Abstract: Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twisted polymer fibers generate tensile actuation when powered thermally. In some embodiments, the thermally-powered polymer fiber tensile actuator can be incorporated into an article, such as a textile or garment.

Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction device is disclosed comprising a first device layer comprising a material having a magnetic moment; a second device layer comprising a material having a magnetic moment, e.g., wherein the magnetic moment of the material of the second device layer is different from that of the material of the first device layer; and a barrier layer, e.g., tunnel barrier, having a first interface to the first device layer comprising predominantly of a scandium nitride (ScN) material and having a second interface to the second device layer comprising predominantly of a scandium nitride (ScN) material.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions, kits, and methods for potent delivery to a cell of a subject. The cell can be of a particular cell type, such as a basal cell, a ciliated cell, or a secretory cell. In some cases, the cell can be a lung cell of a particular cell type. Also described herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutic or prophylactic agent assembled with a lipid composition. The lipid composition can comprise an ionizable cationic lipid, a phospholipid, and a selective organ targeting lipid. Further described herein are high-potency dosage forms of a therapeutic or prophylactic agent formulated with a lipid composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising aligned fibers of electrospun PNIPAAm and poly (?-caprolactone) (PCL) (denoted PNIPAAm/PCL fibers). The PNIPAAm/PCL compositions enable enhanced growth and detachment of intact anisotropic cell sheets. The compositions do not require chemical modification or resource-intensive techniques, thus saving time and expense, and have the potential to generate tissue-specific, aligned cell sheets for transplant studies.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of monitoring an environment for the presence of a solvent by: (i) exposing the environment to a luminescent compound, where the relative luminescence emission intensity of the luminescent compound changes upon interaction with the solvent; and (ii) monitoring a change in the relative luminescence emission intensity of the luminescent compound, where the absence of the change indicates the absence of the solvent from the environment, and where the presence of the change indicates the presence of the solvent in the environment. The luminescent compounds include a phosphorous atom with one or more carboxyl groups, where the carboxyl groups are coordinated with one or more metallic ions (e.g., lanthanide ions and yttrium ions). The present disclosure also pertains to sensors for monitoring an environment for the presence of a solvent, where the sensors include one or more of the aforementioned luminescent compounds.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system and computer program product for compressing video. A set of video frames is partitioned into two subsets of different types of frames, a first type and a second type. The first type of frames of videos is compressed to generate a first representation by a first stage encoder. The first representation is then decoded to reconstruct the first type of frames using a first stage decoder. The second type of frames of video is compressed to generate a second representation that only contains soft edge information by a second stage encoder. A generative model corresponding to a second stage decoder is then trained using the first representation and the reconstructed first type of frames by using a discriminator employed by a machine learning system. After training the generative model, it generates reconstructed first and second types of frames using the soft edge information.

Abstract: A novel high torque density double stator permanent magnet electric machine is provided. An outer stator is provided which has complex teeth and optionally can have windings every tooth or every other tooth. A rotor is provided having a plurality of magnet receivers, each with a complex topology. Magnets are provided in the rotor which are tangentially magnetized with alternating polarities and a complex topology to increase torque density. An inner stator is provided having a plurality of teeth with complex topologies. Windings are provided around every tooth or every other tooth, alternatively. Air-gaps are provided between the outer stator and the rotor and between the rotor and inner stator. The air-gap between the inner stator and the rotor is smaller than the air-gap between the outer stator and the rotor. A lower current density in certain windings improves thermal response without comprising average torque.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions which shown preferential targeting or delivery of a nucleic acid composition to a particular organ. In some embodiments, the composition comprises a steroid or sterol, an ionizable cationic lipid, a phospholipid, a PEG lipid, and a permanently cationic lipid which may be used to deliver a nucleic acid.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions which shown preferential targeting or delivery of a nucleic acid composition to a particular organ. In some embodiments, the composition comprises a steroid or sterol, an ionizable cationic lipid, a phospholipid, a PEG lipid, and a permanently cationic lipid which may be used to deliver a nucleic acid.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for estimating one or more downhole qualities of a drilling apparatus by obtaining axial acceleration data. The axial acceleration data may be acquired by measuring an axial acceleration of a bottom hole assembly. The axial acceleration may then be used to estimate one or more of a downward weight on a drill bit of the drilling apparatus or a rate of penetration of the drill bit.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions, techniques, methods, and systems for sequestering carbon, for producing oil, for improved oil recovery, and for storing hydrogen by way of injecting aqueous mixtures into subterranean reservoirs. The aqueous mixtures include one or more carboxylates, which can represent a form of carbon dioxide and/or a form of hydrogen. The aqueous mixtures including carboxylates may also or alternatively be useful for increasing a viscosity of a fluid within the reservoir or modifying the wettability of rock within the reservoir to improve the availability and production of hydrocarbons contained within pores of the rock.

Abstract: A method of measuring spectral emissivity of materials is provided. The method comprises placing material in a controlled chamber and exposing the material to an energy source to heat the material. At least one multi-wavelength pyrometer measures the spectral emissivity of the material produced by heating by the energy source, wherein the multi-wavelength pyrometer is positioned at a distal end of a tube extending from the chamber, wherein the tube provides a sacrificial surface for vapor condensation to prevent the vapor condensation from obscuring a view port used by the pyrometer.

Abstract: Described herein are therapeutic pH responsive compositions useful for the treatment of cancer. The compositions involve combining a STING activating polymer micelle, such as PC7A, with a non-peptide STING agonist, such as cGAMP. Methods of administering these compositions in the treatment of cancer are also disclosed. These methods include administration of the pharmaceutical compositions by intratumoral injection in the treatment of solid tumors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are new cyclic dinucleotide compounds and compositions and their application as pharmaceuticals for the treatment of disease. Methods of modulation of immune response to disease, and induce Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) dependent type I interferon production and co-regulated genes in a human or animal subject are also provided for the treatment diseases such as cancer, particularly metastatic solid tumors and lymphomas, inflammation, allergic and autoimmune disease, infectious disease, and for use as anti-viral agents and vaccine adjuvants.

Abstract: Provided herein are gene therapy methods, vectors and constructs for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in a subject.

Abstract: Described are compounds and methods useful for the treatment and investigation of Friedreich's Ataxia.

Abstract: Scalable 3D-printing of ceramics includes dispensing a preceramic polymer at the tip of a moving nozzle into a gel that can reversibly switch between fluid and solid states, and subsequently thermally cross-linking the entire printed part “at-once” while still inside the same gel. The solid gel, including mineral oil and silica nanoparticles, converts to fluid at the tip of the moving nozzle, allows the polymer solution to be dispensed, and quickly returns to a solid state to maintain the geometry of the printed polymer both during printing and the subsequent high temperature (160° C.) cross-linking. The cross-linked part is retrieved from the gel and converted to ceramic by high temperature pyrolysis. This scalable process opens new opportunities for low-cost, high-speed production of complex 3-dimensional ceramic parts, and will be widely used for high temperature and corrosive environment applications, including electronics and sensors, microelectromechanical systems, energy, and structural applications.

Abstract: An apparatus for a heart of a patient having a cardiac assist device adapted to be implanted into the patient to assist the heart with pumping blood. The apparatus has a sensor adapted to be implanted into the patient. The sensor in communication with the cardiac assist device and the heart which measures native volume of the heart. Alternatively, the sensor monitors the heart based on admittance while the cardiac assist device. Alternatively, the sensor monitors the heart based on impedance.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of determining tumoral sensitivity to hormonal (endocrine) therapy based upon an index of estrogen receptor (ER)- and progesterone receptor (PR)-related genes, referred to as the sensitivity to endocrine therapy index (SETER/PR index), and may have additional consideration for the proportion of ER gene (ESR1) RNA transcripts that contain a mutation relative to the value of the SETER/PR index. Further provided are methods of treating breast cancer patients determined to be sensitive to an endocrine therapy by the SETER/PR index.

Abstract: Modular dendrimers with cationic groups and lipophilic groups are provided herein. In some aspects, the dendrimers provided herein may be formulated in compositions which contain a nucleic acid and one or more helper excipients. In some aspects, these compositions may also be used to treat diseases or disorders with a therapeutic nucleic acid.