Abstract: A polymer-drug conjugate, which can be used in medical applications such as stents, has at least one active agent conjugated through a carboxylic acid moiety to a copolymer derived from at least one isoolefin monomer and at least one copolymerizable monomer, where the copolymerizable monomer is at least one multiolefin monomer, a ?-pinene monomer or a mixture thereof. Such conjugates show improved adhesion to stainless steel and a substantial decrease in burst release of paclitaxel form a drug eluting stent (DES).

Abstract: An oral appliance for administering a stimulus, such as a substance, to the mouth of a user includes a flexible tube having an inlet portion, a first curved portion forming an ear loop connected to the inlet portion, a second curved portion forming a lip bend connected to the first curved portion, and an outlet portion extending from the second curved portion. Alternatively, a mouthpiece for delivering a substance to the mouth of a user includes a housing having an inlet portion, a riser portion extending upwardly from the inlet portion and a curved outlet portion. A flexible tube is coupled to the housing. A method of delivering a substance to a predetermined location in a user's mouth includes disposing a flexible tube between a row of teeth and an interior surface of a cheek. The flexible tube has an exit port positioned in a rear portion of the user's mouth.

Abstract: An oral appliance for use with a subject in his/her mouth includes a flexible tube having an input end and an output end and an electrode coupled to the flexible tube adjacent the output end. The flexible tube is adapted to be positioned in the subject's oral cavity with the output end positioned in a posterior region of the oral cavity. The electrode is adapted and configured to administer an electrical stimulation to the posterior region of the oral cavity. An electrode lead is disposed within the flexible tube and connected to the electrode. An electrical stimulation control unit is connected to the electrode lead. A method of administering an electrical stimulation to a posterior region of an oral cavity of a subject is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to a clutch system for use in controllably transmitting torque from an input shaft to an output shaft. The clutch system has a torque transmission fluid that has a viscosity that changes based on the strength of an electromagnetic field passing through the fluid. A number of sensors are placed at different radial locations on the torque transmission disks to detect the strength of the electromagnetic field. Based on the strength of the electromagnetic field, the amount of torque being transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft can be adjusted. Also disclosed is a distributed actuation architecture that uses this clutch system. The distributed actuation architecture allows for the use of a single drive motor in conjunction with multiple instances of the clutch system to actuate a mechanical linkage, such as a robotic arm.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an oral device, or mouthpiece, for delivering a fluid to the mouth or oropharynx of a user. In one embodiment, the oral device includes an intraoral portion, an extraoral portion, and an auxiliary support device that serves to stabilize the oral device. In various embodiments, the auxiliary support device may be configured with ear loops, a support band, a support frame and/or a support member. The intraoral portion generally includes at least one outlet port through which the fluid is delivered to the oral cavity or oropharynx. A method of dispensing a fluid using the oral device is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to a clutch system for use in controllably transmitting torque from an input shaft to an output shaft. The clutch system has a torque transmission fluid that has a viscosity that changes based on the strength of an electromagnetic field passing through the fluid. A number of sensors are placed at different radial locations on the torque transmission disks to detect the strength of the electromagnetic field. Based on the strength of the electromagnetic field, the amount of torque being transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft can be adjusted. Also disclosed is a distributed actuation architecture that uses this clutch system. The distributed actuation architecture allows for the use of a single drive motor in conjunction with multiple instances of the clutch system to actuate a mechanical linkage, such as a robotic arm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel graft copolymers of functionalized poly(isoolefin-co-conjugated diolefin, and a process of preparing such graft copolymers. The present invention also relates to a method of preparing functionalized copolymers of isoolefins and conjugated diolefins.

Abstract: A method of forming a polyelectrolyte polymer by photopolymerizing a monomer having an ionic group covalently linked to a photocurable group. The ionic group can be borate and/or phosphonium ion. The polymer can be cross-linked as by diacrylate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a substrate having a surface modified to impart multi-scale roughness, thereby providing superhydrophobic and/or superoleophobic properties. The surface comprises a pattern of microscale pillars topped by a plurality of nanoparticles having a re-entrant convex shape. The area fraction of the surface is also selected to provide the desired superoleophobic properties. Also disclosed herein is a process for creating the modified surface comprising photolithography, optionally followed by vapor deposition. The substrates may be formed into useful articles or applied to pre-formed articles.

Abstract: A method for contrast agent enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a target sample, comprising generating a magnetic field shift in a polarizing magnetic field during a relaxation portion of an MRI pulse sequence and thereafter acquiring an MR image.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices relating to short range wireless communications. A host device wirelessly communicates with a user device. The transceiver on the host device is of a greater complexity than the transceiver on the user device. The host device performs a number of signal processing steps on data to be exchanged with the user device such that the complexity of the processing to be done by the user device is significantly reduced. This approach thereby reduces the complexity of the transceiver on the user device. The host device processing includes pre-channel equalization and pre-synchronization.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to effectively inhibit the oxidization of VO(acac)2 in solution for months. It is believed that VO(acac)2 forms a ?-complex with as many as three allylic alcohols which precludes reaction with any oxygen in the system. Although saturated and homo-allylic alcohols were also tested, this effect appears only in the allylic-alcohol based solutions. This ability to inhibit oxidation of VO(acac)2 allows these solutions to be used for making thermochromic VO2 film much more easily and economically as it avoids the requirement of operating under low oxygen level conditions. Thus the present invention provides a method of stabilizing vanadium oxyacetylacetonate (VO(acac)2) in solution against oxidation for extended periods of time, comprising the steps of mixing the oxyacetylacetonate precursor in an allylic alcohol prior to spin-coating for VO2 film formation. The allylic alcohol may be ?-methallyl alcohol.

Abstract: A one-pot approach for preparing ArSH capped Cu2ZnSnS4, Cu2ZnSn(S(1-x)Sex)4, Cu2SnS3, CuInS2, and CuIn(S(1-x)Sex)2 nanocrystals is provided. Examples involving reacting copper (II) acetylacetonate and indium chloride with thiourea and 2-mercapto-5-n-propylpyrimidine in the presence of an organic solvent are described. Monodispersed CuInS2, nanocrystals having a size of about 100 nm were prepared. Examples involving reacting copper (II) acetylacetonate, zinc chloride, and tin chloride with thiourea and 2-mercapto-5-n-propylpyrimidine in the presence of an organic solvent are described. Monodispersed Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals having a size of about 2 nm were prepared. Nanociystals obtained were found to have excellent crystallinity, stoichiometry, and high collective photovoltaic activity without the need for postprocessing such as high temperature annihilation in a sulfur atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an oral device, or mouthpiece, for delivering a fluid to the mouth or oropharynx of a user, and to a pneumatic vibrating element. In one embodiment, the oral device includes an intraoral portion, an inlet line and the pneumatic vibrating element. The pneumatic vibrating element may include a shell defining a cavity and an inlet portion in fluid communication with the cavity. The inlet portion may be in fluid communication with the inlet line. A user interface is coupled to the shell and closes the cavity. Methods of dispensing a fluid using the oral device, and/or using the pneumatic vibrating element, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an oral device, or mouthpiece, for delivering a fluid to the mouth or oropharynx of a user. In one embodiment, the oral device includes an intraoral portion, an extraoral portion, and an auxiliary support device that serves to stabilize the oral device. In various embodiments, the auxiliary support device may be configured with ear loops, a support band, a support frame and/or a support member. The intraoral portion generally includes at least one outlet port through which the fluid is delivered to the oral cavity or oropharynx. A method of dispensing a fluid using the oral device is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for operating a solar farm inverter as a Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) device—a STATCOM—for voltage control. The solar farm inverter can provide voltage regulation, damping enhancement, stability improvement and other benefits provided by FACTS devices. In one embodiment, the solar farm operating as a STATCOM at night is employed to increase the connectivity of neighboring wind farms that produce peak power at night due to high winds, but are unable to connect due to voltage regulation issues. The present invention can also operate during the day because there remains inverter capacity after real power export by the solar farm. Additional auxiliary controllers are incorporated in the solar farm inverter to enhance damping and stability, and provide other benefits provided by FACTS devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system using wireless sensors to validate wired sensors used in applications where the requirements on the reliability of wired sensors are stringent. A computing means periodically collects measurements for each variable from the wired and wireless sensors and compares them against an expected value. The expected value is a weighted average of all the measurements for a variable, in which the weight assigned to the measurement from each sensor is determined according to both its reliability and accuracy. As such, measurements are compared with the corresponding expected value for a particular variable. If the difference between a measurement and its corresponding expected value is found to be unacceptable, the validation computer will generate a corresponding alert. Application examples include 1) validating wired sensors used in safety shutdown systems for industrial facilities and 2) validating wired sensors used to monitor storage tanks.

Abstract: The present invention provides two methods for synthesizing novel titania-polyurethane (nTiO2-PU) nanocomposites for self-cleaning coatings, one a polymer functionalization method (“grafting to”) and the other, a monomer functionalization method (“grafting from”). Here, 2,2 bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid (HMPA) was used as the coordination agent, which was reacted with n-TiO2 (50:50 anatase/rutile) to form nTiO2-HMPA, then polymerized in the monomer functionalization method. In the polymer functionalization method, HMPA was reacted with a pre-polymer to form the PU, and then subsequently reacted with n-TiO2 to form the polymer nanocomposite. The photocatalytic cleanability of the nanocomposites was investigated when exposed to ultraviolet radiation using additional unreacted HMPA or stearic acid as the model “dirt” compounds. Nanocomposites prepared using both strategies showed similar self-cleaning behavior, although the monomer technique gave less substrate degradation.

Abstract: Anisotropic hydrogels including poly(vinyl alcohol) and which have physical cross-links so as to form materials which exhibit anisotropic mechanical properties characteristic of soft biological tissues wherein the anisotropic hydrogel may be used for tissue reconstruction and/or replacement including vessels, arteries, valve components, cartilage, ligaments, skin, and other medical uses such as stents, medical phantoms, contact lenses, bandages, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variant SH2 domains for binding a phosphotyrosine (pTyr)-containing peptide. The variant SH2 domains of the present invention include a parent SH2 domain having at least one amino acid substitution in a pre-defined region of 15 amino acid positions of the parent SR2 domain, wherein said at least one amino acid substitution increases the affinity of the variant SH2 domain for the pTyr-containing peptide relative to the parent SH2 domain. The present application relates also to methods of using the variant SH2 domains in the treatment of protein kinase-associated disorders, or the diagnosis or prognosis of protein kinase-associated disorders, for isolating and measuring the concentration of pTyr-containing molecules, and as reagents in research.