Abstract: A sample vessel includes a biological sample container and a sample stabilizer container. The biological sample container is configured to receive a biological sample and to store the biological sample. The sample stabilizer container is configured to contain a stabilizer associated with the biological sample. The sample stabilizer container is assembled from a stabilizer vial, an adaptor, and a fluid channel. The stabilizer vial is configured to store an amount of the stabilizer. The adaptor is configured to secure the biological sample container and the stabilizer vial such that the biological sample container and the stabilizer vial form the sample vessel. The fluid channel extends through the adaptor from the stabilizer vial to the biological sample container, the biological sample moving from the biological sample container into the stabilizer vial through the fluid channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure features photon upconversion systems, including a sensitizer and an emitter, wherein the sensitizer absorbs an energy from an incident radiation, and the emitter accepts the energy from the sensitizer via triplet-triplet energy transfer, and emits at a lower wavelength than the incident radiation via a triplet-triplet annihilation process. The present disclosure also features devices including the photon upconversion systems.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for expanding antigen-specific T cells (e.g., antigen-specific CD4+ T cells and/or antigen-specific CD8+ T cells) in culture. For example, methods and materials for performing a polyclonal stimulation step for a particular duration (e.g., from about 1 hour to about 48 hours) to increase the expansion of T cells having a desired antigen specificity are provided.

Abstract: Temperature-responsive pressure sensitive adhesives and articles of manufacture, such as bandages and medical tape, incorporating the adhesives are described. Methods for selection of a class of pressure sensitive adhesives for embedding a temperature sensitive polymer into the adhesive formulations are also provided.

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: Various noncollimated single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) technologies are described herein. An example device includes an array of detectors configured to detect a flux of first photons transmitted from a field of view (FOV) over time. The device also includes an attenuator disposed between the array of detectors and the FOV. The attenuator is configured to move over time and to attenuate second photons emitted from the source. In various implementations, the attenuator is not a collimator. Based on the fluxes of the first photons detected by the detectors, and the position of the attenuator over time, an imaging system may be configured to generate an image of the FOV.

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 invention provides methods for preparing DNA sequencing libraries by assembling short read sequencing data into longer contiguous sequences for genome assembly, full length cDNA sequencing, metagenomics, and the analysis of repetitive sequences of assembled genomes.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for dynamically shaped focal surface with a scanning microscope. A microscope (e.g., a scanning confocal microscope) may use a scanning element to scan an illumination beam to generate a focal region. The scanning element may include multiple degrees of freedom, such as rotation and translation along orthogonal axes. For example, if the illumination beam is a line focus, rotation along a first axis and translation along a second orthogonal axis may sweep the line focus across a focal surface which is substantially flat and normal to the second axis. In some embodiments, the microscope may be a dual-axis handheld microscope, where a single objective in a handheld housing is used to both direct the scanned illumination beam and receive the collected light.

Abstract: Beta-sheet forming polypeptides at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS:1-24 are disclosed, together with their use and methods for designing beta-sheet forming polypeptides.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to bacterium engineered to produce aromatic compounds or compounds with aromatic metabolites or intermediates using the CRISPR-CAS transcriptional activation (CRISPRa) and/or transcriptional repression (CRISPRi). Accordingly, in an aspect the present disclosure relates to an engineered bacterium comprising genetic elements supporting programmable transcriptional activation and/or repression. The present disclosure also provides methods and systems for producing aromatic compounds or compounds with aromatic metabolites or intermediates using the engineered bacterium disclosed herein.

Abstract: Chromophores with large hyperpolarizabilities, films with electro-optic activity comprising the chromophores, and electro-optic devices comprising the chromophores are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is related to, inter alia, de novo IL-2R13 binding polypeptides.

Abstract: Methods of uniquely labeling or barcoding molecules within a nucleus, a plurality of nuclei, a cell, a plurality of cells, and/or a tissue are provided. Kits for uniquely labeling or barcoding molecules within a nucleus, a plurality of nuclei, 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 and/or cDNAs.

Abstract: A spectrometer includes a crystal analyzer having a radius of curvature that defines a Rowland circle, a sample stage configured to support a sample such that the sample is offset from the Rowland circle, x-ray source configured to emit unfocused x-rays toward the sample stage, and a position-sensitive detector that is tangent to the Rowland circle. A method performed via a spectrometer includes emitting, via an x-ray source, unfocused x-rays toward a sample that is mounted on a sample stage such that the sample is offset from the Rowland Circle, thereby causing the sample to emit x-rays that impinge on the crystal analyzer or transmit a portion of the unfocused x-rays to impinge on the crystal analyzer; scattering, via the crystal analyzer, the x-rays that impinge on the crystal analyzer; and detecting the scattered x-rays via a position-sensitive detector that is tangent to the Rowland circle.

Abstract: A multifunction wheelchair, with fixed or folding frame, is described. The multifunction wheelchair is reconfigurable, by a transformation mechanism, between a normal use, ergonomic configuration and a roll-over-toilet configuration. This transformation involves raising the seat of the wheelchair, as needed, to position the wheelchair over the determined height of a toilet, and opening a seat closure mechanism to expose a cutout in the seat for toilet use. This transformation may be at least partially automated. In examples, the multifunction wheelchair is equipped with electronics (e.g., camera, microcontroller) to determine the toilet seat height for making height and/or steering adjustments. The transformation mechanism may be provided as a retrofit kit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an advanced oxidation composition, use of the composition in methods for advanced oxidation of chemical compounds in a medium comprising one or more chemical compound contaminants, and an apparatus suitable for administering the advanced oxidation composition to a liquid medium. The advanced oxidation composition comprises superoxide radical and free available chlorine, which react to produce hydroxyl radical and reactive chlorine species that effect organic compound degradation in mediums comprising chemical compound contaminants.

Abstract: An input driven self-clocked dynamic comparator, and associated systems and methods are described herein. In one embodiment, self-clocked dynamic comparator, includes a latch configured to receive an input voltage (VIN), a reference voltage (VREF) and a clocking (CLKsf) signal, and configured to output a first rail-to-rail output (OUT+) signal and a second rail-to-rail output (OUT?) signal. The self-clocked dynamic comparator also includes a pre-amplifier (PRE-AMP) configured to output an enable (TRI) signal based on a comparison between the VIN and an adjusted VREF. The self-clocked dynamic comparator further includes a pre-amplifier (PRE-AMP) configured to output an enable (TRI) signal based on a comparison between the VIN and an adjusted VREF, and a logic gate configured to receive the TRI signal and one of the OUT+ signal and OUT? signal, and configured to output the CLKsf signal. The cycles of the CLKsf signal cause the latch to dissipate energy.

Abstract: An eye-tracking system, including at least one vertical capacitance sensor, configured to measure the vertical position of a cornea of a user’s eye by sensing a position of an eyelid of the user; and at least one horizontal capacitance sensor, configured to measure the horizontal position of the cornea of the user’s eye by sensing a position of the user’s eyeball.

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.