Abstract: The present disclosure describes an immunotherapy delivery hydrogel system. The immunotherapy delivery hydrogel system can be degradable and can release therapeutic agents at a tunable rate, and in a controlled manner. The immunotherapy delivery hydrogel system includes a hydrogel matrix and cancer therapeutic agent(s) associated with the hydrogel matrix. The hydrogel system can further include tumor cell-attractant(s) conjugated to the hydrogel matrix. The tumor cell-attractant(s) and the cancer therapeutic agent(s) act synergistically to treat cancer.

Abstract: Photosensitizers are incorporated into articles, such a personal protective equipment. A method of applying continuous and consistent light includes fitting the articles with light sources and optical fibers to apply light to the areas of the articles incorporated with the photosensitizers. Photosensitizers can be applied to articles by various applicators in either a gel or solution. A gel can be particularly effective when used on hydrophobic surfaces. Photodynamic reactor systems can be used to determine the effective doses of photosensitizers and the light dosimetry which can then be applied for use with the articles.

Abstract: Described herein, inter alia, are certain substituted imidazo[1,5-a]pyrazines of formula (I) and methods of using the same for modulating the activity of Ire1.

Abstract: Next Generation DNA sequencing promises to revolutionize clinical medicine and basic research. However, while this technology has the capacity to generate hundreds of billions of nucleotides of DNA sequence in a single experiment, the error rate of approximately 1% results in hundreds of millions of sequencing mistakes. These scattered errors can be tolerated in some applications but become extremely problematic when “deep sequencing” genetically heterogeneous mixtures, such as tumors or mixed microbial populations. To overcome limitations in sequencing accuracy, a method Duplex Consensus Sequencing (DCS) is provided. This approach greatly reduces errors by independently tagging and sequencing each of the two strands of a DNA duplex. As the two strands are complementary, true mutations are found at the same position in both strands. In contrast, PCR or sequencing errors will result in errors in only one strand.

Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing and rendering light fields for head-mounted displays are disclosed. A mediated-reality visualization system includes a head-mounted display assembly comprising a frame configured to be mounted to a user's head and a display device coupled to the frame. An imaging assembly separate and spaced apart :from the head-mounted display assembly is configured to capture light-field data. A computing device in communication with the imaging assembly and the display device is configured to receive light-field data from the imaging assembly and render one or more virtual cameras. Images from the one or more virtual cameras are presented to a user via the display device.

Abstract: Next Generation DNA sequencing promises to revolutionize clinical medicine and basic research. However, while this technology has the capacity to generate hundreds of billions of nucleotides of DNA sequence in a single experiment, the error rate of approximately 1% results in hundreds of millions of sequencing mistakes. These scattered errors can be tolerated in some applications but become extremely problematic when “deep sequencing” genetically heterogeneous mixtures, such as tumors or mixed microbial populations. To overcome limitations in sequencing accuracy, a method Duplex Consensus Sequencing (DCS) is provided. This approach greatly reduces errors by independently tagging and sequencing each of the two strands of a DNA duplex. As the two strands are complementary, true mutations are found at the same position in both strands. In contrast, PCR or sequencing errors will result in errors in only one strand.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of delivering a therapeutic agent providing a microneedle array including a plurality of microneedles, the plurality of microneedles including a conductive coating disposed thereon, wherein the conductive coating includes the therapeutic agent and a conducting polymer; implanting the microneedle array in a dura mater of a subject in need thereof, wherein the microneedle array pierces the dura mater; and applying an electrical stimulus to the microneedle array to provide a controlled release of the therapeutic agent from the conductive coating, across the dura mater, to the central nervous system of the subject.

Abstract: Examples of imaging systems are described herein which may implement microwave or millimeter wave imaging systems. Examples described may implement partitioned inverse techniques which may construct and invert a measurement matrix to be used to provide multiple estimates of reflectivity values associated with a scene. The processing may be partitioned in accordance with a relative position of the antenna system and/or a particular beamwidth of an antenna. Examples described herein may perform an enhanced resolution mode of imaging which may steer beams at multiple angles for each measurement position.

Abstract: Cortical network structure that mediates response to brain stimulation, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for brain stimulation includes: delivering an input stimulus to an area of the brain, via a cortical implant; in response to delivering the input stimulus, generating neural signals in the brain; and generating a predicted outcome of the input stimulus. The predicted outcome is based on a set of data derived from a model that combines: protocol features that are brain agnostic, and network features that are based on interactions between neural nodes of the brain.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions related to treating and preventing an engraftment arrhythmia with an effective amount of amiodarone and ivabradine. Also described herein is a method of cardiomyocyte transplant, the method comprises: dministering in vitro-differentiated cardiomyocytes to cardiac tissue of a subject in need thereof; and administering to the subject an amount of amiodarone and an amount of ivabradine effective to reduce engraftment arrhythmia in the subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides nanoparticle transducers and methods of use thereof for the detection of analyte concentrations in a fluid. Nanoparticle transducers can comprise a nanoparticle, such as a Pdot, coupled to an enzyme that catalyzes a reaction with the analyte. The nanoparticle transducers further comprise chromophores that emit fluorescence that varies as a function of the concentration of one of the elements of the reaction. The nanoparticle transducer thus changes fluorescence as the analyte concentration changes, transforming analyte concentration values into fluorescence intensities. The measurement of these intensities provides a measurement of the analyte concentration. The nanoparticle transducers are biocompatible, allowing for use in vivo, for the monitoring of analyte blood concentrations such as blood glucose concentrations.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to extraction devices, systems, and methods for controllably withdrawing and transferring fluid samples, such as blood, from a sample collection container to a testing device. For example, some embodiments of the present technology provide fluid extraction devices that include a fluid control module, a housing containing a receiving element and a suction element, and an actuator. To transfer blood from a sample collection container to a testing device, a user places the sample collection container over the receiving element and inserts the testing device into an outlet of the fluid control module. The user then pushes a lever or otherwise actuates the actuator, which automatically withdraws a predetermined volume of blood from the sample collection container and transfers it to the testing device positioned at the outlet of the fluid control module.

Abstract: A vestibular stimulation array is disclosed having one or more separate electrode arrays each operatively adapted for implantation in a semicircular canal of the vestibular system, wherein each separate electrode array is dimensioned and constructed so that residual vestibular function is preserved. In particular, the electrode arrays are dimensioned such that the membranous labyrinth is not substantially compressed. Furthermore, the electrode array has a stop portion to limit insertion of the electrode array into the semi-circular canal and is still enough to avoid damage to the anatomical structures.

Abstract: Multifunctional nanoparticle for targeted therapeutic drug delivery, comprising (a) an iron oxide core having silica-polyethylene glycol coupled thereto to provide an iron oxide coated core, (b) a cytotoxic agent reversibly associated with the coated core; (c) an immunomodulating agent reversibly associate with the coated core; and (d) a tumor targeting agent associated with the coated core. Methods for using the nanoparticle to treat cancers and methods for making the nanoparticle.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include illustrative piezoelectric element array assemblies, methods of fabricating a piezoelectric element array assembly, and systems and methods for shearing cellular material. Given by way of non-limiting example, an illustrative piezoelectric element array assembly includes at least one piezoelectric element configured to produce ultrasound energy responsive to amplified driving pulses. A lens layer is bonded to the at least one piezoelectric element. The lens layer has a plurality of lenses formed therein that are configured to focus ultrasound energy created by single ones of the at least one piezoelectric element into a plurality of wells of a microplate disposable in ultrasonic communication with the lens layer, wherein more than one of the plurality of lenses overlie single ones of the at least one piezoelectric element.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to compositions useful in the inhibition of MetRS and methods for treating diseases that are ameliorated by the inhibition of MetRS.

Abstract: A method for attempting to fragment or comminute an object in a body using ultrasound includes producing a burst wave lithotripsy (BWL) waveform by a therapy transducer. The BWL waveform is configured to fragment or comminute the object. The BWL waveform includes a first burst of continuous ultrasound cycles and a second burst of continuous ultrasound cycles. A burst frequency corresponds to a frequency of repeating the bursts of the BWL waveform. The method also includes determining a cycle frequency f of the continuous ultrasound cycles within the first burst and the second burst based on a target fragment size D, where the cycle frequency is: f(MHz)=0.47/D(mm).

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other aspects, stabilized chromophoric nanoparticles. In certain embodiments, the chromophoric nanoparticles provided herein are rationally functionalized with a pre-determined number of functional groups. In certain embodiments, the stable chromophoric nanoparticles provided herein are modified with a low density of functional groups. In yet other embodiments, the chromophoric nanoparticles provided herein are conjugated to one or more molecules. Also provided herein are methods for making rationally functionalized chromophoric nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a microorganism support structure, including a gas-permeable layer comprising two opposing surfaces; a microorganism adhesive coats at least one surface of the gas-permeable layer; and a microorganism disposed on the microorganism adhesive-coated surface of the layer. The microorganism adhesive enhances the adhesion of the microorganism on the layer compared to a gas-permeable layer that does not have the microorganism adhesive.

Abstract: System and method for non-contact manipulation of objects via ultrasonic levitation are presented herein. In one embodiment, a method for a non-contact manipulation of an object includes: generating ultrasound field by an array of ultrasound transducers; lifting the object off a dispensing device by the ultrasound field; and levitating the object by the ultrasound field.