Abstract: A computer aided diagnostic system and automated method to classify a kidney. Image data for a medical scan that includes image data of a kidney may be received. The kidney image data may be segmented from other image data of the medical scan. One or more iso-contours may be registered for the kidney image data, and renal cortex image data may be segmented from the kidney image data based on the one or more registered iso-contours. The kidney may be classified by analyzing one or more features determined from the segmented renal cortex image data using a learned model associated with the one or more features.

Abstract: A device and method detect cellular targets in a bodily source by utilizing a biofunctional pad comprised of a thin film of carbon nanotubes (CNT's). When antibodies are absorbed by the CNT's, cellular targets having markers matching the antibodies may be detected in a bodily source placed upon the biofunctional pad by measuring the conductivity of the thin film using conductive contacts electrically coupled to the thin film, as the binding of the receptors in the cellular targets to the antibodies changes the free energy in the thin film. In many respects, the device functions as a Field Effect Transistor (FET) with the bodily source, e.g., blood, acting as a polyelectrolyte liquid gate electrode to create a varying electrostatic charge or capacitance in the thin film based upon the binding of cellular targets in the source to the antibodies present on the biofunctional pad.

Abstract: A composition is provided that comprises a therapeutic agent encapsulated by a milk-derived microvesicle. The compositions can include therapeutic agents such as phytochemical agents or chemotherapeutic agents, while the milk-derived microvesicle can be derived from raw milk or colostrum. Further provided are methods for isolating a microvesicle that includes the steps of obtaining an amount of milk, and subjecting the milk to a series of sequential centrifugations configured to yield greater than about 300 mg of microvesicle protein per 100 ml of milk. Methods of modifying an immune response and treating a cancer in which a milk-derived microvesicle composition is administered are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are processes for isolating hemicellulose-based sugar from a biomass. The process includes providing a biomass hydrolyzate including a C5 sugar, forming a boronic ester or diester of the C5 sugar, extracting the boronic ester of diester of the C5 sugar, precipitating the C5 sugar using a boron capture agent, and isolating the C5 sugar from the precipitate. The isolated C5 sugar is provided in dry form.

Abstract: A measurement device for assessing knee movement comprises: an elongated base member; a moveable (or sliding) member configured for movement along and relative to the elongated base member; and indicia on an upper surface of the elongated base member to reflect the relative position of the moveable member with respect to the elongated base member. The measurement device may also include multiple blocks arranged in a stack on the elongated base member to measure knee extension of a patient.

Abstract: A method of operating a rolling piston rotary compressor includes obtaining an angular position and an angular speed of a rolling piston of the compressor, for example, using a tachometer or shaft encoder or observer. The method further includes obtaining an electromagnetic torque applied by an electric motor that is mechanically coupled to the rolling piston. The method further includes calculating a load torque exerted on the rolling piston based on these obtained values by using a load torque observer model that is formulated using known geometries of the compressor and thermodynamic models for the gas compression process. The operation of the electric motor is then adjusted such that the electromagnetic torque applied by the motor is equivalent to the calculated load torque such that noise and vibrations are minimized.

Abstract: A strained bilayer film with reinforcing members is used to open and close gas flow outlets in a microvalve array. The bottom layer of the bilayer film is compressive and the top layer is tensile. Reinforcing members are made from compressive material that accomplishes the dual objectives of reducing potential defects at the interface between the anchor region and the free region of the actuator, and controlling the stresses along the edges of the strained bilayer to avoid curling as the actuator unrolls from its normal coiled configuration in response to an applied voltage. Because of the configuration, the strained bilayer film occupies a minimal amount of space compared to other systems when the valve is opened, and it permits a higher density of microvalves to be utilized. Optional supports are provided over gas flow channel openings to increase the area over which the voltage is applied, increasing electrostatic stability of the actuators in maintaining their unrolled state for a variety of uses.

Abstract: Quadruplex-forming guanine-rich nucleic acid sequences are useful in compositions and methods for inhibiting cellular growth and proliferation and inducing cell death. Compositions for treating a patient are provided, including (i) a safe and effective amount of a sequence having at least 80% nucleic acid identity with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12 and combinations thereof, and (ii) a carrier, wherein the isolated oligonucleotide forms at least one quadruplex.

Abstract: The invention provides therapeutic magnetic nanoparticles containing a therapeutic agent connected to a magnetic nanoparticle core through a stable functional group and a linker that can be induced to release the therapeutic agent from the core, through hydrolysis of the functional group. Also provided are methods for making nanoparticles, and methods for using nanoparticles.

Abstract: A system for producing a three-dimensional structure comprises a print head that is movable in one or more dimension and is configured to extrude a polymer melt for subsequently forming each layer of the three-dimensional structure, the polymer melt being formed from a filament; and an ultrasound generating device comprising a piezoelectric transducer and a horn coupled to the print head, the ultrasound generating device being configured to transmit acoustic energy to the print head to provide enhanced interlayer bonding between adjacent deposited layers of the three-dimensional structure.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include inventive polypeptides (e.g., mutant VP2 proteins) and virus-like particles made from the inventive polypeptides. Other embodiments of the invention include compositions for treating (e.g., preventing) parvovirus (e.g., erythrovirus or parvovirus B19) infection and other diseases. Further embodiments include methods for administering compositions to an animal. Other embodiments include treating (e.g., preventing) parvovirus (e.g., erythrovirus or parvovirus B19) infection and other diseases. Still other embodiments include nucleic acid sequences that encode the inventive polypeptides. Additional embodiments of the invention are also discussed.

Abstract: Hydrogen gas as a power source is obtained from gaseous water, including seawater vapor existing abundantly at near-surface levels of the oceans or humid air over land. An integrated system of photovoltaic cells for capturing and harnessing solar energy is combined with a water vapor electrolysis system comprising an electrolyzer with an anode compartment and a cathode compartment separated by a proton exchange membrane. The photovoltaic aspects of the system convert the energy of the sun to drive electrolysis of gaseous water from the environment. The electrolyzer aspects include an anode, a cathode, and a proton exchange membrane. At the anode, oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts oxidize H2O to oxygen gas and protons, the latter being diffused through a membrane (e.g., a solid polymer electrolyte membrane such as Nafion).

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include inventive catalysts (e.g., compounds of Formula (I) or (Ia)). Other embodiments include compositions comprising the inventive catalysts. Some embodiments include methods of using the inventive catalysts (e.g., in hydrofluorination of an organic compound). Further embodiments include methods for making the inventive catalysts. Additional embodiments of the invention are also discussed herein.

Abstract: A method of operating a synchronous motor includes using a rotor angle observer model to calculate an observed rotor angle and a speed estimator model to calculate an observed angular speed of the rotor. The observed rotor angle may be used to ensure that the stator magnetic field generated by the stator is oriented 90° ahead of the rotor magnetic field. The observed angular speed may be used to regulate the motor operation to achieve the desired speed.

Abstract: A strained bilayer film with reinforcing members is used to open and close gas flow outlets in a microvalve array. The bottom layer of the bilayer film is compressive and the top layer is tensile. Reinforcing members are made from compressive material that accomplishes the dual objectives of reducing potential defects at the interface between the anchor region and the free region of the actuator, and controlling the stresses along the edges of the strained bilayer to avoid curling as the actuator unrolls from its normal coiled configuration in response to an applied voltage. Because of the configuration, the strained bilayer film occupies a minimal amount of space compared to other systems when the valve is opened, and it permits a higher density of microvalves to be utilized. Optional supports are provided over gas flow channel openings to increase the area over which the voltage is applied, increasing electrostatic stability of the actuators in maintaining their unrolled state for a variety of uses.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are described herein for obtaining medical diagnostic measurements from implanted sensors. In various embodiments, an apparatus may include two or more clamps to be rigidly clamped to the spinal fusion rod at a distance from one another, and a strain-sensing system that is removably mountable to the two or more clamps to span the distance. The strain-sensing system may include one or more strain-sensing elements. In various embodiments, the two or more clamps may be configured to transfer strain detected in the spinal fusion rod to the one or more strain-sensing elements of the strain-sensing system.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include inventive compounds. Other embodiments include compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) comprising the inventive compound. Still other embodiments of the invention include compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) for treating, for example, certain diseases using the compounds. Some embodiments include methods of using the inventive compound (e.g., in compositions or in pharmaceutical compositions) for administering and treating (e.g., diseases such as cancer). Further embodiments include methods for making the inventive compounds. Other embodiments include PFKFB4 inhibitors and methods of using the same that can target neoplastic cells, including, such as, mechanisms within those cells that relate to the use of the glycolytic pathway. In other embodiments, small molecule PFKFB4 inhibitors are used to disrupt the kinase domain of PFKFB4 and, in some instances, decrease the glucose metabolism and growth of human cancers.

Abstract: A method of operating a compressor includes obtaining a harmonic series representation of speed variation as the rotor rotates through each revolution. The method includes regulating an electric motor to compensate for or cancel out the periodic speed variation. Specifically, the method includes calculating an electromagnetic torque using a torque control input model based on the speed error and the harmonic series representation of the speed error. The operation of the electric motor is then adjusted such that the electromagnetic torque applied by the motor cancels out the speed variation such that noise and vibrations are minimized.

Abstract: Protein complex variants, compositions, and methods of use thereof are provided. The protein complex variant includes a cholera toxin B subunit variant having one or more modifications thereto. The method of use thereof includes treating a disease by administering an effective amount of a composition including a cholera toxin B subunit variant to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for classifying a brain are disclosed. An embodiment method includes processing image data to generate segmented image data of a brain cortex. The method further includes generating a statistical analysis of the brain based on a three dimensional (3D) model of the brain cortex generated from the segmented image data. The method further includes using the statistical analysis to classify the brain cortex and to identify the brain as being associated with a particular neurological condition. According to a further embodiment, generating the 3D model of the brain further includes registering a 3D volume associated with the model with a corresponding reference volume and generating a 3D mesh associated with the registered 3D volume. The method further includes generating the statistical analysis by analyzing individual mesh nodes of the registered 3D mesh based on a spherical harmonic shape analysis of the 3D model.