Abstract: The disclosure provides for compounds, compositions, and methods of use thereof for treating diabetes (e.g., type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes). In some aspects, methods comprise administering first, second, third, fourth, and fifth daily doses of insulin-like growth factor 2 (“IGF-2”) or a variant thereof to the subject at respective first, second, third, fourth, and fifth different times, wherein each of the daily doses comprises at least 65 ?g of IGF-2. In other aspects, compounds, compositions, and methods containing IGF-2 or variants thereof are used for treating a disorder in a patient in need thereof, such as type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for compounds, compositions, and methods of use thereof for treating diabetes (e.g., type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes). In some aspects, methods comprise administering first, second, third, fourth, and fifth daily doses of insulin-like growth factor 2 (“IGF-2”) or a variant thereof to the subject at respective first, second, third, fourth, and fifth different times, wherein each of the daily doses comprises at least 65 ?g of IGF-2. In other aspects, compounds, compositions, and methods containing IGF-2 or variants thereof are used for treating a disorder in a patient in need thereof, such as type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a bottom panel with a transparent region and ceramic sidewalls affixed to the bottom panel to form a container. Electrodes are disposed on the outer surface of the sidewalls at positions selected so that when a sample is positioned in the container, applying a voltage between the electrodes induces an electric field through the sample. Electrical conductors provide contact with the electrodes. All the components are sized and shaped to facilitate positioning of the container on the stage of an inverted microscope so that when the sample is positioned in the container, light emanating from a light source is free to travel along an optical path that passes through the sample, through the transparent region, and into the objective of the inverted microscope. The electrodes and conductors are positioned with respect to the transparent region so as not to interfere with the optical path.

Abstract: Tumors can be treated with an alternating electric field. The size of cells in the tumor is determined prior to the start of treatment by, for example, biopsy or by inverse electric impedance tomography. A treatment frequency is chosen based on the determined cell size. The cell size can be determined during the course of treatment and the treatment frequency is adjusted to reflect changes in the cell size. A suitable apparatus for this purpose includes a device for measuring the tumor impedance, an AC signal generator with a controllable output frequency, a processor for estimating the size of tumor cells and setting the frequency of the AC signal generator based thereon, and at least one pair of electrodes operatively connected to the AC signal generator such that an alternating electric field is applied to the tumor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a bottom panel with a transparent region and ceramic sidewalls affixed to the bottom panel to form a container. Electrodes are disposed on the outer surface of the sidewalls at positions selected so that when a sample is positioned in the container, applying a voltage between the electrodes induces an electric field through the sample. Electrical conductors provide contact with the electrodes. All the components are sized and shaped to facilitate positioning of the container on the stage of an inverted microscope so that when the sample is positioned in the container, light emanating from a light source is free to travel along an optical path that passes through the sample, through the transparent region, and into the objective of the inverted microscope. The electrodes and conductors are positioned with respect to the transparent region so as not to interfere with the optical path.

Abstract: When electrodes are used to impose an electric field in target tissue within an anatomic volume (e.g., to apply TTFields to treat a tumor), the position of the electrodes can be optimized by generating a 3D map of electrical conductivity or resistivity of the anatomic volume. A location of the target tissue within the anatomic volume is identified, and a dipole is added to the 3D map at a location that corresponds to the target tissue. positions for the electrodes that maximize a potential attributable to the dipole are determined based on the 3D map of electrical conductivity or resistivity and the location of the dipole.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for peptides, fragments, compounds, compositions, and methods of use thereof for treating diabetes (e.g., type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes). In some aspects, methods comprise administering peptides, fragments, or a variant thereof to the subject for treating diabetes and diseases related to diabetes. In other aspects, compounds, compositions, and methods containing IGF-2 or variants thereof, IGF-2 peptides, and IGF-2 fragments are used for treating a disorder in a patient in need thereof, such as type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a bottom panel with a transparent region and ceramic sidewalls affixed to the bottom panel to form a container. Electrodes are disposed on the outer surface of the sidewalls at positions selected so that when a sample is positioned in the container, applying a voltage between the electrodes induces an electric field through the sample. Electrical conductors provide contact with the electrodes. All the components are sized and shaped to facilitate positioning of the container on the stage of an inverted microscope so that when the sample is positioned in the container, light emanating from a light source is free to travel along an optical path that passes through the sample, through the transparent region, and into the objective of the inverted microscope. The electrodes and conductors are positioned with respect to the transparent region so as not to interfere with the optical path.

Abstract: Synchronized stimulation of cardiac tissue can be implemented by implanting two or more rectifier-based AM receivers into different positions within a subject's heart. Each receiver is tuned to a different frequency, and generates an output signal that is capable of stimulating cardiac tissue when a signal at the corresponding tuned frequency arrives at the receiver. An AM transmitter can activate any given one of the receivers by transmitting a signal into the subject's body at the proper frequency. A controller controls the transmitter by commanding the transmitter to transmit pulses of AC at different frequencies at different times, so that when those pulses are received by the correspondingly-tuned receivers, each of the receivers will generate respective output signals that stimulate respective parts of the heart at respective times to promote improved cardiac performance.

Abstract: Pathogens (e.g., viruses or bacteria) within a volume of air can be killed or deactivated using RF energy. A plurality of phase shifters input an RF signal and output a phase-shifted version of the RF signal at their respective outputs, wherein an amount of phase shift introduced by each of the phase shifters is controllable. A phased array antenna has a plurality of microwave radiators, and each of the respective outputs of the phase shifters drives a respective one of the microwave radiators. A controller controls the phase shifters to drive the phased array antenna such that a beam of RF energy emanates from the phased array antenna and sweeps through a volume positioned in front of the phased array antenna, and the beam of RF energy kills or deactivates the pathogens.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for compounds, compositions, and methods of use thereof for treating diabetes (e.g., type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes). In some aspects, methods comprise administering first, second, third, fourth, and fifth daily doses of insulin-like growth factor 2 (“IGF-2”) or a variant thereof to the subject at respective first, second, third, fourth, and fifth different times, wherein each of the daily doses comprises at least 65 ?g of IGF-2. In other aspects, compounds, compositions, and methods containing IGF-2 or variants thereof are used for treating a disorder in a patient in need thereof, such as type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Abstract: Distributed liquid-flow systems—in which flow spreads out from a system inlet and traverses the system through multiple discrete, smaller flow channels—are constructed to minimize variations in flow-resistance-induced pressure drop from the system inlet to entrances to the flow channels. Because flow-driving pressure will be more uniform at the entrances to the flow channels, flow along the channels will be more uniform. Disclosed embodiments may be particularly suitable or advantageous for use in gas-exchange/artificial lung devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving the cardiac function and cardiac output of a patient comprises a waveform generator that generates alternating voltage pulses, a controller to control the timing of the pulses, and electrodes that deliver the alternating voltage pulses to the patient's body. The alternating voltage pulses induce a field of alternating current pulses within the patient's body. As the pulses pass through a cardiac ventricle (or atrium), they increase the concentration of Ca2+ at the appropriate cardiomyocyte sites, and thereby increase the strength and duration of the ventricular (or atrial) contractions. In alternative embodiments, the electric field may be used to strengthen the contractions of non-cardiac muscle (e.g., skeletal muscle).

Abstract: A humidifier uses a field of hydrophobic, nanotubes (e.g., vertically aligned carbon nanotubes) to humidify a gas. Voids in the field form liquid flow channels that are wide enough for liquid water to pass through. The nanotubes are spaced close enough to each other to prevent the water from escaping the channels. Water in the channels is absorbed by gas that flows and/or diffuses between the nanotubes. Humidity levels in the gas can be measured and controlled to a desired level by controlling the rate of flow of gas through the humidifier, controlling heating of the gas, and/or adjusting the total area of molecular transfer from the water to the gas by providing multiple banks of nanotubes and controlling the number of banks through which the gas flows.

Abstract: Viability of cancer cells (e.g., hepatocellular carcinoma cells) can be reduced by administering sorafenib to the cancer cells and applying an alternating electric field with a frequency between 100 and 400 kHz to the cancer cells. Viability of cancer cells (e.g., hepatocellular carcinoma cells) disposed in a body of a living subject can be reduced by administering sorafenib to the subject and applying an alternating electric field with a frequency between 100 and 400 kHz to the cancer cells. Notably, experiments show that the combination of sorafenib and the alternating electric field produces synergistic results both in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: Pathogens (e.g., viruses or bacteria) within a volume of air can be killed or deactivated using RF energy. A plurality of phase shifters input an RF signal and output a phase-shifted version of the RF signal at their respective outputs, wherein an amount of phase shift introduced by each of the phase shifters is controllable. A phased array antenna has a plurality of microwave radiators, and each of the respective outputs of the phase shifters drives a respective one of the microwave radiators. A controller controls the phase shifters to drive the phased array antenna such that a beam of RF energy emanates from the phased array antenna and sweeps through a volume positioned in front of the phased array antenna, and the beam of RF energy kills or deactivates the pathogens.

Abstract: When electrodes are used to impose an electric field in target tissue within an anatomic volume (e.g., to apply TTFields to treat a tumor), the position of the electrodes can be optimized by generating a 3D map of electrical conductivity or resistivity of the anatomic volume. A location of the target tissue within the anatomic volume is identified, and a dipole is added to the 3D map at a location that corresponds to the target tissue. positions for the electrodes that maximize a potential attributable to the dipole are determined based on the 3D map of electrical conductivity or resistivity and the location of the dipole.

Abstract: Cardiac monitoring is implemented by transmitting ultrasound energy into a lung of the subject, receiving ultrasound reflections, detecting Doppler shifts in the received reflections, and processing the Doppler shifts into power and velocity data. A plurality of cardiac cycles are identified within the power and velocity data, and a plurality of features corresponding to each of the plurality of cardiac cycles are identified. The identified features are characterized into a set of parameters, and the set of parameters is transmitted to a remote location. The set of parameters is analyzed at the remote location to determine if an abnormality exists. If an abnormality exists, an indication is output from the remote location.

Abstract: When electrodes are used to impose an electric field in target tissue within an anatomic volume (e.g., to apply TTFields to treat a tumor), the position of the electrodes can be optimized by obtaining electrical conductivity measurements in an anatomic volume and generating a 3D map of the conductivity directly from the obtained electrical conductivity or resistivity measurements, without segmenting the anatomic volume into tissue types. A location of the target tissue is identified within the anatomic volume, and the positions for the electrodes are determined based on the 3D map of electrical conductivity and the position of the target tissue.

Abstract: A telecommunication apparatus (e.g., a cell phone) can provide improved understanding of speech in noisy environments by processing incoming audio signals using a digital filter that has at least four audio frequency stop bands, with an audio frequency pass band positioned between adjacent stop bands. Each of the stop bands has a respective center frequency and a respective bandwidth, and the center frequencies of all the stop bands are positioned at regular intervals on a linear scale. The filtered signal is amplified to drive a speaker (e.g., a speaker that is built into the cell phone or incorporated within a set of headphones).