Abstract: A fluidic chip includes at least one nanochannel array, the nanochannel array including a surface having a nanofluidic area formed in the material of the surface; a microfluidic area on said surface; a gradient interface area having a gradual elevation of height linking the microfluidic area and the nanofluidic area; and a sample reservoir capable of receiving a fluid in fluid communication with the microfluidic area. In another embodiment, a fluidic chip includes at least one nanochannel array, the nanochannel array includes a surface having a nanofluidic area formed in the material of the surface; a microfluidic area on said surface; and a gradient interface area linking the microfluidic area and the nanofluidic area, where the gradient interface area comprises a plurality of gradient structures, and the lateral spacing distance between said gradient structures decreases towards said nanofluidic area; and a sample reservoir capable of receiving a fluid in fluid communication with the microfluidic area.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of aryl compounds and polymers thereof that are made using methods that do not require harsh conditions or expensive reagents. The methods disclosed herein utilize precursor compounds that can be polymerized to form polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polymers, such as carbon-based polymers like nanostructures (e.g., graphene or graphene-like nanoribbons).

Abstract: The invention provides a series of conformationally stable kinase inhibitors, and methods of using the kinase inhibitors. The effect of atropisomerism on kinase selectivity was assessed, finding improved selectivity compared to rapidly interconverting parent compounds.

Abstract: A combustion system for ships operated at low cost is provided. A combustion system 1 for ships includes an internal combustion engine 20 that burns fuel, an exhaust line L2 through which exhaust gas flows, the exhaust gas being generated through combustion of the fuel in the internal combustion engine 20, an exhaust heat recovery device 40 that is disposed in the exhaust line L2 and that recovers exhaust heat from the exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine 20, and a denitration device 50 that is disposed in the exhaust line L2 and that removes nitrogen oxide from the exhaust gas using a denitration catalyst. The denitration device 50 is disposed downstream from the exhaust heat recovery device 40 in the exhaust line L2. The denitration catalyst contains 43 wt % or more of vanadium pentoxide and has a BET specific surface area of 30 m2/g or more.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficient and automatic determination of radiation beam configurations for patient-specific radiation therapy planning are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes receiving data based on patient information and geometric characterization of one or more organs at risk proximate to a target volume of a patient. The method includes determining automatically one or more radiation treatment beam configuration sets. Further, the method includes presenting the determined one or more radiation beam configuration sets via a user interface.

Abstract: A method of providing real-time speech synthesis based on user input includes presenting a graphical user interface having a low-dimensional representation of a multi-dimensional phoneme space, a first dimension representing degree of vocal tract constriction and voicing, a second dimension representing location in a vocal tract. One example employs a disk-shaped layout. User input is received via the interface and translated into a sequence of phonemes that are rendered on an audio output device. Additionally, a synthesis method includes maintaining a library of prerecorded samples of diphones organized into diphone groups, continually receiving a time-stamped sequence of phonemes to be synthesized, and selecting a sequence of diphone groups with their time stamps. A best diphone within each group is identified and placed into a production buffer from which diphones are rendered according to their time stamps.

Abstract: A medical device and method for detecting a ventricular arrhythmia event is disclosed. The medical device includes input circuitry configured to receive an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal and processing circuitry coupled to the input circuitry that is configured to identify fiducial points within the ECG signal. Feature extraction circuitry coupled to the processing circuitry is configured to determine interval variability between the fiducial points. Machine learning circuitry is coupled to the feature extraction circuitry and is configured to detect ventricular arrhythmia based on the interval variability between the fiducial points.

Abstract: Engineered fusion proteins comprising a self-excising degron for controlling protein production are disclosed. In particular, the inventors have constructed fusion proteins comprising a degron connected to a protein of interest through a cleavable linker comprising a hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease site. The degron can be removed from the protein of interest by a czs-encoded HCV protease such that the protein of interest can be produced with minimal structural modification. Clinically available HCV protease inhibitors can be used to block protease cleavage such that the degron is retained after inhibitor addition on subsequently synthesized protein copies. The degron when attached causes rapid degradation of the linked protein. Such fusions of a degron to a protein of interest will be especially useful when control over protein production with minimal structural modification is desired.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient suffering from one of septic shock, acute kidney injury, severe hypotension, cardiac arrest, and refractory hypotension, but not from myocardial infarction, is provided. The method includes administering a therapeutically effective dose of Angiotensin II, or Ang II, to the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods of accurately and efficiently reconstructing parameter maps in MRI data. In certain embodiments, the methods have reduced data acquisition time or improved spatial resolution when compared to methods standard in the art. In other embodiments, the methods have reduced acquisition and reconstruction time when compared to other acceleration methods in the art in parametric mapping. In other embodiments, the methods are less susceptible to influence of eddy currents when compared to other acceleration methods in the art in parametric mapping.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for quantitative immunoassays are provided, in which ligand-conjugated probes are used to label samples and ligand-surfaced microspheres are used as quantitative reference standards. Certain embodiments provide a method of quantitative flow cytometry where ligands are oligonucleotides, and a sample comprising one or more cells is contacted with a hybridized antibody::fluorophore labeled targeting construct to label the cells, and the labeled cells are analyzed. In some embodiments, a population of quantitative labeled oligospheres labeled with the same fluorescent label as the cells is analyzed using the flow cytometer and used to create a quantitative standard curve of cytometer intensity versus molecules fluorescent label per oligosphere event. A standard curve trendline is established and used to determine the molecules of fluorescent label per cellular event for the antigen-positive cell populations.

Abstract: Pulse oximeter devices include a first light emitting element that emits red light, a second light emitting element that emits green light or IR light; and a sensor element that detects red and green (or IR) light and that outputs signals representing detected red and green (or IR) light. The pulse oximeter device further includes a flexible substrate, wherein the first light emitting element, the second light emitting element and the sensor element are formed on the flexible substrate. The sensor element is configured to detect the emitted red and green light transmitted through tissue containing blood, and in certain aspects, the sensor element is configured to detect the emitted red and green (or IR) light reflected by tissue containing blood. A signal processing element (e.g., a processor) receives and processes the signals representing detected red and green (or IR) light output by the sensor element to produce signals representing blood oxygenation content.

Abstract: An unassisted stereoscopic display device using a directional backlight structure to produce a stereographic display effect. According to a time-division principle, the display device alternately displays left and right images viewed by the left and right eyes of a viewer. A video field synchronization time sequence is used to control an on-off time sequence of light-emitting units of the directional backlight structure, and when the left image is displayed, only the light-emitting unit corresponding to the left eye of the viewer is lightened, and when the right image is displayed, only the light-emitting unit corresponding to the right eye of the viewer is lightened, such that the left eye of the viewer can only view the left image and the right eye thereof can only view the right image. Binocular parallax images are fused to form a stereoscopic image without a loss of resolution.

Abstract: This invention relates to, in part, compositions and methods that are useful for, inter alia, the treatment of various diseases, including those linked to binding at a serotonin receptor in the GI tract.

Abstract: Formulations and methods are provided for improving the function, i.e. clinical outcome, of solid organ transplants. Lung transplantation is of particular interest. In the methods of the invention, a nanoparticle formulation comprising an effective dose of an iron chelator active agent in nanoparticle form, including without limitation, deferoxamine (DFO), deferasirox (DFX), and deferiprone (DFP), etc. suspended in a carrier compatible with the tissue of interest, is topically applied to the surface of tissues at the site of anastomosis. The nanoparticles are comprised of the active agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable stabilizer.

Abstract: Methods for treating a subject in need thereof are provided which include administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a protein transduction reagent-modified reprogramming protein to the subject, wherein the protein transduction reagent is non-covalently bound to the reprogramming protein and wherein the protein transduction reagent comprises a cation reagent and a lipid. According to aspects, such methods provide delivery of protein-transduction reagent-modified reprogramming proteins to cancer cells, such as tumor cells, as well as diseased cells of diseased tissues and provide in vivo conversion of diseased cells into normal cells via protein-induced in situ cell reprogramming without administration of nucleic acids to the subject.

Abstract: A surgical instrument can be introduced to the abdominal cavity through a current trocar puncture to place a suture in the deep facia and peritoneum of the anterior abdominal wall. The instrument is lightweight and easy to use, and can be operated quickly and efficiently to close the trocar puncture wound in a simple and economical manner. The instrument is used to suture the deep facia and peritoneum of the anterior abdominal wall on opposite sides of the trocar puncture wound inside the abdomen to close the trocar puncture wound.

Abstract: Copolymers having General Formula (I): in which R1 and R3 are chosen from divalent C4-C7 aliphatic groups and divalent C4-C7 heteroaliphatic groups, optionally substituted with one or more C1-C6 aliphatic groups, heteroatoms independently chosen from O, N, and S, or combination thereof, where the divalent C4-C7 heteroaliphatic groups of R1 and R3 include one or two heteroatoms independently chosen from O, N, and S, and the maximum number of heteroatoms in R1 or R3 is two, R2 is chosen from Q1 and Q2, x is a molar fraction range chosen from 0.1 to 0.9, y is a molar fraction range chosen from 0.1 to 0.9, and z is a molar fraction range chosen from 0 to 0.8, where the summation of x, y, and z equals 1. Methods for inhibiting formation of clathrate hydrates include contacting a fluid with at least one copolymer of General Formula (I).

Abstract: Disclosed is a lab-on-a-chip platform comprising a microfluidic device sealed with a thin membrane. An analysis probe configured to penetrate the thin membrane to access a sample trapped in the microfluidic device.

Abstract: Virtual reality system and method improve clinical outcomes. The virtual reality system includes a virtual display device capable of providing virtual reality images to a patient; one or more actuators capable of providing physical experience to the patient; and a controller. The controller is capable of: automatically selecting a treatment model based upon one or both of (a) a received identity of a medical treatment applied to the patient and (b) a received identity of a targeted disease of the patient; and coordinating the virtual display device and the one or more actuators to provide a synchronized immersive virtual reality environment for the patient to experience based upon the treatment model.