Abstract: A mechanical tracking system comprises a first set of linkage arms, a second set of linkage arms, a pair of shafts connected at a first end to one arm of the first set of linkage antis and at a second end to one arm of said second set of the linkage arms, wherein each arm of the second set of linkage arms is oriented out of phase with a respective arm of the first set of linkage arms, an attachment shaft positioned adjacent to the first set of linkage arms to accommodate a tool, and a sensor arrangement configured to sense the orientation and position of the attachment shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunoglobulin (Ig)-binding proteins with alkali-resistance properties. In one embodiment, the present invention provides for a variant of an Ig-binding protein, the variant comprising the Ig-binding protein having at least one asparagine residue substituted with a histidine, a serine, an aspartic acid or a threonine residue. The at least one substitution may confer to the variant Ig-binding protein an increased stability in alkaline solutions when compared to the wild-type Ig-binding. The present invention relates also to matrices for affinity separation of immunoglobulins comprising the Ig-binding proteins of the present invention, and to methods of using the Ig-binding proteins of the present invention to separate immunoglobulins from mixture compositions.

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 vapour deposition. The substrates may be formed into useful articles or applied to pre-formed articles.

Abstract: Provided are a support for affinity chromatography which has excellent alkali resistance, and a method for isolating immunoglobulin. A support for affinity chromatography, containing an immobilized protein ligand represented by the following formula (1): R—R2??(1) wherein R represents a polypeptide consisting of 4 to 30 amino acid residues that contains an amino acid sequence represented by ATK or ASK; and R2 represents a polypeptide consisting of 50 to 500 amino acid residues containing an immunoglobulin-binding domain consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2, the partial sequence thereof, or an amino acid sequence having 70% or more identity to these sequences; with the proviso that a terminus at which R2 binds to R is C-terminus or N-terminus of the immunoglobulin-binding domain.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to novel compounds that can be used to prepare radiolabeled compounds in an effective manner. A second aspect of the present invention relates to a method of synthesizing radiolabeled compounds.

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: A method of processing a plurality of time separated images comprises selecting a plurality of imaging units in each image; measuring a temporal difference in each imaging unit; and selecting temporal differences above a threshold limit.

Abstract: The present invention describes a system for controlling a thin flexible thermoplastic catheter. The system includes a plurality of shape memory alloy filaments attached to the distal end of the catheter, each filament having a phase and a temperature; a means for receiving a strain value for at least one of the filaments; a means for determining the phase change that will results in the strain value, whereby the phase change is dependent on the temperature and the temperature is dependent on a voltage; and a means for setting the voltage in each filament thereby resulting in movement of the catheter. In addition, a three-degrees of freedom force sensor measures the magnitude and direction of the force exerted on the tip of the catheter. The catheter can be autonomously guided or it can be interfaced to a haptic device. The catheter can also be fitted with microtools.

Abstract: The present invention provides phosphonium ionic liquids (11) and coatings made therefrom. Highly fluorinated phosphonium ionic liquids based on (11) having been produced exhibiting high thermal stabilities, low melting points and temperature dependent solvent miscibilities. These salts and derivatives of (11) have also been employed in the preparation of superhydrophobic surfaces, indicating that ionic liquids are not only new alternative solvents, but also viable functional materials. All derivatives of (11) form biphasic systems with common laboratory solvents of ranging polarity at room temperature. Based on the solvent miscibility experiments with water and the high fluorine loading, the PILs showed obvious evidence of being hydrophobic. Coatings made with these phosphonium ionic liquids (11), salts and derivatives thereof were superhydrophobic with water contact angles were measured and all of the surfaces were determined to be superhydrophobic with contact angles >150°.

Abstract: Methods and are provided for determining, monitoring or detecting particle size distribution of a medium. An example method includes comparing a measured ultrasound attenuation spectrum of the medium with a calculated attenuation spectrum, where the calculated attenuation spectrum is obtained by accounting for the scattering of ultrasound waves into the receiver. The methods of the present invention can be used to determine particle size distribution in a dense suspension of particles in the intermediate wavelength regime. In other aspects, methods of the present invention may also be used to monitor changes in particle size distribution, infer the shape of particles, provide feedback to a process involving a change in particle size, and determine the completion of a dissolution process.

Abstract: The present invention is an adaptive secure wireless communications system and method. Generally, the present invention may be operable to address challenges and threats to a secure communication session. The secure wireless communication system of the present invention may operate one or more of the following: multiple physical-layer attributes monitoring; multiple parameter confidence testing related to transceiver (Tx-Rx) specific environment and transmitter receiver hardware characteristics; continuous and interleaved authentication; and security enhancement using dynamic adaptation of the transmission system parameters based concurrent and/or conjugated transmission of data-carrying signal and security control information. The real-time physical-layer related monitoring and interaction between transmitter and receiver, using Tx-Rx related physical environment, of the present invention may effectively reduce many wireless security threats including interception and spoofing.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging method comprises performing imaging where more than one polarizing magnetic field strength is used during scanning and processing at least one image resulting from the scanning to yield an enhanced contrast image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system that has been devised to overcome the two most important limitations for sustained biological hydrogen production, namely contamination of the microbial hydrogen-producing cultures with methane-producing cultures necessitating frequent re-start-up and/or other methanogenic bacteria inactivation techniques, and the low bacterial yield of hydrogen-producers culminating in microbial washout from the system and failure. The system includes a continuously stirred bioreactor (CSTR) for biological hydrogen production, followed by a gravity settler positioned downstream of the CSTR, which combination forms a biohydrogenator. The biomass concentration in the hydrogen reactor is kept at the desired range through biomass recirculation from the bottom of the gravity settler and/or biomass wastage from the gravity settler's underflow.

Abstract: The present invention provides surgical training aids formed from hydrogels and adapted to exhibit realistic mechanical properties mimicking those of real organs. Surgical training aids are preferably fabricated by subjecting a concentration of polyvinyl alcohol to freeze-thaw cycles in a mold designed to approximate the shape of an organ, and process parameters are selected to tailor the mechanical properties of the formed hydrogel to those of the organ simulated by the surgical aid. The mechanical properties of the hydrogel forming the surgical training aid may be tailored by incorporating bacterial cellulose and by applying strain during hydrogel formation, thereby producing controlled anisotropy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microscale pressure sensor that exhibits high sensitivity in a small form factor. The sensor is a bridged device in which a photonic crystal waveguide, surrounded by a photonic crystal slab, is suspended over a dielectric substrate. Under applied pressure, the photonic crystal waveguide is deflected toward the substrate, causing a decrease in optical transmission across the waveguide due to the coupling of the evanescent field of the guided mode to the dielectric substrate. In a preferred embodiment, the waveguide is coupled to a photonic crystal microcavity, which increases evanescent coupling.

Abstract: Methods and systems for use with solar devices. The present invention may be used with solar panels, solar dishes, or any other devices for which an optimal exposure to the sun is desired. The present invention first adjusts an azimuth of the solar device until an optimal solar exposure, from an azimuth point of view, is achieved. Then, an altitude of the solar collector is adjusted until an optimal solar exposure, from an altitude point of view, is achieved. The invention also uses a load compensation mean to alleviate the amount of lifting or braking torque needed from the motor to tilt the solar collector.

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: 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: There is provided a composition for controlling formation and/or stabilization of a blood vessel comprising a first isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes a FGF-9 polypeptide and optionally one or more isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes another angiogenic polypeptide. There is provided a composition for controlling formation and/or stabilization of a blood vessel comprising administering an effective amount of a composition comprising an isolated FGF-9 polypeptide and one or more other angiogenic polypeptides. The compositions provided herein may be useful for controlling angiogenesis and/or vasculogenesis.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting S. aureus are provided. The methods include inhibition of polypeptides involved in the transport of the siderophore, staphylobactin.