Abstract: Bio-ink compositions comprising bio-compatible microgels or nanogels are described. The bio-inks can comprise, for example, micro- or nanogels comprising crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (poly-NIPam). The bio-inks can further comprise viscosity control agents, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and/or surface tension agents. Three-dimensional (3D) printing (e.g., piezoelectric printing) of the bio-inks can provide 3D printed materials comprising microgel or nanogel assemblies of the bio-ink compositions. These materials can be used as scaffolds for preparing biological tissues for use, for instance, in regenerative medicine.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for of determining the level of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in a sample having blood cells from a patient comprising obtaining a test sample from a human subject; enriching circulating tumor cells (CTC); hybridizing the enriched cells in the sample with labeled nucleic acid probes that hybridize to regions of chromosomal DNA; evaluating the signal pattern for the selected cells by detecting fluorescence in situ hybridization from cells; detecting CTCs based on the pattern of hybridization to the labeled nucleic acid probes to said selected cells; and identifying the subject at risk for the development of lung cancer when the number of CTC per sample is above a predetermined cutoff value.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are platelet-like particles incorporating antimicrobial metallic nanoparticles. The platelet-like particles include an ultra-low crosslinked polymeric microgel and fibrin targeting moiety. The antimicrobial metallic nanoparticles can be covalently or noncovalently incorporated into the platelet-like particles. The particles are useful to stop bleeding and to promote wound healing while at the same time suppressing bacterial infections that can accompany tissue damage.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hair wrap for securing cranial hair of a human during sleep, exertion, or exposure to the elements, for example. The wrap includes a slip-resistant material positioned at or near an inferior edge that extends about the hairline of the wearer. One or more fastener pairs have halves positioned at lateral ends of the wrap and are used to secure the wrap to the head. An extension of the wrap can enclose or envelop the hair, preventing disruption of hairstyles or undesired contact of the hair with external substances.

Abstract: A nuclear magnet resonance (NMR) system probes samples using a stochastically pulsed radio-frequency magnetic field. The NMR system uses active shims to compensate for spatial inhomogeneity in the bias magnetic field applied by a small permanent magnet. The active shim, made of a flexible conductor, creates a magnetic field when current is passed through it. The magnetic field created by the active shim can compensate for a first, second or third order spherical harmonic spatial inhomogeneity. The NMR system may have an array of active shims, with each active shim compensating for a spherical harmonic spatial inhomogeneity. The array of active shims may be arranged within the NMR system so as to increase power efficiency. The NMR system can accommodate a standard NMR sample tube and can be used to measure nuclear spin density or acquire an NMR spectrum.

Abstract: A nuclear magnet resonance (NMR) system probes samples using a stochastically pulsed radio-frequency magnetic field. The NMR system uses active shims to compensate for spatial inhomogeneity in the bias magnetic field applied by a small permanent magnet. The active shim, made of a flexible conductor, creates a magnetic field when current is passed through it. The magnetic field created by the active shim can compensate for a first, second or third order spherical harmonic spatial inhomogeneity. The NMR system may have an array of active shims, with each active shim compensating for a spherical harmonic spatial inhomogeneity. The array of active shims may be arranged within the NMR system so as to increase power efficiency. The NMR system can accommodate a standard NMR sample tube and can be used to measure nuclear spin density or acquire an NMR spectrum.

Abstract: Bio-ink compositions comprising bio-compatible microgels or nanogels are described. The bio-inks can comprise, for example, micro- or nanogels comprising crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (poly-NIPam). The bio-inks can further comprise viscosity control agents, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and/or surface tension agents. Three-dimensional (3D) printing (e.g., piezoelectric printing) of the bio-inks can provide 3D printed materials comprising microgel or nanogel assemblies of the bio-ink compositions. These materials can be used as scaffolds for preparing biological tissues for use, for instance, in regenerative medicine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are platelet-like particles incorporating antimicrobial metallic nanoparticles. The platelet-like particles include an ultra-low crosslinked polymeric microgel and fibrin targeting moiety. The antimicrobial metallic nanoparticles can be covalently or noncovalently incorporated into the platelet-like particles. The particles are useful to stop bleeding and to promote wound healing while at the same time suppressing bacterial infections that can accompany tissue damage.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hair wrap for securing cranial hair of a human during sleep, exertion, or exposure to the elements, for example. The wrap includes a slip-resistant material positioned at or near an inferior edge that extends about the hairline of the wearer. One or more fastener pairs have halves positioned at lateral ends of the wrap and are used to secure the wrap to the head. An extension of the wrap can enclose or envelop the hair, preventing disruption of hairstyles or undesired contact of the hair with external substances.

Abstract: A debridement device having a controllable Lorentz-force actuator is disclosed. The debridement device includes a nozzle delivering a jet of debridement substance to a tissue and the jet is driven by the Lorentz-force actuator. The device may have a suction port for removing the debridement substance. A second Lorentz-force actuator can be used for each of the jet and suction. The first and second Lorentz-force actuators for the jet and suction can also be configured to provide for continuous jet injection and continuous suction. The device may include a second nozzle delivering a second jet of debridement substance to the region of tissue and the first and second jets may intersect and dissipate into a mist upon intersection to dissipate the kinetic energy of the jets. The Lorentz-force actuator may drive a reciprocating piston pump providing continuous pressure to the nozzles.

Abstract: A debridement device having a controllable Lorentz-force actuator is disclosed. The debridement device includes a nozzle delivering a jet of debridement substance to a tissue and the jet is driven by the Lorentz-force actuator. The device may have a suction port for removing the debridement substance. A second Lorentz-force actuator can be used for each of the jet and suction. The first and second Lorentz-force actuators for the jet and suction can also be configured to provide for continuous jet injection and continuous suction. The device may include a second nozzle delivering a second jet of debridement substance to the region of tissue and the first and second jets may intersect and dissipate into a mist upon intersection to dissipate the kinetic energy of the jets. The Lorentz-force actuator may drive a reciprocating piston pump providing continuous pressure to the nozzles.

Abstract: A system, method, and article for sending secured data to an image forming device at a remote location. The secured data is unique to the image forming device or a specific class of image forming devices. The secured data is compared to data stored at the image forming device for verifying the identity of the image forming device. If the identity of the image forming device is verified, a setting adjustment of the image forming device is initiated based on the secured data.

Abstract: A system, method, and article for sending secured data to an image forming device at a remote location. The secured data is unique to the image forming device or a specific class of image forming devices. The secured data is compared to data stored at the image forming device for verifying the identity of the image forming device. If the identity of the image forming device is verified, a setting adjustment of the image forming device is initiated based on the secured data.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for accessing random access memory (RAM) in a computer system running a virtual memory operating system designates a part of the RAM as system memory for use by the operating system. This memory designation consequently produces a remainder memory in the RAM. The remainder memory may be directly accessed by a virtual memory manager upon receipt of an access message requesting access to the remainder memory. The virtual memory manager is controlled to bypass its nonpaged pool controller when accessing the remainder memory. Bypassing the nonpaged pool controller significantly enlarges the available RAM that may be used for temporarily storing data files.