Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising multipotent progenitor cells isolated from tonsillar tissue and differentiated cells derived therefrom and methods for using the cells for the treatment of diseases or disorders.

Abstract: A method of using the relaxation rate (R1 and/or R2) of solvent NMR signal to noninvasively assess whether viral capsids in a capsid preparation are full or empty, and the percentage of full capsids if the vial contains a mixture of full and empty capsids. The method can simply, rapidly, and non-invasively prove the safety and potency of the capsid preparation and thus whether the capsid preparation can be approved for clinical use, without requiring any sample preparation or reagent addition.

Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for mitral valve repair. The devices and methods implant a plurality of distal anchors at an annulus of the mitral valve (e.g., the posterior annulus) and tension artificial chordae to pull the portion of the annulus toward an opposite edge and inward into the ventricle. This can effectively reduce the size of the orifice and increase coaptation. The delivery devices can be configured to be actuated to form a distal anchor made of a pre-formed knot. The delivery devices deliver the pre-formed knot in an elongate configuration. Actuation of the delivery device causes the pre-formed knot to transition from the elongate configuration to the deployed configuration by approximating opposite ends of a suture coupled to a coiled configuration to form one or more loops. After formation of the knot, the delivery device can be withdrawn.

Abstract: Techniques are presented for optimizing a treatment plan for charged particle therapy. The method includes obtaining medical image data voxels inside a subject in a reference frame of a radiation source that emits a beam of charged particles at multiple tracks with a controlled emitted energy at each track. Hydrogen density (HD) is determined based on the medical image data. Stopping power ratio (SPR) along a first beam having a first track and first emitted energy is calculated based on HD. A range to a Bragg peak is calculated along the first beam based on the SPR and the first emitted energy. The first beam track or the first emitted energy, or both, is modified based at least in part on the beam range to determine a second track and second emitted energy. Output data that indicates the second track and second emitted energy are sent.

Abstract: The present invention provides for excitable molecules positioned near metallic structures, wherein the metallic structures have a particles size from about 1 nm to 1000 nm and wherein the excitable molecules have fluorescence, phosphorescence or alpha-fluorescence emissions that are altered due to positioning near the metal structures. The emission spectra are distorted on either the blue or red edges in a range from 1 to 10 nm thereby changing the color of emissions. Further, the width of the emission spectrum is modified either by narrowing or broadening depending on the material of the metallic structures and type of excitable molecule.

Abstract: A one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) scan scheme for a tracking continuously scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (CSLDV) system to scan the whole surface of a rotating structure excited by a random force. A tracking CSLDV system tracks a rotating structure and sweep its laser spot on its surface. The measured response of the structure using the scan scheme of the tracking CSLDV system is considered as the response of the whole surface of the structure subject to random excitation. The measured response can be processed by operational modal analysis (OMA) methods (e.g., an improved lifting method, an improved demodulation method, an improved 2D demodulation method). Damped natural frequencies of the rotating structure are estimated from the fast Fourier transform of the measured response. Undamped full-field mode shapes are estimated by multiplying the measured response using sinusoids whose frequencies are estimated damped natural frequencies.

Abstract: Compounds that inhibit p38? MAPK protein, and methods of using the same, are provided for treating or preventing diseases such as cancer or inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a CD24 protein for preventing or treating relapse of a cancer in a subject. The present invention also relates to the use of a CD24 protein for reducing cancer stem cell activity.

Abstract: A method for using water proton transverse relaxation rate R2(T) to monitor, in real time, the sedimentation rates of multiphase mixtures such as drug products and drug substances. The method provides a practical application of wNMR as an analytical tool to study and provide higher quality and more efficient multiphase mixtures.

Abstract: Compounds that inhibit p38? MAPK protein, and methods of using the same, are provided for treating or preventing diseases such as cancer or inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved percutaneous dilation tracheostomy device. The device is configured to include all of the required components to perform a percutaneous tracheotomy. The device includes a retractable needle and an extendable j-wire rather than having separate components as in typical percutaneous tracheostomy devices. The device includes a dilator section to expand the diameter of a patient's stoma. The device is further configured to allow an operator to perform a bubble test to alert the user that the tube is in the trachea. In addition, the device is generally more compact than typical emergency tracheostomy devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel alpha5 subunit-selective negative allosteric modulators of GABAA receptors that have been deuterated to improve their medicinal properties by prolonging their half-lives, rendering them useful as fast-acting pharmaceutical treatments for depression related disorders.

Abstract: A MS disease activity (MSDA) score is provided as a tool to detect relapse and response to glatiramer acetate (GA) therapy in subjects having relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) using the blood-based biomarkers SIRT1, RGC-32, FasL, IL-21, pSIRT1 and JNK p54.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for treating brain cancers, such as malignant gliomas, particularly glioblastomas. Inhibitors of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase singly or in combination with at least other one small molecule drug acting synergistically with the dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitor are administered to a subject with a brain cancer or brought into contact with brain cancer tumor cells. Administration of a drug regimen of the inhibitor and at least one of the small molecule drugs increases sensitivity of a malignant glioma thereto.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices for treating functional mitral regurgitation and methods of use thereof. The devices translocate a subject's mitral valve in an apical direction. The devices thereby treat mitral regurgitation while preserving a subject's original mitral valve and chordae tendinae.

Abstract: Zinc electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) batteries including a high performing flexible chitosan-based gel electrolyte with poly-vinyl alcohol (PVA) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) additives were prepared. The Zn-EMD batteries were constructed using an optimized assembly technique employed to achieve good interfacial contact between the layers. Attaining energy densities between 150-250 Wh/kg (w.r.t cathode mass) is possible for these batteries, encouraging their use in wearable or flexible electronics. Using the chitosan-based gel electrolyte and limited voltage window testing, the prepared Zn-EMD alkaline batteries are among the best reported polymer-based alkaline electrolyte Zn rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: Energy harvesters (EH) which can effectively harvest wasted vibrational/kinematic energy and convert it into electrical energy for battery-free sensor operation are described herein. The target application of the energy harvesters includes powering wireless sensors used for wind turbine blade structural monitoring.

Abstract: A tidal current energy converter including an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) control system and a hybrid vertical axis wind (or water) turbine (VAWTs) apparatus. The hybrid VAWT apparatus includes a modified-Savonius (MS) rotor in the central region and a straight bladed H-type Darrieus rotor in the surrounding annular region. The IVT control system includes a nonlinear closed-loop control combined with an integral time-delay feedback control to adjust a speed ratio of the IVT. A speed ratio control for an IVT system involves a forward speed controller and/or a crank length controller for different speed ranges. The time-delay control is designed to reduce speed fluctuations of the output speed of an IVT with an accurate speed ratio. The speed ratio of an IVT with the disclosed control strategy can achieve an excellent tracking response for the desired constant output speed and reduce speed fluctuations of the output speed of an IVT by the time-delay feedback control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid flow device. The device includes an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length therebetween, at least one source fluid inflow port, at least one waste fluid outflow port, at least one well inlet port positioned at the distal end of the elongate body, at least one well outlet port positioned at the distal end of the elongate body, at least one conduit connecting the at least one source fluid inflow port to the at least one well inlet port, and at least one conduit connecting the at least one waste fluid outflow port to the at least one well outlet port.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electrochemical biosensing systems and methods that can be adapted to accurately and rapidly detect a target gene in clinical samples, using anti-sense oligonucleotides for selective detection of biological pathogens.