Abstract: An exemplary method relates to operating a door closer assembly including a closer body, a pinion rotatably mounted to the closer body, a motor including a motor shaft, and a bidirectional clutch connected between the pinion and the motor shaft. The method generally involves permitting, by the clutch, rotation of the pinion in each of a first direction and a second direction without transmitting rotation of the pinion in either direction to the motor shaft; sensing, with a sensor, a rotational position of the pinion; comparing, by a controller, the rotational position of the pinion with a desired rotational position; based upon the comparing, driving the motor to rotate the motor shaft; and by the clutch, coupling the motor shaft with the pinion in response to rotation of the motor shaft, thereby transmitting torque from the motor shaft to the pinion and urging the pinion toward the desired rotational position.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the invention provides tissue-on-a-chip and organ-on-a-chip devices with integrated, on-board photonic integrated circuit optical sensors that allow real-time detection of analytes released from cells disposed on either side of a porous, ultrathin membrane within the device. The invention further provides modular devices for studying cells and interactions between and among cell types. The devices and methods using them are useful for, among other thing, modeling the biological and physiological interactions of cells of different tissue types, allowing high-throughput screening of drug candidates, and informing safety and efficacy in a virtual clinical trial.

Abstract: A die head for cutting threads in a pipe. The die head includes a drive portion, a die retention portion, a cap, and a plurality of windows. The drive portion has a plurality of recesses configured to receive torque from a pipe threading machine. The die retention portion includes a plurality of die posts. Each die post is configured to receive a die having teeth for cutting the threads in the pipe. The cap is coupled to the die retention portion. Each window is defined between each pair of adjacent die posts and the cap. An end of each die adjacent the cap is visible through a corresponding window of the plurality of windows such that all of the teeth of the die are visible through the corresponding window.

Abstract: A die for a pipe threading operation includes a body portion formed of a first material, and a tooth portion coupled to the body portion and formed of a second material that is different than the first material. The tooth portion having a plurality of teeth.

Abstract: An exemplary latchbolt assembly includes a latchbolt, a locking sleeve, and a roller engaged between the latchbolt and the locking sleeve. The latchbolt is configured to drive the roller from a first position to a second position as the latchbolt moves from a projected position to a depressed position. The locking sleeve includes a blocking surface and a recessed portion. When the blocking surface is aligned with the roller, the locking sleeve retains the roller in the first position, thereby retaining the latchbolt in the projected position. When the recessed portion is aligned with the roller, the locking sleeve permits movement of the roller from the first position to the second position, thereby enabling depression of the latchbolt.

Abstract: An exemplary noise-reducing mechanism for door hardware includes a housing, a damper, and a stop. The door hardware includes a first component and a second component, and an operational movement of the door hardware causes relative movement of the first and second components. The housing is mounted to the first component, and the damper is mounted to the housing. The stop is mounted to the second component such that the stop engages the damper during the operational movement. The damper is configured to slow the operational movement, thereby reducing noise generated by operation of the door hardware.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated peptides suitable for disrupting an epithelial barrier, transepithelial dmg or vaccine formulations, drug delivery vehicles for delivering these formulations, and methods of using of these formulations for disrupting an epithelial barrier.

Abstract: An exemplary latchbolt assembly includes a latchbolt, a locking sleeve, and a roller engaged between the latchbolt and the locking sleeve. The latchbolt is configured to drive the roller from a first position to a second position as the latchbolt moves from a projected position to a depressed position. The locking sleeve includes a blocking surface and a recessed portion. When the blocking surface is aligned with the roller, the locking sleeve retains the roller in the first position, thereby retaining the latchbolt in the projected position. When the recessed portion is aligned with the roller, the locking sleeve permits movement of the roller from the first position to the second position, thereby enabling depression of the latchbolt.

Abstract: An exemplary method relates to operating a door closer assembly including a closer body, a pinion rotatably mounted to the closer body, a motor including a motor shaft, and a bidirectional clutch connected between the pinion and the motor shaft. The method generally involves permitting, by the clutch, rotation of the pinion in each of a first direction and a second direction without transmitting rotation of the pinion in either direction to the motor shaft; sensing, with a sensor, a rotational position of the pinion; comparing, by a controller, the rotational position of the pinion with a desired rotational position; based upon the comparing, driving the motor to rotate the motor shaft; and by the clutch, coupling the motor shaft with the pinion in response to rotation of the motor shaft, thereby transmitting torque from the motor shaft to the pinion and urging the pinion toward the desired rotational position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor chip for detecting a target molecule in a sample. The sensor chip includes a substrate having a surface and a layer of hydrogel particles immobilized on the substrate surface at two or more locations on the surface, wherein the hydrogel particles at a first location comprise a plurality of first probe molecules bound to the particles and the hydrogel particles at a second location comprise a plurality of second probe molecules bound to the particles. Systems that include the sensor chip, as well as methods of preparing and using the sensor chip, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary noise-reducing mechanism for door hardware includes a housing, a damper, and a stop. The door hardware includes a first component and a second component, and an operational movement of the door hardware causes relative movement of the first and second components. The housing is mounted to the first component, and the damper is mounted to the housing. The stop is mounted to the second component such that the stop engages the damper during the operational movement. The damper is configured to slow the operational movement, thereby reducing noise generated by operation of the door hardware.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a biosensor (10) having a photonic sensing device (20), a sheet of a porous material (60), and an optically clear cover layer (70). The optically clear cover layer (70) may be removable and replaceable, whereby the sheet of porous material (60) can be replaced, and the photonic sensing device (20) can be re-used. Detection devices (810, 910) that include the biosensor (10), as well as methods of making and using the biosensor (10) are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary method relates to operating a door closer assembly including a closer body, a pinion rotatably mounted to the closer body, a motor including a motor shaft, and a bidirectional clutch connected between the pinion and the motor shaft. The method generally involves permitting, by the clutch, rotation of the pinion in each of a first direction and a second direction without transmitting rotation of the pinion in either direction to the motor shaft; sensing, with a sensor, a rotational position of the pinion; comparing, by a controller, the rotational position of the pinion with a desired rotational position; based upon the comparing, driving the motor to rotate the motor shaft; and by the clutch, coupling the motor shaft with the pinion in response to rotation of the motor shaft, thereby transmitting torque from the motor shaft to the pinion and urging the pinion toward the desired rotational position.

Abstract: This invention relates to dermatology and to treatments of infectious skin disease.

Abstract: Understanding the amount of exposure individuals have had to common chemical pollutants critically requires the ability to detect those compounds in a simple, sensitive, and specific manner. Doing so using label-free biosensor technology has proven challenging, however, given the small molecular weight of many pollutants of interest. To address this issue, a pollutant microarray based on the label-free Arrayed Imaging Reflectometry (AIR) detection platform was developed. The sensor that has undergone a two-step blocking process is able to detect three common environmental contaminants (benzo[a]pyrene (200), bisphenol A (202), and acrolein (204 and 206) in human serum via a competitive binding scheme.

Abstract: An exemplary method relates to operating a door closer assembly including a closer body, a pinion rotatably mounted to the closer body, a motor including a motor shaft, and a bidirectional clutch connected between the pinion and the motor shaft. The method generally involves permitting, by the clutch, rotation of the pinion in each of a first direction and a second direction without transmitting rotation of the pinion in either direction to the motor shaft; sensing, with a sensor, a rotational position of the pinion; comparing, by a controller, the rotational position of the pinion with a desired rotational position; based upon the comparing, driving the motor to rotate the motor shaft; and by the clutch, coupling the motor shaft with the pinion in response to rotation of the motor shaft, thereby transmitting torque from the motor shaft to the pinion and urging the pinion toward the desired rotational position.

Abstract: An exemplary latchbolt assembly includes a latchbolt, a locking sleeve, and a roller engaged between the latchbolt and the locking sleeve. The latchbolt is configured to drive the roller from a first position to a second position as the latchbolt moves from a projected position to a depressed position. The locking sleeve includes a blocking surface and a recessed portion. When the blocking surface is aligned with the roller, the locking sleeve retains the roller in the first position, thereby retaining the latchbolt in the projected position. When the recessed portion is aligned with the roller, the locking sleeve permits movement of the roller from the first position to the second position, thereby enabling depression of the latchbolt.

Abstract: An example exit device includes a mounting assembly configured for mounting to a door, a pushbar movably mounted to the mounting assembly, a latchbolt mounted to the mounting assembly for movement between an extended position and a retracted position, and a rocker lever engaged between the pushbar and the latchbolt such that the pushbar is operable to move the latchbolt between the extended position and the retracted position. The exit device further includes impact dampener mounted to the exit device and configured to dampen impact between a first component of the exit device and a second component of the exit device during movement of the first component relative to the second component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a biosensor that involves providing a substrate including a surface having a topographical pattern formed at one or more sites on or in the surface, coating the substrate with a solution including hydrogel particles, wherein the hydrogel particles self-assemble on the surface to mask the surface except at the one or more sites, and binding one or more capture molecules to the one or more sites to form the biosensor. Systems that include the biosensor, as well as methods of using the biosensor, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for regulating pressure in one or more vessels by adapting a fluid input to receive a fluid from a fluid source such as an air compressor at a constant pressure. At least one fluid outlet assembly is used to attach the system to a vessel such as a bike tire, ball, or car tire. At least one controllable valve is used to couple the fluid outlet assembly to the fluid input, the valve is controllable to pulsate air going through it, check the new pressure in the vessel, and either continue to increase pressure in the vessel, decrease pressure, or stop inflating. A pressure sensor corresponding to a fluid outlet assembly adaptable to provide pressure values from each vessel to a controller. The controller receives at least one desired pressure input, compares that value to the pressure value from the at least one pressure sensor, and selectively energizes the controllable valve to adjust the pressure in the corresponding vessel until the pressure within the vessel is equal to the desired pressure.