Abstract: Systems and methods for training and utilizing predictive models that ignore missing features in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a method for generating representations of inputs with missing values. The method includes steps for, at a single layer in a multi-layer model, receiving an input includes a set of one or more values for several features and identifying a missingness pattern of the input, wherein the missingness pattern indicates whether the set of values is missing a value for each of the several features. The method further includes determining a set of one or more transformation weights based on the missingness pattern and transforming the input based on the determined transformation weights.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a method for generating representations of inputs with missing values. The method includes steps for receiving an input includes a set of one or more values for several features, wherein the set of values for at least one of the several features includes values for each of several points in time, and for identifying a missingness pattern of the input, wherein the missingness pattern for the at least one feature indicates whether the set of values is missing a value for each of the several points in time. The method further includes steps for determining a set of one or more transformation weights based on the missingness pattern, and transforming the input based on the determined transformation weights.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and methods of multiplexed, solid-phase isothermal nucleic acid amplification. In various aspects, the invention uses a microfluidic device that includes a field of actuatable microposts in a reaction (or assay) chamber to enhance fluid flow, mixing, and hybridization/capture efficiency in a solid-phase capture assay. In various other aspects, the invention uses oligonucleotide primers immobilized in a field of actuatable microposts in a reaction chamber of a microfluidics device for capture and amplification of target-specific nucleic acids in a sample fluid. The invention provides methods of producing a micropost field (array) on a substrate for printing of a capture array (e.g., an array of primer spots). The invention also provides methods of printing an array of capture spots (e.g., primer spots) on the substrate surface of a micropost field.

Abstract: Systems and method for estimating treatment effects for a target trial in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a method. The method defines a skedastic function model, wherein defining the skedastic function model depends, at least in part, on target trial data. The method designs trial parameters for the target trial based in part on the skedastic function model. The method applies the trial parameters to a loss function to derive at least one minimizing coefficient, wherein a minimizing coefficient corresponds to a regression coefficient for an expected outcome to the target trial based on the trial parameters. The method computes standard errors for the at least one minimizing coefficient. The method quantifies, using the standard errors, values for uncertainty associated with the target trial. The method updates the trial parameters according to the uncertainty.

Abstract: Systems and method for estimating treatment effects for a target trial in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a method. The method defines a skedastic function model, wherein defining the skedastic function model is performed independently of data that will be applied to a target trial. The method designs trial parameters for the target trial based in part on the skedastic function model. The method applies the trial parameters to a loss function to derive at least one minimizing coefficient, wherein a minimizing coefficient corresponds to a regression coefficient for an expected outcome to the target trial based on the trial parameters. The method computes standard errors for the at least one minimizing coefficient. The method quantifies, using the standard errors, values for uncertainty associated with the target trial. The method updates the trial parameters according to the uncertainty.

Abstract: A method for a redox flow battery system may include flowing an electrolyte from an electrolyte storage tank to a multi-stage rebalancing reactor, the multi-stage rebalancing reactor comprising reactor vessels grouped to form stages. Hydrogen gas may be injected into the electrolyte upstream of the multi-stage rebalancing reactor via a gas line and a metal ion of the electrolyte may be chemically reduced by oxidizing the hydrogen gas at a catalyst bed of each of the reactor vessels to maintain a charge balance of the electrolyte and a pH of the electrolyte within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A microscale bioreactor system for and method is disclosed for providing improved cell culture growth conditions in a small-volume vessel. For example, a microbioreactor system is provided that may include a small-volume vessel and wherein the small-volume vessel may include a field of actuatable surface-attached microposts. Further, the microbioreactor system may include an actuation mechanism for actuating the surface-attached microposts into movement. In some embodiments, the surface-attached microposts may be functionalized with, for example, activation signals for converting standard T-cells in a growth media to activated T-cells. Further, a method of using the microbioreactor system for providing cell culture growth conditions including enhanced oxygenation and nutrients distribution in a small-volume vessel is provided.

Abstract: A rebalancing reactor for a redox flow battery system may include a plurality of reactor vessels arranged in stages, each vessel of the plurality of reactor vessels housing a catalyst bed. In one example, the rebalancing reactor is fluidly coupled to an electrolyte storage tank and configured to flow electrolyte through the plurality of reactor vessels, enabling a chemical rebalancing of electrolyte in the redox flow battery cell.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a redox flow battery system. In one example, a method of operating a redox flow battery system includes, responsive to switching the redox flow battery system to an idle mode, initiating a first timer monitoring a first threshold period of time. An electrolyte pump may be activated when the first threshold period of time elapses, the electrolyte pump driving circulation of electrolytes through one or more electrode compartments.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a redox flow battery system. In one example, the redox flow battery system includes a power module, an electrolyte pump, and a power control system. The power control system may include instructions to switch the redox flow battery system to an idle mode, activate an electrolyte pump when a first threshold period of time elapses, deactivate the electrolyte pump when a second threshold period of time elapses, and drain, purge, and refill one or more electrode compartments when a third threshold period of time elapses.

Abstract: Modular active surface devices for micro fluidic systems and methods of making same is disclosed. In one example, the modular active surface device includes an active surface layer mounted atop an active surface substrate, a mask mounted atop the active surface layer wherein the mask defines the area, height, and volume of the reaction chamber, and a substrate mounted atop the mask wherein the substrate provides the facing surface to the active surface layer. In other examples, both facing surfaces of the reaction chamber include active surface layers. Further, the modular active surface device can include other layers, such as, but not limited to, adhesive layers, stiffening layers for facilitating handling, and peel-off sealing layers. Further, a large-scale manufacturing method is provided of mass-producing the modular active surface devices. Further, a method is provided of using a plasma bonding process to bond the active surface layer to the active surface substrate.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a redox flow battery system. In one example, a method of operating a redox flow battery system includes switching the redox flow battery system to an idle mode and completely draining electrolytes from one or more electrode compartments of the redox flow battery system. The one or more electrode compartments may be purged with a gas and refilled with fresh electrolytes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for modeling complex probability distributions are described. One embodiment includes a method for training a restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM), wherein the method includes generating, from a first set of visible values, a set of hidden values in a hidden layer of a RBM and generating a second set of visible values in a visible layer of the RBM based on the generated set of hidden values. The method includes computing a set of likelihood gradients based on the first set of visible values and the generated set of visible values, computing a set of adversarial gradients using an adversarial model based on at least one of the set of hidden values and the set of visible values, computing a set of compound gradients based on the set of likelihood gradients and the set of adversarial gradients, and updating the RBM based on the set of compound gradients.

Abstract: Modular active surface devices for microfluidic systems and methods of making same is disclosed. In one example, the modular active surface device includes an active surface layer mounted atop an active surface substrate, a mask mounted atop the active surface layer wherein the mask defines the area, height, and volume of the reaction chamber, and a substrate mounted atop the mask wherein the substrate provides the facing surface to the active surface layer. In other examples, both facing surfaces of the reaction chamber include active surface layers. Further, the modular active surface device can include other layers, such as, but not limited to, adhesive layers, stiffening layers for facilitating handling, and peel-off sealing layers. Further, a large-scale manufacturing method is provided of mass-producing the modular active surface devices. Further, a method is provided of using a plasma bonding process to bond the active surface layer to the active surface substrate.

Abstract: A system, mixing-enhanced microfluidic container, and methods for small volume sample collection and/or analysis is disclosed. Namely, the invention is directed to a small volume sample collection system that includes a mixing-enhanced microfluidic container and a durable reusable actuation chuck. The mixing-enhanced microfluidic container is used to collect small volumes of sample fluid and includes a means for mixing the sample fluid with reagents disposed within the microfluidic container. The mixing means utilize an array of surface-attached structures (e.g., a micropost array). The application of an “actuation force,” such as a magnetic or electric field, actuates the surface-attached structures into movement, wherein the actuation chuck in close proximity to the mixing-enhanced microfluidic container provides the “actuation force.

Abstract: Magnetic-based actuation mechanisms for and methods of actuating magnetically-responsive microposts in a reaction (or assay) chamber is disclosed. For example, a microfluidics system is provided that includes a microfluidics device (or cartridge) that includes the reaction (or assay) chamber in which a field of magnetically-responsive surface-attached microposts is installed. The presently disclosed magnetic-based actuation mechanisms are provided in close proximity to the magnetically-responsive microposts wherein the magnetic-based actuation mechanisms are used for actuating the magnetically-responsive microposts. For example, the magnetic-based actuation mechanisms generate an actuation force that is used to induce, for example, synchronized beat patterns and/or metachronal beat patterns in the magnetically-responsive microposts. Additionally, a method of using the presently disclosed magnetic-based actuation mechanisms for actuating the magnetically-responsive microposts is provided.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for and methods of using surface-attached posts and capture beads in a microfluidic chamber is disclosed. For example, the microfluidics device includes a pair of substrates separated by a gap and thereby forming a reaction (or assay) chamber therebetween. A field of actuatable surface-attached posts (e.g., magnetically responsive microposts) is provided on one or both of the substrates. The surface-attached posts are functionalized with capture beads. Additionally, methods are provided of functionalizing the surface-attached posts with the capture beads. Additionally, methods are provided of using the surface-attached posts that are functionalized with capture beads in a microfluidics device for binding a target of interest. Further, a bead spraying system and method is provided for spraying magnetically responsive and/or non-magnetically responsive beads atop and/or among a field of surface-attached microposts for use in a microfluidic device.

Abstract: Active surface devices for and methods of providing dried reagents in microfluidic applications is disclosed. In one example, the active surface devices include one or more dried reagent spots in relation to an active surface in the reaction (or assay) chamber thereof. In another example, the active surface devices include a dried reagent coating on the surfaces of the reaction (or assay) chamber including the active surface. In one example, the presently disclosed active surface devices are micropost-based active surface devices for providing active mixing therein. Further, a method of forming a dried reagent spot in the active surface devices is provided. Further, a method of forming a dried reagent coating in the active surface devices is provided. Further, a method of using the active surface devices for providing dried reagents in microfluidic applications is provided.

Abstract: A system, mixing-enhanced microfluidic container, and methods for small volume sample collection and/or analysis is disclosed. Namely, the invention is directed to a small volume sample collection system that includes a mixing-enhanced microfluidic container and a durable reusable actuation chuck. The mixing-enhanced microfluidic container is used to collect small volumes of sample fluid and includes a means for mixing the sample fluid with reagents disposed within the microfluidic container. The mixing means utilize an array of surface-attached structures (e.g., a micropost array). The application of an “actuation force,” such as a magnetic or electric field, actuates the surface-attached structures into movement, wherein the actuation chuck in close proximity to the mixing-enhanced microfluidic container provides the “actuation force.

Abstract: Systems and methods to account for uncertainties from missing covariates in generative model predictions. One embodiment includes a method for updating the values for uncertainty used in a generative model that is created using a set of known prognostically important baseline data. The method includes steps for determining a value, within the generative model, for the variance in outcome given the known prognostically important baseline data, wherein the steps include imputing values for a set of unknown prognostically important baseline data, and determining estimations for explained and unexplained variance in outcome for each subject when given both sets of data.