Abstract: In one general aspect, a system can include a probe configured to be coupled to a concrete surface of a portion of concrete. The system can include a waveform generator configured to trigger flow of a current to the portion of concrete via the probe and configured to reference a potential of a reinforcing bar embedded within the concrete. The system can also include a current detector configured to detect a magnitude of the current.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for processing biomass using [Co(CN)5]3? are disclosed. The resulting products include monomeric carbohydrate units that can also be converted to basic alcohols, including ethanol, for a variety of uses including transportation fuels and the generation of electricity.

Abstract: A system for scalable multi-user CAD may include a traffic consolidation server consolidating feature edits from CAD workstations editing one or more proximate regions of an engineering object. The traffic consolidation servers may transmit feature changes to other workstations editing the proximate regions of the engineering object while forwarding the feature changes to a CAD model server. CAD model servers may be configured to receive consolidated feature changes pertaining to an assigned region of the engineering object. An assignment server may balance processing loads on traffic consolidation servers. Methods and apparatus corresponding to the above system are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A microscale device comprises a patterned forest of vertically grown and aligned carbon nanotubes defining a carbon nanotube forest with the nanotubes having a height defining a thickness of the forest, the patterned forest defining a patterned frame that defines one or more components of a microscale device. A conformal coating of substantially uniform thickness at least partially coats the nanotubes, defining coated nanotubes and connecting adjacent nanotubes together, without substantially filling interstices between individual coated nanotubes. A metallic interstitial material infiltrates the carbon nanotube forest and at least partially fills interstices between individual coated nanotubes.

Abstract: Provided is a device comprising a channel through and defined by a plurality of layers surrounding the channel, the channel connecting a first and a second chambers separated by the plurality of layers, wherein the plurality of layers comprise a first layer, a second layer; and a conductive middle layer disposed between the first and second layers, wherein the channel comprises (a) a first region defined by the first layer, denoted as an inlet, that is about 0.5 nm to about 100 nm in diameter and (b) a second region defined by the second layer, denoted as an outlet, wherein the inlet and the outlet are about 10 nm to about 1000 nm apart from each other, and wherein the first and second chambers and the middle layer are connected to a power supply. Also provided are methods of preparing and using the device, in particular for nucleic acid sequencing.

Abstract: A system and method of joining at least two workpieces together using a friction rivet and a friction rivet cap that are friction stirred together after a cutting tip or cutting feature on the friction rivet cuts through workpieces and is then bonded to the friction rivet cap, and wherein the friction rivet cap may be excluded if the friction rivet includes a hollow in the cutting tip, the hollow being flared after the friction rivets cuts through the workpieces to thereby create an integral rivet cap in the end of the friction rivet.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to dermal treatment compositions, such as dermal fillers and tissue glues, and injectable compositions that incorporate one or more cationic steroidal antimicrobials (CSAs). The CSAs are incorporated into the dermal treatment compositions to provide effective antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-swelling and/or tissue-healing properties. A treatment composition includes a component formed from a biologically compatible material suitable for injection into and/or application onto tissue at a treatment site. One or more CSA compounds are mixed with the biologically compatible material so that the one or more CSA compounds are incorporated within the composition, forming a reservoir of CSA compounds within the resulting bolus of the treatment composition after injection and/or application.

Abstract: A system and method for making adjustments to output effort from a spindle driver using a multi-stage nested control loop of an active controller to provide constant power to a friction stir zone during a friction stir operation. Providing constant power facilitates temperature control within the friction stir zone and thereby improves the result of the operation such as a weld.

Abstract: A system for detecting concentration of a target in a solution where sample fluid is passed into a microchannel with wall coated with the receptor that reacts and crosslinks with the target to constrict the channel and slow or stop sample flow through the microchannel. Concentration of the target is determined by measuring length of the sample filled channel.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a foldable array of three-dimensional panels, which may include one or more functional electrical components. For instance, the three-dimensional multi-panel array may be reconfigured from a substantially planar configuration into a three-dimensional configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating fungal infections in a patient, comprising identifying a patient in need of treatment and administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one cationic steroid antimicrobial (CSA), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Kits comprising such compositions and instructions on such methods are also contemplated herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cationic steroidal antimicrobials (“CSA compounds” or “ceragenins”) and methods of making the same. Particularly advantageous methods are identified for the synthesis of CSA compounds. CSA compounds may be formulated for treating subjects with ailments responsive to CSA compounds, including but not limited to treating bacterial infections. Accordingly, some embodiments include formulations and methods of administering CSA compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of promoting osteogenesis in a subject, comprising administering a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one cationic steroid antimicrobial (CSA). Also disclosed herein are methods of promoting osteogenesis in a subject in need of such promotion, comprising administering a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one CSA. Additionally, disclosed herein are compounds and compositions comprising at least one CSA, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use in the treatment of bone disease or the treatment of broken bones. Kits comprising such compositions and instructions on such methods are also contemplated herein.

Abstract: Provided is a device comprising a channel through and defined by a plurality of layers surrounding the channel, the channel connecting a first and a second chambers separated by the plurality of layers, wherein the plurality of layers comprise a first layer, a second layer; and a conductive middle layer disposed between the first and second layers, wherein the channel comprises (a) a first region defined by the first layer, denoted as an inlet, that is about 0.5 nm to about 100 nm in diameter and (b) a second region defined by the second layer, denoted as an outlet, wherein the inlet and the outlet are about 10 nm to about 1000 nm apart from each other, and wherein the first and second chambers and the middle layer are connected to a power supply. Also provided are methods of preparing and using the device, in particular for nucleic acid sequencing.

Abstract: Methods for cleaning or disinfecting water delivery systems, self-cleaning or self-disinfecting water delivery systems, and inserts for use in cleaning or disinfecting water delivery systems utilize cationic steroidal antimicrobial (CSA) molecules to kill microbes and/or break up biofilms within water delivery systems. The methods and systems involve adding CSA molecules to water to form an aqueous CSA composition and passing the aqueous CSA composition through the water delivery system, such as a water storage vessel and/or water delivery line to clean or disinfect the water delivery system. CSA molecules can be added to a water storage vessel, water delivery line, or well, such as by a solid or liquid CSA composition. A CSA-eluting composition may provide CSA molecules to water to form an aqueous CSA composition that passes through or is stored within the water delivery system. CSA molecules provided to agricultural animals in drinking water may improve animal health.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are acid addition salts of cationic steroidal antimicrobials (“CSAs” or “ceragenins”) and methods of making the same. Particularly advantageous salt forms are identified, such as 1,5-naphthalenedisulfonic acid addition salts and sulfate addition salts. The acid addition salts may be formulated for treating subjects with ailments responsive to CSAs, including but not limited to treating bacterial infections. Accordingly, some embodiments include formulations and methods of administering acid addition salts of CSAs.

Abstract: A system and method for thermal gradient gas chromatography wherein a front or injection end of a column is heated to a higher temperature than a back or detector end to thereby create a thermal gradient having a profile that is substantially monotonically non-increasing and has a positive second derivative, and then providing a heat source to raise the thermal gradient and cause it to remain stationary or to travel through the column while maintaining a desired profile.

Abstract: A method of determining risk factors for Alzheimer's disease in an individual, including assaying a biological medium obtained from the individual for a biomarker selected from Biomarker 1, Biomarker 2, Biomarker 3, or Biomarker 4, where Biomarker 1 has a mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of 602.3, Biomarker 2 has a m/z of 804.6, Biomarker 3 has a m/z of 874.6, and Biomarker 4 has a m/z of 804.5, and where the presence of the two or more biomarkers in the individual indicates a risk factor of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: A hydrophobic cationic steroidal anti-microbial (ceragenin) compound forms an amphiphilic compound having a hydrophobic sterol face and a hydrophilic cationic face. Medical devices can be made incorporating the ceragenin compound.

Abstract: Organo-transition metal complexes possess anti-viral inhibitory activity against influenza A, including the S3 IN mutant. The organo-transition metal complexes include a transition metal and at least one ligand based on the structure of an M2 proton channel blocker. Compounds and pharmaceutical compositions are useful for treating viruses such as influenza A.