Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a medical score are disclosed. In some embodiments, an accurate medical score is generated within a relatively short period of time. The medical score can be derived from observational data and/or physiological time-series data collected from a subject. In some embodiments, a scoring system accesses the data, and at least a portion of the data is used in the calculation of the medical score. In certain embodiments, health care providers can use the medical score to make early predictions of complications in intensive care unit patients.

Abstract: A surgical access device facilitates access to a surgical site within a patient's body through an incision in the body. Surgical access devices can have a first retention member and a second retention member with a pliable membrane that extends between the first retention member and the second retention member. A retention member can include at least three linkages pivotably coupled to one another such that expanding the retention member causes at least some of the linkages to pivot relative to one another. The pliable membrane can be configured to expand the incision to facilitate access to the surgical site.

Abstract: A surgical access system facilitates access to a surgical site within a patient's body through an incision in the body. Surgical access systems can have at least one retention member and a fluid transportation member configured to deliver fluid to a surgical site or to remove fluid from a surgical site. In some embodiments, a surgical access device irrigates a surgical site to reduce surgical site infections and removes fluid from the surgical site to increase a physician's visibility into the surgical site.

Abstract: Several methods to reduce surgical site infections include inserting a surgical access device into an incision, retracting tissue, and introducing fluid into the surgical access device such that the fluid exits the surgical access device and irrigates a surgical site. Other methods do not include introducing fluid into a surgical access device but include suctioning a fluid into the surgical access device and removing the fluid from the body.

Abstract: Disclosed are nanostructured gold films which may be produced by solution-phase depositions of gold ions onto a variety of surfaces. The resulting plasmonic gold films are used for enhanced spectroscopic-based immunoassays in multiplexed microarray format with detection mechanisms based on either surface-enhanced Raman scattering or near-infrared fluorescence enhancement. The preparation of the films and subsequent modifications of the gold film surfaces afford increased sensitivity for various microarrays. The films are discontinuous, forming gold “islands.” Sensitivity, size, shape, and density of the nanoscopic gold islands comprising the discontinuous nanostructured gold film are controlled to enhance the intensity of Raman scattering and fluorescence in the near-infrared, allowing for improved measurements in clinical diagnostic or biomedical research applications.

Abstract: Image data is processed to facilitate focusing and/or optical correction. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, an imaging arrangement collects light data corresponding to light passing through a particular focal plane. The light data is collected using an approach that facilitates the determination of the direction from which various portions of the light incident upon a portion of the focal plane emanate from. Using this directional information in connection with value of the light as detected by photosensors, an image represented by the light is selectively focused and/or corrected.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for inducing cell membrane wounding, cell permeabilization and cell killing are provided. The composition comprises a polyvalent agent that binds to a highly expressed cell surface antigen present on the surface of a cell. Preferably, the cell surface antigen is associated with the cytoskeleton of the cell. A preferred polyvalent agent is an IgM, and enhanced cell wounding and killing can be provided by the addition of a crosslinking agent. At sublethal concentrations in vivo, the cell wounding antibodies permeabilize cells and dramatically enhance response to chemotherapeutic agents, even in patients refractory to the chemotherapeutic agents.

Abstract: The formation of scars at a wound site is reduced by contacting the wound site with an effective dose of an inhibitor of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activity or expression. Blockade of FAK is sufficient to prevent mechanical and inflammatory stimuli from activating MCP-1 pathways. In addition to these chemokine-mediated mechanisms, inhibition of FAK may control fibrosis by blocking fibroblast collagen production. Pharmacologic blockade of FAK significantly reduces scar formation in vivo.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits for determining the developmental potential of one or more embryos or pluripotent cells and/or the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in one or more embryos or pluripotent cells are provided. These methods, compositions and kits find use in identifying embryos and oocytes in vitro that are most useful in treating infertility in humans.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for dynamically stabilizing the spine are provided. The devices include an expandable spacer having an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the spacer has axial and radial dimensions for positioning between the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae. The systems include one or more spacers and a mechanical actuation means for delivering and deploying the spacer. The methods involve the implantation of one or more spacers within the interspinous space.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits for determining the developmental potential of one or more embryos or pluripotent cells and/or the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in one or more embryos or pluripotent cells are provided. These methods, compositions and kits find use in identifying embryos and oocytes in vitro that are most useful in treating infertility in humans.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method comprising receiving an image; filtering the image by a first filter to obtain a set of first filtered values and by a second filter to obtain a set of second filtered values. The first filtered values are stored. An algorithm is applied to the set of first filtered values and the set of second filtered values to obtain a set of results. At least one local maximum, local minimum or both of the results are searched to determine a location of an interest point. A descriptor is determined for a detected interest point on the basis of the stored one or more first filtered values. The disclosure also relates to an apparatus and a storage medium.

Abstract: Compounds that are inhibitors of the unfolded protein response and endonuclease IRE1 are provided, together with compositions comprising such compounds, and methods for their use in the treatment of various disorders, such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, and diabetes. Also provided are packaged pharmaceuticals comprising these compositions. The compositions may be administered in combination with another therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A method of fabricating single-crystalline metal silicide nanowires for anti-reflective electrodes for photovoltaics is provided that includes exposing a surface of a metal foil to oxygen or hydrogen at an elevated temperature, and growing metal silicide nanowires on the metal foil surface by flowing a silane gas mixture over the metal foil surface at the elevated temperature, where spontaneous growth of the metal silicide nanowires occur on the metal foil surface, where the metal silicide nanowires are post treated for use as an electrode in a photovoltaic cell or used directly as the electrode in the photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward methods, systems, and apparatus that include an optical detection node to pass light through the optical pathway to the optical detection node where the light is detectable. At least one focusing element is provided to pass the light along the optical pathway, and at least one optical mask is used to provide spatially-varying modulation on the light passing along the optical pathway. The light passing along the optical pathway is redirected and modified to create a spiral point spread function at the optical detection node for estimating a distance to an object that is characterized at least in part by the light passing along the optical pathway.

Abstract: A method detects an acceleration. The method includes providing a spatial mode filter positioned such that light emitted from the spatial mode filter is reflected by at least a portion of a reflective surface. The spatial mode filter and the portion of the reflective surface form an optical resonator having an optical resonance with a resonance lineshape. The method further includes emitting light from the spatial mode filter and irradiating the portion of the reflective surface. The portion of the reflective surface is responsive to acceleration of the optical resonator by changing curvature. The method further includes measuring a change of the resonance lineshape due to the acceleration of the optical resonator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel glycan marker of cancer and monoclonal antibodies against it. Furthermore, novel glycan markers and their use in the detection and monitoring of cancerous cells and cancer-associated or specific antibody signatures are described.

Abstract: Digital images are computed using an approach for correcting lens aberration. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a digital imaging arrangement implements microlenses to direct light to photosensors that detect the light and generate data corresponding to the detected light. The generated data is used to compute an output image, where each output image pixel value corresponds to a selective weighting and summation of a subset of the detected photosensor values. The weighting is a function of characteristics of the imaging arrangement. In some applications, the weighting reduces the contribution of data from photosensors that contribute higher amounts of optical aberration to the corresponding output image pixel.

Abstract: Transglutaminase inhibitors and methods of use thereof are provided.

Abstract: A variety of methods, devices, systems and arrangements are implemented involving nanowire meshes. One such method is implemented to include synthesizing metal nanowires in a solution containing a structure-directing agent. The metal nanowires are deposited on a substrate to form a sheet of nanowires. The deposited metal nanowires are heated to a temperature less than about 200 degrees Celsius and for a period of time of about 10 minutes to 60 minutes, thereby removing the structure-directing agent and modifying the electrical conductivity and optical transmittance of the sheet of nanowires.