Abstract: A hydrogen evolution assisted electroplating nozzle includes a nozzle tip configured to interface with a portion of a substructure. The nozzle also includes an inner coaxial tube connected to a reservoir containing an electrolyte and an anode, the inner coaxial tube configured to dispense the electrolyte through the nozzle tip onto the portion of the substructure. The nozzle also includes an outer coaxial tube encompassing the inner coaxial tube, the outer coaxial tube configured to extract the electrolyte from the portion of the substructure. The nozzle also includes at least one contact pin configured to make electrical contact with a conductive track on the substrate.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system for automatically evaluating slurry properties includes a down-hole measurement device configured to be lowered into slurry provided in an excavated hole, the measurement device comprising an outer housing, a flow pump, a flow meter, and a differential pressure sensor, wherein the flow pump is configured to pump slurry through the flow meter, the flow meter is configured to measure a flow rate of the pumped slurry, and the differential pressure sensor is configured to measure a difference in pressure between the pumped slurry and the slurry outside of the measurement device.

Abstract: The present invention concerns peptides and nucleic acids encoding the peptides, and their use for modulating large conductance Ca2+ activated K+ (BK) channel activity in cells; for treating conditions such as presbycusis (age-related hearing loss), audiogenic seizures, alcohol addiction, cancer, and neurodegenerative disease; and for delivering a cargo moiety to the brain of a subject through the blood-brain barrier.

Abstract: Provided is a darwinolide compound having a previously undescribed carbon skeleton and the crystalline form thereof. Also provided are processes of isolating darwinolide, compositions comprising darwinolide, and methods of treating infection, such as a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilm infection.

Abstract: Described herein are assays, methods, and devices for diagnosing/prognosing Alzheimer's disease (AD) and/or a neurodegenerative disease in a subject. The assays, methods, and/or devices described herein can be configured to detect GAS5 long-coding RNAs and/or expression thereof in a sample from a subject.

Abstract: An acoustic resonator includes a piezoelectric stack including a piezoelectric layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, a top electrode layer disposed above the top surface, and a bottom electrode layer disposed below the bottom surface. A number of acoustic wave reflectors are disposed on a side of the bottom electrode layer opposite the piezoelectric layer. Each acoustic wave reflector includes a high acoustic impedance layer and may include a low acoustic impedance layer. The acoustic resonator may include a tether that extends laterally to a stacking direction of the layers of the piezoelectric stack. A supporting structure may be coupled to the tether opposite the acoustic resonator for anchoring the acoustic resonator. A mirror, one or more phononic crystals, or both may be positioned on proximate the tether opposite the acoustic resonator to avoid resonant waves from exiting the acoustic resonator in use.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to polyacrylate homopolymers produced from acrylolated drug monomers. The homopolymers can be produced in the form of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles comprising the homopolymers can be produced via a free radical-induced emulsion polymerization of the acrylolated drug monomers to produce an aqueous emulsion of uniformly sized nanoparticles. The homopolymers of the invention containing acrylolated antibiotic monomers can be active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Accordingly, methods are provided of treating a disease, for example, an infection, by administering to a subject the homopolymers, homopolymeric nanoparticles, or emulsions containing homopolymeric nanoparticles of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention concerns nanoparticles useful for treating posterior segment ocular diseases or conditions, such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy; compositions comprising the nanoparticles; methods for producing the nanoparticles; and methods for treating posterior segment ocular diseases or conditions, comprising administering the nanoparticles or compositions to the ocular posterior segment of an afflicted eye.

Abstract: A system and method of automatically assessing pediatric and neonatal pain using facial expressions along with crying sounds, body movement, and vital signs change to improve the diagnosis and treatment of pain in the pediatric patient population.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method of enhancing progesterone receptor (PR) activity in a mammal, which comprises administering a composition comprising an inhibitor of FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP51) to a mammal in need thereof, such as a pregnant human female, whereby progesterone receptor activity in the mammal is enhanced as compared to a mammal not administered the composition. The method results in an extension of the gestation period and a decreased likelihood of preterm birth and fetal growth restriction.

Abstract: An in vitro microfluidic device includes a device configured to model a blood-brain barrier. The device includes a center well in fluidic communication with each of an inlet and an outlet. Each of the center well, inlet, and outlet includes a porous membrane that separates a “blood” portion (a fluid flow portion) from a “brain” portion (a fluid containing portion). The porous membrane is seeded with endothelial cells such as the human venule endothelial cells (HUVECs) on the blood side, and with astrocytes on the brain side, to accurately model the blood-brain barrier. Fluid flows between the inlet, the center well, and the outlet to test the permeability of the porous membrane, thereby providing an accurate in vitro model of a blood-brain barrier.

Abstract: Described herein are cell-selective mRNA constructs that can contain a RNA of interest and one or more miRNA targets. The cell-selective mRNA constructs described herein can be used to express an RNA of interest to a cell in a cell-selective manner.

Abstract: A system and method for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) of blood in a blood vessel of a patient using a non-invasive sensor composed of a patch antenna operating in the Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) Radio band (5.725 GHz-5.875 GHz). The device determines the blood glucose concentration of the blood in the blood vessel based on the measured shift of the resonant frequency of the non-invasive antenna patch sensor. A radio frequency (RF) synthesizer is used to drive the patch antenna with a fraction of its output coupled to both the antenna and receiver through a directional coupler. In this approach both the transmitted (FWD) and received (REV) power are processed, by demodulating logarithmic amplifiers, which convert the RF signals to corresponding voltages for downstream processing. The resulting voltages are then fed into a microcontroller and the measured shift in resonant frequency is converted to a real-time glucose concentration.

Abstract: Methods of treating or preventing allergic or pulmonary diseases characterized by endothelial dysfunction with Alda-1 are presented. Treatment of pulmonary endothelial cells subjected to hyperoxia with Alda-1 showed an increase in ALDH2 activity and expression. Treatment with Alda-1 also illustrated a decrease in oxidative stress, a decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS), a decrease in apoptosis, a decrease in inflammation and an enhancement of mitochondrial membrane potential.

Abstract: A mobile phone-based system for ELISA (MELISA). The MELISA system can perform all steps of ELISA procedure and output hormone concentration values. The system includes a heater that keeps the temperature required for sample incubation, illumination system for sample image capturing, and a digital camera system. All components are enclosed in a dark box to create optimal light conditions for image capturing. After sample images are captured, they are digitally processed, and hormone concentration values are reported based on colorimetric data from the samples. The system can be used to complete all steps of the assay, including incubation and reading. It is lightweight, can be fabricated at low cost, is portable, and can transfer test results via mobile phone. MELISA can be calibrated for accurate measurements of progesterone and has demonstrated successful measurements with the calibrated system.

Abstract: Nanoparticle based MKT formulation. MKT is encapsulated by poly(ethylene glycol)ylated (PEGylated) poly-(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) to form nanoparticles (NPs). To induce trans-BBB permeability, glutathione (GSH) is coated on the resulting NPs. Newly generated MKT-NPs showed BBB permeability and tau reduction in experimental models. Specifically, brain-targeting MKT NPs were developed with a glutathione coating, characterized, and shown to permeate BBB permeation insert models as a therapeutic for Alzheimer's disease and related tauopathies.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for GPU-based parallel indexing for concurrent spatial queries. A number of nodes in a tree to be partitioned is determined. The tree is then iteratively partitioned with the GPU. Nodes are created with the GPU. Finally, a point insertion is performed using the GPU.

Abstract: Described are immunogenic proteins against Clostridium difficile. Also described are compositions comprising the immunogenic proteins. Further described are methods of preventing or treating a Clostridium difficile infection in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: A new system and method for FWI of common-offset GPR data, particularly targeting the dimensions and infilling material of buried objects. The method is useful in situations where clear isolated diffraction hyperbolas indicate the presence of an underground object, but the object's dimensions and filling may be unknown. The present invention acquires GPR data and applies advanced numerical methods to get the depth and size of the underground object in a very accurate manner. An embodiment of the invention includes five main steps: GPR data processing, ray-based analysis to set a good initial model, 3D to 2D transformation of data, effective SW estimation, and FWI.

Abstract: A Pulsed Thermography (PT) system and method is provided utilizing a long duration pulse in combination with a radiant heat shield as a non-destructive testing method for quantitatively measuring defect depths within a 3D printed part and for characterizing layer-by-layer surface defects in the 3D printed part.