Abstract: Hydrogel nanobeads include an ionically crosslinked sulfated polysaccharide biopolymer such as a carrageenan. In an embodiment, the hydrogel nanobeads comprise kappa carrageenan (?Cg) and a metal ion crosslinking agent. In an embodiment, the metal ion crosslinking agent includes a metal ion selected from the group consisting of Zn2+, Fe2+, Fe3+, and Ti3+. The hydrogel nanobeads can be used for removal of pollutants in wastewater.

Abstract: A crown remover is provided. The crown remover is a crown removing dental appliance including a tray having a base, a buccal side vertical prong extending along an entire first side of the tray, and a palatal side vertical prong extending along an entire second side of the tray located opposite the first side. A buccal side vertical prong screw allows for adjustability of the buccal side vertical prong and a palatal side vertical prong screw allowing for adjustability of the palatal side vertical prong. A buccal side horizontal projection is located on the buccal side vertical prong and protrudes toward the center of the tray. A palatal side horizontal projection is located on the palatal side vertical prong and protrudes toward the center of the tray. A handle protrudes from the base.

Abstract: A method of making benzalaniline, the method comprising: providing benzaldehyde and aniline; performing a condensation reaction using a solvent; extracting water from the condensation reaction using a pervaporation system, wherein a poly(vinyl alcohol) PVA membrane is in the pervaporation system; and obtaining benzalaniline.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for controlling or treating epistaxis includes a first elongated structural component, a second elongated structural component, and a coupling component pivotally coupling the first and second elongated structural components to one another. The first elongated structural component includes a first handle portion, a first operating portion and a first through opening disposed between the first handle portion and the first operating portion. The second elongated structural component includes a second handle portion, a second operating portion and a second through opening disposed between the second handle portion and the second operating portion. The coupling component extends in the first and second through openings. Each one of the first and second operating portions may include an elongated body with one or more slits extending therealong. Each slits defines a receiving area for one or more nasal packs.

Abstract: A flexible and precise fixture for micromachining includes a base and a support shaft extending vertically from the base. The support shaft includes a proximal end attached to the base and an enlarged distal end inserted inside a cavity of a clamp support block. One or more clamp jaws are provided on a top surface of the clamp support block. One or more angular pointers are included having a proximal end mounted pivotally on the base and a distal end pivotally mounted to the clamp support block, each pointer mounted to an individual side wall of the clamp support block. A washer and nut are mounted on the support shaft, the washer positioned between the nut and the clamp support block. The nut is threadedly mounted on the support shaft and may be tightened or loosened to place the clamp support block into a respective fixed or released position.

Abstract: Surfactin-based lipopeptides for mRNA delivery are made by a method including providing OleSurf lipids to form an organic phase, mixing a mRNA in 100 mM citrate buffer at pH 4 to form an aqueous phase, mixing one part of the organic phase with three parts of the aqueous phase to obtain mRNA loaded lipid nanoparticles, purifying the mRNA loaded lipid nanoparticle platform using dialysis, and purifying the mRNA loaded lipid nanoparticle platform using centrifugal filtration. The OleSurf lipids are made by modifying surfactin with oleylamine. The resulting nanoparticles may be useful as mRNA delivery vehicles.

Abstract: The linkage for increasing the ductility of fiber reinforced polymer bars includes a solid central shaft and first and second hollow receiver portions. Each of the first and second hollow receiver portions has an open end and a closed end, with the closed ends being respectively secured to first and second ends of the solid central shaft. Each of the first and second hollow receiver portions has a diameter associated therewith which is greater than a diameter of the solid central shaft, and each of the first and second hollow receiver portions has a central channel extending axially from, and in communication with, the corresponding one of the open ends. In use, the central channels of the first and second hollow receiver portions are adapted for respectively partially receiving first and second fiber reinforced polymer bars.

Abstract: The method for measuring the thickness of thin films uses diffraction of a polarized light beam through a thin film to indirectly measure its thickness. The thin film is prepared on an optically opaque substrate and the thin film and the optically opaque substrate are sandwiched between a pair of optically opaque walls, in a manner similar to a conventional single-slit diffract setup where the thin film serves as the slit. A polarized light beam with a wavelength ? is diffracted through the thin film such that a diffraction pattern is formed on a surface. A set of light intensities of the diffraction pattern formed on the surface is measured for multiple values of a diffraction angle ?. A thickness, d, of the thin film is then determined by fitting the measured set of light intensities to an equation for normalized intensity, Inor(?, d, ?), given by I n ? o ? r ( ? , d , ? ) = [ sin ? ( ? ? d ? ? ? ) ? ? d ? ? ? ] 2 .

Abstract: An endodontic irrigation needle includes a connection fitting, needle, and apical plug. The needle includes a proximal end joined to the connection fitting, is hollow and forms a conduit for irrigation fluid and a plurality of exit ports for discharging irrigation fluid. An apical plug is formed of a different material than the needle and is permanently bonded to the distal end of the needle. The apical plug may be formed of an elastomeric material such as rubber. The apical plug may be wedge-shaped and include two or more layer portions joined by one or more flexible connecting portions. The layer portions may include a wedge-shaped tip layer, a disc-shaped mid layer, and a tapered top layer. A method for endodontic irrigation includes abutting an apex opening of a root canal with the apical plug, and discharging irrigation fluid through the exit ports of the needle.

Abstract: Surfactin-based lipopeptides for mRNA delivery are made by a method including providing OleSurf lipids to form an organic phase, mixing a mRNA in 100 mM citrate buffer at pH 4 to form an aqueous phase, mixing one part of the organic phase with three parts of the aqueous phase to obtain mRNA loaded lipid nanoparticles, purifying the mRNA loaded lipid nanoparticle platform using dialysis, and purifying the mRNA loaded lipid nanoparticle platform using centrifugal filtration. The OleSurf lipids are made by modifying surfactin with oleylamine. The resulting nanoparticles may be useful as mRNA delivery vehicles.

Abstract: A method and device for grasping tissue using the tissue forceps with wide jaws. The tissue forceps include a first arm and a second arm joined at a vertex at a proximal end. The first arm and the second arm have distal portions which are extensions angled leftward away from the longitudinal axis of the first and second arms. Wide forceps jaws terminate the distal end of the angled extensions and the terminal inner surfaces of the jaws have serrated edges. The forceps is adapted to sequentially grasp tissue on opposed sides of a tissue interface and then present the tissue for further procedure. The jaws can be straight, convex, or concave to hold, stabilize and manipulate tissue flap borders with better grasping and control. The jaws can be in line with the handle (straight) or 45 or 90 degrees offset for better access to different surgical site's locations.

Abstract: A method of determining beta radiation intensity based on calculated resonance frequency and calculated quality factor can include providing an electrical sensor comprising at least one prong, irradiating the first composite material of the one of the plurality of planar surfaces and the material of the second section with beta radiation from a beta radiation source; measuring at least one impedance value from the electrical sensor with an impedance analyzer; calculating at least one resonance frequency value based on the measured at least one impedance value; calculating at least one quality factor value based on the calculated at least one resonance frequency value; and determining the beta radiation intensity based on the calculated at least one resonance frequency value and the calculated at least one quality factor value.

Abstract: A method of making nanosilica from glass, the method comprising: gathering glass waste; grinding the glass waste to obtain a glass powder containing nanoparticles; adding the glass powder containing the nanoparticles to a water solution comprising a dispersing agent to obtain a colloidal system containing nanoparticles; separating the nanoparticles from the colloidal system to obtain separated nanoparticles; and drying the separated nanoparticles to obtain nanosilica.

Abstract: Novel sulfonylhydrazide derivatives, a method of synthesizing said compounds, a pharmaceutical composition comprising said compounds and a suitable carrier, and a method of using the compounds. The sulfonylhydrazide derivative compounds, identified as FAAH inhibitors, are useful as anticancer and/or antitumor agents.

Abstract: A skip hoist particle lift system for a particle-based high-temperature power tower plant includes a pre-skip subsystem, an upper hopper disposed above the pre-skip subsystem and separated therefrom, a plurality of elongated guide rails connecting the pre-skip subsystem and the upper hopper to one another, and a skip mounted on the elongated guide rails and configured to be moved therealong between the pre-skip subsystem and the upper hopper. The pre-skip subsystem includes a container configured to accumulate an amount of hot particles therein and to automatically discharge the hot particles into the skip upon arrival of the skip in a loading area of the pre-skip subsystem. The skip is configured to transport the loaded particles upwardly toward the hopper and to subsequently discharge the particles inside of the hopper. Then, the emptied skip is returned to the pre-skip subsystem to repeat the process.

Abstract: The dual bone forceps may be considered tandem locking forceps wherein the forceps are coupled to each other so that the surgeon may use one for clamping the bone graft plate adjacent the graft site while clamping the other forceps to a supporting bone structure above, below, or lateral to the graft site during the procedure. The dual bone forceps includes a bone graft plate clamping forceps having clamping jaws at the anterior end and flat handles terminating in locking jaws at the posterior end. The dual bone forceps also includes an anchoring forceps having an elongate hook blade and a shortened anvil blade at the anterior end and locking handles at the posterior end. A linking bar extends non-coplanar from the shortened anvil blade to the pivot of the bone graft plate clamping forceps to maintain the two forceps linked to each other, but spaced apart in different planes.

Abstract: The system for handling carry-on luggage in vehicles provides for the storage and retrieval of carry-on luggage in overhead storage bins of passenger vehicles such as airplanes, trains, and buses. A plurality of overhead compartments are mounted within a body of a vehicle and are respectively selectively covered and sealed by a plurality of overhead compartment doors. A plurality of horizontal luggage conveyors are respectively mounted on inner sides of the plurality of overhead compartment doors. Each of the horizontal luggage conveyors includes a plurality of rollers. A vertical luggage conveyor may be used to elevate a piece of luggage from a lower elevation, such as the floor of the vehicle, to a higher elevation, such as the height of the horizontal luggage conveyors. The vertical luggage conveyor may include a platform configured for supporting the piece of luggage and a linear actuator for selectively raising and lowering the platform.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced concrete includes a plurality of reinforcing wire meshes scattered and suspended in random orientation throughout the volume of concrete. The reinforcing wire meshes include a first set of two or more parallel wires extending along their length in a common plane and a second set of three parallel wires orthogonal to the first set along their length in a common plane. The first set and second set constitute an entire reinforcing member. The wire meshes may be formed by casting or welding in which the wires lie in a common plane or separate planes, respectively. The reinforcing members may have a total of two or four contiguous rectangles arranged in a mesh pattern. Free ends of the reinforcing members may be included and extend beyond the mesh pattern for increased anchorage. A method of reinforcing concrete is disclosed and may include a central or diagonal bend in the reinforcing members.

Abstract: Modified chemical structures of cardanol extracted from cashew nut shell oil, and the use of the same to prepare imidazolium ionic liquids (IILs). The IILs can be used to prepare different types of silica, magnetite and calcium carbonate nanoparticles (NPs) as multifunctional oilfield chemicals for use in various oil spill collection, de-emulsification, viscosity improvement, asphaltene dispersant, and enhanced oil recovery applications.

Abstract: A lipid-binding drug for binding to a membrane-based or membrane lipid comprises at least one aptamer having a sequence selected from the group consisting of GGCGGCAAAAAAAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 1), GGCGGCAAAAAAAAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 2), GGCGGCAAAAAAAAAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 3), GGCGGCAAAAAAAAAAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 4), GGCGGCGGGGGGGGGG (SEQ ID NO: 5), GGCGGCGGGGGGGGGGG (SEQ ID NO: 6), GGCGGCGGGGGGGGGGG (SEQ ID NO: 7), GGCGGCGGGGGGGGGGG (SEQ ID NO: 8), CAAAAGGAGCAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 9) CAAAAGGAGCAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 10), CAAAAGGAGCAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 11), CAAAAGGAGCAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 12), CAAAAGGAGCGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG (SEQ ID NO: 13), CAAAAGGAGCGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG (SEQ ID NO: 14), CAAAAGGAGCGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG (SEQ ID NO: 15), and CAAAAGGAGCGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG (SEQ ID NO: 16).