Abstract: Polymers suitable for forming carbon nanotube-functionalized reverse thermal gel compositions, compositions including the polymers, and methods of forming and using the polymers and compositions are disclosed. The compositions have reverse thermal gelling properties and transform from a liquid/solution to a gel—e.g., near or below body temperature. The polymers and compositions can be injected into or proximate an area in need of treatment.

Abstract: A lacrimal drug delivery device includes a reservoir configured to hold a drug. The reservoir is moveable between a relaxed state and an expanded state. A connector is fluidly coupled to the reservoir and a lumen is formed in the connector wherein the drug is configured to flow from the reservoir to an delivery site through the lumen. A hydrogel is within the lumen and configured to absorb the drug from the reservoir and deliver the drug from the lumen at the delivery site. The hydrogel includes a first section which absorbs the drug at a first rate of absorption. A delivery guide is detachably coupled to the reservoir to deliver the reservoir into a lacrimal sac of a patient.

Abstract: Cement mixtures comprising a hydration retarder comprising algae, cement additives comprising algae and/or derivatives thereof, and methods of forming and using the mixtures and additives are disclosed. The algae can be treated to form desired functional groups to tune retardation properties of the hydration retarder.

Abstract: A digital direct line-of-sight (DLOS) intermediate frequency (IF) signal of a DLOS component of an RF carrier signal transmitted by a transmitter located above the surface of the earth and a digital reflected IF signal of a reflected component of the carrier signal that is reflected from a specular point (SP) on the surface of the earth are received. Modeled reference signal parameters are generated using the digital DLOS IF signal and known locations of one or more receiving antennas, the transmitter, and the SP. A reference signal is generated based on the modeled reference signal parameters and feedback of a previously estimated ??. The reference signal is correlated with the digital reflected IF signal to produce in-phase (I) and quadrature-phase (Q) correlation results. An estimated C/N0 and an estimated ?? for the digital reflected IF signal are calculated from the correlation results.

Abstract: A method for estimating portal blood flow and hepatic function in a subject is provided. In one example, the STAT test is an in vitro simplified, convenient test intended for screening purposes that can reasonably estimate the portal blood flow from a single blood sample taken 60 minutes after orally administered deuterated-cholate. The test can be administered to a patient having, or suspected of having, Chronic Hepatitis C, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), or any chronic liver disease.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating cyanide, sulfide, or methane-thiol exposure in a subject. The compositions may include one or more cobinamide compounds, such as an amino-tetrazole-cobinamide and/or a di-(amino-tetrazole)-cobinamide.

Abstract: A system for sensing phase changes in a medium includes a bidirectional interferometer having a reference arm and a sensing arm, two inputs at each of the two ends of the interferometer, and a circulator disposed between each input and the interferometer. Sources provide squeezed state pulses at an input at each end of the interferometer. Spaced-apart partial reflectors are disposed along the arms. There are detectors associated with each input. The circulators pass the squeezed state pulses into the interferometer and route reflections of the pulses to the detectors. Classical pulses may provided at the other input at each end of the interferometer.

Abstract: Systems and method herein provide for energy buffering. In one embodiment, a system includes an energy buffer comprising at least two energy storage elements. Each energy storage element is operable to buffer electrical energy. The system also includes a switch module operable to charge a first of the at least two energy storage elements while discharging a second of the at least two energy storage elements, and to discharge the first energy storage element while charging the second energy storage element after charging the first energy storage element. The switched charging of the energy storage elements compensates voltage variations between the energy storage elements to increase available electrical energy from the energy buffer.

Abstract: A hybrid converter achieves high efficiency with an inductor positioned at the lower current path that significantly decreases inductor loss by having the DC component of inductor current reduced. The circuit also features reduced inductance requirement by reducing the voltage swing blocked by the inductor. As a result, it turns to benefit of both efficiency improvement and better integration. Less voltage stress for switches is also an important advantage to switching loss reduction and switching frequency increase which in turns enables passive component size reduction. The circuit in this invention can be realized for both step-down and step-up power conversion as well as bidirectional power flow is available. For simplicity and cost, some of switches can be replaced with passive switches such as diodes which highly simplifies the converter circuit implementation.

Abstract: Infrared (IR) vibrational scattering scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) has advanced to become a powerful nanoimaging and spectroscopy technique with applications ranging from biological to quantum materials. However, full spatiospectral s-SNOM continues to be challenged by long measurement times and drift during the acquisition of large associated datasets. Various embodiments provide for a novel approach of computational spatiospectral s-SNOM by transforming the basis from the stationary frame into the rotating frame of the IR carrier frequency. Some embodiments see acceleration of IR s-SNOM data collection by a factor of 10 or more in combination with prior knowledge of the electronic or vibrational resonances to be probed, the IR source excitation spectrum, and other general sample characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel GM-CSF constructs and methods of using the same. In certain embodiments, the constructs of the invention comprise certain peptide fragments from GM-CSF. In other embodiments, the invention provides certain GM-CSF peptides that act as GM-CSF mimetics.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of genetic engineering. Specifically, the invention relates to the construction of operons to produce biologically active agents. For example, operons may be constructed to produce agents that control the function of biochemical pathway proteins (e.g., protein phosphatases, kinases and/or proteases). Such agents may include inhibitors and modulators that may be used in studying or controlling phosphatase function associated with abnormalities in a phosphatase pathway or expression level. Fusion proteins, such as light activated protein phosphatases, may be genetically encoded and expressed as photoswitchable phosphatases. Systems are provided for use in controlling phosphatase function within living cells or in identifying small molecule inhibitors/activator/modulator molecules of protein phosphatases associated with cell signaling.

Abstract: An optical modulator is disclosed that includes an optical resonator structure. The optical resonator structure includes at least one non-linear portion, the at least one non-linear portion comprising at least one radial junction region. The at least one radial junction region is formed between at least first and second materials, respectively, having different electronic conductivity characteristics. A principal axis of the at least one radial junction region is oriented along a radius of curvature of the at least one non-linear portion. The optical modulator includes an optical waveguide that is coupled to the at least one non-linear portion of the optical resonator structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for human-robot communication are proved. More particularly, some embodiments use augmented reality to facilitate communication of robot intention and teleoperation in human-robot cooperative environments. Various embodiments of the present technology provide a middleware that integrates augmented reality (AR) with novel teleoperation interfaces to increase operation effectiveness, support the user in conducting concurrent work, and decrease stress. Various embodiments provide predictive graphical interfaces such that a teleoperator controls a virtual robot surrogate, rather than directly operating the robot itself, providing the user with foresight regarding where the physical robot will end up and how it will get there. In accordance with various embodiments a user may select between two AR interfaces using such a surrogate: one focused on real-time control and one inspired by waypoint delegation.

Abstract: A microlens array includes a bottom electrode chip, a sidewall electrode chip, and a top glass chip configured to cooperate to define an array of cavities, each one of the array of cavities containing a fluid. The fluid is a mixture of a polar liquid and a non-polar liquid, in contact with one of the array of sidewalls at a contact angle. The bottom electrode chip includes a plurality of electrical contacts. The sidewall electrode chip includes an array of sidewalls, each including an electrode layer and an insulator layer. When a voltage is applied across the fluid contained a cavity via electrical contacts and the electrode layer of the cavity, the contact angle of the fluid with the sidewall is modified, in embodiments without affecting the contact angle of fluid contained in other ones of the plurality of array of cavities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the unexpected discovery of a cross-linked polymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and dipicolylamine-containing monomers that can be used as a therapeutic lens to treat ocular diseases or disorders associated with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) over-activity and/or over-expression, such as but not limited to corneal melting (or keratolysis).

Abstract: Structures, catalysts, and reactors suitable for use for a variety of applications, including gas-to-liquid and coal-to-liquid processes and methods of forming the structures, catalysts, and reactors are disclosed. The catalyst material can be deposited onto an inner wall of a microtubular reactor and/or onto porous support structures using atomic layer deposition techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed are biomarkers, methods and assay systems for the identification of poor prognosis of interstitial pneumonia (pulmonary fibrosis) in an individual diagnosed with suspected of having interstitial pneumonia.

Abstract: A system and method for end-to-side anastomosis to an anatomical passageway is disclosed. The system and method are particularly useful in coupling an LVAD pump to an aorta. The system and method include using a tubular graft member having a skirt flange that engages the side of the aorta, a seating assembly and a flanged stent for securing the tubular graft to the side of the anatomical passageway. An assembly for creating an opening in the side of the anatomical passageway and an assembly for delivering the tubular graft is also disclosed.

Abstract: In some embodiment, the present invention is directed to a device for obtaining samples from a subject. In other embodiments, methods and devices of the present invention allow the evaluation of conditions of the gastrointestinal tract of a subject. Measurements may be utilized, for example, to diagnose a disease of the esophagus, to monitor inflammation of the esophagus, or to access the treatment of a disease of the esophagus. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a method for measuring esophageal inflammation comprising deploying a device into the esophagus of a subject, removing the device after a predetermined period of time, analyzing the device for a diagnostic indicator of esophageal inflammation and evaluating the diagnostic indicator to diagnose esophageal inflammation.