Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, methods, and media for capsule-based multimode endoscopy are provided. In some embodiments, a probe for capsule-based multimode endoscopy is provided, the probe comprising: a rigid capsule; a flexible tether coupled to a proximal end of the capsule; a rotatable reflective surface disposed within the capsule; a static ball lens disposed within the capsule; a first optical fiber optically coupled to the ball lens, the first optical fiber passing through the flexible tether; a second optical fiber optically coupled to the ball lens, the second optical fiber passing through the flexible tether; a graded index fiber disposed between a distal end of the second optical fiber and the ball lens, the graded index fiber optically coupled to the second optical fiber and the ball lens.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a shape of a luminal sample including: a catheter including a lens, the catheter disposed within a strain-sensing sheath such that the lens rotates and translates; a structural imaging system optically coupled to the catheter; a strain-sensing system optically coupled to the catheter; and a controller coupled to the strain-sensing system and the structural imaging system. The controller determines: a first position of the catheter relative to the luminal sample at a first location within the strain-sensing sheath; a second position of the catheter relative to the luminal sample at a second location within the strain-sensing sheath; a first strain of the strain-sensing sheath at the first location; a second strain of the strain-sensing sheath at the second location; a local curvature of the luminal sample relative to the catheter; a local curvature of the catheter; and a local curvature of the luminal sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a shape of a luminal sample including: a catheter including a lens, the catheter disposed within a strain-sensing sheath such that the lens rotates and translates; a structural imaging system optically coupled to the catheter; a strain-sensing system optically coupled to the catheter; and a controller coupled to the strain-sensing system and the structural imaging system. The controller determines: a first position of the catheter relative to the luminal sample at a first location within the strain-sensing sheath; a second position of the catheter relative to the luminal sample at a second location within the strain-sensing sheath; a first strain of the strain-sensing sheath at the first location; a second strain of the strain-sensing sheath at the second location; a local curvature of the luminal sample relative to the catheter; a local curvature of the catheter; and a local curvature of the luminal sample.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, methods, and media for capsule-based multimode endoscopy are provided. In some embodiments, a probe for capsule-based multimode endoscopy is provided, the probe comprising: a rigid capsule; a flexible tether coupled to a proximal end of the capsule; a rotatable reflective surface disposed within the capsule; a static ball lens disposed within the capsule; a first optical fiber optically coupled to the ball lens, the first optical fiber passing through the flexible tether; a second optical fiber optically coupled to the ball lens, the second optical fiber passing through the flexible tether; a graded index fiber disposed between a distal end of the second optical fiber and the ball lens, the graded index fiber optically coupled to the second optical fiber and the ball lens.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, methods, and media for capsule-based multimode endoscopy are provided. In some embodiments, a probe for capsule-based multimode endoscopy is provided, the probe comprising: a rigid capsule; a flexible tether coupled to a proximal end of the capsule; a rotatable reflective surface disposed within the capsule; a static ball lens disposed within the capsule; a first optical fiber optically coupled to the ball lens, the first optical fiber passing through the flexible tether; a second optical fiber optically coupled to the ball lens, the second optical fiber passing through the flexible tether; a graded index fiber disposed between a distal end of the second optical fiber and the ball lens, the graded index fiber optically coupled to the second optical fiber and the ball lens.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a common-path optical waveguide probe. The common-path optical waveguide probe includes an optical waveguide, a lens, and a reference reflector. The optical waveguide includes a proximal end and a distal end. The lens is coupled to the distal end. The reference reflector is positioned between the optical waveguide and the lens. The disclosure also provides a catheter and an optical coherence tomography system utilizing the common-path optical waveguide probe. The disclosure also provides methods of making and using the common-path optical waveguide probe.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a shape of a luminal sample including: a catheter including a lens, the catheter disposed within a strain-sensing sheath such that the lens rotates and translates; a structural imaging system optically coupled to the catheter; a strain-sensing system optically coupled to the catheter; and a controller coupled to the strain-sensing system and the structural imaging system. The controller determines: a first position of the catheter relative to the luminal sample at a first location within the strain-sensing sheath; a second position of the catheter relative to the luminal sample at a second location within the strain-sensing sheath; a first strain of the strain-sensing sheath at the first location; a second strain of the strain-sensing sheath at the second location; a local curvature of the luminal sample relative to the catheter; a local curvature of the catheter; and a local curvature of the luminal sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a shape of a luminal sample including: a catheter including a lens, the catheter disposed within a strain-sensing sheath such that the lens rotates and translates; a structural imaging system optically coupled to the catheter; a strain-sensing system optically coupled to the catheter; and a controller coupled to the strain-sensing system and the structural imaging system. The controller determines: a first position of the catheter relative to the luminal sample at a first location within the strain-sensing sheath; a second position of the catheter relative to the luminal sample at a second location within the strain-sensing sheath; a first strain of the strain-sensing sheath at the first location; a second strain of the strain-sensing sheath at the second location; a local curvature of the luminal sample relative to the catheter; a local curvature of the catheter; and a local curvature of the luminal sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a common-path optical waveguide probe. The common-path optical waveguide probe includes an optical waveguide, a lens, and a reference reflector. The optical waveguide includes a proximal end and a distal end. The lens is coupled to the distal end. The reference reflector is positioned between the optical waveguide and the lens. The disclosure also provides a catheter and an optical coherence tomography system utilizing the common-path optical waveguide probe. The disclosure also provides methods of making and using the common-path optical waveguide probe.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a shape of a luminal sample including: a catheter including a lens, the catheter disposed within a strain-sensing sheath such that the lens rotates and translates; a structural imaging system optically coupled to the catheter; a strain-sensing system optically coupled to the catheter; and a controller coupled to the strain-sensing system and the structural imaging system. The controller determines: a first position of the catheter relative to the luminal sample at a first location within the strain-sensing sheath; a second position of the catheter relative to the luminal sample at a second location within the strain-sensing sheath; a first strain of the strain-sensing sheath at the first location; a second strain of the strain-sensing sheath at the second location; a local curvature of the luminal sample relative to the catheter; a local curvature of the catheter; and a local curvature of the luminal sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotides and related polypeptides of the protein GS. The invention provides genomic sequence for the GS gene. GS is responsible for controlling nitrogen utilization efficiency in plants. Glutamine synthase sequences are provided for improving grain yield and plant growth. The invention further provides recombinant expression cassettes, host cells and transgenic plants.

Abstract: A method for characterizing terahertz radiation using spectral domain interferometry, comprising overlapping a pump beam and a terahertz beam in a detecting crystal; obtaining two probe pulses by propagating the probe beam into a polarization maintaining single-mode optical fiber after the detecting crystal; and measuring a change in the optical path difference between the two probe pulses. The system comprises a detection crystal, where a terahertz pulse and a probe beam are made to overlap; a polarization-maintaining optical fiber propagating the probe beam after the detection crystal and outputting two probe pulses; and a spectrometer where the two probe pulses interfere.

Abstract: A method for characterizing terahertz radiation using spectral domain interferometry, comprising overlapping a pump beam and a terahertz beam in a detecting crystal; obtaining two probe pulses by propagating the probe beam into a polarization maintaining single-mode optical fiber after the detecting crystal; and measuring a change in the optical path difference between the two probe pulses. The system comprises a detection crystal, where a terahertz pulse and a probe beam are made to overlap; a polarization-maintaining optical fiber propagating the probe beam after the detection crystal and outputting two probe pulses; and a spectrometer where the two probe pulses interfere.

Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotides and related polypeptides of the protein AMT. The invention provides genomic sequence for the AMT gene. AMT is responsible for controlling nitrogen utilization efficiency in plants.

Abstract: A method and system based on spectral domain interferometry for detecting intense THz electric field, allowing the use of thick crystal for spectroscopic purposes, in order to makes long temporal scans for increased spectral resolutions, and overcoming the limitation of over-rotation for presently available high power THz sources. Using this method and system the phase difference of approximately 8898? can be measured, which is 18000 times higher than the phase difference measured by electro-optic sampling (?/2).

Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotides and related polypeptides of the protein GS. The invention provides genomic sequence for the GS gene. GS is responsible for controlling nitrogen utilization efficiency in plants. Glutamine synthase sequences are provided for improving grain yield and plant growth. The invention further provides recombinant expression cassettes, host cells and transgenic plants.

Abstract: A method and system based on spectral domain interferometry for detecting intense THz electric field, allowing the use of thick crystal for spectroscopic purposes, in order to makes long temporal scans for increased spectral resolutions, and overcoming the limitation of over-rotation for presently available high power THz sources. Using this method and system the phase difference of approximately 8898? can be measured, which is 18000 times higher than the phase difference measured by electro-optic sampling (?/2).

Abstract: The invention provides isolated cellulose synthase nucleic acids and their encoded proteins. The present invention provides methods and compositions relating to altering cellulose synthase levels in plants. The invention further provides recombinant expression cassettes, host cells, and transgenic plants comprising cellulose synthase nucleic acids. The invention provides isolated products from the processing of transgenic plants comprising cellulose synthase nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotides and related polypeptides of the protein AMT. The invention provides genomic sequence for the AMT gene. AMT is responsible for controlling nitrogen utilization efficiency in plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying maize plants that have increased cell wall digestibility. The methods use molecular markers to identify and select plants with increased cell wall digestibility or to identify and counter-select plants with decreased cell wall digestibility. Maize plants generated by the methods of the invention are also a feature of the invention.