Abstract: Provided are systems and methods employing wide pulse width, high frequency, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (“WPHF-NMES”) for the rehabilitation, treatment or recovery of a subject afflicted with a neuromuscular injury, disease or disorder.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for preventing loss and augmenting regeneration of skeletal muscle by decreasing the activity of the TWEAK/Fn14 system.

Abstract: The composition of matter comprising Ga(Sbx)N1?x where x=0.01 to 0.06 is characterized by a band gap between 2.4 and 1.7 eV. A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer of that composition. A photoelectric cell includes that semiconductor device.

Abstract: Some aspects of the invention include attenuating DNMT1 inhibitor activity in an animal comprising administering an antioxidant. Other aspects of the invention include methods comprising administering a composition comprising a DNMT1 inhibitor and an antioxidant. In some instances in the methods, the animal is undergoing a treatment for cancer. Additional aspects of the invention include compositions comprising a DNMT1 inhibitor and an antioxidant.

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 composition is provided that includes a microvesicle derived from an edible plant and a therapeutic agent conjugated to the microvesicle. The therapeutic agent can be chemically-linked to a plasma membrane of the microvesicle with a cross-linking agent and the edible plant can be a fruit or a vegetable. Methods for treating an inflammatory disorder or a cancer are further provided and include administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a composition including a microvesicle derived from an edible plant and having a therapeutic agent conjugated to the microvesicle.

Abstract: A non-contact, passive method for measurement of arterial pulse from areas such as the major superficial arteries of the body through analysis of thermal IR images acquired by passive thermal IR imaging sensors, and through the modeling of the pulsatile nature of the blood flow and arterial pulse propagation in the circulatory system. The method is automatic and does not need operator input. The output waveform readily contains the information on heart rate, cardiac interbeat intervals, heart-rate variability and other features inherent in arterial pulse.

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: Compounds and compositions for the treatment of bone disorders are presented.

Abstract: Methods of expanding FCs or stem cells are provided herein, as are methods of screening for compounds that increase expression of DOCK2 or decrease expression of Arhgap18, either of which improves engraftment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for providing a Push-Pull perceptual learning technique to a subject demonstrating sensory eye dominance (SED), amblyopia, poor stereopsis, and the like. More specifically, the weak eye of the subject is forced to become dominant, while visualization in the strong eye is suppressed over the course of a treatment regimen. Such systems and methods are shown herein to result in a perceptual learning and a reduction of interocular imbalance or SED, as well as an improvement in the visual characteristics typically associated with amblyopia, poor stereopsis and similar visual deficiencies.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods, compositions and uses thereof for enhancing vascularization of a tissue or cell transplant for transplantation into a subject. In particular, one aspect of the present invention provides methods and compositions comprising the use of a population of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells to encapsulate or surround a tissue or cell transplant to enhance vascularization of the tissue or cell transplant. Another aspect of the present invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing vascularization of a tissue or cell transplant by combining a population of SVF cells with a tissue or cell transplant to form a transplant mixed with SVF cells. In some embodiments, the SVF cells can be on the surface or embedded within a three-dimensional matrix. In some embodiments, the SVF cells can be generically engineered to secrete therapeutic proteins or pro-angiogenic factors.

Abstract: A non-invasive method of detecting or screening for lung cancer in a subject specimen is provided. The method includes detecting elevated levels of one or more carbonyl-containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are biomarkers for lung 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 lung cancer in the subject specimen.

Abstract: A method for cardiac motion estimation includes: receiving a set of echocardiographic images of a heart, the echocardiographic images including B-mode ultrasonic images and Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) images; and calculating, by the image processing machine, a motion field representing the motion of the heart using the B-mode ultrasonic images and applying a velocity constraint from the TDI images. A system for cardiac motion estimation, includes: an imaging device configured to acquire a set of echocardiographic images of a heart, the echocardiographic images including B-mode ultrasonic images and TDI images; a data storage device in communication with the imaging device and configured to store the set of echocardiographic images; an image processing machine in communication with the data storage device and configured to calculate a motion field representing the motion of the heart using the B-mode ultrasonic images and applying a velocity constraint from the TDI images.

Abstract: A reactor and method for production of nanostructures, including metal oxide nanowires or nanoparticles, are provided. The reactor includes a regulated metal powder delivery system in communication with a dielectric tube; a plasma-forming gas inlet, whereby a plasma-forming gas is delivered substantially longitudinally into the dielectric tube; a sheath gas inlet, whereby a sheath gas is delivered into the dielectric tube; and a microwave energy generator coupled to the dielectric tube, whereby microwave energy is delivered into a plasma-forming gas. The method for producing nanostructures includes providing a reactor to form nanostructures and collecting the formed nanostructures, optionally from a filter located downstream of the dielectric tube.

Abstract: A heat pipe augmented passive solar space heating system modulates the temperature inside a building structure, particular during heating seasons when the ambient temperature is below levels customarily associated with adequate room comfort, and in some embodiments comprises a solar absorber, a heat pipe surrounding wholly or partially by insulation, the heat pipe having three main sections which are an evaporator at one end proximal to the solar absorber, a condenser at the other end proximal to an interior room being heated, and a rubber adiabatic section between those. Additional aspects such as a mechanical valve in the adiabatic section are disclosed to limit unwanted thermal gains when cooling is needed because the ambient temperatures already exceed room comfort.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter provides methods for diagnosing a cardiovascular disease in a subject by determining an amount of one or more peptide biomarkers disclosed herein in a biological sample from the subject. The presently-disclosed subject matter further provides methods for determining treatment efficacy and/or progression of a cardiovascular disease in a subject by measuring amounts of one or more of the biomarkers in a biological sample from the subject. The presently-disclosed subject matter also provides antibodies and kits for measuring the biomarkers.

Abstract: The present technology relates to compounds and compositions of Formulas I-III and methods using such compounds. The compounds and compositions described herein may be used in the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases associated with an alphavirus, for example, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV).

Abstract: The pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein Bax initiates apoptosis in almost all apoptotic paradigms. Agents facilitating disruptive Bax insertion into mitochondrial membranes have potential as cancer therapeutics. Small molecule compounds associating with the hydrophobic groove of the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein Bax have been identified and found to promote Bax-dependent, but not Bak-dependent, apoptosis. The compounds alter Bax protein stability in vitro and promote Bax insertion into mitochondria, leading to Bax-dependent mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization and apoptosis. The compounds activating the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein Bax inhibit the growth of tumors by inducing apoptosis. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds that activate Bax and induce Bax-dependent apoptosis are useful as anti-cancer therapeutic agents alone or with other anti-cancer agents. Methods for inducing apoptosis and for treating cancer involve administering the compounds to a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: Polymeric compositions are provided that include a poly(ethylene glycol), a viscoelastic polymer, and an antioxidant, where, in polymerized form, the compositions have a refractive index of about 1.30 to about 1.40. Methods of synthesizing the compositions are also provided and include the steps of heating an amount of water; adding a buffering agent to the water to form a buffer solution; mixing a poly(ethylene glycol) and a viscoelastic polymer into the buffer solution to form a reactive mixture; adding a plurality of antioxidant particles to the reactive mixture; and removing suspended gas bubbles from the reactive mixture. Methods of preventing oxidative damage to an eye lens of a subject are further provided and include administering the foregoing polymeric compositions to the eye lens of the subject.