Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards systems and methods for detecting and sizing mineralized tissue. An exemplary method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, can provide for imaging a region of interest containing the mineralized tissue with unfocused ultrasound beams via a primary imaging method. The method can then provide for computing a wavefront coherence at the imaged region of interest. The method can then provide for segmenting pixels of the imaged region of interest based on their intensities and intensities of surrounding pixels. The method can then provide for identifying a border and a shadow of the mineralized tissue based on the segmenting. Then, the method can provide for calculating a size of the mineralized tissue based on the border and the shadow.

Abstract: A 2D spatial differentiator operates in transmission and comprises a Si nanorod photonic crystal that can transform an image, Ein, into its second-order derivative, Eout ? ?2 Ein, allowing for direct discrimination of the edges in the image. The use of a 2D photonic crystal allows for differentiation and edge detection in all directions with a numerical aperture (NA) up to 0.315 and an experimental resolution smaller than 4 ?m. The nanophotonic differentiator is able to be directly integrated into an optical microscope and onto a camera sensor, demonstrating the ease with which it can be vertically integrated into existing imaging systems. Furthermore, integration with a metalens is demonstrated for realizing a compact and monolithic image-processing system. In all cases, the use of the nanophotonic differentiator allows for a significant reduction in size compared to traditional systems, opening new doors for optical analog image processing in applications involving computer vision.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a magnetorheological (MR) brake. The MR brake includes a rotor constructed at least partially of a ferromagnetic material, and a housing that supports the rotor such that the rotor and the housing are rotatable relative to each other about an axis, wherein the housing and rotor are configured such that a fluid gap is defined between the housing and the rotor, and wherein portions of the housing adjacent the rotor are constructed at least partially of a ferromagnetic material. An MR fluid is disposed in the fluid gap. A current-carrying coil is excitable to generate a magnetic field within ferromagnetic portions of the rotor and the housing and acts on the MR fluid. At least one element constructed of a material having low magnetic permeability is configured route the lines of magnetic flux through surrounding higher permeability material on opposite sides of the fluid gap.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compositions and methods for treating and preventing chikungunya virus infection by delivering polynucleotides encoding anti-chikungunya virus antibodies to a subject. Compositions and treatments provided herein include one or more polynucleotides having an open reading frame encoding an anti-chikungunya virus antibody heavy chain or fragment thereof and/or an anti-chikungunya virus antibody light chain or fragment thereof. Methods for preparing and using such treatments are also provided.

Abstract: A system for modulating operation of an organ in real time by controlling illumination of one or more light components is provided. The system includes an external device comprising a processing unit and a power supply configured to transmit stimulation parameters, a wireless implantable device comprising, a sensor configured to detect, in real time, activity data from a tissue cluster of an organ, a stimulator including a plurality of light components corresponding to at least a first wavelength and a second wavelength and a flexible elastomer coupled to the plurality of light components, and a transceiver configured to transmit the activity data to the external device, wherein the stimulator is configured to illuminate, based on the stimulation parameters, one of the plurality of light components coupled to the flexible elastomer, wherein the processing unit is configured to update the stimulation parameters based on the activity data.

Abstract: A steerable endoscope system includes a continuum manipulator, a plurality of syringes, and a steerable tip. The continuum manipulator includes a plurality of spaced discs and a plurality of backbones each extending through all discs. A bending movement of the continuum manipulator changes a varying linear displacement of each backbone. Each backbone is further coupled to a different one of the syringes such that the linear displacement of each backbone pushes or pulls a piston of the corresponding syringe by a varying amount. The steerable tip includes a plurality of bellows each pneumatically coupled to a different syringe such that movement of the piston of a syringe causes the corresponding bellow to inflate or deflate. Because the distal end of each bellow is fixedly coupled to the same end effector, variations in the amount of inflation or deflation on each bellow causes a bending of the steerable tip.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a method for intraoperative detection of parathyroid gland viability in a surgery, comprising obtaining speckle contrast images of a parathyroid gland of a patent; and displaying the speckle contrast images of the parathyroid gland in real-time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying epigenetic reprogramming. Identifying epigenetic reprogramming comprises detecting large organized heterochromatin lysine (K)-9 modified domains (LOCKs) and large DNA hypomethylated blocks in a sample containing DNA from a subject having cancer, for example, PDAC.

Abstract: In one aspect provided herein are methods of determining a triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype in an individual in need thereof comprising determining expression of one or more genes in one or more TNBC cells of the individual; and comparing the expression of the one or more genes in the TNBC cells with the expression of the one or more genes in a control. In another aspect, the methods are directed to determining a treatment protocol for the TNBC patient based on the TNBC subtype. In another aspect, the methods are directed to predicting whether an individual will benefit from a treatment for a particular TNBC subtype. In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of determining whether an agent can be used to treat a TNBC subtype.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to modulating neural activity within brainstem circuitry to evoke a certain bodily function (e.g., cardiorespiratory response) in a patient. A controller can configure a light signal (such as an infrared light signal) to deliver an amount of radiant exposure to a specific portion of the brainstem for a time. The specific portion of the brainstem can include brainstem circuitry that is the control center for the certain bodily function. The configured light signal can be delivered to the specific portion of the brainstem by an optrode for the time. During application, the light signal can deliver the amount of radiant exposure to the specific portion of the brainstem to evoke the certain bodily function.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for testing a threshold energy required to cause a latchup on an electronic component. An exemplary method includes applying a series of laser pulses to a testing object with a pulsed laser unit. The testing object is connected to a testing circuit which can measure the energy of each of the series of laser pulses, and detect whether a pulse of the series of laser pulses resulted in a latchup on the testing object. Upon detecting the pulse, the method provides for logging the energy of the pulse using a recording unit and logging the latchup status of the test device. If a latchup is detected, the testing circuit automatically mitigates the latchup event.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for treating microbial inflammation including its end-stage sepsis and conditions associated with the microbial inflammation such as thrombocytopenia and hypoglycogenemia. In one aspect, the compositions and methods disclosed herein can also be used to enhance clearance of microbes from infected tissues, organs, or systems in a subject. Also disclosed herein are compositions and methods for reducing levels of stress responsible transcription factors and metabolic transcription factors in a cell in a subject with microbial inflammation.

Abstract: The disclosure describes engineered cells for the treatment of joint and bone disease. The cells are engineered to sense signals only found in diseased compartments and in turn produce therapeutic molecules that are secreted into the local environment.

Abstract: A deep-learning-based method for metal artifact reduction in CT images includes providing a dataset and a cGAN. The dataset includes CT image pairs, randomly partitioned into a training set, a validation set, and a testing set. Each Pre-CT and Post-CT image pairs is respectively acquired in a region before and after an implant is implanted. The Pre-CT and Post-CT images of each pair are artifact-free CT and artifact-affected CT images, respectively. The cGAN is conditioned on the Post-CT images, includes a generator and a discriminator that operably compete with each other, and is characterized with a training objective that is a sum of an adversarial loss and a reconstruction loss. The method also includes training the cGAN with the dataset; inputting the post-operatively acquired CT image to the trained cGAN; and generating an artifact-corrected image by the trained cGAN, where metal artifacts are removed in the artifact-corrected image.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of treating a patient having primary hyperoxaluria or idiopathic hyperoxaluria comprising administering a therapeutically effective amound of compound of the formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, and hydrates thereof to the patient. The variables, e.g. ring A, n, R, R3, R10, X, Y, and Z are defined herein. These compounds act as lactate dehydrogenase inhibitors and are useful inhibiting the conversion of glyoxylate to oxalate. When administered to a patient having a disease or disorder associated with elevated oxalate levels, such as PH type 1, type 2, or type 3 or idiopathic hyperoxaluria the compounds prevent or substantially reduce the amount and buildup of oxalate the patient's kidneys, bladder, urinary tract and other parts of the patient's body.

Abstract: A fluidic cartridge comprises a fluidic disk having a plurality of alignment openings; a fluidic chip comprising a body, one or more channels formed in the body in fluidic communications with input ports and output ports for transferring one or more fluids between the input ports and the output ports, and a plurality of protrusions formed on the body and received in the alignment openings of the fluidic disk for aligning the fluidic chip to the fluidic disk; an actuator operably engaging with the one or more channels for selectively and individually transferring the one or more fluids through the one or more channels from at least one of the input ports to at least one of the output ports at desired flow rates; and a tube member defining a cylindrical housing for accommodating the fluidic disk, the fluidic chip and the actuator therein.

Abstract: Microfluidic systems, pumps, valves and applications of the same are provided. The microfluidic system may be a pump or a valve having a fluidic chip and an actuator controlling the opening and closing of the fluidic channel in the fluidic chip. The actuator may be disposed to tilt from the fluidic chip, forming a tilted-rotor peristaltic pump. Alternatively, the actuator may be a rolling ball actuator, and different fluidic chips may be used in different applications. For example, the fluidic chip may be a spiral pump chip having spiral channels, a rotary peristaltic pump chip having multiple output channels, or a multi-port valve chip having one port interconnected with multiple different ports. An analytical valve chip may switchably interconnect bioreactor and rinse/calibration input channels to sensor and waste output channels. The actuator of a random-access valve can move from one valve position to another without opening or closing intermediate ones.

Abstract: Provided are compositions for inhibiting a biological activity of an aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C3 (AKR1C3) polypeptide. In some embodiments, the compositions are indomethacin derivatives that are AKR1C3-specific inhibitors. Also provided are methods for producing disclosed indomethacin derivatives that substantially lack cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity but that have AKR1C3 inhibitory activity, methods for inhibiting AKR1C3 polypeptide biological activities, and methods for treating prostate tumors in subjects.

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with a phantom assembly are provided. A housing includes a plurality of slots and is formed from a first material having a first appearance under a selected imaging modality. A plurality of inserts are each configured to be received by one of the plurality of slots. At least one insert includes a target formed from a second material having a second appearance under the selected imaging modality, such that the target is readily distinguishable from the housing under the selected imaging modality. The target includes a hollow portion that can be accessed via a removable plug.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating cancer such as melanomas are disclosed.