Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are disclosed that enable the compression of depth data and real-time reconstruction of high-quality light fields. In one aspect, spatial compression and decompression of depth images is divided into the following stages: generating a quadtree data structure for each depth image captured by a light field probe and difference mask associated with the depth image, with each node of the quadtree approximating a corresponding portion of the depth image data using an approximating function; generating, from the quadtree for each depth image, a runtime packed form that is more lightweight and has a desired maximum error; and assembling multiple such runtime packed forms into per-probe stream(s); and decoding at runtime the assembled per-probe stream(s). Further, a block compression format is disclosed for approximating depth data by augmenting the block compression format 3DC+(BC4) with a line and two pairs of endpoints.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a rigid device capable of separating whey from yogurt when inserted into yogurt. The bottom of the device and a portion of the lower sides are walled to a height great enough to create a whey collecting reservoir. An accompanying ladle which fits within the device and is at a sufficient height to allow the collection of liquid into the ladle when inserted in the device may be included as part of a sales package.

Abstract: Provided herein are secretory compositions/cocktails derived from a novel, extremophilic fungal species cultured, isolated, and characterized herein. Said novel, extremophilic fungal species may be exploited to produce secretory compositions/cocktails which comprise a unique mixture of thermo-tolerant, stable enzymes capable of digesting cellular and genetic material in its surroundings under extreme temperatures. Such secretory compositions/cocktails may be useful as cleaning and sterilization solutions against biofilm, urine, yeast, bacterial, or viral contamination. Other uses include, but are not limited to, urea removal, fertilizer wastewaters, wastewater reclamation for life support systems in space, pH control, source of ammonia and carbon dioxide, starch digestion, biofuel production, as pharmaceuticals, and medical treatments such as wounds, skin disorders, or nail disorders.

Abstract: Provided herein are secretory compositions/cocktails derived from a novel, extremophilic fungal species cultured, isolated, characterized and sequenced herein. Said novel, extremophilic fungal species may be exploited to produce a secretory compositions/cocktails which comprise a unique mixture of thermo-tolerant, stable enzymes capable of digesting cellular and genetic material in its surroundings under extreme temperatures. Such secretory compositions/cocktails may be useful as cleaning and sterilization solutions against biofilm, urine, yeast, bacterial, or viral contamination. Other uses include, but are not limited to, urea removal, fertilizer wastewaters, wastewater reclamation for life support systems in space, pH control, source of ammonia and carbon dioxide, starch digestion, biofuel production, as pharmaceuticals, and medical treatments such as wounds, skin disorders, or nail disorders.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising agents which modulate poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase 14 (PARP14), or compositions comprising PARP14 mutants. Such compositions can modulate the levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and are useful in methods for treating or preventing cancer, aging, aging-related disorders, cell death, radiation damage, radiation exposure, disorders associated with inflammation, among others. Such compositions and methods may also improve DNA repair, cell proliferation, cell survival, modulate inflammatory response, among others, and may increase the life span of a cell or protect it against certain stresses, apoptosis, among others.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for preventing or treating peripheral neuropathy, cognitive deficits, inactivity, depression, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy and cognitive deficits, and improving cognitive performance, in a subject in need thereof are disclosed. The disclosed methods include the step of administering to the subject an effective amount of an agent that increases the level of NAD+ in the subject.

Abstract: A coupling interface arrangement is described for a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) device. The PIC includes an interface coupling surface having optical grating elements arranged to form optical output locations that produce corresponding light output beams. A coupling lens couples the light output beams into a conjugate plane at a far-field scene characterized by one or more optical aberrations that degrade optical resolution of the light outputs. The optical grating elements are configured to correct for the one or more optical aberrations.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions of nicotinamide mononucleotide derivatives and their methods of use. The invention also relates to methods of preparing nicotinamide mononucleotide derivatives. The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions and nutritional supplements containing a nicotinamide mononucleotide derivative. The invention relates to methods of using nicotinamide mononucleotide derivatives that promote the increase of intracellular levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) in cells and tissues for treating diseases and improving cell and tissue survival.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods, compositions, and kits for enhanced detection of microbes in samples and monitoring of antimicrobial activity in a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel compositions and methods for the treatment of age-related diseases, mitochondrial diseases, the improvement of stress resistance, the improvement of resistance to hypoxia and the extension of life span. Also described herein are methods for the identification of agents useful in the foregoing methods. Methods and compositions are provided for the treatment of diseases or disorders associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.

Abstract: A holder for holding an electronic device comprising first and second components thereof, such as a lavalier microphone, is provided. The holder includes: (a) a pouch dimensioned for receiving the first component; (b) a strap defining opposing strap ends thereof, the strap being attachable to the pouch at each of the strap ends; and (c) a slider defining opposing slider ends thereof, the slider being slidably attachable to the strap at each of the slider ends, the slider comprising a pocket disposed between the slider ends, the pocket being dimensioned for receiving the second component. The electronic device may include a cable extending between the first and second components, and the strap may include a plurality of openings dimensioned to receive the cable. The plurality of openings may include at least one perforation. The pouch may include a window. The window may be a mesh window.

Abstract: A multi channel beamsplitter system operating over a wide spectral band has high optical performance despite the fact that the incoming and/or exiting light is not collimated and its material is dispersive. This is achieved using wavefront compensators that are matched to the curvature of the wavefronts of the incoming and/or exiting light.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods, compositions, and kits for enhanced detection of microbes in samples and monitoring of antimicrobial activity in a subject.

Abstract: A device for compressing subject data. the device comprises a communication link, the communication link capable of receiving a set of subject data; a compression module, the compression module configured to apply a compression algorithm to the set of subject data, the compression algorithm compressing the set of subject data using a reference string of subject data; and a transmission module, the transmission module configured to transmit the compressed subject data. The device further comprising an encryption module for encrypting the subject data.

Abstract: A tunable imaging system capable of capturing both broadband and narrow band images is disclosed. The narrow band selection is made possible by constructing a spectral filter with a series of Faraday rotators and polarizers. The dispersion in Faraday Effect discriminates different wavelengths, allowing only light around the desired wavelength to pass through the polarizers. The central wavelength and/or the bandwidth of the filter can be tuned by varying the magnetic field and/or rotating the polarizers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described in which data, which is required by system software in a self-service terminal, is stored across a number of persistent storage elements. The persistent storage elements are located in peripheral devices within the self-service terminal. When the data is lost from volatile memory in the core computing device in the self-service terminal, the data is read back from one or more of the persistent storage elements.

Abstract: A star tracker includes a lens slice, a pixelated image sensor, an ephemeral database and a processor configured to estimate attitude, orientation and/or location of the star tracker based on an image of one or more celestial objects projected by the lens slice onto the pixelated image sensor. The lens slice is smaller and lighter than an optically comparable conventional lens, thereby making the star tracker less voluminous and less massive than conventional star trackers. A lens slice is elongated along one axis. Optical performance along the elongation axis is comparable to that of a conventional circular lens of equal diameter. Although optical performance along a width axis, perpendicular to the elongation axis, of a lens slice can be significantly worse than that of a conventional lens, use of two orthogonal lens slices provides adequate optical performance in both axes, and still saves volume and mass over a conventional lens.

Abstract: A LiDAR system includes an array of optical emitters, an objective lens optically coupling each optical emitter to a respective unique portion of a field of view, an optical switching network coupled between a laser and the array of optical emitters and a controller coupled to the optical switching network and configured to cause the optical switching network to route light from the laser to a sequence of the optical emitters according to a dynamically varying temporal pattern and to vary the temporal pattern in a way that reduces risk of eye injury from the laser light.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for real-time rendering using compressed animated light fields are disclosed. One embodiment provides a pipeline, from offline rendering of an animated scene from sparse optimized viewpoints to real-time rendering of the scene with freedom of movement, that includes three stages: offline preparation and rendering, stream compression, and real-time decompression and reconstruction. During offline rendering, optimal placements for cameras in the scene are determined, and color and depth images are rendered using such cameras. Color and depth data is then compressed using an integrated spatial and temporal scheme permitting high performance on graphics processing units for virtual reality applications.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an OCT imaging system to reduce or eliminate frequency-domain aliasing artifacts. The frequency is shifted using a carrier frequency to define a sampling range substantially centered on the carrier frequency. An image of the sample is generated from a displayed imaging range that consists of a subset of the frequencies within the sampling range. Furthermore, the system may be configured to determine the carrier frequency such that a Nyquist frequency corresponding to the shifted frequency is extended beyond either an upper or a lower bound of an OCT quality envelope corresponding to the first portion of light. Additionally, the carrier frequency may be determined such that a lower bound of the OCT quality envelope is greater or less than a zero-frequency DC limit.