Abstract: The disclosure provides modified biotin-binding proteins which can be expressed in soluble form in high yield in bacteria. Also provided are fusion proteins comprising the modified biotin-binding protein and an antigen. The disclosure further provides non-hemolytic variants of alpha-hemolysin from S. aureus and fusion protein comprising non-hemolytic variant of alpha-hemolysin and a biotin-binding domains. Immunogenic compositions comprising the proteins are also disclosed and use of such immunogenic compositions for inducing an immune response or for vaccinating a subject are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein are Fe-enhanced antibodies and methods of use thereof. Also described are Fe-enhanced antibodies to treat Ebola virus infection.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an orthodontic article including the reaction product of the polymerizable composition. Further, the present disclosure provides polymerizable compositions and methods of making an orthodontic article. The method includes obtaining a polymerizable composition and selectively curing the polymerizable composition to form an orthodontic article. Further, methods are provided, including receiving, by a manufacturing device having one or more processors, a digital object comprising data specifying an orthodontic article; and generating, with the manufacturing device by an additive manufacturing process, the orthodontic article based on the digital object. A system is also provided, including a display that displays a 3D model of an orthodontic article; and one or more processors that, in response to the 3D model selected by a user, cause a 3D printer to create a physical object of an orthodontic article.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) comprising an Anc80L65 capsid for delivering a polynucleotide (e.g., a transgene) into the central nervous system (CNS). Further provided includes methods for treating CNS diseases using the rAAV and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the rAAV.

Abstract: Modular flow cytometry systems and methods for processing samples are described herein. The systems include automated or semi-automated modules that are replaceable and removable. A sample pathway module may be removed and placed in a microfluidic device cleaning module for cleaning, and then reinstalled or stored for later use. The systems further include optical modules, electronics modules, and mixing and collection modules. The optical module includes a photo-damaging assembly and detection laser assembly that may be on the same side relative to a plane or surface of a flow cytometry device and opposite of a detection assembly. The laser beam may have a beam waist that is wider in a direction perpendicular to a flow direction than in the flow direction. The mixing and collection module can automatically mix a sample being collected in a sample tube and switch to another sample tube when the other tube is full.

Abstract: An equalization scheme for a transmission line employs a Taylor series expansion which enables the provided equalization to be adjusted based on line length. Multiple circuit blocks compute respective terms of the Taylor series, which are then summed to provide a compensating frequency response. For example, for a conductor having a frequency response given by H(f)=e?kl(1+j)?{square root over (f)}, where k is a constant dependent on the physical parameters of the conductor, l is the length of the conductor and f is the frequency of the signal propagated via the conductor, the present scheme provides an inverse frequency response H?1 (f) given by H?1 (f)= 1 + kl ? f 1 ! + k 2 ? l 2 ? f 2 ! + k 3 ? l 3 ? f 2 3 ! + … . The kl terms serve as weighting factors which vary with the length of the conductor.

Abstract: A low voltage shutdown circuit comprises an input node for receiving a voltage Vin to be monitored, first and second voltage-to-current (V to I) converters arranged to receive Vin at respective inputs and to convert Vin to currents I1 and I2 at respective outputs, and a current comparison circuit arranged to produce an output which is in a first state when I1<I2 and in a second state when I1>I2. The V to I converters have respective voltage-to-current transfer functions which intersect at a non-zero threshold voltage Vth, such that the current comparison circuit output toggles when Vin<Vth. This output can be used as needed to, for example, trigger the shut down of other circuitry.

Abstract: An implantable, multi-chamber cardiac stimulation device and method automatically adjust inter-chamber stimulation delays whenever stimulation rate is changed according to a patient's metabolic need. Inter-chamber stimulation delays include inter-atrial delays, inter-ventricular delays, and atrio-ventricular delays. Inter-chamber stimulation delays are defined according to whether the event which triggers the start of the delay is an intrinsic sensed event or the delivery of a stimulation pulse. Adjustment to inter-chamber stimulation delays is made as a function of the stimulation rate changes. By providing automatically adjustable inter-chamber stimulation delays optimal synchronization of heart chamber contractions may be maintained at all stimulation rates.

Abstract: A low voltage shutdown circuit comprises an input node for receiving a voltage Vin to be monitored, first and second voltage-to-current (V to I) converters arranged to receive Vin at respective inputs and to convert Vin to currents I1 and I2 at respective outputs, and a current comparison circuit arranged to produce an output which is in a first state when I1<I2 and in a second state when I1>I2. The V to I converters have respective voltage-to-current transfer functions which intersect at a non-zero threshold voltage Vth, such that the current comparison circuit output toggles when Vin<Vth. This output can be used as needed to, for example, trigger the shut down of other circuitry.

Abstract: An equalization scheme for a transmission line employs a Taylor series expansion which enables the provided equalization to be adjusted based on line length. Multiple circuit blocks compute respective terms of the Taylor series, which are then summed to provide a compensating frequency response. For example, for a conductor having a frequency response given by H(f)=e?kl(1+j)?{square root over (f)}, where k is a constant dependent on the physical parameters of the conductor, l is the length of the conductor and f is the frequency of the signal propagated via the conductor, the present scheme provides an inverse frequency response H?1(f) given by H?1(f)= 1 + kl ? f 1 ! + k 2 ? l 2 ? f 2 ! + k 3 ? l 3 ? f 2 3 ! + … . The kl terms serve as weighting factors which vary with the length of the conductor.

Abstract: Techniques are described that allow an implantable device to sense activity data from a patient and estimate the patient's amount of energy expended based on the sensed data. The implantable device may alternatively determine an amount of time the patient has been active based on the activity data. For example, the implantable device may be an implantable gastric stimulator. A system may provide feedback to the patient, a family member, or a doctor about the patient's activity or energy expenditure. The data may be provided in table or graphical format, and may show daily or weekly energy data or may show a trend of the daily or weekly energy data.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for delivering electrical stimulation to a gastrointestinal tract of a patient via an implantable stimulator and monitoring electrical activity of a patient's heart by sensing cardiac signals via electrodes coupled to the implantable stimulator. The implantable stimulator may analyze the cardiac signals and generate a cardiac therapy recommendation for the patient, or may communicate the cardiac signals via telemetry circuitry to an external device for analysis. The sensed cardiac signals may be electrocardiogram (ECG) signals.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses, in part, a method and apparatus for lens casting in which two molds, preferably formed of plastic, are interconnected or joined together via a ring to form a mold cavity having substantially the same dimensions of the lens to be formed therein. The invention is further directed to compositions and methods used in lens casting. In a first implementation the invention includes a mold having a ring having an interior periphery; a front mold formed of a plastic and having a lens-forming surface, an edge circumscribing the lens-forming surface that is sized to be complementarily received within a portion of the interior periphery of the ring, and a base having dimensions greater than the interior periphery; and a rear mold formed of a plastic and having a lens-forming surface.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac device returns activations of corresponding right and left chambers of a heart to inter-chamber synchrony. A sensing circuit senses intracardiac signals representing right and left chamber ventricular electrical activity. A detector determines if a predetermined characteristic of the electrogram signals indicates dissociation of the corresponding right and left chambers. If dissociation is indicated, a pulse generator stimulates at least one of the corresponding chambers to restore inter-chamber synchrony.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses, in part, a method and apparatus for lens casting in which two molds, preferably formed of plastic, are interconnected or joined together via a ring to form a mold cavity having substantially the same dimensions of the lens to be formed therein. In one implementation the invention includes a the casting device comprising a plurality of front molds, each front mold formed of a plastic and having a lens-forming surface. The front molds are configured to form a plurality of lenses of different effective diameters. The casting device further includes a rear mold formed of a plastic and having a lens-forming surface; wherein the rear mold is configured to be paired with each of the plurality of front molds to form a plurality of lenses of different effective diameters.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for casting a lens, and chemical compositions used to perform the same. In one implementation of the invention, a disposable mold is provided that comprises a substantially amorphous thermoplastic material forming an optically precise surface; wherein the mold further comprises a coating on the optically precise surface of the mold, the coating configured to be incorporated into an ophthalmic lens and removable from the mold.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses, in part, a method and apparatus for lens casting in which two molds, preferably formed of plastic, are interconnected or joined together via a ring to form a mold cavity having substantially the same dimensions of the lens to be formed therein. The invention is further directed to compositions and methods used in lens casting. In a first implementation the invention includes a mold having a ring having an interior periphery; a front mold formed of a plastic and having a lens-forming surface, an edge circumscribing the lens-forming surface that is sized to be complementarily received within a portion of the interior periphery of the ring, and a base having dimensions greater than the interior periphery; and a rear mold formed of a plastic and having a lens-forming surface.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses, in part, a method and apparatus for lens casting in which two molds, preferably formed of plastic, are interconnected or joined together via a ring to form a mold cavity having substantially the same dimensions of the lens to be formed therein. The invention is further directed to compositions and methods used in lens casting. In a first implementation the invention includes a mold having a ring having an interior periphery; a front mold formed of a plastic and having a lens-forming surface, an edge circumscribing the lens-forming surface that is sized to be complementarily received within a portion of the interior periphery of the ring, and a base having dimensions greater than the interior periphery; and a rear mold formed of a plastic and having a lens-forming surface.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac stimulation device provides a stimulation therapy or an atrial ablation recommendation responsive to detection of atrial flutter of a heart. The device includes a sensing circuit that senses electrical activity of a heart and generates electrical signals representing electrical activity of the heart, an arrhythmia detector that detects atrial flutter of the heart, and a data processor that measures cardiac data responsive to the electrical signals. A therapy control responsive to the detection of atrial flutter recommends atrial ablation of the heart when the cardiac data satisfies a predetermined criteria and atrial flutter suppression when the cardiac data fails to satisfy the predetermined criteria. The device may further include a pulse generator that provides stimulation therapy to at least one atrium to terminate the atrial flutter.

Abstract: Various embodiments can permit electrode configurations that are used in implantable devices to be automatically changed. In some embodiments, configurations that are used to ascertain capture (ventricular and/or atrial) can be automatically changed by a stimulation device and then automatically configured for use. Various parameters associated with the electrical configurations can be automatically calibrated so that a stimulation device's automatic capture feature can continue to function notwithstanding the fact that an electrode configuration change has taken place.