Abstract: A detection circuit for detecting changes in capacitance. The detection circuit includes a tuned ratio circuit and an alternating current (AC) source AC-coupled to the tuned ratio circuit. The tuned ratio circuit includes first and second tuned circuits that are tuned to, or close, to the frequency of the AC source. Output circuitry is coupled between the two tuned circuits. During use as a transducer, an active capacitive transducer is inductively coupled to the first tuned circuit. Changes in the capacitance of the active capacitive transducer cause changes in the tuning of the first tuned circuit. The output circuitry generates an output signal that is a function of the difference between the tunings of the first and second tuned circuits.

Abstract: A dual-line spout for maple syrup production is disclosed. The spout has a nose section with an input channel, and an interior chamber having first and second flow paths each fluidly connected to the input channel and to respective first and second output channels. The spout is designed for use with vacuum-based maple syrup productions systems that use a dual-line line system. The dry-line portion of the line system fluidly connects to the first output channel and the wet-line portion of the line system fluidly connected to the second output channel. Example spouts have no chambers, a single chamber or two sub-chambers, to facilitate air-liquid separation. Methods of using the spout in a vacuum-based, dual-line maple syrup production system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of digitally recording and reproducing tactile drawings are disclosed. The method includes moving a stylus over a path on the first tactile drawing medium to form a tactile feature thereon, and digitally recording the path of the moving stylus to generate digital path data. The method also include reproducing the tactile feature on a second tactile drawing medium operably disposed in a tactile printer based on the digital path data. The systems and methods include forming tactile drawings based on a digital graphics file, including filtering the digital graphics file to form a .RLD file suitable for forming a tactile drawing having features capable of being tactilely sensed.

Abstract: A thermal eraser for erasing tactile drawing features from a tactile drawing medium, along with methods of erasing tactile drawing features formed on a tactile drawing medium, are disclosed. The thermal eraser has a heated tip that can be heated to a temperature sufficient to cause the tactile drawing feature to flow back into the surface of the tactile drawing medium. The heated tip has a tip temperature that can be controlled by a temperature-regulating circuit. A set-point temperature can be used to set the tip temperature and maintain the tip temperature. The thermal eraser can be controlled by hand or by an electro-mechanical device such as a tactile printer.

Abstract: Algorithms and concepts for maintaining uniform random samples of streaming data and stream joins. These algorithms and concepts are used in systems and methods, such as wireless sensor networks and methods for implementing such networks, that generate and handle such streaming data and/or stream joins. The algorithms and concepts directed to streaming data allow one or more sample reservoirs to change size during sampling. When multiple reservoirs are maintained, some of the algorithms and concepts periodically reallocate memory among the multiple reservoirs to effectively utilize limited memory. The algorithms and concepts directed to stream joins allow reservoir sampling to proceed as a function of the probability of a join sampling operation. In memory limited situations wherein memory contains the sample reservoir and a join buffer, some of the stream join algorithms and concepts progressively increase the size of the sampling reservoir and reallocate memory from the join buffer to the reservoir.

Abstract: The invention involves methods of regulating cell growth and division to control disease processes by manipulating mitochondrial metabolism and the expression of cell surface immune proteins. The invention also involves related compositions and screening assays.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and products for treatment of a neurological defect such as a subarachnoid hemorrhage or cerebral vasospasm. Specifically, R-type voltage-gated calcium channel inhibitors and related compositions and kits are described.

Abstract: Selective, radically initiated oxidative decarboxylation may produce low viscosity renewable fuels from biologically derived fats and oils. Fatty acids and triglycerides may be decarboxylated using oxidants at a water/oil interface. The oxidants may be produced using photo-Fenton reagents. The reaction advantageously can be carried out at room temperature and pressure and has fewer unwanted byproducts than traditional decarboxylation techniques.

Abstract: Control devices and kits of components of control devices are provided. The subject invention also provides systems for designing control devices and/or kits of components of control devices. A system user can provide data about an end user to an expert system via a user interface, and the expert system can use the data and a method for selecting appropriate components to design a control device and/or kit. The control device can be a self-referenced control device and can include a controller and a wearable interface.

Abstract: The invention provides a genipin cross-linked fibrin gel. The ratio of genipin to fibrin in the gel ranges from about 0.1:1 to about 10:1 (genipin:fibrin). The gel can be hydrogel. Also provided is method for repairing tissue defects by administering the gel to site of tissue defect.

Abstract: Wood adhesives and methods of production and application of wood adhesives are provided. The adhesives may contain proteins, and specifically may include whey proteins derived from dairy processing. Products utilizing whey-based wood adhesives are also provided as are paper adhesives that include whey protein.

Abstract: A system for exposing a target material to small particles. The system includes an exposure chamber that receives the target material. A stream of charged particles is directed via an inlet into the exposure chamber toward the target material. One or more electrodes are located relative to the target material and the inlet, and are electrically charged, so as to cause at least some of the charged particles to impact upon the target material. The system can be used to expose the target material to small, for example, nanoscale, particles in a gas environment.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a target area with an ultrasound wave pattern, including: providing an ultrasound apparatus having an ultrasound wave generator operatively attached to a plurality of transducers, coupled to an immersible support and configured to emit an ultrasound wave; immersing the apparatus into a water environment; positioning the apparatus proximate to a target area to treat at least one in situ organism; and emitting a pattern of ultrasound waves from the transducers, the pattern of ultrasound waves additive in effect and emitted onto the target area to threat an in situ underwater organism.

Abstract: Diagnostic assessment and therapeutic treatment of pelvic pain disorders, including bladder disorders, bowel disorders, and/or reproductive tissue or organ disorders that are characterized by increased expression of the neuropeptides CGRP and/or PACAP. Additionally, applicants have developed a transgenic non-human model for pelvic pain disorders, where the transgenic animal expresses in bladder sensory neurons a recombinant neuropeptide implicated in the pelvic pain disorder.

Abstract: A system and method of identifying relational patterns across a plurality of databases using a data structure and the data structure itself. The data structure including one or more data node branches, each of the one or more data node branches including one or more data nodes, each of the one or more data nodes representing a data item of interest and corresponding data item support values for the data item across the plurality of databases in relation to other data items represented in the data node branch. The data structure can be used to mine one or more relational patterns considering pattern support data across the plurality of databases at the same time.

Abstract: Algorithms and concepts for maintaining uniform random samples of streaming data and stream joins. These algorithms and concepts are used in systems and methods, such as wireless sensor networks and methods for implementing such networks, that generate and handle such streaming data and/or stream joins. The algorithms and concepts directed to streaming data allow one or more sample reservoirs to change size during sampling. When multiple reservoirs are maintained, some of the algorithms and concepts periodically reallocate memory among the multiple reservoirs to effectively utilize limited memory. The algorithms and concepts directed to stream joins allow reservoir sampling to proceed as a function of the probability of a join sampling operation. In memory limited situations wherein memory contains the sample reservoir and a join buffer, some of the stream join algorithms and concepts progressively increase the size of the sampling reservoir and reallocate memory from the join buffer to the reservoir.

Abstract: Vibrational energy harvesting (VEH) structures that include resonant beams each having a fundamental resonance frequency and a parametric mode frequency and including at least one piezoelectric layer for generating electrical charge in response to each of fundamental-resonance excitation and parametric-mode excitation of that beam. Circuitry is provided for harvesting the electrical charge from the resonant beam. In some embodiments, the parametric mode frequency of the beam is tuned to be close to its fundamental resonance frequency so as to increase the effective bandwidth of a VEH structure. The effective bandwidth of a VEH structure can be further increased by tuning ones of multiple parametric-mode-enabled resonant beams to slightly different fundamental resonance frequencies and parametric mode frequencies.

Abstract: The present invention, in some aspects, relates to systems and methods for determining oxidized proteins, including nitrosylated proteins such as S-nitrosylated proteins. The systems and methods of the invention can be used in vitro (e.g., in cell or tissue culture) or in vivo. For instance, in some cases, the invention can be used to spatially determine the location and/or concentration of oxidized proteins within cells and/or tissues (e.g., through visual detection). In one set of embodiments, a nitrosylated or otherwise oxidized moiety on a protein may be reacted with a detection entity, which may be, for example, fluorescent, radioactive, electron-dense, able to bind to a signaling entity or a binding partner in order to produce a signal, etc. In some embodiments, other moieties on the protein may be altered or blocked before reaction of the protein with the detection entity.

Abstract: The invention is based in part on the discovery that uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are expressed in the plasma membrane of rapidly dividing cells but not of growth arrested, chemotherapy resistant cells. It has also been found according to the invention that UCP is expressed in the lysosomal membrane under certain metabolic conditions. Thus the invention is methods, products, screening assays and kits relating to the manipulation of UCP expression within cellular and intracellular membranes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for treatment of latent Toxoplasma gondii infection. The invention provides for the use of Hsp90 inhibitors for treatment of latent Toxoplasma gondii infection, particularly in an immunocompromised subject. Also provided is a screening method for identifying compounds useful for treating latent Toxoplasma gondii infection.