Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits a) for predicting colorectal cancer patient survival, as well as the survival of patients harboring other invasive cancers where cellular proliferation and carcinogenesis is linked, in part, to high levels of ODC activity and increased cellular polyamine contents, and b) for selecting the corresponding treatment options for such patients based on the allelic nucleotide sequence or SNP at position +316 of the ODC1 promoter gene as well as cancer treatment methods, in each case, which include the determination of the ODC1 promoter +316 position genotype, as a means to guide treatment selection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nanodisc with a membrane scaffold protein. The nanodisc includes a membrane scaffold protein, a telodendrimer and a lipid. The membrane scaffold protein can be apolipoprotein. The telodendrimer has the general formula PEG-L-D-(R)n, wherein D is a dendritic polymer; L is a bond or a linker linked to the focal point group of the dendritic polymer; each PEG is a poly(ethylene glycol) polymer; each R is and end group of the dendritic polymer, or and end group with a covalently bound hydrophobic group, hydrophilic group, amphiphilic compound, or drug; and subscript n is an integer from 2 to 20. Cell free methods of making the nanodiscs are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods of sensing intraocular pressure are described. In one embodiment, a miniaturized IOP monitoring system is provided using a nanophotonics-based implantable IOP sensor with remote optical readout that can be adapted for both patient and research use. A handheld detector optically excites the pressure-sensitive nanophotonic structure of the IOP-sensing implant placed in the anterior chamber and detects the reflected light, whose optical signature changes as a function of IOP. Optical detection eliminates the need for large, complex LC structures and simplifies sensor design. The use of nanophotonic components improves the sensor's resolution and sensitivity, increases optical readout distance, and reduces its size by a factor of 10-30 over previously reported implants. Its small size and convenient optical readout allows frequent and accurate self-tracking of IOP by patients in home settings.

Abstract: A robust, automated computational pipeline was used to design a system comprising a microarray for the identification of microorganisms and their antibiotic resistance profiles. This system and methods will facilitate the study of the epidemiology and microbial ecology of antibiotic resistance and be an invaluable tool to rapidly and simultaneously identify organisms and their antimicrobial resistance elements in environmental, food and clinical samples.

Abstract: A system for multiplexing charging of electric vehicles, comprising a server coupled to a plurality of charging control modules over a network. Each of said charging modules being connected to a voltage source such that each charging control module is configured to regulate distribution of voltage from the voltage source to an electric vehicle coupled to the charging control module. Data collection and control software is provided on the server for identifying a plurality of electric vehicles coupled to the plurality of charging control modules and selectively distributing charging of the plurality of charging control modules to multiplex distribution of voltage to the plurality of electric vehicles.

Abstract: The invention provides TLR agonists and conjugates thereof useful in vaccines and to prevent, inhibit or treat a variety of disorders including pathogen infection and asthma.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods, devices and systems used for the treatment of mood, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, and cognitive and behavioral disorders (collectively, neuropsychiatric disorders) via stimulation of the superficial elements of the trigeminal nerve (“TNS”). More specifically, cutaneous methods of stimulation of the superficial branches of the trigeminal nerve located extracranially in the face, namely the supraorbital, supratrochlear, infraorbital, auriculotemporal, zygomaticotemporal, zygomaticoorbital, zygomaticofacial, infraorbital, nasal and mentalis nerves (also referred to collectively as the superficial trigeminal nerve) are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention features peptides of a PorB polypeptide, which PorB peptides are useful in production of antibodies that bind the full-length PorB polypeptide and as a therapeutic agent. In specific embodiments the invention features a composition comprising one or more PorB peptides (other than a full-length PorB polypeptide), which peptides contain at least one epitope that can elicit Chlamydia-neutralizing antibodies. The invention also features methods for induction of a protective immune response against infection by Chlamydia and Chlamydiophila.

Abstract: A probe system includes a finger-mountable housing having a distal end and a proximal receptacle end. The proximal receptacle end defines an opening to receive a finger. The probe system also includes a probe assembly disposed on or within the finger-mountable housing and having at least a first sensor. The first sensor is positioned to measure a physical characteristic of a first tissue when the finger-mountable housing and probe assembly are inserted in a rectum of the patient.

Abstract: Wide-field fluorescent imaging on a mobile device having a camera is accomplished with a compact, light-weight and inexpensive optical components that are mechanically secured to the mobile device in a removable housing. Battery powered light-emitting diodes (LEDs) contained in the housing pump the sample of interest from the side using butt-coupling, where the pump light is guided within the sample holder to uniformly excite the specimen. The fluorescent emission from the sample is then imaged using an additional lens that is positioned adjacent to the existing lens of the mobile device. A color filter is sufficient to create the dark-field background required for fluorescent imaging, without the need for expensive thin-film interference filters.

Abstract: HA-based functional probes and a multiplexed targeting strategy for detection and isolation of invasive subpopulations in breast cancer cell lines. Methods for using HA metabolism for profiling and sorting breast cancer heterogeneity. As such, HA-based functional probes have appropriate targeting capacity and safety profiles for development as imaging and therapeutic agents for following repair and neoplastic disease processes such as breast cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for layout decomposition to produce exposure layouts that can be used to perform double patterning lithography (DPL). Preferred embodiment methods of the invention are executed by a computer and provide alternate methods for layout decomposition for double patterning lithography (DPL) using integer linear programming (ILP) formulations. Embodiments of the invention meet a key optimization goals, which is to reduce the total cost of layout decomposition, considering the abovementioned aspects that contribute to cost of prior conventional DPL techniques. Embodiments of the invention provide integer linear programming (ILP), phase conflict detection (PCD) and node election bipartization (NBD) formulations for the optimization of DPL layout decomposition, with a process-aware cost function that avoids small jogging line-ends, and maximizes overlap at dividing points of polygons. The cost function can also make preferential splits at landing pads, junctions and long runs.

Abstract: A catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid, such as blood, flowing in a body conduit, such as a blood vessel. The catheter includes a shaft with a heat exchange region disposed at its distal end. This region may include hollow fibers which are adapted to receive a remotely cooled heat exchange fluid preferably flowing in a direction counter to that of the body fluid. The hollow fibers enhance the surface area of contact, as well as the mixing of both the heat exchange fluid and the body fluid. The catheter can be positioned to produce hypothermia in a selective area of the body or alternatively positioned to systemically cool the entire body system.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for identifying drug targets using biological networks. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for predicting the effects of drug targets on treating a disease. The method can include constructing a structure of a Bayesian network based at least in part on knowledge of drug inhibiting effects on a disease; associating a set of parameters with the constructed Bayesian network; determining values of a joint probability distribution of the Bayesian network via an automatic procedure; deriving a mean Bayesian network with one or more averaged parameters based at least in part on the joint probability values; and calculating a quantitative prediction based at least in part on the mean Bayesian network.

Abstract: Hybrid plasmonic waveguides are described that employ a high-gain semiconductor nanostructure functioning as a gain medium that is separated from a metal substrate surface by a nanoscale thickness thick low-index gap. The waveguides are capable of efficient generation of sub-wavelength high intensity light and have the potential for large modulation bandwidth >1 THz.

Abstract: Methods of producing collection tubes are presented. The methods include providing a separator substance that can rapidly polymerize in a short time to a desired hardness and disposing the separator substance within the lumen of the tube. The separator substance is formulated to have a density between an average density of a serum fraction of whole blood and a cell-containing fraction of whole blood, and to be flowable with whole blood. Upon centrifugation of a tube having blood, the separator substance forms a barrier between the whole blood fractions. The barrier rapidly hardens forming a solid barrier when triggered by a suitable energy source.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for the generation of broad size distributions of polynucleic acid fragments from larger polynucleic acids. The invention provides unbiased polynucleic acid fragments, i.e. fragments representative of all portions of the larger polynucleic acids. The methods are amendable to automation and are cost-effective. The methods comprise contacting the polynucleic acid sample with a reducing agent and a transition metal in a solvent to form a mixture. An exemplified reducing agent is sodium ascorbate, and an exemplified transition metal is copper.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to functional magnetic resonance imaging. In one aspect, a method may include generating a bulk magnetization in a subject, establishing a longitudinal relaxation time constant (T1) contrast between constituents in the subject, creating spatially localized magnetic resonance (MR) signals from the subject, detecting the MR signals, and generating a functional image of the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a synthetic regulator of protein function, which regulator is a light-sensitive regulator. The present invention further provides a light-regulated polypeptide that includes a subject synthetic regulator. Also provided are cells and membranes comprising a subject light-regulated polypeptide. The present invention further provides methods of modulating protein function, involving use of light. The present invention further provides methods of identifying agents that modulate protein function.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for incrementally updating a software stack are described. The software stack can be stored on a flash memory device on a target device. A server computer can receive a modification to a function that is part of the software stack, wherein additional memory is allocated on the flash memory device to allow the function increase in size via a software update. Next, a new memory layout can be determined for storing functions in the software stack based on the modification to the function. The server computer can then determine changes to a set of memory pages on the flash memory device based on the new memory layout. Next, the server computer can send the changes to the set of memory pages to the target device.