Abstract: Anchoring devices and systems are disclosed for use with elongated reinforcement members such as FRP, SRP, metallic bars, or cables. Such devices and systems impart a compressive stress into a static structure having the elongated reinforcement member running therethrough or therealong. An anchoring system can include an anchor block that includes a front end surface for contacting the static structure, an axial bore for receiving the elongated reinforcement member, and clamping members that, when closed, exert a radial clamping force on a reinforcement member in the axial bore. A tensioning and anchoring system may include one or more tensioners integrally connected to an anchor block. At least one sleeve may be secured to the anchor block and cooperate with a bolt that displaces the anchor block to place a tensile force on the elongated reinforcement member and impart a compressive force on the static structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided which utilize a fast, efficient filtered backprojection algorithm that can provide noise suppression advantages of an iterative MAP reconstruction algorithm. In some embodiments novel filtered backprojection systems are able to provide an image which emulates an image from an iterative algorithm corresponding to a selected iteration by utilizing control parameters which shape the filter accordingly during the reconstruction process. For example, if a user desires an image which would correspond to the one-hundredth iteration of an iterative algorithm, embodiments can provide a similar quality image using minimal calculation steps. Further, embodiments may provide the resolution quality of such an iteration while also allowing for better shift-invariant performance than an iterative method.

Abstract: A stretchable electronic circuit that includes a stretchable base substrate having a plurality of stretchable conductors formed onto a surface thereof, with both the stretchable base substrate and conductors being bendable together about two orthogonal axes. The stretchable circuit also includes a stretchable sensor layer attached to the base substrate with a cavity formed therein which has a contact point exposing one of the plurality of stretchable conductors. The stretchable electronic circuit further includes a surface mount device (SMD) package with a conductor contact protrusion installed into the cavity, and wherein a substantially constant electrical connection is established between the conductor contact protrusion and the stretchable conductor at the contact point by tensile forces interacting between the stretchable base substrate and the stretchable sensor layer.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to substituted N-phenylpyrimidin-2-amine analogs, derivatives thereof, and related compounds, which are useful as inhibitors of Axl kinase; synthetic methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of using the compounds and compositions for treating disorders associated with dysfunction of the Axl kinase. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions related to type 3 phosphodiesterases (PDE3). Certain embodiments concern isolated peptides corresponding to various PDE3A isoforms and/or site-specific mutants of PDE3A isoforms, along with expression vectors encoding such isoforms or mutants. In specific embodiments, methods for identifying isoform-selective inhibitors or activators of PDE3 are provided, along with methods of use of such inhibitors or activators in the treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension and/or other medical conditions related to PDE3 effects on cAMP levels in different intracellular compartments.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions, and methods comprising a polyamine compound are described, which may be used to kill, disperse, treat, reduce biofilms, and/or inhibit or substantially prevent biofilm formation. In certain aspects, the present invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods comprising polyamine compounds that have antimicrobial or dispersing activity against a variety of bacterial strains capable of forming biofilms.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods of identifying bipolar disorder in a person. One such method includes acquiring 31P spectroscopic imaging data from a region of interest in a brain of the person and subsequently analyzing the 31P spectroscopic imaging data to obtain a signal intensity and a concentration for one or more phosphorus metabolites. A reduced concentration the one or more phosphorus metabolites, such as inorganic phosphate, in the brain can indicate bipolar disorder in the person. Frontal lobe inorganic phosphate concentration in medication-free adolescents can indicate bipolar depression.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for assessing the risk of a patient for developing a potentially fatal cardiac dysrhythmia and for diagnosing Andersen's Syndrome. A tissue sample from a patient is obtained and the DNA or proteins of the sample isolated. From the DNA and protein isolates the sequence of the KCNJ2 gene or the Kir2.1 polypeptide can be obtained. The KCNJ2 gene or the Kir2.1 can be screened for alteration as compared to the wile-type sequence. An alteration in a copy of the KCNJ2 gene or a Kir2.1 polypeptide indicates that the patient has a high risk for developing a cardiac dysrhythmia and can be diagnosed with Andersen's Syndrome. The invention also related to isolated nucleic acid molecules with one or more alterations as compared to the wild-type sequence.

Abstract: Imaging of falling objects is described. Multiple images of a falling object can be captured substantially simultaneously using multiple cameras located at multiple angles around the falling object. An epipolar geometry of the captured images can be determined. The images can be rectified to parallelize epipolar lines of the epipolar geometry. Correspondence points between the images can be identified. At least a portion of the falling object can be digitally reconstructed using the identified correspondence points to create a digital reconstruction.

Abstract: A photoconductive sensor compound for detecting explosives can have a structure I: where R is a morphology control group, A is a linking group, B is a electron donor that is selective for transferring electrons to PTCDI backbone upon irradiation to make the resulting nanostructures conductive, and R1 through R8 are side groups.

Abstract: An image mosaic is created from overlapping images. A first seam is shown between a first pair of overlapping images such that, on a first side, a first image of the first pair is shown, and on a second side, a second image of the first pair is shown. The first seam includes a plurality of pixels in the image mosaic. An indicator of an interaction with the image mosaic is received. The indicator indicates that the user has selected a pixel of the plurality of pixels of the first seam and has moved the selected pixel to a first location within an overlapping region between the first pair of overlapping images. A second seam that includes the first location is computed. The image mosaic including the second seam is presented. The second seam replaces at least a portion of the first seam in the image mosaic.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an array of micro electrodes enabled to have customizable lengths. A substantially criss-cross pattern of channels on a top surface of the work-piece substrate (10) is formed using electrical discharge machining to form a plurality of shaped columns (20) having tapered profiles. The shaped columns have a tapering profile which extends at least 50% of the length of the columns. The plurality of shaped columns is etched to sharpen the tapered tips into needle tips forming the array of microelectrodes.

Abstract: A traveling wave device includes a slow wave circuit supported by a dielectric membrane. The dielectric membrane can have a thickness substantially smaller than a wavelength of operation of the traveling wave device.

Abstract: A method for making an agglomerate of an ore is disclosed. The method comprises contacting the ore with an acid solution and a stucco binder. The stucco binder may include calcium sulfate hemihydrate. The ore agglomerate may include ore, acid solution, and stucco-derived gypsum.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods for differentiating T cells and NK cells in vitro from hematopoietic stem cells or precursor cells. The technology is directed to methods for the production of selected populations of lymphocytes, such as T cells and NK cells. The availability of such cell populations allows for the complete reconstitution of a depleted, defective or missing lymphocyte population in a patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for the use of sensor links in a network to estimate the breathing rate of a breathing subject within a structure, estimate the location of the subject within the structure, and detect if the subject is breathing. The structure may be a bed, a building, or a room in the building. The received signal strength of the sensor links is obtained and is then used in various breathing models to determine the breathing rate estimation, the location estimation, and the breathing detection.

Abstract: A micro-needle array having tips disposed along a non-planar surface is formed by shaping the wafer surface into a non-planar surface to define the tips of the micro-needles. A plurality of trenches are cut into the wafer to form a plurality of columns having tops corresponding to the non-planar surface. The columns are rounded and sharpened by etching to form the micro-needles.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for tissue stabilization. Some aspects include a carrier member having a length, width, and thickness, wherein the length and width are each at least two times greater than the thickness; attachment members extending from the carrier member and that engage connective tissue; and stabilizing members, each of which can couple a respective attachment member to the carrier member and is substantially positionally fixed relative to the carrier member.

Abstract: Described herein are crosslinked compounds useful in numerous treatments. Described herein are methods of making crosslinked compounds via (1) the oxidative coupling of two or more thiol compounds or (2) by the reaction between at least one thiol compound with at least one thiol-reactive compound.

Abstract: Novel and simple methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing a 3D rotation using input from a mouse, trackball, or other input device are described. Methods of implementing rotations are presented which lead to new realizations of the 3D rotation group and its double-cover, the unit quaternions. New methods, systems, and computer program products are also presented for interpolating rotations of a 3D scene that is more efficient than previously-known quaternion-based methods. The new methods are also used to derive the quaternion composition formula from the geometry of 3D rotations.