Abstract: A highly sensitive technology enabling selective recognition of aflatoxins such as in contaminated cereal samples. Methods for the synthesis of AgNP-containing MIP membranes from the monomer mixtures containing both methacrylate monomers and oligomers as well as AgNOs solution in dimethylformamide enable the detection system. The AgNP were formed in the structure of the polymeric membranes during the pre-heating step followed by the UV-initiated polymerization. The highly selective sensor elements where MIP membranes are combined with the Ag nanostructures as signal amplifiers (LSPR-MIP nanochips) can be stored separately and used with a simple optical recognition system as selective elements of point-of-care sensor devices, even in in-field conditions. Composite plasmonic membranes provide both highly selective recognition of the target toxin and the generation of an enhanced optical signal, allowing aflatoxin B1 detection at ultralow concentrations.

Abstract: A computer system for intra-ear sensing and stimulating receives, health data, from an earbud sensor. The system repeatedly calculates an exponential moving average (EMA) of a moving window for the received health data. The system compares each calculated exponential moving average with a lower threshold value and an upper threshold value. The upper threshold value and the lower threshold value are determined based, at least in part, upon a saturation level associated within an amplifier performing the adaptive gain control. When the calculated exponential moving average is larger than the upper threshold, the system decreases a gain associated with the amplifier. When the calculated exponential moving average is smaller than the lower threshold, the system increases a gain associated with the amplifier.

Abstract: A compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, having the chemical structure of formula I as defined in the text and methods of using these compounds to inhibit topoisomerase II? and treat or prevent metastasis of cancer in a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tongue strengthening device that includes a handle on one end and a bulb structure on the other end. The bulb is resiliently flexible, and enables a user to exercise their tongue by repeatedly compressing and releasing the bulb. Provided is a system or kit that includes multiple tongue strengthening devices having different compression specifications that allow a patient to graduate to devices which are harder to compress as the patient gains tongue strength.

Abstract: The present discloses systems and methods for tissue analysis, biopsy, and treatment utilizing at least exogenous fluorophores and near infrared light. A method is disclosed for optically determining the presence of abnormal cells, such as cancer, in tissue. The method includes applying one or more exogenous fluorophores into tissue in an animal body, wherein the exogenous fluorophores include a targeting moiety formulated to bond with a selected site on abnormal cells. The method includes illuminating the one or more exogenous fluorophores in the tissue with near infrared light from an elongated optical probe to generate fluorescent light from exogenous fluorophores present in the tissue. The method includes receiving fluorescent light generated from the one or more exogenous fluorophores in the tissue. The method includes determining if abnormal cells are present in the tissue based on the fluorescent light generated from the one or more exogenous fluorophores in the tissue.

Abstract: Embodiments of the instant disclosure relate to intraocular drug delivery devices for and methods of, delivering at least one therapeutic agent to an eye of a subject. Methods include implanting an intraocular implant into the eye and adjacent to a fluid-permeable membrane of the eye of the patient. Intraocular implants are supported in a position at a surface of the fluid-permeable membrane. Intraocular implants include a drug delivery component having at least one therapeutic agent embedded within a non-bioerodible, non-biodegradable polymer matrix. Devices and methods disclosed herein can further include delivering the at least one therapeutic agent to the eye of the subject according to a near zero-order elution rate of the at least one therapeutic agent.

Abstract: In one example, an active variable reactance rectifier circuit includes an active variable reactance rectifier circuit input port and an output port. A power splitter circuit includes an input port coupled to the active variable reactance rectifier circuit input port and a pair of output ports. A first rectifier circuit includes an input port is coupled to the first power splitter circuit output port. A second rectifier circuit includes an input port coupled to the second power splitter circuit output port. A power combiner circuit includes a first input port, a second input port and an output port. The first power combiner circuit input port is coupled to the first rectifier circuit output port, the second power combiner circuit input port is coupled to the second rectifier circuit output port and the power combiner circuit output port is coupled to the active variable reactance rectifier circuit output port.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic poration device having narrow channels slightly smaller than the width of a target cell, wherein the channels are lined with a plurality of nanospikes in a row extending down the middle of the channel, i.e. in a row parallel to the sides of the channel. In one embodiment, one channel may have 2 nanospikes (or 2 nanolancets). Thus, in particular embodiments, the invention provides microfluidic poration devices capable of simultaneously squeezing cells while piercing holes in their membranes for allowing foreign molecules into cells. The holes in porated cells spontaneously close after exiting the channels, thus entrapping the foreign molecules inside of the target cells. This porated cell population has approximately a 95% viability with greater than 50% containing at least one foreign molecule.

Abstract: An implantable anastomotic assembly, which is configured to be attached to cardiovascular tissue, includes a connection interface, a plurality of outer plates, and a plurality of connectors configured to extend between and interconnect the connection interface and the plurality of outer plates, respectively, according to various embodiments. The connection interface is separate from and non-contiguous with the plurality of outer plates, according to various embodiments.

Abstract: A hydraulically amplified self-healing electrostatic (HASEL) transducer includes a composite, multi-layered structure. In an example, a HASEL transducer includes a dielectric layer including at least one fluid dielectric layer. The dielectric layer includes a first side and a second side opposing the first side. The HASEL transducer further includes a first electrode disposed at the first side of the dielectric layer, a second electrode disposed at the second side of the dielectric layer, a first outer layer disposed at the first electrode opposite the dielectric layer, and a second outer layer disposed at the second electrode opposite the dielectric layer. The first outer layer and second outer layer exhibit different mechanical and electrical properties from the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the preparation of high purity and high quality cannabinoid acids and metal salts of cannabinoids. Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) is a major cannabinoid of interest for and health reasons. It is the natural precursor of cannabidiol (CBD). The invention provides methods for the synthesis of CBDA from CBD with reagents that produce a high purity product without need for further purification. Insertion of a magnesium complexing agent prior to conversion of the reaction intermediate to the final acid product produces a high purity product with aesthetically pleasing white color and neutral odor. Methods are provided for the simultaneous synthesis and purification of cannabinoid acids, especially CBDA, produced from high purity CBD (or other cannabinoid) via a Kolbe-Schmitt type reaction using an organic base, such as DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene), incorporating complexation of acid anions to a multivalent metal, alkaline earth or transition metal, prior to product acid work-up.

Abstract: Disclosed are sensors and related methods for measuring enzyme activity in a measurement environment and for quantifying enzyme and/or microbe concentrations in the measurement environment. An enzyme activity sensor includes a degradable conductive trace and a biodegradable target configured to enable the conductive trace, in an initial state, to conduct electrical current between first and second terminal ends via conductive particles. The conductive trace is configured to degrade over time as a result of enzymatic activity that degrades the biodegradable target when the sensor is placed in a measurement environment, the enzymatic activity thereby increasing resistance between the first and second terminal ends.

Abstract: A vascular access device and assembly characterized by a tubular access graft having at least one angled distal flange that forms a non-circular distal opening to the tubular access graft, with the angled distal flange having a reinforcement structure that expands the flange and abuts a luminal wall surface of a blood vessel. Optionally, an axial compression ring or cuff may be provided that concentrically engages the tubular access graft and is translatable into a position that abuts an abluminal wall surface of the blood vessel. Also optionally, the device and assembly may include an annular ring with a plurality of axially projecting tines arrayed about a circumference of the annular ring, the annular ring being adapted to evert upon engagement with vascular tissue and creation of an access open by either an arteriotomy or a venotomy. The plurality of tines are configured to engage vascular tissue and then rotate to a different axial orientation to evert the periphery of the access site.

Abstract: A portable computed tomography (CT) system includes an O-shaped gantry defining an opening, an x-ray source operably coupled to the O-shaped gantry, and a flat panel detector (FPD) coupled to the O-shaped gantry and having a two-dimensional anti-scatter grid (2D ASG) coupled to a side of the FPD facing the opening. With the O-shaped gantry having the FPD, the object may be imaged in a first field of view (FOV) with the detector arranged in a centered geometry. Then, the detector may be arranged in an offset geometry, through-holes of the ASG may be aligned with x-ray emission paths of the x-ray source, and the object may be imaged in a second FOV with the detector arranged in the offset geometry.

Abstract: A respiration rate measurement apparatus including a plurality of sensors for concurrently generating temperature, pressure and acoustic data representing one or more successive breaths and a method of generating fusion data from the plurality of data streams as a weighted average based on determined correlation coefficients and calculation of a respiratory rate.

Abstract: Through discrimination of the scattered signal polarization state, a lidar system measures a distance through semi-transparent media by the reception of single or multiple scattered signals from a scattering medium. Combined and overlapped single or multiple scattered light signals from the medium can be separated by exploiting varying polarization characteristics. This removes the traditional laser and detector pulse width limitations that determine the system's operational bandwidth, translating relative depth measurements into the conditions of two surface timing measurements and achieving sub-pulse width resolution.

Abstract: A medical device includes an elongate body and an inflatable balloon attached to and partially surrounding at least a section of the elongate body. The inflatable balloon is selectively inflatable between a deflated state and an inflated state. Engagement between the balloon and a physiological lumen is provided, in part, by multiple protrusions extending from the inflatable balloon and having various physical and functional characteristics. In certain implementations, the balloon may be configured to exhibit various separation forces by applying different strains to the balloon, such as by varying the degree to which the balloon is inflated or deflated.

Abstract: Isotropic (amorphous) elastomers and methods of preparation are described. The isotropic elastomer may include a first monomer having an alkene functionality and a second monomer having a thiol functionality. The first monomer may be a liquid crystal monomer and the second monomer may be an isotropic monomer. Unlike polydomain LCEs, the isotropic elastomers may rapidly recover after deformation and have increased toughness relative to conventional elastomers prepared from wholly isotropic precursors.

Abstract: Insulated assemblies, insulation units including an assembly, and methods of forming the assemblies and units are disclosed. Exemplary assemblies include a first pane of material, a second pane of material, and one or more monolithic insulating layers interposed between the first pane of material and the second pane of material. The insulating layer can exhibit a thermal conductivity less than 26 mW/(K.m).

Abstract: Bioactive peptides and methods for their use for preventing, treating, and/or reducing the incidence and/or symptoms of an autoimmune disease or disorder that may result from chronic inflammation, damage to ?-cells of the pancreas, and other conditions that are implicated by the CD40-CD154 dyad. In particular, small peptides that are capable of interacting with CD40, thereby interfering with the ability of CD40 to interact with CD154, which impacts inflammation, autoimmunity, and disease progression. The use of such peptides in reducing diabetes mellitus, and in particular, the autoimmune inflammatory response that may be a driving factor thereof. Methods and materials for preventing and modulating diabetes mellitus and autoimmune diseases especially in dogs, cats, and horses.