Abstract: A portable inspecting device includes PZT transducers and performs active sensing to measure the characteristics of bolted connections. The PZT transducers are mounted on opposing ends of spring-loaded rods and can be moved apart to accommodate a structure for testing. The springs cause the PZT transducers to push against opposing parts of the structure in a stable but temporary fashion. The device can be physically moved to inspect the status and health of multiple different bolted connections.

Abstract: Wirelessly powered dielectric sensor in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In many embodiments, a wirelessly powered dielectric sensor includes an RF-power receiving antenna that receives electromagnetic power, a power management unit (PMU) including a capacitor to rectify and store the electromagnetic power, and a dielectric constant sensing sensor, where the PMU monitors harvested energy and operates the dielectric sensing sensor; and where the dielectric sensing sensor senses a dielectric constant of a material that is in close proximity.

Abstract: A pump comprises: a vertically-extending conduit having an intermediate portion extending between lower and upper portions, the intermediate portion having a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the upper portions, a lift arrangement including an array of ports arranged over a length of the lower portion, each port of the array having a terminus at the lower portion and extending horizontally away from the terminus such that the working fluid is directed towards a center of the conduit; and an injector having a terminus at the top of the intermediate portion and extending vertically downwardly such that the working fluid is directed vertically upwardly, the terminus of the injector being defined by a cylindrical groove, an annular chamber surrounding the injector, having a length and communicating with the injector through a row of apertures spaced a distance from the junction of the transition portion and the intermediate portion.

Abstract: A method for spectrum sensing for cognitive radio includes performing a process of local spectrum sensing using receive beamforming and energy detection at each of a plurality of secondary users included in a cognitive radio network, wherein the process of local spectrum sensing decides between two hypotheses corresponding to absence and presence of a primary user, the two hypotheses being formulated using a primary user signal, a plurality of co-channel interferences, and sensing noise, the primary user signal, the plurality of co-channel interferences, and the sensing noise being received at each of the plurality of secondary users, and a set of beamforming weights of the receive beamforming is determined by optimizing a probability of detection and constraining a probability of false alarm.

Abstract: A method for optimization of photonic devices is disclosed. The method includes receiving a set of unconstrained latent variables; mapping the set of unconstrained latent variables to a constrained space to generate a constrained device; calculating the permittivity across each element of the constrained device; determining a permittivity-constrained width gradient based at least partially on the permittivity across each element; and optimizing the set of unconstrained latent variables by at least partially using the permittivity-constrained width gradient.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for treating an oral cancer in a subject. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the method comprises respectively obtaining a first and a second biological samples from a lesion site and a non-lesion site of the subject; respectively measuring the expression levels of CHEK1, PIK3CA, or PIK3CD in both biological samples by qRT-PCR thereby obtaining a first and a second expression level; determining the ratio of the first to the second expression level; and administering to the subject an effective amount of a checkpoint kinase 1 inhibitor when the ratio for CHEK1 is at least 1.7 or a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor when the ratio for PIK3CA is at least 2.4, or when the ratio for PIK3CD is at least 3.1.

Abstract: Described herein is a beads-free bioprocessor as an automated and cost-effective T cell processing and manufacturing platform. T cells are a core component in CAR T cell therapies for cancer treatment, but are difficult to manufacture to scale in clinically relevant quantities. The 3D bioprocessor provides an alternative device that is scalable, beads-free, easy-to-use, and cost-effective for using CAR T cell therapy in cancer immunotherapy. Besides CAR T cell application, this platform technology has potential for many other applications such as cancer cell isolation.

Abstract: An eyedrop composition, and methods of making and using the same, may include one or more hydrogel forming polymer having an intrinsic viscosity [?] of at least 3 dL/g in the composition, wherein a concentration CT of such hydrogel forming polymer in the composition is at most about 5 mg/mL.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for editing the genome of a human T cell. In some embodiments, a heterologous T cell receptor (TCR)-? chain and a heterologous TCR-? chain are inserted into exon 1 of a TCR subunit constant gene in the genome of the T cell.

Abstract: Polymer composite photonic crystal materials are disclosed as coatings with topcoats having high reflection (>30%) in a specific range of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as ultraviolet (<400 nm), visible (Vis, 400 nm-700 nm), or near-infrared radiation range (NIR, 700-2000 nm), and optionally a relatively low reflection (<20% reflection) in a second, different range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Surprisingly, it was found that through a multi-layer coating approach, the optical properties of polymer composite photonic crystal films can be selectively modified from a variety of different coating methods, including spray deposition.

Abstract: A method of mapping transverse relaxation in a magnetic resonance (MR) scan data, comprises receiving a multi-echo spin-echo MR scan protocol comprising a plurality of MR imaging parameters, and for each echo of the multi-echo spin-echo MR scan protocol: generating, based on the parameters, a simulated echo modulation curve using a set of refocusing coherence pathways, for each of a plurality of predetermined transverse relaxation times; calculating, for each transverse relaxation time, diffusion attenuation based on a respective subset of the refocusing coherence pathways; and correcting the echo modulation curve using the diffusion attenuation. The method can also comprise comparing the scan data to the corrected echo modulation curve for each of at least a portion of the transverse relaxation values, and generating a displayed output comprising a map of transverse relaxation based on the comparison.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for using widely available ultrasound imaging to overcome the limitations of imaging guidewires and other small objects that may be subwavelength in size relative to an ultrasound wavelength. The system and method can reduce the use of X-rays and exposure to the dangerous effects of radiation and avoids the expense of MRI technology. The subwavelength object, such as a guidewire, can be detected using several methods and associated systems described herein, including the object changing positions at a frequency that creates a brighter ultrasound image of the object as the object progresses across a scanned region of the ultrasound detector. In some embodiments, the movement of the small object causes a different speckle signature than the object itself would otherwise generate. Analysis of changes in speckle patterns due to progressive movement of an object can yield a detectable object.

Abstract: A device and method are disclosed for intravenous cannulation. The device employs a spring to precisely and accurately control the force and velocity imparted to a piercing needle, with mechanical constraints built into the device to precisely and accurately control the distance through which the piercing needle travels. A sheathed-needle configuration is used with an outer, echogenic needle that can be seen via ultrasound; and an inner needle used to pierce the vein. The operator releases the piercing needle with a controlled velocity, controlled force, and controlled travel distance. The device reduces the human error and complications that have previously been associated with manually piercing a vein for cannulation.

Abstract: A warp-knitted capacitive touch sensor system includes conductive and non-conductive yarns using interlooped stitches that are interlaced, intertwined, and/or spliced into a single conductive pathway having only two connection points to the electronic interface device, across a desired width or length of the textile material.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions useful to reduce (partially/inhibit or completely—prevent) skin cancer development in an individual in need thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, and are as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods for increasing mammalian cell NAD+ production and improving mitochondrial cell densities comprising administering to a cell the compound or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A method for positioning key features of a lens based on ocular B-mode ultrasound images includes: acquiring and preprocessing the ocular B-mode ultrasound images to obtain a preprocessed B-mode ultrasound image, eyeball coordinates and lens coordinates; sending the preprocessed B-mode ultrasound image, the eyeball coordinates and the lens coordinates into a trained target detection network YOLOv3 to obtain eyeball position images and lens position images; substituting the eyeball position images and the lens position images into a trained feature extraction network group to obtain image features and feature coordinates corresponding to the eyeball position images and the lens position images, respectively; substituting the image features into a trained collaborative learning network to screen key image features; and marking a feature coordinate corresponding to the key image features on the ocular B-mode ultrasound images to complete positioning the key features of the lens.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to reagents and their use for elemental imaging mass spectrometry of biological samples.

Abstract: Compositions for delivering a drug to a subject having: a plurality of self-assembled supramolecular nanoparticles (SMNPs), each of the plurality of self-assembled supramolecular nanoparticles (SMNPs) having: a plurality of binding components, each having a plurality of binding regions; a plurality of cores that are suitable to at least provide some mechanical structure to the plurality of self-assembled supramolecular nanoparticles (SMNPs), the plurality of cores comprising at least one core binding element adapted to bind to the binding regions to form a first inclusion complex; a plurality of terminating components, each having a single terminating binding element that binds to remaining binding regions of one of said plurality of binding components by forming a second inclusion complex; the drug; and a reporter agent, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The current invention features a rod screw for medical application that can be configured and used to fixate fracture of bones varying in shape and dimension, and treating maladies such as scoliosis, and securing an implanted device, to tissue such as bone. This is achieved by designing a flexible rod screw with a mechanism to lock the configuration in a rigid state. In an embodiment, a bone-fracture fixation device, such as a rod screw, includes a flexible body, a plurality of flexible members, and first and second interfaces. The flexible members are disposed longitudinally within the flexible body, such that the flexible body is rigid when the flexible members are fixed into position. And the first and second interfaces are respectively coupled to the flexible body, each of at least one of the first and second interfaces including a respective at least one hole each configured to receive a respective attachment member configured to engage a bone.