Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for segmenting generic foreground objects in images and videos. For segmenting generic foreground objects in videos, an appearance stream of an image in a video frame is processed using a first deep neural network. Furthermore, a motion stream of an optical flow image in the video frame is processed using a second deep neural network. The appearance and motion streams are then joined to combine complementary appearance and motion information to perform segmentation of generic objects in the video frame. Generic foreground objects are segmented in images by training a convolutional deep neural network to estimate a likelihood that a pixel in an image belongs to a foreground object. After receiving the image, the likelihood that the pixel in the image is part of the foreground object as opposed to background is then determined using the trained convolutional deep neural network.

Abstract: A dimeric ionic liquid that enhances and improves the performance and durability of a fuel cell catalyst. The dimeric ionic liquid comprises 1,1-(butane-1, 4-diyl)bis(9-methyl-3,4,6,7,8,9-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-1-ium 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,4-nonafluorobutane-1-sulfonate. Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) employing the dimeric ionic liquid are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to dual specific antibodies, which bind to both PD-L1 and PD-L2, and methods of using such antibodies to treat cancers, such as those that express or overexpress PD-L1, PD-L2, or both.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for selecting and treating cancers that are homology-directed repair (HDR) proficient. As such, methods for sensitizing cancers to PARP inhibitor therapy and ionizing radiation are also provided. In some aspects, cancers are treated with a combination of a GRB2 inhibitor and a PARP inhibitor or a GRB2 inhibitor and ionizing radiation.

Abstract: A quad-polymer composition includes monomers of (a) acrylonitrile, (a) vinylimidazole, (c) methyl acrylate and (d) either acrylic acid or itaconic acid. Such quad-polymer compositions may be used to form fibers (such as by melt spinning) that may then be annealed, stabilized, and/or carbonized to produce carbon fibers. The quad-polymer composition may be used for supercapacitors, lithium battery electrodes once carbonized, and as synthesized, it may be used for wound healing fibers, fabrics, coatings, and films, and anti-bacterial/anti-microbial fibers, fabrics, coatings and films. The carbon fibers formed from the quad-polymer composition may be used for the fiber composites for automobile, aerospace structures, marine structures, military equipment/parts, sporting goods, robotics, furniture, and electronic parts.

Abstract: A quad-polymer composition includes monomers of (a) acrylonitrile, (a) vinylimidazole, (c) methyl acrylate and (d) either acrylic acid or itaconic acid. Such quad- polymer compositions may be used to form fibers (such as by melt spinning) that may then be annealed, stabilized, and/or carbonized to produce carbon fibers. The quad-polymer composition may be used for supercapacitors, lithium battery electrodes once carbonized, and as synthesized, it may be used for wound healing fibers, fabrics, coatings, and films, and anti-bacterial/anti-microbial fibers, fabrics, coatings and films. The carbon fibers formed from the quad-polymer composition may be used for the fiber composites for automobile, aerospace structures, marine structures, military equipment/parts, sporting goods, robotics, furniture, and electronic parts.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compounds, their pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of their use for treating mesenchymally-derived or mesenchymally-transformed cancers, such as breast cancers and sarcomas, and for treating diseases or disorders that are characterized by the expression of vimentin.

Abstract: Methods of, treatments using, and devices for restoring the regenerative capability for mesenchymal stem cells and isolating and expanding a small subpopulation of less defective mesenchymal stem cells from the bone marrow stromal cells of people with decreased quality and/or quantity of mesenchymal stem cells, such as elderly people.

Abstract: Systems and methods for simulating subterranean regions having fracture geometries. Non-intrusive embedded discrete fracture modeling formulations are applied to two-dimensional and three-dimensional unstructured grids, with mixed elements, using an element-based finite-volume method in conjunction with commercial simulators to model subsurface characteristics in regions having complex hydraulic fractures, complex natural fractures, or a combination of both.

Abstract: A metal-free porphyrin based crystalline 2D organic polymer obtained from the condensation of terephthaloyl chloride and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-aminophenyl porphyrin, namely H2TAPP), which is an effective bifunctional electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in basic conditions and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in neutral solutions. The electrochemical response of this material is explored under oxidation and reduction conditions in order to study its catalytic activity, charge transfer and stability.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for the detection of bladder in a subject using four locus-specific probes to 6p22, 8q22, 11q13, and 20p11.2.

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

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for generating therapeutic shock waves. Some embodiments comprise: an acoustic-wave generator configured to emit acoustic waves having at least one frequency between 1 MHz and 1000 MHz; a shock wave housing coupled to the acoustic-wave generator; and a shock wave medium disposed in the shock wave housing; where the apparatus is configured such that if the acoustic-wave generator emits acoustic waves then at least some portion of the acoustic waves will travel through the shock wave medium and form one or more shock waves.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides ?2?-1 C-terminal domain mimetics for the treatment of pain, epilepsy or other disorders in a subject. Further provided is an ?2?-1 C-terminal domain peptide which blocks binding of ?2?-1 to the glutamate receptors NMDAR and AMPAR.

Abstract: Described herein are therapeutic pH responsive compositions comprising a block copolymer and a therapeutic agent useful for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating a tumor or cancer in a subject whose tumor or cancer cells express low levels of asparagine synthetase (ASNS), and compounds and compositions useful in such treatment. Also disclosed herein are methods of evaluating whether to administer a compound that inhibits glutathione production or a glutaminase inhibitor to a subject with a tumor or cancer.

Abstract: A method of moving a solvent without electrowetting properties on an electro-wetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) microfluidic device comprises disposing a first droplet of a first fluid having electrowetting properties on a surface of the EWOD microfluidic device; disposing a second droplet of a second fluid without electrowetting properties on the surface; applying a voltage to the surface to move the first droplet towards the second droplet; contacting the first droplet with the second droplet to form a encapsulated droplet, where the second droplet encapsulates the first droplet.

Abstract: In fibrotic lung fibroblasts, basal levels of p53 protein (and miR-34a) are markedly suppressed, leading to reduced p53-mediated inhibition of uPA and uPAR, or concurrent induction of PAI-1. These changes contribute to excessive FL-fibroblast proliferation and production of extracellular matrix (ECM), and, therefore, pulmonary fibrosis. These processes are reversed by treating the cells, and treating subjects suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) with the small organic molecule nutlin-3a (NTL) or with a peptide, CSP-4 (SEQ ID NO:1), or variants or derivatives or multimers of this peptide, which increase p53 levels by inhibiting MDM2-mediated degradation of p53 protein. Use of these compounds serves as a new approach to the treatment of IPF, as they restore p53 expression and p53-mediated changes in the uPA-fibrinolytic system in FL-fibroblasts and restrict production and deposition of ECM.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices, apparatus, systems, methods and kits for performing immunoassay tests on a sample. The A sensing apparatus is provided for detecting a plurality of different target analytes in a sample. The apparatus may comprise an array of sensing devices provided on a substrate, each sensing device in the array comprising a working electrode having (1) semiconducting nanostructures disposed thereon and (2) a capture reagent coupled to the semiconducting nanostructures that selectively binds to a different target analyte in the sample. The apparatus may also comprise sensing circuitry that (1) simultaneously detects changes to electron and ion mobility and charge accumulation in the array of sensing devices when the capture reagents in the array of sensing devices selectively bind to the plurality of different target analytes, and (2) determines the presence and concentrations of the plurality of different target analytes in the sample based on the detected changes.

Abstract: A method of ink-extrusion printing an object, including providing a mixture including liquid crystal monomers and photo-catalyzing or heating the mixture to produce a liquid crystal ink. The ink is in a nematic phase. The method includes extruding the ink through a print-head orifice moving along a print direction to form an extruded film of the object. The extruded film exhibits birefringence. Also disclosed are a liquid crystal ink. The ink includes a mixture including liquid crystal monomers. The mixture when at a target printing temperature is in a nematic phase. Also disclosed is ink-extrusion-printed object. The object includes an extrusion-printed film including a nematic liquid crystal elastomer, wherein the film exhibits birefringence along an extrusion axis of the film.