Abstract: A system for disinfecting a fluid, including: a flow cell including one or more inlet ports and one or more outlet ports, wherein the flow cell is configured to communicate a fluid containing a biological contaminant from the one or more inlet ports to the one or more outlet portions through an interior portion thereof; and one or more point radiation sources disposed about the flow cell, wherein the one or more point radiation sources are operable for delivering radiation to the biological contaminant; wherein an interior surface of the flow cell is operable for reflecting the radiation delivered to the biological contaminant by the one or more point radiation sources; and wherein the interior surface of the flow cell is operable for reflecting the radiation delivered to the biological contaminant by the one or more point radiation sources such that a radiation intensity is uniform throughout the interior portion of the flow cell. In one exemplary embodiment, the flow cell is an integrating sphere.

Abstract: A permanently sealed vacuum tube is used to provide the electrons for an electron microscope. This advantageously allows use of low vacuum at the sample, which greatly simplifies the overall design of the system. There are two main variations. In the first variation, imaging is provided by mechanically scanning the sample. In the second variation, imaging is provided by point projection. In both cases, the electron beam is fixed and does not need to be scanned during operation of the microscope. This also greatly simplifies the overall system.

Abstract: An electron microscope is provided which can measure, with high sensitivity and high positional resolution, an amount of deflection of an electron beam occurring when it is transmitted through a sample. The electron microscope (100) is adapted to measure the amount of deflection of the electron beam (EB) when it is transmitted through the sample (S), and has an electron beam source (10) producing the electron beam (EB), an illumination lens system for focusing the electron beam (EB) onto the sample (S), an aperture (30) having an electron beam blocking portion (32) for providing a shield between a central portion (EB1) and an outer peripheral portion (EB2) of the cross section of the beam (EB) impinging on the sample (S), and a segmented detector (20) having a detection surface (22) for detecting the electron beam (EB) transmitted through the sample (S). The detection surface (22) is divided into a plurality of detector segments (D1-D4).

Abstract: The invention provides a method of detecting abnormal entry of gastrointestinal contents into the respiratory tract of a patient. The method comprises orally administering to a subject formulation comprising a detectable label that is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract but can be absorbed from the respiratory tract. The extent of the gastrointestinal contents entering the respiratory tract can be estimated by measuring the level of the detectable label in a body fluid, e.g., blood or urine.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes systems, methods, and computer readable media for generating an augmented scene display. An exemplary method includes forming, using a display device operating in a first stage, an augmented virtual image by emitting light rays through a plurality of spatial light modulation layers included in a display device. The method also includes forming, using the display device operating in a second stage, an occluded real image by opening a shutter element of the display device to receive light rays from a real object and utilizing the plurality of spatial light modulation layers to block any light ray from the real object which coincides with the augmented virtual image. The method further includes generating an augmented scene display that includes both the occluded real image and the augmented virtual image by alternating the operation of the display device between the first stage and the second stage.

Abstract: A comparative discrimination spectral detection (CDSD) system for the identification of chemicals with overlapping spectral signatures, including: a radiation source for delivering radiation to a sample; a radiation collector for collecting radiation from the sample; a plurality of beam splitters for splitting the radiation collected from the sample into a plurality of radiation beams; a plurality of low-resolution optical filters for filtering the plurality of radiation beams; a plurality of radiation detectors for detecting the plurality filtered radiation beams; and a processor for: receiving a set of reference spectra related to a set of target chemicals and generating a set of base vectors for the set of target chemicals from the set of reference spectra, wherein the set of base vectors define a geometrical shape in a configuration space; receiving a set of filtered test spectra from the plurality of radiation detectors and generating a set of test vectors in the configuration space from the set of filte

Abstract: Methods and systems for the isomerization and fermentation of xylose and hexose sugars using an immobilized enzyme system capable of sustaining two different pH microenvironments in a single vessel are disclosed. Bilayer particles are dispersed in a mixture comprising an ionic borate source and xylose. The bilayer particles have a first region with a first enzymatic activity comprising xylose isomerase and a pH of 6 or above, and a second region having a second enzymatic activity at an acidic pH.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treatment and/or prevention of cancer by manipulation of commensal microflora. In particular, the amount, identity, presence, and/or ratio of microflora (e.g., gut microflora) in a subject is manipulated to facilitate one or more co-treatments.

Abstract: An oral device includes an intraoral bolus simulator having an exterior surface and an interior volume fillable with a fluid. An extraoral user interface extends from the bolus simulator, and can be used to locate or position the intraoral bolus simulator. In various embodiments, the fluid may be a gas or a liquid, or combinations thereof. In other embodiments, an oral device includes an extraoral handle, a shield connected to the handle, a tether extending from the shield, and a bolus simulator connected to the tether.

Abstract: A laser device includes a light source that radiates a laser beam having one or more frequencies, and a nonlinear optical medium on which the laser beam is incident, the non-linear optical medium including at least one dispersive medium that is transparent and arranged along a direction in which the laser beam is radiated. The nonlinear optical medium drives a nonlinear optical process including generation of laser beams having different frequencies. The at least one dispersive medium has an effective thickness that causes a relative phase relationship among all the laser beams relevant to the nonlinear optical process to approximately satisfy a predetermined value.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for producing bioengineered tissue along with an apparatus and other relevant compositions employed in generation thereof.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides nitric oxide-releasing polysaccharides and oligosaccharides, in particular, polyglucosamines, and their use in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. More particularly, in some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter provides nitric oxide-releasing polysaccharides and oligosaccharides that release nitric oxide in a controlled and targeted manner, thereby prolonging the therapeutic effects of nitric oxide and improving the specificity of nitric oxide delivery to targeted cells and/or tissues.

Abstract: Biodegradable antimicrobial films are provided that are solid at room temperature and substantially liquefy in situ after implantation into a mammal, such as a human patient. Methods of using the films to cover a medical device, such as a breast implant, prior to insertion into a subject are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for identifying and treating cancers that are homologous recombination (HR)-repair defective. In some aspects, HR defective cancers are treated with a PARP inhibitor therapy. Methods for sensitizing cancers to a PARP inhibitor therapy are also provided.

Abstract: A method for detecting a target nucleic acid, comprising: (a) contacting a nucleic acid sample comprising a target nucleic acid, comprising a first portion and a second portion, with: (i) a detection probe, wherein the detection probe is labeled with a labeling substance and comprises a nucleic acid sequence that forms a stem-loop structure and having a 5? protruding end or a 3? protruding end that is capable of hybridizing to the second portion, and (ii) a capture probe comprising a nucleic acid sequence capable of hybridizing to the first portion, wherein the capture probe is immobilized to a substrate, under conditions to form a target nucleic acid-detection probe-capture probe complex by hybridizing the second portion to the detection probe and hybridizing the first portion to the capture probe; (b) ligating a first end of the detection probe with an end of the target nucleic acid and ligating a second end of the detection probe with an end of the capture probe; and (c) detecting the labeling substance of

Abstract: A laser device includes a light source that radiates a laser beam having a discrete spectrum; and at least one crystal plate through which the laser beam is transmitted. The at least one crystal plate is an axial crystal plate. The at least one crystal plate is configured to generate an arbitrary polarization distribution of the discrete spectrum by adjusting at least one of the thickness and the angle of the at least one crystal plate.

Abstract: A device for treating a damaged tissue includes an expandable scaffold positionable in a portion of a luminal tissue structure of a mammal; and maintained via stent technology, wherein the scaffold is comprised of electrospun fibers composed of a biodegradable compound. The scaffold serves as a temporary template that allows the tissue to be rebuilt.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a water condition monitoring device and related methods of use that significantly reduce the cost of the water condition monitoring devices by replacing the expensive and bulky multiple sensor electrodes of currently available devices with a single set of two or three metal electrodes to detect and/or measure such water quality parameters as pH, electric conductivity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen content. A microcontroller activates each sensor one at a time in a continuous loop, processing the sensor signals into near real time water condition data, which may be stored, displayed, or sent to a remote location for storage or display.

Abstract: A novel constrained peptide epitope derived from A?, related antibody compositions and methods of use. An isolated antibody that specifically binds to a cyclic peptide comprising the conformational epitope corresponding to a solvent-exposed, antibody accessible knuckle region of oligomeric A? is described. An antigenic peptide comprising an epitope having a constrained cyclic configuration, corresponding to a solvent-exposed, antibody accessible knuckle region of oligomeric A? is also described. Methods of treating, preventing, and diagnosing Alzheimer's disease are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aptamer that binds to IL-17 to inhibit binding of IL-17 and IL-17 receptor; a complex containing the aptamer and a functional substance (e.g., affinity substance, labeling substance, enzyme, drug delivery medium, drug and the like); a medicament containing the aptamer, or a complex containing the aptamer and a functional substance, a diagnosing drug and labeling agent and the like.