Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions for modulating the activity of KCNQ channels as a means for reducing the effects of aberrant KCNQ channel function associated with epilepsy, deafness and arrhythmias including but not limited to, Long-QT syndrome (“LQTS”), and atrial fibrillation. The present disclosure also relates to the discovery of certain regions of KCNQ channels that interact with various channel stimulating molecules such as, ATP, and PIP2, as well as KCNQ channel domains that effect voltage dependant channel activation. The disclosure is also directed to the use of small molecules to modulate KCNQ channel activity in a cell. Moreover, the present disclosure relates to the therapeutic effects of treating a subject with modulators of KCNQ channel activity.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 14, 2014
Date of Patent:
May 24, 2016
Assignees:
Washington University, The Research Foundation for The State University of New York, Curators of the University of Missouri
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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 7, 2012
Date of Patent:
May 10, 2016
Assignee:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Abstract: A method for detecting surface and bulk deep states in semiconductor materials is provided. In various embodiments, the method comprises configuring a detection circuit of charge based deep level transient spectrometer in one of a parallel mode and a series mode by controlling the configuration of a switching circuit of the detection circuit. The method additionally comprises generating digitized voltage charge outputs of a device under test utilizing the detection circuit as controlled via execution of an analog-to-digital conversion and timing program by a control system of the charge based deep level transient spectrometer. Furthermore, the method comprises obtaining desired information about deep level transients of the device under test based on the digitized voltage charge outputs via execution of a control system operable to execute a Q-DLTS data analysis program by the control system.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 2, 2012
Date of Patent:
May 3, 2016
Assignee:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Inventors:
Daniel E. Montenegro, Jason B. Rothenberger, Mark A. Prelas, Robert V Tompson, Jr., Annie Tipton
Abstract: A method of producing 1,3-propanediol. The method comprises fermenting a haloalkaliphilic species of Halanaerobium with a source of glycerol into 1,3-propanediol, at a pH of greater than about 10 and at a salt concentration of greater than about 5% w/v. Furthermore, with supplementation of vitamin B12, the yield of 1,3-propanediol to glycerol can be increased.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 6, 2014
Date of Patent:
May 3, 2016
Assignee:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Inventors:
Melanie Rose Mormile, Daniel William Roush, Dwayne Alexander Elias, Oliver Clifford Sitton
Abstract: A low-power, compact piezoelectric particle emitter for emitting particles such as X-rays and neutrons. A piezoelectric transformer crystal receives an input voltage at an input end and generates a higher output voltage at an output electrode disposed at an output end. The emitter is in a vacuum and the output voltage creates an electric field. A charged particle source is positioned relative a target such that charged particles from the charged particle source are accelerated by the electric field toward the target. Interaction between the accelerated charged particles and the target causes one of X-rays and neutrons to be emitted.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 13, 2014
Publication date:
April 28, 2016
Applicant:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Inventors:
Scott D. Kovaleski, Brady B. Gall, Andrew L. Benswell, Peter Norgard, James Vangordon
Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pupillary light reflex (PLR) system, wherein the PLR system includes a remote tracking and imaging system that is structured and operable to generate and acquire high resolution pupil stimulus and response data from a test subject while the test subject is moving and is disposed a distance from remote tracking and imaging system that is greater than or equal to one-third of a meter. The PLR system additionally includes a computer based system controller that is structure and operable to execute PLR software to control the operation of the remote tracking and imaging system and compute PLR information based on the pupil stimulus and response data acquired as the test subject is moving.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 22, 2013
Date of Patent:
April 19, 2016
Assignee:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Inventors:
Gang Yao, Judith H. Miles, Dinalankara M. R. Dinalankara
Abstract: Wideband synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging. A probe transmits a signal through its aperture incident to an object located in a medium of interest remotely from the probe. The probe receives through the aperture a plurality of nonuniformly sampled reflected signals from the object as the probe moves in a measurement plane located a predetermined distance from the object. A processor executes a SAR-based reconstruction algorithm to generate an image.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 21, 2013
Date of Patent:
April 19, 2016
Assignee:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Inventors:
Joseph T. Case, Mohammad Tayeb Ghasr, Reza Zoughi
Abstract: A high-speed vehicle or device presents a surface configured to move through a fluid such that the fluid flows across the surface in a primary flow direction. The vehicle or device also presents a subsurface spaced inwardly from the surface, as well as a plurality of cavity-defining structures that project generally outwardly from the subsurface and extend along the subsurface generally transverse to the primary flow direction. The cavity-defining structures are spaced apart in the primary flow direction. Each adjacent pair of the cavity-defining structures and the subsurface at least in part cooperatively define a cavity therebetween. Fluid rollers or vortices are formed in the cavities, with frictional forces thereby being generated therein in a direction opposite of drag forces on the surface. Each of the cavity-defining structures defines at least one interconnecting channel extending between adjacent ones of the cavities to fluid interconnect said cavities.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 4, 2014
Date of Patent:
April 12, 2016
Assignee:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
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.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 16, 2014
Publication date:
March 31, 2016
Applicant:
THE CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
Inventors:
ASHIM K. MITRA, SULABH P. PATEL, RAVI D. VAISHYA, VIBHUTI AGRAHARI
Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for tissue, such as an allograft, storage and preservation for extended periods of time at room temperature in a sterile tissue culture chamber. The invention further provides a process for maintaining the sterility of tissue using the apparatus as described.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 19, 2015
Publication date:
March 31, 2016
Applicants:
The Curators of the University of Missouri, The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
Inventors:
James L. Cook, Clark T. Hung, Eric Lima, Aaron Stoker
Abstract: A source cold cathode field emission array (FEA) source based on ultra-nanocrystalline diamond (UNCD) field emitters. This system was constructed as an alternative for detection of obscured objects and material. Depending on the geometry of the given situation a flat-panel source can be used in tomography, radiography, or tomosynthesis. Furthermore, the unit can be used as a portable electron or X-ray scanner or an integral part of an existing detection system. UNCD field emitters show great field emission output and can be deposited over large areas as the case with carbon nanotube “forest” (CNT) cathodes. Furthermore, UNCDs have better mechanical and thermal properties as compared to CNT tips which further extend the lifetime of UNCD based FEA.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 25, 2014
Date of Patent:
March 29, 2016
Assignees:
UChicago Argonne, LLC, The Curators of the University of Missouri
Inventors:
Anirudha V. Sumant, Ralu Divan, Chrystian M. Posada, Carlos H. Castano, Edwin J. Grant, Hyoung K. Lee
Abstract: A system for elucidating physiological characteristics of laryngeal adductor reflex (LAR) responses in a human or animal subject's larynx's vocal folds (VFs) includes a pressure pulsing component to provide a stable and adjustable pulse of pressure to the larynx, a control system component in functional communication with the pressure pulsing component to control or regulate one or more aspects of the timing, magnitude and number of pulses of pressure delivered by the pressure pulsing component during respiratory cycles, and a respiratory sensor component to detect and/or determine physiological characteristics of the subject's LAR response. The method includes evoking a LAR response in the subject and determining one or more physiological measurements including duration, velocity, and angles of motion of the subject's VFs during the LAR response. The present disclosure provides for enhanced endoscopic field of view of the larynx and delivering stimuli over a wider range of controlled parameters.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 23, 2015
Publication date:
March 24, 2016
Applicant:
THE CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
Abstract: The present invention provides radioactive arsenic complexes useful in diagnostic and therapeutic applications and methods for forming those arsenic complexes.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 3, 2015
Publication date:
March 24, 2016
Applicant:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Inventors:
Silvia S. Jurisson, Cathy S. Cutler, Donald E. Wycoff, Anthony J. DeGraffenreid
Abstract: A graft-positioning system that includes a body further comprising a shaft, a handle engaged to the first end of the shaft, a guide rest engaged to the second end of the shaft and a flange engaged to the guide. In addition, the shaft also includes a plurality of pin channels that extend from the first end to the second end of the shaft. The graft-positioning system may also include plurality of guide pins that are configured and arranged to be received within the plurality of pin channels. Additional embodiments provide an arthroscopic cutter that includes a tubular body and a drive shaft attached to a cutting head at one end and situated within a lumen defined within the tubular body. The tubular body further includes a guide rest engaged to the distal end of the tubular body and a flange engaged to the guide rest.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 5, 2014
Publication date:
March 17, 2016
Applicant:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Inventors:
Ferris M. Pfeiffer, Matthew J. Smith, James L. Cook
Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for identifying terrestrial objects that have changed in a certain manner. One embodiment of the method includes receiving a query that includes one or more inputs, which are related to 1) a first terrestrial object (“first object”) and 2) source change-detection information that describes change associated with the first object; applying the query to a dataset that includes indexed information that describes the imagery; based on the one or more inputs, receiving a query result by identifying a set of regions in the dataset that are respectively associated with change information that is similar to that of the source change-detection information; and presenting on a presentation device indications of at least a portion of the identified set of regions.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 28, 2015
Publication date:
March 3, 2016
Applicant:
Curators of the University of Missouri
Inventors:
Grant Jason Scott, Chi-Ren Shyu, Matthew Nicholas Klaric, Curtis Herbert Davis, Brian Christopher Claywell
Abstract: Biomaterial compositions comprising organosilicon monomers (such as silorane monomers) and chemical curing systems or dual chemical/light curing systems, in conjunction with optional tetraoxaspiro[5.5]undecanes (“TOSUs”) and/or fillers.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 11, 2015
Publication date:
March 3, 2016
Applicant:
CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
Inventors:
Kathleen V KILWAY, Lynda F. BONEWALD, Thomas P. SCHUMAN
Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods, for treating subjects suspected of needing treatment for a Nidovirales virus infection. In certain embodiments, the compounds comprise Nidovirales helicase inhibitors that do not significantly affect helicase ATPase enzymatic activity or nucleic acid binding activity of the helicase.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 17, 2013
Date of Patent:
February 23, 2016
Assignee:
The Curators of the University of Missouri
Inventors:
Stefan G. Sarafianos, Adeyemi O. Adedeji, Kamlendra Singh
Abstract: Nitrogen doped TiO2 (N—TiO2) is used to fabricate Poly(vinylene fluoride) (PVDF)/N—TiO2 mixed matrix hollow fiber membranes (HFMs) through a phase inversion method to improve filtration efficiencies and antifouling properties. The membranes performances were evaluated based on the water permeability, humic acid (HA) rejection and antifouling properties. Resulting membranes showed brown color and improved hydrophilicity, especially under light irradiation. When compared to original PVDF and PVDF/P25 membrane, mixed matrix membranes containing N—TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) showed clear photocatalytic activities under visible light irradiation. Also, membrane performance assessments indicated that PVDF/N—TiO2 membranes possessed enhanced water flux, similar HA rejection (e.g., above 96%) and improved fouling resistance with PVDF membranes as a control.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 7, 2015
Publication date:
February 18, 2016
Applicant:
THE CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI