Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include polymers comprising a regioregular conjugated main chain section having an enantiopure or enantioenriched chiral side chain, as well as methods and materials for producing such polymers. Illustrative methods include regioselectively preparing a monomer that includes an enantiopure or enantioenriched chiral side group, and then reacting these monomers to produce a polymer that comprises a regioregular conjugated main chain section having an enantiopure or enantioenriched chiral side chains. In illustrative embodiments of the invention, the regioregular conjugated main chain section can contain a repeat unit that includes a dithiophene and a pyridine.

Abstract: Herein are described multicolor FISH probe sets termed “genetic barcodes” targeting several cancer or disease-related loci to assess gene rearrangements and copy number changes in tumor cells. Two, three or more different fluorophores are used to detect the genetic barcode sections thus permitting unique labeling and multilocus analysis in individual cell nuclei. Gene specific barcodes can be generated and combined to provide both numerical and structural genetic information for these and other pertinent disease associated genes.

Abstract: In-place resynthesis for static memory (SRAM) based Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) toward reducing sensitivity to single event upsets (SEUs). Resynthesis and remapping are described which have a low overheard and improve FPGA designs without the need of rerouting LUTs of the FPGA. These methods include in-place reconfiguration (IPR), in-place X-filling (IPF), and in-place inversion (IPV), which reconfigure LUT functions only, and can be applied to any FPGA architecture. In addition, for FPGAs with a decomposable LUT architecture (e.g., dual-output LUTs) an in-place decomposition (IPD) method is described for remapping a LUT function into multiple smaller functions leveraging the unused outputs of the LUT, and making use of built-in hard macros in programmable-logic blocks (PLBs) such as carry chain or adder. Methods are applied in-place to mapped circuits before or after routing without affecting placement, routing, and design closure.

Abstract: H-NOX proteins are mutated to exhibit improved or optimal kinetic and thermodynamic properties for blood gas O2 delivery. The engineered H-NOX proteins comprise mutations that impart altered O2 or NO ligand-binding relative to the corresponding wild-type H-NOX domain, and are operative as physiologically compatible mammalian blood O2 gas carriers. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and methods that use wild-type or mutant H-NOX proteins for the treatment of any condition for which delivery of O2 is beneficial.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA). Inhibition of NAAA is contemplated as a method to sustain the levels of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and oleylethanolamide (OEA), two substrates of NAAA, in conditions characterized by reduced concentrations of PEA and OEA. The invention also provides methods for treating inflammatory diseases and pain, and other disorders in which decreased levels of PEA and OEA are associated with the disorder.

Abstract: Analogs of ShK toxin and methods for using such ShK analogs. The ShK analogs generally comprise ShK toxin attached to a chemical entity (e.g. an atom, molecule, group, residue, compound, moiety, etc.) that has an anionic charge. The ShK analogs may be administered to human or non-human animal subjects to cause inhibition of potassium channels or to otherwise treat diseases or disorders. In some embodiments, the chemical entity to which the ShK toxin is attached may be chosen to provide selective inhibition of certain potassium channels (e.g., Kv1.3 channels) over other potassium channels (e.g., Kv1.1 channels). In come embodiments, the chemical entity to which the ShK toxin is attached may include a fluorophore and such fluorophore-tagged ShK analogs may be used in flow cytometry alone, or in conjunction with class II tetramers that can detect autoreactive cells.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to performing isotopic analysis of a sample. In one aspect a method includes applying laser energy to a region of a sample with a laser to generate a plasma and recording a spectrum generated by a plurality of molecular species in the plasma with a device.

Abstract: Gently heating a pyroelectric crystal in a deuterated atmosphere can generate fusion under desktop conditions. The electrostatic field of the crystal is used to generate and accelerate a deuteron beam (>100 keV and >4 nA), which, upon striking a deuterated target, produces a neutron flux over 400 times the background level. The presence of neutrons within the target is confirmed by pulse shape analysis and proton recoil spectroscopy. Several elements of the system may be modified, including the configuration of the crystal or crystals, the composition of the surrounding environment and the target, the use of multiple probe tips, and the composition of the probe tip.

Abstract: A method for producing flexible, nanoparticle-polymer composite electrodes is described. Conductive nanoparticles, preferably metal nanowires or nanotubes, are deposited on a smooth surface of a platform to produce a porous conductive layer. A second application of conductive nanoparticles or a mixture of nanoparticles can also be deposited to form a porous conductive layer. The conductive layer is then coated with at least one coating of monomers that is polymerized to form a conductive layer-polymer composite film. Optionally, a protective coating can be applied to the top of the composite film. In one embodiment, the monomer coating includes light transducing particles to reduce the total internal reflection of light through the composite film or pigments that absorb light at one wavelength and re-emit light at a longer wavelength. The resulting composite film has an active side that is smooth with surface height variations of 100 nm or less.

Abstract: A sound reproduction method and apparatus for determining the desired orientation of the listener's head in a sound field. The method includes the steps of receiving input signals representative of output signals from a plurality of microphones positioned at a location to sample a sound field at points representing possible locations of a listener's left and right ears if said listener was positioned in said sound field at said location, and processing the input signals to generate a composite signal that simulates a rotation of the sound field about the listener's head.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of reducing proliferation of cancer cells. The methods include contacting the cancer cells with a 2,4-diaminoquinazoline compound. Also provided are methods of modulating importin-beta function (e.g., importin-beta-mediated nuclear import) in eukaryotic cells. The methods include contacting the eukaryotic cells with a 2,4-diaminoquinazoline compound. Pharmaceutical formulations that include a 2,4-diaminoquinazoline compound are also provided.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to field-effect p-n junctions. In one aspect, a device includes an ohmic contact, a semiconductor layer disposed on the ohmic contact, at least one rectifying contact disposed on the semiconductor layer, a gate including a layer disposed on the at least one rectifying contact and the semiconductor layer and a gate contact disposed on the layer. A lateral width of the rectifying contact is less than a semiconductor depletion width of the semiconductor layer. The gate contact is electrically connected to the ohmic contact to create a self-gating feedback loop that is configured to maintain a gate electric field of the gate.

Abstract: A fluid sample is measured with a tear film measuring system that includes a processing device that receives a sample chip comprising a sample region configured to contain an aliquot volume of sample fluid, the processing device configured to perform analyses of osmolarity and of one or more biomarkers within the sample fluid, wherein the analysis of biomarkers includes normalization of biomarker concentration values.

Abstract: A minimally invasive controlled drug delivery system for delivering a particular drug or drugs to a particular location of the eye, the system including a porous film template having pores configured and dimensioned to at least partially receive at least one drug therein, and wherein the template is dimensioned to be delivered into or onto the eye.

Abstract: A method for the in-instrument recombination of volatiles using a gas chromatograph with mass spectrometry and olfactometry detection is described. Compounds that are introduced into the modified GC are separated conventionally on an analytical capillary GC column. The elution profile of volatiles can be segmented, analyzed and arbitrarily combined. In-line with the GC column, a pneumatic flow switch and splitter are connected to a detector and olfactometer. A cold trap allows the user to build a mixture of separated volatiles that is held until the cryotrap is rapidly heated, releasing the mixture for a subject to smell at the olfactory port and to evaluate. The instrument allows for characterization of the aroma quality of specific fractions of aroma volatiles obtained from foods, flowers or beverages without the need for pure chemical standards or the calculation of individual compound concentrations or sensory thresholds.

Abstract: A barcode reading apparatus and method in which the spectrum of a probe light is first Fourier-transformed into space, directed upon a barcode, and then Fourier-transformed converting the spectrally encoded barcode pattern to a time domain waveform. In one implementation, the Fourier transformation from the spectrum domain into a spatial domain is performed by a dispersive element, while the Fourier transformation from the spectrally encoded barcode pattern to a time domain waveform is performed by group-velocity dispersion (GVD). The temporally encoded barcode pattern is detected by a photodetector, digitized by a digitizer, and analyzed by a digital signal processor. The invention is applicable to a number of fields which involve the reading of one- and two-dimensional barcodes, displacement sensing, surface measurements, measurement of width and gap, flow cytometry, reading of optical media, presense or absence detection, and other related fields.

Abstract: An example system and method of reconstructing cardiac activation information are disclosed. An analysis signal and a reference signal are processed to determine whether there is a first point of change in a first selected-order derivative of the analysis signal with respect to a first selected-order derivative of the reference signal above a first threshold. The analysis signal and the reference signal are processed to determine whether there is a second point of change in a second selected-order derivative of the analysis cardiac signal with respect to a second selected-order derivative of the reference cardiac signal above a second threshold. An activation onset time is assigned in the analysis cardiac signal at a point based on a mathematical association of the first point of change and the second point of change to define cardiac activation indicating a beat in the analysis cardiac signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a tube-in-tube system comprising: (a) an outer conduit having a proximal end and a distal end, and (b) an inner conduit having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the inner conduit is disposed within the outer conduit, wherein the proximal end of the inner conduit is in fluid communication with a first aperture, and the proximal end of the outer conduit is in fluid communication with a second aperture, and the distal ends of the inner and outer conduits are in fluid communication with each other and to a third aperture. The present invention also provides for a split toroidal borehole clamp.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bulk Group-III nitride crystal growth through inductive stirring in a sodium flux growth technique. A helical electromagnetic coil is closely wound around a non-conducting cylindrical crucible containing a conductive crystal growth solution, including both precursor gallium and sodium, wherein a nitrogen-containing atmosphere can be maintained at any pressure. A seed crystal is introduced with the crystal's growth interface submerged slightly below the solution's surface. Electrical contact is made to the coil and an AC electrical field is applied at a specified frequency, in order to create eddy currents within the conductive crystal growth solution, resulting in a steady-state flux of solution impinging on the submerged crystal's growth interface.

Abstract: A method for the reuse of gallium nitride (GaN) epitaxial substrates uses band-gap-selective photoelectrochemical (PEC) etching to remove one or more epitaxial layers from bulk or free-standing GaN substrates without damaging the substrate, allowing the substrate to be reused for further growth of additional epitaxial layers. The method facilitates a significant cost reduction in device production by permitting the reuse of expensive bulk or free-standing GaN substrates.