Abstract: The present disclosure provides a platform and method for predicting disease prognosis based on label-free liquid biopsy, in particular, to establish a disease model in vitro on a microfluidic device and provide a trained deep learning neural network for automatically extracting morphological features from cell clusters formed by the label-free liquid biopsy of a test subject in order to predict different disease stages and evaluate efficacies of a corresponding treatment regime to the test subject. The present disclosure also provides a method for training the neural network based on different cell cluster datasets obtained from the disease model corresponding to different deep learning models of the neural network.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for analyzing circular DNA in a biological sample (e.g., including cell-free DNA, such as plasma). For example, to measure circular DNA, cleaving can be performed to linearize the circular DNA so that they may be sequenced. Example cleaving techniques include restriction enzymes and transposases. Then, one or more criteria can be used to identify linearized DNA molecules, e.g., so as to differentiate from linear DNA molecules. An example criterion is mapping a pair of reversed end sequences to a reference genome. Another example criterion is identification of a cutting tag, e.g., associated with a restriction enzyme or an adapter sequence added by a transposase. Once circular DNA molecules (e.g., eccDNA and circular mitochondrial DNA) are identified, they may be analyzed (e.g., to determine a count, size profile, and/or methylation) to measure a property of the biological sample, including genetic properties and level of a disease.

Abstract: A lens for a horn antenna and a horn antenna including the lens. The lens includes a generally flared plate assembly extending generally along an axis from a first side to a second side opposite the first side. The generally flared plate assembly defines a plurality of non-linear channels that are operable to manipulate an electromagnetic wave received at the first side to provide a manipulated electromagnetic wave at the second side.

Abstract: A radiator for terahertz electromagnetic radiation. The radiator includes one or more radiator units. Each radiator unit includes an oscillator operable to generate second harmonic power, and a patch antenna operably coupled with the oscillator for radiating terahertz electromagnetic radiation based on the generated second harmonic power.

Abstract: Electrocatalytic overall water splitting to generate hydrogen and oxygen is a green and sustainable approach with zero carbon emission, which is important for the future renewable energy landscape. The practical application of this approach is challenging due to the sluggish reaction kinetics of water activation at high current densities, which are hard to overcome. Although high-performance alkaline bifunctional electrocatalysts may be useful, current catalysts lack both activity and durability. One approach is to rationally design bifunctional two-dimensional (2D) heterostructures but obtaining an efficient and durable catalyst has proved difficult. The present disclosure relates generally to an electrocatalyst including a 2D heterostructure (Ru-CMOP), methods of making and using the same. The catalyst of the present disclosure is designed for high activity and good durability at industrial-level high current densities.

Abstract: A three dimensional classification system for recognizing cross-sectional images automatically contains a processor that executes: (1) rescaling of a plurality of cross-sectional images; and feeding the rescaled plurality of cross-sectional images into two branches; (2) feeding the rescaled plurality of cross-sectional images into a first branch for performing a plurality of convolutions on the rescaled plurality of cross-sectional images directly to learn features for distinguishing phases; (3) feeding the rescaled plurality of cross-sectional images into a second branch for reducing resolution, and then performing a plurality of convolutions on the reduced resolution plurality of cross-sectional images to learn features for distinguishing phases; and (4) concatenating convolutional output channels from the two branches to fuse global and local features, on which two fully-connected layers are stacked as a classifier to recognize cross-sectional volumetric images accurately and quickly.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and a system for configuring and implementing an artificial neural network. The method for configuring includes initializing an artificial neural network; and training, based on a training operation, the artificial neural network so as to form an adaptively deployable artificial neural network defining a plurality of nested artificial neural sub-networks. Each artificial neural sub-network is optimal for a respective resource configuration. The method for implementing includes determining an optimal configuration of the artificial neural network for deployment at an electrical device, and deploying the artificial neural network with the optimal configuration at the electrical device.

Abstract: A multi-polarization antenna includes a plurality of antenna elements and a dielectric arrangement operably coupled with the plurality of antenna elements. The dielectric arrangement is arranged to cooperate with the plurality of antenna elements to (i) facilitate transmission and/or receive of, at least, electromagnetic waves with a first polarization, electromagnetic waves with a second polarization different from the first polarization, and electromagnetic waves with a third polarization different from the first polarization and the second polarization, and (ii) reduce, limit, and/or eliminate mutual coupling between at least some of the plurality of antenna elements during operation. The first, second, and third polarizations are non-orthogonal.

Abstract: A processor for a cryptosystem. The processor comprises a hybrid processor architecture including a hardware processor, a software processor and an interconnection interface arranged to exchange data between the hardware processor and the software processor; wherein the hardware processor comprises a plurality of hardware accelerator modules arranged to perform computational tasks including at least one of number theoretic transforms (NTT) computation, arithmetic operations which are more time-consuming when being performed instead by the software-processor.

Abstract: A sensor for liquid biopsy, its method of making, and its method of non-invasive use. The sensor includes a substrate with a surface functionalized with biotinylated antibodies. The biotinylated antibodies are arranged to engage with surface proteins on exosomes associated with malignant cancer cells such as glioma cells.

Abstract: Magnetic field has been considered as a safe and promising method for remote control of medical robots in body. Systems that implement electromagnetic coils can provide wide control bandwidth and on-off capability. However, scaling-up the working space of such systems for clinical use and increasing energy efficiency to reduce heat generation have always been a challenging task. The design, modeling and control methods for a magnetic actuation system with multiple mobile electromagnetic coils with decoupled movements are introduced. The high flexibility of such configuration and the proposed real-time control strategy enables the system to enlarge the working space by tracking the locomotion of the robot, deal with the irregularly shaped obstructions inside the working area, work with medical imaging systems for localization of the medical robots, generate various kind of magnetic field for actuation and conduct real-time optimization on coils' positions to enhance energy efficiency.

Abstract: An MR marker (501, 601, 803, 902) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided intervention and method of fabricating same. The tracking device can be integrated with an MRI-guided robotic system to provide precise positional tracking of the interventional tools and robotic components, allowing safe operation inside the human body. The MR tracking device includes a plurality of stacked flexible printed circuit boards; a plurality of flat planar spirals comprised of a non-ferromagnetic material and directly disposed on a top surface and a bottom surface side of each flexible printed circuit board, a biocompatible, non-ferromagnetic material encapsulating the flexible printed circuit boards; and an adhesive bonding the flexible printed circuit boards. In another aspect, an orientation-independent device is provided including three or more markers (501, 601, 803, 902) in an array around a cylindrical substrate.

Abstract: A method for preparing a high-performance single-crystal layered cathode material of formula LiNixTM1-xO2 (0.6<x<0.9, TM=one or more of Mn, Co, Fe, Zr, V, Ti) or formula Na0.66TMO2 (TM=one or more of Ni, Mn, Fe, Cr, and Co). Stoichiometric amounts of transition-metal salts are mixed to form a transition metal salt solution. A precipitating agent is added to the transition metal salt solution followed by co-precipitating a mixed transition metal precipitant. The mixed transition metal precipitant is mixed with a lithium precursor or a sodium precursor to form a cathode material precursor mixture. The cathode material precursor mixture is subjected to various calcining and grinding processes followed by annealing to create single crystal layered cathode material particles.

Abstract: Continuous miniaturization of semiconductor devices is the key to boosting modern electronics development. However, such downscaling strategy has been rarely utilized in photoelectronics and photovoltaics. Here, in this work, a full-vdWs 1D p-Te/2D n-Bi2O2Se heterodiode with a rationally-designed nanoscale ultra-photosensitive channel is reported. Enabled by the dangling bond-free mixed-dimensional vdWs integration, the Te/Bi2O2Se type-II diodes show a high rectification ratio of 3.6×104. Operating with 100 mV reverse bias or in a self-power mode, the photodiodes demonstrated excellent photodetection performances, including high responsivities of 130 A W?1 (100 mV bias) and 768.8 mA W?1 (self-power mode), surpassing most of the reports of other heterostructures. More importantly, a superlinear photoelectric conversion phenomenon is uncovered in these nanoscale full-vdWs photodiodes, in which a model based on the in-gap trap-assisted recombination is proposed for this superlinearity.

Abstract: A method for hybrid-domain reconstruction of MRI images includes the steps of (A) extracting null-subspace bases of a calibration matrix from k-space coil calibration data to calculate image-domain spatial null maps (SNMs) and (B) reconstructing multi-channel images by solving an image-domain nulling system formed by SNMs that contain both coil sensitivity and finite image support information, thus circumventing the masking-related procedure and demonstrating a robust reconstruction.

Abstract: A human balance sensor for assessing the risk of the user falling includes a transparent glass plate, a latex sheet located on the top surface of the glass plate, a light source located so as to inject light into edge of the glass plate and a high resolution camera located below the glass plate so as to capture light diffused from the glass plate when pressure is applied thereto by the user's foot. Based on the principle of Frustrated Total Internal Reflection (FTIR), when user stands with his feet on the glass plate a condition of total internal reflection is eliminated at pressure locations due to the pressure from the feet, and diffused light passes from the bottom surface of the glass plate and forms a haptic image of the contact area of the feet which can be analyzed over time to determine the user's ability to balance, and hence their risk of a fall.

Abstract: A chromic liquid capable of responding to and reproducing external optical color illumination is formed as a TiO2 colloid imbued with three sensitizing dyes. The dyes are (a) SQ2 (5-carboxy-2-[[3-[(2,3-dihydro-1,1-dimethyl-3-ethyl-1H-benzo[e]indol-2-ylidene)methyl]-2-hydroxy-4-oxo-2-cyclobuten-1-ylidene]methyl]-3,3-dimethyl-1-octyl-3H-indolium), (b) LEG4 (3-{6-{4-[bis(2?,4?-dibutyloxybiphenyl-4-yl)amino-]phenyl}-4,4-dihexyl-cyclopenta-[2,1-b:3,4-b?]dithiophene-2-yl}-2-cyanoacrylic acid) and (c) L0 (4-(diphenylamino) phenylcyanoacrylic acid). The liquid reproduces cyan, magenta and yellow color or a mixture thereof in response to exposure to illumination by light of various colors.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention provide methods, systems, and apparatus for determining whether a fetal chromosomal aneuploidy exists from a biological sample obtained from a pregnant female. Nucleic acid molecules of the biological sample are sequenced, such that a fraction of the genome is sequenced. Respective amounts of a clinically-relevant chromosome and of background chromosomes are determined from results of the sequencing. The determination of the relative amounts may count sequences of only certain length. A parameter derived from these amounts (e.g. a ratio) is compared to one or more cutoff values, thereby determining a classification of whether a fetal chromosomal aneuploidy exists. Prior to sequencing, the biological sample may be enriched for DNA fragments of a particular sizes.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of controlling movement of a host mechanical system using inertial forces imparted by an augmentable or morphable appendage. Such appendages are attached to the host mechanical system such that augmentation or morphing of the appendage to move a mass of the appendage from an extended to a retracted configuration imparts inertial forces to the supporting structure. Augmentation/morphing is controlled and coordinated such that imparted inertial forces facilitate a desired movement of the mechanical system. The imparted forces can include translation forces and/or rotational forces along one or more axes. The augmentation or morphing of the appendage can be performed concurrently with separately controlled coordinated movement of the appendage to facilitate a desired movement of the mechanical system. Such appendages can include, but are not limited to, telescoping and/or folding designs.

Abstract: An Al—Si coated press hardening component, wherein the Al—Si coating comprises a low-Al content ferrite layer with an Al content of less than 5 wt % and a thickness of greater than 5 ?m, and having a maximum bending angle of the Al—Si coated press hardening component is greater than 65°. The thickness of the tough low-Al content ferrite layer in the Al—Si coating after hot stamping, reaching 5-100 ?m, by improving the hot stamping process, so that the formation or propagation of cracks on the surface or the coating is effectively prevented, and the bendability of the pre-coated steel after hot stamping is improved. At the same time, the hot stamping process of the present invention can take into account or optimize the microstructure of the steel substrate to further improve the bendability and tensile property of the whole material.