Abstract: Provided are compounds having the general structure according to Formula (I): Further provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The invention still further provides methods of treating alcoholism, methods of reducing alcohol intake, methods of treating anhedonia, and methods of treating anxiety using theses compounds or the compositions containing them.

Abstract: The present invention provides cysteine and cystine prodrugs for the treatment of schizophrenia and drug addiction. The invention further encompasses pharmaceutical compositions containing prodrugs and methods of using the prodrugs and compositions for treatment of schizophrenia and drug addiction.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a field-effect transistor (FET)-based biosensor and uses thereof. In particular, to FET-based biosensors using thermally reduced graphene-based sheets as a conducting channel decorated with nanoparticle-biomolecule conjugates. The present disclosure also relates to FET-based biosensors using metal nitride/graphene hybrid sheets. The disclosure provides a method for detecting a target biomolecule in a sample using the FET-based biosensor described herein.

Abstract: A system and method of photon trapping spectroscopy to vary the path length of light for use in spectroscopy. The systems and method include a rotating reflector with slits for selectively permitting light to enter and exit into a reflection cavity containing a sample to be analyzed. After entering the cavity, but before exiting, the light is trapped and repeatedly reflects back and forth through a sample, effectively increasing the path length of light through a sample. The effective path length is quickly adjustable by altering the rotation speed of the rotating reflector to alter the time in which the light is trapped within the cavity. The systems and methods provide a spectroscope with a wide dynamic range, low detection limits, and usable with broadband and monochromatic light sources throughout the optical region (ultraviolet to infrared).

Abstract: The invention provides a novel method for the fabrication of nanomaterials, especially nanostructures arranged on a substrate with nanoparticles deposited thereon. The methods of the present invention can be used to fabricate a novel ambient-temperature gas sensor that is capable of detecting a variety of specific gasses over a range of concentrations.

Abstract: A system and method of determining and applying power split ratios to power sources within hybrid vehicles. The power split ratio is determined using a two-scale dynamic programming technique to achieve optimal state of charge depletion over the course of a trip. On the macro-scale level, a global state of charge profile is created for the entire trip. On the micro-scale level, the state of charge profile and accompanying power split ratio is recalculated at the end of each segment as the vehicle proceeds along the trip. Various trip modeling techniques are used to provide constraints for the dynamic programming.

Abstract: The present invention provides cysteine and cystine prodrugs for the treatment of schizophrenia and drug addiction. The invention further encompasses pharmaceutical compositions containing prodrugs and methods of using the prodrugs and compositions for treatment of schizophrenia and drug addiction. Exemplary prodrugs include the cysteine compound having the formula as well as cystine dimers thereof.

Abstract: A method and a system for generating a magnetic resonance image of a subject. The method and system include generating a first pulse having first random data having a first amplitude and a first linear phase; applying the first pulse to the subject as an radio frequency pulse; collecting a first signal from the subject; generating a second pulse having second random data having a second amplitude and a second linear phase, wherein the second amplitude is substantially equal to the first amplitude, and wherein the second phase has a different slope from the first phase; applying the second pulse to the subject as an radio frequency pulse; collecting a second signal from the subject; and reconstructing an image of the subject.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides involved in biosynthesis of FK 228 and those involved in synthesis of a novel FK228 analog, thailandepsin are disclosed herein. Also provided are methods of making FK228, thailandepsin and analogs of these molecules and methods of using these FK228 analogs. Chromobacterium and Burkholderia gene inactivation mutants are provided. Methods of forming a disulfide bond in a chemical are also disclosed.

Abstract: Current MRI technologies require subjects to remain largely motionless for achieving high quality magnetic resonance (MR) scans, typically for 5-10 minutes at a time. However, lying absolutely still inside the tight MR imager (MRI) tunnel is a difficult task, especially for children, very sick patients, or the mentally ill. Even motion ranging less than 1 mm or 1 degree can corrupt a scan. This invention involves a system that adaptively compensates for subject motion in real-time. An object orientation marker, preferably a retro-grate reflector (RGR), is placed on a patients' head or other body organ of interest during MRI. The RGR makes it possible to measure the six degrees of freedom (x, y, and z-translations, and pitch, yaw, and roll), or “pose”, required to track the organ of interest. A camera-based tracking system observes the marker and continuously extracts its pose.

Abstract: A microscope for generating an image of a sample, the microscope includes a light source for generating a pulsed light; an optical scanner receiving the pulsed light and transmitting the pulsed light to the sample to be imaged causing the sample to emit energy; a dispersive element that receives the emitted energy from the sample, disperses the energy into its spectral elements and transmits the spectrally dispersed energy; and a camera that generates a spectrally resolved image of the sample based on the spectrally dispersed energy from the dispersive element. Also described is a method of generating spectrally resolved images of the sample.

Abstract: A microbial desalination cell includes an anode, a cathode, a saline solution chamber and a cathode rinsing assembly. The anode is at least partially positioned within an anode chamber for containing an aqueous reaction mixture including one or more organic compounds and one or more bacteria for oxidizing the organic compounds. The cathode is directly exposed to air. The saline solution chamber is positioned between the anode and the cathode, and is separated from the anode by an anion exchange material and from the cathode by a cation exchange material. The cathode rinsing assembly is for rinsing the cathode with a catholyte.

Abstract: A target for use in a motion tracking system includes an optically transparent substrate with front and rear artwork. A robust landmark is comprised of portions of the front and rear artwork, and includes alternating spokes and interstitial spaces. The front and rear artwork also define orientation dependent radiation regions that occupy a portion of the interstitial spaces. The artwork also provides target identification markings and markings for providing in-plane rotation information. The surface area of the robust landmark maximized with respect to the total surface area of the target size.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for multimodal functional imaging based upon photoacoustic and laser optical scanning microscopy. In particular, at least one embodiment of the present invention utilizes a contact lens in combination with an ultrasound transducer for purposes of acquiring photoacoustic microscopy data. Traditionally divergent imaging modalities such as confocal scanning laser opthalmoscopy and photoacoustic microscopy are combined within a single laser system. Functional imaging of biological samples can be utilized for various medical and biological purposes.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for multimodal functional imaging based upon photoacoustic and laser optical scanning microscopy. In particular, at least one embodiment of the present invention utilizes a contact lens in combination with an ultrasound transducer for purposes of acquiring photoacoustic microscopy data. Traditionally divergent imaging modalities such as confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and photoacoustic microscopy are combined within a single laser system. Functional imaging of biological samples can be utilized for various medical and biological purposes.

Abstract: A method of trapping a charged particle. The method includes providing a planar substrate having a conductive surface thereon, the conductive surface having at least one non-conductive region. The method also includes applying a solution to the conductive surface, the solution comprising at least one charged particle. The method further includes applying a voltage of a threshold level to the conductive surface. The method also includes, in response to the voltage, generating an electrostatic field in the solution adjacent to a boundary between the conductive surface and the non-conductive region. The method also includes setting the threshold level of voltage to result in a strength of the electrostatic field sufficient to prevent the particle from crossing the electrostatic field.

Abstract: A microscope for generating an image of a sample, the microscope includes a light source for generating a pulsed light; a scanning mirror receiving the pulsed light and transmitting the pulsed light to the sample to be imaged causing the sample to emit energy; a dispersive element that receives the emitted energy from the sample, disperses the energy into its spectral elements and transmits the spectrally dispersed energy; and a camera that generates a spectrally resolved image of the sample based on the spectrally dispersed energy from the dispersive element. Also described is a method of generating spectrally resolved images of the sample.

Abstract: A microscope for generating an image of a sample, the microscope includes a light source for generating a pulsed light; an optical scanner receiving the pulsed light and transmitting the pulsed light to the sample to be imaged causing the sample to emit energy; a dispersive element that receives the emitted energy from the sample, disperses the energy into its spectral elements and transmits the spectrally dispersed energy; and a camera that generates a spectrally resolved image of the sample based on the spectrally dispersed energy from the dispersive element. Also described is a method of generating spectrally resolved images of the sample.

Abstract: A method of manipulating a spawning cycle of perch across multiple generations that includes identifying a desired out-of-cycle spawning period for perch, selecting a geographic strain of perch having a natural spawning period in proximity to the desired out-of-cycle spawning period, developing a first generation broodstock from the geographic strain, where the broodstock's natural spawning period has been shifted to the desired spawning period using at least one of temperature and photoperiod manipulation, identifying a second desired out-of-cycle spawning period, developing a second generation broodstock from the first generation broodstock, where the second generation broodstock's spawning period has been shifted from the desired out-of-cycle spawning period to the second desired out-of-cycle spawning period using at least one of temperature and photoperiod manipulation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for expressing a polypeptide in a Rhodospirillum species. The methods include introducing an expression vector having a nucleic acid sequence encoding the polypeptide operably linked to a puc promoter into the Rhodospirillum bacterium and growing the Rhodospirillum bacterium under conditions that allow expression of the polypeptide. Vectors for expressing a membrane polypeptide in a Rhodospirillum species are disclosed. The vectors include a puc promoter and a nucleic acid encoding a membrane polypeptide.