Abstract: A system and method for determining the concentration of zooplankton in a continuous zooplankton culture system. The system may include a transmissiometer, a sample tube, a first sample containing water and microalgae, and a second sample containing water, microalgae, and zooplankton. The concentration of zooplankton in the system may be calculated by comparing the transmissiometer output from the first sample and the second sample, wherein each of the outputs are obtained by moving each sample into the sample tube such that the transmissionmeter is positioned to take a reading across the tube.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 9, 2011
Date of Patent:
March 10, 2015
Assignee:
Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
Abstract: A system and method for detecting permittivity and conductivity boundaries within a high resolution spatial image of a material is presented. Electrical properties of a material, such as permittivity and conductivity, may assist in identification of physical properties of the material. Structural boundaries within tissue may be identified in spatial images, such as MR images. Image reconstruction algorithms may combine these structural boundaries with microwave images of the tissue to determine the permittivity and conductivity parameters within the structural boundaries. In the case of soft tissue, the microwave images may be captured simultaneously with the spatial images. The microwave images may be taken at a different time from the spatial image for rigid tissue. The method may be employed for two dimensional or three dimensional image reconstruction.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 9, 2011
Date of Patent:
March 10, 2015
Assignee:
Dartmounth College
Inventors:
Amir H. Golnabi, Keith D. Paulsen, Paul M. Meaney
Abstract: A system for processing signals to enhance patient audibility of a plurality of signals in an MRI environment is provided. The system includes an acoustic measuring device for measuring sound power levels generated by the M RI and a principal frequency component identifier for identifying principal frequencies measured by the acoustic measuring device. The system also includes an audio equalizer for controlling the amplitude and frequency of each of the plurality of signals in accordance with the principal frequencies. Further provided by the system is an attenuator for attenuating an overall sound level of the signals being processed and a dynamic range compression processor.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 7, 2014
Publication date:
March 5, 2015
Applicant:
The University of Vermont and State Agricultural College
Abstract: The invention provides nanoparticles containing a nucleic acid nanostructure, of defined shape and size, linked to a hydrophobic moiety and coated by lipids, compositions comprising the nanoparticles, and methods of producing and methods of using the nanoparticles.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 13, 2013
Publication date:
March 5, 2015
Applicant:
President and Fellows of Harvard College
Abstract: The invention relates to imaging agents, and in particular to multi-modal nanoparticle (NPIA) imaging agents offering magnetic, radionuclide and fluorescent imaging capabilities to exploit the complementary advantages of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and optical imaging (OI). The invention extends to these new types of agents per se, and to uses of such agents in various biomedical applications, such as in therapy and in diagnosis.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 28, 2014
Publication date:
March 5, 2015
Applicant:
King's College London
Inventors:
Xianjin Cui, Philip Blower, Mark A. Green
Abstract: A device is disclosed to reduce noise and temperature during measurements in cryostats comprising, the device comprising any of, or a combination of, the following PC boards, each conditioning a different frequency range: a RC-PC board having a two-stage RC filter in series with a surface-mounted pi-filter; a RF-PC board having a plurality of surface-mounted pi-filters in series, each configured with different low-frequency cutoff frequencies; and a Sapphire-PC board having a sapphire substrate having high heat conductivity at low temperature with thin metal films routed in a meandering fashion.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 27, 2013
Publication date:
March 5, 2015
Applicant:
President and Fellows of Harvard College
Abstract: The invention features methods for evaluating the conformation of a polymer, for example, for determining the conformational distribution of a plurality of polymers and to detect binding or denaturation events. The methods employ a nanopore which the polymer, e.g., a nucleic acid, traverses. As the polymer traverses the nanopore, measurements of transport properties of the nanopore yield data on the conformation of the polymer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 13, 2013
Date of Patent:
March 3, 2015
Assignee:
President and Fellows of Harvard College
Inventors:
Jene A. Golovchenko, Jiali Li, Derek Stein, Marc H. Gershow
Abstract: Method for making thin crystalline or polycrystalline layers. The method includes electrochemically etching a crystalline silicon template to form a porous double layer thereon, the double layer including a highly porous deeper layer and a less porous shallower layer. The shallower layer is irradiated with a short laser pulse selected to recrystallize the shallower layer resulting in a crystalline layer. Silicon is deposited on the recrystallized shallower layer and the silicon is irradiated with a short laser pulse selected to crystalize the silicon leaving a layer of crystallized silicon on the template. Thereafter, the layer of crystallized silicon is separated from the template. The process of the invention can be used to make optoelectronic devices.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 25, 2012
Date of Patent:
March 3, 2015
Assignees:
President and Fellows of Harvard College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Inventors:
Mark T. Winkler, Tonio Buonassisi, Riley E. Brandt, Michael J. Aziz, Austin Joseph Akey
Abstract: A method for measuring sea waves includes: transmitting ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic transmitter 2 provided on a buoy 1 into the sea, and receiving the ultrasonic waves from three transponders 3 on the seabed together with the time signals; detecting distances between the transponders 3 and the ultrasonic transmitter 2 based on the propagation time of the ultrasonic waves; high-pass filtering the distance data to extract a short-term fluctuation component; preparing and solving linear equations to determine the displacement in the height direction of the short-term fluctuation component and obtain a wave height.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 30, 2010
Date of Patent:
March 3, 2015
Assignees:
Hitachi Zosen Corporation, The University of Tokyo, Institute of National Colleges of Technology, Japan
Inventors:
Teruyuki Kato, Yukihiro Terada, Toshihide Miyake, Haruhiko Yoshida
Abstract: Compositions and methods for inhibiting translation are provided. Compositions, methods and kits for treating (1) cellular proliferative disorders, (2) non-proliferative, degenerative disorders, (3) viral infections, (4) disorders associated with viral infections, and/or (5) non-proliferative metabolic disorders such as type II diabetes where inhibition of translation initiation is beneficial using the compounds disclosed herein.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 28, 2011
Date of Patent:
March 3, 2015
Assignee:
President and Fellows of Harvard College
Inventors:
Michael Chorev, Bertal Huseyin Aktas, Jose A. Halperin, Gerhard Wagner
Abstract: The invention provides a genipin cross-linked fibrin gel. The ratio of genipin to fibrin in the gel ranges from about 0.1:1 to about 10:1 (genipin:fibrin). The gel can be hydrogel. Also provided is method for repairing tissue defects by administering the gel to site of tissue defect.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 2, 2011
Date of Patent:
March 3, 2015
Assignee:
University of Vermont and State Agricultural College
Inventors:
Rachel Schek, Arthur J. Michalek, James C. Iatridis
Abstract: The present invention, in some aspects, relates to systems and methods for determining oxidized proteins, including glutathionylated proteins such as S-glutathionylated proteins. The systems and methods of the invention can be used in vitro (e.g., in cell or tissue culture) or in vivo, for example, to diagnose a person having an oxidative stress condition. For instance, in some cases, the invention can be used to spatially determine the location and/or concentration of oxidized proteins within cells and/or tissues (e.g., through visual detection). In one set of embodiments, a glutathionylated or otherwise oxidized moiety on a protein may be reacted with a detection entity, which may be, for example, fluorescent, radioactive, electron-dense, able to bind to a signaling entity or a binding partner in order to produce a signal, etc.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 18, 2014
Publication date:
February 26, 2015
Applicants:
The University of Vermont and State Agricultural College, Universiteit Maastricht
Inventors:
Yvonne M. Janssen-Heininger, Niki Reynaert
Abstract: The present invention provides halofuginol, and derivatives and salts thereof, including diasteromerically enriched compositions thereof. The invention also provides pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions thereof as well as methods for using halofuginol and derivatives thereof in treating chronic inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, dry eye syndrome, fibrosis, scar formation, angiogenesis, viral infections, malaria, ischemic damage, transplant rejection, neurodegenerative diseases, T-cell neoplasms, and cosmetic conditions.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 11, 2013
Publication date:
February 26, 2015
Applicants:
President and Fellows of Harvard College, The General Hospital Corporation d/b/a Massachusetts General Hospital
Inventors:
Malcolm Whitman, Tracy Keller, Ralph Mazitschek
Abstract: A method of synthesizing cycloalkanyl[b]indoles, as well as related cycloalkanyl[b]benzofurans and cycloalkanyl[b]benzothiophenes is provided. The method is a single, multicomponent reaction that combines (1) an indole, benzofuran, or benzothiopene, (2) an aldehyde, ketone, or ketal, and (3) a diene in the presence of an acid, in particular a Ga(III) or In(III) salt. Compositions and methods of using these compounds to stimulate secretion and/or production of glucagon-like peptide-1 or inhibit the activity of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide receptor are also provided.
Abstract: Engineered transcriptional activator-like effectors (TALEs) are versatile tools for genome manipulation with applications in research and clinical contexts. One current drawback of TALEs is their tendency to bind and cleave off-target sequence, which hampers their clinical application and renders applications requiring high-fidelity binding unfeasible. This disclosure provides engineered TALE domains and TALEs comprising such engineered domains, e.g., TALE nucleases (TALENs), TALE transcriptional activators, TALE transcriptional repressors, and TALE epigenetic modification enzymes, with improved specificity and methods for generating and using such TALEs.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 30, 2014
Publication date:
February 26, 2015
Applicant:
President and Fellows of Harvard College
Inventors:
David R. Liu, John Paul Guilinger, Vikram Pattanayak
Abstract: A method is provided for extraction of chemical compounds from an organism having a cell wall that includes adding nanomaterials, which may be metallic nanofibers such as silver nanofibers, to the organism.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 19, 2012
Date of Patent:
February 24, 2015
Assignee:
Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
Inventors:
Maria Teresa Gutierrez-Wing, Kelly Ann Rusch
Abstract: Apocynin derivative compounds, active pharmaceutical ingredients, dosage forms, and methods of use thereof as neuroprotectants in the brain of mammals.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 15, 2010
Date of Patent:
February 24, 2015
Assignee:
The Medical College of Wisconsin, Inc.
Inventors:
Balaraman Kalyanaraman, Joy Joseph, Anumantha Kanthasamy
Abstract: An assay system designed to detect a protein biomarker in urine that is diagnostic for interstitial cystitis (IC). The presence of a 9 amino acid glycopeptide, antiproliferative factor (APF), in urine is unique to patients with IC. Urine samples from patients who exhibit symptoms consistent with IC are added to the assay system. Binding of APF to the cytoskeletal associated protein 4 (CKAP4) is positive for the presence of APF in urine and diagnostic for IC. The diagnostic system is a significant and surprising advance in diagnosis of IC and has commercial applications relevant to women and men who suffer from symptoms consistent with IC.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 10, 2009
Date of Patent:
February 24, 2015
Assignees:
The Commonwealth Medical College, University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
Inventors:
David Alan Zacharias, Sonia Lobo Planey
Abstract: The present invention is directed to the treatment of demyelination as an underlying cause of the disease of multiple sclerosis (MS) in a mammal, the method comprising promoting remyelination of myelination of axonal cells by administering to the mammal a 2-oxopyrrolidine compound having a general formula I: wherein R?R??H, and R??CH2CONH-(2,6CH3)C6H3 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 22, 2010
Date of Patent:
February 24, 2015
Assignee:
University College Dublin, National University of Ireland, Dublin
Abstract: A method and system to induce bone growth by locally delivering bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) to the target location for a prolonged period without invasive procedures are disclosed. The new bone growth is induced by delivering cells producing BMPs from transduced viral vectors to the target cite. In various embodiments, the cells are encapsulated in hydrogel microspheres that are non-degradable or degradable by enzymes produced during the bone formation process. Various embodiments may be used to induce spinal fusion or repair critical bone defects.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 1, 2010
Date of Patent:
February 24, 2015
Assignees:
Baylor College of Medicine, William Marsh Rice University
Inventors:
Alan R. Davis, Elizabeth A. Davis, Kevin Moran, Ronke Olabisi, Jennifer L. West, Christy Franco