Abstract: A bone anchor may include a shaft having a distal end and a distal toggle element rotatably coupled to the distal end such that the distal toggle element may be rotatable between: a stowed orientation in which the distal toggle element may be insertable into a bone through an aperture formed in a cortex of the bone; and a deployed orientation in which the distal toggle element may be positioned to abut an interior surface of the cortex around the aperture. The bone anchor may also include a flange having a shoulder that may be moveable distally toward the distal toggle element to abut an exterior surface of the cortex.

Abstract: An alternative approach to producing iron from iron concentrates produced from low grade iron ore without going through pelletization and induration. Such a method may include providing iron ore concentrate in a small particle form, passing the iron ore concentrate through a moving bed conveyor reduction furnace with at least one of hydrogen or natural gas, wherein the concentrate is present in a layer that is no more than about 5 cm thick, the hydrogen gas or natural gas reducing the concentrate so as to remove oxygen therefrom, converting the iron ore concentrate to iron that has a composition similar to direct reduced iron (DRI) or sponge iron product, having about 90-95% iron, up to about 10% oxygen, with other trace impurities. Energy consumption is reduced by 30-50% and CO2 emissions are reduced by 60-95%, depending on whether natural gas or hydrogen is used.

Abstract: A bone implant system may include a plurality of bone anchors, a superior rod attachable to a superior portion of a bone via the bone anchors, and an inferior rod attachable to an inferior portion of the bone via the bone anchors. The superior rod may have a superior end, and the inferior rod may have an inferior end. The superior rod may telescopically engage the inferior rod such that a cavity is present within at least one of the superior rod and the inferior rod and such that a length of the combined superior and inferior rods, measured between the superior end and the inferior end, is adjustable. The cavity may contain a micropump and a chamber. The micropump may be configured to expel fluid into the chamber to urge the length to increase.

Abstract: Methods of minimizing dysregulation of Staufen1-associated RNA metabolism can include introducing an amount of a Staufen1-regulating agent to a target cell sufficient to minimize the dysregulation. Therapeutic compositions for treating a neurodegenerative condition associated with Staufen1-induced dysregulation of RNA metabolism can include a therapeutically effective amount of a Staufen1-regulating agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, are compounds comprising a peptide, wherein the peptide is OCA-B or an OCA-B fragment thereof; a linker; and a cell penetrating peptide. Also described herein, are methods of administering compounds to subjects for the treatment of Type I diabetes and blocking the interaction between OCA-B and Jmjd1a.

Abstract: A bone screw may be insertable into a bone, and may have a proximal member, a distal member with bone-engaging threads, wherein the distal member is configured to slidably engage the proximal member such that a variable-length cavity is defined within the proximal member and the distal member, and a tension member residing at least partially within the variable-length cavity. The tension member may have a proximal end coupled to the proximal member and a distal end coupled to the distal member such that, in response to motion of the distal member away from the proximal member, the tension member elongates and urges the distal member to move toward the proximal member. The proximal member and the distal member may be interconnected to share bending loads at a bending transmission feature.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of producing platelets and red blood cells using synthetic biology and uses thereof. The methods disclosed herein can also be used to produce platelets and red blood cells comprising a therapeutic agent. The cells produced by the methods disclosed herein can be used to treat, manage, prevent and diagnosis various diseases and disorders and be used as a research tool.

Abstract: A sensor interface for a resistive sensor has an analog front end comprising. The analog front end has an analog input/output (I/O) sensor port to be coupled to the resistive sensor. An integration stage is coupled to the analog I/O sensor port to oscillate at an oscillation frequency proportional to a sensor resistance of the resistive sensor. The integration stage has a variable integrator capacitance to vary the oscillation frequency. A gain stage is coupled to the integration stage and has a variable gain to vary the oscillation frequency of the integration stage. The sensor interface also has a smart digital controller (SDC) coupled to the analog front end to compute the sensor resistance of the resistive sensor based on the oscillation frequency. In addition, the SDC automatically detects unstable oscillation in the integration stage and causes the variable gain and the variable integrator capacitance to change.

Abstract: Electronic devices and methods for single event effect mitigation are described. The device can include a processor, a memory cell, and an integrated particle sensor. The memory cell can comprise a substrate, a deep well coupled to the substrate, and a ground-coupled well coupled to the deep well. The integrated particle sensor can be coupled between the substrate and the deep well, and the ground-coupled well and the deep well. The integrated particle sensor can be operable to detect an ionizing particle generating the single event effect. The electronic device can be a field-programmable gate array. The method can include detecting an ionizing particle generating a single event effect at a memory cell of the electronic device, switching from the memory cell to a redundant memory cell associated with the memory cell when the single event effect is detected, and reconfiguring the memory cell based on the redundant memory cell.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of determining a concentration of IGF-1 and/or IGF-2 with improved sensitivity using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS). The methods can achieve improved sensitivity by using a supercharging reagent as part of a mobile phase of the HPLC, which can increase the amount of specific charge states of IGF-1 and/or IGF-2 ions detected by MS. An example method includes subjecting a sample to HPLC, wherein the HPLC comprises a mobile phase including a supercharging reagent and an organic acid; ionizing the sample to produce one or more ions detectable by mass spectrometry; determining amounts of IGF-1 ions in an 8+ charge state by mass spectrometry; and relating the amount of the determined IGF-1 ions in the 8+ charge state to the concentration of IGF-1 in the sample.

Abstract: A Broadband Diffractive-Optical Element (BDOE) as a lens whose f-number and numerical aperture are decoupled. The BDOE can include a substrate and an array of optical cells formed on the substrate to have a non-linear arrangement of cell heights to diffract light into a focal spot. The geometry of the focal spot can be designed to decouple the f-number from the numerical aperture for an imaging device that employs the broadband diffractive optical element as a lens.

Abstract: A system for external rotational deformity correction of an intact bone may include: a first frame member and a second frame member rotatably coupled therewith, a first bone fixation member coupled to the first frame member and to a distal segment of the intact bone, a second bone fixation member coupled to the second frame member and to a proximal segment of the intact bone at a first angle, an automated control mechanism coupled to the first and second frame members, and a power source for the automated control mechanism. The automated control mechanism may: receive power from the power source, rotate the first frame member to a desired relative rotational position, and position the first bone fixation member at a desired second angle to exert torsional force on the intact bone and externally reduce rotational deformity of the intact bone.

Abstract: A method of refining a microstructure of a titanium material can include providing a solid titanium material at a temperature below about 400° C. The titanium material can be heated under a hydrogen-containing atmosphere to a hydrogen charging temperature that is above a ? transus temperature of the titanium material and below a melting temperature of the titanium material, and held at this temperature for a time sufficient to convert the titanium material to a substantially homogeneous ? phase. The titanium material can be cooled under the hydrogen-containing atmosphere to a phase transformation temperature below the ? transus temperature and above about 400° C., and held for a time to produce a phase regions. The titanium material can also be held under a substantially hydrogen-free atmosphere or vacuum at a dehydrogenation temperature below the ? transus temperature and above the ? phase decomposition temperature to remove hydrogen from the titanium material.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid sequences comprising a modified HIV Gag sequence, wherein the modified HIV Gag sequence comprises, from 5? to 3?, a matrix domain (MA), capsid (CA) domain, SP1 region, nucleocapsid (NC) domain, SP2 region, and p6 domain, wherein the modified HIV Gag sequence further comprises an exogenous sequence of interest between the NC domain and the SP2 region. Disclosed are methods of producing a recombinant lentivirus comprising transfecting a cell with a plasmid comprising the nucleic acid sequence of one or more of the disclosed nucleic acid sequences in combination with an envelope plasmid. Disclosed are methods of monitoring lentivirus assembly, budding, and/or maturation comprising transfecting a cell with a plasmid comprising any one of the disclosed nucleic acid sequences in combination with an envelope plasmid, wherein the exogenous sequence of interest encodes a detection agent.

Abstract: Sample preparation can include obtaining a sample in the form of a liquid mixture and forcing the liquid mixture through a cavitation chamber at an optimal pressure for separating pathogens from particles in the mixture without fragmenting at least 30% of the pathogens. Apparatuses used for sample preparation methods can include a fluid circuit, a cavitation chamber incorporated into the fluid circuit and having a channel with first, second, and third cross-sectional areas, the second cross-sectional area being downstream of and smaller than the first cross-sectional with respect to fluid flow through the fluid circuit and the third cross-sectional area being larger than and downstream of the second cross-sectional area with respect to fluid flow through the fluid circuit. The apparatus can include a pump in fluid communication with the cavitation chamber and a pressure sensor positioned upstream of the cavitation chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a synthetic peptide mimetic and compositions comprising the synthetic peptide mimetic that induce activation of and signaling through PAR4. Also disclosed herein are methods of treating a bleeding disorder comprising administering the synthetic peptide.

Abstract: A composite solid electrolyte (410) for lithium batteries can include a solid polymer (440), a lithium salt (450) distributed in the solid polymer (440), and lithium iron phosphate (460) distributed in the solid polymer (440). A solid state lithium battery cell (400) can include a composite solid electrolyte layer (410), an anode (420) containing lithium in contact with a first surface of the composite solid electrolyte layer (410): and a cathode (430) in contact with a second surface of the composite solid electrolyte layer (410). The composite solid electrolyte layer (410) can include a solid polymer (440), a lithium salt (450) distributed in the solid polymer (440), and lithium iron phosphate (460) distributed in the solid polymer (440).

Abstract: The present disclosure describes transmission systems for use in artificial joints of assistive devices, such as assistive prostheses, orthoses, and powered exoskeletons. A variable transmission is configured to automatically or manually adapt the torque profile to the demand of different locomotion tasks, such as a relatively high torque and low speed profile for a task such as standing up or ascending stairs, or a relatively low torque and high speed profile for a task such as walking.

Abstract: An implant assembly for a long bone is adapted to support an exo-prosthesis. The assembly includes a stem, a subdermal component and a percutaneous post. The stem has a proximal end that is adapted to be received in a surgically prepared medullary canal of the long bone, and a distal end having a surface that is adapted to promote bone ingrowth. The subdermal component includes a proximal portion that is adapted for attachment to the distal end of the stem, and a fixation surface that is adapted to promote soft tissue fixation. The percutaneous post has a proximal end that is adapted to be attached to the subdermal component.

Abstract: An exoskeleton device that includes an artificial joint and a frame member extending from the artificial joint. The frame member is configured for extension over a limb of a user. The exoskeleton device also includes a self-aligning mechanism connected to the frame member. The self-aligning mechanism includes three passive degrees of freedom (pDOF) provided in a prismatic-revolute-revolute (PRR) configuration. The self-aligning mechanism also includes a limb attachment member configured for mechanically coupling to a portion of the limb of the user.