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.

Abstract: A method for separating an amount of osmium from a mixture containing the osmium and at least one other additional metal is provided. In particular, method for forming and trapping OsO4 to separate the osmium from a mixture containing the osmium and at least one other additional metal is provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a cutting guide is disclosed for use in a surgical procedure to removed damaged tissue from a patient and form a recipient site configured and dimensioned to receive a donor graft. The cutting guide includes a first arm that abuts a section of the damaged tissue to be removed, and a second arm including a hole and a slot that receives a cutting implement, the first arm and the slot defining a distance therebetween corresponding to a desired dimension of the recipient site. In another embodiment, a cutting guide is disclosed for use in forming a donor graft from donor tissue. The cutting guide includes a body that receives the donor tissue, and a shaping member that is rotatably secured to the body. The shaping member includes at least one vane that shapes the donor tissue so as to form the donor graft.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and devices for generating electron dense air plasmas at atmospheric pressures. In particular, this disclosure relate to self-contained toroidal air plasmas. Methods and apparatuses have been developed for generating atmospheric toroidal air plasmas. The air plasmas are self-confining, can be projected, and do not require additional support equipment once formed.

Abstract: A DC/DC power converter provides high voltage gain using integrated boost and voltage multiplier (VM) stages. The boost cell operates according to a switching sequence to alternately energize and discharge a primary winding. A VM cell electrically coupled to the primary winding of the boost cell charges a multiplier capacitor to a DC output voltage greater than the input voltage when the primary winding is energized and discharges the multiplier capacitor when primary winding is discharged.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and improved oligonucleotide detection method based on the nanopore technology with a probe containing a complementary sequence to the target oligonucleotide and a terminal extension at the probe's 3? terminus, 5? terminus, or both termini. The improved nanopore sensor with the probe enables sensitive, selective, and direct detection, differentiation and quantification of target oligonucleotides such as miRNAs. The inventive detection method may also be employed as a non-invasive and cost-effective diagnostic method for cancer detection based on miRNA levels in the patient's blood sample.

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: With example embodiments described herein, a probe tip of a scanning probe microscope (such as an atomic force microscope (AFM)) is directly detected as it moves in a tapping mode to determine the tip positions over time, and a force for the tip is computed from these determined tip positions.

Abstract: A biocompatible composition for tissue repair or regeneration in mammals comprising one or more glass former compounds selected from the group consisting of B2O3, P2O5, and SiO2 and director elements selected from the group consisting of Cu, Sr, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cr, V, Nb, Mo, W, Ba, Co, S, Al, Ti, Y, Mg, Si and/or Ni to promote in vivo calcium compound formation of calcium carbonate or other calcium compounds other than hydroxyapatite. Upon direct application of the biocompatible composition to a mammalian host, calcium carbonate or other calcium compounds other than hydroxyapatite form upon bioreaction of the composition with bodily fluids.

Abstract: A three-dimensional scaffold with interconnected pores for repair of tissue comprising a scaffold body for structural support of the tissue scaffold, where the scaffold body comprises scaffold body components bonded to each other and made from component materials comprising about 40 to about 90 wt % B2O3, and two or more other oxides, wherein the scaffold body has a porosity between about 15 and about 90 vol %.

Abstract: High-resolution 3D optical polarization tractography (OPT) images of the internal fiber structure of a target tissue. Manipulation of dual-angle imaging data of the fiber orientation inside a target tissue leads to the determination of 3D imaging properties of the target tissue, allowing transmission of the 3D image properties of the target tissue to an OPT processor to produce high-resolution 3D images.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for simultaneously interrogating multiple samples using NMR spectroscopy. A first magnetic field is induced. A flow of electricity is induced through a conductive material. The flow of electricity has a direction that is perpendicular to the first magnetic field, and the flow of electricity induces a second magnetic field. A first sample is placed in an additive magnetic field region, where a direction of the first magnetic field and a direction of the second magnetic field are aligned within the additive magnetic field region. A second sample is placed in a canceling magnetic field region, where the direction of the first magnetic field and the direction of the second magnetic field are opposed within the canceling magnetic field region. A free induction decay (FID) of at least the first and second samples is induced.

Abstract: Structures and methods for tissue engineering include a multicellular body including a plurality of living cells. A plurality of multicellular bodies can be arranged in a pattern and allowed to fuse to form an engineered tissue. The arrangement can include filler bodies including a biocompatible material that resists migration and ingrowth of cells from the multicellular bodies and that is resistant to adherence of cells to it. Three-dimensional constructs can be assembled by printing or otherwise stacking the multicellular bodies and filler bodies such that there is direct contact between adjoining multicellular bodies, suitably along a contact area that has a substantial length. The direct contact between the multicellular bodies promotes efficient and reliable fusion. The increased contact area between adjoining multicellular bodies also promotes efficient and reliable fusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite materials with a high dielectric constant and high dielectric strength and to methods of producing the composite materials. The composite materials have high dielectric constants at a range of high frequencies and possess robust mechanical properties and strengths, such that they may be machined to a variety of configurations. The composite materials also have high dielectric strengths for operation in high power and high energy density systems. In one embodiment, the composite material is composed of a trimodal distribution of ceramic particles, including barium titanate, barium strontium titanate (BST), or combinations thereof and a polymer binder.

Abstract: A kit for providing a contrast enhancer in a mammal for contrasting during imaging of the mammal comprises functionalized gold nanoparticles configured to be directed to one or more of a target organ, tissue and lesion of the mammal.

Abstract: Novel urethane-acrylate (UAC) Star monomers and polyurethane-acrylate (PUAC) aerogel polymers derived therefrom are described herein, along with other novel, related monomers and polymers. Also described herein are processes for preparing the UAC Star monomers, the PUAC aerogel polymers, and the other related monomers and polymers. The PUAC and related polymers herein are useful in various applications including in structural and thermal insulation.