Abstract: Disclosed is a method comprising the administration of a 3% amino acid and 3% glycerin solution for the use of prevention and disruption of bacterial biofilms. Also disclosed is method comprising the administration of L-cysteine 0.4 g per 100 ml for the prevention and destruction of fungal biofilms.

Abstract: A membrane useful in gas separation, the membrane comprising a cross-linked polysiloxane structure having a cross-link density of about 0.1×10?5 mol/cm3 to about 6×10?5 mol/cm3, where, in particular embodiments, the cross-linked polysiloxane structure has the following general structure: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are independently selected from hydrocarbon groups having at least 1 and up to 6 carbon atoms; A1 and A2 are independently selected from cyclic hydrocarbon groups; L1 and L2 are linking groups or covalent bonds; n is an integer of at least 1; r and s are independently selected from integers of at least 1; and p is an integer of at least 10. The invention also includes methods for making and using the above-described membranes for gas separation.

Abstract: A serum-free medium for the growth of mesenchymal stem cells comprises FGF, TGF-? and lipoprotein.

Abstract: An optical zoom lens device for use with a portable electronic device comprising an encasement including a lens and a light sensor and a pivot for connecting the encasement to the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A method reuses produced water resulting from a fossil fuel extraction operation. The method includes providing the produced water as an input to an electrodialysis system. The method also includes running the electrodialysis system to produce a diluate and a concentrate. The diluate is contaminated so as to have a conductivity of no less than 0.1 Siemens/meter. The method also includes reformulating the diluate to produce fossil fuel extraction fluid. The method also includes using the produced fossil fuel extraction fluid in the fossil fuel extraction operation. An electrodialysis system includes first and second stacks. The electrodialysis system also includes first and second voltage sources, coupled to the first and second stacks, so as to apply a first voltage to the first stack lower by at least about 10% than a second voltage to the second stack.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate comprising a group III element and a group V element, and a gate structure on the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate includes a first region which contacts a bottom surface of the gate structure and a second region which is disposed under the first region. The concentration of the group III element in the first region is lower than that of the group V element in the first region, and the concentration of the group III element in the second region is substantially equal to that of the group V element in the second region.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for the induction of cell death, for example, cancer cell death. Combinations of compounds and related methods of use are disclosed, including the use of compounds in therapy for the treatment of cancer and selective induction of apoptosis in cells. The disclosed drug combinations can have lower neurotoxicity effects than other compounds and combinations of compounds.

Abstract: Methods and systems for three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of endoscopic data in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described. In one embodiment, a method for processing a plurality of images captured by an endoscope includes preprocessing a plurality of images captured by an endoscope and including at least a portion of an organ. In many embodiments of the invention, the preprocessing includes estimating variations in light intensity within scenes captured by the plurality of images, and generating a set of color-adjusted images based on those variations. The method according to some embodiments of the invention may include generating a 3D point cloud representing points on a surface of the organ based on the set of color-adjusted images, defining a mesh representing the surface of the organ based on the 3D point cloud, and generating a texture of the surface of the organ based on the set of color-adjusted images.

Abstract: A steady state control method for a three-phase double-mode inverter. Off-grid steady state control is composed of outer loop power droop control, voltage feed-forward quasi-resonant control, and inner current loop dead-beat control. Therefore, the response speed of the inverter is raised, and the influence caused by the load fluctuation of a micro-grid is inhibited. Based on the off-grid steady state control, grid-connected steady state control introduces phase lead control to the power droop control. Therefore, the output voltage of the inverter is always slightly ahead of the power grid voltage, which avoids the energy pour backward phenomenon of the inverter due to a phase error, and realizes stable and reliable running in the grid-connected mode.

Abstract: The American Cancer Society estimated that in 2009, 1,479,350 new cancer cases would be diagnosed in the United States of which 219,440 would be lung and bronchus related. The standard treatments for NSCLC include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, laser and photodynamic therapy, all with various success rates depending on the stage of the cancer. National Cancer Institute assesses, however, that results of standard treatment are generally poor with only a 15 percent 5-year survival rate for combined cancer stages. Challenges facing the current chemotherapy drugs include excessive toxicity to healthy tissues and limited ability to prevent metastases. A dual drug delivery system described herein selectively targets the lung to deliver anti-cancer drugs and inhibit the formation of metastases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer-clay composite material comprising clay nanoparticles and a polymer, and wherein (a) the polymer comprises phosphate and/or phosphonate ligands; or (b) the polymer-clay composite further comprises linker molecules comprising a phosphate or phosphonate ligand, wherein the linker molecules are arranged to be anchored to the polymer. The invention further relates to organoclays, BMP-clay composite material. Uses, treatments, and manufacturer of the material are also provided.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a compound, comprising a transition metal complex having the formula ?-[M (x,y)-L1 (w,v)-L2 (t,u)-L3]p+An?mZ?p-m. In an embodiment of the present disclosure ? may be ?. In another embodiment ? may be ?. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, M is a transition metal. In a related embodiment, p is an integer corresponding to the oxidation state of M. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each of x, y, w, v, t, and u independently comprise R. In other embodiments, each of x, y, w, v, t, and u independently comprise S. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of L1, L2, and L3 independently is a ligand comprising a substituted diamine. In some embodiments, An? comprises a lipophilic anion, where m is from 1 to 3, and where Z? comprises an optional second anion.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for palpation training. In one implementation, a system for medical procedure simulation includes an examination model, a sensor network, and a computing device. The examination model has a plurality of anatomical structure models, and the sensor network has a plurality of sensors. Each of the sensors is associated with one of the plurality of anatomical structure models and configured to capture examination data. The computing device is in communication with the sensor network and configured to generate feedback for an accuracy of a medical examination using the examination data.

Abstract: A dynamic rotary traveling wave oscillator circuit includes plurality of multi-output spot-advancing blocks (MOSABs) forming a main-loop and a plurality of multi-input spot-advancing blocks (MISABs) forming a sub-loop. Depending on a desired division ratio, a connection connects blocks on the MOSABs and MISABs to create the desired division ratio.

Abstract: Provided are fusion proteins, polynucleotides and expression vectors with therapeutic utility in the prevention and/or treatment of cancer, as well as medical uses of these agents, and methods of treatment in which they are used. A fusion protein of the invention comprises an amino acid sequence that provides the apoptosis-inducing activity of TRAIL, and a membrane-anchoring amino acid sequence. The amino acid sequence that provides the apoptosis-inducing activity of TRAIL comprises the extracellular domain of TRAIL, or a fragment or variant thereof. A fusion protein comprising an amino acid sequence from TRAIL that is able to induce apoptosis, and a second sequence that anchors the first sequence to the cell membrane, is markedly more effective at reducing viability of TRAIL receptor positive cells than the naturally occurring (“wild type”) TRAIL protein itself.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of predicting response of a cancer patient to a therapy. The method comprises the step of determining a presence or absence of at least one mutation of ITCH (SEQ ID NO: 1) in a first sample isolated from a cancer patient, wherein the presence of a mutation is predictive of response of the cancer patient to a therapy selected from the group consisting of: Wnt pathway-, EGFR-, Her2-, hormonal- and WBP2-based therapy.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and related systems for controlling droplet spreading on a surface, including droplets in which a biological component is suspended. A biological solution is provided as a droplet to a surface. Interference fringes generated by the droplet on the surface are imaged, wherein the imaging is over a time course during which the droplet spreads on the surface. A droplet parameter is determined from the imaging step and a process parameter controlled to obtain an interference fringe pattern corresponding to a desired droplet parameter. In this manner, well-controlled droplet spreading is achieved, which is important in a range of applications, including assays that rely on good metaphase spreading.

Abstract: A cartridge device is provided for applying a fiber matrix to a tubular member such as a saphenous vein graft. The cartridge includes a housing, a tubular member holder, a rotational drive, and a polymer delivery assembly. The housing defines a chamber which surrounds the tubular member holder. The rotational drive rotates the tubular member during the fiber application process.

Abstract: A method of forming electrical contacts on a diamond substrate comprises producing a plasma ball using a microwave plasma source in the presence of a mixture of gases. The mixture of gases include a source of a p-type or an n-type dopant. The plasma ball is disposed at a first distance from the diamond substrate. The diamond substrate is maintained at a first temperature. The plasma ball is maintained at the first distance from the diamond substrate for a first time, and a UNCD film, which is doped with at least one of a p-type dopant and an n-type dopant, is disposed on the diamond substrate. The doped UNCD film is patterned to define UNCD electrical contacts on the diamond substrate.

Abstract: Methods and compositions relating to the engineering of an improved protein with methionine-?-lyase enzyme activity are described. For example, in certain aspects there may be disclosed a modified cystathionine-?-lyase (CGL) comprising one or more amino acid substitutions and capable of degrading methionine. Furthermore, certain aspects of the invention provide compositions and methods for the treatment of cancer with methionine depletion using the disclosed proteins or nucleic acids.