Abstract: The present invention provides viral-based nanoparticles for therapeutic and diagnostic use, and methods for making and using the nanoparticles. Specifically, such nanoparticles comprise decoration-competent viral particles shells such as expanded capsids of phages, stabilized with engineered decoration proteins that have been linked to one or more compounds not naturally occurring on a wild type viral capsid.

Abstract: Methods for nanopore-based protein analysis are provided. The methods address the characterization of a target protein analyte, which has a dimension greater than an internal diameter of the nanopore tunnel, and which is also physically associated with a polymer. The methods further comprise applying an electrical potential to the nanopore system to cause the polymer to interact with the nanopore tunnel. The ion current through the nanopore is measured to provide a current pattern reflective of the structure of the portion of the polymer interacting with the nanopore tunnel. This is used as a metric for characterizing the associated protein that does not pass through the nanopore.

Abstract: The present invention provides HLA-DR (MHC class II) binding peptides derived from the ovarian/breast cancer associated antigens, Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER-2/neu), Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA), Insulin Growth Factor Binding Protein 2 (IGFBP-2), and Cyclin D1. The immunogenic peptides can be used in cancer vaccines.

Abstract: Examples of the present invention utilize principal component analysis (PCA) to detect cough sounds in an audio stream. Comparison of all or portions of the audio stream with a cough model may be conducted. The cough model may include a number of basis vectors may be based on initial portions of known coughs. The initial portions may be non-user specific, and accordingly the cough model may be used to detect coughs across individuals. Moreover, examples of the present invention may reconstruct the cough sounds from stored features such that the cough sounds are reconstructed but the reconstruction techniques used may be insufficient to reconstruct speech sounds that may also have been recorded, which may increase user privacy.

Abstract: Nucleotide sequences including a micro-dystrophin gene are provided. The micro-dystrophin genes may be operatively linked to a regulatory cassette. Methods of treating a subject having, or at risk of developing, muscular dystrophy, sarcopenia, heart disease, or cachexia are also provided. The methods may include administering a pharmaceutical composition including the micro-dystrophin gene and a delivery vehicle to a subject. Further, the methods may include administering the pharmaceutical composition a subject having Duchenne muscular dystrophy or Becker muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, ambient RF backscatter transceivers, and methods for communicating using MIMO and spread spectrum coding of backscattered ambient RF signals are described. An example system may include an ambient RF backscatter transceiver that include an antenna configured to receive a backscattered ambient radio frequency (RF) signal, and a receiver coupled to the antenna. The receiver may be configured to demodulate the backscattered ambient RF signal using one of multiple input, multiple output multiplexing demodulation or spread spectrum code demodulation to retrieve the first data. The backscattered ambient RF signal may be generated by backscattering an ambient RF signal at a first frequency. The ambient RF signal may be configured to provide other data at a second frequency.

Abstract: Marine coatings including cationic polymers hydrolyzable to nonfouling zwitterionic polymers, coated marine surfaces, and methods for making and using the marine coatings.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ceramic selective membranes and methods of forming the ceramic selective membranes by forming a selective silica ceramic on a porous membrane substrate. Representative ceramic selective membranes include ion-conductive membranes (e.g., proton-conducting membranes) and gas selective membranes. Representative uses for the membranes include incorporation into fuel cells and redox flow batteries (RFB) as ion-conducting membranes.

Abstract: A system for classifying a user touch event by a user interacting with a device as an intended key is provided. For different hand postures (e.g., holding device with right hand and entering text with right thumb), the system provides a touch pattern model indicating how the user interacts using that hand posture. The system receives an indication of a user touch event and identifies the hand posture of the user. The system then determines the intended key based on the user touch event and a touch pattern model for the identified hand posture. A system is also provided for determining the amount a presser a user is applying to the device based on dampening of vibrations as measured by an inertial sensor. A system is provided that uses motion of the device as measured by an inertial sensor to improve the accuracy of text entry.

Abstract: Methods and systems for acquiring and/or projecting images from and/or to a target area are provided. Such a method or system can includes an optical fiber assembly which may be driven to scan the target area in a scan pattern. The optical fiber assembly may provide multiple effective light sources (e.g., via a plurality of optical fibers) that are axially staggered with respect to an optical system located between the optical fiber and the target area. The optical system may be operable to focus and/or redirect the light from the multiple light sources onto separate focal planes. A composite image may be generated based on light reflected from and/or projected onto the separate focal planes. The composite image may have an extended depth of focus or field spanning over a distance between the separate focal planes while maintaining or improving image resolution.

Abstract: Methods of screening agents in a cardiomyocyte population are provided. The cardiomyocyte population may be differentiated from a dystrophin knockout iPSC line. High-throughput methods of screening agents in a cardiomyocyte population that has been differentiated from a dystrophin knockout iPSC line are also provided. The methods may include determining an effect of the agents on membrane barrier function by using a cell viability assay. Methods of making dystrophin knockout iPSC lines, making dystrophin knockout iPSC derived cardiomyocytes, and modeling dystrophin deficient cardiomyopathy are also provided.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting a focused ultrasound wave into a medium to form (i) an ultrasound intensity well within the medium that exhibits a first range of acoustic pressure and (ii) a surrounding region of the medium that surrounds the ultrasound intensity well and exhibits a second range of acoustic pressure that exceeds the first range of acoustic pressure. The method further includes confining an object within the ultrasound intensity well. Additionally, an acoustic lens is configured to be acoustically coupled to an acoustic transducer. The acoustic lens has a varying longitudinal thickness that increases proportionally with respect to increasing azimuth angle of the acoustic lens. Another acoustic lens is configured to be acoustically coupled to an acoustic that increases proportionally with respect to increasing azimuth angle of the segment.

Abstract: An autoinjector is described that includes an outer body, a first trigger, an output needle, and a first compartment. The first compartment is positioned within the outer body and includes (i) a main body, (ii) a first biasing member coupled to the first trigger, and (iii) a protrusion positioned at a distal end of the main body. The autoinjector further includes a second compartment positioned in the outer body and in fluid communication with the first compartment and the output needle. The autoinjector also includes a second biasing member coupled to a second trigger. The first biasing member is configured to, upon application of force to the first trigger, automatically move an ampule in a distal direction relative to the main body to force the ampule against the protrusion, so as to break the ampule and allow a medicament to flow from the ampule to the second compartment.

Abstract: The present technology describes various embodiments of positron emission tomography (PET) systems for use with mammography machines and associated devices and methods. In several embodiments, a PET system includes a tissue platform and one or more PET detection panels removably coupled to the mammography machine. The panels are configured to generally surround the tissue platform and obtain an approximately 360 degree data sample of tissue. The system can further include an output device configured to output the data sample for image reconstruction. In some embodiments, the system is configured to provide high resolution images, quantitative image accuracy, dynamic imaging, and/or biopsy guidance.

Abstract: An integrated circuit, such as included as a portion of a sensor node, can include a regulator circuit having an input coupleable to an energy harvesting transducer. The integrated circuit can include a wireless receiver circuit coupled to the regulator circuit and configured to wirelessly receive at least enough operating energy to establish operation of the sensor node without requiring the energy harvesting transducer. The integrated circuit can include a digital processor circuit coupled to the regulator circuit and a power management processor circuit. The digital processor circuit or one or more other circuits can include a subthreshold operational mode established by the power management processor circuit based on the selected energy consumption level. For example, establishing the subthreshold operational mode can include adjusting or selecting a supply voltage so as to establish subthreshold operation of a field effect transistor (FET) in the digital processor circuit or other circuits.

Abstract: Nanoporous selective sol-gel ceramic membranes, selective-membrane structures, and related methods are described. Representative ceramic selective membranes include ion-conductive membranes (e.g., proton-conducting membranes) and gas selective membranes. Representative uses for the membranes include incorporation into fuel cells and redox flow batteries (RFB) as ion-conducting membranes.

Abstract: Systems and methods of producing medical images of a subject are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, structural data and vascular data are acquired from a region of interest in the subject. A filter is generated using structural image data acquired from a second layer and blood flow image data received from a first layer in the region of interest. The filter is applied to vascular image data acquired from a second, deeper layer in the region of interest to form an image of the second layer having reduced tailing artifacts relative to the unfiltered vascular image data.

Abstract: Cell-separation systems and methods utilizing cell-specific microbubble tags and ultrasound-based separation are described. The methods are useful for simplification of time-consuming and costly cell purification procedures and real time apoptosis detection.

Abstract: Methods for decreasing rod gene expression in a retina, methods for decreasing the protein products expressed by rod genes in a retina, methods for treating a disease or condition treatable by decreasing rod gene expression or their protein products in a retina, and methods for treating a retinal disease in a subject.

Abstract: The application discloses multimeric assemblies including multiple oligomeric substructures, where each oligomeric substructure includes multiple proteins that self-interact around at least one axis of rotational symmetry, where each protein includes one or more polypeptide-polypeptide interface (“O interface”); and one or more polypeptide domain that is capable of effecting membrane scission and release of an enveloped multimeric assembly from a cell by recruiting the ESCRT machinery to the site of budding by binding to one or more proteins in the eukaryotic ESCRT complex (“L domain”); and where the multimeric assembly includes one or more subunits comprising one or more polypeptide domain that is capable of interacting with a lipid bilayer (“M domain”), as well as membrane-enveloped versions of the multimeric assemblies.