Abstract: A device for unidirectional propagation of microwaves comprises a resonant microwave structure arranged to transmit microwaves between two ports and a magnetic source arranged to provide a generally static magnetic field and to have a resonant frequency distinct from that of the microwave structure, which is disposed adjacent the microwave structure so as to be located in presence of electromagnetic fields emanating from the transmitted microwaves such that the magnetic field interacts with the electromagnetic fields of the microwaves so as to form a set of hybridized resonant frequencies at which zero intrinsic damping exists, one of the set of hybridized resonant frequencies being a real eigenvalue providing the unidirectional propagation from one of the first and second ports to the other. A related method comprises arranging the magnetic source at a prescribed position where the real eigenvalue matches the frequency of an input signal applied at a selected port.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions and method of using these compounds are disclosed for treating a disease or disorder in which it is desirable to inhibit BAX, such as a cardiovascular disease or disorder.

Abstract: Treatments for therapy of a diabetic symmetrical polyneuropathy a subject in need thereof. The treatments includes administration of compositions comprising: an effective amount of a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist exemplified by pirenzepine, telenzepine, atropine, or derivatives thereof or salts thereof or analogs thereof or derivatives thereof, and a pharmacologically acceptable carrier. The composition may be injectable or alternatively, may be applied topically or alternatively, may be delivered orally. A suitable topical composition may comprise a lotion, a cream, a gel, or a viscous fluid. The muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist may be a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist salt or a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist derivative or a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist analog.

Abstract: Bacteria-responsive core-shell nanofibers and a process for the preparation thereof are described. The nanofibers release of an antibacterial agent in response to the presence of bacteria. The core of the nanofiber comprises a biocompatible polymer together with an antibacterial agent such as a quaternary ammonium compound, for example benzyl dimethyl tetradecyl ammonium chloride (BTAC). Surrounding the core is shell comprised of a bacterially degradable polymer, which is susceptible to break-down by bacterial enzymes such as lipase, or to acidic pH conditions. The shell may comprise, for example, polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly(ethylene succinate) (PES). The nanofibers may be incorporated into wound dressings.

Abstract: An enzymatic method is provided for restructuring an affinity ligand bound heterogenous glycoform antibody sample to a substantially homogenous single desired glycoform antibody sample for therapeutic uses and kits for performing the methods. A method for enzymatically altering the Fc region of an affinity ligand bound antibody from a heterogenous glycoform to a substantially homogenous single glycoform comprises: contacting the affinity ligand bound heterogeneous glycoform antibody with a reaction buffer designed for a particular glycoform modification for a time sufficient and under conditions to modify the glycoform of the Fc region to a substantially homogeneous single form; optionally adding one or more nucleotide sugars and/or cofactors; and releasing the substantially homogeneous single glycoform antibody sample from said affinity ligand.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to polymerizable compounds that comprise biocidal activity and/or the potential for increased biocidal activity and that comprise at least one hydrophobic portion and at least one hydrophilic portion. Together the hydrophobic portion and the hydrophilic portion of the compounds may provide the polymerizable compounds with one or more surfactant-like properties. The polymerizable compounds can be incorporated into polymer coating formulations. The polymer coating formulations can be used to coat one or more surfaces of a substrate. The coating formulation can provide biocidal activity and/or the potential for increased biocidal activity to the coated substrate-surface.

Abstract: Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) is an energy efficient and compact biological wastewater treatment process. There is only one commercially available AGS technology which utilizes sequencing batch reactors (SBR). Many existing wastewater treatment facilities consist of long, continuous flow reactors that would not be readily suitable for retrofit to SBR. Therefore, a continuous flow process is preferred for municipalities that cannot economically invest in the only commercially available SBR technology (i.e., Nere-da®). Lab- and pilot-scale experimentation has demonstrated that stable granulation can be achieved in a continuous flow configuration GT suitable for retrofit into existing infrastructure. An anoxic/anaerobic/aerobic configuration can be designed and stably operated for conversion of flocculent biomass to AGS Preliminary pilot-scale results on primary effluent from a municipal wastewater treatment facility indicated that granules of 0.2-0.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensing technique and a signal interpretation method based on a spectral element multiphase poromechanical approach overcomes critical gaps in permafrost, frozen soil, and saturated soil characterization. Ultrasonic sensing produces high-quality response signals that are sensitive to the soil properties. A transfer function denoting a ratio of induced displacement and applied force in the frequency domain, is independent of the distribution of the stress force applied by the transducer to the sample, and allows interpretation of the measured electrical signal using a theoretical transfer function relation to efficiently determine the most probable properties from response signals using an inverse spectral element multiphase poromechanical approach. This ultrasonic sensing technique enables rapid characterization of soil samples in terms of both physical and mechanical properties.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatuses for the rapid assessment of cell permeability by a drug. More particularly, described herein a method of determining membrane permeability (influx and/or efflux) of a cell to a drug, the method including: (a) obtaining a biological sample; (b) dispersing at least one cell from the biological sample to a discrete location; (c) exposing the at least one cell to one member of a drug panel in a drug solution, wherein the drug panel is composed of drugs of a given concentration; (d) incubating the at least one cell from the biological sample in the drug for a given time; (e) obtaining at least one electro-analytical measurement of the discrete location adjacent the at least one cell.

Abstract: A dual light source lens-free dielectrophoresis (DEP) flow cytometer for massively parallel single cell analysis. Each cells dielectric is inferred from measuring their altitude and subsequently velocity change due to DEP actuation in a microfluidic channel. Dual LED sources facilitate velocity measurement by producing two shadows for each cell passing through the channel. These shadows are detected using a linear optical array detector. Massively parallel analysis is possible as each pixel of the detector can independently analyze the passing cells. The DEP cytometer is composed of simple modular components and has the potential to be scaled to achieve a significantly high throughput label-free single-cell analyzer.

Abstract: Determination of transport phenomena properties in porous media is one major objective of core analysis studies in petrophysics, reservoir engineering, and groundwater hydrology. Porosity measurement may be considered as a key factor to identify the hydraulic performance of a low permeable porous medium (e.g. rock or concrete). Additionally, the rate of absorption under pressure depends on the permeability, which is related to the connectivity between the existing pores within the porous structure. An alternative Gas Expansion Induced Water Intrusion Porosimetry (GEIWIP) method and apparatus is useful to measure the total porosity and pore size distribution, using a gas/water intrusion apparatus for water tight materials.

Abstract: A two-part aortic annular support system for supporting an aortic annulus during aortic valve repair procedures for prevention of further annular dilation. The first part comprises a composite annular ring that is positionable from within an aortic valve into the left ventricular outflow tract at the level of annular plane. The composite ring comprises a semi-rigid section and a resiliently deformable section. The semi-rigid section is shorter in length than the deformable section. The deformable section is extendible into a commissure of the aortic valve. The second part is a resilient band that is positionable external to the aortic root. The resilient band is securable to the composite ring through the aortic annulus by suturing. The present disclosure also relates to a use of the aortic annular support system and a method of inserting and securing the aortic annular support system during a surgical intervention.

Abstract: Novel microwave devices capable of monitoring pest activity or moisture content in grain. A planar active microwave resonator with a regenerative element is placed in proximity to the grain to be tested, for example by immersion within in a bulk grain store to monitor moisture levels or pest activity therein, mounting within a sample container to monitor moisture levels or pest activity in a smaller volume of grain sampled from a grain store or shipment, or exposure to individual sample kernels for detecting internal pests therein.

Abstract: We have developed a series of Ebola vims envelope glycoprotein (EboGP)-based chimeric fusion proteins that are still able to maintain an efficient EboGP-mediated virus entry in various cell types including human antigen-presenting cells (APCs) while presenting large viral polypeptides, such as HIV Env v3-v5 domain (as large as 241 aa), at the apex and the sides of each EboGP monomer to elicit robust host immune responses. This invention demonstrates the feasibility of an EboGP-based chimeric fusion technology as a novel vaccine approach against different microbial pathogens, including that in human and animals, and against cancers.

Abstract: A method for receiving, at a communications station which has a plurality of antennas, messages from a plurality of users in wireless communication with the communications station, comprising the steps of: (i) receiving, from the users, using the plurality of antennas, time-slotted information chunks formed from the messages of the users, wherein the information chunks are free of any encoded user-identifiers representative of the users transmitting the messages; (ii) after receiving all of the information chunks, estimating vectors representative of respective communication channels between the antennas and the users based on the received information chunks; (iii) grouping the information chunks based on the estimated vectors to form clusters of the information chunks respectively associated with the users; and (iv) recovering the messages of the users from the clusters of the information chunks.

Abstract: A method of digital signal feature extraction comprises steps of: (a) segmenting samples of the digital signal to form a set of groupings each comprising a subset of the samples, with each grouping having endpoints spaced apart by a current grouping size; (b) applying an operator, which is associated with the desired feature to be extracted, to the subset of the samples of each grouping to derive a representative value therefor corresponding to the grouping size; and (c) repeating step a), but based on a different grouping size, and repeating step b) on the set of groupings formed based on the different grouping size, with the operator being adapted to correspond to the different grouping size. The set of groupings formed in step a) collectively includes all of the samples of the signal. One endpoint of at least one grouping is intermediate the endpoints of another one of the groupings.

Abstract: Described herein is the development of synthetic routes to produce a wide variety of substituted phenanthridines, specifically, multidentate phenanthridine-containing ligand frameworks capable of anchoring to Pt via more than one binding site and with the phenanthridinyl moiety co-planar to the coordination plane of Pt. The multidentate chelation is designed to attenuate the reactivity of the platinum complex in vivo, and ultimately help mitigate side effects. In addition, the geometry of phenanthridine binding to the metal centre is altered compared to in phenanthriplatin, thanks to the constraints of the ligand geometry. By enforcing coplanar binding with the metal's square planar coordination plane, these compounds exhibit altered modes of activity, and should hence enhance/change the spectrum of activity of our prodrug candidates compared with phenanthriplatin.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to new metal complexes, including derivatives thereof, methods of making the metal complexes, and uses thereof, including uses, for example, as photosensitizers and as photocatalysts. In an embodiment, a metal complex having the structure of Formula (I): a salt, hydrate, solvate, tautomer, optical isomer, or combination thereof.

Abstract: Glycosylated antitumor ether lipids (GAELs) are effective cytotoxic agents against cancer stem cells. Furthermore, combining GAELs which kill cells by a caspase-independent pathway with agents that kill cells by apoptosis will lead to elimination of the differentiated tumor cells and the undifferentiated cancer stem cells leading to an elimination of the tumor and preventing recurrence.