Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to method of measuring fortilin in a serum sample as a biomarker of in vivo apoptosis, which can be utilized to noninvasively assess the status of in vivo apoptosis in a subject.

Abstract: A dynamic spinal stabilization device for the treatment of high-grade spinal disorders is disclosed herein. The dynamic spinal stabilization device includes two or more screw assemblies, each of which include a pedicle screw and a head socket containing a curved internal track that limits the range of motion and center of rotation of the spinal segments stabilized using the device to the physiological levels of a nondegraded spinal segment.

Abstract: Disclosed are tyrosine-modified rAAV vectors, as well as infectious virions, compositions, and pharmaceutical formulations that comprise them. Also disclosed are methods of preparing and methods for using the disclosed tyrosine-phosphorylated capsid protein mutant rAAV vectors in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications including in vivo and ex vivo gene therapy, and large-scale production of rAAV vectors.

Abstract: The photovoltaic device is formed by coating a substrate with a transparent conducting oxide and then this layer is coated with a dioxide layer. The dioxide layer is then coated in a single step with a precursor solution including metal oxide nanoparticles and perovskites and this precursor can be heated to form a scaffold having a perovskite light absorber and electron transporter. A conductor is added to form a connection with the scaffold and it is envisaged that because a single step relatively low temperature process is used to form the scaffold then this can be painted onto a surface and cured in situ making it a very economical process.

Abstract: A method of treating and preventing a neurological disorder, such as Alzheimer's disease, in a subject in need thereof by positioning an electromagnetic field emitting source proximal to the subject and exposing the subject to an electromagnetic field having a predetermined frequency (preferably ?300-3,000 MHz) for a predetermined absorption period (preferably greater than ?3 days). Each individual treatment (comprising exposure to the predetermined frequency for the predetermined absorption period) is continued at a predetermined schedule for a predetermined treatment period. The EMF can have a specific absorption rate up to about 8 W/kg. The methodology enhances cognition in the subject and/or treats/prevents the underlying neurological disorder or a symptom thereof.

Abstract: A contact lens fluid delivery device having a liquid reservoir connected to a channel with a flow regulator is described. Other eye hydration and variable dioptric power contact lenses are described herein. Also described are implantable liquid delivery apparatuses having a liquid storage reservoir connected to a channel with a flow regulator. These devices and apparatuses are useful for specific, targeted delivery of therapeutic liquids within a subject. In some embodiments, the devices incorporate actuation chambers which provide a driving force releasing the fluid into the targeted area e.g., the eye. The actuation chambers described herein can contain phase change materials or osmotic chambers or a combination thereof to drive the release of fluid.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for inducing the differentiation of pancreatic precursor cells into exocrine pancreatic cells. The above object is achieved by providing a method for inducing the differentiation of pancreatic precursor cells into exocrine pancreatic cells using a culture solution containing a histone deacetylase inhibitor and/or a ligand protein for a Notch signal, and a protein kinase C activator.

Abstract: Provided is a novel method for preventing and/or treating hairy wart disease which is a hoof and leg disease of ungulates. The method is carried out by administering an isothiocyanic acid ester such as allyl isothiocyanate to a hoof of an ungulate. Examples of ungulates targeted for application of the present invention include cows such as dairy cows as well as sheep, pigs and horses.

Abstract: Isolated transduced cells exhibiting FRDA characteristics in an inducible fashion are disclosed. Isolated transduced cells comprise an expression vector having a nucleic acid sequence encoding an shRNA for frataxin protein knockdown and a heterologous expression control sequence. Additionally, methods of screening for a candidate therapeutic agent for treating Friedreich's Ataxia using isolated transduced cells are disclosed. Further, a recombinant nucleic acid construct for frataxin knockdown is disclosed that comprises a nucleic acid encoding an shRNA operably linked to a heterologous expression control sequence and expressing an shRNA molecule in a dose-responsive fashion.

Abstract: An excellent nucleic acid delivery composition is provided which has reduced cytotoxicity and improved nucleic acid introduction efficiency and gene expression efficiency. The composition comprises: a block copolymer having an uncharged hydrophilic polymer segment and a cationic polymer segment; a cationic polymer; and a nucleic acid, wherein the mol percentage (B/H ratio) of the cationic groups of the block copolymer to the total cationic groups of the block copolymer and the cationic polymer is between 25% and 90%.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure can include a compound, a structure bonded to the compound, and the like. In an embodiment, the compound can be a linker between an agent and a structure, where the agent can be a dye or a pigment and the structure can be a fiber, hair, or another structure. In an embodiment, the compound can be a linker between an agent and a structure, where the agent can be a fluorinated compound and the structure can be a counter top, metal, or the like.

Abstract: A robotic gait training system includes a femoral support unit supporting a thigh of a patient, a hip joint support unit supporting buttocks of the patient, a lower leg support unit supporting a lower leg, an ankle support unit supporting an ankle, a support fixing toe tip positioned at an ankle height of the patient in use, a toe tip pad supporting and wrapping a forefoot of the patient, a tilt sensor, a first linear actuator operation unit rotating the femoral support unit based on the hip joint unit, a second linear actuator operation unit rotating the lower leg supporting unit based on the femoral support unit, a control unit generating a functional electric stimulation (FES) control signal, and an FES unit stimulating the plantarflexor or dorsiflexor of ankle joint based on the FES control signal received from the control unit.

Abstract: A new apparatus, system, and technique for performing Matrix Spectral Factorization has been developed, which can factorize in real time high-dimensional matrices with high-order polynomial or non-rational entries. The method can be used for efficient implementation of engineering solutions to problems in Data Compression, Filtering, Wireless Communications, and Radar Systems, etc., which are computationally reducible to matrix spectral factorization.

Abstract: A method for stereo vision may include filtering a row or column in a stereo image to obtain intensity profiles, identifying peaks in the intensity profiles, pairing peaks within a maximum disparity distance, determining a shape interval for peak pairs, selecting a peak pair with a maximum shape interval, determining a disparity offset for the peak pairs, extending shape intervals to include all pixels in the intensity profiles, computing depths or distances from disparity offsets, and smoothing the stereo image disparity map along a perpendicular dimension. Another method for stereo vision includes filtering stereo images to intensity profiles, identifying peaks in the intensity profiles, pairing peaks within a maximum disparity distance, determining shape intervals for peak pairs, and selecting peak pairs with the maximum shape interval. Apparatus corresponding to the above methods are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method of detecting subclinical ketosis in a dairy animal comprises the steps of: obtaining a sample from the dairy animal, the sample containing one of a serum sample or a milk sample; incubating a mixture of the sample and a reactant containing NAD+-functionalized quantum dots to produce an incubated mixture; irradiating the incubated mixture with optical radiation of a first wavelength so as to emit fluorescent radiation of a second wavelength from the incubated mixture; irradiating a photodetector with the fluorescent radiation so as to generate an electrical signal; and performing data acquisition using the photodetector electrical signal to determine a BHBA concentration for the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing includes a computer. The apparatus includes one or more individual sensing tiles in communication with the computer that form a sensor surface that detects force applied to the surface and provides a signal corresponding to the force to the computer which produces from the signal a time varying continuous image of force applied to the surface, where the surface is contiguous, and detected force can be sensed in a manner that is geometrically continuous and seamless on a surface. A method for determining locations of tiles of a sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing terminally functionalized telechelic polymers using a cationic living polymer product or a terminal tert-chloride chain end of a carbocationic quasiliving polymer product, which comprises quenching the polymer product with a functionalized N-substituted pyrrole to thereby introduce the functionalized N-substituted pyrrole at the terminal reactive polymer chain end(s). A method is also disclosed whereby the N-substituent may be derivatized to a basic amine containing functional group. Also disclosed are the terminal functionalized polyisobuyl N-substituted pyrrole compounds where the polyisobutyl group is substituted at the 2 and 3 position of the N-substituted pyrrole.

Abstract: A Geminivirus based expression construct being capable of systemic symptomeless spread in a plant host is provided as well as methods of utilizing same for plant gene expression, gene silencing and plant protection.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of identifying and releasing bioactive peptides from ovotransferrin The method involves (a) contacting ovotransferrin with a reducing agent, a sonication step, a high pressure processing step, a heating step, a fermentation step, or any combination thereof, and (b) contacting the ovotransferrin after step (a) with a hydrolytic enzyme to produce bioactive peptides that exhibit angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity or antioxidant activity when compared to the parent protein. The bioactive peptides may be added to foodstuffs, a medication, or to any potable, ingestible, or edible compositions.

Abstract: The use of self-assembled block copolymer structures to produce advanced lithographic patterns relies on control of the orientation of these structures in thin films. In particular, orientation of cylinders and lamellae perpendicular to the plane of the block copolymer film is required for most applications. The preferred method to achieve orientation is by heating. The present invention involves the use of polarity-switching top coats to control block copolymer thin film orientation by heating. The top coats can be spin coated onto block copolymer thin films from polar casting solvents and they change composition upon thermal annealing to become “neutral”. Top coats allow for the facile orientation control of block copolymers which would otherwise not be possible by heating alone.