Abstract: The invention provides biocompatible implants (“scaffolds”) for use in the treatment of tendon injury and/or modulation of the biomechanical properties of tendon. More particularly, the invention provides biocompatible implants capable of delivering microRNA 29 and precursors and mimics thereof to the tendon. In some embodiments the implant comprises a bioresorbable substrate to avoid the need for surgical removal of the implant once healing or re-modelling is complete.

Abstract: In-situ methods for the batch fabrication of flat-panel micro-channel plate (MCP) photomultiplier tube (PMT) detectors (MCP-PMTs), without transporting either the window or the detector assembly inside a vacuum vessel are provided. The method allows for the synthesis of a reflection-mode photocathode on the entrance to the pores of a first MCP or the synthesis of a transmission-mode photocathode on the vacuum side of a photodetector entrance window.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring radiation levels in vivo in real time. Apparatus and methods include a scintillating material coupled to a retention member.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions for treating or preventing a bacterial infection, particularly infection by a Staphylococcus bacterium. The invention provides methods and compositions for stimulating an immune response against the bacteria. In certain embodiments, the methods and compositions involve a non-toxigenic Protein A (SpA) variant or an antibody directed thereto.

Abstract: A communication system that reduces the mutual influence of antennas operating in similar or different frequency bands. The communication system includes a first and a second antenna operating in a first and a second frequency band, respectively, and placed in close proximity to each other. The first antenna is covered by a conformal mantle metasurface with anti-phase scattering properties thereby cancelling the scattering in the second frequency band. The conformal mantle metasurface consists of a patterned metallic sheet comprising slits both in an azimuthal and a vertical direction to reduce both vertical and horizontal polarization scattering. When the first antenna is a low-band dipole antenna and when the second antenna is a high-band dipole antenna, the conformal mantle metasurface reduces the low-band blockage without disrupting the performance of both antennas in terms of radiation pattern and impedance matching.

Abstract: A method for the polymerization of ?-lipoic acid and ?-lipoic acid derivatives includes preparing an ?-lipoic formulation, exposing the ?-lipoic formulation to an aqueous phase and a gaseous phase at a gas/water interface, and allowing the ?-lipoic formulation to polymerize at the gas/water interface to form a poly(?-lipoic acid) polymer. The ?-lipoic formulation can be an ?-lipoic solution of an ?-lipoic solute and an organic solvent miscible with water, and can also be an ?-lipoic acid or oligomer or polymer thereof in liquid (typically melt) form.

Abstract: A thermal energy harvesting system includes a pair of shape memory sections formed of shape memory alloy (SMA) material that are each disposed within a tube. The shape memory sections are fixed in position at one end and are attached at another end to a rotating shaft that is in mechanical communication with a power generator. Fluid inlet valves are provided in each housing and are each controlled to alternatingly supply hot and cold fluid to the tubes to selectively heat and cool the shape memory sections. This results in the cyclical contraction and expansion of the shape memory sections, which causes oscillating rotation of the shaft that is converted by the power generator into electrical power.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for determining a rheological parameter of a fluid within a wellbore. The methods comprise receiving a plurality of differential pressure measurements of a fluid within a flow region of the wellbore; storing the plurality of differential pressure measurements; generating a curve based on the plurality of differential pressure measurements; and determining the rheological parameter of the fluid using the curve. The systems comprise a conduit arranged in a wellbore; a plurality of pressure sensors along the conduit configured to measure pressure of the fluid within the wellbore; and a processing device. The processing device is configured to: receive a plurality of differential pressure measurements of the fluid from the pressure sensors; store the plurality of differential pressure measurements; generate a curve based on the plurality of differential pressure measurements; and determine the rheological parameter of the fluid using the curve.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for treating certain oxidative stress conditions. In one aspect, compositions and methods of the invention can be used to treat a subject having an oxidative stress condition, for example, a subject having pulmonary fibrosis. In some embodiments, an inhibitor of ERp57 (for example, thiomuscimol) and/or an inhibitor of GSTP (for example, TLK-199) may be used to treat the subject. Also provided in certain aspects of the present invention are kits for such therapies, methods for promoting such therapies, and the like.

Abstract: Digital tomosynthesis systems, methods, and computer readable media for intraoral dental tomosynthesis imaging are disclosed. In some aspects, an intraoral tomosynthesis imaging system includes an x-ray source array for positioning outside a mouth of a patient, wherein the x-ray source array contains multiple x-ray focal spots that are spatially distributed on an anode, an area digital x-ray detector for positioning inside the mouth of the patient, a geometry calibration mechanism for connecting the x-ray detector to the x-ray source array, an x-ray collimator for confining x-ray beams to a region of interest, a controller for regulating x-ray radiation and synchronization of the x-ray radiation with the x-ray detector, such that multiple 2D projection images of the ROI are acquired without mechanical motion of the x-ray source array, the x-ray detector, or the mouth of the patient, and a computer program and workstation for 3D tomosynthesis image reconstruction and display.

Abstract: A reduced shock breakaway set screw for use with medical implants and constructs for the spine having improved geometry of the groove area between the upper head portion and lower threaded portion of the set screw. The groove area of the set screw has circular and noncircular portions which in at least one embodiment comprise upper and lower radii separated by a flattened groove bottom. Other embodiments have apertures running between the groove area and an internal cylindrical bore and/or ridges or ribs running across the groove area. The improved geometry serves to slow down the fracturing process during shearing thereby increasing the proportion of energy dissipated as heat from plastic deformation of the material to the amount of energy released as kinetic energy from elastic deformation, thus reducing shock to the patient and physician without changing the preset break-off torque for the set screw.

Abstract: A non-reciprocal device using a space-time modulation scheme. By applying the space-time modulation scheme, reciprocity in radiation and scattering scenarios is prevented. Such a scheme utilizes a linear system with simple, compact and inexpensive electronic components compared to the current use of bulky duplexers and non-reciprocal magnet based phase shifters to provide non-reciprocity. One such linear system involves traveling-wave antennas loaded with voltage dependent capacitors that are modulated in space and time thereby allowing the antenna to transmit with high directivity in a certain direction and not receive from that direction. Another linear system involves a resonant metasurface characterized by transverse spatiotemporal gradients, where the spatiotemporal gradients include periodically modulated impedances thereby causing a non-reciprocal transmission response.

Abstract: A technique is provided which enables simple and low-cost purification of biologically active proteins by means of a conjugate of a target substance capturing molecule and a protein which comprises the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO:1, or a protein which comprises the amino acid sequence obtained by deleting, substituting or adding one or multiple amino acids in the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1 and which has binding activity to a compound having —OH or —OR1 [R1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or —PO3H2].

Abstract: Underwater adhesive materials, methods of making the same, and methods of using the same are described.

Abstract: A superconductor tape may be fabricated via Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) to achieve peel strengths greater than approximately 4.5 N/cm. The superconductor tape may be fabricated via MOCVD with a REBCO composition that includes the elements Samarium (Sm)-Barium(Ba)-Copper(Cu)-Oxygen(O). Varying levels of Copper (Cu) content can achieve peel strengths ranging between approximately 4.5 N/cm to approximately 8.0 N/cm.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for producing 1-butanol are described herein. In some examples, the methods can comprise, contacting a reactant comprising ethanol with a catalyst system, thereby producing a product comprising 1-butanol. The catalyst system can comprise, for example, an iridium catalyst and a nickel, copper, and/or zinc catalyst. The nickel, copper, and zinc catalysts can comprise nickel, copper, and/or zinc and a sterically bulky ligand.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for utilizing adaptive rectangular decomposition (ARD) to perform head-related transfer function (HRTF) simulations are disclosed herein. According to one method, the method includes obtaining a mesh model representative of head and ear geometry of a listener entity and segmenting a simulation domain of the mesh model into a plurality of partitions. The method further includes conducting an ARD simulation on the plurality of partitions to generate simulated sound pressure signals within each of the plurality of partitions and processing the simulated sound pressure signals to generate at least one HRTF that is customized for the listener entity.

Abstract: Discrete micro and nanoscale particles are formed in predetermined shapes and sizes and predetermined size dispersions. The particles can also be attached to a film to form arrays of particles on a film. The particles are formed from molding techniques that can include high throughput and continuous particle molding.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for treating nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and for induction of diuretic effect.

Abstract: Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate torsional and/or tensile actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize non-coiled or coiled yarns and can be either neat or comprising a guest. Devices comprising these artificial muscles are also described.