Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microfluidic devices and methods for culturing bone marrow cells. Aspects include methods of preparing microfluidic devices and culturing bone marrow cells with the microfluidic devices. In some aspects, a method includes providing a microfluidic device having an upper chamber, a lower chamber, and a porous membrane separating the upper chamber from the lower chamber. The method further includes seeding walls of the lower chamber and a bottom surface of the membrane with endothelial cells. The method further includes providing a matrix within the upper chamber. The matrix includes fibrin gel and bone marrow cells. The method further includes filling or perfusing the upper chamber with a media.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microfluidic devices and methods for culturing bone marrow cells. Aspects include methods of preparing microfluidic devices and culturing bone marrow cells with the microfluidic devices. In some aspects, a method includes providing a microfluidic device having an upper chamber, a lower chamber, and a porous membrane separating the upper chamber from the lower chamber. The method further includes seeding walls of the lower chamber and a bottom surface of the membrane with endothelial cells. The method further includes providing a matrix within the upper chamber. The matrix includes fibrin gel and bone marrow cells. The method further includes filling or perfusing the upper chamber with a media.

Abstract: The invention provides solid, self-emulsifying compositions for oral administration. The compositions can comprise a population of particles comprising a cannabinoid or a terpene, a surfactant, and a solid carrier. The invention also encompasses methods for the preparation and use thereof.

Abstract: A computer-implemented transaction routing system including: a rule engine operative for receiving a flow of transaction data entities, using a processor for applying pre-imposed routing rules and determining routing of each data entity for which at least one pre-imposed routing rule is true to an external payment processor selected using the pre-imposed routing rule; and a transaction processing analyzer operative to accumulate data characterizing current handling by respective payment processors of at least transaction data entities routed to the respective payment processors by this system to maintain, by using a processor to compute, from the data, current statistics quantifying at least one handling aspect quality characterizing each of the plurality of supported payment processors, and to route at least each transaction data entity for which no pre-imposed routing-rules are true to a “best” payment processor selected by applying predetermined aspect combining criteria which prioritize the aspects to the

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ultrasonic probes and systems incorporating the probes. The probes are configured to produce an ultrasonic therapy exposure that, when applied to a kidney stone, will exert an acoustic radiation force sufficient to produce ultrasonic propulsion. Unlike previous probes configured to produce ultrasonic propulsion, however, the disclosed probes are engineered to produce a relatively large (both wide and long) therapy region effective to produce ultrasonic propulsion. This large therapy region allows the probe to move a plurality of kidney stones (or fragments from lithotripsy) in parallel, thereby providing the user the ability to clear several stones from an area simultaneously. This “broadly focused” probe is, in certain embodiments, combined in a single handheld unit with a typical ultrasound imaging probe to produce real-time imaging. Methods of using the probes and systems to move kidney stones are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a nanoprecipitate comprising a cannabinoid or a terpene, or combination thereof, a process of preparing the nanoprecipitate, and oral formulations comprising the nanoprecipitate, including beverage additives and edibles.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microfluidic devices and methods for culturing bone marrow cells. Aspects include methods of preparing microfluidic devices and culturing bone marrow cells with the microfluidic devices. In some aspects, a method includes providing a microfluidic device having an upper chamber, a lower chamber, and a porous membrane separating the upper chamber from the lower chamber. The method further includes seeding walls of the lower chamber and a bottom surface of the membrane with endothelial cells. The method further includes providing a matrix within the upper chamber. The matrix includes fibrin gel and bone marrow cells. The method further includes filling or perfusing the upper chamber with a media.

Abstract: Targeting methods and devices for non-invasive therapy delivery are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for targeting an object in a body using ultrasound includes: producing a therapy ultrasound waveform configured to fragment or comminute the object in the body using a therapy transducer of an ultrasound probe; and acquiring a sound waveform by a receiver. The sound waveform is at least in part caused by interactions of the therapy ultrasound with the object. The method also includes generating an indication of a targeting accuracy based on the acquired sound waveform.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for controlling an intravascular imaging device are provided. For example, in one embodiment a method includes communicating a control signal to an actuator of the intravascular imaging device to cause oscillation of an imaging element of the intravascular imaging device, wherein the intravascular imaging device further includes an acoustic marker; receiving imaging data from the imaging element of the intravascular imaging device; identifying the acoustic marker in the imaging data by determining a correlation between the imaging data and a template representative of the acoustic marker; adjusting an aspect of the control signal based on identifying the acoustic marker; and communicating the adjusted control signal to the actuator of the intravascular imaging device.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for calculating a customer value for communication service provider customers for network optimization and planning. In use, at least one customer of a communication service provider (CSP) is identified. The customer is identified to calculate a current customer value of the customer to the communication service provider. Additionally, a current location of the customer is identified based on a determined current location of a user device being utilized by the customer. Further, information associated with a current service being utilized by the customer on the user device being utilized by the customer is identified. Moreover, the current customer value of the customer to the communication service provider is calculated based on at least the current location of the customer and the current service being utilized by the customer.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for controlling an intravascular imaging device are provided. For example, in one embodiment a method includes communicating a control signal to an actuator of the intravascular imaging device to cause oscillation of an imaging element of the intravascular imaging device, wherein the intravascular imaging device further includes an acoustic marker; receiving imaging data from the imaging element of the intravascular imaging device; identifying the acoustic marker in the imaging data by determining a correlation between the imaging data and a template representative of the acoustic marker; adjusting an aspect of the control signal based on identifying the acoustic marker; and communicating the adjusted control signal to the actuator of the intravascular imaging device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented transaction routing system including: a rule engine operative for receiving a flow of transaction data entities, using a processor for applying pre-imposed routing rules and determining routing of each data entity for which at least one pre-imposed routing rule is true to an external payment processor selected using the pre-imposed routing rule; and a transaction processing analyzer operative to accumulate data characterizing current handling by respective payment processors of at least transaction data entities routed to the respective payment processors by this system to maintain, by using a processor to compute, from the data, current statistics quantifying at least one handling aspect quality characterizing each of the plurality of supported payment processors, and to route at least each transaction data entity for which no pre-imposed routing-rules are true to a “best” payment processor selected by applying predetermined aspect combining criteria which prioritize the aspects to the

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for controlling an intravascular imaging device are provided. For example, in one embodiment a method includes communicating a control signal to an actuator of the intravascular imaging device to cause oscillation of an imaging element of the intravascular imaging device, wherein the intravascular imaging device further includes an acoustic marker; receiving imaging data from the imaging element of the intravascular imaging device; identifying the acoustic marker in the imaging data by determining a correlation between the imaging data and a template representative of the acoustic marker; adjusting an aspect of the control signal based on identifying the acoustic marker; and communicating the adjusted control signal to the actuator of the intravascular imaging device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ultrasonic probes and systems incorporating the probes. The probes are configured to produce an ultrasonic therapy exposure that, when applied to a kidney stone, will exert an acoustic radiation force sufficient to produce ultrasonic propulsion. Unlike previous probes configured to produce ultrasonic propulsion, however, the disclosed probes are engineered to produce a relatively large (both wide and long) therapy region effective to produce ultrasonic propulsion. This large therapy region allows the probe to move a plurality of kidney stones (or fragments from lithotripsy) in parallel, thereby providing the user the ability to clear several stones from an area simultaneously. This “broadly focused” probe is, in certain embodiments, combined in a single handheld unit with a typical ultrasound imaging probe to produce real-time imaging. Methods of using the probes and systems to move kidney stones are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and compositions for improving homing of cells including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Compositions include compounds described herein as capable of inducing expression by MSCs of cell surface homing ligand molecules such as CD1 la, promoting increased firm adhesion by MSCs in an in vitro shear flow assay, increasing binding to an adhesion molecule such as E-selectin or ICAM-1, and/or demonstrating anti-inflammatory activity upon in vivo systemic administration in cell therapy using human MSCs. Also described are screening methods to identify small molecule compounds for improving a homing function of MSCs.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for congestion relief in a communication network. In use, information is collected for all subscribers utilizing at least one service in at least one of a plurality of sectors associated with a communication network, the information including at least an identity associated with each subscriber and a service type being utilized by each subscriber. Further, the collected information is aggregated to determine a sector status for each of the plurality of sectors, the sector status for each of the plurality of sectors including a total number of active subscribers for a corresponding sector, a service distribution associated with the corresponding sector, and a bandwidth consumption associated with the corresponding sector. Additionally, specific business data associated with the active subscribers in each of the plurality of sectors is received.

Abstract: A system and method for providing interactive graphical and multi-media connectivity between a plurality of users, especially in the context of shared content. In aspects, the users are placed into common virtual rooms or virtual interactive environments to permit sharing of content and chat between the individuals in a same virtual interactive environment. Participating users can thereby exchange social layer content as an enhanced content layer beyond a common broadcast content they are experiencing together. Other features and associated functions are also described.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for calculating a customer value for communication service provider customers for network optimization and planning. In use, at least one customer of a communication service provider (CSP) is identified. The customer is identified to calculate a current customer value of the customer to the communication service provider. Additionally, a current location of the customer is identified based on a determined current location of a user device being utilized by the customer. Further, information associated with a current service being utilized by the customer on the user device being utilized by the customer is identified. Moreover, the current customer value of the customer to the communication service provider is calculated based on at least the current location of the customer and the current service being utilized by the customer.

Abstract: A method for recognizing end-users communicating with a computerized entity serving end-users via a plurality of entity/end-user communication channels, method comprising capturing personal particulars for each user from among a multiplicity of end-users via a first channel and storing the personal particulars in a corresponding multiplicity of end-user records in an end-user database, thereby to define a first, data capturing session for each of the multiplicity of end-users; and accessing at least one individual end-user's record during a second, data recognizing session, held via a second channel between the individual end-user and computerized entity subsequent to the first data capturing session therebetween, accessing including recognizing end-user by identifying the end-user record from among the multiplicity of end-user records which corresponds to the end user; and performing at least one of reading from and writing to the end-user record, wherein the channels comprise one physical channel and one on

Abstract: An accelerometer for sensing acceleration along a sensing axis, includes a flexure member (having a pendulum member pivotably connected to a support member via a hinge arrangement), a housing, and at least one mounting structure configured for clamping the support member to the housing in load bearing contact while concurrently allowing for differential movement between the support member and the housing. Embodiments also include a corresponding housing member for use with a flexure member of an accelerometer, and a flexure member for use with a housing of an accelerometer.