Abstract: Provided are methods for detecting or isolating circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in a subject. The methods may include detecting the expression of at least one epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarker. Further provided are kits for detecting or isolating CTCs. The kits may include antibodies to at least one EMT biomarker. Further provided are methods of predicting the responsiveness of a subject to a cancer drug, methods of targeting delivery of a cancer drug in a subject, methods of providing a cancer prognosis to a subject, and methods for following the progress of cancer in a subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of one or more terpenoids through microbial engineering, and relates to the manufacture of products comprising terpenoids.

Abstract: An air data probe (10) and associated method of method of measuring air data is disclosed. The air data probe includes a plurality of air pressure sensors, and a body (14) that encloses a hollow interior cavity (16), where the body (14) has a generally symmetrical airfoil profile. The body (14) includes a plurality of projections (20a-d) extending beyond the generally symmetrical airfoil profile, each of the plurality of projections (20a-d) including an pressure port (22a-d) at a distal end (24a-d) that is in communication with the hollow interior cavity. Each of the pressure ports (22a-d) receives a corresponding air pressure sensor (12a-d) that is configured to collect static and dynamic air pressure data.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods of using of optical delay lines in RF imagers, e.g., Ultra-wideband (UWB) imagers. In an embodiment, a modulator can be configured to convert radio-frequency signals to optical signal. First and second optical delay lines delay respective first and second optical signals converted by the modulator, and a photodetector can convert the delayed optical signals to at least one electrical signal corresponding to at least one pixel of a radio frequency image. The disclosed systems and methods can also further form a radio-frequency image based on output from the photodetector. In still further embodiments, the photodetector can receive modulated optical signals from an array of optical delays. Also provided are related methods of using the disclosed systems and devices.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle battery; a vehicle sensor configured to detect a current, a voltage and a temperature of the vehicle battery; and an alternator configured to output a target voltage to the vehicle battery. A controller is configured to calculate state of charge (SOC) estimation based on the current, voltage and temperature of the vehicle battery, calculate an initial SOC based on a direct current internal resistance (DCIR) map and apply the initial SOC to the SOC estimation, when an open circuit voltage (OCV) is maintained in a predetermined range after engine-off, and adjust an available SOC range based on a difference between an actual battery charge current amount, to which the initial SOC is applied, and the calculated SOC estimation.

Abstract: A reactive matrix infiltration process is described herein, which includes contacting a surface of a preform comprising reinforcement material particles with a molten infiltrant comprising a matrix material, the matrix material comprising an Al—Ce alloy, whereby the infiltrant at least partially fills spaces between the reinforcement material particles by capillary action and reacts with the reinforcement material particles to form a composite material form, the composite material comprising the matrix material, at least one intermetallic phase, and, optionally, reinforcement material particles. A composite material form also is described, which includes a plurality of reinforcement material particles comprising a metal alloy or a ceramic, a matrix material at least partially filling spaces between the reinforcement material particles; and at least one intermetallic phase surrounding at least some of the reinforcement material particles.

Abstract: A method for detecting and quantifying of the frequency of T cells to multiple antigenic peptide epitopes comprising: measuring intracellular Ca2+ signaling in individual T cells that are labeled with Ca2+ sensitive fluorophore; wherein said T cells are placed on the glass bottom of a well-covered with antibodies or other capturing proteins specific for non-stimulatory T cells' surface receptors and wherein a peptide antigens are injected into the well and the peptide binds to MHC molecules on the T-cell surface, wherein an increase in the intracellular concentration of Ca2+ in responding T cells leads to rise in intracellular fluorescence that is detected by fluorescent microscope and wherein the response rate of said detected fluorescence can be utilized to determine the quantity of responding T cells and the efficiency of said cells.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are described for digitally creating new scents or digitally dispensing gas, vapor, or liquid substances.

Abstract: A number of improvements are provided relating to computer aided surgery. The improvement relates to both the methods used during computer aided surgery and the devices used during such procedures. Some of the improvement relate to controlling the selection of which data to display during a procedure and/or how the data is displayed to aid the surgeon. Other improvements relate to the structure of the tools used during a procedure and how the tools can be controlled automatically to improve the efficiency of the procedure. Still other improvements relate to methods of providing feedback during a procedure to improve either the efficiency or quality, or both, for a procedure.

Abstract: A microfabricated device having at least one gas-entrapping feature formed therein in a configuration that entraps air bubbles upon wetting the feature with a solvent or solution is described. The device includes a sacrificial residue in contact with the gas-entrapping feature, the dissolution of which guides the wetting of the gas-entrapping feature.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and compositions for regulating expression of DUX4. Specifically, the disclosure provides a recombinant gene editing complex comprising: a recombinant gene editing protein; and, a nucleic acid encoding a guide RNA (gRNA) that specifically hybridizes to a target nucleic acid sequence encoding a D4Z4 macrosatellite repeat region, wherein binding of the complex to the target nucleic acid sequence results in inhibition of DUX4 gene expression. In some aspects, methods described by the disclosure are useful for treating a disease associated with aberrant DUX4 expression (e.g., facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, FSHD).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a mutant of cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase and belongs to the fields of gene engineering and enzyme engineering. According to the present invention, a mutant having higher disproportionation activity of cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase is obtained by mutating the cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase. The disproportionation activity of enzymes of mutants V6D, S90G, T168A, T171A, T383A, G608A, and V6D/S90G/T168A/T171A/T383A/G608A, is respectively 1.89 times, 1.21 times, 1.21 times, 1.22 times, 1.32 times, 2.03 times, and 3.16 times that of the wild type enzyme in shake flask fermentations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate closure of the wound by preferentially contracting to provide for movement of the tissue. Preferred embodiments can utilize tissue grasping elements to apply a wound closing force to the tissue.

Abstract: A compound includes an amphiphilic polymer with a hydrophobic block including monomeric units chosen from alkyl (meth)acrylates, alkyl (meth)acrylamides, and combinations thereof; and a hydrophilic cationic block including monomeric units chosen from alkylamino (meth)acrylates, alkylamino (meth)acrylamides, and combinations thereof. The polymer is in the form of a micelle with a central core derived from the hydrophobic block and shell at least partially surrounding the core. The shell includes a plurality of filamentous arms derived from the hydrophilic block and emanating outward from the core. A biological agent is associated with the arms of the micelle.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions of halogenides (oxyhalides) of zirconium and hafnium (M) with values of ?=X/M near one, for X=Cl, Br and I form amorphous solids or glasses, designated as M,X, in contrast to important crystalline oxyhalide end members with ?=2 (designated as MOX). The present disclosure describes methods for producing amorphous thin films comprising halogenides upon evaporation, and provides some measured physical properties, with attention to compositions for ?<2. The value of a below which only glasses are formed is about one for oxychlorides and oxybromides of both Zr and Hf. The chemical formulas for all the halogenide thin films prepared as noted above can be written as a function of the single parameter ?, according to M(OH)4-?X?.(4?-1)H2O. This is valid for e.g., crystalline zirconium oxychloride octahydrate, and for the glassy solids found for ?<2 and down to the onset of hydrolysis, ??0.5.

Abstract: An inverse quantization method is implemented by an inverse quantization device, the method configured for acquiring quantized coefficients, estimating a quantization parameter in quantization groups or quantization parameter prediction group units, generating an inverse quantization matrix for adaptive quantization, and generating transform coefficients from the quantized coefficients using the quantization parameter and the inverse quantization matrix.

Abstract: An integrated method for assessing metabolic rate and maintaining indoor air quality and efficient ventilation energy use. A physical sensor assesses room occupancy. An actuated ventilation system is set to a constant CO2 level in a predetermined healthy range, where the actuated ventilation system includes a CO2 sensor. The actuated ventilation system sets a first air ventilation rate and the sensor measures a first CO2 level. The system determines whether CO2 level is in a healthy range, if not then the CO2 level is adjusted by setting a subsequent air ventilation rate. A subsequent CO2 level is measured. If the CO2 level is determined to meet a predetermined healthy range, then an assessment of change of air ventilation rate (? ACH) is determined. The determination of air change rate can be further augmented by a physical pressure based measurement. The overall metabolic rate is generated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of microbes, in particular to a Lactobacillus plantarum which can significantly inhibit the occurrence of colorectal cancer, and its use thereof. The Lactobacillus plantarum strain CCFM164 has a deposit number CGMCC No. 14520, which has a good tolerance to gastric acid and bile salts, significantly alleviate the level of colorectal inflammation in colorectal cancer model mice, and can reduce the number of tumors in the colon and rectum of the model mice by regulating the Notch1, Notch2 signaling pathway and the expression of VEGFR2 molecule in colorectal tissue. In addition, the Lactobacillus plantarum CCFM164 can also improve the intestinal flora population and short-chain fatty acid levels in the intestine. The Lactobacillus plantarum CCFM164 is used to prepare a fermented food for the inhibition of the occurrence of colorectal cancer with wild applications.

Abstract: This light absorbing device includes: a light reflecting layer; a dielectric layer disposed on the light reflecting layer; and a plurality of metal nanostructures disposed on the dielectric layer. A portion of each of the plurality of metal nanostructures is buried in the dielectric layer and another portion thereof is exposed to the outside.

Abstract: Provided are compounds, formulations comprising compounds, and devices that utilize compounds, where the devices include a substrate, a first electrode, an organic emissive layer comprising an organic emissive material disposed over the first electrode. The device includes an enhancement layer, comprising a plasmonic material exhibiting surface plasmon resonance that non-radiatively couples to the organic emissive material and transfers excited state energy from the organic emissive material to the non-radiative mode of surface plasmon polaritons. The enhancement layer is provided no more than a threshold distance away from the organic emissive layer, where the organic emissive material has a total non-radiative decay rate constant and a total radiative decay rate constant due to the presence of the enhancement layer. At least one of the organic emissive material and the organic emissive layer has a vertical dipole ratio (VDR) value of equal or greater than 0.33.