Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid state switch that may be used as in optically-triggered switch in a variety of applications. In particular, the switch may allow for the reduction of gigawatt systems to approximately shoebox-size dimension. The optically-triggered switches may be included in laser triggered systems or antenna systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid-state optically activated switch that may be used as limiting switch in a variety of applications or as a high voltage switch. In particular, the switch may incorporate the photoconductive properties of a semiconductor to provide the limiting function in a linear mode. In one embodiment, a configuration of the switch allows for greater than 99.9999% off-state transmission and an on-state limiting of less than 0.0001% of the incident signal.

Abstract: The invention provides stabilized, biocompatible gold nanoparticles that are stabilized with material from soy or lentil plant material or a reactive extract thereof of the plant material. The gold nanoparticles of the invention can be fabricated with an environmentally friendly method for making biocompatible stabilized gold nanoparticles. The nanoparticles can be introduced in vivo to conduct enhanced imaging. The nanoparticles can also be introduced in vivo to conduct therapy.

Abstract: Methods and apparati for performing measurements of electrical signals in a multi-compartmented fluidic array format where the signal to noise ratio is improved are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and methods for the prevention or treatment of infections by negative strand RNA viruses, such as influenza virus and measles virus, wherein said compounds delay or inhibit viral replication by modulating the level or activity of a polypeptide involved in the synthesis or degradation of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in a cell, tissue, or subject. The methods involve administration of one or more compounds which modulate the level of gene expression, where the gene encodes a polypeptide involved in regulating the metabolic level of S1P, or modulate the level or activity of a polypeptide involved in regulating the metabolic level of S1P, such as sphingosine kinase (SK) and S1P lyase (SPL). Exemplary methods are directed towards reducing the level of SW by reducing the level or activity of one or more SKs, increasing the level or activity of one or more SPLs, or a combination of both steps.

Abstract: A super regenerative receiver detection system and method that includes a computing system that stores and executes a cross modulation correlation component to modulate a radio-frequency (RF) stimulation signal that is transmitted in an area using a modulating signal having a first modulating mode, and receive a response UEE signal from the area in which the response UEE signal includes a cross modulated signal emitted from a super regenerative receiver (SRR). The cross modulated signal having a second modulation mode that is different from the first modulation mode. Using this information, the cross modulation correlation component processes the received UEE signal to determine a cross modulation correlation level of a cross modulation signal relative to the modulating signal, and generates an alert signal when the determined cross modulation correlation level exceeds a specified threshold.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for forming a non-circular tissue graft from donor tissue, and a corresponding recipient site in patient's tissue, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a cutting guide is disclosed for use in forming the recipient site. The cutting guide comprises a deformable body including a non-circular window, through which the patient's tissue is accessed, that is reconfigurable to contour to the patient's tissue. A cutting bit is also disclosed for use with the cutting guide in forming the recipient site. The cutting bit engages and follow a cutting route defined by the cutting guide, and includes a shaft, as well as a cutting head that removes portions of the patient's tissue. A cutting guide for use in forming the tissue graft from the donor tissue is also disclosed, which includes a removable template defining a channel that corresponds in configuration and dimensions to the cutting route.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods may be adapted for grafting tissue at a tissue site that may include an elongate housing and a plurality of elongate cutting members. The plurality of elongate cutting members may define a cutting surface at a distal end of the elongate housing. The cutting surface may be adapted to contract from a first diameter to a second diameter that is less than the first diameter. The contraction of the cutting surface from the first diameter to the second diameter may define a tapered profile between the first diameter and the second diameter suitable for obtaining a tapered graft.

Abstract: A high energy density multilayer ceramic capacitor, having at least two electrode layers and at least one substantially dense polycrystalline dielectric layer positioned therebetween. The at polycrystalline dielectric layer has an average grain size of less than about 300 nanometers, a particle size distribution of between about 150 nanometers and about 3 micrometers, and a maximum porosity of about 1 percent. The dielectric layer is selected from the group including TiO2, BaTiO3, Al2O3, ZrO2, lead zirconium titanate, and combinations thereof and has a breakdown strength of at least about 1100 kV per centimeter.

Abstract: A method for determining the yield loss of a crop using remote sensor data is described. The yield loss is determined using the reflectivity of light by the crop canopy measured from remote sensor data such as an aerial photograph. Pixel color values from the aerial photograph, expressed relative to pixel values from nitrogen-sufficient areas of the field, are transformed to yield losses using a transformation that was developed using empirical data. A similar method is described to determine recommended nitrogen fertilization rates for the crop fields. The yield loss data is useful for nitrogen fertilization management decisions, as it allows a producer of crops to weigh the expense of fertilization against the loss of revenue due to yield loss induced by nitrogen deficiency.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for modifying tocochromanol biosynthesis in plants. The present invention thus surprisingly and beneficially provides for increasing desired tocochromanol compounds in plants and enhancing the nutritional quality of human food and animal feed, without associate deleterious plant phenotypes.

Abstract: According to the embodiments described herein, a series of biological materials for treatment/therapy of DMD and/or BMD through the recovery of sarcolemmal nNOS is provided. The biological material comprises the complete dystrophin repeats R16 and R17 or certain domains, sections, or fragments of the dystrophin repeats R16 and R17. In some aspects, such domains, sections, or fragments may be selected from sequence motifs including dystrophin R17 ?1 helix, ?2 and ?3 helices of both R16 and R17, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Novel pentablock polymers having a PCL-PLA-PEG-PLA-PCL or PCL-PGA-PEG-PGA-PCL configuration, wherein PEG is polyethylene glycol, PCL is poly(8-caprolactone), PGA is poly(glycolic acid), and PLA is poly(lactic acid), and methods of making nanoparticles from the pentablock polymers, are disclosed. The invention is also directed to a method for preparing nanoparticle compositions comprised of polymers with high levels of bioactive or diagnostic agents.

Abstract: An energy harvesting device for generating electrical power from low-frequency oscillations includes a high-frequency cantilever, a plurality of low-frequency cantilevers each configured to contact the high-frequency cantilever in response to environmental vibrations having a frequency within a near-resonance frequency range associated with said low-frequency cantilever, an a generator that produces electrical power in response to contact between at least one of the plurality of low-frequency cantilevers and the high-frequency cantilever. The energy harvesting device may also include an impact mass coupled to a free end of each of the plurality of low-frequency cantilevers. Some aspects may include a common base to which the high-frequency cantilever and the plurality of low-frequency cantilevers are coupled. Other aspects may include the generator comprising one or more of an induction coil and magnet, a variable distance capacitor, or a piezo-electric material.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for producing polyhedral boron compounds. The process is generally an anhydrous, one-pot process that comprises a pyrolytic reaction of a tetraborohydride with a quaternary amine salt to form the polyhedral borane. In another aspect of the present invention, polyhedral boranes are produced, without isolation of the Lewis base-borane complex.

Abstract: A method for performing health risk assessments for a patient in a home or medical facility is provided. In various embodiments, the method comprises compiling depth image data from at least one depth camera associated with a particular patient, and generating at least one three-dimensional object based on the depth image data. The method additionally includes identifying a walking sequence from the at least one three-dimensional object, analyzing the walking sequence to generate one or more parameters, and performing at least one health risk assessment based on the one or more parameters to determine a health risk assessment score. The method further comprises sending an alert message to at least one caregiver when the at least one health risk assessment indicates the occurrence of an incident (i.e., the recorded depth image data) denoting that the patient has fallen or that there exists a high risk of the patient falling.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new apparatus/system for determining fertility of mammalian sperm based on a specific sperm-binding test that mimics sperm binding to an egg. The inventive apparatus/system comprises surface-modified beads with a compound or conjugates containing a carbohydrate sequence associated with the mammalian zona-pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a series of new and improved porous polyamide aerogels derived from multifunctional aromatics that combine the high mechanical strength of aramids with the pore structure of aerogels. The polyamide aerogels have a hyperbranched structure, relatively low density, high porosity and may be derived from functionalized monomers having more aromatic groups than functional groups. The present disclosure also provides a new method for producing the porous polyamide aerogels by polymerizing an aromatic multifunctional carboxylic acid or a ferrocene multifunctional carboxylic acid with a polyfunctional aromatic isocyanate at moderate reaction conditions followed by drying with liquid CO2. Also disclosed are various methods of use of these polyamide aerogels in a variety of applications, particularly in the generation of various precious metal catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention provides radioactive arsenic complexes useful in diagnostic and therapeutic applications and methods for forming those arsenic complexes.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a method for the synthesis and purification of 1) the polyhedral borane decahydrodecaborate and dodecahydrododecaborate anions and their salts and 2) amines and amine boranes. The organoammonium halide is combined with alkali metal tetrahydroborate to form organoammonium tetrahydroborate, which upon pyrolysis provides organoammonium decahydrodecaborate and organoammonium dodecahydrododecaborate.