Abstract: Methods of forming air gaps in memory arrays and memory arrays with air gaps thus formed are disclosed. One such method may include forming an isolation region, having a first dielectric, through a charge-storage structure that is over a semiconductor, the isolation region extending into the semiconductor; forming a second dielectric over the isolation region and charge-storage structure; and forming an air gap in the isolation region so that the air gap passes through the charge-storage structure and so that a thickness of the first dielectric is between the air gap and the second dielectric.

Abstract: The invention encompasses methods for treating or preventing diseases and disorders associated abnormal cell growth, for example, treating or preventing cancer or tumor growth, by administering to a subject in need thereof a composition comprising a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of a compound that downregulates DDX3, for example a fused diimidazodiazepine ring compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The invention also encompasses the use of DDX3 as a biomarker for diagnostic and treatment purposes, for example, to identify a hyperproliferative disorder susceptible to treatment by down regulation of DDX3.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a motion capture system that can be coupled with a feedback system. The system can be used for collecting motion capture data about a user's position and/or movement and comparing that data to an exemplary position or movement to determine errors in the position or movement. The system can include a single range camera to provide color and depth data as well as inertial sensors to provide inertial measurements. Additionally, the system can provide feedback to the user to encourage correction of the errors the system finds with respect to the user's position and/or movement.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a first three-dimensional (3-D) image of a bone structure, generating a surgical plan based on the first 3-D image and registering the surgical plan to the bone structure to generate a registered surgical plan by obtaining a first 2-D real-time video image of the bone structure and a second 3-D image of the bone structure, and correlating structures from the first 2-D real-time video image and the second 3-D image with the surgical plan. The method also includes obtaining a second 2-D real-time image of the bone structure and overlaying the registered surgical plan onto the second 2-D real-time video image.

Abstract: Cancers are extremely heterogeneous in terms of the frequency and types of mutations present in different malignant tumors. Thus, it is likely that uniform clinical treatment is not optimal for all patients, and that the development of individualized therapeutic regimens may be beneficial. Multiple, unique small peptides bind to cell lines derived from different colon adenocarcinomas. Within two hours of contact, the colorectal cancer cells are able to transfer a 32P radioisotope from the small peptides to cellular proteins; the transfer occurs at a substantially higher rate than in the colorectal cancer cells than in cell lines derived from other cancers or from normal tissues.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for non-invasive anatomical and systemic cooling, fluid removal and/or energy removal. The present invention provides for removal of fluid and cooling of various bodily fluid-containing spaces or surfaces, such as mucus-containing spaces or surfaces via delivery of a dry fluid not including a coolant into or upon the mucus-containing space or surface. Exposure of mucus to the dry fluid yields evaporation of body fluid, removal of energy, cooling of the anatomical feature, and systemic cooling. Therefore, therapeutic hypothermia may be achieved for neuroprotection of various organs after ischemic insult, like the brain after cardiac arrest. Similarly, excess fluid removal is achievable for treatment of cardiogenic shock or other conditions that cause significant fluid build-up, especially in cases of compromised renal function.

Abstract: Featured are systems, devices and apparatuses for use in minimally invasive surgical, diagnostic or therapeutic methods and/or techniques, in particular methods and/or techniques for a mammalian throat. In particular embodiments, a dexterity apparatus including one or more dexterity devices is featured, where each of the dexterity devices comprises surgical tools and each is configured and arranged with end-tip dexterity for enhanced manipulation. A portion of the dexterity devices is snake like, which is re-configurable (i.e., can be bent) so as to in effect maneuver the surgical tool and put the tool in a desired position with respect to the surgical site. Another portion of the dexterity device includes the surgical tool thereby providing the capability of performing surgical actions such as sewing, gripping, soft tissue manipulation, cutting and suction of saliva, blood and other materials from the surgical site.

Abstract: A method of determining the presence of a pneumothorax includes obtaining a series of frames of image data relating to a region of interest including a pleural interface of a lung. The image data includes at least a first frame and a second frame. The method further includes identifying, via processing circuitry, the pleural interface in at least the first frame and the second frame, determining, based on computing optical flow between the first and second frames, a pleural sliding classification of the image data at the pleural interface, and determining whether a pneumothorax is present in the pleural interface based on the pleural sliding classification.

Abstract: A prosthetic terminal device includes a wrist interface portion, a passive element and an active element. The passive element includes at least two finger-like projections extending from a base in a direction substantially away from the wrist interface portion. The passive element is fixed in relation to the wrist interface portion. The active element is configured to be positioned relative to the passive element and the wrist interface portion to achieve a plurality of grasp positions of the prosthetic terminal device based on one dimension of closure control of the active element in combination with a plurality of different fixable orientation positions of the active element. Each of the different fixable orientation positions is associated with at least one grasp position and at least one of the fixable orientation positions is associated with at least two grasp positions.

Abstract: Featured are systems, devices and apparatuses for use in minimally invasive surgical, diagnostic or therapeutic methods and/or techniques, in particular methods and/or techniques for a mammalian throat. In particular embodiments, a dexterity apparatus including one or more dexterity devices is featured, where each of the dexterity devices comprises surgical tools and each is configured and arranged with end-tip dexterity for enhanced manipulation. A portion of the dexterity devices is snake like, which is re-configurable (i.e., can be bent) so as to in effect maneuver the surgical tool and put the tool in a desired position with respect to the surgical site. Another portion of the dexterity device includes the surgical tool thereby providing the capability of performing surgical actions such as sewing, gripping, soft tissue manipulation, cutting and suction of saliva, blood and other materials from the surgical site.

Abstract: A lateral-distortion corrected optical coherence tomography system. The system can include an optical coherence tomography sensor, a light source, a fiber-optic system arranged to provide a reference beam and an observation beam, an optical detection system arranged to receive combined light from the reference beam and the observation beam and to provide detection signals, and a data processing system arranged to communicate with the optical detection system and receive the detection signals. The data processing system can be configured to assemble an image corresponding to a scanning path by constructing a plurality of A-scans from the detection signals, determining displacement information from the plurality of A-scans, and arranging the plurality of A-scans according to the displacement information.

Abstract: Devices, memory arrays, and methods are disclosed. In an embodiment, one such device has a source/drain zone that has first and second active regions, and an isolation region and a dielectric plug between the first and second active regions. The dielectric plug may extend below upper surfaces of the first and second active regions and may be formed of a dielectric material having a lower removal rate than a dielectric material of the isolation region for a particular isotropic removal chemistry.

Abstract: An electro-chemical sensor includes a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, and a semiconductor channel in electrical contact with the first and second electrodes. The semiconductor channel includes a trapping material. The trapping material reduces an ability of the semiconductor channel to conduct a current of charge carriers by trapping at least some of the charge carriers to localized regions within the semiconductor channel. The semiconductor channel includes at least a portion configured to be exposed to an analyte to be detected, and the trapping material, when exposed to the analyte, interacts with the analyte so as to at least partially restore the ability of the semiconductor channel to conduct the current of charge carriers.

Abstract: A continuous throughput microfluidic system includes an input system configured to provide a sequential stream of sample plugs; a droplet generator arranged in fluid connection with the input system to receive the sequential stream of sample plugs and configured to provide an output stream of droplets; a droplet treatment system arranged in fluid connection with the droplet generator to receive the output stream of droplets in a sequential order and configured to provide a stream of treated droplets in the sequential order; a detection system arranged to obtain detection signals from the treated droplets in the sequential order; a control system configured to communicate with the input system, the droplet generator, and the droplet treatment system; and a data processing and storage system configured to communicate with the control system and the detection system.

Abstract: The present invention provides both a caged collagen mimetic peptide (CCMP) having the formula: L-S-Zm-[Gly-X-Y]n-LGly-X-Y-[Gly-X-Y]n; wherein L is one or more detectable moieties; S is one or more spacer molecules; Zm is any amino acid where m is an integer of 1 to 10; X is proline or modified proline; Y is proline or modified proline; Gly is glycine; n is an integer from 1 to 20; and LGly is a glycine covalently linked to a cage moiety comprising a labile protecting group, as well as a collagen mimetic peptides lacking the labile protecting group (CMP). The inventions are useful for binding collagen and denatured collagen and/or gelatin both in vitro and in vivo, and are useful for targeting any organ or tissue where collagen is present, and can be used for research and diagnostic imaging (both in vivo and in vitro) and also for in vivo therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to compositions and methods for transporting substances across mucosal barriers. The invention also relates to methods of making and using such substances.

Abstract: Protein kinases are important signaling molecules involved in tumorigenesis. Mutational analysis of the human tyrosine kinase gene family (98 genes) identified somatic alterations in ?20% of colorectal cancers, with the majority of mutations occurring in NTRK3, FES, GUCY2F and a previously uncharacterized tyrosine kinase gene called MCCK/MLK4. Most alterations were in conserved residues affecting key regions of the kinase domain. These data represent a paradigm for the unbiased analysis of signal transducing genes in cancer and provide useful targets for therapeutic intervention.

Abstract: An earplug includes a body, insertable into an ear canal, where the body defines a channel having at least two ends. The channel can house a movable structure configured to allow passage of sound around the movable structure in a rest position, and to block at least a portion of the channel in a deflected position. The movable structure moves from the rest position to the deflected position based on receiving, at one of the at least two ends of the channel, a pressure wave having at least a threshold amplitude pressure to block at least a portion of the pressure wave from reaching the other end of the channel.

Abstract: The invention provides molecular switches which couple external signals to functionality, and combinatorial methods of making and using the same involving circular permutation of nucleic acid and amino acid sequences. The switches according to the invention can be used, for example, to regulate gene transcription, target drug delivery to specific cells, transport drugs intracellularly, control drug release, provide conditionally active proteins, perform metabolic engineering, and modulate cell signaling pathways. Libraries comprising the switches, expression vectors and host cells for expressing the switches are also provided.

Abstract: A system for measuring nuclear magnetic resonance spin-lattice relaxation time T1 and spin-spin relaxation time T2 of a sample includes a source of a substantially uniform magnetic field B0 for immersing at least a portion of the sample; a nuclear magnetic resonance excitation and detection system constructed and arranged to excite at least a portion of the sample with a plurality of nuclear magnetic resonance pulse sequences, each applied with a repetition time that is preselected to be sensitive to a T1 value of at least a portion of the sample, and to detect nuclear magnetic resonance emissions from the sample in response to excitations to provide a plurality of detection signals; and a signal processing system configured to communicate with the nuclear magnetic resonance excitation and detection system to receive the plurality of detection signals.