Abstract: Parametric model based computer implemented methods for determining the stiffness of a bone and systems for estimating the stiffness of a bone in vivo. The computer implemented methods include determining a complex compliance frequency response function Y(f) and an associated complex stiffness frequency response function H(f) and independently fitting a parametric mathematical model to Y(f) and to H(f). The systems include a device for measuring the stiffness of the bone in vivo and a data analyzer to determine a complex compliance frequency response function Y(f) and an associated complex stiffness frequency response function H(f).

Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention relate to a method of treating cancer in a subject having cancer cells, wherein the cancer cells possess at least one growth hormone receptor, and wherein the method includes controlling an action of the growth hormone receptor. In various non-limiting embodiments, controlling an action of the growth hormone receptor may occur via knock down of the growth hormone receptor, or may be caused by inhibiting growth hormone action, such as via the use of antibodies directed against growth hormone or the growth hormone receptor. Methods may also relate to administering an antagonist of the growth hormone receptor, and administering at least one anti-tumor drug in concert with administration of the antagonist. Another aspect may include a method of maintaining an anti-tumor drug in cancer cells of a subject by controlling an action of at least one growth hormone receptor in the cancer cells.

Abstract: Described and shown are passive variable stiffness devices, which are of compact design and configured to produce a restoring force that varies optimally with the isolator displacement when subjected to vibration-inducing loading.

Abstract: Methods and FSP27 compositions for treating and/or preventing metabolic disease and conditions associated insulin resistance, obesity, inflammation and dyslipidemia are described.

Abstract: FSP27 compositions and methods for treating cancers are described.

Abstract: Methods of patient-specific modeling of the mechanical properties of bone and related systems. The methods include obtaining a bending stiffness (K) of a bone specimen non-invasively and non-destructively in a dynamic 3-point bending test, creating a mathematical mechanical model of the bone specimen, assigning an elastic modulus (E) to the bone specimen of the mathematical mechanical model, determining the flexural rigidity of the bone specimen from simulating the mathematical mechanical model, determining a discrepancy between the flexural rigidity of the bone specimen from the simulated mechanical model and based on the obtained K, adjusting the elastic modulus of the simulated mechanical model to minimize the discrepancy, adjusting the elastic modulus until an optimized elastic modulus is determined where the discrepancy is reduced below a predetermined threshold, and applying the optimized elastic modulus to the simulated mechanical model to determine a strength of the bone.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust bearing pad includes a composite laminate including at least one ply including a plurality of fibers oriented in at least one direction, and a bearing surface configured to confront a rotating thrust surface of a rotating shaft for transmitting axial thrust loads from the rotating shaft to the composite laminate. The bearing pad also includes a support surface configured to confront a stationary surface of a stationary housing for transmitting the axial thrust loads from the composite laminate to the stationary housing, and at least one side surface extending between the bearing and support surfaces. The at least one ply is configured to expand non-uniformly when heated from a first temperature to a second temperature for causing the composite laminate to warp from an unstressed state to a stressed state.

Abstract: Assays and methods for diagnosing whether a subject has a cardiovascular disease (CVD) by measuring the concentrations of nitric oxide [NO] and peroxynitrite [ONOO?] stimulated by the different subclasses of LDL in one or more cells of the subject are described.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for autonomous car-like ground vehicle guidance and trajectory tracking control. A multi-loop 3DOF trajectory linearization controller provides guidance to a vehicle having nonlinear rigid-body dynamics with nonlinear tire traction force, nonlinear drag forces and actuator dynamics. The controller may be based on a closed-loop PD-eigenvalue assignment and a singular perturbation (time-scale separation) theory for exponential stability, and controls the longitudinal velocity and steering angle simultaneously to follow a feasible guidance trajectory. A line-of-sight based pure-pursuit guidance controller may generate a 3DOF spatial trajectory that is provided to the 3DOF controller to enable target pursuit and path-following/trajectory-tracking. The resulting combination may provide a 3DOF motion control system with integrated simultaneous steering and speed control for automobile and car-like mobile robot target pursuit and trajectory-tracking.

Abstract: A loss-of-control prevention and recovery automatic control system of an aircraft is provided having a plurality of flight control mode, including a nominal flight control mode, a loss-of-control prevention control mode, a loss-of-control arrest control mode, and a nominal flight restoration control mode, as well as a supervisory control system capable of monitoring the flight states and flight events of the aircraft and determining which flight control mode to activate.

Abstract: A method of quantifying a target compound includes applying an oxidation/reduction potential to an electrochemical cell (14); measuring an electrochemical current during the application of the oxidation/reduction potential; and ionizing and directing the target compound before and after the application of the oxidation/reduction potential to a mass spectrometer (16) that measures a target compound ion intensity. The method further includes determining a target compound ion intensity change due to the application of the oxidation/reduction potential and determining a total amount of the target compound in the sample using the measured electrochemical current and the target compound ion intensity change. Determining the target compound ion intensity change may comprise either comparing the target compound ion intensity before and after the electrolysis relative to a reference peak or comparing the integrated peak area of a target compound ion in an extracted ion chromatogram before and after the electrolysis.

Abstract: Methods and materials for growing TMD materials on substrates and making semiconductor devices are described. Metal contacts may be created prior to conducting a deposition process such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to grow a TMD material, such that the metal contacts serve as the seed/catalyst for TMD material growth. A method of making a semiconductor device may include conducting a lift-off lithography process on a substrate to produce a substrate having metal contacts deposited thereon in lithographically defined areas, and then growing a TMD material on the substrate by a deposition process to make a semiconductor device. Further described are semiconductor devices having a substrate with metal contacts deposited thereon in lithographically defined areas, and a TMD material on the substrate, where the TMD material is a continuous, substantially uniform monolayer film between and on the metal contacts, where the metal contacts are chemically bonded to the TMD material.

Abstract: Parametric model based computer implemented methods for determining the stiffness of a bone, systems for estimating the stiffness of a bone in vivo, and methods for determining the stiffness of a bone. The computer implemented methods include determining a complex compliance frequency response function Y(f) and an associated complex stiffness frequency response function H(f) and fitting a parametric mathematical model to Y(f) and to H(f). The systems include a device for measuring the stiffness of the bone in vivo and a data analyzer to determine a complex compliance frequency response function Y(f) and an associated complex stiffness frequency response function H(f). The methods for determining the stiffness include fitting a parametric model to stiffness of the skin-bone complex as a function of frequency H(f) and the compliance of the skin-bone complex as a function of frequency Y(f).

Abstract: A method of making an electrically conductive composite includes applying graphene oxide (27) to at least one non-conductive porous substrate (25) and then reducing the graphene oxide (27) to graphene via an electrochemical reaction. An electrochemical cell (10) for causing a reaction that produces an electrically conductive composite includes a first electrode (13), a second electrode (15), an ion conductive medium (17), electrical current in communication with the first electrode, and an optional third electrode having a known electrode potential. The first electrode (13) contains at least one layered electrocatalyst, which includes at least one non-conductive porous substrate (25) coated with graphene oxide (27) and at least a first and second active metal layer (29a, 29b) comprising a conductive metal in contact with the non-conductive porous substrate (25) coated with graphene oxide (27).

Abstract: Systems and methods for actively treating mining wastewater, such as acid mine drainage, using a mixed culture of iron oxidizing bacteria, in a manner that results in both remediation of the water and the production of a useful end product. Exemplary systems and methods employ a reaction vessel where the bacteria can oxidize the iron in the mining wastewater for some amount of time, and a settling tank into which reacted water may be transferred and retained to permit iron oxyhydroxide contained in the water to settle as iron oxyhydroxide sludge. The iron oxyhydroxide sludge may be dried to produce iron oxyhydroxide solids that can be employed in the manufacture of a usable pigment.

Abstract: A method of producing a graphene film (22) includes forming a catalyst film (20) on a support (18); forming a graphene film (22) on the catalyst film (20); and electrolytically removing the catalyst film (20) from the support (18). The method may include transferring the graphene film (22) to a substrate (29). A supported graphene film includes a conductive support (18); a catalyst film (20) formed on the conductive support (18) having a thickness in a range of 1 nm to 10 ?m, and a graphene film (22) formed on the catalyst film (20).

Abstract: FSP27 compositions and methods for treating cardiovascular diseases are described.

Abstract: A force-absorbing barrier 10 includes a plurality of concentric chambers 21, 23, 25 and 27 at least partially filled with fluid 42. The walls 22, 24, 26 and 28 defining the chambers are flexible. Fluid passages 30 in the interior walls 24, 26 and 28 between chambers allow fluid flow between the chambers. The fluid flow from chamber to chamber will absorb energy from the impact a motor vehicle, preventing the vehicle from impacting the terminal of a guardrail.

Abstract: Glucose deprivation is an attractive strategy in cancer research and treatment. Cancer cells upregulate glucose uptake and metabolism for maintaining accelerated growth and proliferation rates. Specifically blocking these processes is likely to provide new insights to the role of glucose transport and metabolism in tumorigenesis, as well as in apoptosis. As solid tumors outgrow the surrounding vasculature, they encounter microenvironments with a limited supply of nutrients leading to a glucose deprived environment in some regions of the tumor. Cancer cells living in the glucose deprived environment undergo changes to prevent glucose deprivation-induced apoptosis. Knowing how cancer cells evade apoptosis induction is also likely to yield valuable information and knowledge of how to overcome the resistance to apoptosis induction in cancer cells.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the inhibiting tau phosphorylation, and treating or preventing neurodegenerative diseases, utilizing a tR1 peptide having the amino acid sequence of NVKSKIGSTENLK [SEQ ID NO: 1], or a variant thereof, are described.