Abstract:
Antimicrobial agents, compositions that include the agent(s) and use(s) thereof are provided. Also disclosed are screening assays for identifying antimicrobial agents.
Abstract:
A modular engineered tissue construct includes a plurality of fused self-assembled, scaffold-free, high-density cell aggregates. At least one cell aggregate includes a plurality of cells and a plurality of biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticles and/or microparticles that are incorporated within the cell aggregates. The nanoparticles and/or microparticles acting as a bulking agent within the cell aggregate to increase the cell aggregate size and/or thickness and improve the mechanical properties of the cell aggregate as well as to deliver bioactive agents.
Abstract:
Compositions that include fibrin microthreads are provided. The compositions can include one or more therapeutic agents including cytokines and interleukins, extracellular matrix proteins and/or biologically active fragments thereof (e.g., RGD-containing peptides), hormones, vitamins, nucleic acids, chemotherapeutics, antibiotics, and cells. Also provided are methods of making compositions that include fibrin microthreads. Also provided are methods for using the compositions to repair or ameliorate damaged or defective organs or tissues.
Abstract:
Antimicrobial agents, compositions that include the agent(s) and use(s) thereof are provided. Also disclosed are screening assays for identifying antimicrobial agents.
Abstract:
An apparatus comprising a crank-slider linkage and a rocker link. The crank-slider linkage has a crank coupled to the slider by a jointed connecting rod. The jointed connecting rod has a first link and a second link. The first link is coupled to the second link by a first revolute joint. The first link is coupled to the crank and has a longitudinal axis. The rocker link has a rocker end and a ground end. The rocker end is coupled to the jointed connecting rod. The ground end is coupled to ground by a second revolute joint. The rocker link and the second link are disposed on a common side of the longitudinal axis.
Abstract:
Compositions that include fibrin microthreads are provided. The compositions can include one or more therapeutic agents including cytokines and interleukins, extracellular matrix proteins and/or biologically active fragments thereof (e.g., RGD-containing peptides), hormones, vitamins, nucleic acids, chemotherapeutics, antibiotics, and cells. Also provided are methods of making compositions that include fibrin microthreads. Also provided are methods for using the compositions to repair or ameliorate damaged or defective organs or tissues.
Abstract:
A digital instructional environment leverages an infrared eye-tracker to monitor a learner's reading and viewing of text and simulations for subject matter. The system detects out-of-order reading/viewing patterns that could lead to poor comprehension. The digital learning environment communicates with other tutorial components including simulation environments, pedagogical agents and may respond in real-time to such patterns with messages that guide learners (knowledge acquirers) to return to effective reading/viewing patterns so as to promote effective construction of mental model(s) developed during knowledge acquisition/learning.
Abstract:
Drying a planar substrate such as paper sheet goods for packing materials includes layering a phase change material (PCM) on a substrate, in which the substrate has a moisture content and adapted for moisture removal to form a planar medium. A drying process disposes the substrate adjacent to a plurality of rollers and heat the layered substrate to a predetermined temperature based on a specific heat of the PCM. The rollers advance the layered substrate in series through pocket ventilation regions between the heat transfer elements, such that the pocket ventilation regions permit drying of the substrate enhanced by the specific heat of the temperature sensitive material. Upon drying, the layered substrate forms the planar medium suitable for use as a packing medium or other suitable application. The pocket ventilation regions are based on the PCM to facilitate drying and eradication of moisture from the paper planar substrate.
Abstract:
A prosthetic appliance disposes a plurality of elongated, resilient members in a circular configuration around a pivot point representing a skeletal joint such as an ankle, wrist or shoulder. The resilient members are resilient and adapted to deformable respond to pivoting forces of the fulcrum, and forcibly deform in response to the pivoting of the shaft forcing the fulcrum against the resilient members. The circular orientation of the resilient members pivot the shaft orthogonal to the base from which the resilient members extend, such that the resilient members bias the fulcrum and shaft in the orthogonal position at a rest position. Forces drawing the shaft off-center disposed the fulcrum against one or more of the resilient members and causing resilient deformation and counterforces against the fulcrum back to the centered rest position. In response to pivoting movement, the resilient members apply increasing forces for biasing the pivoting shaft.
Abstract:
The techniques herein describe an approach that can quickly geolocate Internet users that are connected through a wireless (e.g., WiFi) network. To do so, one or more embodiments herein send specially-crafted signals to the user's IP address. When these signals are broadcast by the user's wireless router to the user's wireless device, they have a discernible signature. Other geolocation efforts may then be used to scope the Internet user's location (e.g., to the appropriate city or section of a city). A user or automated device may then physically traverse (e.g., drive through) the search area listening on wireless channels for the discernible wireless signature. Once it is located, directional antennas and triangulation may be used to exactly locate the user.