Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a thermal ground plane with a variable thickness vapor core. For example, a thermal ground plan may include a first casing and a second casing where the second casing and the first casing configured to enclose a working fluid. The thermal ground plane may also include an evaporator region disposed at least partially on at least one of the first casing and the second casing; a condenser region disposed at least partially on at least one of the first casing and the second casing; and a wicking layer disposed between the first casing and the second casing a vapor core defined at least partially by a gap between the first casing and the second casing. The thickness of the gap can vary across the first casing and the second casing.

Abstract: An assembly and method for end-to-side connection to anatomical tissue is disclosed. The system and method are particularly useful in coupling a ventricular assist device pump to an aorta. The assembly and method include using a tubular graft member coupled to a connection ring having at least one of a plurality of distally projecting tines extending from a distal aspect of the connection ring, and a stent having a distal flange section configured to abut an abluminal wall surface of the aorta, and an assembly including the tubular graft member and connection ring, for delivering the end-to-side connection.

Abstract: Compositions relating to thermostable vaccines and methods of preparing the same. Specifically, methods of preparing thermostable vaccines based on a recombinant ricin neurotoxin protein and uses of co-adjuvants to develop a composition capable of eliciting an immune response in a subject.

Abstract: Amine substituted morpholino oligonucleotides, other than the classical N,N-dimethylamino PMO analogue, and methods of efficiently synthesizing these oligonucleotides with high yield are provided. Morpholino oligonucleotides having thiophosphoramidate, phosphoramidate, and alkyl phosphoramidate linkers. Chimeras containing unmodified DNA/RNA and other analogs of DNA/RNA can be prepared. These oligonucleotides form duplexes with complementary DNA or RNA that are more stable than natural DNA or DNA/RNA complexes, are active with RNAse H1, and may be transfected into cells using standard lipid reagents. These analogues are therefore useful for numerous applications.

Abstract: A photonic-based microwave generator includes a mode-locked laser that generates an optical pulse train, a feedback photodiode that samples the optical pulse train, and a servo amplifier that processes the photodiode output into a servo signal. The servo signal controls the mode-locked laser to suppress relative intensity noise on the optical pulse train. The microwave generator may also include a microwave photodiode for converting the optical pulse train into a microwave signal. The microwave generator may also include a second servo amplifier that processes a low-frequency output of the microwave photodiode into a second servo signal that drives an optical modulator that modulates the optical pulse train. The microwave photodiode, optical modulator, and servo amplifier form a feedback loop that suppresses amplitude noise on the microwave signal. By reducing amplitude noise and relative intensity noise, phase noise caused by amplitude-to-phase noise conversion is minimized.

Abstract: A method for forming an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst (200, 900) may include providing a carbon (210, 910) supported platinum nanoparticle (220, 920) substrate (Pt/C) (110) and applying a tungsten nitride (WN) film (940) onto the surface of the Pt/C substrate (210, 220, 910, 920) using atomic layer deposition (ALD) (120). The Pt/C substrate (210, 220, 910, 920) with the WN film (940) may then be oxidized at a low temperature (130) and annealed at a high temperature in order to reduce WN to metallic tungsten (W) (140). The metallic W forms a blocking layer (230, 930) over coarse Pt nanoparticles (220, 920) and improves the activity and the durability of the Pt/C catalyst (900, 200) when used in fuel cells or related applications.

Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, relates to monomers and photopolymers that exhibit a high refractive index. The photopolymers of the invention have properties suitable for fabricating holographic optical elements (HOEs).

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: The present invention relates in part to compositions displaying stress relaxation at the polymer-filler interface. The adaptive interface (AI) formed by coupling moieties capable of dynamic covalent chemistry (DCC) within the polymer-filler interface promotes stress relaxation and yields tough, and healable composites.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for the chemical degradation of polymers, in particular to methods for the degradation of polyesters by electrochemical processes.

Abstract: Dynamic windows with adjustable tint give users greater control over flow of light and heat. Reversible metal electrodeposition dynamic windows include (i) a transparent or translucent conductive electrode; (ii) an electrolyte solution in contact with the electrode, the electrolyte solution comprising metal cations that are reversibly electrodeposited onto the transparent electrode upon application of a cathodic potential; and (iii) a counter electrode. The electrolyte solution advantageously includes a small amount of an additive (e.g., an inhibitor, an accelerator, a leveler, or an organic or inorganic molecule that similarly serves to enhance the surface morphology of the metal cations during reversible metal electrodeposition onto the transparent electrode). Such enhancement of surface morphology during the reversible electrodeposition of the metal tinting layer over the electrode enhances one or more of color neutrality, transmittance characteristics of visible wavelengths (e.g.

Abstract: A cell transplant carrier including a carrier plate and a carrier housing. The carrier plate includes a body and one or more chambers defined in the body. Each of the one or more chambers is configured to receive a cell transplant and is shaped to cause the cell transplant to be at least partially exposed in order to permit removal of the cell transplant therefrom. The carrier housing includes a carrier plate opening leading to an inner compartment configured to removably receive the carrier plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of PEGylating a human truncated cystathionine ?-synthase protein containing a mutation of a cysteine to a serine at amino acid position 15 (htCBS C15S). The htCBS C15S was PEGylated with one of 5 kDa, 10 kDa, or 20 kDa NHS ester PEG molecules. In-process monitoring of the PEGylation process was used in the method to reduce levels of unPEGylated htCBS C15S and htCBS C15S with insufficient PEGylation. Administration of the PEGylated htCBS C15S had efficacy throughout the course of treatment for homocystinuria.

Abstract: A spinal implant device comprising a frame and a plurality of mechanical stiffness members extending from the frame, with the plurality of mechanical stiffness members being individually customized to provide a specific axial stiffness. The plurality of mechanical stiffness members may be coupled to the frame, and the plurality of mechanical stiffness members may be a plurality of wave-spring modules. A method of treating spinal disease includes determining actual spatial mechanical properties across a vertebral contact surface of a vertebra of a patient. The method may also include manufacturing a spinal implant device that has conforming spatial mechanical properties that are specific to the patient and that are based on the actual spatial mechanical properties of the vertebral contact surface. The method may include surgically implanting the spinal implant device against the vertebral contact surface such that the actual spatial mechanical properties and the conforming spatial mechanical properties align.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates a system and method for tissue analysis, biopsy and/or treatment. In one example, a device is disclosed that includes a light generator and a probe in optical communication with the light generator. The probe includes an outer wall having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a plurality of receiver fibers that extend along a length of the outer wall and are positioned between the first end and the second end, and a plurality of transmitter fibers that extend along a length of the outer wall, adjacent to the plurality of receiver fibers.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides comprising phosphoramidimidate internucleotide linkages, and methods of efficiently synthesizing these oligonucleotides with high yield are provided. These oligonucleotides form duplexes with complementary DNA or RNA that are more stable than natural DNA or DNA/RNA complexes, are active with RNAse H1, and may be transfected into cells using standard lipid reagents. These analogues are therefore useful for numerous therapeutic antisense applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ophthalmic knife and methods of its use for treatment of various conditions including eye diseases, such as glaucoma, using minimally invasive surgical techniques. The invention relates to a multi-blade device for cutting the tissues within the eye, for example, a trabecular meshwork (TM).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions, methods, and systems useful in the prevention, management, or treatment of various conditions associated the lymphatic vasculature, including, but not limited to lymphedema. The disclosed methods and compositions are useful in reducing the activity of p53 in a subject at risk for or suffering from a disease or condition associated with lymphatic vasculature, including adults, children, infants, and embryos. Reduction in p53 activity may be achieve through reduction in one or more of p53 gene expression, p53 transcriptional activity, p53 DNA-binding affinity, etc. In many embodiments, the disease or condition is lymphedema, for example lymphedema associated with Milroy's disease, Klippel-Trenaunay and Cloves Syndromes. In many embodiments, treatment may involve administering a compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a subject in need thereof, exemplary compounds include, anti-p53 compounds, PFT, and PFT-?.

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: Methods for determining the presence or amount of oxopiperidine in a biological sample using mass spectrometry. These methods may be used to efficiently and non-invasively diagnose pyridoxine dependent epilepsy (PDE) due to deficient a-aminoadipic-?-semialdehyde (?-AASA) dehydrogenase activity due to mutations in ALDH7A1, resulting in the accumulation of ?1-P6C, P6CH, and 6-Oxo-PIP in biological samples.