Abstract: A hollow rod developable actuator tool including a cylinder defining the outer circumference of the hollow rod, a first tool mechanism, and a second tool mechanism. The hollow rod developable actuator tool transitions from a first closed state wherein the first tool mechanism and second tool mechanism are contained entirely within the outer circumference of the hollow rod to a second open state wherein the first tool mechanism and second tool mechanism extent outside the outer circumference of the hollow rod.

Abstract: A system comprises error microphones disposed in a predetermined pattern to capture audio signals including speech and one or more reference sensors to capture a reference noise signal from a noise source. A portion of the reference noise signal is removed from the captured audio signals to generate partially processed audio signals, which are paired to form signal pairs. For each signal pair, a modified cross-correlation vector, with effects of low frequency contents removed, is generated, then converted to a rotated angular domain cross-correlation vector based in part on a physical angle associated with locations of an associated pair of error microphones. The rotated angular domain cross-correlation vectors are summed, and a weighting vector is applied to the sum to identify direction information of a desired audio signal associated with the speech. The directional information is utilized to beamform the partially processed audio signals and output the desired audio signal.

Abstract: A multi-stage stent including a stent body and a bio-erodible material is provided. The stent body can be compressed in an initial state and the bio-erodible material can be coupled to the stent body in a configuration that holds the stent body in an expanded first state, following a first stage expansion from the initial state upon deployment of the stent body. Upon erosion of the bio-erodible material the stent body is released from the first state to expand further in a second stage expansion to a second state.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and/or device to select a depth within a body part to measure an impedance. The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include: a band configured to extend at least partially around a body part of a user; a user interface coupled to the band; a miniaturized impedance sensor embedded in the band and positioned in the band to be pressed against the body part when the user wears the band, the miniaturized impedance sensor including an array of miniaturized electrodes, where the array of miniaturized electrodes is configured to measure an impedance at a depth within the body part and the depth corresponds to a subdermal feature within the body part; a processing device coupled to the band, where the processing device is configured to select the depth within the body part to measure an impedance; and an electrical circuit embedded in the band.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and/or device to determine a condition of a user using a spectrometer with a collimator on a glass substrate. The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include: a band comprising a shape, size, and flexibility designed for attaching the band to a body part of a user; a light source embedded in the band that emits light comprising a constituent wavelength that provides an indication of a feature of the body part; an optical sensor positioned in the band to receive the constituent wavelength; and a glass substrate oriented in the band to receive the light, the glass substrate comprising: an optical filter that comprises a passband to isolate the constituent wavelength from other wavelengths of the light; and a carbon nanotube grid structure comprising walls and through-channels, the carbon nanotube grid structure adhered to the glass substrate.

Abstract: A lamina emergent torsional (LET) joint that includes an integrated membrane to reduce, or eliminate, certain unwanted motions and/or displacements associated with the operation of the LET joint is disclosed. The membrane-integrated LET joint (i.e., M-LET) can be used as a hinge for a lamina emergent mechanism and/or as a surrogate fold for an origami application to ensure accurate and repeatable transitions from a planar (i.e., lamina) state to a non-planar (i.e., lamina-emergent) state, and vice versa.

Abstract: Methods of treating, reducing, or preventing lung infections and/or lung inflammation include identifying a patient in need of treatment and administering a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of at least one cationic steroid antimicrobial (CSA), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Treatment of cystic fibrosis lung infections, COPD lung infections, inflammation of the lungs in these patient populations, and lung scarring in these patient populations is also described.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and/or device to align a miniaturized impedance sensor over the muscular-walled tube of a user. The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include: a band comprising a shape, size, and flexibility designed for attaching the band to a body part of a user, where the body part includes a dermal layer and a muscular-walled tube; a miniaturized impedance sensor embedded in the band and positioned in the band to be pressed against a portion of the body part adjacent to the muscular-walled tube as the user wears the band, where the miniaturized impedance sensor may include two or more miniaturized electrode strips or an array of miniaturized electrode pillars; and an alignment device embedded in the band and configured in the band to align the miniaturized impedance sensor over the muscular-walled tube as the user wears the band.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for eliminating noise in non-invasive biological interrogation techniques may be described herein. A method may include taking a first set of measurements over a time period. The first set of measurements may be indicated by an electronic signal. The first set of measurements may correspond to a physiological characteristic of a subject. A change in the physiological characteristic of the subject may correspond to a change in a blood constituent of the subject. The method may include: taking a second set of measurements over the time period; correlating the first and second sets of measurements, wherein the correlating removes noise from the electronic signal; sectioning out the electronic signal; calculating an amplitude difference between two or more sections of the electronic signal; and determining a change in the amount of the blood constituent based on the difference.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating, reducing, or preventing a disease or symptom such as gingivitis, periodontitis, gastritis, colitis, ileitis, Crohn's disease, chronic inflammatory intestinal disease, inflammatory bowel syndrome, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, a gastric ulcer, a peptic ulcer, a buccal ulcer, a nasopharyngeal ulcer, an esophageal ulcer, a duodenal ulcer, a gastrointestinal ulcer, an autoimmune disorder, or pain. The method includes 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: An apparatus configured to perform non-destructive, electrical measurements on a plant stalk to detect and quantify internal damage is disclosed. This apparatus includes features to minimize misalignments that can negatively affect the precision and/or accuracy of the electrical measurements.

Abstract: A method of treating a subject having Alzheimer's disease can include assaying a biological medium obtained from the subject for a biomarker selected from the group consisting of Biomarker 1, Biomarker 2, Biomarker 3, Biomarker 4, Biomarker 5, Biomarker 6, Biomarker 7, Biomarker 8, Biomarker 9, Biomarker 10, Biomarker 11, and combinations thereof, where Biomarker 1 has a mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of 229.13, Biomarker 2 has a m/z of 514.38, Biomarker 3 has a m/z of 602.44, Biomarker 4 has a m/z of 620.42, Biomarker 5 has a m/z of 630.47, Biomarker 6 has a m/z of 703.56, Biomarker 7 has a m/z of 724.52, Biomarker 8 has a m/z of 778.54, Biomarker 9 has a m/z of 799.66, Biomarker 10 has a m/z of 824.60, and Biomarker 11 has a m/z of 842.61. The method can also include relating a characteristic of the biomarker to a presence of Alzheimer's disease in the subject and treating the subject for Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Spatially distributed optical excitation and integrated waveguides are used for ultrasensitive particle detection based on individual electrokinetic velocities of particles. In some embodiments, chip-integrated systems are used to identify individual particles (e.g., individual molecules) based on their velocity as they move through an optically interrogated channel. Molecular species may be identified and quantified in a fully integrated setting, allowing for particle analysis including molecular analysis that can operate at low copy numbers down to the level of single-cell lysates. In some embodiments, the single-particle velocimetry-based identification and/or separation techniques are applied to various diagnostic assays, including nucleic acids, metabolites, macromolecules, organelles, cell, synthetic markers, small molecules, organic polymers, hormones, peptides, antibodies, lipids, carbohydrates, inorganic and organic microparticles and nanoparticles, whole viruses, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein are directed towards vacuum-assisted toilet systems and methods of using the vacuum-assisted toilet systems. An example vacuum-assisted toilet system includes a toilet bowl defining an outlet and a flush valve fluidly coupled to the outlet. The vacuum-assisted toilet system also includes at least one water source fluidly coupled to the toilet bowl. The water source is configured to supply water to the toilet bowl. The vacuum-assisted toilet system also includes at least one water actuator coupled to the water source. The water actuator is configured to control the amount of water that is supplied by the water source to the toilet bowl. The vacuum-assisted toilet system also includes a controller that is configured to at least partially control the operation of one or more components of the vacuum-assisted toilet system, such as at least one of the flush valve or the water actuator.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and/or device for measuring a physiological condition of a user. The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include: a band configured to attach to a body part of a user; a housing coupled to the band; a processing device integrated into the band or disposed within the housing; an interface integrated into the band or disposed within the housing; and a miniaturized impedance sensor.

Abstract: A tool for friction bit joining a workpiece material includes a bit with a tapered pin and a non-cutting tip. The bit has a top surface opposite the pin with at least one feature recessed in, or extending from, the top surface and configured to transmit torque to the bit to rotate the bit around a rotational axis.

Abstract: Methods of treating, reducing, or preventing lung infections or lung inflammation include 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. Treatment of cystic fibrosis lung infections, COPD lung infections, inflammation of the lungs in these patient populations, and lung scarring in these patient populations is also described.

Abstract: An example barrier can be switchable between an at least partially collapsed state and at least partially expanded state (e.g., a deployed state). For example, the barrier can be formed from a continuous sheet and a plurality of rigid sections (e.g., rigid panels) attached or incorporated into the continuous sheet. The barrier can also include a plurality of hinges, such as hinge lines, between the panels that are formed from the continuous sheet. The hinges enable the barrier to be rigid foldable (e.g., the hinges can fold and unfold while the rigid sections remain stiff and rigid) between the expanded and collapsed states.

Abstract: Protein compositions for the treatment of cancer that concomitantly reduce metastasis are disclosed. The proteins include three functional domains for targeting cancer cells, promoting tumor cell adhesion, and signaling to CAR-T cells. Methods of using and making the proteins are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and/or device to determine a condition of a user using a miniaturized collimator. The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include: a carbon nanotube structure comprising a microtube that includes a set of aligned carbon nanotubes infiltrated by carbon and a through-channel, the carbon nanotube structure having a defined height to through-channel width aspect ratio, where: the defined height to through-channel width aspect ratio is based on a defined collimation to diffraction ratio; the set of aligned carbon nanotubes infiltrated by carbon is configured to absorb a first portion of light that travels through the through-channel at a first angle and impinges a side of a first through-channel portion; and the set of aligned carbon nanotubes infiltrated by the carbon is configured to allow a second portion of the light that enters the through-channel at a second angle to pass through the through-channel.