Abstract: Grasping devices and mechanisms are provided capable of grasping onto flat or curved surfaces repeatably and releasably using synthetic dry adhesives. Applications of these devices can be found in a large variety of robotic applications.

Abstract: A continuous throughput microfluidic system includes an input system configured to provide a sequential stream of sample plugs; a droplet generator arranged in fluid connection with the input system to receive the sequential stream of sample plugs and configured to provide an output stream of droplets; a droplet treatment system arranged in fluid connection with the droplet generator to receive the output stream of droplets in a sequential order and configured to provide a stream of treated droplets in the sequential order; a detection system arranged to obtain detection signals from the treated droplets in the sequential order; a control system configured to communicate with the input system, the droplet generator, and the droplet treatment system; and a data processing and storage system configured to communicate with the control system and the detection system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an engineered outer domain (eOD) of HIV gp120 and mutants thereof and methods of making and using the same. The mutant eODs may be advantageous for the elicitation of CD4-binding site (CD4bs)-directed broadly-neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) and/or improve binding to mature VRC01 and/or improve binding to germline VRC01 and the germlines of other VH1-2 derived broadly-neutralizing antibodies. The mutant eODs may also include glycan-masking mutations on eOD. The present invention also includes fusions of eOD to various protein multimers to enhance immunogenicity as well as the design of cocktails of different eODs that represent the full diversity of HIV sequences within the VRC01 epitope and surroundings.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for multiferroic thin films. In one example, a multiferroic thin film device includes a thin film of multiferroic material and an electrode disposed on a side of the thin film of multiferroic material. The multiferroic material can be (Fex,Sr1-x)TiO3 In another example, a method for producing a multiferroic thin film includes forming a multiferroic precursor; disposing the multiferroic precursor on a substrate to form a multiferroic coating; pre-baking the multiferroic coating on the substrate to form a pre-baked multiferroic thin film; and annealing the pre-baked multiferroic thin film under an oxygen atmosphere to form a crystalized multiferroic thin film. One or more electrodes can be formed on the crystalized multiferroic thin film.

Abstract: A continuous throughput microfluidic system includes an input system configured to provide a sequential stream of sample plugs; a droplet generator arranged in fluid connection with the input system to receive the sequential stream of sample plugs and configured to provide an output stream of droplets; a droplet treatment system arranged in fluid connection with the droplet generator to receive the output stream of droplets in a sequential order and configured to provide a stream of treated droplets in the sequential order; a detection system arranged to obtain detection signals from the treated droplets in the sequential order; a control system configured to communicate with the input system, the droplet generator, and the droplet treatment system; and a data processing and storage system configured to communicate with the control system and the detection system.

Abstract: A wireless system, and particularly, a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communication system is disclosed. The wireless system includes a plurality of (re)configurable antennas and a rate-two space coding design for a MIMO system. The MIMO wireless communication system generally includes M (re)configurable antennas configured to independently transmit or broadcast wireless electromagnetic signals having a frequency in the microwave and/or optical ranges, a controller configured to control the (re)configurable antennas, and an encoder configured to encode information onto the wireless electromagnetic signals. The information comprises codewords having N symbols, and the codewords are expressed in an N×M matrix having a non-zero determinant and in which at least one symbol is associated with a coefficient configured to maximize diversity, maximize coding gain and/or reduce channel fading in the MIMO wireless communication system. M and N are each independently an integer of at least 2.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include a compound and methods for inhibiting karyopherin beta 1 activity by administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a substituted benzoxazepine. The compound of Formula II, 9-[(1-methylpiperidin-3-yl)methoxy]-4-[(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)methyl]-7-(5-methylthiophen-2-yl)-3,5-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazepine or one of its salts, inhibits the import of protein and transcription factors, such as NFAT and P65/NFKB into the nucleus of a cell, and thus has anti-cancer effects enabling the compound to be used for cancer treatment.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising (i) a polysiloxane comprising a plurality of pendant amines and (ii) an acid. Also provided is a composition comprising (i) a polysiloxane comprising a plurality of pendant acids and (ii) an amine. The compositions are useful inter alia for chemical or oil spill cleanup, drug delivery systems, transparent films, adhesives, binding agents, conductors, membranes, cross-linking agents, or opticoelectronic applications. Also provided are methods for making the compositions of the invention, as well as a battery and a composition for controlled release of a compound, each comprising a composition of the invention.

Abstract: A mobile device, which has internet connectivity and several input/output devices, includes a mobile universal remote controller (MURC) and an appliance lifecycle module. The MURC controls several appliances of different types from different vendors and the lifecycle module provides connectivity between a user of the mobile device and one of several appliance-lifecycle service providers through the input/output devices. An appliance lifecycle management server includes several appliance lifecycle databases, an access controller, and a plurality of flow handlers. The databases receive and store lifecycle information about appliances controlled by the MURCs. The access controller assigns roles and access permissions to the MURC and to server providers that access the server.

Abstract: The invention provides organic complexes of Zn2+ of formula (I) that are useful for treating cancer, as well as compositions and kits comprising such complexes, and intermediate monomer compounds that are useful for the preparation of such complexes.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance may include an archwire and multiple orthodontic brackets. The archwire may fit within a human mouth and contain multiple male connectors. Each orthodontic bracket may have a configuration that facilitates attaching the orthodontic bracket to a single tooth. Each orthodontic bracket may allow one of the male connectors to be locked into the orthodontic bracket with a snapping action. The male connector may be unable to slide with respect to the orthodontic bracket after being locked in the orthodontic bracket. A manual unlocking action may allow the male connector to disengage from the orthodontic bracket.

Abstract: A hybrid energy storage device includes a positive pole formed by stacking a supercapacitor first electrode and a battery positive electrode, a negative pole formed by stacking a supercapacitor second electrode and a battery negative electrode, and a separator located between the positive pole and the negative pole. The supercapacitor second electrode, the battery negative electrode, the supercapacitor first electrode, the battery positive electrode, and the separator are planar structures. The supercapacitor first electrode, the supercapacitor second electrode, the battery positive electrode, the battery negative electrode, the separator and electrolyte are packaged in a shell.

Abstract: A method for estimating portal blood flow and hepatic function in a subject is provided. In one example, the STAT test is an in vitro simplified, convenient test intended for screening purposes that can reasonably estimate the portal blood flow from a single blood sample taken 60 minutes after orally administered deuterated-cholate. The test can be administered to a patient having, or suspected of having, Chronic Hepatitis C, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), or any chronic liver disease.

Abstract: A solid self-micro/nano emulsifying formulation comprising CARP-1 functional mimetics (CFM; e.g., CFM-4.16 or CFM-4.17) for oral administration, and methods of fabrication and use thereof to treat cancer (e.g., breast cancer, triple negative breast cancer, resistant lung cancer, and non-resistant lung cancer) and reduce tumor volume. Solid self-micro/nano emulsifying formulation of CFM compounds was found to have significantly enhanced drug loading, aqueous solubility, and oral bioavailability of the formulation.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for providing cardiovascular images over a respiratory cycle through a computer system is provided. A plurality of cardiovascular images is obtained. A cardiac phase is measured for each cardiovascular image of the plurality of cardiovascular images to associate each cardiovascular image to a cardiac phase. A respiratory phase is measured for each cardiovascular image of the plurality of cardiovascular images to associate each cardiovascular image to a respiratory phase. A first group of cardiovascular images with an associated first cardiac phase of the plurality of cardiovascular images is sorted in order of respiratory phases. The first group of cardiovascular images with the associated first cardiac phase of the plurality of cardiovascular images is displayed in order of respiratory phases.

Abstract: A label-free imaging method to monitor stem cell metabolism discriminates different states of stem cell as they differentiate in a living tissues. We use intrinsic fluorescence biomarkers and the phasor approach to Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM). We identify and map intrinsic fluorophores such as collagen, retinol, retinoic acid, flavins, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and porphyrin. We measure the phasor values of germ cells in C. Elegans germ line. Their metabolic fingerprint cluster according to their differentiation state, reflecting changes in FAD concentration and NADH binding during the differentiation pathway. The phasor approach to lifetime imaging provides a label-free, fit-free and sensitive method to identify different metabolic state of cells during differentiation, to sense small changes in the redox state of cells and may identify symmetric and asymmetric divisions and predict cell fate.

Abstract: A number of improvements are provided relating to computer aided surgery utilizing an on tool tracking system. The various improvements relate generally to both the methods used during computer aided surgery and the devices used during such procedures. Other improvements relate to the structure of the tools used during a procedure and how the tools can be controlled using the OTT device. Still other improvements relate to methods of providing feedback during a procedure to improve either the efficiency or quality, or both, for a procedure including the rate of and type of data processed depending upon a CAS mode.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the prognosis of prostate cancer progression in a patient by analyzing the gene expression in a tumor sample obtained from the patient the prognosis of prostate cancer progression in a patient by analyzing the gene expression in a tumor sample obtained from the patient. In particular, gene expression levels of GCOM1, MEX3D, TRPM4, ATPAF1, PTRF, GLYATL1, FLNA, OBSCN, STRA13, WHSC1, ARFGAP3, KDM2A, FAM83H, CLDN7, CNOT6, and B3GNT9 are measured. Kits containing means for the measurement of gene expression as described herein and methods for treatment of prostate cancer are also provided.

Abstract: A memory access method, a storage-class memory, and a computer system are provided. The computer system includes a memory controller and a hybrid memory, and the hybrid memory includes a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and a storage-class memory (SCM). The memory controller sends a first access instruction to the DRAM and the SCM. When determining that a first memory cell set that is of the DRAM and to which a first address in the received first access instruction points includes a memory cell whose retention time is shorter than a refresh cycle of the DRAM, the SCM may obtain a second address having a mapping relationship with the first address. Further, the SCM converts, according to the second address, the first access instruction into a second access instruction for accessing the SCM, to implement access to the SCM.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a method to form quantum dot field-effect transistors (QD FETs) having little to no bias-stress effect. Bias-stress effect can be reduced or eliminated through, as an example, the use of a gas or liquid to remove ligands and/or reduce charge trapping on the QD FETs, followed by deposition of an inorganic or organic matrix around the QDs in the FET.