Abstract: In one aspect disclosed herein are small molecule inhibitors of CD38 and their use in treating, inhibiting, decreasing, reducing, ameliorating and/or preventing graft versus host disease, ischemia reperfusion injury, graft rejection, inflammatory injury to a graft or a graft recipient. Additionally, disclosed herein are methods of inhibiting CD38 pathway and activity comprising contacting a cell expressing CD38 or administering to a subject in need of CD38 inhibition, any of the small molecule CD38 inhibitors disclosed herein.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems, methods, and structures for aberration correction of optical phased arrays that employ a corrective optical path difference (OPD) in the near-field of an OPA to correct or cancel out aberrations in emitted beams of the OPA including those reaching far-field distances by generating a spatially-varying OPD across the aperture of the OPA that is substantially equal and opposite to an equivalent OPD of the aberration(s).

Abstract: A sensor dispensing instrument adapted to handle a sensor pack containing a plurality of sensors and to perform a test using one of the sensors. The sensor dispensing instrument includes an outer housing and a mechanical mechanism contained therein for rotating the sensor pack and ejecting one of the sensors from the sensor pack and through a sensor slot on the housing. The mechanical mechanism of the sensor dispensing instrument is operated by first moving a disk drive pusher in a first direction to rotate the sensor pack, and then moving the disk drive pusher in a second direction to eject a sensor from the sensor cavity and through the sensor slot.

Abstract: A lancing device comprising a movable parallelogram-shaped rack. The rack rotates a linearly fixed pinion which drives a slider-crank system. The slider-crank system in turn drives a lance holder. The parallelogram-shaped rack defines one or more predetermined paths along which the pinion moves. The lance holder is prevented from being extended beyond a predetermined depth when the pinion reaches a predetermined position along the one or more predetermined paths. The pinion is mechanically stopped from further progress by intersecting two legs of the parallelogram-shaped rack. Teeth of the rack may be modified to reduce the change the pinion may jam in the rack.

Abstract: Mrf-2 is essential for accumulation of lipid stores in postnatal life. Homozygous loss of the ARID gene Mrf-2 resulted in a high rate of neonatal mortality that was partially strain-dependent in mice. Loss of Mrf-2 expression did not affect embryonic survival, embryonic growth or birth weight. Lipid accumulation was severely reduced in brown adipose of Mrf-2?/? neonates at 24 hours of age, however, and Mrf-2?/? mice weighed significantly less than controls from postnatal day five onward. Adult Mrf-2?/? mice were lean, with significant reductions in brown and white adipose tissues, and in the percentage of body fat. Mrf-2?/? and Mrf-2± mice were also resistant to weight gains and obesity when maintained on high fat diets.

Abstract: A method of installing paving blocks comprises preparing an area to be paved to a desired grade. A preformed, load-bearing sheet of material, e.g., extruded polystyrene, is placed on the prepared area. Paving blocks are then laid in a desired pattern on the sheet of material.

Abstract: Single masonry units mate with like units to build straight walls, inside curves, outside curves and most any angle corners and maintains finish on all exposed surfaces. The interlocking fastening system provides simple construction and automatic wall alignment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interlocking masonry wall block having two spaced lugs or projections and a cooperating recess or channel that enable like-shaped blocks to be stacked in a staggered relation to form straight and serpentine walls that are particularly suited for landscaping applications. In one embodiment, the lugs are located proximal the sides of the block and extend from an upper surface of the block. The channel is formed in a lower surface of the block. In another embodiment, the lugs are located at the rear corners of the block and extend below the lower surface of the block. The recess is formed in the rear end of the block between the lugs. Like-shaped blocks are stacked in a staggered relation so that each block is stacked atop two immediately lower blocks. In each embodiment, the lugs and their cooperating channel or recess define a setback dimension.

Abstract: A decorative modular masonry unit includes a central web, a cylindrical end portion, and a second end portion providing a plurality of concave or recessed grooves. The cylindrical end portion of one modular masonry unit articulates with a recessed groove of a like-shaped unit to form a modular structure. A series of units may be assembled into patterns of varying size and configuration.

Abstract: A lancet assembly includes a reusable base unit that defines a handle for a lancet assembly and houses a biasing mechanism for driving a lancet into the finger of a user. The base unit includes a spring biased hammer that once cocked, can be released to drive a lancet. A lancet is included in a disposable end cap that may be releasible attached to one end of the base unit. The end cap includes integral resilience spring fingers that maintain the lancet completely within the end cap before and after use, and functions to return the lancet after engagement of the lancet and hammer. The end cap can be rotated to orient the end cap relative to user's finger to control the depth of penetration of the lancet into the user's finger.

Abstract: A lancet assembly includes a reusable base unit that defines a handle for a lancet assembly and houses a biasing mechanism for driving a lancet into the finger of a user. The base unit includes a spring biased hammer that once cocked, can be released to drive a lancet. A lancet is included in a disposable end cap that may be releasible attached to one end of the base unit. The end cap includes integral resilience spring fingers that maintain the lancet completely within the end cap before and after use, and functions to return the lancet after engagement of the lancet and hammer. The end cap can be rotated to orient the end cap relative to a user's finger to control the depth of penetration of the lancet into the user's finger.