The invention provides compositions featuring TRP-4 polypeptides and polynucleotides, methods for expressing such polypeptides and polynucleotides in a cell type of interest, and methods for inducing the activation of the TRP-4 polypeptide in neurons and other cell types using ultrasound.

The present invention provides devices for characterizing regions of tissue and methods for using the same. The devices are capable of locating, identifying, and characterizing tissue regions of interest in vivo. In one embodiment, the devices are ultrasound-guided. In one embodiment, the devices use characterize regions of tissue using electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) sensors. In one aspect, the devices are useful in predicting plaque rupture, such as by determining the level of oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and macrophage/foam cells present in an atheroma. In one aspect, the devices are useful in identifying metabolically active atherosclerotic lesions that are angiographically invisible.

The present invention provides devices for characterizing regions of tissue and methods for using the same. The devices are capable of locating, identifying, and characterizing tissue regions of interest in vivo. In one embodiment, the devices are ultrasound-guided. In one embodiment, the devices use characterize regions of tissue using electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) sensors. In one aspect, the devices are useful in predicting plaque rupture, such as by determining the level of oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and macrophage/foam cells present in an atheroma. In one aspect, the devices are useful in identifying metabolically active atherosclerotic lesions that are angiographically invisible.

A sample fluid (14) is pumped through a first cavity (38) associated with a first piezoelectric resonator (20.1) and pumped through a second cavity (40) associated with a second piezoelectric resonator (20.2). An electrode (26) of the first piezoelectric resonator (20.1) exposed to the sample fluid (14) in the first cavity (38) is coated with an adsorption layer (34.1) that provides for adsorbing a substance (12) to be detected in the sample fluid (14). The adsorbed substance (12) changes the resonant frequency of the first piezoelectric resonator (20.1) relative to that of the second piezoelectric resonator (20.2), wherein a change in the frequency difference therebetween relative to an initial frequency difference is responsive to and provides a measure of the mass of adsorbed substance (12). The adsorption layer (34.1) of the first piezoelectric resonator (20.1) is automatically refreshed when a change in the frequency difference crosses a threshold (F.sub.EOR).

A sample fluid (14) is pumped through a first cavity (38) associated with a first piezoelectric resonator (20.1) and pumped through a second cavity (40) associated with a second piezoelectric resonator (20.2). An electrode (26) of the first piezoelectric resonator (20.1) exposed to the sample fluid (14) in the first cavity (38) is coated with an adsorption layer (34.1) that provides for adsorbing a substance (12) to be detected in the sample fluid (14). The adsorbed substance (12) changes the resonant frequency of the first piezoelectric resonator (20.1) relative to that of the second piezoelectric resonator (20.2), wherein a change in the frequency difference therebetween relative to an initial frequency difference is responsive to and provides a measure of the mass of adsorbed substance (12). The adsorption layer (34.1) of the first piezoelectric resonator (20.1) is automatically refreshed when a change in the frequency difference crosses a threshold (F.sub.EOR).

An acoustic air data sensing system includes an acoustic transmitter, a plurality of acoustic receivers, and a skin friction sensor. The acoustic transmitter is located to transmit an acoustic signal into airflow about an exterior of a vehicle. Each of the acoustic receivers is located at a respective angle from a wind angle reference line and a respective distance from the acoustic transmitter. The skin fiction sensor is positioned in a boundary layer region of the airflow that interacts with the acoustic receivers and transmitter. Based on time of flight values of the acoustic signal from the transmitter to each of the receivers and a skin friction measurement from the skin friction sensor as inputs to a transformation matrix, the acoustic air data sensing system outputs, from the transformation matrix, the true airspeed, the relative wind angle, and the speed of sound for operational control of the vehicle.

A system includes an inspection robot, comprising a plurality of wheels that engage an inspection surface; a plurality of sensors positioned to interrogate the inspection surface; and wherein the plurality of wheels each comprise a first magnetic hub coupled to a second magnetic hub, and wherein the plurality of wheels further define a channel between the magnetic hubs.

A system includes an inspection robot, comprising a plurality of wheels that engage an inspection surface; a plurality of sensors positioned to interrogate the inspection surface; and wherein the plurality of wheels each comprise a first magnetic hub coupled to a second magnetic hub, and wherein the plurality of wheels further define a channel between the magnetic hubs.

A system includes an inspection robot having a plurality of input sensors comprising a plurality of magnetic induction sensors and configured to provide inspection data of an inspection surface, wherein the inspection data comprises electromagnetic (EM) induction data, and wherein the plurality of input sensors are distributed horizontally relative to the inspection surface; wherein at least a portion of the inspection surface comprises a ferrous substrate having a non-ferrous coating thereupon; a controller, comprising: an EM data circuit structured to interpret the EM induction data, and to determine a substrate distance value in response to the EM induction data; and a thickness processing circuit structured to determine a thickness value in response to the EM induction data, the thickness value comprising a thickness of the non-ferrous coating.

A system includes an inspection robot having a plurality of input sensors comprising a plurality of magnetic induction sensors and configured to provide inspection data of an inspection surface, wherein the inspection data comprises electromagnetic (EM) induction data, and wherein the plurality of input sensors are distributed horizontally relative to the inspection surface; wherein at least a portion of the inspection surface comprises a ferrous substrate having a non-ferrous coating thereupon; a controller, comprising: an EM data circuit structured to interpret the EM induction data, and to determine a substrate distance value in response to the EM induction data; and a thickness processing circuit structured to determine a thickness value in response to the EM induction data, the thickness value comprising a thickness of the non-ferrous coating.