Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling traffic flow along an arterial. The systems comprise a data processing apparatus configured to: monitor traffic light control signals (TLCSs) used to control traffic lights at intersection(s) and traffic delays occurring at intersection(s) at a time when the traffic lights are being controlled by TLCSs; access a hybrid model comprising a first linear term corresponding to an instance of traffic delays, a second linear term corresponding to a concurrent instance of TLCSs, and a nonlinear function defining a nonlinear relationship between the instance of the traffic delays and a previous instance of TLCSs; use the hybrid module to predict traffic delays at intersection(s) based on the traffic control signals and the traffic delays; determine, based on TLCSs and the traffic delays, traffic control signals that cause the predicted traffic delays to decrease; and cause the traffic lights to be controlled using the traffic control signals.

Abstract: In some examples, anthropometric parameters of a subject are ascertained from radiographic image data. Radiograph image data is transformed to a representation of a lower dimensionality than the dimensionality of the image data by an machine learning processor. The representation of the radio graph image data is mapped to anthropometric parameters, directly or first to an intermediate three-dimensional optical image of the subject, and then from the intermediate three-dimensional optical image to anthropometric parameters.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a bioimpedance measurement apparatus includes a set of electrodes configured to be placed on respective skin portions of a subject; a temperature sensor probe configured to be placed on a respective skin portion of the subject; a moisture sensor probe configured to be placed on a respective skin portion of the subject; and an electronic module configured to determine an impedance between at least two of the plurality of electrodes, receive from the temperature probe a temperature signal and determine from the temperature signal a temperature of the skin portion the temperature sensor probe is placed on, receive from the moisture sensor probe a moisture signal and determine a moisture level of the skin portion the moisture sensor probe is placed on, and determine a bioimpedance of the subject based at least in part on the determined impedance, temperature, and moisture level.

Abstract: A spatial Fourier transform spectrometer is disclosed. The Fourier transform spectrometer includes a Fabry-Perot interferometer with first and second optical surfaces. The gap between the first and second optical surfaces spatially varies in a direction that is orthogonal to the optical axis of the Fourier transform spectrometer. The Fabry-Perot interferometer creates an interference pattern from input light. An image of the interference pattern is captured by a detector, which is communicatively coupled to a processor. The processor is configured to process the interference pattern image to determine information about the spectral content of the input light.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for the global, rapid, and automatic detection of wildfire activity. Such systems and methods may also classify wildfires based on a new severity classification scheme. Wildfire activity may be tracked as wildfires migrate, grow, and combine. Additionally, because satellite systems currently collect over 4 million fire observations per year, a filtering mechanism is introduced to remove benign anthropogenic fires. To classify wildfire severity for generating alerts, the present disclosure also provides a logarithmic severity classification system based on 24-hour cumulative Fire Radiative Power (FRP).

Abstract: Peptide analogues of ?-amyloid and methods of using said analogues for neuroprotection are described herein. The ?-amyloid peptide analogues have a sequence that is at least 50% identical to an N-terminal ?-amyloid core fragment. A pharmaceutical composition of the ?-amyloid peptide analogues in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier can be administered to a subject for neuromodulation. The ?-amyloid peptide analogues, while lacking neurotoxicity, effectively provides for protective activity against ?-amyloid toxicity.

Abstract: An antibody targeting Galectin-9 is provided as are methods of using the same treatment of chronic immune conditions such as infections, inflammatory diseases and cancer, in particular malignant mesothelioma.

Abstract: An autonomous system and method for controlling the operation of a steerable surgical device includes multiple surgical device actuation elements, an imaging apparatus (e.g., ultrasound) arranged external to a mammalian body, and at least one processor. The processor(s) is/are configured to generate a transit path between an insertion point and a target point, control the surgical device actuation elements to advance the steerable surgical device along one or more segments of the transit path, identify deviation of position relative to the transit path utilizing signals from the imaging apparatus and generate an updated transit path, and control the surgical device actuation elements to advance the steerable surgical device along at least one segment of the updated transit path. Transit of the steerable surgical device between the insertion point and the target point may be controlled without human intervention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stable immunogenic composition capable of eliciting a robust and durable immune response, comprising at least one antigen consisting of a filovirus glycoprotein and at least one nano-emulsion adjuvant which are co-lyophilized and can be reconstituted immediately prior to use. Also disclosed is a vaccine composition comprising at least two antigens, wherein each antigen is specific to a different genus of filovirus and which also comprises at least one nano-emulsion adjuvant.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for energy generation from salinity gradients using asymmetrically porous electrodes. In certain embodiments, an energy generation system includes at least one pair of asymmetrically porous electrodes positioned within a chamber in selective fluidic communication with a freshwater source (e.g., a river) and a saltwater source (e.g., an ocean). Asymmetry between a first average percent volume per unit pore-width of a first electrode and a second average percent volume per unit pore-width of a second electrode creates differing interfacial potentials between the first electrode and the second electrode when such electrodes are immersed in freshwater and saltwater. By cyclically immersing the electrodes in freshwater and saltwater, energy is harvested from Gibbs free energy from mixing saltwater and freshwater. Such a system does not require a membrane or an external charge source. Methods of generating energy using asymmetrically porous electrodes are also provided.

Abstract: Enabling quick feature delivery is essential for product success and is therefore a goal of software architecture design. But how may we determine if and to what extent an architecture is “good enough” to support feature addition and modification, or determine if a refactoring effort is successful in that features may be added more easily? The applications may use Feature Space and Feature Dependency, derived from a software project's revision history that capture the dependency relations among the features of a system in a feature dependency structure matrix (FDSM), using features as first-class design elements. The applications may also use a Feature Decoupling Level (FDL) metric that may be used to measure the level of independence among features.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein provide for methods for synthesizing magnesium borohydride from hydrogenation of magnesium boride at moderate temperature and pressure in the presence of a modifier. The modifier may be in form of hydrides, liquid hydrogen carriers, ammonia borane, metallic species, croconate anion based materials, ethers, amines or imines, metal carbides, borides, graphene, arenes, magnesium, aluminum, calcium or ionic liquids. Some embodiments provide for charging magnesium boride in presence of a modifier at high pressure hydrogen while simultaneously heating the material. The modification in some instances may lead to an improved magnesium boride product with enhanced properties for application in other hydrogen storage systems.

Abstract: Apparatus include divergence optics removably coupled to receive a probe beam in a first imaging mode to cause the probe beam to diverge before impinging on a first area of a target surface, and to not receive the probe beam in a second imaging mode to cause the probe beam to impinge on a second area of the target surface smaller than the first area, collection optics configured to receive, in response to the probe beam, luminescence light emitted from the first area and spectral light emitted from the second area, and an optical detector coupled to the collection optics, wherein the optical detector includes a luminescence imaging detector portion and a spectral imaging detector portion adjacent to the luminescence imaging detector portion, wherein the luminescence imaging detector portion is configured to receive the luminescence light emitted from the first area and the spectral imaging detector portion is configured to receive the spectral light from the second area.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stable immunogenic composition capable of eliciting a robust and durable immune response, comprising at least one antigen consisting of a filovirus glycoprotein and at least one nano-emulsion adjuvant which are co-lyophilized and can be reconstituted immediately prior to use. Also disclosed is a vaccine composition comprising at least two antigens, wherein each antigen is specific to a different genus of filovirus and which also comprises at least one nano-emulsion adjuvant.

Abstract: In one aspect, an embodiment of this invention comprises an apparatus for updating an active fuel gauge of a battery cell. The apparatus comprises a memory, a sensor, and a processor. The memory stores data regarding an active fuel gauge of the battery cell based on a first voltage and state of charge (SOC) relationship. The processor receives first, second, and third resting voltage measurements at different times. The processor calculates differences in capacity between pairs of the resting voltage measurements based on the first voltage and state of charge (SOC) relationship. When the differences are equal the reference capacity difference, the processor identifies an estimate of a remaining capacity of the battery cell corresponding with the active fuel gauge. When the differences are not equal to the reference capacity difference, the processor updates the active fuel gauge based on an identified second voltage and SOC relationship.

Abstract: A spatial Fourier transform spectrometer is disclosed. The Fourier transform spectrometer includes a Fabry-Perot interferometer with first and second optical surfaces. The gap between the first and second optical surfaces spatially varies in a direction that is orthogonal to the optical axis of the Fourier transform spectrometer. The Fabry-Perot interferometer creates an interference pattern from input light. An image of the interference pattern is captured by a detector, which is communicatively coupled to a processor. The processor is configured to process the interference pattern image to determine information about the spectral content of the input light.

Abstract: Methods described herein, in some embodiments, permit extraction of particle structural and/or surface charge data from gradient induced particle motion in channels. In one aspect, a method of manipulating particle motion comprises introducing a fluid into a channel, the fluid comprising particles, and driving particle accumulation to a preselected location in the channel by setting advective velocity of the fluid to offset diffusiophoretic mobility of the particles at the preselected location.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising 2-arylsulfonamido-N-arylacetamide derivatized Stat3 inhibitors and certain pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and methods of their use.

Abstract: Isoorientin analogues and related compounds that inhibit glycogen synthase kinase-3? activity are provided as are methods of using these compounds in the treatment of cognitive, neurodegenerative or neurological diseases or conditions, as well as cancer, obesity, diabetes, inflammatory or autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disorder, metabolic syndrome X, hair loss, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, cocaine addiction, dental caries, bone loss and glaucoma.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for performing logical filtering of hazard alerts by an area of geography the hazard is expected to impact and issuing alerts based on that area. Based on a geographical location, a hazard type, and a hazard severity, one or more geographic areas the hazard is expected to impact may be determined. One or more automated alerts may be issued to alert users in those areas that could be affected by the hazard.