Abstract: A respiratory training device providing both inspiratory and expiratory functional evaluation and training, as well as independent regulation of both the inspiratory and expiratory airway resistance levels used during training. The respiratory training device also includes data acquisition, recording, storage, retrieval and display functions for airway pressure monitoring data to provide functional evaluation, physiological monitoring, and diagnostic features. The respiratory training device allows the user to easily develop and follow precise and advanced training protocols, and utilize the respiratory device in both the clinical and home setting.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 4 (PFKFB4) and the treatment of cancer are described.

Abstract: A composition comprises an anti-nucleolin agent conjugated to nanoparticles, and optionally containing gadolinium. Furthermore, a pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer comprises a composition including an anti-nucleolin agent conjugated to nanoparticles, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The composition enhances the effectiveness of radiation therapy, enhancing contrast in X-ray imaging techniques, and when gadolinium is present, provide cancer selective MRI contrast agents.

Abstract: Some embodiments of this invention include methods for treating disease and methods for administering a compound of the invention. In some aspects of the invention, diseases can be treated by administration of compositions comprising a compound of the invention. Pharmaceutical compositions of some embodiments of the present invention comprise a compound of the invention.

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: A method for operating a linear compressor includes establishing a set of predictors, and establishing a model for an estimated head clearance of the linear compressor with the set of predictors. Coefficients of the model for the estimated head clearance of the linear compressor may also be established. The model for the estimated head clearance of the linear compressor may be used to calculate an estimated head clearance during operation of the linear compressor.

Abstract: A method for utilizing a jamming-resistant receiver (JrRx) device includes receiving, by a BJM engine, a plurality of individual subcarrier signals that comprises separate signal portions of a combined signal stream, wherein the combined signal stream is a combination formed by a source signal stream from a sender device and one or more interfering jamming signals from a plurality of unknown jammer devices and computing, by the BJM engine, a respective plurality of BJM filters for the plurality of individual subcarrier signals in the absence of channel information corresponding to the interfering jamming signals.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosis or prognosis of a cancer in a subject include isolating one or more nanovesicles from a biological sample obtained from the subject, determining the amount in the biological sample of the one or more nanovesicles, and comparing the amount of the one or more nanovesicles to a control level to thereby diagnose the cancer. The one or more nanovesicles are obtained by depleting the biological sample of exosomes prior to the isolation of the nanovesicles. Methods for identifying a tumor metastasis in a subject are also provided and include fractionating a biological sample from a subject to obtain a fraction including one or more exosomes and one or more nanovesicles having a diameter of about 8-12 nm, and then isolating the one or more nanovesicles to diagnose the tumor metastasis.

Abstract: A system and method for personalized dosing of a pharmacologic agent include: executing, using a processing device, a plurality of dosing regimen program modules to determine a respective plurality of dose sets in response to receiving, from an input device, a target response value for a patient; and executing, using the processing device, a dosing selection algorithm module, following executing the plurality of dosing regimen program modules and in response to receiving from the input device a response profile and a monitoring frequency of the patient, to determine a recommended dose set computed as a combination of the plurality of dose sets weighted by degrees of matching computed using fuzzy sets and the response profile.

Abstract: An exosomal composition is provided that comprises a therapeutic agent encapsulated by an exosome. The therapeutic agent can be a phytochemical agent, a chemotherapeutic agent, or a Stat3 inhibitor. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the exosomal compositions are also provided. Methods for treating an inflammatory disease or a cancer are further provided and include administering an effective amount of an exosomal composition to a subject in need thereof to thereby treat the inflammatory disorder or the cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for improvement in lower urinary tract function in an individual with neurogenic urological dysfunction through epidural stimulation of the spinal cord. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise applying a pattern of epidural electrical stimulation to the spinal cord of an individual with impaired lower urinary tract under stimulation parameters sufficient to improve the storage of fluid in the bladder, sensations of fullness and/or emptying, detrusor over-activity, high detrusor pressure, voiding the bladder, transitioning from a storage state to a voiding state, and decreasing detrusor-external urethral sphincter dyssynergia. In certain embodiments, additional patterns of epidural electrical stimulation may be applied simultaneously, such as to maintain a normotensive cardiovascular state of the individual.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include inventive compounds (e.g., compounds of Formula (I)). 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 inventive 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. Additional embodiments of the invention are also discussed herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for repairing a surface defect in a metallic substrate can have a transducer that generates acoustic energy and an acoustic energy coupling tool connected to the transducer. The acoustic energy coupling tool receives the acoustic energy from the transducer and oscillates at a frequency corresponding to a frequency of the acoustic energy. A filler material is provided within the surface defect and the oscillation of the acoustic energy coupling tool causes a deforming impact of the acoustic energy coupling tool with the filler material within the surface defect, such that the filler material conforms to at least a portion of an internal surface of the surface defect. Additionally, the acoustic energy coupling tool is used to irradiate the filler material while it is being deformed with the acoustic energy.

Abstract: Described are compositions containing quinones that show activity in enhance DNA repair and/or prevent damage to DNA. The quinones are thymoquinone, lapachol, myrtucommulone C, or mixtures thereof, and can be formulated into cosmetic compositions for topical administration to a subject in need thereof. The cosmetic compositions can also include sunscreens, surfactants, sunless tanning agents, desquamation agents, antiperspirants, colorants, preservatives and mixtures; and a cosmetically acceptable carrier. The compositions should find use in methods for treating the signs of ageing in mammals via topical application to the skin or hair of the mammals.

Abstract: A system and method for analysis of 3D deformations and regional function of a heart includes: a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner configured to acquire three tagged volume data series with mutually perpendicular tag lines of a heart; a data storage device in communication with the MRI scanner and configured to store the three tagged volume data series; and an image processing machine in communication with data storage device. The image processing machine is configured to: model an intensity distribution around each voxel of each tagged volume data series as a moving sine wave front with a local frequency and an amplitude; and determine a phase and frequency for each voxel from the local frequency and amplitude and a displacement from a quotient of a phase difference and the local frequency.

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: Systems and methods for diagnosing prostate cancer. Image sets (e.g., MRI collected at one or more b-values) and biological values (e.g., prostate specific antigen (PSA)) have features extracted and integrated to produce a diagnosis of prostate cancer. The image sets are analyzed primarily in three steps: (1) segmentation, (2) feature extraction, smoothing, and normalization, and (3) classification. The biological values are analyzed primarily in two steps: (1) feature extraction and (2) classification. Each analysis results in diagnostic probabilities, which are then combined to pass through an additional classification stage. The end result is a more accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Abstract: A method for the rapid and controlled synthesis of mixed metal oxide nanoparticles using relatively low temperature plasma oxidation of liquid droplets of predetermined mixed metal precursors is disclosed. The resulting nanoparticles reflect the metal precursor stoichiometries and the mixed metal oxide's metastable phase can be controlled. The synthesis of mixed transition metal oxide comprising binary metal oxides, ternary mixed metal oxides, quaternary mixed metal oxides and pentanary mixed metal oxides are demonstrated herein.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include methods of using a compound (e.g., Formula (I)) for the reduction of carbon dioxide to formate by contacting the carbon dioxide with a composition comprising a compound. In certain embodiments, the source of the carbon dioxide is air or is flue gas. Additional embodiments of the invention are also discussed herein.

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.