Abstract: A method for obtaining a response of a tissue model system to an activator includes contacting a bio-artificial tissue model system with an activator and measuring cellular mechanical response thereto of at least one of contractile force and tissue stiffness. A method for obtaining a response of a tissue model system to an activator includes contacting a bio-artificial tissue model system with an activator and measuring cellular mechanical response thereto of at least one of contractile force and hysteresis.

Abstract: A method for identifying a functional area of a brain. The functional area is associated with a neurological function. The method includes applying a plurality of electrodes to a surface of the brain. A slow cortical potential is determined based on one or more electrical signals produced by the plurality of electrodes. A covariance pattern is computed based on the slow cortical potential, and the configuration of co-varying electrodes is used to identify one or more areas of the brain associated with the neurological function. These co-varying patterns may be used in conjunction with other electrical and/or physiological stimulation paradigms.

Abstract: Determining diffusivity of multiple diffusion components within a tissue using diffusion magnetic resonance data representing a volume of the tissue. A plurality of candidate fibers having a direction is defined within the volume. A possibility coefficient is calculated by a processor for each candidate fiber of the plurality of candidate fibers based on the magnetic resonance data and the direction of the candidate fiber. The possibility coefficient represents a likelihood that the candidate fiber exists in the volume. Candidate fibers associated with a possibility coefficient greater than a threshold value are selected by the processor to create one or more probable fibers. For each probable fiber of the one or more probable fibers, an axial diffusivity indicating a diffusion of water in the direction of the probable fiber and a radial diffusivity indicating a diffusion of water perpendicular to the direction of the probable fiber are calculated by the processor.

Abstract: A vascular graft includes a flexible conduit including a sidewall defining a cavity extending between a first end and a second end. The first end includes an opening that is oriented substantially perpendicular to a centerline axis of the conduit. The second end includes a end wall and a tapered portion extending from the sidewall to the end wall such that the cavity includes a first diameter defined at the first end and a second diameter defined at the second end that is smaller than the first diameter. A lateral opening extends through the sidewall and is oriented substantially parallel to the centerline axis. The lateral opening positioned near the second end and is sized to provide flow communication between the cavity and a blood vessel.

Abstract: A reflection-mode photoacoustic endoscope includes a light source configured to emit a light pulse, a signal detection or transmission unit configured to detect or emit an ultrasonic pulse, and a rotatable reflector. The rotatable reflector is configured to reflect at least one of the light pulse and the ultrasonic pulse into a target area of an object, and reflect a response signal to the signal detection unit. The response signal is one of a photoacoustic wave generated by the object responsive to the light pulse and an ultrasonic pulse echo generated by the object responsive to the ultrasonic pulse.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds that have motifs that target the compounds to cells that express integrins. In particular, the compounds have peptides with one or more RD motifs conjugated to an agent selected from an imaging agent and a targeting agent. The compounds may be used to detect, monitor and treat a variety of disorders mediated by integrins.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing an interface between a nerve and an external information system. The apparatus includes a substrate having a first surface, an opposite second surface, and an electrode body, wherein the electrode body includes a plurality of holes extending therethrough. The apparatus also includes a plurality of electrical leads embedded within the substrate and a plurality of ring electrodes, wherein each of the ring electrodes circumscribes a corresponding hole, and wherein at least a portion of the ring electrodes is positioned on each of the first surface and the second surface.

Abstract: Observing intracranial physiology includes inserting a bladder at least partially filled with a fluid into a subdural region of interest within a subject, wherein the bladder is coupled in flow communication with a means of indicating a pressure exerted on the bladder within the region of interest. Embodiments also include non-invasively interrogating the means of indicating to determine the pressure exerted on the bladder.

Abstract: A method for imaging a region of interest (ROI) within a body. The method includes applying ultrasound energy to the ROI, receiving ultrasound data for the ROI in response to the applied ultrasound energy, executing a moving window analysis on the received ultrasound data to generate a plurality of windows of information, applying a Renyi entropy signal receiver to each of the generated windows to generate Renyi entropy data, and presenting an image of the ROI based on the Renyi entropy data.

Abstract: Noninvasively imaging biological tissue using a handheld device. A light pulse is focused into a predetermined area inside an object using a flexibly mounted cantilever beam, acoustic waves emitted by the object in response to the at least one light pulse are detected by a transducer, and an image of the predetermined area inside the object is generated based on a signal generated by the transducer representative of the acoustic waves.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI) is provided. The method includes computing a transfer matrix, measuring a plurality of electrical potentials, and computing an estimation of electrical potentials on a surface of interest based at least in part on the measured potentials and the computed transfer matrix. The transfer matrix computing step is performed prior to the measuring step.

Abstract: Detection of individual objects using a light source and a whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonator. Light from the whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonator is analyzed. The presence of an object is determined based on mode splitting associated with the light received by the photodetector. For example, the presence of the object may be determined based on the distance between two whispering gallery modes and/or the linewidths of the two modes in a transmission spectrum. Alternatively, the presence of the object may be determined based on a beat frequency that is determined based on a heterodyne beat signal produced by combining split laser modes in the received light from a WGM microcavity laser.

Abstract: The invention generally provides a biomarker for sleepiness, a method for detecting sleepiness, and a method of identifying nucleic acids associated with sleepiness.

Abstract: The present invention provides chemokine receptor antibodies that selectively bind to an activated form of the receptor but not to a non activated form of the receptor. In particular, the current invention provides phosphospecific chemokine receptor antibodies. The antibodies can be used in several diagnostic, screening and purification methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing, monitoring, and assessing treatment effects for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases and disorders, such as Alzheimer's Disease, early in the course of clinical disease or prior to the onset of brain damage and clinical symptoms. Methods of measuring the in vivo metabolism of biomolecules produced in the CNS in a subject are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for conferring cytoprotection on a population of cells which comprises administering to that population of cells a compound comprising a hydroxy-substituted aromatic ring structure and a non-fused polycyclic, hydrophobic substituent attached thereto. In particular, the present invention is directed to such a process wherein the administered compound is phenolic, such as a steriod (e.g., estrogen), and has a non-fused polycyclic, hydrophobic substituent attached to the hydroxy-substituted A-ring thereof.

Abstract: The sensitivity and specificity of the optical modality can be enhanced by the use of highly absorbing compounds as contrast agents. Novel macrocyclic cyanine and indocyanine bioconjugates that absorb and emit light in the near infrared region of electromagnetic spectrum are disclosed. These compounds are especially useful for endoscopic, localized photoacoustic, and sonofluorescence imaging, detection and therapy of tumors and other abnormalities.

Abstract: A confocal photoacoustic microscopy system includes a laser configured to emit a light pulse, a focusing assembly configured to receive the light pulse and to focus the light pulse into an area inside an object, an ultrasonic transducer configured to receive acoustic waves emitted by the object in response to the light pulse, and an electronic system configured to process the acoustic waves and to generate an image of the area inside the object. The focusing assembly is further configured to focus the light pulse on the object in such a way that a focal point of the focusing assembly coincides with a focal point of the at least one ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for identifying a compound that inhibits cytochrome c synthesis. This invention further provides a method for the high throughput screening of compounds that inhibit cytochrome c synthesis.

Abstract: A system including: (i) a methodology for targeted cellular ablation in zebrafish; (ii) a methodology for regional cellular ablation in zebrafish. These methodologies are used to identify genetic components that regulate cellular regeneration and to identify drug compounds that influence cellular regeneration for the purpose of developing therapies for degenerative conditions. Transgenic zebrafish disclosed herein contain transgenic constructs composed of: (i) cell and/or tissue-type specific regulatory elements (e.g.