Abstract: Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) are utilized to detect diseases and minimize false negative/positive scenarios. MIPs are implemented on a nano-electric circuit in a biochip where interactions of MIPs and an Antigen/Antibody (AG/AB) are detected, and disease specific biomarkers diagnosed. Biomarker detection is achieved with interdigitated gold electrodes in a biochip's microchannel. Capacitance changes due to biomarker interaction with AG/AB electrode coating diagnose diseases in a microfluidic environment. Biofluid passes through the microchannel and exposed to the nanocircuit to generate a capacitance difference and diagnose any specific disease in the biofluid sample. Blood capillary flow in a microchannel curved section experience centrifugal forces that separate liquid from solid. Various blood densities and segments experience different centrifugal effects while flowing through the curved section so serum is separated from various solid matter without using external devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multifunctional 2-D and 3-D matrix for propagation of stem cells. In particular, a chitosan-based biomaterial scaffold is engineered to promote CNS regeneration from primitive neural precursors by stabilizing a recombinant protein, fibroblast growth factor to preserve the cardinal properties of stem cells. The matrix, is further modified by the addition of either the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin or the small peptide RGD or IKVAV. A method to manufacture an injectable multifunctional microsphere scaffold is also disclosed that is suitable as a vehicle for cell transplantation to repair traumatic brain injuries.

Abstract: Methods for distributed storage in accordance with embodiments of the invention enable secret sharing. One embodiment includes encoding source data using an encoding system to produce a plurality of sets of encoded data, where: the source data can be recovered from at least a portion of less than all of the plurality of sets of encoded data; and the source data cannot be recovered using less than a threshold number of the plurality of sets of encoded data; storing each of the plurality of sets of encoded data on a storage device from a set of storage devices on which encoded data is stored; determining a set of storage devices that are available using a decoding system, where the set of storage devices that are available does not include all of the storage devices in the set of storage devices on which encoded data is stored.

Abstract: An AB monomer, useful for the production of condensation polymers, wherein the AB monomer has the structure: A-X-C-Y-B; wherein A is reactive carbonyl derivative of carboxylic acids; Y is a bisanhydrohexitol unit derived from the group consisting of isosorbide, isoidide and isomannide; X is selected from the group consisting of: aromatic rings, including 1,4-phenylene, 1,3-phenylene, 2,6-naphthalene 2,7-naphthalene, and substituted derivatives thereof; heterocycles including, 2,5-furan, 2,5-thiophene, substituted 2,5-furan and substituted 2,5-thiophene; and saturated or unsaturated aliphatic chains; B is OH; and C is selected from the group consisting of ether oxygen, a sulfide, and an amine, wherein the amine is NH or NR wherein R is C1 to C6, attaching X to Y.

Abstract: An AB monomer, useful for the production of condensation polymers, wherein the AB monomer has the structure: A—X—C—Y—B; wherein A is a carboxylic acid or ester or reactive carbonyl derivative, Y is a bisanhydrohexitol unit derived from isosorbide, isoidide or isomannide; X is selected from the group consisting of aromatic rings, substituted or unsubstituted heterocycles, and saturated or unsaturated aliphatic chains; and B is OH and C is an ester carbonyl link with the carbon attached to X and the oxygen attached to Y, and wherein the AB monomer is at least about 98% pure endo-substituted bisanhydrohexitol derivative or an at least about 98% pure exo-substituted bisanhydrohexitol derivative.

Abstract: Methods of removing dioxane and optionally one or more CAHs such as 1,1-DCE, cis-1,2-DCE, trans-1,2-DCE, 1,2-DCA, 1,1-DCA, VC, and TCE from a liquid medium contaminated therewith include applying a feedstream of propane to the liquid medium in the presence of at least one propanotrophic bacteria strain selected from Azoarcus sp. DD4 (DD4) and Mycobacterium sp. DT1 (DT1). Propane, 1-propanol and/or 1-butanol may be employed as substrates in the bioaugmentation of the propanotrophic bacteria strain.

Abstract: This invention relates to a technique that uses an externally applied electric field to self-assemble monolayers of mixtures of particles into molecular-like hierarchical arrangements on fluid-liquid interfaces. The arrangements consist of composite particles which are arranged in a pattern. The structure of a composite particle depends on factors such as the relative sizes of the particles and their polarizabilities, and the electric field intensity. If the particles sizes differ by a factor of two or more, the composite particle has a larger particle at its core and several smaller particles form a ring around it. The number of particles in the ring and the spacing between the composite particles depend on their polarizabilities and the electric field intensity. Approximately same sized particles form chains in which positively and negatively polarized particles alternate, and when their polarizabilities are comparable they form tightly packed crystals.

Abstract: Improved diagnostic assemblies are provided. More particularly, the present disclosure provides improved and highly advantageous chip based diagnostic assemblies configured to detect human diseases (e.g., cancer) and/or pathogens, and related methods of use. In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides for consumable micro- or nano-fluidic chip based diagnostic assemblies having visual biosensors, with the diagnostic assemblies using continuous flow-based micro- or nano-fluidic channels and antibody-based immuno-complex designs. In certain embodiments, the diagnostic assembly includes a self-sustainable and operable chip (e.g., thumb-sized chip) that is configured to be deployed as a single use consumable with a direct all-or-none readout as an output to satisfy a point of screening method to screen a population.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for vision therapy. In exemplary embodiments a visual therapy game can be rendered on one or more displays and the visual therapy game can be controlled by eye movements of the user. Visual stimuli incorporated in the visual therapy game can be rendered to facilitate vergence eye movements for the treatment of binocular dysfunctions.

Abstract: An embodiment of the disclosure provides a method, performed by a resource management server, for mapping a plurality of unassigned virtual machines (VMs) to a plurality of physical machines (PMs).

Abstract: Radio-over-fiber (ROF) antenna extender systems and methods are disclosed for high speed train communications which utilize cellular networks as backhauls to avoid the expensive capital expenditure involved in providing broadband Internet services in high speed trains. Employing ROF technology, on-roof antennas are deployed in strategic configurations to address the drawbacks of utilizing cellar networks as backhauls. The systems and methods provide broadband Internet service to a train and include a plurality of antennas mounted to an exterior of the train and operable to communicate with a cellular network, wireless access points mounted to the train, and a control system operably coupled to the plurality of antennas and to the wireless access points, wherein the control system is operable to receive and process data received from the plurality of antennas and the one wireless access points.

Abstract: Radiative heating and radiative feed modification systems and methods using microwave, radio frequency, magnetic field and ultrasound in membrane separation processes including membrane distillation (MD), reverse osmosis, forward osmosis and pervaporation are disclosed. Membrane distillation systems include at least one MD module, the MD module having at least one membrane, a feed inlet operable to receive a feed media and a feed outlet, and a radiative energy source operable to apply radiation to a feed media entering the feed inlet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for wireless typology discovery for train backbone networks.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved film based pharmaceutical products containing uniformly distributed drug or active agent particles (e.g., to achieve improved/excellent dissolution control including enhancing dissolution and bioavailability and/or product uniformity). More particularly, the present disclosure provides improved systems/methods for fabricating film based pharmaceutical products by utilizing higher surface modified micronized drug or active agent powders and film forming precursors and drying methods that accomplish improved/efficient drying and provide improved/excellent content uniformity of active pharmaceutical agents in the fabricated film based pharmaceutical products. In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides for an easier means of directly incorporating dry micronized poorly water-soluble drugs or active agent particles (e.g., fenofibrate (“FNB”)) into films.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for manufacturing nanobubbles are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a nanobubble generator system includes a medium, wherein in the medium is a liquid medium or a semi-liquid medium. A device is immersed in the medium. The device includes a ceramic membrane having a first surface and an opposing second surface, and pores extending through the membrane from the first surface to the second surface, and a hydrophobic porous coating layer disposed on the first surface of the membrane. The system includes a gas source for providing a gas to the medium. In operation, the gas enters pores on the second surface of the membrane and exits the coating layer in the form of nanobubbles.

Abstract: A rehabilitation system is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the rehabilitation system comprises a first computer terminal accessible by a first user, the first computer terminal having a memory for storing instructions including a game for rehabilitation of at least one of the first user's shoulder, elbow, wrist, or fingers; a sensor for detecting motion of the first user's hand as the first user is playing the game; a second computer terminal that displays the game in real-time on the second computer terminal as the first user is playing the game on the first computer terminal, and wherein a difficulty level of the game can be remotely adjusted from the second computer terminal; and a server that acquires rehabilitation data from the first computer terminal as the first user plays the game, and wherein the server permits access, on the second computer terminal, to the rehabilitation data collected.

Abstract: A liquid cell for in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurement of a sample during filtration is provided. The liquid cell includes a cantilever probe; a cantilever holder to position the probe near a surface of a sample (e.g., a filtration membrane); a liquid cell housing provided to hold the sample and comprising an opening at the top; an upper part; a lower part; an internal cavity to contain a fluid; a fluid inlet passage located in the upper part; a first fluid outlet passage located in the upper part; and a second fluid outlet passage located in the lower part. A method of in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurement of a sample during filtration in a liquid by using the liquid cell described herein is also provided.

Abstract: A control system and method for an exoskeleton is provided. The control system utilizes the admittance control paradigm to provide a system and method for manipulating the exoskeleton using minimal force from the user. A force/torque sensor and servo motors are fitted onto a passive arm support, enabling motorized support for a user with upper extremity weaknesses. The exoskeleton may be used on any extremity. The admittance control paradigm includes an impedance control and an admittance control to allow a user with upper extremity weakness and limited independence to intuitively and with minimal force control the precise trajectory of their arms to achieve a greater degree of independence in activities of daily living. Unlike existing passive arm supports that utilize springs or rubber bands to balance the user's arm against gravity, this system provides more precise gravity compensation and minimizes the amount of force required to control the exoskeleton.

Abstract: Window or curtain wall assemblies and concealed window fastening assemblies are disclosed. Each window panel includes two layers of glass or other material separated by a spacing mullion, which lines the perimeter of the window panel to create a sealed chamber. The depth of the sealed chamber between the two layers is variable to accommodate either thermal requirements, vertical and horizontal structural loads, or both. The chamber reduces heat loss due to convection allowing it to outperform current double or triple glazing window walls. Each chamber can connect through tubes to allow for air or gas transfer to enhance thermal performance and create the potential for other functional and aesthetic effects. When the window panels are assembled, the latching mechanism structurally unifies each panel to become a single monolithic surface that can also account for thermal expansion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a three-dimensional (3-D) in vitro model for studying and subsequently treating cancer dormancy. The model is specifically useful in studying breast cancer and may be used for drug discovery because it maintains the breast cancer cells in a dormant state, unlike conventional two-dimensional (2-D) tissue culture plastic (TCP). Tumor-forming breast cancers cells were seeded on the 3-D model scaffolds and remained viable without proliferation. They also express stem cell markers typical for dormant cells. Dormant breast cancer cells also maintain their phenotype when seeded on the 3-D model unlike conventional 2-D models. The 3-D model includes a fibrous polycaprolactone with 30 wt. % hydroxyapatite. The 3-D model mimics the structure of bone tissue.