Abstract: Diffuse optical flow (DOF) sensors can be used to assess deep tissue flow. DOF sensors positioned on a foot can provide fluctuating light intensity data to an analyzer, which can then determine absolute and/or relative blood flow. The determined absolute and/or relative blood flow can be signaled to an operator, for example a surgeon for intra-operative use. DOF sensors may be utilized to assess pedal revascularization, for example to guide interventional procedures and to evaluate their efficacy. A support structure can carry a plurality of DOF sensors, such that when the support structure is placed onto a patient's foot, the DOF sensors are disposed adjacent different locations on the foot. The different locations may correspond to different topographical regions of the foot, for example different pedal angiosomes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and a device for recovering ethylene during the process for producing vinyl acetate, wherein a double solvent absorption method composed of an absorbent solution and deionized water is adopted.

Abstract: The invention is essentially a sequential (“DMA”) apparatus using a novel arrangement of at least three electrodes and at least two block electrodes to produce a DMA apparatus having at least two sequential DMA regions between pairs of adjacent electrode walls within the same housing. This apparatus is used to improve the transfer of particles into the subsequent DMA region without a vacuum or pump, and to improve the separation of target particles from non-target particles and concentration and collection of the target particles.

Abstract: A multiple-input power converter transferring energy from multiple input sources to a load comprises a plurality of voltage inputs. The power converter implements soft-switching techniques thereby reducing the converter switching losses and increasing the converter efficiency while using fewer components than presently designed multiple-input power converters. Such a power converter may include multiple input sources, where serially connected switches are coupled to one of the multiple input sources in an input leg. A voltage blocking capacitor is inserted between these input legs. Furthermore, the power converter includes a transformer for isolating the load from the multiple input sources, where the voltage blocking capacitor is connected to the primary winding of the transformer.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for an extended-speed low-ripple torque control of a switched reluctance motor (SRM) using online torque sharing function (TSF). Two operational modes of an online TSF are defined during the commutation: In Mode I, absolute value of rate of change of flux linkage (ARCFL) of incoming phase is higher than outgoing phase; in Mode II, ARCFL of outgoing phase is higher than incoming phase. To compensate the torque error produced by imperfect tracking of phase current, a proportional and integral compensator with torque error is added to the torque reference of outgoing phase in Mode I and incoming phase in Mode II. Therefore, the total torque is determined by the phase with lower ARCFL rather than the phase with higher ARCFL as in conventional TSFs.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software are provided for assessing manufacturing errors of a prosthetic socket to facilitate a clinical assessment of the socket. The embodiments disclosed herein may align and compare a manufactured socket shape to a desired socket shape to determine whether clinically significant errors are present in the manufactured socket. A mean radial error (MRE) may be calculated and compared to a set threshold. If the MRE falls below the threshold an interquartile range (IQR) may be calculated and compared to an IQR threshold. If the IQR falls below the IQR threshold, surface normal angle errors (SNAE) may be calculated and plotted to the surface model. If the SNAE plot does not include closed contour regions, the socket may proceed to patient fitting. If the MRE or IQR thresholds are exceeded, or if the SNAE plot indicates closed contour regions, the socket may be reshaped accordingly, prior to fitting.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for modulating the expression of a first gene in a cell wherein the first gene is one containing more than 36 CAG trinucleotide repeats and encoding a protein that form polyglutamine-mediated protein aggregation. Suppression of the first gene is achieved by reducing the expression of SPT4 gene or SUPT4H gene. It can also be achieved by inhibiting the formation of a Spt4/Spt5 complex or a Supt4h/Supt5h complex. Also provided is a method for identifying an agent useful for modulating the expression and aggregation of CAG-expanded gene product, or treating a polyglutamine disease such as Huntington's disease.

Abstract: A degradable polymeric nanotube (NT) dispersant comprises a multiplicity of NT associative groups that are connected to a polymer backbone by a linking group where there are cleavable groups within the polymer backbone and/or the linking groups such that on a directed change of conditions, bond breaking of the cleavable groups results in residues from the degradable polymeric NT dispersant in a manner where the associative groups are uncoupled from other associative groups, rendering the associative groups monomelic in nature. The degradable polymeric nanotube (NT) dispersant can be combined with carbon NTs to form a NT dispersion that can be deposited to form a NT film, or other structure, by air brushing, electrostatic spraying, ultrasonic spraying, ink-jet printing, roll-to-roll coating, or dip coating. The deposition can render a NT film that is of a uniform thickness or is patterned with various thicknesses.

Abstract: Polymeric delivery systems for boronic acid-containing therapeutics, related compounds and methods of use, for a pH-sensitive chemoselective approach to delivery of such a therapeutic.

Abstract: A headband monitoring system comprises or consists of an elastic fabric headband for fitting around an individual's head over the individual's forehead, ears and lower back portion of the head. In addition, a pedometer, a heart rate monitor and a number of sensors for detecting number of steps taken and heartbeats in given periods of time and a mini-computer having an input mechanism, data storage, central processing unit and a clock/timer for calculating distance traveled in a given period. Finally, the system includes an individual's smartphone separately disposed from the headband and a Bluetooth transmitter disposed in the elastic fabric band and wirelessly connected to the smartphone for displaying heart rate, steps taken and distance traveled on the smartphone.

Abstract: The method relates to the field of asymmetric allylic amination and comprises preparing a chiral N-substituted allylic amine compound from the corresponding allylic substrates and substituted hydroxylamines, in the presence of a catalyst, said catalyst comprising copper compounds and a chiral ligand. Examples of chiral amine compounds which can be made using the method include Vigabatrin, Ezetimibe Terbinafine, Naftifine 3-methylmorphine, Sertraline, Cinacalcet, Mefloquine hydrochloride, and Rivastigmine. There are over 20,000 known bioactive molecules with chiral N-substituted allylic amine substructure. The method may also be used to produce non-natural chiral ?-aminoacid esters, a sub-class of chiral N-substituted allylic amine compounds. Examples of ?-aminoacid ester which can be produced by the disclosed method, include, but are not limited to, N-(2-methylpent-1-en-3-yl)benzenamine and Ethyl 2-methylene-3-(phenylamino)butanoate.

Abstract: Scanning beam device calibration using a calibration pattern is disclosed. In one aspect, a method may include acquiring an image of a calibration pattern using a scanning beam device. The acquired image may be compared with a representation of the calibration pattern. The scanning beam device may be calibrated based on the comparison. Software and apparatus to perform these and other calibration methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for detecting mutations in nucleic acid, and compositions and kits for performing such methods. In particular, nucleic acid amplification and fluorescence detection methods are provided to detect mutations and assess the mutational load. The methods are based on a set of adjacently binding probes wherein one probe is labelled with a quencher and the other is a self-indicating probe labelled with fluorophore and quencher. The binding of the probes is analyzed by melting curve analysis.

Abstract: A method of aiding the diagnosis of otitis media in a patient includes obtaining image data in a processor apparatus of a computing device, the image data being associated with at least one electronic image of a tympanic membrane of the patient, calculating a plurality of image features, each image feature being calculated based on at least a portion of the image data, classifying the at least one electronic image as a particular type of otitis media using the plurality of image features, and outputting an indication of the particular type of otitis media. Also, a system for implementing such a method that includes an output device and a computing device.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the manufacture and use of a pullulan-based collagen hydrogel film with controlled porosity. The hydrogel is fabricated with salt-induced phase inversion and cross-linking to form a reticular scaffold. This soft collagen scaffold displays excellent handling characteristics, durability, and a porous dermal-like ultrastructure that is maintained in vitro. Cells, including cells involved in tissue repair, are viably sustained within the scaffold. The hydrogel films are biodegradable, and find particular use in wound healing, where the hydrogel scaffold can be replaced by dermal cells over time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are monoclonal antibodies specific for factor XI (fXI) that prevent activation of fXI by factor XIIa (fXIIa). The monoclonal antibodies are universal fXI antibodies, capable of binding all mammalian species tested. The anti-fXI monoclonal antibodies prolong clotting time in mammalian plasmas. Moreover, administration of the fXI monoclonal antibodies disclosed herein results in inhibition of thrombosis without altering hemostasis in animal models of thrombosis. Thus, provided herein are monoclonal antibodies specific for fXI that block activation of fXI by fXIIa, compositions and immunoconjugates comprising such antibodies and their methods of use.

Abstract: A transmitting system and a receiving system for multi-carrier broadband simultaneous information and energy transfer are provided, the transmitting system comprising: a signal management control system, a baseband signal generating unit, an encoding unit, a serial-parallel conversion unit, a mapping unit, a modulation unit and a parallel-serial conversion unit. By adopting the transmitting system for simultaneous information and energy transfer, separate energy signals are transmitted simultaneously while the information signals are transmitted to the receiving end, and sufficient energy can be provided for the receiver. Besides, by optimizing information signal and energy signal through the optimization algorithm, not only the energy transfer efficiency but also the information transfer rate can be improved.

Abstract: To improve the intelligibility of speech for users with high-frequency hearing loss, the present systems and methods provide an improved frequency lowering system with enhancement of spectral features responsive to place-of-articulation of the input speech. High frequency components of speech, such as fricatives, may be classified based on one or more features that distinguish place of articulation, including spectral slope, peak location, relative amplitudes in various frequency bands, or a combination of these or other such features. Responsive to the classification of the input speech, a signal or signals may be added to the input speech in a frequency band audible to the hearing-impaired listener, said signal or signals having predetermined distinct spectral features corresponding to the classification, and allowing a listener to easily distinguish various consonants in the input.

Abstract: A degradable polymeric nanotube (NT) dispersant comprises a multiplicity of NT associative groups that are connected to a polymer backbone by a linking group where there are cleavable groups within the polymer backbone and/or the linking groups such that on a directed change of conditions, bond breaking of the cleavable groups results in residues from the degradable polymeric NT dispersant in a manner where the associative groups are uncoupled from other associative groups, rendering the associative groups monomelic in nature. The degradable polymeric nanotube (NT) dispersant can be combined with carbon NTs to form a NT dispersion that can be deposited to form a NT film, or other structure, by air brushing, electrostatic spraying, ultrasonic spraying, ink-jet printing, roll-to-roll coating, or dip coating. The deposition can render a NT film that is of a uniform thickness or is patterned with various thicknesses.