Abstract: A polymer formed by controlled radical polymerization includes groups that can be modified after controlled radical polymerization to form a radical. The polymer can be the reaction product of a controlled radical polymerization of radically polymerizable monomers, wherein at least one of the radically polymerizable monomers includes at least one group that can be modified after the controlled radical polymerization to form a radical. A compound includes a first group that is stimulated upon application of energy to the molecule to tether the molecule to a surface or to another polymer chain and a second group comprising a controlled radical polymerization initiator functionality. A block copolymer includes at least a first segment to impart a predetermined functionality to a target surface and at least a second segment including functional groups to interact with the targeted surface to attach the block copolymer to the surface.

Abstract: A vehicle convoy system for use in connection with a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes at least one drive mechanism to impart drive to the vehicle, includes at least a first processor that is adapted to be placed in operative or communicative connection with the drive mechanism to effect control of the drive mechanism based upon data of the position of a leading vehicle in front of the vehicle so that the vehicle moves to follow movement of the leading vehicle. The vehicle can, for example, be a self-propelled wheelchair.

Abstract: A method of improving the blood compatibility of a blood-contacting surface includes immobilizing carbonic anhydrase on the surface, wherein the surface exhibits carbonic anhydrase activity of at least 20% of maximum theoretical activity of the surface based on monolayer surface coverage of carbonic anhydrase.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing of a biocompatible and biodegradable polyurethane foam includes the steps of: mixing at least one biocompatible polyol, water, at least one stabilizer, and at least one cell opener, to form a resin mix; contacting the resin mix with at least one polyisocyanate to form a reactive liquid mixture; and reacting the reactive liquid mixture form a polyurethane foam. The polyurethane foam is preferably biodegradable within a living organism to biocompatible degradation products. At least one biologically active molecule having at least one active hydrogen can be added to form the resin mix.

Abstract: A method for instructing mathematics includes providing a work surface to a visually impaired student; providing a plurality of movable elements for use in connection with the work surface, each of the movable elements comprising on a front surface thereof at least a portion of a visible mathematical symbol readable via eyesight, each of the movable elements further comprising Braille indicia on the front surface thereof corresponding to the at least a portion of the visible mathematical symbol, each of the moveable elements being movable to any position on the work surface; and having the student arrange a plurality of the moveable element on the work surface to form a standard mathematical expression wherein the mathematical expression comprises multiple lines set forth in a vertical arrangement.

Abstract: A defibrillation system for use in treatment of ventricular fibrillation includes at least one sensor to measure heart rhythm; at least one applicator to apply a defibrillation pulse to a patient; and at least one processor in communication with the sensor and the applicator to determine a first value related to the rate of change of a leading edge of a lagged phase space reconstruction of ventricular fibrillation heart rhythm measured over a period of time.

Abstract: A device for removal of at least a portion of carbon dioxide from an aqueous fluid includes at least one membrane through which carbon dioxide can pass to be removed from the fluid and immobilized carbonic anhydrase on or in the vicinity of a first surface of the membrane to be contacted with the fluid such that the immobilized carbonic anhydrase comes into contact with the fluid. The first surface exhibits carbonic anhydrase activity of at least 20% of maximum theoretical activity of the first surface of the membrane based on monolayer surface coverage of carbonic anhydrase in the case that the carbonic anhydrase is immobilize on the first surface.

Abstract: A composition includes at least one biologically active agent covalently attached to a first polymerizing molecule that is adapted to undergo a free radical polymerization. The first polymerizing molecule retains the ability to undergo free radical polymerization after attachment of the bioactive agent thereto. The first polymerizing molecule is preferably biocompatible. The polymerizing molecule can, for example. be dihydroxyphenyl-L-alanine (DOPA) or tyrosine. The composition can also include a second component synthesized by reacting at least one core molecule having a plurality of reactive hydrogen groups with at least one multi-isocyanate functional molecule to create a conjugate including terminal isocyanate groups. The conjugate molecule is reacted with a second polymerizing molecule that is adapted to undergo a free radical polymerization. The second polymerizing molecule includes a reactive hydrogen to react with the isocyanate groups of the conjugate.

Abstract: A method for joining nanotubes end-to-end, includes contacting the nanotubes with a joining fluid. The joining fluid has at least one property that is different from at least one property associated with ends of the nanotubes. In one embodiment, the method further includes contacting the nanotubes with a first, treating fluid and removing the bulk first fluid before the nanotubes are contacted with the joining fluid. The joining fluid is immiscible in the treating fluid to effect end-to-end joining of the nanotubes.

Abstract: A compound having the formula in racemic form, enantiomerically enriched form or enantiomerically pure form, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: A compound of the following structure: wherein R1 is H, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, or a halogen atom; R2 is H, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a benzyl group, a trityl group, —SiRaRbRc, CH2ORd, or CORe; Ra, Rb and Rc are independently an alkyl group or an aryl group; Rd is an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxylalkyl group, —RiSiRaRbRc or a benzyl group, wherein Ri is an alkylene group; Re is an alkyl group, an allyl group, a benzyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, or —NRgRh, wherein Rg and Rh are independently H, an alkyl group or an aryl group; R3 is (CH2)n where n is and integer in the range of 0 to 5, —CH2CH(CH3)—, —CH?CH—, —CH?C(CH3)—, or —C?C—; R4 ?wherein y1 and y2 are 1 and y3, y4 and y5 are independently 0 or 1, Rk1, Rk2, Rk3, Rk4 and Rk5 are independently H, CH3, or OR2a, and Rs1, Rs2, Rs3, and Rs4 are independently H or CH3, wherein R2a is H, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a benzyl group, a trityl group, —SiRaRbRc, CH2ORd, or CORe; and R5 is

Abstract: A device for securing a filter element within a housing of a separation system, wherein the housing has an inner wall and includes therein a filter seating to seat the filter element, includes at least one sealing member adapted to form a sealing connection with the filter element and a sealing connection with the inner wall of the housing. The device further includes at least one compression member to compress the elastomeric sealing member to form the sealing connection with the filter and the sealing connection with the inner wall of the housing.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for managing documents includes the steps of: creating a document profile that includes fields of attributes of a document and generating a unique identifier for the document. The unique identifier includes at least a first portion including information descriptive of an attribute of the document and at least a second portion including an automatically generated number. The method preferably further includes the step of storing the document profile for the document.

Abstract: A method of separating compounds, includes: a. tagging at least a first organic compound with a first tagging moiety to result in a first tagged compound; b. tagging at least a second organic compound with a second tagging moiety different from the first tagging moiety to result in a second tagged compound, the first tagging moiety and the second tagging moiety including at least one of a common repeat unit, but having a different number of the repeat units therein, the greater the number of repeat units, the greater the polarity of the tagging moiety; and c. separating the first tagged compound from a mixture including at least the second tagged compound using a chromatographic separation technique based upon differences in the number of repeat units between the first tagging moiety and the second tagging moiety.

Abstract: A device for removal of at least a portion of carbon dioxide from an aqueous fluid includes at least one membrane through which carbon dioxide can pass to be removed from the fluid and immobilized carbonic anhydrase on or in the vicinity of a first surface of the membrane to be contacted with the fluid such that the immobilized carbonic anhydrase comes into contact with the fluid. The first surface exhibits carbonic anhydrase activity of at least 20% of maximum theoretical activity of the first surface of the membrane based on monolayer surface coverage of carbonic anhydrase in the case that the carbonic anhydrase is immobilize on the first surface.