Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for creating interlayer mechanical or electrical attachments or connections using filaments within a three-dimensional structure, structural component, or structural electronic, electromagnetic or electromechanical component/device.

Abstract: Robots, controllers, systems, and methods for microcrawler robots (e.g., with stick-slip gaited locomotion and/or with power multiplexing between actuators).

Abstract: Novel methods of synthesis of ethylenedicysteine-sugar conjugates and therapeutic and diagnostic applications of such conjugates are disclosed. Methods of synthesizing these conjugates in high purity are also presented as using starting materials such as thiazolidine carboxylic acid. Also disclosed are methods of imaging, treating and diagnosing disease in a subject using these conjugates prepared herein, such as methods of imaging a tumor within a subject and methods of diagnosing myocardial ischemia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pH-tunable, highly activatable multicolored fluorescent nanoplatforms and methods of using the nanoplatforms in a variety of applications including, but not limited to, investigating fundamental cell physiological processes such as pH regulation in endocytic vesicles, endosome/lysosome maturation, and effect of pH on receptor cycling and trafficking of subcellular organelles.

Abstract: A method, wireless device and computer program product for expanding the coverage of a cellular network. A wireless device (e.g., cellular telephone) is able to communicate with a base station in a cell of the cellular network over a non-cellular interface via another wireless device in a cell through the use of multi-hopping. A wireless device may request permission to communicate with the base station over a non-cellular interface via hopping off another wireless device when its signal strength is below a threshold. Alternatively, a wireless device may receive a request to communicate with the base station over a non-cellular interface via hopping off the wireless device that sent the request when that wireless device has excess capacity in its bandwidth with the base station. By enabling wireless devices to communicate with a base station in such a manner, the effective capacity of the cellular network is expanded and the effective capacity of the cellular network is improved.

Abstract: The present invention is a tourniquet comprising: a strap; a pelvic pad included in the strap having a pocket defined in the pelvic pad for receiving a semi-rigid stiffening member; base plates slidably attached to the strap allowing the base plates to be positioned along the strap; a threaded shaft received in each of the base plates; a pressure pad removable attached to a distal end of each of the shafts; a handle attached to a proximal end of each of the shafts having openings defined in each end of the handle; and, a rotational arresting strap attached to each base plate having a securing tab that can be received in one of the handle openings thereby preventing the shaft from rotating when the securing tab is received in sand handle opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) for inhibiting the expression of a SCAP gene (Human SCAP gene), comprising an antisense strand having a nucleotide sequence which is less that 30 nucleotides in length, generally 19-25 nucleotides in length, and which is substantially complementary to at least a part of a SCAP gene. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the dsRNA together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; methods for treating diseases caused by Human SCAP expression and the expression of a SCAP gene using the pharmaceutical composition; and methods for inhibiting the expression of a SCAP gene in a cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of a microRNA family, designated miR-29a-c, that is a key regulator of fibrosis in cardiac tissue. The inventors show that members of the miR-29 family are down-regulated in the heart tissue in response to stress, and are up-regulated in heart tissue of mice that are resistant to both stress and fibrosis. Also provided are methods of modulating expression and activity of the miR-29 family of miRNAs as a treatment for fibrotic disease, including cardiac hypertrophy, skeletal muscle fibrosis other fibrosis related diseases and collagen loss-related disease.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for optimal online adaptive control. One such method includes a cost function determination by a critic network coupled to the system under control. The cost function is one produces a minimum value for a cost of the system under control when applied by an action network. The method also includes a control input determination by an action network. The control input determination uses the cost function to determine a control input to apply to the system under control. The control input is one that produces the minimum value for the cost of the system under control. The method also includes simultaneously tuning respective parameters of the critic network and the action network by applying respective tuning laws that do not involve the system dynamics function ƒ(x) for the system under test.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of a microRNA family, designated miR-29a-c, that is a key regulator of fibrosis in cardiac tissue. The inventors show that members of the miR-29 family are down-regulated in the heart tissue in response to stress, and are up-regulated in heart tissue of mice that are resistant to both stress and fibrosis. Also provided are methods of modulating expression and activity of the miR-29 family of miRNAs as a treatment for fibrotic disease, including cardiac hypertrophy, skeletal muscle fibrosis other fibrosis related diseases and collagen loss-related disease.

Abstract: Disclosed are surprising discoveries concerning the role of anionic phospholipids and aminophospholipids in tumor vasculature and in viral entry and spread, and compositions and methods for utilizing these findings in the treatment of cancer and viral infections. Also disclosed are advantageous antibody, immunoconjugate and duramycin-based compositions and combinations that bind and inhibit anionic phospholipids and aminophospholipids, for use in the safe and effective treatment of cancer, viral infections and related diseases.

Abstract: An algorithm is disclosed for analyzing a bipartite network. The algorithm (1) progressively identifies a subset of bipartite networks that contain only those biomarkers that can separate the network into modules containing significantly different proportions of the subpopulation, and (2) outputs trends of key parameters to enable the researcher to analyze how the networks were identified. The algorithm outputs should for example enable biomedical researchers to rapidly identify key biomarkers, and infer the underlying biological mechanisms implicated in a wide range of diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA sequences encoding Vmp-like polypeptides of pathogenic Borreliae, the use of the DNA sequences in recombinant vectors to express polypeptides, the encoded amino acid sequences, application of the DNA and amino acid sequences to the production of polypeptides as antigens for immunoprophylaxis, immunotherapy, and immunodiagnosis. Also disclosed are the use of the nucleic acid sequences as probes or primers for the detection of organisms causing Lyme disease, relapsing fever, or related disorders, and kits designed to facilitate methods of using the described polypeptides, DNA segments and antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of two microRNAs, miR-499 and miR-208b, that repress fast skeletal muscle contractile protein genes. Expression of miR-499 and/or miR-208b can be used to repress fast fiber genes and activate slow fiber genes in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. Inhibition of miR-499 and/or miR-208b is proposed as a treatment for cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, and/or heart failure. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising antagonists and agonists of miR-499 and miR-208b function are also disclosed.

Abstract: Copy number gains detected in tumors and associated with drug sensitivity and resistance in vivo and in vitro can be used as biomarkers to select, predict and monitor drug treatment outcomes in cancer patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Methods to identify patients with NSCLC or other malignancies who are more likely to benefit from tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as VEGF or VEGFR inhibitors when used either as monotherapy or in combination with other therapies such as chemotherapy or EGFR inhibitors, and who are in the advanced stages of disease and/or who have undergone adjuvant therapy are also provided herein.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to methods of distinguish “target-relevant” variance in observed clinical and physiological measures from the variance in observed data that is unrelated to any target process.

Abstract: An ice buildup inhibitor is disclosed useful for preventing ice damming, in particular in conjunction with the use of a closed gutter. Heat escape through a roof made warm snow pack, causing it to melt and flow down toward the gutter. After moving away from the heated roof, the water may re-freeze and form an ice dam. In the ice buildup inhibitor may be configured to warm in the closed gutter, thereby preventing the formation of an ice dam. They ice buildup inhibitor may be configured to be easily installed onto an existing closed gutter, enabling responsive installation on only those homes experiencing ice damming.

Abstract: In one aspect, compositions are described herein. In some embodiments, a composition comprises a polymer or oligomer formed from one or more polycarboxylic acids, one or more alcohols, and one or more catechol-containing species. In another aspect, methods of making a composition are described herein. In some embodiments, a method of making a composition comprises providing a polycarboxylic acid; providing an alcohol; combining the polycarboxylic acid with the alcohol; adding a catechol-containing species to the combination of the polycarboxylic acid and the alcohol; and forming a polymer or oligomer from the polycarboxylic acid, the alcohol, and the catechol-containing species. In some embodiments, the catechol-containing species comprises an amine moiety, a carboxylic acid moiety, or a hydroxyl moiety that is not part of the catechol group.

Abstract: Described are methods and composition for use in non-invasive imaging of intestinal structure and function. These methods can be used to identify, diagnose, assess, monitor and direct therapies for gastrointestinal diseases and disorders. Embodiments of the methods utilize highly sensitive optical imaging and fluorescent spectroscopy techniques to track or monitor packets of organic dye excreted in bile into the intestinal tract to provide quantitative information regarding intestinal propulsion and function.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are mixed metal-organic frameworks, Zn3(BDC)3[Cu(SalPycy)] and Zn3(CDC)3[Cu(SalPycy)], wherein BDC is 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate, CDC is 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate, and SalPyCy is a ligand of the formula: These are useful for applications such as selective gas storage, selective molecular separations, and selective detection of molecules, including enantioselective applications thereof.