Soft, Modular Power for Composing Robots with Embodied Energy.

The adaptable, modular structure of muscles, combined with their confluent energy storage allows for numerous architectures found in nature: trunks, tongues, and tentacles to name some more complex ones. To provide an artificial analog to this biological soft muscle, a self-powered, soft hydrostat actuator is presented. As an example of how to use these modules, a worm robot is assembled where the near totality of the body stores electrochemical potential.

Democratizing digital microfluidics by a cloud-based design and manufacturing platform.

Akin to the impact that digital microelectronics had on electronic devices for information technology, digital microfluidics (DMF) was anticipated to transform fluidic devices for lab-on-a-chip (LoC) applications. However, despite a wealth of research and publications, electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) DMF has not achieved the anticipated wide adoption, and commercialization has been painfully slow. By identifying the technological and resource hurdles in developing DMF chip and control systems as the culprit, we envision democratizing DMF by building a standardized design and manufacturing platform.

Early immune factors associated with the development of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalized and non-hospitalized individuals.

Background: Infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can lead to post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) that can persist for weeks to years following initial viral infection. Clinical manifestations of PASC are heterogeneous and often involve multiple organs. While many hypotheses have been made on the mechanisms of PASC and its associated symptoms, the acute biological drivers of PASC are still unknown.

Prognostic gene expression profile testing to inform use of adjuvant therapy: A survey of melanoma experts.

Objectives: To investigate current practices and attitudes regarding use of adjuvant immunotherapy and prognostic gene expression profile (GEP) testing among melanoma medical and surgical oncologists.

Methods: An anonymous RedCap-based survey was emailed to ~300 melanoma experts.

Results: Respondents generally favored adjuvant immunotherapy over observation (73% for all Stage IIIA, 50% for Stage IIB/IIC) and cited a minimum 10-year recurrence risk of 11%-20% (48%) or 21%-30% (33%) to justify treatment, but acknowledged that risks of serious adverse events may outweigh potential benefits for some Stage IIB/IIC patients.

An End-to-End Platform for Digital Pathology Using Hyperspectral Autofluorescence Microscopy and Deep Learning-Based Virtual Histology.

Conventional histopathology involves expensive and labor-intensive processes that often consume tissue samples, rendering them unavailable for other analyses. We present a novel end-to-end workflow for pathology powered by hyperspectral microscopy and deep learning. First, we developed a custom hyperspectral microscope to nondestructively image the autofluorescence of unstained tissue sections.

Distinct temporal trajectories and risk factors for Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Background: The understanding of Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) can be improved by longitudinal assessment of symptoms encompassing the acute illness period. To gain insight into the various disease trajectories of PASC, we assessed symptom evolution and clinical factors associated with the development of PASC over 3 months, starting with the acute illness period.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study to identify parameters associated with PASC.

Multi-omic profiling reveals early immunological indicators for identifying COVID-19 Progressors.

We sought to better understand the immune response during the immediate post-diagnosis phase of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by identifying molecular associations with longitudinal disease outcomes. Multi-omic analyses identified differences in immune cell composition, cytokine levels, and cell subset-specific transcriptomic and epigenomic signatures between individuals on a more serious disease trajectory (Progressors) as compared to those on a milder course (Non-progressors). Higher levels of multiple cytokines were observed in Progressors, with IL-6 showing the largest difference.

Post-surgical discharge opioid prescribing, use and handling after introduction of a stewardship program.

SummaryOpioids are often used to provide postsurgical analgesia but may cause harm if used inappropriately. We introduced an opioid stewardship program in three Melbourne hospitals to reduce the inappropriate use of opioids after patient discharge. The program had four pillars: prescriber education, patient education, a standardised quantity of discharge opioids, and general practitioner (GP) communication.

Multi-omic Profiling Reveals Early Immunological Indicators for Identifying COVID-19 Progressors.

The pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to a rapid response by the scientific community to further understand and combat its associated pathologic etiology. A focal point has been on the immune responses mounted during the acute and post-acute phases of infection, but the immediate post-diagnosis phase remains relatively understudied. We sought to better understand the immediate post-diagnosis phase by collecting blood from study participants soon after a positive test and identifying molecular associations with longitudinal disease outcomes.

Dissection of multiple sclerosis genetics identifies B and CD4+ T cells as driver cell subsets.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune condition of the central nervous system with a well-characterized genetic background. Prior analyses of MS genetics have identified broad enrichments across peripheral immune cells, yet the driver immune subsets are unclear.

Results: We utilize chromatin accessibility data across hematopoietic cells to identify cell type-specific enrichments of MS genetic signals.

Surface grafted silica adsorbent for efficient removal of Hg ions from contaminated water.

A mesoporous silica hybrid functionalized with aromatic 1,2-phenyl dithiol (PT@MS NPs) was prepared in two steps such as sol-gel co-condensation of VTMS and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) using Pluronic P123 as a structure directing surfactant, and surface grafting reaction of 1,2-phenyl dithiol with vinyl groups via click-reaction. Surface area, average pore size, and mesopore volume of the produced PT@MS NPs are approximately 546 m/g, 2.8 nm, and 0.

Direct optical wire bonding through open-to-air polymerization for silicon photonic chips: publisher's note.

This publisher's note contains a correction to Opt. Lett. 47, 714 (2022).

Direct optical wire bonding through open-to-air polymerization for silicon photonic chips.

We developed an inter-chip optical link using direct optical wire (DOW) bonding by open-to-air polymerization. An arch-shaped wire was drawn from a tip in a similar way to a metal wire, but the wire was formed from a polymer solution that solidified in the air during wiring. The DOW bonding was examined for silicon photonic chips where grating couplers are integrated for input/output coupling.

Using deep learning for dermatologist-level detection of suspicious pigmented skin lesions from wide-field images.

A reported 96,480 people were diagnosed with melanoma in the United States in 2019, leading to 7230 reported deaths. Early-stage identification of suspicious pigmented lesions (SPLs) in primary care settings can lead to improved melanoma prognosis and a possible 20-fold reduction in treatment cost. Despite this clinical and economic value, efficient tools for SPL detection are mostly absent.

Brightness of Microtrench Superhydrophobic Surfaces and Visual Detection of Intermediate Wetting States.

For a superhydrophobic (SHPo) surface under water, the dewetted or wetted states are easily distinguishable by the bright silvery plastron or lack of it, respectively. However, to detect an intermediate state between the two, where water partially intrudes the surface roughness, a special visualization technique has been needed. Focusing on SHPo surfaces of parallel microtrenches and considering drag reduction as a prominent application, we (i) show the reliance on surface brightness alone may seriously mislead the wetting state, (ii) theorize how the brightness is determined by water intrusion depth and viewing direction, (iii) support the theory experimentally with confocal microscopy and CCD cameras, (iv) present how to estimate the intrusion depth using optical images taken from different angles, and (v) showcase how to detect intermediate states slightly off the properly dewetted state by simply looking.

Single-Cell Mapping of Progressive Fetal-to-Adult Transition in Human Naive T Cells.

Whereas the human fetal immune system is poised to generate immune tolerance and suppress inflammation in utero, an adult-like immune system emerges to orchestrate anti-pathogen immune responses in post-natal life. It has been posited that cells of the adult immune system arise as a discrete ontological "layer" of hematopoietic stem-progenitor cells (HSPCs) and their progeny; evidence supporting this model in humans has, however, been inconclusive. Here, we combine bulk and single-cell transcriptional profiling of lymphoid cells, myeloid cells, and HSPCs from fetal, perinatal, and adult developmental stages to demonstrate that the fetal-to-adult transition occurs progressively along a continuum of maturity-with a substantial degree of inter-individual variation at the time of birth-rather than via a transition between discrete waves.

Dermoscopy Proficiency Expectations for US Dermatology Resident Physicians: Results of a Modified Delphi Survey of Pigmented Lesion Experts.

Importance: Dermoscopy education in US dermatology residency programs varies widely, and there is currently no existing expert consensus identifying what is most important for resident physicians to know.

Objectives: To identify consensus-based learning constructs representing an appropriate foundational proficiency in dermoscopic image interpretation for dermatology resident physicians, including dermoscopic diagnoses, associated features, and representative teaching images. Defining these foundational proficiency learning constructs will facilitate further skill development in dermoscopic image interpretation to help residents achieve clinical proficiency.

Development of a Tongue Immobilization Device Using a 3D Printer for Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy of Nasopharyngeal Cancer Patients.

Purpose: This study aimed to reduce radiation doses to the tongue, a patient-specific semi-customized tongue immobilization device (SCTID) was developed using a 3D printer for helical tomotherapy (HT) of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPCa). Dosimetric characteristics and setup stability of the SCTID were compared with those of a standard mouthpiece (SMP).

Materials And Methods: For displacement and robust immobilization of the tongue, the SCTID consists of four parts: upper and lower tooth stoppers, tongue guider, tongue-tip position guide bar, and connectors.

An Implantable Ionic Wireless Power Transfer System Facilitating Electrosynthesis.

A number of implantable biomedical devices have been developed, and wireless power transfer (WPT) systems are emerging as a way to provide power to these devices without requiring a hardwired connection. Most of the WPT has been based on conventional conductive materials, such as metals, which tend to be less biocompatible and stiff. Herein, we describe a development of an ionic wireless power transfer (IWPT) system using hydrogel receivers that are soft and biocompatible.