Abstract: A method of removing contaminants from slurry samples is set forth. The method includes the utilization of repeated pressurizing and depressurizing steps to disrupt solidified particles in solid-containing slurries thereby increasing decontamination efficiency. An expansion fluid is injected into the slurry sample sufficient to create microbubbles when the slurry sample is depressurized. The micro bubbles mechanically disrupt the solidified particles increasing contaminant exposure. The microbubbles also provide for increased interfacial regions where contaminants can accumulate at gas-liquid thin films that are in close proximity to and can be effectively removed using a suitable expansion fluid and optional decontamination agents.

Abstract: Nanoelectromechanical logic devices can include a plurality of flexible bridges having control and logic electrodes. Voltages applied to control electrodes can be used to control flexing of the bridges. The logic electrodes can provide logical functions of the applied voltages.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to substituted N-(3-(pyrimidin-4-yl)phenyl)acrylamide analogs, derivatives thereof, and related compounds, which are useful as inhibitors of the BTK kinase; synthetic methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of using the compounds and compositions to treat disorders associated with dysfunction of the BTK 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: Conjugates of hydroxypropyl methacrylamide (HPMA)-derived copolymers having attached thereto TNP-470 and a high load (e.g., higher than 3 mol %) of alendronate (ALN), and processes of preparing same are disclosed. Conjugates of polymers or copolymers having attached thereto an anti-angiogenesis agent and an oligoaspartate bone targeting agent, and processes of preparing same, are further disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions containing these conjugates and uses thereof in the treatment and monitoring of bone related disorders are also disclosed.

Abstract: A chemical sensor can include a nanofiber mass of p-type nanofibers having a HOMO level greater than ?5.0 eV. Additionally, the chemical sensor can include oxygen in contact with the p-type nanofibers. Further, the chemical sensor can include a pair of electrodes in electrical contact across the nanofiber mass, where the p-type nanofibers conduct an electric current that decreases upon contact with an amine compound.

Abstract: A primary beam splitter (310) of an optical apparatus (300) can be used to split an incident light beam (305) into a primary plurality of light beams and to direct a first beam therefrom in a first direction and a second beam therefrom in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Secondary beam splitters (315a,b) positioned in beam paths of the first and second beams can be used to split the first and second beams of the primary plurality of light beams into a secondary plurality of light beams (320a,b) and to split the same into a tertiary plurality of light beams (325a,b). A primary plurality of beam reflectors (335a,b/340a,b/345a,b) can be positioned and used to redirect the secondary and tertiary plurality of light beams toward a common detector (355).

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the fields of pathological muscle pain/fatigue conditions. More specifically, the invention concerns methods and compositions useful for diagnosing and treating pathological muscle pain/fatigue conditions.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices which utilize Spread Spectrum Time Domain Reflectometry (SSTDR) techniques to measure degradation of electronic components are provided. Such measurements may be implemented while the components “live” or otherwise functioning within an overall system. In one embodiment, monitoring a power converter in a high power system is accomplished. In this embodiment, degradation of components within the power converter (e.g. metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), capacitors, insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), and the like) may be monitored by processing data from reflections of an SSTDR signal to determine changes in impedance, capacitance, or any other changes that may be characteristic of components degrading. For example, an aging MOSFET may experience an increase of drain to source resistance which adds additional resistance to a current path within a power converter.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a ground reaction sensor cluster (GRSC) and to methods for precisely determining zero velocity points and bearing changes using a GRSC and for navigating using a GRSC and an inertial motion unit (IMU) in a global positioning satellite (GPS)-denied environment. The GRSC device itself includes an array of capacitive pressure and shear sensors. The array includes multiple flexible capacitive sensor cells that detect changes in capacitance in response to a footstep. Each cell of the array includes multiple overlapping, fingered capacitors that detect pressure and shear force by determining the change in capacitance in each fingered capacitor. The GRSC device also includes a multiplexing receiver that receives the capacitance inputs from each of the capacitive sensor cells. The multiplexing receiver and other electronic elements further process the received capacitance inputs to determine, based on the pressure and shear forces, the direction and bearing of the footstep.

Abstract: Described herein are compounds such as macromolecules that have been modified in order to facilitate crosslinking and methods of making and using thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus, assemblies, and methods for capturing objects within a body are disclosed. A surgical snare device includes a steerable deflection portion with a steerable distal tip. An interface is linked to the steerable deflection portion to selectively manipulate the distal tip. A snare loop disposed at the distal tip can have a length that remains substantially constant as the distal tip is deflected and the snare loop moves in concert with the distal tip. The distal tip may deflect up to at least one-hundred eighty degrees, while the snare loop moves a corresponding amount. A method includes extending a snare through a body lumen and to a location near an object. The snare may have a loop that changes positions while maintaining the same length. The loop may be placed around an object and then used to retrieve the object from the body lumen.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for determining, in a patient that suffers from a mood disorder (e.g., depression), a propensity of the patient to manifest reduced symptoms or levels of indicators of the mood disorder in response to a psychiatric treatment. This can involve determining levels of a marker (e.g., a metabolite) indicative of a brain bioenergetic state of the patient that is predictive of whether the patient will response favorably to an antidepression treatment. Such bioenergetic state markers, tending to normalize in response to antidepression therapy, can include, e.g., a pH, a magnesium level, and a phosphorus level. Brain levels of such markers can be determined by, e.g., 31P MRS.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to substituted (E)-N?-(1-phenylethylidene)benzohydrazide analogs, derivatives thereof, and related compounds, which are useful as inhibitors of lysine-specific histone demethylase, including LSD1; synthetic methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of using the compounds and compositions to treat disorders associated with dysfunction of the LSD1. 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: A ceramic material having a high toughness can include carbon and a transition metal. The transition metal can have an elemental body centered cubic structure at room temperature. A substantial amount of the ceramic can be of a rhombohedral ? phase of the transition metal and carbon. These materials can have a high thermal shock resistance, high fracture toughness, and good high temperature performance. A particulate mixture of a carbon source and a transition metal source can be assembled (12) and reacted (14) under high pressure and high temperature. The transition metal source can include a transition metal of a metal which has an elemental BCC structure at room temperature. The particulate mixture carbon to transition metal ratio is chosen so as to achieve a zeta phase carbide and processing is affected in order to retain the zeta phase at a substantial weight percent of the material (i.e. greater than about 5 wt %).

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to tissue graft combination biomaterials capable of controlled release of bioactive agents or pharmaceutically active agents through a rate-controlling polymer coating encapsulating the graft material, methods for preparing same, methods of controlled release using same, and methods for treating tissue defects. 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: An organic light emitting diode (OLED) uses a ?-conjugated polymer emissive layer (MEH-PPV) sandwiched between two semitransparent electrodes. The preferred embodiment utilizes an optically thin gold film anode, whereas the cathode was in the form of an optically thick aluminum (Al) film with patterned periodic subwavelength 2D hole array that showed anomalous transmission in the spectral range of the polymer photoluminescence band. At similar current densities we obtained a seven-fold electroluminescence efficiency enhancement with the patterned Al device compared with a control device based on unperforated Al electrode.

Abstract: Perfluorocarbon emulsions having a high stability and good oxygen release are disclosed and described. These perfluorocarbon emulsions are typically for use as artificial oxygen carriers. The perfluorocarbon emulsions include a disperse phase of a perfluorocarbon and an emulsion stabilizer, and continuous phase. The emulsion stabilizer can primarily include a poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymer. These stabilized perfluorocarbon emulsions can be used in liquid and/or hydrogel phases of perfusion bioreactors or various other culture systems to enhance cell viability in thick tissue constructs, or as blood substitutes, although other applications may also be considered.

Abstract: An isolated, pure homogeneous population of mammalian astrocyte restricted precursor cells which is CD44 immunoreactive and which generate astrocytes but not oligodendrocytes is provided. Methods for isolating and using these mammalian astrocyte restricted precursor cells are also provided.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the stimulation of the dorsal column of the spinal cord is disclosed. The method includes providing a stimulating electrode array and a frame element. The frame element is configured to couple to the stimulating electrode array and guide the stimulating electrode array to a desired position proximate the dorsal column of the spinal cord of a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices, systems, and methods for delivery of an active agent into the eye of a subject. In one aspect, for example, an ocular active agent delivery device (10) can include an active agent reservoir (14) disposed in an annular housing (12), the annular housing (12) being configured to fit inside of a lens capsule and at least partially encircling a line of sight of an intraocular lens within the lens capsule. The device (10) can further include a semipermeable membrane (16) operatively coupled to the active agent reservoir (14), where the semipermeable membrane (16) is configured to allow diffusion of an active agent from the active agent reservoir (14). Additionally, a valve (18) can be operatively coupled to the active agent reservoir (14), where the valve (18) is configured to allow filling of the active agent reservoir (14) with an active agent.