Abstract: A highly sensitive technology enabling selective recognition of aflatoxins such as in contaminated cereal samples. Methods for the synthesis of AgNP-containing MIP membranes from the monomer mixtures containing both methacrylate monomers and oligomers as well as AgNOs solution in dimethylformamide enable the detection system. The AgNP were formed in the structure of the polymeric membranes during the pre-heating step followed by the UV-initiated polymerization. The highly selective sensor elements where MIP membranes are combined with the Ag nanostructures as signal amplifiers (LSPR-MIP nanochips) can be stored separately and used with a simple optical recognition system as selective elements of point-of-care sensor devices, even in in-field conditions. Composite plasmonic membranes provide both highly selective recognition of the target toxin and the generation of an enhanced optical signal, allowing aflatoxin B1 detection at ultralow concentrations.

Abstract: A compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, having the chemical structure of formula I as defined in the text and methods of using these compounds to inhibit topoisomerase II? and treat or prevent metastasis of cancer in a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tongue strengthening device that includes a handle on one end and a bulb structure on the other end. The bulb is resiliently flexible, and enables a user to exercise their tongue by repeatedly compressing and releasing the bulb. Provided is a system or kit that includes multiple tongue strengthening devices having different compression specifications that allow a patient to graduate to devices which are harder to compress as the patient gains tongue strength.

Abstract: A novel treatment method is disclosed, wherein a patch configured to be placed on a patient's skin is activated, before placement, to deliver localized radiotherapy to a diseased area of the skin. The disclosed devices and methods minimize or prevent collateral damage to the neighboring tissues. In most cases, the disclosed devices and methods include coating a contoured, solid, flexible or conformal substrate with one or more lanthanide elements and then activating (e.g. neutron irradiation) the elements such that its resulting radioisotope emits beta-particles into the diseased skin surface when applied to the patient's skin. Novel processes are described for fabricating and irradiating the lanthanide-based skin patch, for example a holmium-based skin patch.

Abstract: Embodiments of the instant disclosure relate to intraocular drug delivery devices for and methods of, delivering at least one therapeutic agent to an eye of a subject. Methods include implanting an intraocular implant into the eye and adjacent to a fluid-permeable membrane of the eye of the patient. Intraocular implants are supported in a position at a surface of the fluid-permeable membrane. Intraocular implants include a drug delivery component having at least one therapeutic agent embedded within a non-bioerodible, non-biodegradable polymer matrix. Devices and methods disclosed herein can further include delivering the at least one therapeutic agent to the eye of the subject according to a near zero-order elution rate of the at least one therapeutic agent.

Abstract: In one example, an active variable reactance rectifier circuit includes an active variable reactance rectifier circuit input port and an output port. A power splitter circuit includes an input port coupled to the active variable reactance rectifier circuit input port and a pair of output ports. A first rectifier circuit includes an input port is coupled to the first power splitter circuit output port. A second rectifier circuit includes an input port coupled to the second power splitter circuit output port. A power combiner circuit includes a first input port, a second input port and an output port. The first power combiner circuit input port is coupled to the first rectifier circuit output port, the second power combiner circuit input port is coupled to the second rectifier circuit output port and the power combiner circuit output port is coupled to the active variable reactance rectifier circuit output port.

Abstract: An implantable anastomotic assembly, which is configured to be attached to cardiovascular tissue, includes a connection interface, a plurality of outer plates, and a plurality of connectors configured to extend between and interconnect the connection interface and the plurality of outer plates, respectively, according to various embodiments. The connection interface is separate from and non-contiguous with the plurality of outer plates, according to various embodiments.

Abstract: A hydraulically amplified self-healing electrostatic (HASEL) transducer includes a composite, multi-layered structure. In an example, a HASEL transducer includes a dielectric layer including at least one fluid dielectric layer. The dielectric layer includes a first side and a second side opposing the first side. The HASEL transducer further includes a first electrode disposed at the first side of the dielectric layer, a second electrode disposed at the second side of the dielectric layer, a first outer layer disposed at the first electrode opposite the dielectric layer, and a second outer layer disposed at the second electrode opposite the dielectric layer. The first outer layer and second outer layer exhibit different mechanical and electrical properties from the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the preparation of high purity and high quality cannabinoid acids and metal salts of cannabinoids. Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) is a major cannabinoid of interest for and health reasons. It is the natural precursor of cannabidiol (CBD). The invention provides methods for the synthesis of CBDA from CBD with reagents that produce a high purity product without need for further purification. Insertion of a magnesium complexing agent prior to conversion of the reaction intermediate to the final acid product produces a high purity product with aesthetically pleasing white color and neutral odor. Methods are provided for the simultaneous synthesis and purification of cannabinoid acids, especially CBDA, produced from high purity CBD (or other cannabinoid) via a Kolbe-Schmitt type reaction using an organic base, such as DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene), incorporating complexation of acid anions to a multivalent metal, alkaline earth or transition metal, prior to product acid work-up.

Abstract: A vascular access device and assembly characterized by a tubular access graft having at least one angled distal flange that forms a non-circular distal opening to the tubular access graft, with the angled distal flange having a reinforcement structure that expands the flange and abuts a luminal wall surface of a blood vessel. Optionally, an axial compression ring or cuff may be provided that concentrically engages the tubular access graft and is translatable into a position that abuts an abluminal wall surface of the blood vessel. Also optionally, the device and assembly may include an annular ring with a plurality of axially projecting tines arrayed about a circumference of the annular ring, the annular ring being adapted to evert upon engagement with vascular tissue and creation of an access open by either an arteriotomy or a venotomy. The plurality of tines are configured to engage vascular tissue and then rotate to a different axial orientation to evert the periphery of the access site.

Abstract: A portable computed tomography (CT) system includes an O-shaped gantry defining an opening, an x-ray source operably coupled to the O-shaped gantry, and a flat panel detector (FPD) coupled to the O-shaped gantry and having a two-dimensional anti-scatter grid (2D ASG) coupled to a side of the FPD facing the opening. With the O-shaped gantry having the FPD, the object may be imaged in a first field of view (FOV) with the detector arranged in a centered geometry. Then, the detector may be arranged in an offset geometry, through-holes of the ASG may be aligned with x-ray emission paths of the x-ray source, and the object may be imaged in a second FOV with the detector arranged in the offset geometry.

Abstract: A respiration rate measurement apparatus including a plurality of sensors for concurrently generating temperature, pressure and acoustic data representing one or more successive breaths and a method of generating fusion data from the plurality of data streams as a weighted average based on determined correlation coefficients and calculation of a respiratory rate.

Abstract: A medical device includes an elongate body and an inflatable balloon attached to and partially surrounding at least a section of the elongate body. The inflatable balloon is selectively inflatable between a deflated state and an inflated state. Engagement between the balloon and a physiological lumen is provided, in part, by multiple protrusions extending from the inflatable balloon and having various physical and functional characteristics. In certain implementations, the balloon may be configured to exhibit various separation forces by applying different strains to the balloon, such as by varying the degree to which the balloon is inflated or deflated.

Abstract: Through discrimination of the scattered signal polarization state, a lidar system measures a distance through semi-transparent media by the reception of single or multiple scattered signals from a scattering medium. Combined and overlapped single or multiple scattered light signals from the medium can be separated by exploiting varying polarization characteristics. This removes the traditional laser and detector pulse width limitations that determine the system's operational bandwidth, translating relative depth measurements into the conditions of two surface timing measurements and achieving sub-pulse width resolution.

Abstract: Insulated assemblies, insulation units including an assembly, and methods of forming the assemblies and units are disclosed. Exemplary assemblies include a first pane of material, a second pane of material, and one or more monolithic insulating layers interposed between the first pane of material and the second pane of material. The insulating layer can exhibit a thermal conductivity less than 26 mW/(K.m).

Abstract: An apparatus includes a battery pack with N battery bricks, each with a DC output voltage. The output of each brick is connected in series providing a bus voltage. Each brick includes battery power modules (“BPMs”) connected in parallel and each connected to a battery cell. Each BPM charges/discharges the connected battery cell. Each brick has a battery brick controller that provides a control signal to each brick's BPMs. A control signal of a BPM is derived from a BPM error signal that includes a battery cell current of the battery cell of BPM subtracted from a summation of an average current signal, a local droop current and a balancing current. The balancing current is based on a current SOC of the battery cell connected to the BPM and a desired SOC for the battery cell connected to the BPM. A BMS derives the balancing current for the BPMs.

Abstract: Bioactive peptides and methods for their use for preventing, treating, and/or reducing the incidence and/or symptoms of an autoimmune disease or disorder that may result from chronic inflammation, damage to ?-cells of the pancreas, and other conditions that are implicated by the CD40-CD154 dyad. In particular, small peptides that are capable of interacting with CD40, thereby interfering with the ability of CD40 to interact with CD154, which impacts inflammation, autoimmunity, and disease progression. The use of such peptides in reducing diabetes mellitus, and in particular, the autoimmune inflammatory response that may be a driving factor thereof. Methods and materials for preventing and modulating diabetes mellitus and autoimmune diseases especially in dogs, cats, and horses.

Abstract: A compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts or prodrugs thereof, having the chemical structure: and methods of using these compounds to inhibit WEE1 kinase and treat cancer in a subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a securement assembly for an enteral access device or vesical access device (“access device”). The securement assembly includes a base and a lid. The base is generally configured to support an external port of the access device and the lid is pivotably coupled to the base. The base comprises a border rim and a central portion, wherein the border rim is configured to engage a skin surface of a patient around a stoma and the central portion is configured to engage the external port of the access device. The central portion may comprise opposing side arms defining an aperture through which a tube of the access device extends.

Abstract: Modular IOL systems including a base and a lens, wherein the lens includes tabs for connection to the base. The modular IOL allows for the lens to be adjusted or exchanged while leaving the base in place, either intra-operatively or post-operatively.