Adjustable Barricade Safety Rail System and Roof Bracket Assembly to Prevent Worker Falls

Falls are the leading cause of death in construction. In 2016, there were 370 fatal falls out of 991 construction fatalities (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries data). These deaths are preventable. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, employers must set up the workplace to prevent employees from falling from overhead platforms, elevated work stations, or into holes in the floor and walls.

Wipes and Methods for Removal of Lead and Other Metal Contamination from Surfaces

Exposure to lead (Pb) has long posed serious health risks. Ingestion of lead from skin exposure can adversely impact every organ in the body; the kidneys, blood, nervous, and reproductive systems are most affected. Washing skin with soap and water is not sufficient to remove lead residues. To prevent adverse impacts from Pb exposure, exposed individuals need cleaning methods that will effectively remove Pb ions from the skin to less than the limit of identification (i.e., 10 µg or less).

Handwipe Disclosing Method for Detecting the Presence of Lead

Lead (Pb) exposure can cause serious health concerns including abdominal pain, headaches, loss of appetite, memory loss, weakness, and other symptoms. Lead residues on human skin, especially on the hands of workers can be a significant health risk since such residues may be ingested during normal activities (e.g. eating, drinking, and smoking). A key component to reducing lead exposure is being able to identify areas of lead contamination.

2-substituted Pyridines and Their Methods for Inhibiting BMP Signaling for the Treatment of Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva

This technology includes the use of a new class of molecules (nanomolar ALK2 inhibitor) to impede bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) signaling for the treatment of Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP). FOP is a rare disease, characterized by malformation of the great (big) toes during embryonic development. Individuals with FOP have an identical heterozygous activating mutation (R206H) in the gene encoding ACRV1 (also known as ALK2), a BMP type 1 receptor.

High-Throughput Assay for Detection and Monitoring of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Water Sources

There is growing awareness that a wide variety of synthetic and natural compounds that may be present in water sources, such as streams, wells, and ground water, may lead to adverse health effects, including increased cancer risk. Even low concentrations of these compounds are of concern, as they may have biological effects at concentrations of parts per billion or less.

Levonorgestrel Butanoate Formulation and Methods Relating Thereto

This invention is a potential subcutaneous or intramuscular progestin-only, injectable contraceptive for women. Forty-five percent (45%) of pregnancies in the United States are unintended. In this group, one-third of reproductive age women are obese – increasing the risk of diabetes, hypertension and venous thromboembolism (VTE). All these are conditions for which most hormonal methods are contraindicated. Thus, additional safe and effective injectable contraceptive options are needed.

Molecular Nanotags for Detection of Single Molecules

Biological nanoparticles, like extracellular vesicles (EVs), possess unique biological characteristics making them attractive therapeutic agents, targets, or disease biomarkers. However, their use is hindered by the lack of tools available to accurately detect, sort, and analyze. Flow cytometers are used to sort and study individual cells. But, they are unable to detect and sort nanomaterials smaller than 200 nanometers with single epitope sensitivity.

Exo-Clean Technology for Purifying Extracellular Vesicle Preparations from Contaminants

Extracellular Vesicles (EVs), including exosomes and microvesicles, are nanometer-sized membranous vesicles that can carry different types of cargos, such as proteins, nucleic acids and metabolites. EVs are produced and released by most cell types. They act as biological mediators for intercellular communication via delivery of their cargos. This unique ability spurred translational research interest for targeted delivery of therapeutic molecules to treat a wide range of diseases. EVs also contain interesting information of their specific cellular origin.

SMAD3 Reporter Mouse for Assessing TGF-ß/Activin Pathway Activation

The Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGF-ß) ligands (i.e., TGF-ß1, -ß2, -ß3) are key regulatory proteins in animal physiology. Disruption of normal TGF-ß signaling is associated with many diseases from cancer to fibrosis. In mice and humans, TGF-ß activates TGF-ß receptors (e.g., TGFBR1), which activates SMAD proteins that alter gene expression and contribute to tumorigenesis.  Reliable animal models are essential for the study of TGF-ß signaling.