Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits for the treatment of neurocutaneous syndromes, such as neurofibromatosis type I; disorders associated with overactivation of FGFR3, such as achondroplasia; bone or cartilage disorders; or vascular smooth muscle disorders; or for the elongation of bone. In some embodiments, the present invention provides polypeptides having an alkaline phosphatase peptide fused to an Fc domain of an immunoglobulin or a natriuretic peptide fused to an Fc domain of an immunoglobulin. Such polypeptides can be administered to subjects, e.g., subcutaneously, to treat a neurocutaneous syndrome, a disorder associated with overactivation of FGFR3, a bone or cartilage disorder, or a vascular smooth muscle disorder, or to elongate bone.

Abstract: Disclosed are negative allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5); synthetic methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of treating neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with glutamate dysfunction using the compounds and compositions. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to bicyclic triazole and pyrazole lactams, derivatives thereof, and related compounds, which are useful as positive allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5); synthetic methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of treating neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with glutamate dysfunction using the compounds and compositions. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a lower limb device having at least a powered joint are provided. A method includes configuring the device to a first state in a finite state model for a current activity mode including a stair ascent mode or a stair descent mode. The method also includes, based on real-time sensor information, transitioning the device between different states in the finite state model when pre-defined criteria for transitioning among the different states are met. In the method, the finite state model for stair ascent includes lifting and swing phases, where the lifting phase includes a powered knee extension and a powered ankle push-off. The finite state model for stair descent includes yielding and swing states, where the swing states include providing a powered plantarflexion of the powered ankle joint and the yielding states include providing a resistive and passive plantarflexion of the powered ankle joint.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and apparatuses for the free solution measurement of molecular interactions by backscattering interferometry. In one aspect, the invention relates to method and systems for detecting molecular interaction between analytes in free-solution wherein the analytes are label-free and detection is performed by back-scattering interferometry. Also disclosed are label-free, free-solution, and/or real-time measurements of characteristic properties and/or chemical events using the disclosed techniques. The disclosed methods can have very low detection limits and/or very low sample volume requirements. Also disclosed are various biosensor applications of the disclosed techniques. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: A sensor device includes an optical limiting structure including a metal layer with at least one metal particle having a size no greater than about 1500 nanometers, and a phase-change material layer disposed adjacent at least a portion of the metal layer, the phase-change material layer including a phase-change material, and a dendritic-metal layer disposed over at least a portion of the phase-change material layer of the optical limiting structure, the dendritic-metal layer including an organic compound including branching chain amino acid groups attached to a metal structure. The optical limiting structure is configured to transition from a first optical state to a second optical state when the phase-change material is heated above a critical temperature, with transmittance of light at a predetermined wavelength through the optical limiting structure being lower at the second optical state of the optical limiting structure in relation to the first optical state of the optical limiting structure.

Abstract: A robotic system and methods for manipulation of multi-segment continuum robots. The methods relate to contact detection and estimation of contact location along a multi-segment continuum robot.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acids comprising a lipocalin gene promoter region, isolated nucleic acids comprising a human lipocalin gene, isolated nucleic acids encoding a lipocalin polypeptide, isolated lipocalin polypeptides, and uses thereof. The disclosed lipocalin nucleic acids and polypeptides can be used to generate a mouse model of male infertility, for drug discovery screens, and for therapeutic treatment of fertility-related conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a proteomic approach to predicting, diagnosing and staging invasive bladder cancer, and for predicting patient survival and therapeutic efficacy. More specifically, the target being analyzed for reduced expression is FOXA1, and optionally including analysis of increased FOXA2 expression.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to particular monoclonal antibodies and fragments thereof that find use in the detection, prevention and treatment of influenza virus infections. In particular, these antibodies may neutralize or limit the replication of influenza virus. Also disclosed are improved methods for producing such monoclonal antibodies, including novel immunogens for use in vaccination and production of protective immune responses.

Abstract: A peristaltic micropump comprising one or more conduits configured to transfer one or more pumped fluids, wherein each conduit comprises: an inlet (106), an outlet (107), a central portion (102) between the inlet and the outlet, and an actuator (103, 105) configured to engage the central portions of the one or more conduits.

Abstract: Disclosed are negative allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5); synthetic methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of treating neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with glutamate dysfunction using the compounds and compositions. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and apparatuses for the measurement of hybridization of nucleic acid polymers or binding other biological molecular species such as proteins, enzymes, receptors, and antibodies to binding partners, by backscattering interferometry (BSI).

Abstract: A sensor for sensing at least one biological target or chemical target is provided. The sensor includes a membrane includes a membrane material that supports generation and propagation of at least one waveguide mode, where the membrane material includes a plurality of voids having an average size <2 microns. The sensor also includes at least one receptor having structure for binding to the target within the plurality of voids, and an optical coupler for coupling light to the membrane sufficient to generate the waveguide mode in the membrane from photons incident on the optical coupler.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods and apparatuses relating to animal specimen collection and animal specimen collection stations. In an embodiment, multiple chambers each contain a single animal, and wells on a removable floor on each of the chambers may collect animal specimens. The wells may be dimensioned with a depth and width such that the animals may not disturb, contact, or contaminate specimens contained within a well.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a running controller for a lower limb device including at least a powered knee joint are provided. The method includes collecting real-time sensor information for the lower limb device and configuring the lower limb device to a first state in a finite state model for an activity mode including the running mode. The method further includes, based on the sensor information, transitioning the lower limb device from a current state to a subsequent state in the finite state model for the detected mode when a pre-defined criteria for transitioning to the subsequent state is met, and repeating the transitioning until the activity mode changes. In the system and method, the finite state model includes at least one stance state and at least one swing state, where the at least one stance state includes at least one absorption state and at least one propulsion state.

Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second light sources for respectively generating broadband and monochromatic lights, a beamsplitter optically coupled to the first light source for splitting the broadband light into a reference light and a sample light, a reference arm optically coupled to the beamsplitter for receiving the reference light and returning the received reference light into the beamsplitter, a sample arm optically coupled to the beamsplitter and the second light source for combining the sample and monochromatic lights, delivering the combined light to the target of interest, collecting a backscattering light and a Raman scattering light generated from interaction of the combined light with the target of interest, returning the backscattering light into the beamsplitter so as to generate an interference signal between the returned backscattering light and the returned reference light in the beamsplitter, and directing the Raman scattering light in an output optical path.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to novel bicyclic oxazole and thiazole compounds which are positive allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (“mGluR5”); synthetic methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; methods of treating neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with glutamate dysfunction using the compounds and compositions; and methods for the treatment or prevention of disorders associated with glutamate dysfunction and diseases in which the mGluR5 subtype of receptors is involved. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for identifying a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor in a subject and molecules identified thereby. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of (a) exposing a tumor to ionizing radiation; (b) administering to a subject a library of diverse molecules; and (c) isolating from the tumor one or more molecules of the library of diverse molecules, whereby a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor is identified. Also provided are targeting ligands that bind an irradiated tumor and therapeutic and diagnostic methods that employ the disclosed targeting ligands.

Abstract: A method for operating a grasping device and grasping devices therefrom are provided. The grasping device is configured to use a plurality of parallel, bi-directional state flow maps each defining a sequence of poses for a plurality of joints in the grasping device. The method include receiving at least one control signal, determining a current pose of the grasping device within the one of the plurality of state flow maps currently selected for the grasping device, and selectively actuating the plurality of joints to traverse the sequence of poses, where a direction for traversing the sequence of poses is based on the at least one control signal.