Abstract: A method for controlling intraocular eye pressure via fluid exchange in the body is presented. The method may comprise providing a system to sense and regulate pressure, then implanting the system into the eye. The system may comprise four main components: a cannula, a sensor, a controller and a pump. The method works to engage in a fluid exchange which slowly increases/decreases intraocular pressure until a desired level is reached. Once the desired level is reached, the intraocular pressure is held steady and any external pressure perturbations are removed.

Abstract: Novel peptoid oligomers are disclosed that have a formula represented by the following formula I: The peptoids demonstrate antimicrobial activity and may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions and used for the prevention or treatment of a variety of conditions in mammals including humans where microbial invasion is involved. The present cyclic and linear peptoids are particularly valuable as their effect is rapid, broad in spectrum and mostly indifferent to resistance provoked by standard antibiotics.

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 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: The present invention concerns methods and compositions for treating or preventing a bacterial infection, particularly infection by a Staphylococcus bacterium. The invention provides methods and compositions for stimulating an immune response against the bacteria. In certain embodiments, the methods and compositions involve a non-toxigenic Protein A (SpA) variant.

Abstract: A method of assessing hearing characteristics of a subject is provided. The method includes determining a hearing capability of the subject based on responses of the subject to a series of sounds presented to the subject. Each sound corresponds to a presence, absence or irrelevance of a predetermined plurality of features. The method further includes assigning the subject to one of a predetermined plurality of classes based upon the responses of the subject, each of the plurality of classes being derived from hearing tests performed on a plurality of other subjects.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to methods of expanding hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) comprising culturing the HSCs with Wharton's Jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJSCs), a cell culture medium that has been conditioned with WJSCs, or a combination thereof, thereby producing a HSC culture; and maintaining the HSC culture under conditions in which the HSCs expand in the culture, thereby expanding the HSCs. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of transplanting the expanded HSCs in an individual in need thereof. In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to compositions comprising HSCs and Wharton's Jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJSCs). The composition can further comprise a cell culture medium that has been conditioned with WJSCs.

Abstract: A line-contact dry electrode comprises a conductive electrode base and at least one conductive contact member extending from the conductive electrode base. The conductive contact member includes a plurality of elastic conductive branches arranged intermittently to form a comb-like electrode able to comb and push away the testee's hair and contact the testee's skin.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of methods and systems for a three mode wireless energy harvesting concept wherein a triceiver system with a single antenna can be configured to transmit wireless data, receive wireless data and exchange power with other devices. When not being used for exchanging power, the triceiver system with the single antenna can be operably connected to data transfer functions of a wireless device. When used for receiving power, the triceiver antenna can be operably connected to subsystems for converting RF signals to electrical energy. When used for transmitting power, the triceiver antenna can be operably connected to subsystems for converting electrical energy to RF signals.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes a first rolling-contact core operably coupled to a first vertebra, said first rolling-contact core having a first convex surface having a first axis, said first convex surface configured to provide a first rolling motion in a first direction to said first vertebra relative to a second vertebra. At least one flexure is connected to said first rolling-contact core, said flexure configured to constrain said first rolling motion.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel fatty acid desaturases genes used for synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially ?3 desaturases (FADS15). The present invention also provides nucleic acid sequence coding the above-described desaturases, expression vector of the above-described desaturases and recombinant microorganism expressing above-described desaturases.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a three-dimensional (3-D) transformer-based (TF-based) power amplifier architecture, including a power splitting plane having at least one input transformer-based circuit; and a power combining plane having at least one output transformer-based circuit. The power splitting plane includes at least one input transmission line, at least one input transformer and an input terminal. Moreover, the power combining plane includes at least one output transmission line, at least one output transformer, at least one power amplifier-cell (PA-cell) and an output terminal. The power combining plane is vertically stacked, attached and electrically connected to the power splitting plane. Consequently, as compared with the existing 2-D power amplifiers, the 3-D transformer-based power amplifier architecture of the present disclosure is capable of achieving a symmetric and compact power distribution layout.

Abstract: Manipulation of the passivation ligands of colloidal quantum dots and use in QD electronics. A multi-step electrostatic process is described which creates bare QDs, followed by the formation of QD superlattice via electric and thermal stimulus. Colloidal QDs with original long ligands (i.e. oleic acid) are atomized, and loaded into a special designed tank to be washed, followed by another atomization step before entering the doping station. The final step is the deposition of bare QDs onto substrate and growth of QD superlattice. The method permits the formation of various photonic devices, such as single junction and tandem solar cells based on bare QD superlattice, photodetectors, and LEDs. The devices include a piezoelectric substrate with an electrode, and at least one layer of bare quantum dots comprising group IV-VI elements on the electrode, where the bare quantum dots have been stripped of outer-layer ligands.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for muscle repair or regeneration comprising administering therapeutically effective amounts of RAR agonists or stem cells that are pretreated with contact with a RAR agonist to a subject at a site of muscle damage. Additionally, the invention provides compositions comprising RAR agonist treated stem cells and methods of use of said cells for muscle repair or regeneration. In one embodiment, the stem cells are mesenchymal stem cells. In one embodiment, the RAR agonist is an RAR? agonist. In one embodiment, administration of the RAR agonist is begun during a period of increased endogenous retinoid signaling in the subject resulting from incurrence of the damaged muscle tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound healing composition comprising a biocompatible hydrogel membrane wherein the hydrogel membrane has one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The invention further provides methods of treating a wound in a subject in need thereof, comprising contacting the wound with a biocompatible cellulose hydrogel membrane of the invention.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include sensors comprising high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) with capture reagents on a gate region of the HEMTs. Example sensors include HEMTs with a thin gold layer on the gate region and bound antibodies; a thin gold layer on the gate region and chelating agents; a non-native gate dielectric on the gate region; and nanorods of a non-native dielectric with an immobilized enzyme on the gate region. Embodiments including antibodies or enzymes can have the antibodies or enzymes bound to the Au-gate via a binding group. Other embodiments of the invention are methods of using the sensors for detecting breast cancer, prostate cancer, kidney injury, glucose, metals or pH where a signal is generated by the HEMT when a solution is contacted with the sensor. The solution can be blood, saliva, urine, breath condensate, or any solution suspected of containing any specific analyte for the sensor.

Abstract: A method for determining the concentration of a phenoxy herbicide in an aqueous sample, by simultaneously phase-transfer catalyst extracting and alkylating an aqueous sample comprising a phenoxy herbicide to form a sample composition, and measuring an amount of the alkylated phenoxy herbicide in the sample composition. The method includes controlling factors such as pH of the aqueous matrix, temperature, extraction duration, type and amount of derivation reagents, and type and amount of phase transfer catalyst.

Abstract: A tool and method of positioning and delivering medical devices and therapeutics within the pericardial space, as well as other body part or space. A needle is inserted into the chest through a sub-xiphoid puncture, and the pressure within the needle is monitored manometrically or otherwise sensed as the needle is advanced towards the pericardial space. By reading the pressure within the needle while it is advanced, the clinician is able to know that he or she is avoiding insertion of it into organs or spaces not intended to be the target location. In addition the retractable sharp edge allows the operator to access the space and cut tissue but do so safely by retracting the sharp edge.

Abstract: Apparatus comprises a pipet comprising first and second channels separated by a septum and having a tip at which each of the first and second channels is open; an electrolyte solution contained within both the first and second channels of the pipet; a first electrode extending into the electrolyte in the first channel of the pipet; a second electrode extending into the electrolyte in the second channel of the pipet; means for applying a potential difference between the first and second electrodes; means for measuring alternating current components of a current flowing to or from the first electrode; means for applying an oscillatory perturbation to the pipet; and means responsive to the alternating current measured to be flowing to or from the first electrode to adjust a position of the pipet such as to control a separation between the tip of the pipet and a surface of interest.