Abstract: A method of forming a carbon nanotube array on a substrate is disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises depositing a composite catalyst layer on the substrate, oxidizing the composite catalyst layer, reducing the oxidized composite catalyst layer, and growing the array on the composite catalyst layer. The composite catalyst layer may comprise a group VIII element and a non-catalytic element deposited onto the substrate from an alloy. In another embodiment, the composite catalyst layer comprises alternating layers of iron and a lanthanide, preferably gadolinium or lanthanum. The composite catalyst layer may be reused to grow multiple carbon nanotube arrays without additional processing of the substrate. The method may comprise bulk synthesis by forming carbon nanotubes on a plurality of particulate substrates having a composite catalyst layer comprising the group VIII element and the non-catalytic element. In another embodiment, the composite catalyst layer is deposited on both sides of the substrate.

Abstract: A prosthetic anchor to be attached to a natural or prosthetic structure of a human or animal. The anchor includes a central layer with first and second surface. A plurality of fiber bundles, each with a medial portion, are concentrically embedded within the central layer to substantially define a horseshoe-shaped pattern. A substrate element is configured to be secured to the natural or prosthetic structure and to receive the second surface of the central layer. A securing element operably coupled to the second surface of the central layer is configured to secure the central layer to the substrate element in at least two positions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of cancer treatment, and more specifically to the field of treatment of primary malignant brain tumors. Provided herein are methods of treating primary brain tumors, including gliomas, by administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of the aromatase inhibitor letrozole.

Abstract: A method for treating or preventing a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease is provided herein, the method including administering to a mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of soluble CD137 or CD137pos regulatory T cells. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions for treating or preventing T-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases, the pharmaceutical compositions including a therapeutically effective amount of soluble CD137 or CD137pos regulatory T cells and a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Methods for assessing pneumonia in a patient, methods for managing treatment of a patient suspected of having pneumonia, and methods of managing treatment in a patient suffering from pneumonia. The method of assessing pneumonia includes contacting a biological sample with reagents for detection and/or quantification of neutrophil-derived microparticles, determining a level of neutrophil-derived microparticles, and assessing pneumonia if the level is elevated. The method of managing treatment of a patient suspected of having pneumonia includes assessing pneumonia by calculating a concentration of neutrophil-derived microparticles, treating the patient where pneumonia is indicated, and determining treatment response by measuring a post treatment concentration of neutrophil-derived microparticles.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to neuropeptide Y (“NPY”) Y4 receptor agonists including pancreatic polypeptide (PP), analogs thereof, and peptide fragments of PP, e.g. PP(32-36), and analogs thereof, to pharmaceutical compositions containing such Y4 receptor agonists, and to methods for treatment of mammals using the same. The NPY Y4 receptor agonists may be administered to mammals either alone or in combination with NPY Y2 receptor agonists including peptide YY (PYY) (3-36), analogs thereof, and to peptide fragments of PYY(3-36), e.g. PYY(22-36) and PYY(25-36), and analogs thereof, such as to control food intake in mammals, blood pressure, cardiovascular response, libido, circadian rhythm, hyperlipidimia, chronic pancreatitis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Abstract: A device and method of making and using the same. The device includes first and second substrates that are spaced to define a fluid space. Polar and non-polar fluids occupy the fluid space. A first electrode, with a dielectric layer, is positioned on the first substrate and electrically coupled to at least one voltage source, which is configured to supply an electrical bias to the first electrode. The fluid space includes at least one fluid splitting structure that is configured to facilitate the movement of the non-polar fluid into a portion of the polar fluid. Fluid splitting structure assisted movement of the non-polar fluid splits the polar fluid.

Abstract: A method for treating or preventing a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease is provided herein, the method including administering to a mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of soluble CD137 or CD137pos regulatory T cells. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions for treating or preventing T-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases, the pharmaceutical compositions including a therapeutically effective amount of soluble CD137 or CD137pos regulatory T cells and a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A biosensor device that includes a module defining at least one microfluidic channel, an optical waveguide exposed along at least a portion of its length to fluid flow within the microfluidic channel, where a surface of the optical waveguide being prepared to bind a target biomarker, and an excitation source to couple an excitation wavelength of light into the optical waveguide. The device also includes a sensor for detecting emission light from the optical waveguide at an emission wavelength characteristic of binding of the target biomarker. Particular devices include multiple waveguides in multiple microfluidic channels. Particular devices include microfluidic channels with serpentine bump structures that aid molecular transport.

Abstract: Methods for electrospinning a hydrophobic coaxial fiber into a superhydrophobic coaxial fiber mat can include providing an electrospinning coaxial nozzle comprising a core outlet coaxial with a sheath outlet, ejecting an electrospinnable core solution from the core outlet of the electrospinning coaxial nozzle, ejecting a hydrophobic sheath solution from the sheath outlet of the electrospinning coaxial nozzle, wherein the hydrophobic sheath solution annularly surrounds the core solution, applying a voltage between the electrospinning coaxial nozzle and a collection plate, wherein the voltage induces a jet of the electrospinnable core solution annularly surrounded by the hydrophobic sheath solution to travel from the electrospinning coaxial nozzle to the collection plate to form the hydrophobic coaxial fiber comprising an electrospinnable polymer core coated with a hydrophobic sheath material, and wherein collection of the hydrophobic coaxial fiber on the collection plate yields the superhydrophobic coaxial fib

Abstract: Methods for treating bacterial respiratory tract infections in an individual comprise administering a therapeutic amount of nitrite composition having a pH of less than 7, and in specific embodiments, a pH of about 5.5-6.5, to the individual. The individual may be a pulmonary disease diagnosed individual and/or the infection may be at least in part caused by mucoid mucA mutant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Abstract: A sensor (10, 80) for monitoring health of an associated article (A) (e.g., a fluid connector) including a sensing element (12, 84, 86) disposed along a length of an outer surface of the associated article, wherein the sensing element is configured to detect at least one physical property of the associated article and output an electrical signal in proportion to an amount of the physical property applied to the sensing element; and a mounting mechanism (14, 88) configured to secure the force sensing element to at least a portion of the outer surface of associated article.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods relating to a G-protein coupled receptor kinase-5 polymorphism. The methods include, for example: detecting enhanced desensitization of the beta adrenergic receptor signaling pathway in an individual, assessing partial protection against heart failure progression in an individual, and assessing an individual's response to beta-blocker therapy. The compositions include polynucleotides or fragments thereof of a nucleotide sequence encoding for a G-protein receptor kinase-5 molecule with a thymine at amino acid position 122 and oligonucleotide primers that hybridize thereto.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for managing an industrial process wherein a processor transforms electronic data into an energy prognosis is provided. An energy related test signal including effective power test data indicative of electrical energy consumed by an energy consuming machine may be received. The energy related test signal may be partitioned into an energy related test sub-signal. Mathematical functions may be applied to the energy related test sub-signal to extract a feature set of data from the energy related test sub-signal. The feature set of data may be transformed with a transformation matrix into a reduced test feature set. The reduced test feature set may be input into a performance assessment algorithm based at least in part upon a reduced training feature set derived from data indicative of electrical energy consumed during healthy operation. A power-based performance index may be generated with the performance assessment algorithm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel nucleic acids which encode novel mutant forms of Inhibitor Protein-1 (I-1). In particular, the I-1 mutant forms comprise altered phosphorylation sites of PKC-?. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of regulating cardiac contractility and function, and for treatment of cardio myopathy and heart failure, which employ the novel nucleic acids and polypeptides. Vectors comprising the novel nucleic acids, Antibodies to the novel proteins, and diagnostic and screening methods associated therewith, are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for electrospinning a hydrophobic coaxial fiber into a superhydrophobic coaxial fiber mat can include providing an electrospinning coaxial nozzle comprising a core outlet coaxial with a sheath outlet, ejecting an electrospinnable core solution from the core outlet of the electrospinning coaxial nozzle, ejecting a hydrophobic sheath solution from the sheath outlet of the electrospinning coaxial nozzle, wherein the hydrophobic sheath solution annularly surrounds the core solution, applying a voltage between the electrospinning coaxial nozzle and a collection plate, wherein the voltage induces a jet of the electrospinnable core solution annularly surrounded by the hydrophobic sheath solution to travel from the electrospinning coaxial nozzle to the collection plate to form the hydrophobic coaxial fiber comprising an electrospinnable polymer core coated with a hydrophobic sheath material, and wherein collection of the hydrophobic coaxial fiber on the collection plate yields the superhydrophobic coaxial fib

Abstract: A light emitting device is described. The light emitting device includes a base; a light emitting diode supported by the base; a first layer spaced apart from the light emitting diode and including a light emitting material, the first layer having a refractive index nfirst—layer; a transparent optic having a refractive index noptic that is greater than or equal to nfirst—layer, the transparent optic having a convex surface facing away from the light emitting diode and the first layer being positioned between the transparent optic and the light emitting diode. A gap between the light emitting diode and the first layer has a refractive index ngap that is less than nfirst—layer, and the convex surface has a radius of curvature sufficiently large relative to a dimension of the first layer to eliminate total internal reflection of light entering the transparent optic from the first layer.

Abstract: Electro wetting devices and methods. The electro wetting device 10 includes a grounded electrode 14 on one side of a paper substrate 12. A dielectric layer 16 and a hydrophobic film 20 are sequentially layered onto the grounded electrode 14. The hydrophobic film 20 is configured to impart a contact angle on a polar liquid 18. A polar liquid 18 is in contact with the hydrophobic film 20 and a voltage source 22 couples the grounded electrode 14 to the polar liquid 18. When an electric field is applied by the voltage source 22, the contact angle of the polar liquid 18 decreases.

Abstract: Novel trehalose click polymers have in vitro and in vivo application in the cellular delivery of biologically active molecules, including nucleic acids and polypeptides. The trehalose click polymers of the present invention provide increased stability in serum as compared with other non-viral vectors, and are particularly useful in protecting nucleic acids against degradation.

Abstract: Acoustic pressure inducers and methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea are disclosed. In one embodiment, an acoustic pressure inducer includes an actuator housing having an orifice, a tube having a first end and a second end, and a nasal cannula fluidly coupled to the second end of the tube. The first end of the tube is fluidly coupled to the orifice of the actuator housing such that a gap is present between the first end of the tube and the orifice. The nasal cannula is configured to be positioned proximate to nostrils of a user. The acoustic pressure inducer further includes a vibrating element within the actuator housing and a signal generator. The signal generator component is electrically coupled to the vibrating element and configured to provide an electronic signal to the vibrating element to cause the vibrating element to oscillate within the actuator housing and produce an acoustic jet of air that exits the orifice and enters a nasal passageway of the user through the nasal cannula.