Abstract: Methods to determine the absence or presence of one or more cancer types in an animal are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, amounts of lipids in a sample (e.g., a bodily fluid or treatment thereof) from the animal are used with a predictive model to make the determination. The lipid amounts can be measured, in some instances, using a mass spectrometry system.

Abstract: A system for intramedullary preparations comprises a directional reamer including a flexible drive shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and a cutting head operably connected to the distal end of the flexible drive shaft. The system further includes a means of displacing the distal end of the flexible drive shaft and deflecting the cutting head to selectively shape a medullary canal in a bone. A follower sleeve is also include in the system and has a proximal end and a distal end in the form of a collar, with the follower sleeve being configured to accept the flexible drive shaft. The system additionally includes a reaming plunger that extends through the follower sleeve and is positioned adjacent to the flexible drive shaft such that the reaming plunger engages the collar of the follower sleeve to deflect the cutting head.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include inventive compounds (e.g., compounds of Formula (I) or (Ia)). 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: Embodiments involve optical waveguides with spongy material for cladding or layers that include compressible gas pockets. The refractive index of the porous cladding material will change when compressed, bent, or stretched. Measurements for pressure, strain, bending, etc., may be obtained by monitoring the signal degradation and/or escape of radiant energy, e.g., IR, etc., from the core and out through the spongy cladding, where it may be picked up by a neighboring core. Optical waveguides configured as fibers may be easily sewn to stretchable materials, such as athletic tape, fabrics used in umbrellas, balloons, fabrics used in clothing, etc., to meet a robust number of applications.

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: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to torrefied biomass briquettes and methods for producing the same that make use of a mixture of lightly torrefied material (LTM) and highly torrefied material (HTM) and/or make use of torrefied materials that are subjected to a hydrolysis pretreatment prior to being torrefied.

Abstract: A non-invasive computer-aided diagnosis system generates a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, a disease state which often leads to the development of Alzheimer's disease. The system uses as inputs both functional positron emission tomography and structural magnetic resonance imaging data, reconstructs a model of the patient's cortex, uses machine-learning techniques to generate probabilities for mild cognitive impairments for local cortical regions, uses machine-learning techniques to fuse the local diagnoses to generate a global diagnosis based on each imaging modality, then uses machine-learning techniques to fuse the modality-specific global diagnoses to generate a final global diagnosis.

Abstract: Provided is a non-invasive method of detecting or screening for a cancer in a subject specimen originating in a tissue outside of the lung. The method includes detecting elevated levels of one or more carbonyl-containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are biomarkers for the cancer in exhaled breath from the subject specimen. The method may further include obtaining exhaled breath from the subject specimen; forming adducts of the carbonyl-containing VOCs with a reactive chemical compound; quantifying the adducts of the carbonyl-containing VOCs to establish a subject value for each of the adducts; and comparing each subject value to a threshold healthy specimen value for each of the adducts of the carbonyl-containing VOCs. One or more subject values at quantities greater than threshold healthy specimen values are also useful for screening for the cancer in the subject specimen.

Abstract: In some embodiments, this application relates to inventive compounds (e.g., Formula (I), Formula (II), thiosemicarbazones and/or thiosemicarbazones and their metal (e.g., zinc, cobalt, nickel, or copper) complexes, and extended structures thereof), methods for preparation of the inventive compounds, compositions comprising the inventive compounds (e.g., anode, cathodes, catalysts (e.g., electrocatalysts), glassy carbon electrodes, carbon paste electrodes, covalently modified carbon (e.g., modified graphene)), electrochemical cells comprising compositions that comprise one or more inventive compounds, fuel cells comprising compositions that comprise one or more inventive compounds, uses of one or more inventive compounds to produce H2 (e.g., via an electrochemical cell), and uses of one or more inventive compounds to create energy from H2 (e.g., via a fuel cell). Additional embodiments of the invention are also discussed herein.

Abstract: Electrocatalysts of formula Al?x,BxO3??, wherein A=a metal with an acid-stable oxide and B=a platinum-group-metal (PGM), are provided, as are methods of making the electrocatalysts via rapid plasma oxidation, methods of using the electrocatalysts to catalyze e.g. oxygen evolution reactions (OERs), and devices comprising the electrocatalysts.

Abstract: Systems and processes for treating surfaces of metal components are provided. The systems can include a container for containing a metal workpiece having a surface with a complex external geometry and for containing a solution that has electrolytes at a flow rate that varies according to a local shape of the surface to thereby treat the surface of the metal workpiece; optionally one or more electrodes for creating an electrical field; and optionally a temperature control device configured to provide a predetermined temperature or range of temperatures. The processes can include providing a metal workpiece having a surface with a complex external geometry; and contacting the workpiece in the presence of a predetermined electrical field at a predetermined temperature with a solution containing electrolytes at a flow rate that varies according to a local shape of the surface to thereby treat the surface of the metal workpiece.

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: Some embodiments of the invention include inventive catalysts (e.g., catalysts of Formula (I)). 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: In some embodiments of the invention, inventive compounds (e.g., Formula (I), (IA), (II), and (III), and urolithin derivatives) are disclosed. 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). Further embodiments include methods for making the inventive compounds. Additional embodiments of the invention are also discussed herein.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for using the same. In some embodiments, the compositions include an EPELN encapsulating and/or having associated therewith an active agent and a plasma membrane derived from a tumor and/or cancer cell coating the EPELN. In some embodiments, the active agent is a therapeutic agent or an immune response modifier, and in some embodiments the plasma membrane has one or more tumor-associated and/or cancer-associated antigens. Also provided are methods for using the compositions for treating tumors and/or cancers, inducing anti-tumor and/or anti-cancer immune responses, activating antigen-presenting cells, targeting CD1 lc dendritic cells, and preventing or reducing metastasis.

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: Disclosed herein are methods for neurostimulation therapy for spinal cord injury. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for neurostimulation therapy for spinal cord injury. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for providing multiple independent, simultaneous waveforms in neurostimulation therapy while minimizing or substantially eliminating undesirable interactions between the waveforms.

Abstract: Methods for ex vivo expansion of very small embryonic like stem cells in the absence of feeder cells are provided. In some embodiments the methods include providing a plurality of VSELs; and growing the VSELs in a culture medium that includes a histone deacetylase inhibitor, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and optionally transforming growth factor beta in an amount that is sufficient to overcome quiescence of the VSELs. Also provided are feeder cell-free cell cultures, ex vivo expanded VSELs, pharmaceutical compositions that include the disclosed ex vivo expanded VSELs, methods for overcoming quiescence in VSELs, methods for re-establishing imprinting in VSELs, method for treating injuries to tissues in subjects, methods for repopulating cell types in subjects, methods for bone marrow transplantation, methods for treating radiation exposure in subjects, and methods that relate to regenerative medicine.

Abstract: A trocar site closure clip includes a generally triangular central body, a pair of arms extending from the body, and an elongated support extending from the body between the arms. In use, the clip is advanced into a patient through a trocar, the trocar removed, then the clip partially retracted to engage and pierce the patients tissue. The biodegradable clip remains in the patients tissue, at least partially blocking the trocar site, and degrades over time as the patient heals.

Abstract: The present invention provides non-peptide compounds that mimic the streptococcal SspB Adherence Region (BAR) and function as inhibitors of P. gingivalis adherence to streptococci. The invention also provides methods of making and using the inhibitors.