Abstract: An apparatus for super-resolution Brillouin microscopy includes a probe laser that emits a first laser beam and a first objective lens that focuses the first laser beam onto a sample. A pump laser emits a second laser beam received by a second quarter-wave plate. A depletion laser emits a third laser beam that passes through a phase plate to modify its wavefront phase such that the third laser beam has a donut shape. A second objective lens focuses the second and third laser beams onto the sample. The beam spot from the depletion laser is overlaid with the Gaussian-shape beam spots of the first and second laser beams at the same focal plane. A detector is configured to detect a stimulated Brillouin gain signal and a stimulated Brillouin loss signal.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of medicinal pharmacology. In particular, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical agents which function as inhibitors of sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT) activity. The invention further relates to methods of treating and/or ameliorating symptoms related to cystic fibrosis (CF), comprising administering to a subject (e.g., a human patient) a composition comprising one or more pharmaceutical agents which function as inhibitors of SGLT activity.

Abstract: Combination treatments to promote epithelial integrity and to treat ocular disorders, such as keratoepitheliopathy, impaired corneal wound healing, and corneal neuropathy, are described. The combination treatments include thymosin beta 4 (Tb4) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), or prodrugs or active fragments thereof. In various embodiments, the combination treatments can be used promote epithelial integrity and to treat ocular disorders in diabetic subjects.

Abstract: A RASER-inducing contrast agent for magnetic resonance (MR) modalities that includes a parahydrogen addition to unsaturated molecular precursor that renders radio amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (RASER) of protons and other nuclear spins.

Abstract: Described herein are systems using injectionless gel electrophoresis (GE), such as thermal GE (TGE), to selectively separate, concentrate, quantify, and/or otherwise analyze target analytes. Inline preconcentration and separation are demonstrated to resolve analytes, exemplified by resolving double-stranded miRNA-probe hybrids from excess single-stranded probes and analyzing multiple conformations of a protein. Microfluidic devices having a tapered channel are described, which improve detection sensitivity and separation resolution. The described separation strategy and microfluidic device designs establish injectionless gel electrophoresis as a simple, low-cost analysis method, for instance for analyzing clinical and pharmaceutical samples, including for miRNA, protein, and other biomolecular analyses.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes an inverter coupled to a DC source, a plurality of power switches and a plurality of DC-link capacitors that synthesize seven output voltage levels. In one example the inverter includes a four-level active neutral pointed clamped inverter (4L-ANCP) that includes six power switches of the plurality of power switches and is operated at a switching frequency with a first voltage stress level, and a half-bridge that includes two other of the power switches coupled to the 4L-ANCP and operated at a fundamental frequency with a second voltage stress, the second voltage stress being higher than the first voltage stress level.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and kits including at least one nucleic acid or polypeptide molecule encoding for a mutant CoChop protein. Methods of the invention include administering a composition comprising a mutant CoChop to a subject to preserve, improve, or restore phototransduction. Preferably, the compositions and methods of the invention are provided to a subject having impaired vision, thereby restoring vision to normal levels.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided according to aspects of the present disclosure for inhibition of a pathogenic virus. According to particular aspects, compositions and methods of the present disclosure include degradation of pathogenic viral nucleic acids by interferon-stimulated gene 20-kDa protein (ISG20) and/or a variant thereof, administered to a cell and/or subject to inhibit a pathogenic viral infection of the cell and/or a subject. Compositions and methods are provided according to aspects of the present disclosure wherein providing the ISG20 protein, or a variant thereof, comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of the ISG20 protein and/or variant, to a subject having, or at risk of having, a viral infection.

Abstract: A 3D imaging system may include a laser source, a first camera, a second camera, a delay generator, and a computer. The first camera and the second camera may each be arranged and oriented to detect reflected photons of a laser pulse emitted by the laser source. The delay generator may be configured to provide a plurality of signals that active at least one of the laser source, the first camera, and the second camera. The computer may be configured to receive a first output signal from the first camera, receive a second output signal from the second camera, determine a time-of-flight based at least partially on the first and second output signals and a brightness-time calibration curve, convert the time-of-flight to a distance, determine a 3D coordinate based at least partially on the distance, and/or generate a 3D point cloud utilizing the 3D coordinate.

Abstract: An exemplary lithium-ion battery may include an anode, a cathode, and a separator between the anode and cathode. The separator may be at least partially coated with a sub-nanometer porous membrane. The battery may be a conventional battery in which the anode and cathode are at least partially submerged in an electrolytic solution. Alternatively, the battery may be a solid-state battery disposed between the anode and cathode and having a solid-state electrolyte, which may serve as the separator.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and devices for identifying intraoperative bleeding are described. An example method includes identifying a first frame depicting a surgical scene; identifying a second frame depicting the surgical scene; identifying whether the second frame depicts bleeding by analyzing the first frame and the second frame; and outputting the second frame with an augmentation indicating whether bleeding is depicted in the second frame.

Abstract: Described herein are systems that track positions of particles embedded in a gel within a microfluidic channel. As biomolecules separate through the gel, they collide with the tracking particles and deform the gel, which alters particle motion. Tracking the position and instantaneous displacement of the nanoparticles enables detection and quantitation of biomolecule concentrations in the sample. The described platform provides high sensitivity detection of biomolecules while minimizing or obviating time- and cost-intensive preparation steps.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identification of fungal pathogens, including Candida auris and other Candida species, using Raman spectroscopy integrated with machine learning are described. The systems and methods can utilize a counter-propagating Gaussian beam Raman spectroscopy (CPGB-RS) system in combination with a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) that processes the Raman spectral data to identify and classify fungal species with high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity.

Abstract: An apparatus for super-resolution Brillouin microscopy includes a probe laser that emits a first laser beam and a first objective lens that focuses the first laser beam onto a sample. The apparatus further includes a pump laser that emits a second laser beam and a second quarter-wave plate that receives the second laser beam. The apparatus further includes a depletion laser that emits a third laser beam that passes through a phase plate to modify its wavefront phase such that the third laser beam has a donut shape, and a second objective lens that focuses the second laser beam and the third laser beam onto the sample. Characteristically, the beam spot from the depletion laser is overlaid with the Gaussian-shape beam spots of the first laser beam and the second laser beam at the same focal plane. A detector is configured to detect a stimulated Brillouin gain signal and a stimulated Brillouin loss signal.

Abstract: A multimodal optical technique that can measure the mechanical, optical, and acoustical properties of the sample at microscopic resolution, which is based on the integration of a Brillouin microscope and a photoacoustic (PA) microscopy is provided. The multimodal technique not only can acquire co-registered Brillouin and PA signals of the sample but also allows us to utilize the sound speed measurements by PA to quantify the sample's refractive index, which is an essential property of the material and cannot be measured by either technique individually. We demonstrated the colocalization of Brillouin and time-resolved PA signals by measuring the interface of kerosene and 1% CuSO4 aqueous solution. In addition, we measured the refractive index of saline solutions with a precision of 0.003 and validated the result against published data. This multimodal modality could open new way for charactering biological cell and tissue in physiological and pathological conditions.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery may include a lithium-free cathode, a lithiated anode, and a separator/electrolyte between the lithium-free cathode and the lithiated anode. The lithium-free cathode may include FeOF and MnO2. The FeOF may be in the form of nanorods, and the MnO2 may be in the form of monolayer nanosheets. The FeOF nanorods may be sandwiched or wrapped by the monolayer MnO2 nanosheets.

Abstract: A smart landing platform system includes a flat and rigid platform for landing a drone and having a geometrical center, a center of gravity and a weight, a digital scale disposed beneath the platform for providing measurements of a weight distribution of the platform and the drone, and a control unit connected to the digital scale for instantaneous data collection and storing logic including a statistical inference algorithm based on a nonlinear least squares model to perform automated pre-flight safety check for the drone.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and devices for identifying intraoperative bleeding are described. An example method includes identifying a first frame depicting a surgical scene; identifying a second frame depicting the surgical scene; identifying whether the second frame depicts bleeding by analyzing the first frame and the second frame; and outputting the second frame with an augmentation indicating whether bleeding is depicted in the second frame.

Abstract: A source emits a pulse to an object to generate a particle, and an imaging detector produces a light flash at an X/Y hit position of the particle. The detector outputs a waveform arising from the particle. An event-driven camera provides a signal from the detector that includes intensity and time-over-threshold signals related to the light flash, time-of-arrival information of the event, and the X and Y hit position of the particle. A photodiode determines a time origin of the pulse from the source. A timing circuit is coupled to the detector and to the photodiode, and determines time-of-flight (TOF) of the particle based on the waveform, and based on the time origin of the pulse. The 3D coordinates are generated based on the X/Y hit position synchronized with the TOF of the particle.

Abstract: A wearable mechano-acoustic sensor for continuous cardiorespiratory monitoring, and methods of making and using the same. The sensor includes a diaphragm with a chamber and a channel connected to the chamber, a plurality of electrodes including at least an anode and a cathode extending into the channel, and a liquid electrolyte solution that fills the chamber and channel. When the diaphragm is attached to a user's chest, mechano-acoustic movement from the chest cause the diaphragm to move, pushing the electrolyte solution across the electrodes. A voltage is applied to the anode and an electrochemical current is determined by the flux from the anode to the cathode by the modulation of the electrolyte solution across the electrodes and cardiorespiratory signals are measured from the electrochemical currents.