Abstract: The invention relates to methods and kits for assessing brain injury, e.g., traumatic brain injury resulting from blast exposure. The invention provides methods of quantifying the amount of phosphorylated tau or total tau in a biological sample. The invention further provides a method of determining the number of blast exposures experienced by a subject. Also provided herein are kits for detecting phosphorylated tau or total tau in a biological sample.

Abstract: A processing system may include a plasma chamber operable to generate a plasma, and an extraction assembly, arranged along a side of the plasma chamber. The extraction assembly may include a screen plate, disposed immediately adjacent to the side of the plasma chamber, the screen plate having an angled portion that comprises a screen aperture, to extract an angled ion beam towards a first end of the extraction assembly. The extraction assembly may also include an acceleration plate, disposed outside of the screen plate, the acceleration plate having a middle portion that is shaped according to an outer surface of the screen plate. As such, the acceleration plate may include an acceleration aperture, aligned with the screen aperture, and the acceleration plate may include a distal portion adjacent to the middle portion, the distal portion having a distal end that extends beyond an end of the screen plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and kits for detecting a virus, e.g., a respiratory virus such as a coronavirus, in a biological sample. The invention also relates to methods and kits for detecting and/or quantifying biomarkers, e.g., antibody biomarkers against a viral antigen; inflammatory and/or tissue damage response biomarkers; and/or extracellular vesicles in response to a viral infection.

Abstract: A step assist has a step pad operatively coupled to a stationary bumper for a vehicle that is automatically repositionable between a stowed position and a deployed position. An upper surface of the step pad forms a functional step in both the stowed position and the deployed position. The stationary bumper includes a storage compartment having an opening in a top wall of the stationary bumper providing access to the storage compartment. First and second pivot mechanisms are operatively coupled between the stationary bumper and respective distal ends of the step pad. The first and second pivot mechanisms are configured to eccentrically-rotate the step pad between the stowed position wherein a lower surface of the step pad encloses the opening of the storage compartment and the deployed position wherein the step pad is spaced apart from the opening of the storage compartment providing access to the storage compartment.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and kits for determining a SARS-CoV-2 strain in a sample. The invention also provides methods and kits for detecting a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in a target nucleic acid, wherein the target nucleic acid is a SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid. The invention further provides methods and kits for detecting one or more antibody biomarkers in a sample.

Abstract: A method may include receiving a beam profile function, derived from a beam density of an ion beam along a substrate plane, and generating a mirror function, based upon the beam profile function, wherein a sum of the mirror function and beam profile function generates a flat beam distribution. The method may include receiving a grid pattern for an electrode of an electrode assembly, the grid pattern comprising an array of hole locations, and calculating a normalized beam current as a function hole location for the array of hole locations. The method may further include generating an adjusted set of radii as a function of hole location for the array of hole locations based upon the mirror function and the normalized beam current, and generating an electrode assembly having an array of holes, based upon the grid pattern and the adjusted set of radii.

Abstract: An ion implanter. The ion implanter may include an ion source to generate an ion beam; and a linear accelerator, to transport and accelerate the ion beam, the linear accelerator comprising a plurality of acceleration stages. A given acceleration stage of the plurality of acceleration stages may include an RF power supply, arranged to output an RF signal, and a drift tube assembly, arranged to transmit the ion beam, and coupled to the RF power supply. The given stage may also include a resonator, the resonator comprising a resonator enclosure, having a tapered shape, wherein the resonator enclosure has a first width in a middle location, a second width at a first end and a third width at a second end, wherein the first width is greater than the second width and greater than the third width.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for high throughput angled ion processing. In one approach, a processing apparatus may include a chamber operable to contain a plasma, the chamber defined by a plurality of sidewalls, and a plate assembly arranged along a side of the chamber. The plate assembly may include a plate defining a plurality of apertures, wherein ions are extracted through the plurality of apertures and delivered to a substrate at a non-zero angle relative to a perpendicular extending from the substrate. The processing apparatus may further include an actuator operable to dither the moveable plates and the substrate relative to one another as the ions are extracted through the plurality of apertures.

Abstract: A method may include receiving a beam profile function, derived from a beam density of an ion beam along a substrate plane, and generating a mirror function, based upon the beam profile function, wherein a sum of the mirror function and beam profile function generates a flat beam distribution. The method may include receiving a grid pattern for an electrode of an electrode assembly, the grid pattern comprising an array of hole locations, and calculating a normalized beam current as a function hole location for the array of hole locations. The method may further include generating an adjusted set of radii as a function of hole location for the array of hole locations based upon the mirror function and the normalized beam current, and generating an electrode assembly having an array of holes, based upon the grid pattern and the adjusted set of radii.

Abstract: A processing system may include a plasma chamber and an extraction optics, disposed along a side of the plasma chamber. The extraction optics may include an extraction plate, having an outer side and an inner side, where the extraction plate defines at least one extraction aperture. The extraction optics may include a beam blocker, overlapping the at least one extraction aperture, and disposed towards the inner side of the extraction plate. The beam blocker may have a cross-section that defines a boomerang shape, and may comprise a first metallic material, where the extraction plate comprises a second metallic material. The processing system may further include a substrate platen, disposed outside of the plasma chamber, and movable along a scan direction with respect to the extraction aperture.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for high throughput angled ion processing. In one approach, a processing apparatus may include a chamber operable to contain a plasma, the chamber defined by a plurality of sidewalls, a first end wall, and a second end wall opposite the first end wall, an extraction assembly coupled to the second end wall, the extraction assembly comprising a plurality of apertures, wherein ions are extracted through the plurality of apertures are delivered to a substrate at a non-zero angle relative to a perpendicular extending from the substrate, and wherein the substrate is positioned external to the chamber. The processing apparatus may further include an actuator operable to shift the substrate relative to the moveable plates as the ions are extracted through the plurality of apertures.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and kits for detecting tau, e.g., tau that is phosphorylated at amino acid position T181 (pTau181), tau that is phosphorylated at amino acid position T217 (pTau217), and/or total tau. The disclosure further provides methods for distinguishing between individuals whose cognitive condition will remain stable and whose cognitive condition will decline during their lifetime. The disclosure also provides methods for determining the eligibility of individuals for participation in clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease treatments. Also provided are methods for distinguishing between individuals with Alzheimer's disease and non-Alzheimer's dementia, and for monitoring response to treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: An ion extraction optics including an extraction plate defining first, second, and third extraction apertures, the second extraction aperture being located between the first and third extraction apertures, first, second, and third beam blockers located adjacent the first, second, and third extraction apertures, respectively, wherein the first beam blocker and the first extraction aperture define first and second extraction slits, the second beam blocker and the second extraction aperture define third and fourth extraction slits, and the third beam blocker and the third extraction aperture define fifth and sixth extraction slits, wherein a height of the first extraction slit is greater than a height of at least one of the third extraction slit and the fourth extraction slit, and wherein a height of the sixth extraction slit is greater than the height of at least one of the third extraction slit and the fourth extraction slit.

Abstract: In one example a method of fracture reduction includes imaging, intraoperatively, a fractured bone of a patient to obtain a first representation of the fractured bone in a computing system. The fractured bone defines at least a first bone fragment, and a second bone fragment that is separated from the first bone fragment by a fracture. The method includes imaging, intraoperatively, a contralateral bone of the patient to obtain a second representation of the contralateral bone in the computing system. The method includes generating, intraoperatively in the computing system, a mirrored representation of the first representation or the second representation. The first representation is compared to a representation of a desired orientation of the fractured bone, where the representation of the desired orientation is the mirrored representation of the second representation.

Abstract: A computer-based method for automatically evaluating validity and extent of at least one damaged object from image data, comprising: (a) receiving image data comprising one or more images of at least one damaged object; (b) processing said one or more images using an image alteration detection algorithm to detect fraudulent manipulation of said one or more images by classifying at least one attribute of said one or more images; (c) removing any image comprising fraudulent manipulation from said one or more images; (d) processing said one or more images using at least one machine learning algorithm to identify at least one of: a damaged object in any one of said one or more images a damaged area of said damaged object, and an extent of damage of said at least one damaged area; and (e) generating a predictive analysis to repair and/or replace said at least one damaged object.

Abstract: Disclosed are example efficient circuits that produce spark discharges for hydrocarbon conversion (or treatment of other mixtures) using a high-voltage rectified DC supply to discharge a capacitor (either internal or external) across a two-electrode gap, optimized to minimize waste energy by operating in a constant current, approximately-constant current, or constant power mode. The circuits may operate off of a standard electrical supply line (e.g. 120 VAC or 240 VAC, 60 Hz, single-phase or multi-phase). The disclosed approach is scalable to any number of discharge gaps while maintaining similar pulse characteristics and electrical efficiency.

Abstract: A method may include receiving a beam profile function, derived from a beam density of an ion beam along a substrate plane, and generating a mirror function, based upon the beam profile function, wherein a sum of the mirror function and beam profile function generates a flat beam distribution. The method may include receiving a grid pattern for an electrode of an electrode assembly, the grid pattern comprising an array of hole locations, and calculating a normalized beam current as a function hole location for the array of hole locations. The method may further include generating an adjusted set of radii as a function of hole location for the array of hole locations based upon the mirror function and the normalized beam current, and generating an electrode assembly having an array of holes, based upon the grid pattern and the adjusted set of radii.

Abstract: Disclosed are example efficient circuits that produce spark discharges for hydrocarbon conversion (or treatment of other mixtures) using a high-voltage rectified DC supply to discharge a capacitor (either internal or external) across a two-electrode gap, optimized to minimize waste energy by operating in a constant current, approximately-constant current, or constant power mode. The circuits may operate off of a standard electrical supply line (e.g. 120 VAC or 240 V AC, 60 Hz, single-phase or multi-phase). The disclosed approach is scalable to any number of discharge gaps while maintaining similar pulse characteristics and electrical efficiency.

Abstract: A substrate holder assembly including a substrate platen, the substrate platen disposed to support a substrate at a substrate position, a halo ring, the halo ring being disposed around the substrate position, and an outer halo being disposed around the halo ring and defining a first aperture, wherein the outer halo is disposed to engage the halo ring, the halo ring being disposed at least partially within the first aperture, the halo ring defining a second aperture, concentrically positioned within the first aperture, wherein the outer halo and the halo ring are formed at least partially of silicon, silicon carbide, doped silicon, quartz, and ceramic.