Abstract: The invention provides a system and process for manufacturing nanofibers that integrate a post-drawing process in a continuous electro spinning manufacturing process. In certain embodiments, the system and process are capable of post-drawing multiple individual electrospun nanofibers simultaneously. In certain embodiments, the system can be configured and controlled to accommodate various materials that can be electrospun.

Abstract: A method of making asphalt concrete mixtures including reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). Variability in the fraction of binder that occurs in RAP that is able to melt and mix with virgin binder included in the concrete mixture previously made it difficult to select an appropriate amount of virgin binder. Methods described herein permit an asphalt concrete mix designer to determine the amount of virgin binder that can be combined with RAP and virgin aggregate in order to satisfy the minimum effective binder content of a job mix formula for such a concrete mix. The subject matter described herein thus permits more efficient use of RAP and permits use of RAP in higher amounts in asphalt concrete mixtures.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a medical implant, methods of use and making of such implants. A method of making an implantable device may include obtaining an anatomical model in a computer aided design (CAD) system, customizing the anatomical model per patient specific parameters and creating a virtual image of the anatomical model, incorporating at least one microchannel geometry within said anatomical model, adjusting the density infill to a measurement ranging per patient specific parameters, and using three-dimensional printing to form the implantable device based on the anatomical model. The implant can be made of suitable metallic or polymeric material, such as PLA.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method of treatment for treating brain disorders that manifest oxidative stress by providing targeted populations of neurons with the ability to catabolize the acetylated amino acid derivative, N-acetylaspatic acid (NAA) and further supply extraphysiological levels of ATP to neurons via the targeted expression of the NAA catabolic enzyme aspartoacylase (ASPA) in neurons and astrocytes.

Abstract: Tissue samples embedded in settable, sectionable media such as paraffin can be cut into sections. Embedding one or more sectionable fiducial indicia in the medium permits identification of the plane along which the medium has been cut. However, prior methods of inserting indicia into embedded tissue sample blocks are cumbersome and difficult to perform. Sectionable fiducial indicia can be embedded in a block of medium by releasibly fixing the indicia to the sidewall or base of a mold used to shape the tissue block during embedding of a tissue sample in the medium block.

Abstract: A method of processing a protein in an acid solution is disclosed. The processed protein exhibits various optimized properties including crystallinity, thermal stability, bio-stability, and elastic modulus.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods of making asphalt concrete mixtures including reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). Variability in the fraction of binder that occurs in RAP that is able to melt and mix with virgin binder included in the concrete mixture previously made it difficult to select an appropriate amount of virgin binder. Methods described herein permit an asphalt concrete mix designer to determine the amount of virgin binder that can be combined with RAP and virgin aggregate in order to satisfy the minimum effective binder content of a job mix formula for such a concrete mix. The subject matter described herein thus permits more efficient use of RAP and permits use of RAP in higher amounts in asphalt concrete mixtures.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits for the detection of neurodegenerative disease specific autoantibodies for the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases and risk for developing neurodegenerative diseases, and for the generation of patient-specific neurodegenerative disease diagnostic autoantibody profiles.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions and kits for the detection of Parkinson' disease (PD) diagnostic biomarkers, for the diagnosis of PD, for the identification of a subject at risk for developing PD, and for the generation of patient-specific PD diagnostic biomarker profiles.

Abstract: A compound is provided according to structure 4, (4) wherein n has a value from 0 to 48 and Z is hydroxyl or a benzene ring bearing substituents R11-R15, wherein R1-R15 are each individually selected from the group consisting of H, allyl, alkyl, alkoxy, phenyl, phenoxy, halide, hydroxyl, glycidyl, (meth)acryloyl, 3-(meth)acryloyl-2-hydroxy-1-propoxy, 2,3-epoxypropyl, maleate, and structure (a) wherein at least one of R1-R5, at least one of R6-R10, and at least one of R11-R15 is hydroxyl or an ether or ester derived from it.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method of treatment for treating brain disorders that manifest oxidative stress by providing targeted populations of neurons with the ability to catabolize the acetylated amino acid derivative, N-acetylaspatic acid (NAA) and further supply extraphysiological levels of ATP to neurons via the targeted expression of the NAA catabolic enzyme aspartoacylase (ASPA) in neurons and astrocytes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits for the detection of neurodegenerative disease specific autoantibodies for the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases and risk for developing neurodegenerative diseases, and for the generation of patient-specific neurodegenerative disease diagnostic autoantibody profiles.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to coatings that contain silver, either in the form of metallic silver, silver oxides, salts of silver, or combinations of these. The silver is present in a microparticulate or nanoparticulate form, which exerts antimicrobial activity when bacteria (e.g., in a body fluid) contact the coated surface. The coatings are applied through accumulation of silver-containing particles on the surface, such as by sputtering or electron beam vapor deposition. As a result, their thickness, particle size, and density can be controlled. Furthermore, the surface can also be coated with other substances, such as diamond-like carbon or alumina, either as a discrete layer or intermixed with the silver-containing particles.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to marker-less augmented reality methods which are operable in mobile applications and which involve an object-tracking method that uses projection and detection of a structured light pattern to track the location, orientation, and/or movement of an object in a scene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mutant CC3625 cysteine synthase. Bacteria containing such mutant cysteine synthase can be used for the precipitation of soluble lead.

Abstract: A wearable electronic system including a base member having an upper surface and a lower surface with the lower surface having a skin-adhering adhesive thereon. At least one sensor is positioned on the upper surface and configured to sense pulse when the base member is adhered to a user's skin. A controller is configured to receive pulse data from the at least one optical sensor and output information representative of a health condition of the user. The base member is manufactured of a flexible, biocompatible material.

Abstract: A wireless ablation catheter assembly including an ablation catheter having a catheter body extending between a proximal end and a distal end with a magnetically-susceptible area defined along the catheter body between the proximal and distal ends. A magnetic field generator is configured to provide a magnetic field to the magnetically-susceptible area such that the magnetically-susceptible area dissipates heat. A method of ablation is also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for preparing urushiol from plants including, for example, poison ivy or poison oak. The methods include extraction of plant material using a primary organic solvent more polar than ethanol, followed by a solvent extraction using substantially immiscible solvents having substantially different polarities, such as hexane and acetonitrile. The method can include further purification, such as by fractionation of solvent-extracted materials using a thiazole-derivatized silica gel chromatography medium. The extracts thus generated can exhibit greater purity, higher concentration, and greater stability than extracts made using previously-known methods. The extracts can be particularly suitable for use in immunotherapeutic methods, such as desensitizing individuals who normally develop allergic contact dermatitis attributable to poison ivy or poison oak.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a composition that is liquid at a temperature below the body temperature of a mammal and that solidifies at or above the body temperature of the mammal. The composition includes a thermally-desolubilizable polymer interspersed with a polymeric component of extracellular matrix and an encapsulated form of an amine compound (preferably an aminated component of extracellular matrix) that is de-encapsulated in the body of the mammal. The polymeric component is able to form covalent bonds with amine moieties in the aminated component, in one or more tissues in the body of the mammal, or both. Upon injection off liquid suspension of these components into the body of the mammal, the thermally-desolubilizable polymer condenses, entrapping the polymeric component. The polymeric component binds covalently with a tissue in the body, and the aminated component end-caps the remaining reactive moieties of the polymeric component, forming a matrix at the site of injection.

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods to treat inflammatory joint diseases and decrease cartilage degradation.