Abstract: An optical adaptor for inspection of a desired surface of an optical ferrule is provided. The optical ferrule is disposed in, and has a first position relative to, a housing of the optical ferrule. The optical adaptor includes a front portion including an open front end for insertion into the housing of the optical ferrule from an open mating end of the housing and for receiving at least a portion of the desired surface of the optical ferrule. The front portion includes a receiving surface for receiving at least a portion of the optical ferrule and causing the optical ferrule to change its position from the first position to a different second position. An image forming surface forms an image of the desired surface of the optical ferrule, thereby allowing a viewing of the optical ferrule from an open rear end of the optical adaptor.

Abstract: A method for performing a laser microdissection for cutting a dissectate from a specimen using a laser includes the step of providing the specimen in a light path of an illumination system. The specimen is illuminated by the illumination system. A detector detects light emanating from the specimen. The light detected by the detector is analyzed. It is determined, based on the analysis of the light detected by the detector, whether a receptacle for collecting the dissectate is disposed in a predetermined collection position, at which the dissectate is to be collected in the receptacle after it is cut from the specimen. Laser cutting of the dissectate from the specimen is initiated based on it having been determined that the receptacle is in the predetermined collection position.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) with immune cells comprising a CEA-CAM5 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Also provided are methods of reducing or eliminating NEPC cancer cells with immune cells comprising a CEACAM5 CAR. Also provided are methods of treating a cancer with a molecular signature that is similar to a molecular signature of NEPC (e.g., small cell lung cancer (SCLC), small cell carcinoma of the pancreas (SCCP), or small cell prostate cancer).

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to a system having a processor and a bridge circuit. The bridge circuit includes a pair of differential voltage sources, a first pair of sensing elements and a second pair of sensing elements. The first pair of sensing elements generate a pair of measurement signals. The pair of measurement signals are independent of one another and based on the respective sensing element. The second pair of sensing elements communicatively coupled to first pair of sensing elements. The second pair of sensing elements define a first divider. The pair of measurement signals are input into the respective second sensing element of the second pair of sensing elements. The first divider is configured to output a first output signal to the processor. The first output signal is a first differential signal of the first pair of sensing elements.

Abstract: A bipolar forceps includes a mechanical forceps including first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot. A disposable housing is configured to releasably couple to at least one of the shafts and an electrode assembly is associated with the disposable housing. The electrode assembly includes electrodes releasably coupleable to the jaw members. At least one of the electrodes includes a knife channel configured to receive a knife blade therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. A switch is configured to initiate delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the electrodes. An actuation mechanism is configured to selectively advance the knife blade through the knife channel to cut tissue.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sample analysis device for increasing measurement resolution of forces generated by a sample and method of use thereof. The sample analysis device comprises a body stretchable along a central longitudinal axis. The body includes at least one attachment region engageable with a sample and a plurality of stretchable portions spaced apart by joining regions. The body also includes at least one detectable datum for determining displacement. Each stretchable portion extends generally longitudinally and includes an offset region inclined to the longitudinal axis. The stretchable portions increase the compliance of the body within a predetermined measurement range.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a device for developing organized tissue strips, such as cardiac tissue strips, for high-throughput assays of functional performance and the methods involved in fabricating, assembling, implementing, utilizing and analyzing data from such assays. The disclosure further provides systems for constructing such devices, systems comprising those devices comprising cells and extracellular matrix material for developing organized tissue strips or comprising the devices and organized tissue strips. The disclosure further provides methods for assaying a property of a tissue strip, such as contractile force.

Abstract: A method of graphene-enabled block copolymer lithography transfer to an arbitrary substrate comprising the steps of applying graphene on a surface, adding block copolymers to the graphene on the surface, phase-separating the block copolymers, forming nanopatterned phase separated block copolymers, delaminating the graphene, and transferring the graphene and nanopatterned phase separated block copolymers to a second surface. A layer of nanopatterned phase separated block copolymers on an arbitrary surface comprising a first arbitrary substrate absent of chemical preparation, a layer of graphene on the first arbitrary substrate, and a layer of phase-separated block copolymers on the layer of graphene, wherein the layer of phase-separated block copolymers on the layer of graphene was formed on a second substrate and delaminated via water liftoff and wherein the nanopatterned phase separated block copolymers are utilized as a shadow mask for lithography on the first arbitrary substrate.

Abstract: A communications system may include a transmitter having spreading stages configured to spread a common modulated baseband input data stream based upon respective coefficient sequences; a plurality of upconverters, each having a different frequency; and an RF output stage that generates an RF output signal. A receiver may include an RF input stage that receives an RF input signal, a plurality of downconverters, a plurality of despreading stages, and a demodulator coupled to the despreading stages.

Abstract: A method of aligning reference frames for an augmented reality display is provided. The method comprises receiving three or more target images positioned at predefined physical reference points in a specified physical space, wherein the physical reference points are part of a reference frame of the physical space. Distances between the physical reference points of the target images are calculated and compared with distances between virtual reference points comprising a reference frame of a three-dimensional virtual model to create a number of distance comparisons. The physical reference points are correlated with virtual reference points according to the distance comparisons. The reference frame of the physical space is then aligned with the reference frame of the three-dimensional virtual model according to the correlation of the physical reference points and virtual reference points.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) communications system may include an RF transmitter having multicarrier transmitter circuitry that transmits frequency bands over a frequency range. A controller may selectively transmit real information over at least one of the frequency bands and selectively transmits fake information within the frequency range. The controller's operation is based on embedded machine learning model and real-time effectiveness feedback from built-in spectral analyzer. An RF receiver receives the real information from the RF transmitter.

Abstract: A communications system may include a transmitter having spreading stages configured to spread a common modulated baseband input data stream based upon respective coefficient sequences; a plurality of upconverters, each having a different frequency; and an RF output stage that generates an RF output signal. A receiver may include an RF input stage that receives an RF input signal, a plurality of downconverters, a plurality of despreading stages, and a demodulator coupled to the despreading stages.

Abstract: A golf club head includes a club body and a resting face angle adjuster. The club body includes a crown opposite a sole, a toe end opposite a heel end, a back end opposite a face, and a hosel. The sole includes a sole surface. The resting face angle adjuster includes an adjustment member having a keel surface, and a recess formed in the sole such that a portion of the sole surface at least partially bounds the recess. The adjustment member is disposed in the recess and positionable between a first adjustment position and a second adjustment position. In the first adjustment position, the keel surface is at a first distance relative to the portion of the sole surface. In the second adjustment position, the keel surface is at a second distance relative to the portion of the sole surface not equal to the first distance in the direction.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting the replication of influenza viruses in a biological sample or patient, of reducing the amount of influenza viruses in a biological sample or patient, and of treating influenza in a patient, comprises administering to said biological sample or patient a safe and effective amount of a compound represented by any of Formulas I-III, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A pharmaceutical composition comprises a safe and effective amount of such a compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant or vehicle.

Abstract: A modular artificial skeletal muscle (MASM) actuator having a plurality of dielectric elastomer units assembled in series or in parallel. A proximal anchoring member is connected to a proximal end of at least one proximal dielectric elastomer unit and is configured for attachment to a proximal anchor point relative to a user. A tension member has a proximal end attached to a distal end of at least one distal dielectric elastomer unit and a distal end configured for attachment to a distal anchor point relative to the user. A controller is configured to cause simultaneous contraction or expansion of plurality of dielectric elastomer units, which contraction or expansion causes displacement of the tension member. A plurality of MASM actuators may be attached to an exoskeleton attached about an ankle of a user and controlled for therapeutic purposes, such as for assisting pediatric patients with cerebral palsy.

Abstract: An optical connector includes a housing with a bottom wall defining a window therein, and an optical ferrule disposed in the housing and comprising opposing major top and bottom surfaces. The major bottom surface of the optical ferrule faces the bottom wall of the housing. The major top surface includes a groove and a light redirecting surface configured to receive light along a first direction from an optical fiber received and secured in the groove, and redirect the received light along a different second direction. The redirected light exits the optical ferrule though the bottom surface and exits the housing through the window, such that, when the optical connector mates with a mating optical connector including a mating optical ferrule, the mating optical ferrule prevents any of the light exiting the optical ferrule from exiting the housing of the optical connector.

Abstract: A thin, freestanding, microporous polyolefin web with good heat resistance and dimensional stability includes an inorganic surface layer. A first preferred embodiment is a microporous polyolefin base membrane in which colloidal inorganic particles are present in its bulk structure. Each of second and third preferred embodiments is a thin, freestanding microporous polyolefin web that has an inorganic surface layer containing no organic hydrogen bonding component for the inorganic particles. The inorganic surface layer of the second embodiment is achieved by hydrogen bonding with use of an inorganic acid, and the inorganic surface layer of the third embodiment is achieved by one or both of hydrogen bonding and chemical reaction of the surface groups on the inorganic particles.

Abstract: A bipolar forceps includes a mechanical forceps including first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot. A disposable housing is configured to releasably couple to at least one of the shafts and an electrode assembly has electrodes releasably coupleable to the jaw members and adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy to allow selective conduction of electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. An electrically conductive cutting element is disposed on at least one of the electrodes and is adapted to connect to the source of electrosurgical energy to allow selective conduction of electrosurgical energy through tissue held between the electrodes to effect a tissue cut.