Abstract: A method of evaluating tissue stiffness of a target area includes positioning an ultrasound elasticity imaging apparatus adjacent a surface of an area of tissue where the target area is located and applying a dynamic range of force to the tissue. A plurality of ultrasound beams can be directed at the tissue and a plurality of ultrasound echoes can be acquired from the strained tissue in the target area to calculate an amount of developed strain within the target area.

Abstract: Implementations of a system for determining the relevancy of a plurality of alarms may include: a plurality of sensors configured to be coupled to a patient, wherein the plurality of sensors is configured to gather physiological data, a medical monitoring device coupled to the plurality of sensors through a telecommunication channel, and wherein the medical monitoring device is configured to determine a physiological state of the patient using the physiological data. The medical monitoring device may be further configured to issue a plurality of alarm states, and a processing unit coupled to the medical monitoring device through a telecommunication channel, is then configured to evaluate the plurality of alarm states, determine the relevancy of each alarm state of the plurality of alarm states, and issue one or more alarms corresponding with each relevant alarm state to a computing device associated with a user.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus and method are provided for executing a stream of instructions out-of-order with respect to original program order. At least some of the instructions in the stream identify one or more architectural registers from a set of architectural registers. The apparatus comprises a plurality of out-of-order components configured to manage execution of a first subset of instructions out-of-order, the plurality of out-of-order components being configured to remove false dependencies between instructions in the first subset. The plurality of out-of-order components include a first issue queue into which the instructions in the first subset are buffered prior to execution. A second issue queue is used to buffer a second subset of instructions prior to execution, the second subset of instructions being constrained to execute in order.

Abstract: Ion conducting membranes based on aramid nanofibers (ANFs) can be prepared using layer-by-layer assembly, sol-gel processing, evaporation, spin coating, doctor blading, or other methods. Porosity is controlled through choice of additives and processing.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods are used to analyze a medical image to assess the state of the sample region. In at least one embodiment, the method comprises receiving at least one medical image collected previously from an image source, the at least one medical image comprising a plurality of voxels, each characterized by a signal value; classifying the signal value of each voxel as representing one of healthy tissue or diseased tissue based on a threshold value; and analyzing at least one topographical feature of the at least one medical image.

Abstract: Cargo systems are provided for vehicles that include, in one embodiment: a variable cargo surface disposed within a body of the vehicle behind one or more occupant seats, the variable cargo surface including: a low friction surface that facilitates movement of cargo within the cargo system, the low friction surface having a first coefficient of friction; a high friction surface that inhibits movement of cargo within the cargo system, the high friction surface having a second coefficient of friction that is greater than the first coefficient of friction; and a control device that selectively activates the low friction surface and the high friction surface based on conditions for the vehicle; wherein the low friction surface contacts the cargo within the cargo system when the low friction surface is activated; and the high friction surface contacts the cargo within the cargo system when the high friction surface is activated.

Abstract: An optical probe scanning assembly for use in an optical probe includes a mirror assembly that focuses an illumination beam path and a collection beam path at a region of interest within the sample. The illumination beam and the collection beam overlap to form a confocal beam region. The mirror assembly is movable in an x-axis direction and in a y-axis direction to scan the confocal beam region within the sample. The scanning assembly further includes a scanning suspension system including a gimbal assembly connected to the mirror assembly to allow the mirror assembly to rotate about one or more axes. The mirror is thereby adapted to scan along at least two different orthogonal planes, one of which extends vertically into the sample.

Abstract: Implantable splinting devices for supporting a passageway defect in a patient that is formed from one or more support structures including a polymer or a polymer and acellularized tissue matrix that define a structural component that substantially conforms to a defective passageway of the patient. The structural component also has a plurality of pores. The implantable splinting device is capable of being placed around a trachea, a bronchi, an esophagus and a blood vessel of a patient. The implantable splinting device may also be configured for placement between the trachea, and the esophagus of a patient.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compounds represented by Formula I: and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, and solvates thereof, wherein B, R1, R5, Q1, Q?, L, X, Y, and Z are as defined as set forth in the specification. The present disclosure also provides compounds of Formula I for use to treat a condition or disorder responsive to degradation of BET bromodomains such as cancer.

Abstract: There is disclosed Kirigami-inspired structures for use in solar tracking applications. When coupled with thin-film active materials, the disclosed microstructures can track solar position and maximize solar power generation. In one embodiment, there is disclosed a photovoltaic system comprising a single-axis, or multi-axis solar tracking structure comprising a support structure made of a flexible material having a defined unit cell structure, and a flexible photovoltaic cell disposed on the support structure. There is also disclosed methods of making such structures in which the photovoltaic cell is mounted to the support structure by a direct-attachment bonding processes such as cold-welding.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a method for identifying complementary chemical functionalities to form a desired supramolecular synthon. The subject invention also pertains to binary phase compositions comprising one or more pharmaceutical entities and methods for producing such compositions.

Abstract: Provided herein are small molecules that bind to ASH1L and inhibit ASH1L activity, and methods of use thereof for the treatment of disease, including acute leukemia, solid cancers and other diseases dependent on activity of ASH1L.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions including peptides, pharmaceutical preparations thereof, and methods of preventing photoreceptor death therewith and protecting of retinal cells, including, but not limited to, photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium, from Fas- or TRAIL-mediated apoptosis.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) structural biology and signaling. In particular, the present disclosure relates to binding domains directed against and/or specifically binding to GPCR:G protein complexes. Also provided are nucleic acid sequences encoding such binding domains and cells expressing or capable of expressing such binding domains. The binding domains of the present disclosure can be used as universal tools for the structural and functional characterization of G-protein coupled receptors in complex with downstream heterotrimeric G proteins and bound to various natural or synthetic ligands, for investigating the dynamic features of G protein activation, as well as for screening and drug discovery efforts that make use of GPCR:G protein complexes.

Abstract: New stretchable electrically conductive composite materials comprising at least one polymer and a plurality of nanoparticles are provided, which exhibit high conductivity even at high strain levels. The composite may comprise polyurethane as the polymer and spherical gold nanoparticles. Such materials have conductivity levels as high as 11,000 Scm?1 at 0% strain and 2,400 Scm?1 at 110% strain. Furthermore, certain embodiments of the composite have a maximum tensile strain of 480% while still exhibiting conductivity of 35 Scm?1. The inventive materials are highly flexible, highly conductive and suitable for a variety of applications, especially for advanced medical devices, implants, and flexible electronics. The disclosure also provides methods of making such stretchable electrically conductive nanocomposites, including formation by layer-by-layer and vacuum assisted flocculation.

Abstract: A road condition monitoring system capable of measuring the radiance reflected by an area of interest or the thermal radiance emitted by an area of interest in wavelengths range containing a crossover point between the curves representing the absorption of electromagnetic radiation by ice and water. A detector configured to measure the radiance in a first band having wavelengths in a spectral band on a first side of the crossover point and output a first band signal, and measure the radiance in a second band having wavelengths in a spectral band on a second opposing side of the crossover point and output a second band signal. A data processing unit configured to determine the ratio of the first band signal to the second band signal and compare the ratio to predetermined critical ratios to output a determination signal indicating the presence of water or various types of ice.

Abstract: A multi-mode, power-split hybrid transmission system having two planetary gear (PG) sets connected to one engine, two electric motors, one output shaft, and each other by several clutches, brakes, and direct connection elements. Depending on the specific location and actuation of the various clutch and brake elements, the multi-mode, power-split hybrid transmission system can be run in one of several modes (e.g. electric drive, power-split, parallel hybrid, series hybrid, electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT), generator, neutral, and the like).

Abstract: A load balancing method is disclosed, the method includes establishing a processing network including a plurality of task-processing processors interconnected therewith, each processor of the plurality having a queue of tasks to be processed, establishing a k-regular graph including nodes and branches connecting the nodes, where k is the degree of the graph, assigning d walkers to the k-regular graph, where each walker is randomly assigned to a node, receiving a new task to be processed, walking from the assigned nodes to new nodes by randomly choosing a new node from one or more available nodes, without backtracking from each of the assigned nodes to a node from which each of the d walkers immediately walked, comparing the queues of the new nodes, determining which queue of the new nodes has the least number of tasks; and assigning the new task to the node with the least number of tasks.

Abstract: A method is presented for determining an offset frequency of a frequency comb. The method includes: generating a beam of light with a waveform that repeats regularly in the time domain and exhibits a frequency comb in the frequency domain; directing the beam of light towards a point of incidence on a material; and detecting oscillation of a photocurrent in the material that is caused by the beam of light. Of note, the beam of light has an optical bandwidth that includes light propagating at a first frequency and at a second frequency, where the first frequency is less than the second frequency and the ratio of the second frequency to the first frequency is n:m, where n=m+i, m is an integer greater than one, and n and i are positive integers. Additionally, the material has a band gap and the band gap is not more than n times the first frequency.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compounds represented by Formula I: wherein R1a, R1b, R2a, R2b, R3a, R3b, R4, A, L, X, Y, and Z are as defined as set forth in the specification. The present disclosure also provides compounds of Formula I for use to treat cancer or any other disease, condition, or disorder that is responsive to degradation of MDM2 protein.