Abstract: An example method includes directing gas, via one or more first valves, from within an inner electrode to an acceleration region between the inner electrode and an outer electrode that substantially surrounds the inner electrode, directing gas, via two or more second valves, from outside the outer electrode to the acceleration region, and applying, via a power supply, a voltage between the inner electrode and the outer electrode, thereby converting at least a portion of the directed gas into a plasma saving a substantially annular cross section, the plasma flowing axially within the acceleration region toward a first end of the inner electrode and a first end of the outer electrode and, thereafter, establishing a Z-pinch plasma that flows between the first end of the outer electrode and the first end of the inner electrode. Related plasma confinement systems and methods are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Non-planar holographic beam shaping lenses for acoustics are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic therapy system that is configured to apply ultrasound to a target in a body includes: an ultrasonic transducer configured to generate the ultrasound; and a customizable holographic lens configured to focus the ultrasound onto a focal area of a target that is an object or a portion of the object in the body. The customizable holographic lens is designed and produced based on the target. Furthermore, the customizable holographic lens is curved to mate with a front surface of the ultrasonic transducer.

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: 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: 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: 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: Provided herein, among other aspects, are methods and apparatuses for analyzing particles in a sample. In some aspects, the particles can be analytes, cells, nucleic acids, or proteins and contacted with a tag, partitioned into aliquots, detected by a ranking device, and isolated. The methods and apparatuses provided herein may include a microfluidic chip. In some aspects, the methods and apparatuses may be used to quantify rare particles in a sample, such as cancer cells and other rare cells for disease diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a lithium solid state battery, including a cathode that includes an active material such as lithium, and an additive having a lower melting point than the active material. The additive can provide a composite cathode where a cathode-electrolyte interphase has high electronic and ionic conductivity, good mechanical deformability, and high oxidation potential.

Abstract: Zwitterionic carboxybetaine copolymers and their use in coatings to impart non-fouling and functionality to surfaces, particularly surfaces of blood-contacting medical devices.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising aptamers that specifically bind monocytes and/or macrophage and methods for their use. These aptamer compositions can be used in methods for isolating and/or enriching monocytes and/or macrophages or depleting cell populations of monocytes and/or macrophages. Further provided are methods of using the aptamers or cell populations generated using them in the methods disclosed herein for therapies and/or drug delivery.

Abstract: Methods of labeling or barcoding molecules within one or more portions of a plurality of cells are provided. Kits and systems for labeling or barcoding molecules within one or more portions of a plurality of cells are also provided. The methods, kits, and systems may utilize photo-controlled adapter sequences, nucleic acids tags, and/or linkers.

Abstract: Methods of uniquely labeling or barcoding molecules within a cell, a plurality of cells, and/or a tissue are provided. Kits for uniquely labeling or barcoding molecules within a cell, a plurality of cells, and/or a tissue are also provided. The molecules to be labeled may include, but are not limited to, RNAs, cDNAs, DNAs, proteins, peptides, and/or antigens.

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: 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: Pyrazole compounds and piperazine compounds that are inhibitors of ALDH1A1 and ALDH1A2 and methods for using the pyrazole compounds and piperazine compounds in male contraceptive compositions for preventing spermatogenesis.

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: Disclosed herein are metasurfaces formed on a substrate from a plurality of posts. The metasurfaces are configured to be optically active at one or more wavelengths and in certain embodiments are configured to form lenses having unexpectedly strong focusing power. In particular, the metasurfaces are formed from “low-contrast” materials, including CMOS-compatible materials such as silicon dioxide or silicon nitride. Accordingly, the disclosed metasurfaces are generally CMOS compatible and therefore embody a new paradigm in metasurface design and manufacturing.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions of CD180 targeting molecules coupled to heterologous antigens, and their use in treating and/or limiting disease.

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: A method for suppressing sensor noise in a spatially oversampled sensor array includes receiving spatially oversampled multi-channel sensor data from a region of interest and building a spatial model from the data for essential spatial degrees of freedom. The method further includes decomposing the data into the underlying spatial model to obtain associated amplitude components containing a mixture of original temporal waveforms of the data and, for each channel of the multi-channel sensor, estimating time-domain amplitude components using cross-validation. Next, for each channel, based on the estimated time-domain amplitude components, sensor noise and/or artifacts for that channel are identified. Finally, for each channel, the identified sensor noise and/or artifacts can be suppressed from the data.