Abstract: A fixation device and method for the subcutaneous fixation of bone fragments. A fixation mesh is formed by the intersection of a plurality of linear legs that are interconnected in sagittal planes to form linear sagittal lines and a plurality of crimped legs that are interconnected in transverse planes to form transverse lines. The mesh resists expansive forces that are created in the linear sagittal lines and a compressive stress is created in the transverse lines when tensile loads are applied to the linear sagittal lines resulting in a device that minimizes the gap distance between bone fragments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for controlling peptide display valency on virus-like particles (VLPs), especially including MS2 VLPs. In this method, large amounts of wild-type and low quantities of single-chain dimer coat proteins may be produced from a single RNA. Valency is controlled in immunogen (vaccine) production by providing a system that allows the production of large amounts of wild-type and low quantities of single-chain dimer coating proteins from a single RNA, allowing facile adjustment of display valency levels on VLPs, especially MS2 VLPS over a wide range, from few than one—on average—to as many as ninety per particle. This facilitates the production of immunogens and vaccines, including VLPs exhibiting low valency.

Abstract: The invention provides immunotherapeutic and prophylactic bacteriophage viral-like particle (VLPs) which are useful in the treatment and prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections and related disorders, including bronchiolitis and viral pneumonia. Related compositions (e.g. vaccines), nucleic acid constructs, and therapeutic methods are also provided. VLPs and related compositions of the invention induce high titer antibody responses against RSV. VLPs, VLP-containing compositions, and therapeutic methods of the invention induce an immunogenic response against RSV infection, confer immunity against RSV infection, protect against RSV infection, and reduce the likelihood of infection by RSV infection.

Abstract: A method of preparation of metal-chalcogen-nitrogen-carbon (M-Ch-N—C) catalytic material utilizing a sacrificial support approach and using inexpensive and readily available precursors is described. Furthermore, the catalytic materials synthesized using the disclosed methods include multiple types of active sites.

Abstract: A method of preparing M-N—C catalysts utilizing a sacrificial support approach and inexpensive and readily available polymer precursors as the source of nitrogen and carbon is disclosed. Exemplary polymer precursors include those that do not form complexes with iron, but which do complex with silica, for example, polyetheleneimine (PEI), Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline), Poly(acrylamide-co-diallyldimethylammonium chloride), Poly(melamine-co-formaldehyde), Poly[[6-[(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)amino]-s-triazine-2,4-diyl]-[(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)imino]-hexamethylene-[(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)imino] and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel non-invasive diagnostic tools/compounds to image cancers, especially, melanoma, including metastatic melanoma in vivo. The present compounds exhibit enhanced uptake in cancerous cells and tissue and decreased renal uptake in kidney, evidencing favorable pharmacokinetics of compounds of the present invention. The compounds according to the present invention represent an advance in the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma, including metastatic melanoma using non-invasive molecular imaging techniques. The novel probes of the present invention are also useful for initiating therapy for melanoma as well as monitor patients' response to chemotherapy treatments and other interventions or therapies used in the treatment of melanoma/metastatic melanoma. Compounds according to the present invention may be used as diagnostic tools for a number of conditions and diseases states as well as therapeutic agents for treating such conditions and disease states.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler including a housing defining a chamber for receiving a dose of powdered medicament, an inhalation port in fluid communication with the chamber, at least one airflow inlet providing fluid communication between the chamber and an exterior of the housing, and a flutter element in the chamber and associated with a dose of powdered medicament. The flutter element has a tensioned distal end proximate the at least one airflow inlet and a free proximal end opposite to the distal end and downstream of the inlet. The flutter element is configured to vibrate in response to airflow through the chamber and aerosolize the dose of powdered medicament.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modular nuclear reactor system comprising a reactor pressure vessel having a lower section having a first wall and a second wall and an upper section having a first wall and a second wall. The reactor includes a chimney with an attached heat exchanger. First and second passageways create a circulation loop wherein heated heat transfer fluid circulates up from the reactor core, through the chimney, through an upper plenum and downwardly past the heat exchanger, into a lower plenum and back into the core.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an optical molecular sensing device and related method. The optical molecular sensing device has an optical resonator adapted to be connected to an excitation source. The excitation source may be a laser operating at a 2.7-2.8 um spectral range. The optical molecular sensing device has an emission spectrum comprised of a plurality wavelengths. Also included are a detection unit and a RF frequency counter to detect at least one RF beat note resulting from detecting the emission spectrum of the optical resonator. A change in frequency of the RF beat note indicates the presence of a target molecule.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide materials and methods for synthesizing protocells for use in targeted delivery of cargo components to cancer cells. In one embodiment, the lipid bilayer can be fused to the porous particle core to form a protocell. The lipid bilayer can be modified with targeting ligands or other ligands to achieve targeted delivery of cargo components that are loaded within the protocell to a target cell, e.g., a type of cancer. Shielding materials can be conjugated to the surface of the lipid bilayer to reduce undesired non-specific binding.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a structured polynucleotide, devices that include the structured polynucleotide, and methods involving the structured polynucleotide and/or devices. Generally, the structured polynucleotide includes five domains. A first domain acts as a toehold for an input DNA logic gate to initiate binding to an SCS biomolecule. A second domain acts as a substrate recognition sequence for an upstream DNA logic gate. A third domain acts as a toehold for a output DNA logic gate to initiate binding of the SCS biomolecule to the gate. A fourth domain acts as an effector sequence to alter the state of the output logic gate. A fifth domain acts as a cage sequence to lock the effector sequence in an inactive state until an input gate binds to the structured polynucleotide.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods comprise examination of a subject using images of the subject. The images can provide a non-invasive analysis technique and can include a plurality of images of a portion of the subject at different times a temperature stimulus applied to the subject. An image of the portion of the subject can be aligned such that each pixel of the image corresponds to the same point on the subject over a sequence of images of the portion. The sequence of images can be processed after aligning the images such that data is extracted from the images. The extracted data can be used to make decisions regarding the health status of the subject. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electromagnetic energy detector. The detector can include a substrate having a first refractive index; a metal layer; an absorber layer having a second refractive index and disposed between the substrate and the metal layer; a coupling structure to convert incident radiation to a surface plasma wave; additional conducting layers to provide for electrical contact to the electromagnetic energy detector, each conducting layer characterized by a conductivity and a refractive index; and a surface plasma wave (“SPW”) mode-confining layer having a third refractive index that is higher than the second refractive index disposed between the substrate and the metal layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel non-invasive diagnostic tools/compounds to image cancers, especially, melanoma, including metastatic melanoma in vivo. The present compounds exhibit enhanced uptake in cancerous cells and tissue, suggesting favorable selective activity of compounds according to the present invention, which can be used as effective therapeutic agents against melanoma, including metastatic melanoma. The compounds according to the present invention represent an advance in the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma, including metastatic melanoma using non-invasive molecular imaging techniques. The novel probes of the present invention are useful to initiate therapy for melanoma as well as monitor patients' response to chemotherapy treatments and other interventions or therapies used in the treatment of melanoma/metastatic melanoma. Compounds according to the present invention may be used as diagnostic and therapeutic tools for a number of conditions and diseases states, especially melanoma.

Abstract: A method of epitaxially growing nitrogen-based compound semiconductor thin films on a semiconductor substrate, which is periodically patterned with grooves. The method can provide an epitaxial growth of a first crystalline phase epitaxial film on the substrate, and block the growth of an initial crystalline phase with barrier materials prepared at the sides of the grooves. Semiconductor devices employing the epitaxial films are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of diagnosing the presence or absence of a bacterial infection in a patient, in particular, a tuberculosis infection, by measuring exhaled, isotopically labeled nitrogen gas after administration of isotopically labeled isoniazid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a swarm of robots and a related method of operating the swarm. The robots are programmed to start at a nest and to select a dispersal direction from a uniform random distribution. The robots travel along the dispersal direction until transitioning to a search mode upon reaching a search site, where the robot performs a correlated random walk with fixed step size and direction and using a standard deviation to determine how correlated the direction of the next step of the robot is with the direction of the previous step. If no resource is found within predetermined time t independently determined by each of said robots, the robot returns to the nest and repeats the above steps.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention include a system and methods for providing a video image display technology with separate video perspective displays. Each perspective display may be tailored and adapted in real-time to the differing roles of each user, e.g., one or more medical professionals of a surgical team. As an example, one video perspective display may be a panoramic perspective display for a primary surgeon and a second video perspective may be a detailed perspective display for the surgical assistant.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the detection, prevention, or treatment of anthrax or other infectious diseases. In one aspect, the present invention provides methods for immunizing humans or animals against Bacillus anthracis or other capsulated pathogens. The methods include administering a capsular polypeptide of a pathogen of interest and a CD40 agonist to a human or animal. The capsular polypeptide or the CD40 agonist is administered in such an amount or frequency that an immunoprotective response can be elicited in the human or animal against the pathogen of interest. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of using passive immunization with anti-capsular polypeptide antibodies to prevent or treat infections caused by Bacillus anthracis or other pathogens. In yet another aspect, the present invention provides methods useful for diagnosis of anthrax by detection of capsular polypeptide in serum or other biological samples.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods fusing material classification with spatio-spectral edge detection in spectral imagery can be used in a variety of applications. In various embodiments, a classifier can be applied to neighboring pixels in data for an image to determine, based on material changes, if the neighboring pixels are correlated to two different materials with respect to a candidate location for an edge. Results of the classification can be used with a spatio-spectral mask to accept or reject the candidate location as an edge. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.