Abstract: An apparatus for processing articles with acoustic energy and a method of constructing a transducer that utilizes a composite of piezoelectric pillars. In one embodiment, the invention is a method of constructing a device for generating acoustic energy comprising: providing a layer of supporting material; positioning a piezoelectric material atop the layer of adhesive material; cutting the piezoelectric material into a plurality of pillars so that spaces exist between adjacent pillars; and filling the spaces with a resilient material to form a composite assembly.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. In certain aspects, with the customer's permission, a computer-implemented method for updating an autonomous operation feature may be provided. An indication of a software update associated with the autonomous operation feature may be received, and several autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles having the feature may be identified. The update may be installed within the several vehicles, such as via wireless communication. Also, a change in a risk level associated with the update to the autonomous operation feature may be determined, and an insurance discount may be determined or adjusted.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of enhancing safe vehicle operation may include, one or more processors, (1) determining a preferred parking spot for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle; (2) determining a route to the preferred parking spot from a driver drop off point; and (3) causing the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to travel from the driver drop off point to the preferred parking spot following the route controlled by one or more autonomous operation features. The preferred parking spot may be a covered parking spot, a parking spot in a parking structure, or a parking spot in a residential garage. An autonomous vehicle owner may remotely direct the autonomous vehicle to autonomously return to the driver drop off point, such as via their mobile device. Insurance discounts may be provided to autonomous vehicle owners having the self-parking functionality that mitigates or prevents risk of damage to, or theft of, the vehicle.

Abstract: A microfluidic system for determining a response of cells comprises one or more fluid pumps. The one or more fluid pumps move a fluid across cells within a microfluidic device. The microfluidic device includes a microchannel at least partially defined by a surface having cells adhered thereto, a first port at one end of the microchannel, and a second port at an opposing end of the microchannel. The one or more fluid pumps move the fluid across the cells in a first direction toward the second port and then move the fluid across the cells in a second direction toward the first port.

Abstract: A method for micro-molding a polymeric membrane and including pouring a predetermined volume of curable polymer unto a micro-fabricated mold having a post array with pillars, and overlaying the polymer with a support substrate. A spacer, such as a rubber spacer, is placed in contact with the support substrate and a force is applied to an exposed side of the spacer to compress the support substrate and the polymer together. While applying the force, the polymer is cured on the mold for a predetermined time period and at a predetermined temperature to form a polymeric membrane having a pore array with a plurality of pores corresponding to the plurality of pillars of the post array. The polymeric membrane is removed from the support substrate.

Abstract: An organomimetic device includes a microfluidic device that can be used to culture cells in its microfluidic channels. The organomimetic device can be part of dynamic system that can apply mechanical forces to the cells by modulating the microfluidic device and the flow of fluid through the microfluidic channels. The membrane in the organomimetic device can be modulated mechanically via pneumatic means and/or mechanical means. The organomimetic device can be manufactured by the fabrication of individual components separately, for example, as individual layers that can be subsequently laminated together.

Abstract: Method and system for treating wastewater includes treating sludge with ozone in a plug-flow type reactor to cause lysis of biosolids in the sludge. The ozonated sludge may be provided to an anaerobic or anoxic section of the wastewater treatment system to aid the denitrification processes occurring in the anaerobic or anoxic section of the wastewater treatment system or to other sections of the wastewater treatment system such as a fermenter, an aerobic digester, or an anaerobic digester.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting a gas into a liquid in which a rotating helical impeller within a draft tube submerged in the liquid creates a liquid flow within the draft tube. Gas bubbles are injected into the draft tube either above or below or alongside the helical impeller or in all three locations. The liquid is drawn into the draft tube with a superficial velocity greater than a substantially uniform terminal ascent velocity of the gas bubbles to allow entrainment of undissolved gas bubbles in the bulk liquid into the liquid being drawn into the draft tube. The gas bubbles are injected with a uniform diameter of between about 10.0 microns and about 1.0 millimeters. The small bubble size enhances the dissolution of the gas into the liquid and also allow the entrainment of the gas into the liquid being drawn into the draft tube.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for simulating a function or response of a tissue is disclosed. The device includes an inlet for receiving a fluid in the device, and an outlet for removing the fluid from the device. The device further includes a fluid channel in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet for flowing the fluid through the device. The fluid channel defines a chamber well that receives cells associated with the tissue. The device also includes an interface structure between the fluid channel and the chamber well for permitting migration of at least one of cells, particulates, chemicals, molecules, liquids, or gases between the fluid within the fluid channel and the chamber well.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting a gas into a liquid in which a rotating helical impeller within a draft tube submerged in the liquid creates a liquid flow within the draft tube. Gas bubbles are injected into the draft tube either above or below or alongside the helical impeller or in all three locations. The liquid is drawn into the draft tube with a superficial velocity greater than a substantially uniform terminal ascent velocity of the gas bubbles to allow entrainment of undissolved gas bubbles in the bulk liquid into the liquid being drawn into the draft tube. The gas bubbles are injected with a uniform diameter of between about 10.0 microns and about 1.0 millimeters. The small bubble size enhances the dissolution of the gas into the liquid and also allow the entrainment of the gas into the liquid being drawn into the draft tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of formula (I): compositions comprising such compounds; the use of such compounds in therapy (for example in the treatment or prevention of a disease or condition in which plasma kallikrein activity is implicated); and methods of treating patients with such compounds; wherein R5, R6, R7, A, B, W, X, Y and Z are as defined herein.

Abstract: An organomimetic device includes a microfluidic device that can be used to culture cells in its microfluidic channels. The organomimetic device can be part of dynamic system that can apply mechanical forces to the cells by modulating the microfluidic device and the flow of fluid through the microfluidic channels. The membrane in the organomimetic device can be modulated mechanically via pneumatic means and/or mechanical means. The organomimetic device can be manufactured by the fabrication of individual components separately, for example, as individual layers that can be subsequently laminated together.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting a gas into a liquid in which a rotating helical impeller within a draft tube submerged in the liquid creates a liquid flow within the draft tube. Gas bubbles are injected into the draft tube either above or below or alongside the helical impeller or in all three locations. The liquid is drawn into the draft tube with a superficial velocity greater than a substantially uniform terminal ascent velocity of the gas bubbles to allow entrainment of undissolved gas bubbles in the bulk liquid into the liquid being drawn into the draft tube. The gas bubbles are injected with a uniform diameter of between about 10.0 microns and about 1.0 millimeters. The small bubble size enhances the dissolution of the gas into the liquid and also allow the entrainment of the gas into the liquid being drawn into the draft tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method of treating a flow back fluid exiting a well site following stimulation of a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A short tandem repeat (STR) typing method and system are developed for forensic identification of individual cells. Agarose-in-oil droplets are produced with a high frequency using a microfluidic droplet generator. Statistically dilute single cells, along with primer-functionalized microbeads, are randomly compartmentalized in the droplets. Massively parallel single-cell droplet PCR is performed to transfer replicas of desired STR targets from the single-cell genomic DNA onto a coencapsulated microbead. These DNA-conjugated beads are subsequently harvested and reamplified under statistically dilute conditions for conventional capillary electrophoresis STR fragment size analysis. The methods and systems described herein are valuable for the STR analysis of samples containing mixtures of cells/DNA from multiple contributors and for low concentration samples.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of formula (I), compositions comprising such compounds; the use of such compounds in therapy (for example in the treatment or prevention of a disease or condition in which plasma kallikrein activity is implicated); and methods of treating patients with such compounds; wherein R5, R6, R7, R12, R13, A, L, B, n, W, X, Y and Z are as defined herein.

Abstract: An advanced control system for a membrane bioreactor based wastewater treatment plant is disclosed. The disclosed control system comprises a membrane bioreactor (MBR) system and a microprocessor based controller that receives signals corresponding to selected measured MBR parameters and calculates or estimates one or more MBR calculated parameters including Membrane Conductivity (Fxc); and/or Oxygen Uptake Rate (OUR). The microprocessor based controller compares one or more calculated or estimated MBR parameters to prescribed setpoints or desired ranges and governs one or more pumps and valves in the MBR system to adjust the cleaning cycle in the MBR system, the MBR flows in the MBR system, or the influent flow to the biological basin in response thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing articles with acoustic energy and a method of constructing a transducer that utilizes a composite of piezoelectric pillars. In one embodiment, the invention is a method of constructing a device for generating acoustic energy comprising: providing a layer of supporting material; positioning a piezoelectric material atop the layer of adhesive material; cutting the piezoelectric material into a plurality of pillars so that spaces exist between adjacent pillars; and filling the spaces with a resilient material to form a composite assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing articles utilizing acoustic energy. In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus comprising a support; a conduit for applying a fluid to a surface of the article; and a transducer assembly comprising: a transmitting structure having a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface; a first acoustic transducer having a convex bottom surface bonded to the concave inner surface of the transmitting structure, wherein the first acoustic transducer is configured to create a first acoustically active area on the convex outer surface of the transmitting structure when the first acoustic transducer is energized; and a second acoustic transducer having a convex bottom surface bonded to the concave inner surface of the transmitting structure, wherein the second acoustic transducer is configured to create a second acoustically active area on the convex outer surface of the transmitting structure when the second acoustic transducer is energized.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing articles utilizing acoustic energy. In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus comprising a support; a conduit for applying a fluid to a surface of the article; and a transducer assembly comprising: a transmitting structure having a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface; a first acoustic transducer having a convex bottom surface bonded to the concave inner surface of the transmitting structure, wherein the first acoustic transducer is configured to create a first acoustically active area on the convex outer surface of the transmitting structure when the first acoustic transducer is energized; and a second acoustic transducer having a convex bottom surface bonded to the concave inner surface of the transmitting structure, wherein the second acoustic transducer is configured to create a second acoustically active area on the convex outer surface of the transmitting structure when the second acoustic transducer is energized.