Abstract: Methods of quickly and easily implanting a quick-connect heart valve prosthesis during a surgical procedure are provided. The heart valve may include a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A system and method for deployment includes an integrated handle shaft and balloon catheter. A safety member disposed between the balloon catheter and handle shaft prevents premature catheter advancement prior to heart valve placement at the annulus, and also may prevent premature balloon inflation prior to full catheter advancement.

Abstract: A preformer capable of simultaneously forming plural preforms includes a forming surface and source of heat. The forming surface includes guides to keep fiber bundles, the nascent form of the preforms, spaced apart and to maintain their cross-sectional dimension. In some embodiments, the preformer further includes a source of energy, and in some embodiments, the preformer includes a source of energy and a cooling source. A method for forming preforms is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for a tailgate panel and modification. The tailgate panel has holes for coupling to a tailgate. The tailgate panel further includes a cup holder void and a cup holder coupled within the cup holder void. The panel is installed on a tailgate. The tailgate panel converts a previously unusable tailgate into a substantially planar and usable space.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for temperature modification of a patient, or selected regions thereof, including an induced state of hypothermia. The temperature modification is accomplished using an in-dwelling heat exchange catheter within which a fluid heat exchange medium circulates. A heat exchange cassette is attached to the circulatory conduits of the catheter, the heat exchange cassette being sized to engage a cavity within a control unit. The control unit includes a heater/cooler device for providing heated or cooled fluid to a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the fluid heat exchange medium circulating to the heat exchange catheter, a user input device, and a processor connected to receive input from various sensors around the body and the system. A temperature control scheme for ramping the body temperature up or down without overshoot is provided.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a method for providing a financial instrument that includes determining an initial account balance associated with a financial instrument, establishing a first guarantee of a protected value, the protected value including at least an amount based upon the initial account balance growing at a minimum positive growth rate, establishing a second guarantee that a beneficiary may receive a transfer of an amount of money, and establishing an agreement to allow at least a portion of the account balance to be transferred from one or more selected investments to one or more alternative investments in response to a triggering event.

Abstract: A method for designing fiber-composite parts in which part performance and manufacturing efficiency can be traded-off against one another to provide an “optimized” design for a desired use case. In some embodiments, the method involves generating an idealized fiber map, wherein the orientation of fibers throughout the prospective part align with the anticipated load conditions throughout the part, and then modifying the idealized fiber map by various fabrication constraints to generate a process-compensated preform map.

Abstract: A method of reprocessing a fiber composite part to form a preform is provided including determining a location having a longest stretch of continuous, unidirectional fibers in the part, determining an axis generally closest to and parallel to the fibers at the location, suspending the part from an anchor point within a heated cavity, heating the part to a temperature above a glass transition temperature and below a melting temperature of the resin of the part, and applying at least one force vector to the composite part, the sum of such vectors being parallel to the axis, wherein fibers of the part realign in a direction generally parallel to the sum of the force vectors, and wherein the composite part yields in the direction of the at least one applied force vector to provide a preform.

Abstract: Photocurable colloid binders are provided that overcome deficiencies associated with 3D printing of high molecular weight polymers via VAT photopolymerization. Methods of additive manufacturing are also provided using the binders. The approaches described herein effectively decouple the viscosity-molecular weight relationship by synthesizing and processing photo-reactive aqueous colloids that are sequestered within a photocrosslinkable scaffold. Sequestering polymers within discrete internal phases prevents inter-particle entanglement of the polymer chains, thus ensuring low viscosity. VP of polymer colloids results in a solid green body embedded with high molecular weight polymer particles. A post-processing heated drying step allows the polymers to coalesce and further entangle, forming a semi-interpenetrating network with mechanical performance of the high molecular weight material. The resins can further include inorganic particles such as silica and other ceramics, metal particles, and the like.

Abstract: A cartridge for storing and transporting fiber-bundle-based preform charges includes a plurality of cells arranged within the housing, wherein each cell is physically adapted to receive a preform charge and prevent it from moving therein as the cartridge is transported. In some embodiments, the cartridge and preform charges it conveys are serialized.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compounds, their methods of manufacture, and methods of treatment of mammals with pharmaceutical compounds are provided.

Abstract: There is provided a curable composition comprising a fluorinated block copolymer having (a) at least one A block, wherein the A block is a semi-crystalline segment comprising repeating divalent monomeric units derived from at least a fluorinated monomer; and (b) at least one B block, wherein the B block is a segment comprising repeating divalent monomeric units that comprises at least a fluorinated monomer and a nitrile-containing cure-site monomer.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to low molecular weight substituted imidazoles that inhibit the TGF-b signaling pathway. More specifically, this disclosure relates to methods of using said imidazoles for the treatment of diseases related to the TGF-b signaling pathways including, but not limited to, atherosclerosis, Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, obesity, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, keratoconus, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Alzheimer's Disease, chronic kidney disease, and scleroderma.

Abstract: Described herein is a millable fluorinated block copolymer having (a) at least one A block, wherein the A block is a semi-crystalline segment comprising repeating divalent monomeric units derived from at least TFE, HFP and VDF; (b) at least one B block, wherein the B block is a segment comprising repeating divalent monomeric units derived from at least HFP and VDF; and (c) a bisolefin monomer, wherein at least (i) the semi-crystalline segment of the A block comprises repeating divalent monomeric units derived from TFE, HFP, VDF, and the bisolefin monomer, (ii) the segment of the B block comprises repeating divalent monomeric units derived from HFP, VDF, and the bisolefin monomer, or (iii) a combination thereof; and wherein the millable fluorinated block copolymer has a modulus of 0.1 to 2.5 MPa at 100° C.

Abstract: A mooring device including: a strut with a first end and a second end; a first head; a pivot mount; a first suction cup; a rotating mount; a second head; a second suction cup; a rod; and a flotation cover sleeve. The pivot mount allows the first head to pivot about a first head axis and therefore to rotate relative to the strut. The rotating mount allows the suction cup to rotate about a second axis relative to the strut. The flotation cover sleeve having a buoyancy sufficient to render the entire apparatus positively buoyant in water.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating fiber-composite truss structures comprise a) individually molding multiple unit cells of a given size, and subsequently fusing them together in a repeating pattern, b) cross members are consolidated with longerons while maintaining continuity of fiber in the longerons, and c) compression-molded truss components are unioned to continuous fiber beams by means of mechanically interlocking joints.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of making a curable perfluoroelastomer, wherein the curable perfluoroelastomer comprises particles of a semi crystalline fluoropolymer, wherein the semi crystalline fluoropolymer is a TFE copolymer comprising no more than 1 wt % of at least one additional fluorinated monomer. The method comprises: (a) obtaining an amorphous perfluoropolymer and the particles of the semi crystalline fluoropolymer; and (c) dry blending the amorphous perfluoropolymer and the particles to form a curable perfluoroelastomer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for maggot debridement therapy. More specifically, the invention relates to recombinant nucleic acid constructs, transgenic maggots comprising the recombinant nucleic acids, methods for making the maggots, and methods for the use of the maggots, including debridement and promoting of wound healing.

Abstract: A mooring device including: a strut with a first end and a second end; a first head; a pivot mount; a first suction cup; a rotating mount; a second head; a second suction cup; a rod; and a flotation cover sleeve. The pivot mount allows the first head to pivot about a first head axis and therefore to rotate relative to the strut. The rotating mount allows the suction cup to rotate about a second axis relative to the strut. The flotation cover sleeve having a buoyancy sufficient to render the entire apparatus positively buoyant in water.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is a multi-material needle assembly for a baler that has a core formed from a first material and a first side formed of a second material and coupled to the core. The first side is positioned at least partially along a wear zone of the core.