Abstract: Methods and delivery agents for treatment of connective tissue that includes elastic fibers are described. Delivery agents are nano- or micro-sized particles that include a biologically active compound useful in treatment of degraded elastic fibers, and an anchoring agent at a surface that binds at or near the area of degraded elastic fibers. The delivery agents may be utilized for targeted delivery of biologically active compounds to degraded elastic fibers so as to maintain and/or regenerate the elastin component of connective tissue, and to prevent further degradation and/or rehabilitate the structural architecture of the connective tissue.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an analyte concentration in liquid is provided. The system includes a coupon comprising an absorbent body with a window through the absorbent body wherein the liquid is maintained in said window by capillary action and surface tension. A reactant is in the absorbent body wherein the reactant is capable of diffusing into the window to react with an analyte in the liquid, or the reactant is able to react with the analyte within the coupon itself, with color-indicating by-products of the reaction diffusing into the window, wherein the analyte is present in an analyte concentration, to form a reactant with a color wherein the color has an intensity which correlates to the analyte concentration. A light source is provided which is capable of passing light into the window wherein the light is attenuated by the color proportional to the analyte concentration to form attenuated light. A detector is provided which is capable measuring an intensity of the attenuated light.

Abstract: Hydrothermal methods for the synthesis of bulk crystals of alkaline earth metal stannates are described. Methods can be utilized for growth of large, single crystals of alkaline earth metal stannates including fully cubic BaSnO3 and SrSnO3.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other aspects, functionalized chromophoric polymer dots comprising a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic cap, and bioconjugates thereof. Also provided are improved methods for preparing functionalized chromophoric polymer dots. Methods for in vivo imaging and molecular labeling are also disclosed.

Abstract: Bioreactors and components of bioreactors are described as may be beneficially utilized in development and conditioning of cellular materials for study or implant. The bioreactors are modular, and components of the bioreactors can be easily assembled with alternatives provided to develop specific, predetermined conditioning environments for cellular materials (e.g., implantable tissue). By selection of one of multiple alternative compliance chambers, a bioreactor can be utilized to condition tissue in a low-pressure circuit (e.g., a pulmonary heart circuit), and by utilization of an alternative compliance chamber, the bioreactor can instead condition tissue in a high-pressure circuit (e.g., an aortic heart circuit).

Abstract: This system is directed to a computerized system for development of textiles with modified physical properties through stitching and can include a set of non-transitory computer readable instructions configured for: receiving a design pattern representing desired physical properties of a textile having a higher stiffness area and a lower stiffness area; developing a contiguous stitching pattern constrained by a pattern perimeter boundary and having a continuous stitching path, developing a first stiffness area within the contiguous stitching pattern having a first area of density, developing a second stiffness area within the contiguous stitching pattern having a second area of density wherein the first area of density has more stitch density than the second area of density, and transmitting the contiguous stitching pattern to an embroidery machine configured to provide a textile having the contiguous stitching pattern incorporating into the textile.

Abstract: Implantable sensors for determining bone health that can be utilized in conjunction with orthopedic implants are described. The sensors can include passive strain gauges or passive chemical sensors that can be read by radiographic imaging techniques. Sensors can be affixed to implantable support devices so as to non-invasively monitor the effect of load on the implant; for instance, to provide a quantitative assessment of when a fracture is sufficiently healed to allow safe weight-bearing upon the limb. Alternatively, sensors can monitor the health of a local implant area; for instance, to monitor the implant area of early stage infection or healing of a fusion procedure.

Abstract: Provided herein are multi-functional particles. The particles may include poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-g-polyethylenimine (PLGA-g-PEI (PgP)), at least one targeting moiety, at least one therapeutic agent, and/or at least one nucleic acid. Also provided herein are methods of using the multi-functional particles.

Abstract: A relatively fast, inexpensive, and non-destructive method for separation and isolation of biologically active nanoparticles is described. Methods include the use of solid phase separation medis such as channeled fibers in a hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) protocol to isolate biologically active nanoparticles from other components of a mixture. Biologically active nanoparticles can include natural nanoparticles (e.g., exosomes, lysosomes, virus particles) as well as synthetic nanoparticles (liposomes, genetically modified virus particles, etc.

Abstract: This system is designed to color correct a targeted color or colors in a video stream comprising: a computer device having a computer readable medium; and, a set of computer readable instructions embodied on the computer readable medium that are configured to: receive a dataset that includes one or more pairs of video frames where a first frame of the pair of an incorrect color frame and the second frame of the pair is a color correct frame, using a machine learning module to create a mask according to the dataset, receiving an image, correcting the image, and, transmitting the corrected image to a display.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for selectively controlling or modifying the growth of Poa annua in a turfgrass using a composition comprising an herbicidally-effective amount tebuconazole, or a salt thereof.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the separation of hydrogen isotopes from one another are described. Methods include utilization of a hydrogen isotope selective separation membrane that includes a hydrogen isotope selective layer (e.g., graphene) and a hydrogen ion conductive supporting layer. An electronic driving force encourages passage of isotopes selectively across the membrane at an elevated separation temperature to enrich the product in a selected hydrogen isotope.

Abstract: Yield monitoring systems for round baling machines and methods that can provide weight estimations for round bales at the time of formation are described. Balers can include those that incorporate hydraulically actuated bale kicking or pushing assemblies as well as those that incorporate spring-loaded off ramps. Farm implements including baling machines and cotton module builders are encompassed. The system includes a sensor that can ascertain a physical parameter associated with ejection of a round bale from the farm implement. Physical parameters as may be ascertained can include pressures, velocities, accelerations, etc. associated with bale ejection.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an analyte concentration in liquid is provided. The system includes a coupon comprising an absorbent body with a window through the absorbent body wherein the liquid is maintained in said window by capillary action and surface tension. A reactant is in the absorbent body wherein the reactant is capable of diffusing into the window to react with an analyte in the liquid, or the reactant is able to react with the analyte within the coupon itself, with color-indicating by-products of the reaction diffusing into the window, wherein the analyte is present in an analyte concentration, to form a reactant with a color wherein the color has an intensity which correlates to the analyte concentration. A light source is provided which is capable of passing light into the window wherein the light is attenuated by the color proportional to the analyte concentration to form attenuated light. A detector is provided which is capable measuring an intensity of the attenuated light.

Abstract: Apparatus include an atmospheric pressure glow discharge (APGD) analyte electrode defining an analyte discharge axis into an APGD volume, and a plurality of APGD counter electrodes having respective electrical discharge ends directed to the APGD volume, wherein the APGD analyte electrode and the APGD counter electrodes are configured to produce an APGD plasma in the APGD volume with a voltage difference between the APGD analyte electrode and one or more of the AGPD counter electrodes. An electrode can be integrated into an ion inlet. Apparatus can be configured to perform auto-ignition and/or provide multi-modal operation through selectively powering electrodes. Electrode holder devices are disclosed. Related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A force generator applying a force load against a facemask. A first load cell carrying a first portion of the facemask at an attachment point of the facemask where the facemask is attachable to a helmet. A second load cell carrying a second portion of the facemask at another attachment point of the facemask where the facemask is attachable to a helmet. A first attachment platform carrying the first load cell, wherein the first attachment platform is laterally movable in at least two degrees of freedom. A second attachment platform carrying the second load cell, wherein the second attachment platform is laterally movable in at least two degrees of freedom. The force generator directs the contact plate against the facemask to cause a horizontal deformation of the facemask and a lateral movement of the attachment platforms to allow for repeatable force load testing on a single facemask.

Abstract: Provided is a copolymer exhibiting self-healing properties. The copolymer comprises first units comprising first pendant groups wherein the first pendant groups are alkyls having at least 1 to no more than 6 carbons. Second units comprising second pendant groups are alkyls having at least 2 to no more than 8 carbons. The first units and second units are in a molar ratio of 45/55 to 55/45 and the pendant groups form an inter-pendant space having a volume of at least 80 Ang.3 to no more than 140 Ang.3. The copolymer comprises no more than 3 adjacent first units and no more than 3 adjacent second units.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting metal clips inserted within a portion of a body of a patient are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a clip detector assembly includes a detector having a ferrous member, a transmitting coil around the ferrous member and configured to induce a current in the metal clip, and a receiving coil around the ferrous member and configured to receive a magnetic field generated by the current induced in the metal clip. The assembly can further include a control circuit having a band-pass filter configured to pass electrical signals induced by the magnetic field from the receiving coil that are within at most 35 kHz of a resonance frequency of the metal clip. The assembly still further includes a user notification component configured to alert a user to a location of the metal clip.

Abstract: Devices and methods for super-resolution optical microscopy are described. Devices include an optical multiplexer to develop an excitation/illumination optical beam that includes alternating pulses of different profiles. Devices also include a signal processing unit to process a sample response to excitation/illumination beam and to subtract the neighboring pulses of the different profiles from one another on a pulse-to-pulse basis. Devices can be incorporated in existing confocal microscopy designs. As the subtraction effectively reduces the volume of the response signal, the spatial resolution of the systems can be markedly improved as compared to previously known optical microscopy approaches.

Abstract: A composite filament for use in additive manufacturing such as fused filament fabrication is described along with methods of its construction and use. The composite filament includes a single continuous filament (e.g., a continuous carbon roving) and a polymer (e.g., a high glass transition polymer) in intimate contact. The composite filament is formed through immersion of the continuous filament in a solution of the polymer. The composite filament can be combined with an additional formation material in an additive manufacturing process.