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 prevent further degradation and/or rehabilitate the structural architecture of the connective tissue.

Abstract: Methods for developing a decellularized tissue and biomaterials for use as biomimetic grafts or in vitro cellular scaffolds formed with the decellularized tissue are described. The biomaterials are particularly well suited for use as an intervertebral disc graft. The decellularized tissue is formed from an intervertebral disc source tissue and can be substantially decellularized and substantially free of potential immunogenic material (e.g., DNA and RNA), while maintaining ECM materials including both glycosaminoglycan and collagen.

Abstract: Implantable sensors for determining bone health are described that can be utilized in conjunction with orthopedic implants. 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: Tissue holders that can be used for gripping natural or synthetic heart valves are described. The tissue holder can include a clamping mechanism and a spring and can be self-adjusting with regard to pressure applied to the tissue gripped in the holder. The tissue holder can be removably attached to systems for processing the tissues and can provide completely hands-free processing of a tissue from development or excisement to implantation and/or completion of testing.

Abstract: A system includes a first energy storage device, a second energy storage device coupled to the first energy storage device and charged via a charging current from the first energy storage device, a power controller having a processor, a memory coupled to the processor and on which charging current instructions are stored, and a converter coupled to the processor and directed via switch control signals from the processor, and an output terminal via which power is provided to a load of the system. The converter is disposed between the first energy storage device and the output terminal. The converter is disposed between the first and second energy storage devices and configured to control a level of the charging current in accordance with the switch control signals. The charging current instructions are executed by the processor to cause the processor to generate the switch control signals such that the level of the charging current is regulated.

Abstract: Materials and methods for prevention of biofouling are described that incorporate the presence of a conotoxin peptide on a surface. The conotoxin peptide is either directly or indirectly adhered to the surface and interferes with the ability of biofouling organisms to settle on the surface.

Abstract: Single-step synthesis processes for production of ultrahigh molecular weight block copolymers are described. The ultrahigh molecular weight copolymers can have a molecular weight of about 106 or greater and can be formed within a few hours in a surfactant-free environment. The formation process is controlled by initiator-starvation conditions in a sequential polymerization of monomers exhibiting different solubility in the solvent.

Abstract: An improved DC circuit breaker is provided for automatically detecting and isolating a fault between a source and a ground. The DC circuit breaker comprises at least one switch, in electrical series with a first inductor between the source and a load, and a second inductor magnetically coupled to the first inductor wherein a first side of the second inductor is electrically connected to the load and a second side of the second inductor is grounded through a capacitor.

Abstract: Systems and methods that establish a pressure differential across a tissue wall to encourage complete decellularization of the wall are described. The methods can be utilized for decellularization of blood vessel tissue including heart valves and surrounding tissues. The methods and systems can essentially completely decellularize the treated tissue segments. Systems can be utilized to decellularize one or multiple tissue segments at a single time.

Abstract: A silicon-based anode comprising silicon, a carbon coating that coats the surface of the silicon, a polyvinyl acid that binds to at least a portion of the silicon, and vinylene carbonate that seals the interface between the silicon and the polyvinyl acid. Because of its properties, polyvinyl acid binders offer improved anode stability, tunable properties, and many other attractive attributes for silicon-based anodes, which enable the anode to withstand silicon cycles of expansion and contraction during charging and discharging.

Abstract: Described is an elemental analysis system and methods for use thereof that can be utilized in examination of samples in their native state. The systems utilize a liquid sampling—atmospheric pressure glow discharge (LS-APGD) device for ambient desorption sampling and excitation of a solid sample in combination with optical emission detection. This approach can find application across a broad spectrum of analytical challenges including metals, soils, and volume-limited samples.

Abstract: A liquid sampling, atmospheric pressure, glow discharge (LS-APGD) device as well as systems that incorporate the device and methods for using the device and systems are described. The LS-APGD includes a hollow capillary for delivering an electrolyte solution to a glow discharge space. The device also includes a counter electrode in the form of a second hollow capillary that can deliver the analyte into the glow discharge space. A voltage across the electrolyte solution and the counter electrode creates the microplasma within the glow discharge space that interacts with the analyte to move it to a higher energy state (vaporization, excitation, and/or ionization of the analyte).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for determining the amount of material contained in a windrow. In particular embodiments, the methods and systems are applicable to agricultural applications, and in particular to hay yield monitoring. Systems include a remote sensing technology to determine windrow height. Remote sensing methods can include ultrasonic sensors, optical sensors, and the like. Systems can provide real time yield data.

Abstract: Orthotics and methods for forming orthotics are described. The orthotics can be designed with a patient-specific design and can include variation in hardness across the orthotic so as to satisfy clinical need. An orthotic can be a custom-designed orthotic formed according to an additive manufacturing process such as a 3-D printing methodology. Through utilization of on-site formation methods such as 3-D printing, an orthotic can be designed, formed and fit at the point of care in a much shorter time period than traditional orthotics. The orthotics can include a layer that includes a plurality of cells across the layer. The layer can exhibit variable hardness across the layer through variation in cell void volume and optionally material of formation across the layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for determining the amount of material contained in a windrow. In particular embodiments, the methods and systems are applicable to agricultural applications, and in particular to hay yield monitoring. Systems include a remote sensing technology to determine windrow height. Remote sensing methods can include ultrasonic sensors, optical sensors, and the like. Systems can provide real time yield data.

Abstract: A building framing system includes a floor portion or floor framing system, a wall portion or wall framing system, and a roof portion or roof framing system. Each framing system comprises a plurality of components. Each component defines a connection geometry for connecting one component to another. The connection geometries are such that mechanical or other similar fasteners are not required to hold the various components together; rather, the connection geometries connect the components and hold them in place with respect to one another. Further, the framing systems utilize pre-cut components such that the components of each framing system arrive onsite cut to a needed length and width and with the appropriate connection geometry.

Abstract: A refractive index device and method of making it include obtaining a glass structure comprising a plurality of nucleation sites. The glass structure is formed from a glass composition that comprises a first chemical component and a second chemical component. A crystal of the second chemical component has a different second refractive index from a first refractive index of the first chemical component. Each nucleation site defines where a crystal of the second chemical component can be grown. The method includes causing crystals of the second chemical component to grow in situ at a set of the plurality of nucleation sites in order to produce a spatial gradient of a refractive index in the glass structure.

Abstract: A silicon-based anode comprises an alginate-containing binder. The many carboxy groups of alginate bind to a surface of silicon, creating strong, rigid hydrogen bonds that withstand battery cycling. The alginate-containing binder provides good performance to the anode by (1) improving the capacity of the anode in comparison to other commercially-available binders, (2) improving Columbonic efficiency during charging and discharging cycles, and (3) improving stability during charging and discharging cycles.

Abstract: Invention is directed to a method of extruding an omni-phobic filament comprising: extruding a co-polymer filament having a first polymer at a core having generally a circular cross-section, and a second polymer disposed at a perimeter of the core wherein the second polymer is dissolvable; creating channels disposed at the perimeter of the core by dissolving the second polymer; creating trapezoidal cross-section features having a distal angle less than 70°, a top edge greater than a side length and a bottom length less than the side length; and adding nano-sized particles to at least one of the top edge and one or more sides or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Single heterogeneous crystals are described that contain multiple regimes, adjacent regimes varying from one another with regard to function. Also disclosed is a hydrothermal epitaxial growth process that can be utilized to form the single heterogeneous crystals. The single heterogeneous crystals can exhibit enhanced performance when used as a laser gain medium as compared to previously known single crystals and multi-crystal constructs. The heterogeneous single crystal can be utilized for thin disk lasers and can minimize the thermal distortion effects at high powers. The heterogeneous crystal can also serve as an embedded waveguide.