimensional movement assembly, and the build-plate. The at least one extruder may be non-movably fixed to the cabinet.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates optical imaging devices and methods useful in biological and medical imaging applications. In one embodiment, an optical imaging device includes a flexible lightguide having a first end and a second end, the output of the source of pulsed infrared radiation being optically coupled to the first end of the flexible lightguide; a lens assembly attached to and optically coupled to the second end of the flexible lightguide, the lens assembly comprising a variable-focus lens element, the a variable-focus lens element having a tunable focal length; and a photodetector coupled to the flexible lightguide to detect radiation propagating from the second end toward the first end of the flexible lightguide. The optical imaging devices and methods can be used in both confocal and multi-photon techniques.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to characterizing bioaerosols and, more particularly, to a system for recovering, quantifying, identifying, and assessing the metabolic activities of bioaerosols based on their major biopolymer profiles (lipids, carbohydrate and protein) and more specific their genetic materials (DNA/RNA), such as airborne viruses, bacteria, fungi and pollens.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for preventing inflammatory diseases of the joints, including rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, inflammation of the ligament, synovitis, gout, and systemic lupus erythematosus, wherein the methods include injecting into the inflamed joint a therapeutic anti-inflammatory composition comprising a bacterial or viral IL-10 expression construct, wherein the IL-10 expression construct comprises a bacterial or viral backbone and a nucleic acid sequence encoding interleukin-10.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating a disease or disorder, and preferably cancer, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a CDK2 inhibitor, and a therapeutically effective amount of a CDK4/6 inhibitor, wherein the CDK4/6 inhibitor prevents rebound phosphorylation mediated by CDK4 and/or CDK6 in response to the inhibition of CDK2.

Abstract: A method of analyzing instructor discourse includes recording an audio signal representing speech of the instructor during a class session, converting the audio signal to a session transcript comprising speech data for the session using an automatic speech recognition tool and segmenting the transcript into utterances, extracting a set of features from the session transcript, filtering student talk out from the utterances, analyzing a first subset of the features to produce a number of local context predictions for each utterance of the session transcript, analyzing a second subset of the features to produce a number of global context predictions for the session transcript, and combining a subset of the number of local context predictions and the number of global context predictions into a classification that attends to differential reliability.

Abstract: A method of sequestering gas-phase materials, hempcrete formed using the method, and methods of using hempcrete are disclosed. An exemplary method includes providing a mixture of hempcrete compound material within a chamber and exposing the mixture within the chamber to a gas for a period of time to form hempcrete, wherein the hempcrete exhibits net-negative life cycle carbon emissions. A model to predict net life cycle carbon emission of hempcrete is also disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein are molecules for editing a cell. The molecules described herein generally comprise the following covalently-linked components and a nucleic acid encoding a guide RNA (gRNA) sequence targeting a target region in a cell and a region homologous to the target region comprising a change in sequence relative to the target region.

Abstract: RF co-designed bandpass filters/isolators (BPFIs) are based on series-cascaded non-reciprocal resonant stages, microwave resonators and multi-resonant cells. The non-reciprocal stages are shaped by an in-parallel cascaded transistor-based path and a transmission line (TL) that result in a zero-phase resonance in the forward direction and high isolation in the reversed one. This includes coupling routing diagrams (CRDs) of BPFs that result in low- and high-order transfer functions with and without transmission zeros in their forward direction and high levels of isolation in the reverse one. BPFIs provide alternative-type of filtering responses (e.g., flat-passband, quasi-elliptic) with and without gain in the forward direction and high levels of isolation in the reversed one. BPFIs include five planar microstrip/lumped element (LE) prototypes using hybrid combinations of non-reciprocal resonant stages, microwave resonators and multi-resonant cells.

Abstract: An ophthalmic implant configured for peri-operative, intra-operative, or post-operative assembly and disassembly. Drug delivery devices may be implanted with an intraocular lens, and later removed and replaced with new drug delivery devices.

Abstract: Polymers suitable for forming carbon nanotube-functionalized reverse thermal gel compositions, compositions including the polymers, and methods of forming and using the polymers and compositions are disclosed. The compositions have reverse thermal gelling properties and transform from a liquid/solution to a gel—e.g., near or below body temperature. The polymers and compositions can be injected into or proximate an area in need of treatment.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to novel compositions and methods for treating viral infections and viral infection-related conditions. In some embodiments, compositions include, but are not limited to, at least one pro-inflammatory cytokine. In accordance with these embodiments, a proinflammatory cytokine can include Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) alone or in combination with other agents administered separately or together. In some embodiments, compositions including GM-CSF can be administered to a subject exposed to, suspected of having been exposed to, or having a viral infection. In other embodiments, the compositions treat, ameliorate or prevent a complication related to viral infection including, but not limited to, a central nervous system infection or condition and a lung infection or condition.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting an autoimmune disease by administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition that induces conversion of naive T cells into Foxp3+ regulatory T cells to induce immunosuppression in the subject. Methods for detecting in a subject an autoimmune disease or a predisposition to a autoimmune disease, and methods for assessing the efficacy of a therapy for an autoimmune disease, particularly type 1 diabetes.

Abstract: A quaternary ammonium salt comprising a chromophore constituent, a tertiary amine cation constituent connected to the para-position of the chromophore constituent via a methylene linkage, and a borate anion constituent, wherein chromophore constituent is a 3-ketocoumarin constituent or a benzophenone constituent. Also, a photobase-redox initiating system comprising the quaternary ammonium salt and a peroxide.

Abstract: Methods of forming a porphene polymeric material are provided. The resulting material can be a porphene or a metalloporphene polymeric material. The structure of the polymer can be selected based on a material provided in the monomer material. Methods of using the polymeric material are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and methods of manufacture for soft robotic actuators are described herein. In one aspect, a soft robotic actuator can include an elastomeric material defining a cavity; a volume of liquid metal (LM) positioned within the cavity; and an energy source coupled to the LM, where the energy source is adapted or configured to alter a temperature of the volume of LM, whereby altering the temperature of the volume of LM initiates an actuation of the elastomeric material.