Abstract: An electrochemical sensor incorporates a ferrocenophane which is a compound with at least one bridging group covalently attached to and connecting the two cyclopentadiene rings associated with the same iron atom. This bridging group maybe tetramethylene. As compared to an equivalent sensor with ferrocene, the tolerance of elevated temperature is improved and so is the working life at ambient temperature.

Abstract: A fall arrest device, such as a self-retracting lanyard (or lifeline) including: a rotatable drum for winding a lifeline; and a brake arrangement comprising a rotatable brake body arranged to rotate in response to rotation of the drum; wherein rotation of the rotatable brake body applies a braking force to the drum as the lifeline is being retracted onto the drum.

Abstract: Methods for treating and/or preventing viral infections. In some implementations, a composition may be provided comprising a sugar alcohol, such as xylitol, xylose, and/or erythritol. The composition may further comprise an antihistamine and/or other active anti-viral compounds, such as grapefruit seed extract, preferably in a therapeutically effective amount and/or concentration for treating a viral infection in a human having such a viral infection.

Abstract: Floor coverings, such as modular panels or tiles, for installation on interior surfaces include one or more layers, for example, an upper wear layer and a backing layer, where at least one layer includes a filler that includes a carbon negative material, such as concentrated carbon. The carbon negative material can sequester carbon such that the resulting floor covering has a negative carbon footprint when subjected to a Life Cycle Assessment.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide for bidirectional data parity in a multi-service connected environment using a canonicalization and order connection data structure are described. Bidirectional data parity logic using a canonicalization and order connection data structure with respect to a plurality of systems of a multi-service connected environment may provide for the state of a particular order and/or other data for that order being accurately reflected in each such system for which corresponding record is maintained. Using a canonicalization database and an order connection database, bidirectional data parity logic may recognize all records for a particular instance of an order as being for that order, and thus provide data parity for that order throughout all systems having a record for that order instance.

Abstract: A phosphorous compound such as STMP is used as a cross-linking agent while making a starch nanoparticle in an emulsion process. Negative charge of the nanoparticle is reduced or reversed by adding cations and/or cationizing the starch optionally while forming the nanoparticles. Anionic active agents, such as fluoride or fluorescein, are optionally incorporated into the nanoparticle during the formation process. For example, a fluoride salt can also be used, which promotes the crosslinking reaction while also providing fluoride in the nanoparticle. The retention of both calcium and fluoride in the nanoparticle is improved when both salts are used. Alternatively, the nanoparticle may be used without added calcium and/or fluoride. The nanoparticles may be useful for tooth remineralization, the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity, to treat caries, or as a diagnostic agent to locate carious lesions.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one memory configured to store map data. The apparatus also includes at least one processor configured to segment one or more objects from one or more environment surfaces in the map data. The at least one processor is also configured to determine an offset based on a projectile drift. The at least one processor is further configured to generate a safety bounding box around each of the one or more objects using the offset.

Abstract: A phosphorous compound such as STMP is used as a cross-linking agent while making a starch nanoparticle in an emulsion process. Negative charge of the nanoparticle is reduced or reversed by adding cations and/or cationizing the starch optionally while forming the nanoparticles. Anionic active agents, such as fluoride or fluorescein, are optionally incorporated into the nanoparticle during the formation process. For example, a fluoride salt can also be used, which promotes the crosslinking reaction while also providing fluoride in the nanoparticle. The retention of both calcium and fluoride in the nanoparticle is improved when both salts are used. Alternatively, the nanoparticle may be used without added calcium and/or fluoride. The nanoparticles may be useful for tooth remineralization, the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity, to treat caries, or as a diagnostic agent to locate carious lesions.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating aldehyde-functionalized polymers such as GPAM, wherein progress of the aldehyde-functionalized polymer formation is monitored by measuring viscosity using an online viscometer. A method is also provided for enhancing paper strength, said method comprising generating an aldehyde-functionalized polymer, such as GPAM, according to the present disclosure, and combining said aldehyde-functionalized polymer with a fiber slurry or applying it to a paper sheet.

Abstract: Techniques for generating earthmoving flow vectors for assisting control of a construction machine are disclosed. A design elevation map of an earthmoving site may be obtained. The design elevation map may include a plurality of design elevation points of the earthmoving site. An actual elevation map of the earthmoving site may be obtained. The actual elevation map may include a plurality of actual elevation points of the earthmoving site. A dual-layer input graph may be formed based on the design elevation map and the actual elevation map. The dual-layer input graph may include a plurality of nodes related through a plurality of connections. A flow graph may be generated by solving the dual-layer input graph. The flow graph may include a set of flow vectors indicating movement of the earth within the earthmoving site.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for alleviating an allergy condition while also reducing a drying effect of an antihistamine and/or treating an infection or at least reducing the prevalence of bacteria or another infectious microorganism. In some embodiments and implementations, a composition may be provided comprising an antihistamine comprising at least one of brompheniramine, cetirizine, clemastine, diphenhydramine, fexofenadine, and loratadine, preferably in a therapeutically effective amount for treating the allergy condition in the human having the allergy condition.

Abstract: The disclosure provides AAV expression cassettes for production of AAV viral vectors, wherein the expression cassettes comprise a first inverted terminal repeat (ITR); a first promoter; a first gRNA comprising a first gRNA targeting region; a second promoter; a second gRNA comprising a second gRNA targeting region; a third promoter; a third gRNA comprising a third gRNA targeting region; and a second ITR. The disclosure also provides AAV viral vectors, including self-complimentary AAVs, comprising the expression cassettes of the disclosure. The AAVs disclosed herein may be used to treat genetic diseases, such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).

Abstract: A phosphorous compound such as STMP is used as a cross-linking agent while making a starch nanoparticle with a bisphosphonate drug in an emulsion process. Negative charge of the nanoparticle is optionally reduced or reversed by adding cations and/or cationizing the starch optionally while forming the nanoparticles. Anionic active agents, such as a bisphosphonate, are optionally incorporated into the nanoparticle during the formation process. For example, a bisphosphonate salt can be added, which promotes the crosslinking reaction while also providing bisphosphonate in the nanoparticle. The retention of both calcium and bisphosphonate in the nanoparticle is improved when both salts are used. Alternatively, the nanoparticle may be used without added calcium. The nanoparticles may be useful for the treatment of osteoporosis or other skeletal disorders or cancer.

Abstract: Methods of cutting a flooring web into rectangular flooring tiles such that at least one vertical cut along the length of the web defines a shorter edge of the rectangular tiles and horizontal cuts across the width of the web define the longer edges of the rectangular tiles.

Abstract: A delivery device for a active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders, such as cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for transport and uptake of the delivery device into targeted cells. The degree of crosslinking can provide a desired release profile of the active agent at, near or inside the target cells. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a cross linker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide for order fulfilment using drop shipping from participating suppliers in an electronic marketplace are described. A drop shipping management system may utilize various rules and information regarding merchants, suppliers, items, etc. in facilitating electronic marketplace drop shipping. Drop shipping management systems may, for example, utilize merchant drop ship rules with respect to merchant drop ship information for determining whether drop shipping is to be provided for a merchant with respect to one or more items in the electronic marketplace. Further, drop shipping management systems may utilize supplier drop ship rules with respect to supplier drop ship information in determining a supplier to provide drop shipping with respect to one or more items in the electronic marketplace.

Abstract: A delivery device for an active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a crosslinker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water. The biopolymer may be functionalized. The aptamer may be conjugated directly to the cross-linked biopolymers. The active agent may be a drug useful for the treatment of cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for the sustained release of a drug and for the transportation and uptake of the conjugate into targeted cells. However, the biopolymer is biocompatible and resorbable.

Abstract: Components, for example, nanoparticles for detecting and/or treating one or more active carious lesions or microcavities in teeth of a subject are provided. The component or nanoparticle may comprise a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer (e.g., a starch) bearing at least one cationic region and/or having a net positive charge and thereby capable of associating with one or more active and/or early carious lesions on a tooth in an oral cavity of a subject. The components or nanoparticles are optionally water soluble or dispersible. The components or nanoparticle also comprises an imaging agent (e.g., a fluorophore or dye) bonded to the biocompatible and biodegradable polymer. The component or nanoparticle is thus capable of indicating the presence of one or more active carious lesions when the component or nanoparticle is associated therewith. Oral care compositions comprising such compounds/nanoparticles and methods of making and using the same are also provided.

Abstract: Techniques for generating earthmoving flow vectors for assisting control of a construction machine are disclosed. A design elevation map of an earthmoving site may be obtained. The design elevation map may include a plurality of design elevation points of the earthmoving site. An actual elevation map of the earthmoving site may be obtained. The actual elevation map may include a plurality of actual elevation points of the earthmoving site. A dual-layer input graph may be formed based on the design elevation map and the actual elevation map. The dual-layer input graph may include a plurality of nodes related through a plurality of connections. A flow graph may be generated by solving the dual-layer input graph. The flow graph may include a set of flow vectors indicating movement of the earth within the earthmoving site.