Abstract: An impact fatigue device includes a striker rod assembly configured to reciprocally move between an upstream position and a downstream position. The striker rod assembly includes a striker rod slidingly mounted on a support member and a trigger located upstream of the striker rod and adapted to move downstream to engage the striker rod and propel the striker rod downstream. An actuator assembly is located upstream of the striker rod assembly. The actuator assembly is configured to releasably engage the trigger and to translate the trigger upstream. A reset mechanism is configured to releasably engage the striker rod and to move the striker rod from the downstream position to the upstream position. A method of operating the impact fatigue device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of conducting an in situ reliability test on a cross-section of a device with layered structure at micron-scale and at least two electrodes. The method includes steps of locating an electron transparent cross-sectional portion of the device in a holder and transmitting a direct current bias voltage to the cross-sectional portion of the device through at least two electrodes of the device, and observing and quantifying the microstructural changes of the device cross-section on the holder. A system for conducting an in situ reliability test on a device with a layered structure at a micron-scale and at least two electrodes is also provided.

Abstract: A functional electrical stimulation brace responsive to various positions of an intended wearer's foot. The device includes a plurality of sensors positioned at different locations under the intended wearer's foot to detect the current position of the foot. Outputs from the sensors are fed to a controller that uses logic to activate an electrical stimulation unit that stimulates the peroneal muscles of a patient at the appropriate times during the patient's gait. The device may also employ mechanical stabilization of the ankle in addition to the functional electrical stimulation by means of an ankle foot orthosis with a variable resistance hinge. The electrodes are embedded in fixed locations in the brace upper portion so that optimal location of the electrodes relative to the peroneal muscles is maintained every time the device is applied. Also provided is a method for assistance and rehabilitation for a patient by electrical stimulation of the peroneal muscles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting an analyte are described. The apparatus includes at least one microchannel adapted for an analyte to adhere to an interior surface thereof, a mixing element positioned within at least a portion of the at least one microchannel, a light source for energizing quantum dots conjugated with the analyte within the at least one microchannel, and a detection system for detecting and quantifying fluorescent energy emitted by the quantum dots in one or more predetermined wavelength ranges, wherein each wavelength range being correlated to one and only one type of analyte.

Abstract: A robot specimen photography mount includes a base, a cradle support assembly extending upwardly from the base, and a cradle rotatably supported by the cradle support assembly. A rotation motor is mounted on the cradle. A specimen mount is rotatably mounted on the rotation motor. The specimen mount has a vacuum opening formed therein. A vacuum conduit is in fluid communication with the vacuum opening. A method of operating the photography mount is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention describes compositions and methods for treating and preventing non-degenerative neurological diseases and disorders associated with elevated sPLA2 activity as well as cardiovascular diseases using a CHEC peptide to inhibit sPLA2 activity.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a variable pitch impeller for a blood pump. The variable pitch impeller includes: a flexible polymer defining a plurality of blades extending from a first end to a second end, the blades having a resting non-zero pitch; an external shaft coupled to a first end of the flexible polymer; and an internal shaft received within the external shaft and coupled to the second end of the flexible polymer. The internal shaft and the external shaft are rotatable with respect to each other to achieve a blade pitch between about 0.0001° and about 2,880°.

Abstract: An optically transparent conformal polymer antenna and a method for producing the antenna from optically transparent conductive polymers. The method includes selecting an antenna design; providing an optically transparent conductive polymer material capable of being printed using an ink-jet printer device; and printing layers of the polymer in the desired antenna design pattern onto a substrate. The surface tension of the polymer solution is adjusted to allow the material to pass through a printer head for printing on a flexible substrate. The material is modified to have a higher conductivity than regular conductive polymer materials so that a suitable antenna may be formed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating or preventing an attention and/or cognitive disorder in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a compound useful within the invention. The present invention further provides a method of treating or preventing dementia associated with a neurodegenerative disorder in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a compound useful within the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing fatty acid alkyl esters from a lipid, comprising steps of introducing a gas comprising vapor of an alcohol selected from methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, iso-propanol and butanols, into the lipid in a form of bubbles to enable the bubbles to pass through the lipid and be discharged from the lipid. The product may then be subjected to a transesterification process catalyzed by a base catalyst. The present invention is robust with low quality feedstocks thus significantly reduce production cost for biodiesel.

Abstract: An artificial tissue including an internal mass transport network having a plurality of channels, wherein the channels are designed to substantially mimic naturally occurring vascular network and a method for creating an internal transport system within a tissue scaffold to improve circulation, diffusion, and mass transport properties by utilizing computer-aided tissue engineering (CATE). The artificial tissue has the internal mass transport network of channels embedded, deposited, or molded within a scaffold, wherein the channels are made from a biodegradable transporting material and the scaffold is made from a scaffold material. The artificial tissue of the invention includes a basic circulatory system embedded within the tissue scaffold. This system provides mass transport throughout the entire scaffold and degrades after the new circulatory system develops.

Abstract: A simple, economical sol-gel method was invented to produce thick and dense lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films that exhibit the stoichiometric chemical composition and unprecedented electrical and dielectric properties. The PZT films are the foundation of many microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) for micro/nano sensors and actuators applications.

Abstract: One or more aqueous, near infrared emitting, high yield, highly photoluminescent, stable quantum dots conjugated to one or more biomarkers specific moieties. The conjugated quantum dots have an enhanced detection sensitivity and selectivity and may be formed using a novel and efficient method for conjugating one or more biomarker specific moieties to the quantum dots. The invention is further directed to a method for using the conjugated quantum dots for cancer detection in the margin of excised tissue.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions comprising free standing and stacked assemblies of two dimensional crystalline solids, and methods of making the same.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a device for sorting non-magnetic particles. The device includes: (a) a fluid holding chamber comprising an inner and outer surface; (b) a fluid in contact with the inner surface of the fluid holding chamber, said fluid containing a dispersion of magnetic particles and at least two sets of non-magnetic particles; and (c) at least two sources of magnetic fields positioned in close proximity to, or inside of, the fluid holding chamber. The at least two sources of magnetic fields produce a changeable pattern of magnetic field minima and maxima regions thereby causing said non-magnetic particles in the fluid to be transported towards the magnetic field minima regions by magnetic force. At least one of said sources of magnetic fields comprises an array of magnetizable features on a micrometer or nanometer length scale.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions comprising free standing and stacked assemblies of two dimensional crystalline solids, useful for physical and electrochemical applications.

Abstract: A flow valve assembly includes a valve operable between an open position and a closed position and a controller operatively coupled to the valve to operate the valve between the open position and the closed position. A mechanically or electrically operated assembly is provided to determine an amount of fluid flow through the valve when the valve is in the open position. A mechanically or electrically operated mechanism moves the valve from the open position to the closed position when the amount of fluid flow exceeds a predetermined value. A method of operating the valve is also provided.

Abstract: Anhydrosugar-based monomers prepared from isosorbide, isomannide, and isoidide and resin systems containing these anhydrosugar-based monomers that are partially to fully bio-based, which may produce materials having properties that meet or exceed the properties of similar petroleum derived vinyl ester resins.

Abstract: The present invention includes novel compounds, and compositions comprising same, useful for preventing or treating an HIV-1 infection in a subject in need thereof. The present invention further includes a novel method of preventing or treating an HIV-1 infection in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a compound and/or composition of the invention. In certain embodiments, the subject is further administered at least one additional therapeutic agent.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention comprise sulfamoylbenzamide derivative useful as pregenomic RNA encapsidation inhibitors, useful for the treatment of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.