Abstract: A method for generating a perfusion weighted image using arterial spin labeling (ASL) with segmented acquisitions includes dividing an anatomical area of interest into a plurality of slices and performing a multi-band (MB) echo planar imaging (EPI) acquisition process using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system to acquire a control image dataset representative of the plurality of slices using a central-to-peripheral or peripheral-to-central slice acquisition order. An ASL preparation process is performed using the MRI system to magnetically label protons in arterial blood water in an area upstream from the anatomical area of interest. Following a post-labeling delay time period, the MB EPI acquisition process is performed to a labeled image dataset corresponding to the slices using the central-to-peripheral or peripheral-to-central slice acquisition order. A perfusion weighted image of the anatomical area is generated by subtracting the labeled image dataset from the control image dataset.

Abstract: Provided herein are a vector, a genetically modified bacterium including the vector, methods of making the bacterium, methods of using the bacterium, and kits including the bacterium. The vector includes a coding region encoding at least one antimicrobial peptide, and the antimicrobial peptide includes at least one lysin.

Abstract: A recombinant immune cell expresses a heterologous IgG Fc receptor. In some embodiments, the heterologous IgG Fc receptor can be a chimeric IgG Fc receptor. Generally, the chimeric IgG Fc receptor includes an extracellular domain, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular domain. The extracellular domain generally includes a sufficient portion of CD64 to bind to an IgG Fc region. The intracellular domain of the chimeric IgG Fc receptor includes a sufficient portion of an Fc receptor allowing immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) to initiate cell signaling when an IgG Fc region binds to the extracellular domain.

Abstract: Systems, computer-readable media, and methods are disclosed for parallel data processing for service function chains with network functions spanning multiple servers. An example system includes a first server hosting a first network function of a service function chain, a second server hosting a second network function of the service function chain, a mirror function deployed in a first switch to replicate a plurality of packets received by the system and to send respective copies of the plurality of packets to the first network function and to at least one of the second network function and a third network function of the service function chain, and a merge function deployed in a second switch to merge respective outputs of the first network function and the at least one of the second network function and the third network function.

Abstract: A system for measuring synchrony between two or more regions, or within a single region, of a subject's brain. The system can include a signal conditioning module in communication with a phase extraction module. The signal conditioning module can receive an oscillating signal, bandpass filter the signal, and convert the signal to its real and imaginary components. The phase extraction module can receive the real and imaginary components, determine the quadrant of the oscillating signal on the complex plane based on the real and imaginary components, and determine the phase of the oscillating signal using a linear arctangent approximation based on the determined quadrant. The system can calculate synchrony metrics based on the determined phase.

Abstract: A system includes an evaporator having sensors and selectable operational parameters and a controller configured to receive data and determine operational configuration for the evaporator. Selectable parameters relate to system heating, liquid flow rate, air flow rate, and environmental data.

Abstract: The invention provides a compound of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, solvate, or prodrug thereof, wherein R1-R6 have any of the values described in the specification, as well as compositions comprising a compound of formula (I). The compounds are useful as contraceptive agents.

Abstract: Control systems are described that mitigate the effects of icing events on wind turbines. Example methods include determining, with a control system, that an icing event has begun to affect the wind turbine; based on a determination that the icing event has begun to affect the wind turbine, changing a phase of the wind turbine with the control system to an operational-icing phase by modifying angles of attack of blades of the wind turbine via changing blade pitch angles, wherein the wind turbine continues to generate electrical power when the wind turbine is in the operational-icing phase; and based on a determination that electrical power generation of the wind turbine is below a threshold, changing the phase of the wind turbine with the control system to a stopped-icing phase, wherein rotation of the blades of the wind turbine is halted when the wind turbine is in the stopped-icing phase.

Abstract: Methods and diagnostic compositions for detecting and monitoring meningiomas.

Abstract: A resin including up to 99.99 weight percent (wt. %) of a first polyolefin grafted with a functional group selected from an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, a carboxylic acid anhydride, an ester functional group or a combination thereof; and 0.01 to 3.0 wt. % of a tin oxide-based catalyst, where the resin includes 0.2 wt. % to 1.5 wt. % of the functional group from the first polyolefin, the wt. % based on a total weight of the resin. The first polyolefin can be selected from a polyethylene, a polypropylene, an ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer, a propylene/alpha-olefin copolymer and combinations thereof. The tin oxide-based catalyst can be selected from dibutyltin oxide, dioctyltin oxide and combinations thereof. The resin can be used in a multilayer structure, where a Layer A comprises the resin and a Layer B comprises a polyester, where a first major surface of Layer A is in adhering contact with the second major surface of Layer B.

Abstract: The present invention provides genomic engineering methods that utilize base editors to perform targeted gene knockins and gene knockouts with high efficiency. Cells that have been genetically modified according to these methods are also provided, as are methods of using the modified cells in a treatment for cancer.

Abstract: A method for controlling connectivity between two or more brain regions of a subject includes receiving signals corresponding to a connectivity between two or more regions of a subject's brain, measuring a connectivity level from the signals, and delivering at least one stimulation pulse to at least one target region of the subject's brain if the measured connectivity level is outside of a predetermined range.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an acousto-optic device comprising an acousto-optic layer, an electromagnetic radiation source, and an acoustic source. In an embodiment, the acousto-optic layer has a substantially planar shape defining an x-y plane and functions as an optical waveguide to optical waves and as an acoustic waveguide to acoustic waves propagating in the x-y plane. In an embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation source is optically coupled to the acousto-optic layer and configured to deliver electromagnetic radiation therein. In an embodiment, the acoustic source is acoustically coupled to the acousto-optic layer and configured to deliver acoustic energy therein and is configured to adjust a wavelength of the acoustic energy. In an embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation source and the acoustic energy source are positioned to provide an intersection between the electromagnetic radiation and the acoustic energy, which at least partially scatters light from the intersection out of the x-y plane.

Abstract: A vision-aided inertial navigation system (VINS) comprises an image source for producing image data along a trajectory. The VINS further comprises an inertial measurement unit (IMU) configured to produce IMU data indicative of motion of the VINS and an odometry unit configured to produce odometry data. The VINS further comprises a processor configured to compute, based on the image data, the IMU data, and the odometry data, state estimates for a position and orientation of the VINS for poses of the VINS along the trajectory. The processor maintains a state vector having states for a position and orientation of the VINS and positions within the environment for observed features for a sliding window of poses. The processor applies a sliding window filter to compute, based on the odometry data, constraints between the poses within the sliding window and compute, based on the constraints, the state estimates.

Abstract: Culturing S. glucoliberatum PABB004 under conditions effective for the S. glucoliberatum PABB004 to secrete simple sugars into culture medium. In one or more embodiments, the conditions include a pH of 6.0 to 8.5. In some cases, the culture can include a second organism. A co-culture includes S. glucoliberatum PABB004 and a second organism, wherein the co-culture has a pH of 6.0 or greater. In one or more embodiments, the second organism is selected to produce a product of interest such as, for example, ethanol.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds having the general formula I: and salts thereof, wherein the variables R1, R2, R3 and R4 have the meaning as described herein, and compositions containing such compounds and methods for using such compounds and compositions.

Abstract: A stent and a system comprising a stent and a stent deployment catheter are disclosed. The stent comprises an elongated tubular body defining a longitudinal axis and including a proximal end, a distal end, and a central lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The central lumen is configured for passage of a guide wire therethrough. The stent further comprises a tapered and/or frustoconical distal tip portion disposed at the distal end of the elongated tubular body, wherein the distal tip portion comprises one or more spiral threads. The stent deployment catheter comprises an inner sheath configured to be slidably disposed within the central lumen of the elongated tubular body; and an outer sheath configured to be slidably disposed over the inner sheath. The stent and stent deployment catheter can be configured for placement of the stent within a pancreaticobiliary duct.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treating conditions associated with decreased activity of hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: Genetically modified compositions, such as non-viral vectors and T cells, for treating cancer are disclosed. Also disclosed are the methods of making and using the genetically modified compositions in treating cancer.

Abstract: Devices and methods for improving the efficiency of an axial piston hydraulic motor or other axial piston hydraulic device. In some embodiments, a valve cam, with specified geometry, is assembled to a conventional axial piston hydraulic device (e.g., hydraulic motor, hydraulic pump, hydraulic pump-motor) in a manner permitting selective rotation of the valve cam relative to the distributor valves (e.g., spool valves). The rotating valve cam facilitates variable piston stroke and can be provided in conjunction with (e.g., joint control) an adjustable swashplate according to a mathematical relationship in order to adjust the displacement of the axial piston hydraulic motor (or other device) while maintaining optimal pre-compression and decompression across a range of operating conditions. This configuration allows, for each desired effective displacement of the hydraulic motor, a set of optimal valve timing to achieve perfect pre-compression and decompression so as to eliminate associated throttling losses.