Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods and compositions for activation of clustered receptors on a target cell using nanocarrier-associated ligands, particularly methods and compositions for targeted activation of clustered receptors on antigen-experienced T cells using nanocarrier-associated antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of enzymes. More specifically, the present invention provides an inducible reconstitution and real-time quantitative kinetic system for the study of intramembrane enzymes. In a specific embodiment, a method of screening for modulators of an intramembrane protease comprises the steps of (a) contacting in a mixture the protease and a substrate with a lipid under acidic or basic conditions to form a membrane comprising the lipid bilayer, protease and the substrate; (b) contacting a test agent with the membrane mixture; (c) adjusting the pH to physiological conditions; (d) assaying substrate cleavage by the protease; and (e) comparing the assayed substrate cleavage to a reference that does not include the test agent, wherein an increase or a decrease of substrate cleavage by the protease relative to the reference identifies the test agent as a modulator of the intramembrane protease.

Abstract: The present invention provides targeted nanoplex molecules which carry multimodality imaging reporters together with target enzyme inhibitors such as siRNAs and target prodrug enzymes, that are useful for theranostic imaging of cells and diseases, including, for example, various cancers, and including metastatic prostate cancer. The nanoplex molecules of the present invention provide a platform technology toward many cancer subtypes and alternative therapeutic targets. Downregulation of specific pathways using targeted enzyme inhibitors further provides unique opportunities to target cancer cells selectively while sparing normal tissue. The nanoplex molecule platform described herein has the ability to deliver multiple siRNA enzyme inhibitors. Methods of diagnosis and treatment of various diseases are also included.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method to fabricate silica nanostructures on thin polymer films based on silica deposition and self-wrinkling induced by thermal shrinkage. These micro- and nano-scale structures have vastly enlarged the specific area of silica, thus the silica nanomembranes can be used for solid phase extraction of nucleic acids. The inventive silica nanomembranes are suitable for nucleic acid purification and isolation and demonstrated better performance than commercial particles in terms of DNA recovery yield and integrity. In addition, the silica nanomembranes have extremely high nucleic acid capacity due to its significantly enlarged specific surface area of silica. Methods of use and devices comprising the silica nanomembranes are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and uses therefore as a predictor of diseases and conditions. Specifically, the present invention provides methods and kits useful in determining whether a subject is at increased risk for developing a cardiovascular disease by screening for the presence of a SNP in the scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) gene of a subject.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling human-machine collaborations include a generalizable framework that supports dynamic adaptation and reuse of robotic capability representations and human-machine collaborative behaviors. Specifically, a method of feedback-enabled user-robot collaboration includes obtaining a robot capability that models a robot's functionality for performing task actions, specializing the robot capability with an information kernel that encapsulates task-related parameters associated with the task actions, and providing an instance of the specialized robot capability as a robot capability element that controls the robot's functionality based on the task-related parameters.

Abstract: A method of generating a preview of at least one low-dose x-ray image includes the followings steps: obtaining an initial volumetric representation of a patient from an x-ray device; creating at least one x-ray image projection from the initial volumetric representation; injecting correlated noise into at least one of the x-ray image projections; and processing the noise-injected x-ray image projections to create at least one preview of a patient-specific low-dose x-ray for showing to a user. There are also described a device for generating at least one preview of a low-dose x-ray image, a corresponding imaging system, and a non-transitory computer readable medium.

Abstract: A stepper motor suitable for use in a medical imaging environment has (a) a cylindrical central gear having an external surface with circumferentially distributed and radially directed teeth, (b) a shaft for mounting the central gear such that it is constrained to move in rotational motion about its centerline, (c) a cylindrical hoop gear having a bore with an internal surface having circumferentially distributed and radially directed teeth, (d) level arm crank mechanisms for mounting the hoop gear such that it is constrained to move in translational-circular motion about the central gear's centerline, wherein this central gear is further configured to fit within the hoop gear's bore in such a manner that a plurality of the central gear and hoop gear teeth intermesh and cooperate so that the planetary movement of the hoop gear causes the central gear to rotate, and (e) piston mechanisms for applying a fluid pressure driven force to specified points on the hoop gear so as to cause its movement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for increasing construction site safety. The present invention reduces the risk of a construction or similar large vehicle or piece of mobile machinery hitting a construction worker. The system uses low-power wireless beacons embedded in a construction worker's hardhat or otherwise on the construction worker's person. The low-power wireless beacon interacts with sensor modules around the construction site, on construction vehicles, on construction equipment, or any other suitable placement known to or conceivable by one of skill in the art. The sensor modules send alert signals to a display accessible to a driver of the vehicle, and/or a foreman on the construction site. While the present invention is discussed herein in the context of construction safety, it should be noted that such a system can be applied to any situation where tracking and alert generation would be beneficial.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein-based biomarker that is useful qualifying ovarian cancer status to a patient. In particular, the biomarker of this invention is useful to classify a subject sample as ovarian cancer or non-ovarian cancer. The biomarker can be detected by SELDI mass spectrometry.

Abstract: The present invention provides heavy chain immunoglobulins of the VHH type or fragment thereof having affinity for a target antigen of interest, including glycoprotein D2 (gD2) of HSV-2 or antigen thereof, and for envelope proteins of HIV-1 or an antigen thereof linked to Pseudomonas exotoxin A or functional fragments thereof. Also included are multimeric forms of the immunoglobulins and their use in the prevention and/or treatment of HSV2 and/or HIV-1.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving performance of a retinal implant may include processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to receive image data corresponding to a camera field of view, determine whether a particular object is detected within the camera field of view, perform image data processing to enable a representation of a portion of the image data corresponding to an implant field of view to be provided on a retinal implant where the implant field of view is smaller than the camera field of view, and, responsive to the particular object being located outside the implant field of view, provide a directional indicator in the implant field of view to indicate a location of the particular object relative to the implant field of view.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel tomographic reconstruction framework that explicitly models the covariance of the measurements in the forward model using a mean measurement model and a noise model. This more accurate model can result in improved image quality, increased spatial resolution, and enhanced detectability—in particular, for imaging scenarios where there are features on the order of the correlation length in the projection data. Applications where these methods might have particular benefit include high resolution CBCT applications as in CBCT mammography (where very fine calcifications are difficult to resolve due to detector blur and correlation), musculoskeletal imaging (where fine bone details are important to the imaging task), or in temporal bone imaging where the fine detail structures of the inner ear are also difficult to resolve with standard imaging techniques.

Abstract: A photodetection circuit includes an avalanche photodiode and a mode switching circuit that may be configured to selectively switch an operating mode of the photodetection circuit between linear mode and Geiger mode. The photodetection circuit may further include a quenching circuit configured to quench and reset the avalanche photodiode in response to an avalanche event when the photodetection circuit is operated in Geiger mode. The photodetection circuit may additionally include an integration circuit configured to integrate photocurrent output by the photodiode and generate integrated charge units when the photodetection circuit is operated in linear mode. The photodetection circuit may also include a counter configured to count pulses output by the avalanche photodiode when the photodetection circuit is operated in Geiger mode and to count integrated charge units generated by the integration circuit when the photodetection circuit is operated in linear mode.

Abstract: A system quantifying clinical skill of a user, comprising: collecting data relating to a surgical task done by a user using a surgical device; comparing the data for the surgical task to other data for another similar surgical task; quantifying the clinical skill of the user based on the comparing of the data for the surgical task to the other data for the other similar surgical task; outputting the clinical skill of the user.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for use in assembling and expressing a plurality of transcription units using, in one aspect, homologous recombination in yeast. Yeast containing the plurality of transcription units, and isolated transcription units, are also provided. Kits for use in making the yeast and the transcript units are further included.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for improved aiming during Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) on young children and those unable to cooperate with OCT imaging by synchronization with retinal birefringence scanning (RBS). OCT is performed without knowing whether or not the subject is looking at the intended target. The present invention combines OCT retinal imaging, such as, but not limited to, time domain OCT, SDOCT, or SSOCT, with RBS technology that provides accurate information on the presence or absence of foveal fixation. Therefore, the present invention only analyzes data during foveal fixation. A system combining OCT with RBS is implemented such that both systems co-operate in a specified alignment, such that when the RBS fixation detection system detects alignment with the fovea of the eye, the OCT system will be aimed at the retinal region of interest, usually but not necessarily including the macular area.

Abstract: A serial digital data acquisition receiver (SDDAR) or system of receivers may include an opto-isolator assembly, sampling logic and a USB interface. Both a CLK signal and a DATA signal may each pass through the opto-isolator assembly upon receipt of the CLK and DATA signals at the SDDAR or system. The sampling logic may be operably coupled to the opto-isolator assembly and be configured to determine a point at which to sample the DATA signal based on state changes in the CLK signal. The USB interface may be operably coupled to the sampling logic and an output terminal. The USB interface may be configured to provide telemetry data for processing, display or recording at the output terminal, and may be configured to enable the SDDAR or system to be powered from the output terminal.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating eye disorders by administering a drug delivery system into an eye compartment of the patient, wherein the drug delivery system contains a particle containing a core; a coating associated with the particle, wherein the coating is covalently or non-covalently associated with the particle and presents a hydrophilic region to the environment around the particle; and a therapeutic agent are disclosed. The eye compartment can exhibit reduced inflammation or IOP after administration of the drug delivery systems to a patient than if a drug delivery system including an uncoated particle were administered to the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition comprising a derivative of NDGA and at least one metabolic modulator. The composition can be in a unit dose form or kit. The composition can comprise at least two metabolic modulators. Also disclosed are methods for achieving cytotoxicity, particularly of rapidly dividing cells such as cancer, by administering a composition of the invention. In various embodiments of the invention subjects with cancer achieve prolonged survival and/or diminution in the size of their malignancies and cancer metastasis.