Abstract: A mass transfer device includes a wall structure having a first surface and a second surface. The wall structure has slots extending there through between the first and second surfaces. Each slot has a width, a length and a height. For purposes of mass transfer applications to include cross-flow fluid filtering, the length is at least approximately 3 times the width for each of the slots, and a width-to-height ratio for each of the slots is less than approximately 5.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for producing a graphene-containing composition is provided, the method comprising: (i) mixing a graphene oxide with a medium to form a mixture; and (ii) heating the mixture to a temperature above about 40° C., whereby a graphene-containing composition is formed from the mixture. Composites of polymers with disperse functionalized graphene sheets and the applications thereof are also described.

Abstract: A method of affecting power used by an electronic device is provided for an electronic device having storage media and running at least one application. Each application interfaces with the storage media through an input/output (I/O) path executing I/O activities that access the storage media in accordance with configurable parameters of the I/O path. A run-time I/O pattern defined by the I/O activities is determined during a run-time period of the electronic device. At least one of the I/O path's configurable parameters is then modified based on the run-time I/O pattern. The method is readily adapted for power conservation by providing selections for the configurable parameters with each of the selections optimizing power usage for a hypothetical I/O pattern. Then, one or more configurable parameters are modified in accordance with one of the selections for which the hypothetical I/O pattern associated therewith is closest to the run-time I/O pattern.

Abstract: Herein we describe fishing gear having a polyhydroxyalkanoate degradable component, as well as methods for ensuring that such gear has reduced functionality after becoming derelict. Derelict fishing gear has a negative economic and ecological impact, and thus it is advantageous to use gear that will lose the ability to catch and retain fish over time. Incorporating a degradable apparatus into such gear provides an effective, economical solution. Suitable degradable components are described herein.

Abstract: One or more sound producers disrupt auditory communications among animals in a defined locale. The sound is defined by (i) a frequency range commensurate with a communication frequency range used by at least one species to carry out auditory communications, (ii) colored noise in the frequency range, and (iii) a sound level of the colored noise in the frequency range at a perimeter region of the defined locale not to exceed approximately a peak sound level associated with auditory communications of one or more species.

Abstract: Herein we describe fishing gear having a degradable component comprising a polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer, as well as methods for ensuring that such gear has reduced functionality after becoming derelict. Derelict fishing gear has a negative economic and ecological impact, and thus it is advantageous to use gear that will lose theability to catch and retain fish over time. Incorporating a degradable apparatus into such gear provides an effective, economical solution. Suitable degradable components are described herein.

Abstract: Herein we describe compositions and methods for the synthesis of [2.2.2]-diazabicyclic structures comprising a domino reaction sequence involving aldol condensation, alkene isomerization, and intramolecular hetero-Diels-Alder cycloaddition. Excellent diastereofacial control during the cycloaddition is enforced with a removable chiral phenyl aminal diketopiperazine substituent. The reaction sequence rapidly generates molecular complexity and is competent with both enolizable and non-enolizable aldehyde substrates. This method provides an efficient route to [2.2.2]-diazabicyclic structures, common to bioactive prenylated indole alkaloids such as the brevianamides and stephacidins.

Abstract: Herein we describe fishing gear having a degradable identification component comprising a polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer, as well as methods for ensuring that such identification component degrades quickly after detachment. Aquatic debris has a negative economic and ecological impact, and thus it is advantageous to use implements that will degrade into environmentally benign compounds. Incorporating a degradable identification component into fishing gear provides an effective, economical solution. Suitable degradable identification components are described herein.

Abstract: Existing monitors for apnea miss many serious events because they do not adequately distinguish the heart signal in chest impedance from the respiratory signal. Described herein is a respiratory monitoring system and method for improved detection and response to apnea, particularly in a NICU setting but also useful in a home setting. This method filters from the chest impedance the part of the impedance that is caused by the beating of the heart in a human subject, and then identifies in real time significant silence in the filtered chest impedance signal, including determining the probability of apnea. If the probability of apnea exceeds a threshold value, the apneic subject can be stimulated using automated interactions such as a vibrating mattress or air blower.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for producing and harvesting algae. The orientation of the production substrates is critical for maximizing production as a function of water area utilized. By employing an array of algae production substrates in a vertical configuration relative to the water surface, the yield of algae production per area of open water is increased substantially relative to prior art algae production systems.

Abstract: A method of affecting power used by an electronic device is provided for an electronic device having storage media and running at least one application. Each application interfaces with the storage media through an input/output (I/O) path executing I/O activities that access the storage media in accordance with configurable parameters of the I/O path. A run-time I/O pattern defined by the I/O activities is determined during a run-time period of the electronic device. At least one of the I/O path's configurable parameters is then modified based on the run-time I/O pattern. The method is readily adapted for power conservation by providing selections for the configurable parameters with each of the selections optimizing power usage for a hypothetical I/O pattern. Then, one or more configurable parameters are modified in accordance with one of the selections for which the hypothetical I/O pattern associated therewith is closest to the run-time I/O pattern.

Abstract: The invention describes methods and compositions for treating fear of medical procedures comprising administering proglumide to a patient having fear of medical procedures, followed by subjecting the patient to the fear-inducing medical procedure. Representative examples of fear of medical procedures that can be treated according to the methods and compositions described herein include: dental phobia, fear of needles, fear of surgery, and fear of childbirth.

Abstract: A method limits power usage by a battery-powered communication device having high and low power states of operation. The device's WiFi driver running on a kernel level of the operating system includes a counter-based routine for placing the device in one of its low power state and high power state. A high or low priority level is established for applications maintained on the device. An identifier for each application and its priority level is stored within a module maintained at the operating system's kernel level. Network traffic passing through the kernel level is monitored to determine whether the network traffic is associated with one of the identified applications and whether the priority level associated therewith is high priority. The counter-based routine of the WiFi driver is accessed when the network traffic is associated with one of the applications and its priority level is high priority.

Abstract: Herein we describe a method for the reduction of pollution in aquatic systems by incorporating polyhydroxyalkanoate microbeads into personal care formulations such as exfoliants, cosmetics, and toothpaste. Suitable polyhydroxyalkanoate microbeads are biodegradable, have an average size of less than 400 microns, and sink rapidly in aquatic environments.

Abstract: Herein we describe compositions and methods for the synthesis of [2.2.2]-diazabicyclic structures comprising a domino reaction sequence involving aldol condensation, alkene isomerization, and intramolecular hetero-Diels-Alder cycloaddition. Excellent diastereofacial control during the cycloaddition is enforced with a removable chiral phenyl aminal diketopiperazine substituent. The reaction sequence rapidly generates molecular complexity and is competent with both enolizable and non-enolizable aldehyde substrates. This method provides an efficient route to [2.2.2]-diazabicyclic structures, common to bioactive prenylated indole alkaloids such as the brevianamides and stephacidins.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for conserving network resources such as battery power of a battery-powered communication device used to support a conversation over a wireless network transport media. Periods of silence are detected during conversation taking place on a network having controllable resources such as battery power. Using the periods of silence so-detected, future silence periods occurring on the network are then predicted. Allocation of at least a portion of the controllable resources is controlled based on the future silence periods so-predicted.

Abstract: Herein we describe fishing gear having a degradable component comprising a polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer, as well as methods for ensuring that such gear has reduced functionality after becoming derelict. Derelict fishing gear has a negative economic and ecological impact, and thus it is advantageous to use gear that will lose the ability to catch and retain fish over time. Incorporating a degradable apparatus into such gear provides an effective, economical solution. Suitable degradable components are described herein.

Abstract: Herein we describe a nasal inspiratory resistance trainer (“NIRT”) that increases the difficulty of nasal breathing. The device is specially designed to limit the cross-sectional area of the nostril, which decreases the volume of air a person can easily intake per unit time, typically achieved by reducing tidal volume per breath, reducing respiratory rate, or a combination thereof. Specific implementations are described.

Abstract: Neural nanoprobes are described, as well as methods for their use, including for use as a tagging system for neuronal pathway identification. The neural nanoprobes comprise metallic nanoparticles that are conjugated to both (i) a cationic polymer such as polyethylenimine and (ii) an antibody to a vesicular transporter protein. These methods allow retrograde characterization of glutamatergic neurons in a tissue slice preparation. Since the nanoparticles used are non-lipid-soluble and are specifically conjugated to enter and escape the synaptic vesicular machinery, these nanoparticles allow probing of a neuron's somatic origin, via the synapse, by diffusional means.

Abstract: Devices and methods useful for enhancing respiration quality in humans are described herein. In particular, the present invention relates to devices and methods useful for the treatment, prevention, and/or management of respiratory disorders and associated complications. Herein, a training device is described that increases the difficulty of nasal breathing.