Abstract: The invention relates to methods of lubricating biological tissue, such as joints, bone, ocular tissue, nasal tissue, tendons, tendon capsule, and vaginal tissue, by contacting the biological tissue with an effective amount of a block copolymer lubricating composition which functions at least or better than lubricin. In particular embodiments, the method is used to treat osteoarthritis. In specific embodiments, the block copolymer has an ammonium-containing polymer block and a non-ionic hydrophilic polymer block, or the copolymer has a carboxylic acid-containing polymer block and a non-acid non-ionic hydrophilic polymer block.

Abstract: The present solution can temporarily impart the handling characteristics of corneal stroma to the otherwise very thin, flimsy, coiling, and fragile Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) tissue during its insertion into the anterior chamber and positioning in apposition against the cornea of the recipient eye. The device of the present solution can be configured in a number of ways. In a first configuration, a scaffold can be coupled with the endothelial side of the DMEK graft. In a second configuration, the scaffold can be coupled with the stromal side of the DMEK graft. In a third configuration, one or more scaffolds can be coupled with both the endothelial and stromal side of the DMEK graft.

Abstract: The current document is directed to a leak-and-sealing-failure-detection sensor and a leak-detection system that incorporates the leak-and-sealing-failure sensor to detect leaks and sealing failures in a variety of different containers, packages, and products. The leak-and-sealing-failure-detection sensor produces a response signal when the leak-and-sealing-failure-detection sensor detects a difference between a local environment associated with the leak-and-sealing-failure-detection sensor and the environment external to the leak-and-sealing-failure-detection sensor and the container, package, and/or product to which the leak-and-sealing-failure-detection sensor is applied.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of lubricating biological tissue, such as joints, bone, ocular tissue, nasal tissue, tendons, tendon capsule, and vaginal tissue, by contacting the biological tissue with an effective amount of a block copolymer lubricating composition which functions at least or better than lubricin. In particular embodiments, the method is used to treat osteoarthritis. In specific embodiments, the block copolymer has an ammonium-containing polymer block and a non-ionic hydrophilic polymer block, or the copolymer has a carboxylic acid-containing polymer block and a non-acid non-ionic hydrophilic polymer block.

Abstract: A microgel composition comprising micron-sized particles of poly(acrylic acid) in which at least a portion of carboxylic acid groups in the poly(acrylic acid) are crosslinked as shown in the following structure: wherein: L is a linear or branched polyalkylene glycol-containing linker, or L more particularly has the following formula: —O—[CH(R)CH(R?)—O]x—; R and R? are independently selected from H and CH3; and x is an integer of 1-50; wherein the micron-sized particles have an average diameter of at least 1 micron. Methods for imparting lubricity to a biological tissue and methods for treating an articular disease or condition (e.g., arthritis or osteoarthritis) by administering the microgel composition are also described.

Abstract: A surgical barrier material comprising a water-soluble polysaccharide, glycerol, and water, wherein the water-soluble polysaccharide by weight and glycerol by volume are present at a ratio of about 1:0.8 to 1:1.2, and wherein water is present at 8-20 wt %, wherein the water-soluble polysaccharide may be, for example, a cellulose, such as methyl cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose or a salt thereof (CMC), hyaluronic acid (HA) or a combination thereof and may have a molecular weight of 30,000 g/mol to 500,000 g/mol. The surgical barrier material is solid and flexible, typically possessing an elastic modulus of 0.5-2 MPa and penetration resistance of at least 1 Newton, and substantially dissolves within 72, 48, 24, 12, 6, 3, or 2 hours from the time it is placed at a surgical site. Also described herein is a method of preventing injury to tissue in a patient during a surgical procedure by using the described surgical barrier material as a protective barrier during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: The current document is directed to a leak-and-sealing-failure-detection sensor and a leak-detection system that incorporates the leak-and-sealing-failure sensor to detect leaks and sealing failures in a variety of different containers, packages, and products. The leak-and-sealing-failure-detection sensor produces a response signal when the leak-and-sealing-failure-detection sensor detects a difference between a local environment associated with the leak-and-sealing-failure-detection sensor and the environment external to the leak-and-sealing-failure-detection sensor and the container, package, and/or product to which the leak-and-sealing-failure-detection sensor is applied.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of lubricating biological tissue, such as joints, bone, ocular tissue, nasal tissue, tendons, tendon capsule, and vaginal tissue, by contacting the biological tissue with an effective amount of a block copolymer lubricating composition which functions at least or better than lubricin. In particular embodiments, the method is used to treat osteoarthritis. In specific embodiments, the block copolymer has an ammonium-containing polymer block and a non-ionic hydrophilic polymer block, or the copolymer has a carboxylic acid-containing polymer block and a non-acid non-ionic hydrophilic polymer block.

Abstract: The present solution can temporarily impart the handling characteristics of corneal stroma to the otherwise very thin, flimsy, coiling, and fragile Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) tissue during its insertion into the anterior chamber and positioning in apposition against the cornea of the recipient eye. The device of the present solution can be configured in a number of ways. In a first configuration, a scaffold can be coupled with the endothelial side of the DMEK graft. In a second configuration, the scaffold can be coupled with the stromal side of the DMEK graft. In a third configuration, one or more scaffolds can be coupled with both the endothelial and stromal side of the DMEK graft.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of lubricating biological tissue, such as joints, bone, ocular tissue, nasal tissue, tendons, tendon capsule, and vaginal tissue, by contacting the biological tissue with an effective amount of a block copolymer lubricating composition which functions at least or better than lubricin. In particular embodiments, the method is used to treat osteoarthritis. In specific embodiments, the block copolymer has an ammonium-containing polymer block and a non-ionic hydrophilic polymer block, or the copolymer has a carboxylic acid-containing polymer block and a non-acid non-ionic hydrophilic polymer block.

Abstract: Traffic-compatible vented precipitation guarding manhole cover assemblies may include a manhole cover having an exterior manhole cover surface and an interior manhole cover surface. At least one opening may extend through the manhole cover from the interior manhole cover surface to the exterior manhole cover surface. A flexible, resilient extension conduit having elastic recoil memory may extend from the exterior manhole cover surface at the at least one opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microparticle. The microparticle includes one or more recombinant outer membrane vesicles, at least some of which display a fusion protein, where the fusion protein comprises at least a portion of a transport protein coupled to at least a portion of one or more antigenic proteins or peptides, and a polymeric coating over the one or more recombinant outer membrane vesicles. The present invention further relates to a method of eliciting an immune response in a mammal and a method of making encapsulated outer membrane vesicles displaying a fusion protein.

Abstract: The application relates to a device and method for preparing and testing a fluid sample using a filtration procedure for analysis of a filterable constituent of the fluid. In particular the process employs an enclosed pathway whereby the fluid sample may be put into a sealable flexible containment-vessel, and can then be passed through a fluid passageway to a removable enclosable filter cartridge, wherein the filterable constituent may be removed and the resultant filtrate fluid discharged from the cartridge. Once introduced to the flexible vessel, the enclosed pathway system thereby enables the fluid to be filtered and the filterable constituent examined with minimal complications of contamination of the sample through exposure to environmental pollutant external to the fluid sample. A useful objective of the device and method is to enable analyses of microbiological content of a fluid sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of lubricating biological tissue, such as joints, bone, ocular tissue, nasal tissue, tendons, tendon capsule, and vaginal tissue, by contacting the biological tissue with an effective amount of a block copolymer lubricating composition which functions at least or better than lubricin. In particular embodiments, the method is used to treat osteoarthritis. In specific embodiments, the block copolymer has an ammonium-containing polymer block and a non-ionic hydrophilic polymer block, or the copolymer has a carboxylic acid-containing polymer block and a non-acid non-ionic hydrophilic polymer block.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of lubrication for biological tissue, especially joint and cartilage surfaces, and to methods of treating osteoarthritis using high molecular weight, hydrophilic polymer brushes, which mimic the structure and activity of lubricin. These synthetic lubricin analog polymer brushes (termed herein graft brush polymers), include poly(acrylic acid) backbones grafted with polyethylene glycol.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of lubrication for biological tissue, especially joint and cartilage surfaces, and to methods of treating osteoarthritis using high molecular weight, hydrophilic polymer brushes, which mimic the structure and activity of lubricin. These synthetic lubricin analog polymer brushes (termed herein graft brush polymers), include poly(acrylic acid) backbones grafted with polyethylene glycol.

Abstract: A wastewater pump station venting system includes at least one wastewater discharge conduit; a wastewater pump station having a station interior disposed in fluid communication with the wastewater discharge conduit; at least one fresh air inlet conduit disposed in fluid communication with the station interior; at least one gas vent conduit having a vent conduit inlet segment disposed in fluid communication with the station interior and a vent conduit outlet segment disposed in fluid communication with the vent conduit inlet segment; at least one vent air inlet conduit disposed in fluid communication with the gas vent conduit between the vent conduit inlet segment and the vent conduit outlet segment, the vent air inlet conduit disposed at an acute angle relative to the vent conduit inlet segment and an obtuse angle relative to the vent conduit outlet segment; at least one vent fan disposed in fluid communication with the vent air inlet conduit; and at least one power source electrically interfacing with the ve

Abstract: The present invention relates to a probiotic cell transformed with a construct suitable to overexpress and display on the surface of the probiotic cell a fusion protein comprising at least a portion of a transport protein coupled to at least a portion of one or more antigenic proteins or peptides. Probiotic-derived vesicles displaying this fusion protein as well as methods of inducing an immune response using the probiotic cells or vesicles are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides injectable synthetic and biodegradable polymeric biomaterials that effectively prevent seroma, a common postoperative complication following ablative and reconstructive surgeries. Provided biomaterials include physically crosslinked hydrogels that are thixotropic, display rapid chain relaxation, are easily extruded through narrow gauge needles, biodegrade into inert products, are well tolerated by soft tissues, and effectively prevent seroma in a radical breast mastectomy animal model.

Abstract: A method of deploying a space based occulter is provided. The occulter comprises a base portion and a blanket section extending radially from the base portion. A plurality of starlight blocking petals are attached to the base portion and attached to the blanket section, the petals extending radially from the base portion, each of the petals being hingedly connected to an adjacent petal.