Abstract: Provided are adhesive-backed films and related methods useful in laser cutting a substrate protected by an adhesive-backed film. The adhesive-backed film includes a base layer comprised of a polymer and having opposing first and second major surfaces and an adhesive layer comprising a pressure-sensitive adhesive directly or indirectly coupled to the second major surface. An infrared absorber is present in one or both of the polymer and the pressure-sensitive adhesive, and the adhesive-backed film is sufficiently transparent to enable visual inspection of a surface having the adhesive-backed film disposed thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inserting prosthesis implants into apatient pocket. The apparatus has three openings including a prosthesis opening and two implant insertion openings. The apparatus prevents infection; eases insertion and placement; and reduces complications. In use, the first implant insertion end of the bellow is placed through the patient incision while allowing the bellow to be manipulated to force the first implant into a surgical pocket of a patient. Then the bellow is rotated 180 degrees so that the second implant insertion end becomes the opening through which the second implant is inserted into the second incision while allowing the bellow to be manipulated to force the second implant into a surgical pocket.

Abstract: An IED detection training device can include a barrel which can be adapted to receive a blank ammunition cartridge. A housing can be connected to the barrel, and a firing pin having a tab extending from the firing pin can be disposed in the housing. A spring can surround the firing pin, and a sleeve having a slot can surround the sleeve so that the firing pin tab is disposed in the sleeve slot. A lever can be pivotably attached to the housing so that the lever selectively engages the tab. A pull ring can also be pivotably attached to the housing, to selectively engage the lever. Pivoting of the pull ring can cause pivoting engagement of the lever and disengagement of the tab, which can further cause the spring to move the firing pin forward to strike the ammunition blank cartridge.

Abstract: Covalently modified alginate polymers, possessing enhanced biocompatibility and tailored physiochemical properties, as well as methods of making and use thereof, are disclosed herein. The covalently modified alginates are useful as a matrix for coating of any material where reduced fibrosis is desired, such as encapsulated cells for transplantation and medical devices implanted or used in the body.

Abstract: Macrodevices containing a micro-fabricated body having at least one or multiple compartments and a porous membrane, methods of making and using thereof, are described. The one or multiple compartments encapsulate one or more cells that secrete a therapeutic agent in cell-based therapy. The porous membrane provides immunoprotection the encapsulated cells. Further, the surface of the macrodevices is chemically modified using polymers and/or small molecules, reducing fibrosis of the macrodevices, thereby allowing in vivo delivery of the secreted therapeutic agents for extended periods of time.

Abstract: Biomedical devices for implantation with decreased pericapsular fibrotic overgrowth are disclosed. The device includes biocompatible materials and has specific characteristics that allow the device to elicit less of a fibrotic reaction after implantation than the same device lacking one or more of these characteristic that are present on the device. Biocompatible hydrogel capsules encapsulating mammalian cells having a diameter of greater than 1 mm, and optionally a cell free core, are disclosed which have reduced fibrotic overgrowth after implantation in a subject. Methods of treating a disease in a subject are also disclosed that involve administering a therapeutically effective amount of the disclosed encapsulated cells to the subject.

Abstract: An air data probe is provided. The air data probe includes a pitot probe having a mounting base or flange, support strut, and tube with a forward facing inlet that is configured to capture a total pressure of the surrounding air, at least three dams placed within the tube of the pitot probe for blocking the ballistic trajectory of water droplets or ice crystals from passing directly through the tube to a downstream pressure sensing element, and a heater element integrated into the tube of the pitot probe on the outside of the dams. The at least three dams are oriented within the tube of the pitot probe in such a way that the dam locations are configured for two or more installations of the air data probe.

Abstract: Embodiments of icing resistant total temperature probes with integrated ejectors are provided. One air data probe comprises: a base; a body having a leading and trailing edges: a first passage defining a first annulus; a temperature sensor within the first passage; a heat shield defining an exterior wall of at least part of the first passage, wherein the sensor is positioned within the shield; a second passage comprising a second annulus defined by a space between the shield and the body; an intake port having an intake aperture that opens to the first and second passages; a separate heated airflow passage, the heated airflow passage having an air input port configured to couple to an air supply source and following a path within the probe body; an integrated air ejector coupled to heated airflow passage to motivate air into the intake aperture and through the first and second air passages.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to curable film-forming compositions comprising: (a) a polymeric binder comprising: (i) a polysiloxane having reactive functional groups and in which is dispersed protonated silica particles having an average particle size of 2 to 20 microns; and (ii) optionally, at least one additional polymeric resin different from the polysiloxane (i), having reactive functional groups; and (b) a curing agent containing functional groups that are reactive with the reactive functional groups of (i) and/or (ii). After application to a substrate as a coating and after curing, the curable film-forming composition demonstrates an initial 85° gloss of less than 30 and an increase in 85° gloss of no more than 10 gloss units when subjected to various ABRASION TEST METHODS as defined herein. Also provided is a method of improving burnish resistance of a substrate using the curable film-forming compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: A wearable optical device is described for optically detecting parameters of interest within muscle, such as during physical activity or when at rest. The parameters of interest include oxygenation level and/or hemoglobin concentrations in some situations. The detected parameters, such as oxygenation level, may be used to assess physical performance, such as the extent to which the muscle is utilizing aerobic or anaerobic processes. Methods for determining the parameters of interest, such as oxygenation level, from the detected optical signals are also described, and feedback may be provided to a user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inserting prosthesis implants into a patient pocket. The apparatus has three openings including a prosthesis opening and two implant insertion openings. The apparatus prevents infection; eases insertion and placement; and reduces complications. In use, the first implant insertion end of the bellow is placed through the patient incision while allowing the bellow to be manipulated to force the first implant into a surgical pocket of a patient. Then the bellow is rotated 180 degrees so that the second implant insertion end becomes the opening through which the second implant is inserted into the second incision while allowing the bellow to be manipulated to force the second implant into a surgical pocket.

Abstract: A system and method for decoating a scrap coated metal in a leach solution uses direct measuring of the corrosion potential of the scrap metal in the system to determine the progress of the decoating process and end the process when the scrap is decoated. Corrosion potential measurements are made using a working electrode comprising more than one piece of scrap coated-metal within the system. The decoating system and method may include a system for recycling leach solution.

Abstract: An air data probe is provided. The air data probe includes a pitot probe having a mounting base or flange, support strut, and tube with a forward facing inlet that is configured to capture a total pressure of the surrounding air, at least three dams placed within the tube of the pitot probe for blocking the ballistic trajectory of water droplets or ice crystals from passing directly through the tube to a downstream pressure sensing element, and a heater element integrated into the tube of the pitot probe on the outside of the dams. The at least three dams are oriented within the tube of the pitot probe in such a way that the dam locations are configured for two or more installations of the air data probe.

Abstract: A wearable optical device is described for optically detecting parameters of interest within muscle, such as during physical activity or when at rest. The parameters of interest include oxygenation level and/or hemoglobin concentrations in some situations. The detected parameters, such as oxygenation level, may be used to assess physical performance, such as the extent to which the muscle is utilizing aerobic or anaerobic processes. Methods for determining the parameters of interest, such as oxygenation level, from the detected optical signals are also described, and feedback may be provided to a user.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for modifying a gene sequence, and for systems for delivering such compositions. For example, the disclosure relates to modifying a gene sequence using a CRISPR-Cas9 or other nucleic acid editing system, and methods and delivery systems for achieving such gene modification, such as viral or non-viral delivery systems.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for detecting genetic variants from sequencing data. The methods and systems provided herein can be useful for identifying the presence or absence of clinically actionable variants from a sequencing data set and reporting the clinically actionable variants to a user of the methods and systems.

Abstract: Compositions comprising thiol-terminated sulfur-containing prepolymers, curing agents reactive with the thiol-terminated sulfur-containing prepolymers, and ionic liquid catalysts, useful in aerospace sealant applications are disclosed. The use of ionic liquid catalysts provides curable sealant compositions having an extended working time and a rapid cure rate.

Abstract: An exhaust conduit for a marine exhaust system includes an inlet end portion connectable to an exhaust manifold, an outlet end portion that directs exhaust gases toward an exhaust system outlet, a catalytic converter assembly arranged between the inlet and outlet end portions, and inner and outer tubes. The inner tube directs exhaust gases from the exhaust manifold to the catalytic converter assembly, and the outer tube surrounds the inner tube to define a cooling liquid passage between the inner and outer tubes. A flange is secured to the inner and outer tubes at inlet ends thereof, the flange being connectable to an outlet of the exhaust manifold. The inner tube has a uniform diameter between the flange and the catalytic converter assembly, and is welded to the flange independently of the outer tube. First and second welds join the inner and outer tubes to the flange at radially inner and outer faces, respectively, of a flange rim.