Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ophthalmic devices such as ophthalmic lenses. An ophthalmic device may comprise an ophthalmic lens for at least one of slowing, retarding or preventing myopia progression. The ophthalmic lens may comprise a center zone with a negative power for myopic vision correction; and at least one treatment zone surrounding the center zone, the at least one treatment zone having a power profile comprising an ADD power, the at least one treatment zone having a surface shape comprising a portion of a generally toroidal shape, wherein the at least one treatment zone is arranged as to form a continuous surface with the center zone.

Abstract: Contact lenses incorporate high plus or add power profiles that at least one of slow, retard or preventing myopia progression and minimize halo effect. The lens includes a center zone with a negative power for myopic vision correction; and at least one treatment zone surrounding the center zone, the at least one treatment zone having a power profile that increases from an outer margin of the center zone to a positive power within the at least one treatment zone of greater than +5.00 D.

Abstract: Provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions and kits useful for sensitizing a microorganism or a population of microorganisms to a quinolone antibiotic. In a particular aspect, a carbon source and an electron acceptor can sensitize an antibiotic persistent microorganism to treatment with a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Methods for sensitizing a microorganism to a quinolone antibiotic, reducing the density-dependent persistence (DDP) of an antibiotic resistant microorganism, and reducing the number of persistent cells in a population are also provided. Theses compositions and methods are useful in treating infections resulting from high-density bacterial cultures, such as pneumonia, genitourinary infections, biofilms, prosthetic graft infections, sepsis, and endovascular infections.

Abstract: Disclosed aircraft wing-to-body join methods include measuring a 3D surface contour of each wing root interface surface of a wing root to form a complete wing root 3D surface profile; measuring a 3D surface contour of each wing stub interface surface of a wing stub to form a complete wing stub 3D surface profile; calculating a virtual fit between the aircraft wing and the aircraft body assembly that defines one or more gaps between the wing root interface surface and the wing stub interface surface; and aligning the aircraft wing to the aircraft body assembly to achieve a real fit consistent with the virtual fit.

Abstract: An extraction method for preparing samples for analytical analysis is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing a sample matrix containing one or more analytes in a heat conductive sample cup, positioning the heat conductive sample cup in a pressure-resistant reaction chamber, dispensing solvent into the heat conductive sample cup, dispersing the solvent and the sample matrix in the sample cup in the reaction chamber, heating the sample matrix and the extraction solvent in the heat conductive sample cup in the reaction chamber to a temperature at which the dispensed solvent generates an above-atmospheric pressure, and releasing the extraction solvent extract from the sample cup at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for real-time measurements of PCR with multiplexing capability. Certain embodiments relate to methods and systems that use fluorescently encoded superparamagnetic microspheres for the immobilization of amplification products during the PCR process, and an imaging chamber of a measurement device that is also capable of controllable thermal cycling for assisting the PCR process.

Abstract: An energized dispersive extraction method for sample preparation for analysis is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing an extraction solvent, sorbent particles, and a sample matrix containing an analyte in a heat conductive sample cup; positioning the sample cup in a pressure-resistant reaction chamber; dispersing the solvent and the sample matrix in the sample cup in the reaction chamber; heating the sample matrix and the solvent in the sample cup in the reaction chamber to a temperature that generates an above-atmospheric pressure; draining the solvent extract from the sample cup at atmospheric pressure; and collecting the solvent extract for analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed aircraft wing-to-body join methods include (a) applying targets to a wing and a body assembly at the respective wing root and wing stub, (b) determining the 3D locations of the targets by photogrammetry, (c) generating 3D surface profiles for the interface surfaces of the wing root and wing stub by combining scans of the interface surfaces, (d) calculating a virtual fit between the wing and the body assembly that defines one or more gaps between the generated 3D surface profiles of the wing root and wing stub, (e) positioning at least three position sensors within the wing root and/or the wing stub, and (f) aligning the wing to the body assembly to achieve a real fit consistent with the calculated virtual fit using feedback from the position sensors. Methods of determining the target locations and/or the 3D surface profiles may utilize a mobile scanning platform.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for real-time measurements of PCR with multiplexing capability. Certain embodiments relate to methods and systems that use fluorescently encoded superparamagnetic microspheres for the immobilization of amplification products during the PCR process, and an imaging chamber of a measurement device that is also capable of controllable thermal cycling for assisting the PCR process.

Abstract: An instrument for extraction based molecular sample preparation and related processes is disclosed. The instrument includes a thermally conductive pressure resistant heating chamber and a thermally conductive sample cup positioned in the thermally conductive pressure resistant healing chamber for heating liquids and solids together in the thermally conductive sample cup. A liquid delivery inlet fixture in the thermally conductive pressure resistant heating chamber delivers liquids (solvent) from a supply to the thermally conductive sample cup in the thermally conductive pressure resistant heating chamber, and a chiller in liquid communication with the thermally conductive sample cup in the thermally conductive pressure resistant heating chamber receives heated liquids from the thermally conductive pressure resistant heating chamber when the chamber is opened to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods to improve treatment of chronic infections, and reduce, delay, or inhibit formation of biofilms, using specific combinations of aminoglycoside antibiotics and high, localized concentrations of one or more PMF stimulating compounds. These novel methods are easily adapted to clinical settings as toxicity and efficacy of the antibiotics and metabolites used have already been studied in vivo, and as dosing for both the antibiotics and metabolites are known. These approaches and therapeutic methods are also useful with non-metabolic chemicals that induce proton-motive force in bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid molecules, DNA constructs, plasmids, and methods for post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression using RNA molecules to both repress and activate translation of an open reading frame. Repression of gene expression is achieved through the presence of a regulatory nucleic acid element (the cis-repressive RNA or crRNA) within the 5? untranslated region (5? UTR) of an mRNA molecule. The nucleic acid element forms a hairpin (stem/loop) structure through complementary base pairing. The hairpin blocks access to the mRNA transcript by the ribosome, thereby preventing translation. In particular, in embodiments of the invention designed to operate in prokaryotic cells, the stem of the hairpin secondary structure sequesters the ribosome binding site (RBS). In embodiments of the invention designed to operate in eukaryotic cells, the stem of the hairpin is positioned upstream of the start codon, anywhere within the 5? UTR of an mRNA.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods and compositions for rendering cells or the expression of an effector protein sensitive to a predetermined condition. In one aspect, cells can be rendered dependent upon the presence of an environmental agent, e.g., an exogenous agent, without which the cell will default to expression of a death protein and be killed. In another aspect, cells can be rendered sensitive to the presence of a set of predetermined conditions such that cells will only grow when two or more necessary exogenous agents are supplied, and without either of which, the cells are killed. In this aspect, hybrid transcription factors provide a vast array of possible predetermined conditions.

Abstract: An energized dispersive extraction method for sample preparation for analysis is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing an extraction solvent, sorbent particles, and a sample matrix containing an analyte in a heat conductive sample cup; positioning the sample cup in a pressure-resistant reaction chamber; dispersing the solvent and the sample matrix in the sample cup in the reaction chamber; heating the sample matrix and the solvent in the sample cup in the reaction chamber to a temperature that generates an above-atmospheric pressure; draining the solvent extract from the sample cup at atmospheric pressure; and collecting the solvent extract for analysis.

Abstract: An extraction method for preparing samples for analytical analysis is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing a sample matrix containing one or more analytes in a heat conductive sample cup, positioning the heat conductive sample cup in a pressure-resistant reaction chamber, dispensing solvent into the heat conductive sample cup, dispersing the solvent and the sample matrix in the sample cup in the reaction chamber, heating the sample matrix and the extraction solvent in the heat conductive sample cup in the reaction chamber to a temperature at which the dispensed solvent generates an above-atmospheric pressure, and releasing the extraction solvent extract from the sample cup at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An instrument for extraction based molecular sample preparation and related processes is disclosed. The instrument includes a thermally conductive pressure resistant heating chamber and a thermally conductive sample cup positioned in the thermally conductive pressure resistant heating chamber for heating liquids and solids together in the thermally conductive sample cup. A liquid delivery inlet fixture in the thermally conductive pressure resistant heating chamber delivers liquids (solvent) from a supply to the thermally conductive sample cup in the thermally conductive pressure resistant heating chamber, and a chiller in liquid communication with the thermally conductive sample cup in the thermally conductive pressure resistant heating chamber receives heated liquids from the thermally conductive pressure resistant heating chamber when the chamber is opened to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An extraction method for preparing samples for analytical analysis is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing a sample matrix containing one or more analytes in a heat conductive sample cup, positioning the heat conductive sample cup in a pressure-resistant reaction chamber, dispensing solvent into the heat conductive sample cup, dispersing the solvent and the sample matrix in the sample cup in the reaction chamber, heating the sample matrix and the extraction solvent in the heat conductive sample cup in the reaction chamber to a temperature at which the dispensed solvent generates an above-atmospheric pressure, and releasing the extraction solvent extract from the sample cup at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An instrument for extraction based molecular sample preparation and related processes is disclosed. The instrument includes a thermally conductive pressure resistant heating chamber and a thermally conductive sample cup positioned in the thermally conductive pressure resistant heating chamber for heating liquids and solids together in the thermally conductive sample cup. A liquid delivery inlet fixture in the thermally conductive pressure resistant heating chamber delivers liquids (solvent) from a supply to the thermally conductive sample cup in the thermally conductive pressure resistant heating chamber, and a chiller in liquid communication with the thermally conductive sample cup in the thermally conductive pressure resistant heating chamber receives heated liquids from the thermally conductive pressure resistant heating chamber when the chamber is opened to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some embodiments, are engineered phagemids that comprise at least one synthetic genetic circuit, wherein the at least one synthetic genetic circuit comprises gene sequences encoding at least one non-lytic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and/or antibacterial toxin proteins, a stable origin of replication, and a bacteriophage-packaging signal, wherein the engineered phagemid does not comprise some or all gene sequences encoding bacteriophage proteins required for assembly of a bacteriophage particle.