Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring force exerted by an object moving in a fluid or force of a moving fluid on a stationary object. Embodiments may be configured to measure power exerted by an object moving in a fluid. At least one sensor disposed on the object outputs at least one sensor signal corresponding to a pressure differential between first and second surfaces of the object. Data derived from one or more sensor signals may be processed according to a model to output a measure of the force and/or power of the object moving in the fluid or the force of the moving fluid on the stationary object, as a function of time. Embodiments may be configured for applications such as providing feedback for control of actuators in electromechanical systems for liquid or gaseous media, and providing performance metrics during water sports, such as swimming and paddling.

Abstract: In an AC-DC converter having a primary side control circuit, auxiliary power for the control circuit is derived from the converter secondary side through an isolated DC-DC converter. The circuits and methods solve the problem of supplying primary side auxiliary power during light load or no load operation of the AC-DC power converter. Since the output voltage of the AC-DC converter is normally regulated at a fixed level, the auxiliary voltage that is generated by the isolated DC converter is regulated. In some cases the isolated DC-DC converter may not need to be regulated, which simplifies the design and reduces overall cost.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel gene therapy constructs containing both HEXA and HEXB genes to treat GM2 gangliosidoses, including Sandhoff disease and Tay-Sach's disease. Also described are co-treatments using chaperone and anti-inflammatory agents to enhance the effects of gene therapy.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for surgical tracking comprises an imaging device that generates an image of a tissue volume; an electromagnetic (EM) sensor that creates a reference frame for EM tracking in three dimensions; at least one EM sensor adapted to be attached to the tissue to track local deformation and movement of the tissue volume; a processor that registers the image with the EM-tracked tissue volume and surgical tool in real time, and produces an output; and a feedback device that provides feedback about the location of the surgical tool relative to the tissue volume, based on the processor output. Embodiments are particularly useful in soft tissue, such as breast, where deformation before and during a procedure such as tumor resection complicate tracking of the tissue volume and a surgical tool.

Abstract: Provided are apparatus and methods for tracking a volume of interest in three dimensions in real time, using fewer than 6 DOF tracking information together with an external 6 DOE coordinate system. The apparatus and methods described herein provide more accurate, smaller, and less expensive tracking systems than prior approaches based on full 6 DOF tracking comprising translation and full orientation information. Embodiments may be used in applications such as surgical navigation, gaming, robotics, motion capture, and training.

Abstract: Deposition of carbene monolayers that excluded starting anions, such as iodide ions, has been achieved. Anions such as iodide are a typical contaminant in carbene hydrogen carbonate salts when synthesized using the state-of-the-art method. A method is described for eliminating substantially all starting anion (e.g., iodide) contamination from the monolayer. Air stable, purified carbenes precursors were used to deposit an intact monolayer on the surface of some industrially relevant metals. The monolayer's ability to protect these metals against, for example, oxidation has been demonstrated.

Abstract: Methods, probe sets, kits, and compositions for gene deletion assays are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods relate to preparing probes for a deletion assay, performing a deletion assay, or optimizing a deletion assay. In some embodiments, the methods and probe sets can provide reduced artifactual deletion frequency, for example, when analyzing samples subject to truncation artifacts. In some embodiments, the methods and probe sets can distinguish between small and large deletions.

Abstract: Resonant converters may be operated according to selected working modes to achieve voltage doubler or non-voltage doubler functions. Embodiments may be based on two-phase resonant converters. Embodiments may implement primary side switching, secondary side switching, or both, to achieve the selected working modes and voltage doubler and non-voltage doubler function. Embodiments are suitable for applications requiring wide input and output voltage ranges, such as low-voltage charging circuits for personal electronic devices, and high voltage charging circuits for electric vehicles.

Abstract: Described are fountain code constructs that solve multiple problems in distributed storage systems by providing systematic encoding, reduced repair locality, reduced encoding/decoding complexity, and enhanced reliability. Embodiments are suitable for the storage of large files and exhibit performance superior to existing codes, and demonstrate reduced implementation complexity and enhanced symbol repair locality.

Abstract: A capillary comprises a capillary channel, an inner layer, and an outer layer, wherein the inner and outer layers comprise different silica materials. An axicon lens formed on a facet end of the capillary channel has a selected geometry, such that the inner layer has an axicon angle ? and a post angle ?. The inner layer may be fused silica and the outer layer may be borosilicate glass. The post angle ? is determined in part by an etch rate constant of the borosilicate glass and an etch rate constant of the fused silica in at least one etching reagent. Embodiments may comprise at least two capillary channels, and an axicon lens formed on a facet end of each of the at least two capillary channels. The capillary may be used as an electrospray emitter, optionally with light simultaneously while generating an electrospray.

Abstract: Polyurethane-based and epoxy-based coating compositions are described that provide coatings and adhesives that are clear, amphiphobic and durable. Both water and hexadecane readily slide off these surfaces without leaving a residue. Coatings with thicknesses ranging from about 10 nm to about 10 ?m exhibited excellent transmittance properties. Such films exhibited durability against abrasion, ink-resistance, anti-graffiti, anti-fingerprint, and strong adhesion to glass surfaces. The coatings are applicable to electronic devices, fabrics, glass, etc. to prepare optically clear, stain-resistant, and smudge-resistant surfaces.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of analyzing an ultrasound signal. The method comprises obtaining a time series of sequential data frames associated with an ultrasound signal reflected from and/or backscattered from a fixed location of a material under investigation, each data frame comprising a plurality of samples of the ultrasound signal, and subjecting to an analysis a sequence of one or more samples of the ultrasound signal, or a sequence of at least one parameter derived from one or more samples of the ultrasound signal, wherein a result of the analysis is related to one or properties or characteristics of the material. In one embodiment the method may be used for detecting, diagnosing, and/or assessing cancer and/or abnormalities in biological tissue.

Abstract: A composite material is described that is an effective filter to separate oil from an oil and water emulsion or other mixtures of oil and water. The composite material has a permeable substrate, such as fabric, that is coated with a selectively-permeable coating. The composite material allows only oil to pass through, while water is prevented from passing through. The composite material has two main components, a hydrophobic component and an emulsion-destabilizing component.

Abstract: Compounds described herein are inhibitors of retinoic acid inducible P450 (CYP26) enzymes, and are useful for treating diseases that are responsive to retinoids. Certain compounds have retinoid activity, are resistant to CYP26-mediated catabolism, and are used for treating diseases that are responsive to retinoids.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for non-invasive monitoring and measuring of intraocular pressure (IOP) of a subject. Embodiments include a lens that is adapted to fit on the subject's eye, a microstructure disposed in or on the lens, the microstructure having at least one feature that exhibits a change in shape and/or geometry and/or position on the lens in response to a change in curvature of the lens. When the curvature of the lens changes in response to a change in IOP, a corresponding change in shape and/or geometry and/or position of the feature may be used to determine the change in IOP. The change in the feature is detectable in digital images of the lens taken with a mobile electronic device such as a smartphone.

Abstract: An autorotating unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has a data acquisition system and a rotor assembly including a hub that couples the rotor assembly to the UAV. Although not limited thereto, the UAV is suitable for collecting data about the inside of a cavity. The data acquisition system includes a processor and one or more sensors that obtain data about motion of the UAV and at least one parameter of the cavity as the UAV descends though the cavity. Features of the cavity may be mapped by generating a 3D point cloud from the data. The cavity may be natural or man-made, such as a mine.

Abstract: An apparatus for presenting a chemical spectrum to a human user in an audible and/or tactile format comprises an input that receives at least one chemical spectrum, a processor, and at least one transducer that produces the audible and/or tactile output. The processor identifies a first component and a second component of at least one value of the at least one chemical spectrum, selects at least one periodic function for each first component, and modulates the at least one periodic function according to the second component. Modulated periodic functions are composed into at least one complex function which is output to the at least one transducer to produce the audible and/or tactile output. The chemical spectrum may comprise data obtained from a sample using mass spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, or the like.

Abstract: A power converter circuit includes a rectifier circuit having first and second input terminals that receive an AC input voltage and first and second output terminals that output a DC bus voltage, and a series circuit comprising a switch connected in series with an input capacitor connected across the first and second output terminals. A controller controls the switch so that the switch is on at least during a period when a magnitude of the AC input voltage is less than a selected DC bus voltage, and the switch is off during a period when the magnitude of the AC input voltage is greater than the selected DC bus voltage and less than a peak value of the AC input voltage. Power adapters incorporating these features benefit from low component count, reduced component current stress, reduced size and weight, and low cost, making then suitable for a range of portable devices such as laptop computers and cellphones.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for decellularizing adipose tissue, comprising subjecting the adipose tissue to one or more incubations in an enzymatic digestion solution containing one or more enzymes, and one or more solvent extractions, wherein decellularized adipose tissue comprising an extracellular matrix with well-preserved three-dimensional structure is obtained. The invention also provides a decellularized adipose tissue comprising an extracellular matrix with well-preserved three-dimensional architecture, and bioscaffolds, microcarrier beads, and coatings comprising the decellularized adipose tissue.

Abstract: Described herein is an excitation emission matrix (EEM) spectrometer and method, comprising a multiplexer that encodes excitation light produced by at least one excitation light source; and a demultiplexer that decodes encoded light emitted from a sample, and produces an output indicative of a characteristic of the sample. Embodiments are described wherein the multiplexer and the demultiplexer may comprise FDM or OFDM, and wherein both the excitation light and the emitted light may be encoded using a DMA or a SLM. In some embodiments the same DMA or SLM may be used to encode the excitation light and the emitted light. In some embodiments excitation light may be encoded using a Walsh function, or the excitation light may be encoded using a Walsh function and the emitted light may be decoded using an inverse Hadamard transformation.