Abstract: A method of separating particles is provided that includes exposing a selective PDMS adhesive to a particle-contaminated surface, where the selective PDMS adhesive captures particles present on the particle-contaminated surface to form a fouled selective PDMS adhesive, and exposing the fouled selective PDMS adhesive to a PDMS transfer sheet, where particles outside of a desired range are transferred over to the PDMS transfer sheet, where the fouled selective PDMS adhesive retains only the particles of a desired range.

Abstract: Methods are provided for decreasing inflammatory disease in a subject by administering an effective dose of a lipid, fatty acid, or analog thereof.

Abstract: A magnetic assay is provided where capture probes are disposed on the sensor array as capture probe spots that overlap with the sensor elements. The capture probes on the sensor elements can be the same or they can be different. Two or more sample solutions are also disposed on the sensor array as sample spots that overlap with the sensor elements. Targets in the sample solutions can bind to the capture probes to provide immobilized targets. Magnetically labeled probes capable of binding to targets are provided to the assay, and the resulting assay signal is from immobilized magnetically labeled probes at the sensor elements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include conjugate systems, methods of using conjugate systems, RET2IR conjugates (also referred to as “BRET-FRET-NIR conjugates”), systems including RET2IR conjugates, methods of using the RET2IR conjugates, and the like. In general, embodiments of the present disclosure involve the non-radiative transfer of energy between a bioluminescence donor molecule and a semiconductor polymer and then the non-radiative transfer of energy between the semiconductor polymer and an NIR dye, all without external illumination.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compounds that function as modulators of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzymatic activity, as well as compositions and formulations comprising the compounds. The present disclosure provides therapeutic methods involving administering a subject compound, or a subject pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: Engineered fusion proteins comprising photochromic protein domains are disclosed. In particular, the inventors have constructed fusion proteins containing photoswitchable photochromic fluorescent protein domains linked to selected proteins and shown that such fusion proteins can be used to control the activity or localization of selected proteins with light.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, a virtual Braille keyboard is disclosed that makes use of a touch-sensitive computing device. In an embodiment of the invention, a calibration procedure is initiated by a user for determining the general position of various finger tips that will subsequently be used for the input of Braille characters. After calibration, the operation of a physical Braille keyboard is mimicked using methods according to an embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are implemented in connection with light-responsive ion channel molecules. One such method is implemented using a light-activated ion channel molecule that responds to a light stimulus. The method includes engineering the light-activated ion channel molecule in a cell; and activating the ion channel molecule, in response to light stimulus that is provided to the ion channel molecule and that has properties that do not activate a ChR2 ion channel, to allow ions to pass through the light-activated ion channel molecule.

Abstract: A retinal stimulation and prosthetic device is provided that includes at least one ultrasonic transducer having a focused ultrasonic signal, where the focused ultrasonic signal includes an acoustic frequency, a spot size, a temporal pattern, a pulse duration and a power capable of stimulating retinal neurons when the at least one ultrasonic transducer is disposed proximal to an eye.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for locating features within a body cavity using a catheter including proximal and distal ends, a transparent balloon carried on the distal end, and an optical imaging assembly carried on the distal end for imaging through the balloon. The balloon includes a channel extending therethrough to a lumen extending through the catheter. A guidewire or other localization member is received in the lumen that is extendable through the channel. During use, the catheter is inserted into a right atrium of a heart, and the balloon is expanded and placed against the wall of the heart to locate the coronary sinus. Sufficient force is applied to clear blood between the surface and the wall and clear the field of view of the imaging assembly. The catheter is manipulated to locate the coronary sinus, whereupon the localization member is advanced into the coronary sinus.

Abstract: In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, embodiments of the present disclosure, in one aspect, relate to nanoparticles, compositions including nanoparticles, methods of making nanoparticles, and the like. In particular, embodiments of the present disclosure include nanoparticles and compositions for the sustained release (e.g., release at a predetermined rate to maintain a certain concentration for a certain period of time) of an agent, such as a small interfering RNA (siRNA) from the nanoparticle.

Abstract: Markers of acute myeloid leukemia stem cells (AMLSC) are identified. The markers are differentially expressed in comparison with normal counterpart cells, and are useful as diagnostic and therapeutic targets.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, a GraphSLAM-like algorithm for signal strength SLAM is presented. This algorithm as an embodiment of the present invention shares many of the benefits of Gaussian processes yet is viable for a broader range of environments since it makes no signature uniqueness assumptions. It is also more tractable to larger map sizes, requiring O(N2) operations per iteration. In the present disclosure, an algorithm according to an embodiment of the present invention is compared to a laser-SLAM ground truth, showing that it produces excellent results in practice.

Abstract: Human relaxin analogs, polypeptide compositions related thereto, as well as nucleotide compositions encoding the same, are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for determining risk for depression, as well as compositions for use in such methods.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the prevention and treatment of seizures and epilepsy. It is shown herein that leukocyte recruitment plays a key role in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Treatment with an agent that inhibits leukocyte recruitment has therapeutic and preventative effects in blocking recurrent seizures and epilepsy.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides methods for examining practice-based evidence for clinical risk. An embodiment can take a retrospective view of medical information collected in electronic health records to discern practice-based evidence. For example, a method takes pre-existing electronic health records, identifies similar patients with differences of interest (e.g., treatment) and analyzes the effects of such differences.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards methods, apparatus, and systems that predict a survival outcome for a patient using a prognostic model and cancer tissue image data from the patient. Cancer data is received, and superpixels are constructed that are representative of the data. Nuclear and cytoplasmic features are constructed for the superpixels based upon the image data and nuclei within the superpixels, and the superpixels are classified as epithelium or stroma based thereon. Relational feature data is computed for both the epithelium superpixels and the stroma superpixels, and a prognostic model is constructed based on the relational feature data.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising light-activated chimeric proteins expressed on plasma membranes and methods of using the same to selectively depolarize excitatory or inhibitory neurons.

Abstract: Methods of evaluating the developmental potential of human embryos are disclosed. In particular, the invention relates to methods of detecting embryonic aneuploidy by assessment of cellular fragmentation dynamics in individual blastomeres of embryos up to the 4-cell stage. The methods of the invention should improve in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes by reducing inadvertent transfer of non-viable embryos likely to result in spontaneous miscarriage.