Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the highly specific, targeted capture of regions of human genomes and transcriptomes from the blood, i.e. from cell free circulating DNA, exosomes, microRNA, circulating tumor cells, or total blood cells, to allow for the highly sensitive detection of mutation, expression, copy number, translocation, alternative splicing, and methylation changes using combined nuclease, ligation, polymerase, and massively parallel sequencing reactions. The method generates a collection of different circular chimeric single-stranded nucleic acid constructs, suitable for sequencing on multiple platforms. In some embodiments, each construct of the collection comprised a first single stranded segment of original genomic DNA from a host organism and a second single stranded synthetic nucleic acid segment that is linked to the first single stranded segment and comprises a nucleotide sequence that is exogenous to the host organism.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing Voronoi diagram-based progressive continuous range query (CRQ) computation for location-based services are provided. A method can include indexing all interest points using a Voronoi R-tree data structure in a server-side computing device. When a client mobile device sends a CRQ request, the server-side device receives a path of travel and builds a list to store interest points and a min-heap to store split points, iteratively retrieving split points from the min-heap, and reporting the CRQ result progressively until a termination condition is reached.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a computer application for analyzing handwriting. The handwriting is digitized by being captured by a computing device such as a tablet. The application analyzes four components of the digitized handwriting. The initial component provides real-time writing speed feedback to the subject. The second fully automated component computes a variety of kinematic measures based on periods of time when the subject is writing versus the pen being off the tablet. A third component is able to concatenate pen strokes into user defined characters and assesses character and/or word spacing based on preset distances. For the fourth component, a 2-dimensional version of the large deformation diffeomorphic metric mapping (LDDMM) method is used to compare each character to a template character. Together, these components can be used to assess handwriting for a broad range of applications.

Abstract: Ultra-short pulsed laser radiation is applied to a patient's eye to create a row of bubbles oriented perpendicular to the axis of vision. The row of bubbles leads to a region of the eye to be ablated. In a second step, a femtosecond laser beam guided through the row of bubbles converts it to a channel perpendicular to the axis of vision. In a third step, a femtosecond laser beam is guided through the channel to ablate a portion of the eye. Using a femtosecond laser with intensity in the range of 1011-1015 W/cm2 for the second and third steps facilitates multi-photon ablation that is practically devoid of eye tissue heating. Creating bubbles in the first step increases the speed of channel creation and channel diameter uniformity, thereby increasing the precision of the subsequent multi-photon ablation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a DNA-targeting RNA that comprises a targeting sequence and, together with a modifying polypeptide, provides for site-specific modification of a target DNA and/or a polypeptide associated with the target DNA. The present disclosure further provides site-specific modifying polypeptides. The present disclosure further provides methods of site-specific modification of a target DNA and/or a polypeptide associated with the target DNA The present disclosure provides methods of modulating transcription of a target nucleic acid in a target cell, generally involving contacting the target nucleic acid with an enzymatically inactive Cas9 polypeptide and a DNA-targeting RNA. Kits and compositions for carrying out the methods are also provided. The present disclosure provides genetically modified cells that produce Cas9; and Cas9 transgenic non-human multicellular organisms.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is disclosed in which an analog sensor receives an electromagnetic (EM) wave (e.g., a radio frequency signal) from an interrogation device. The sensor converts a biological measurement of a subject into an electrical resistance and modulates a response to reflect the incident signal based on the electrical resistance. The sensor then provides the response to the interrogation device that corresponds to the biological measurement.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and formulations comprising glutathione with or without thiocyanate and methods of use thereof to treat diseases and disorders in mucosal/epithelial tissue.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions that find use in facilitating a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) in a subject. The methods and compositions involve measurement of at least one of proteins: IL-16, IL-7, VEGF, CXCL9, CX3CL1, CCL24, CCL19, and CCL11 in a body fluid sample of a subject suspected of having CFS/ME. Levels of one or more of the aforementioned proteins can be used to facilitate a diagnosis of a CFS/ME and/or confirm a diagnosis of CFS/ME. The methods and compositions of the present disclosure also find use in screening subjects for clinical trials and facilitating treatment decisions for a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods of using transposons. In one aspect, methods are disclosed that are useful for identifying negatively selected genes in an insertional mutagenesis screen. In another aspect, compositions for reducing proliferation of a tumor cell expressing an oncogenic RAS include an activator of a WNT pathway. Pharmaceutical compositions for reducing proliferation of tumor cells in a subject in need thereof by administering an effective amount of an activator of a WNT pathway to the tumor cells of the subject are also disclosed.

Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to arithmetic units of processors, and may relate more particularly to configurable arithmetic units. Configurable arithmetic units may comprise a plurality of basic units, and may further comprise a programmable fabric to selectively connect the plurality of basic units at least in part to process one or more sets of parameters in accordance with one or more specified arithmetic operations.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle docking system can include a docking arm and a docking station. The docking arm can be mounted on the UAV and include a rod with an interface element positioned on top of the rod. The interface element can have charging contacts that are attached to wires that extend down to a charging circuit on the UAV. The docking station can be located separate from the docking arm and have a guidance cone to direct the docking arm to a capture mechanism. Once the interface element is in the capture mechanism, a charging dome is then lowered down onto the top of the interface element to form a circuit between a power source at the docking station and the UAV's battery. Upon completion of the charging process, the charging dome is raised and the capture mechanism releases the interface element of the UAV.

Abstract: Provided is a novel compound having rapid and long-lasting therapeutic effects on diseases exhibiting depressive symptoms. Specifically, provided are an agent for prevention and/or treatment of a depressive symptom, consisting of R(?)-ketamine or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition for prevention and/or treatment of a depressive symptom, comprising R(?)-ketamine or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof in an effective amount for reducing a depressive symptom, and being substantially free of S(+)-ketamine, and a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are HIV vaccines that encompasses recombinant trimers that mimic native HIV-1 envelope trimers. Also provided are methods of administering to a subject in need thereof an HIV vaccine provided herein to elicit antibodies against a recombinant trimer in the subject. A recombinant trimer is formed by a recombinant protein comprising a recombinant HIV-1 gp140 fused to a tag through a linker at C-terminus of the recombinant HIV-1 gp140, wherein the linker is sufficiently long so that the tag is accessible for binding by a binding molecule bound on a solid matrix during purification of the recombinant trimer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a communication and power transfer system, the system comprising a transmitter capable of emitting a signal (e.g. microwaves) and comprising a means for modulating the frequency of a signal to a frequency modulated signal, and a receiver, the receiver synchronized to be in resonance with the frequency modulated signal so as to be able to receive signal. Methods for using carrier wave for communication and power transfer are also provided. The present disclosure provides a secure communication and power transfer systems utilizing frequency modulated microwaves that are minimally absorbed by organic matter and can move through aqueous media.

Abstract: This present disclosure is directed to methods for the preparation of a hydrotreatment catalyst, such as nanoscale nickel phosphide (i.e., Ni2P) particles supported on high-surface area metal oxides (e.g., silica, alumina, amorphous silica-alumina), in a manner that is compatible with conditions employed in commercial hydrotreating units. The catalyst synthesis includes impregnation, drying, and in situ reduction, and can provide highly active catalysts for the removal of S and N impurities from crude oil fractions.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a low frequency (LF) transmitter, a high frequency receiver, and a control unit. The low frequency (LF) transmitter may be configured to transmit a LF signal in order to search for a remote control device. The high frequency receiver may be configured to receive a signal having a predetermined frequency band which is greater than a frequency band of the LF signal transmitted by the LF transmitter. The control unit may be configured to determine that a relay attack is generated when the signal received by the high frequency receiver is a modulated LF signal.

Abstract: The present invention describes compositions and methods for priming protective immunity in the presence of pre-existing maternal antibody. In some embodiments, the invention contemplates simultaneously masking vaccines to avoid antibody neutralization while targeting those vaccines to specific cell types in order to elicit an enhanced immune response. In other embodiments, vectors that recruit and activate specific antigen-presenting cells may further enhance the efficacy of those immune responses.

Abstract: A three dimensional (3-D) model comprising a scaffold and autologous skin cells, the invention also provides methods of predicting immunogenicity and hypersensitivity or allergic or adverse immune reactions to potential therapeutic compounds, biologies, cosmetics and chemical sensitizers using the 3-D model of skin cells. The methods provide an in vitro assay employing autologous blood derived cells in the 3-D skin equivalent model and is of particular utility in the identification and prediction of skin sensitizers and in particular agents that may cause allergic contact dermatitis. The assay of the present invention provides inter alia methods of screening library compounds for sensitizing activity, identifying optimal therapeutics, especially but not exclusively, monoclonal antibodies and kits therefor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a clinically applicable method of stem cell transplantation that facilitates engraftment and reconstitutes immunocompetence of the recipient without requiring radiotherapy or chemotherapy, and without development of GVHD or graft rejection. Aspects of the present invention are based on the discovery that the depletion of the endogenous stem cell niche facilitates efficient engraftment of stem cells into that niche. In particular, the present invention combines the use of selective ablation of endogenous stem cells with a combination of antibodies specific for CD117, and agents that modulate immunoregulatory signaling pathways, e.g. agonists of immune costimulatory molecules, in combination with the administration to the recipient of exogenous stem cells, resulting in efficient, long-term engraftment, even in immunocompetent recipients.

Abstract: A sound source separation apparatus includes: a separation-matrix processor that transforms a plurality of observation signals corresponding to sounds being propagated from a plurality of sound sources into a frequency-domain signal group the separation-matrix processor updating a separation matrix based on the frequency-domain signal group and transforming the updated separation matrix into time-series filter coefficients to output; a filter-coefficient transformer that partially removes non-causal components from the filter coefficients to transform the filter coefficients, and a separator that supplies the filter coefficients to a filter group, the separator generating a plurality of separation signals separated from the plurality of observation signals corresponding to the separation matrix.