Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions for treating and preventing diseases such as myeloma and lymphoma, where the compositions include a biocompatible, therapeutic polymeric nanoparticle having a boronate ester compound or a peptide boronic acid compound, and a biodegradable polymer. Methods of use of the therapeutic compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Analysis Of A Polymer A biochemical analysis system analyses polymers by taking measurements of a polymer from a sensor element comprising a nanopore during translocation of the polymer through the nanopore. When a polymer has partially translocated, the series of measurements is analysed using reference data derived from a reference sequence to provide a measure of similarity. Responsive to the measure of similarity, the sensor element may be selectively operated to eject the polymer and thereby make the nanopore available to receive a further polymer. Where the biochemical analysis system comprises an array of sensor elements and is takes measurements from sensor elements selected in a multiplexed manner, responsive to the measure of similarity, the biochemical analysis system ceases taking measurements from the currently selected sensor element and to starts taking measurements from a newly selected sensor element.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for attachment of an endolumenal gastrointestinal device, such as an artificial stoma device, a gastrointestinal bypass sleeve or other therapeutic or diagnostic device, within a patient's digestive tract. In one application of the invention, an endolumenal bypass sleeve is removably attached in the vicinity of the gastroesophageal junction to treat obesity and/or its comorbidities, such as diabetes. The bypass sleeve may be at least partially deployed by eversion.

Abstract: Blockchain-based proof of presentation of content on a media channel, including: generating, upon receiving a request to generate, at least first, second, and third parameters, wherein the first and second parameters are input parameters and the third parameter is calculated as an output parameter of a one-way cryptographic function; generating a first type of block by incorporating the first and third parameters into the first type of block; validating the first type of block and the blockchain; appending the first type of block to the blockchain when both the first type of block and the blockchain are declared valid; and embedding the second parameter into the content that is to be made available on the media channel to produce tainted content.

Abstract: The invention provides gastric residence systems, or components of gastric residence system such as segments or elongate members of gastric residence systems, with release rate-modulating films and methods for making and using such systems. The release rate-modulating films provide good control over release of agents (such as therapeutic, diagnostic, or nutritional agents) present in the gastric residence system. The films also permit higher drug loading in the gastric residence systems and components of gastric residence systems while maintaining good control over release of agents. Some embodiments of the films can provide resistance against burst release of agent upon exposure to alcohol.

Abstract: Systems and methods for non-destructive inspection (NDI) of target objects having non-planar surfaces (such as aircraft components having internal stiffeners). A robotic NDI platform is equipped with an NDI sensor and a laser-based alignment system. The laser-based alignment system is operated in a manner to acquire surface profile information in an area of interest on a non-planar surface of the target object. Then the acquired surface profile data is processed by a computer to generate a motion plan for automatically guiding the robotic NDI platform and the NDI sensor to the correct locations, where images of the area of interest may be captured.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automating robotic end effector alignment using real-time data from multiple distance sensors to control relative translational and rotational motion. In accordance with one embodiment, the alignment process involves computation of offset distance and rotational angles to guide a robotic end effector to a desired location relative to a target object. The relative alignment process enables the development of robotic motion path planning applications that minimize on-line and off-line motion path script creation, resulting in an easier-to-use robotic application. A relative alignment process with an independent (off-board) method for target object coordinate system registration can be used. One example implementation uses a finite-state machine configuration to control a holonomic motion robotic platform with rotational end effector used for grid-based scan acquisition for non-destructive inspection.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to nanoparticles comprising a substantially hydrophobic acid, a basic therapeutic agent having a protonatable nitrogen, and a polymer. Other aspects include methods of making and using such nanoparticles.

Abstract: Blockchain-based proof of presentation of content on a media channel, including: a blockchain; a generator configured to generate at least first, second, and third parameters, wherein the first and second parameters are input parameters and the third parameter is calculated as an output parameter of a one-way cryptographic function, the generator configured to incorporate the first and third parameters into a first type of block and append the first type of block to the blockchain; an embedder configured to receive and embed the second parameter into the content to produce tainted content; and a probe configured to monitor the media channel for the tainted content and to extract the second parameter from the tainted content.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a device and method for the treatment of urethral stricture. The present invention places and holds a graft at an incised urethral stricture site for 5-21 days, while the graft adherences to the incised urethral stricture site. A device of the present invention includes a delivery component, a graft carrier component, and a removal component. In some embodiments, the delivery and removal components may be combined into the same device. The delivery component, the graft carrier component, and the removal component are all configured to enter and exit the urethra without trauma. A method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes harvesting a graft, loading the graft onto the graft carrier component, introducing the delivery device into the urethra with the graft carrier component and graft loaded, and delivering of the graft to the incised urethral stricture site.

Abstract: A catheter device for deploying a local magnetic resonance imaging coil is provided. The catheter device comprises an inner shaft, an outer sheath, and a local magnetic resonance imaging coil. The outer sheath includes a plurality of slits extending in an axial direction proximate a distal end of the outer sheath. The slits separate a portion of the outer sheath into a plurality of struts. The local magnetic resonance imaging coil is disposed between the inner shaft and the outer sheath and is coupled to the plurality of struts. Moving the outer sheath relative to the inner shaft expands the catheter device from a contracted position to an expanded position.

Abstract: Elongate flexible medical devices can be capable of axial elongation through the mechanism of eversion or toposcopic expansion. In general, this may be accomplished by providing a flexible tubular device having a proximal end and a distal end. Retraction of the distal end in a proximal direction through the tubular body inverts the tube upon itself, causing an axial shortening of the overall length of the device. An original length of the device can be restored by coupling a pressurized media to the proximal end of the sleeve. If the distal end of the sleeve is temporarily restricted or closed, the pressurized media causes the distal end of the sleeve to travel distally until the full length of the sleeve has been restored.

Abstract: A lockable floating forklift tine system including a lift carriage having at least one cross bar to mount at least one forklift tine, the at least one cross bar having a number of abutment shoulders spaced there across and at least one forklift tine having a mounting portion to mount the at least one forklift tine relative to the at least one cross bar, the mounting portion having a locking member movable relative to the mounting portion between an engaged condition in which the locking member engages at least one of the abutment shoulders preventing lateral movement relative to the at least one cross bar and a free condition in which the locking member is free of the abutment shoulders allowing the forklift tine to be moved laterally along the at least one cross bar, the locking member biased into the engaged condition.

Abstract: Methods of characterizing an analyte using a nanopore. One aspect features methods for characterizing a double-stranded polynucleotide using a nanopore, e.g., without using a hairpin connecting a template and a complement of the double-stranded polynucleotide. Another aspect features methods for characterizing an analyte using a tag-modified nanopore with increased sensitivity and/or higher throughput. Compositions and systems including, e.g., adaptors for attachment to double-stranded polynucleotides and tag-modified nanopores, which can be used in the methods are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for non-destructive inspection (NDI) of target objects having non-planar surfaces (such as aircraft components having internal stiffeners). A robotic NDI platform is equipped with an NDI sensor and a laser-based alignment system. The laser-based alignment system is operated in a manner to acquire surface profile information in an area of interest on a non-planar surface of the target object. Then the acquired surface profile data is processed by a computer to generate a motion plan for automatically guiding the robotic NDI platform and the NDI sensor to the correct locations, where images of the area of interest may be captured.

Abstract: A system and method for providing torque-assist to a rotary shaft of an internal combustion engine control an electric machine in response to operation of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve to assist the rotation of the rotary shaft. The system and method facilitate periodic operation of the EGR valve to purge condensation without objectionable torque reduction when the engine is operating near full load.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for an apparatus and method for indicating at least one property related to an object. Detection data and optionally input data are received for the at least one property related to the object and at least one light property that corresponds to the at least one property related the object based on the detection signal is determined using a processing unit. A light is then generated and projected to illuminate and/or surround at least a portion of the object, the light being based on the at least one light property to indicate the at least one property related to the object.

Abstract: The invention provides gastric residence systems for administration of adamantane-class drugs or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, such as memantine or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and methods for making and using such systems. The systems provide extended release of drug, reducing the frequency with which the drug must be administered to the patient. The gastric residence systems, or components of gastric residence system such as segments or elongate members of gastric residence systems, can have release rate-modulating films, which provide good control over release of adamantane-class drugs or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof present in the gastric residence system. Some embodiments of the films can provide resistance against burst release of adamantane-class drugs or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof upon exposure to alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for attachment of an endolumenal gastrointestinal device, such as an artificial stoma device, a gastrointestinal bypass sleeve or other therapeutic or diagnostic device, within a patient's digestive tract. In one application of the invention, an endolumenal bypass sleeve is removably attached in the vicinity of the gastroesophageal junction to treat obesity and/or its comorbidities, such as diabetes. The bypass sleeve may be at least partially deployed by eversion.

Abstract: A visual development interface may be exposed that allows developers to define, generate, and submit various computing operations for execution by a computing services provider. In some examples, the visual development interface may be employed by developers to define, generate, and submit event-triggered computing functions for execution on the computing services provider's systems. The visual development interface may allow developers to define computing operations based, at least in part, on various nodes that may represent various sub-operations or other functionality associated with a computing operation. The computing service provider may execute the computing operation using a deterministic execution engine that executes the computing operation in an organized, predictable, and reliable manner. In particular, the deterministic execution engine may employ a stage-by-stage node activation process, in which one or more associated nodes are activated in a respective stage.