Abstract: Monomeric and oligomeric compounds of Formula (I) comprising hydrophobic alkyl or alkenyl ester moieties and hydrophilic carboxylate moieties: wherein R1 is C1-C6 alkyl, R2 is Cl0-C30 alkyl or C8-C30 alkenyl, Y is a cation, Z is a sulfur-containing moiety, and n and k are integers as defined herein. The compounds of Formula (I) have surfactant properties. Also provided are compositions comprising the compounds of Formula (I), and methods of using the compounds or compositions for cleaning purposes.

Abstract: A method of treating heart failure in a patient is disclosed that includes implanting a stimulation device into the identified patient to electrically stimulate the spinal cord, and activating the device to deliver electrical stimulation to the spinal cord.

Abstract: Photovoltaic (PV) and photodetector (PD) devices, comprising a plurality of interband cascade (IC) stages, wherein the IC stages comprise an absorption region with a type-I superlattice and/or a bulk semiconductor material having a band gap, the absorption region configured to absorb photons, an intraband transport region configured to act as a hole barrier, and an interband tunneling region configured to act as an electron barrier, wherein the absorption region, the intraband transport region, and the interband tunneling region are positioned such that electrons will flow from the absorption region to the intraband transport region to the interband tunneling region.

Abstract: Testosteronan, a heparosan analog having the structure [-4-D-GlcUA-?1,4-D-GlcNAc-?1-]n, is produced by testosteronan synthase, a single protein that is a dual-action catalyst that utilizes UDP-GlcUA and UDP-GlcNAc to synthesize a polysaccharide having the structure [-4-D-GlcUA-?1,4-D-GlcNAc-?1-]n.

Abstract: Compositions for use in methods of treating and/or inhibiting a pathologic ocular condition, as well as methods of producing and using same, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a panel of at least five clinical analyses or tests (using serum samples) to determine the risk of pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and/or pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infection (PANDAS) in an individual. These include enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to measure antibody titers against neuronal antigens present in the brain; the neuronal antigens include lysoganglioside, tubulin, dopamine receptor D1, dopamine receptor D2, serotonin receptor 5HT2A, and serotonin receptor 5HT2C. Antibody titers against at least four of these neuronal antigens are required in the present methods; preferably antibody tiers against all of these neuronal antigens are measured. A final assay is used to quantify calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase activity using a neuronal cell line.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include vaccine compositions comprising a TcdB toxin or toxoid derived therefrom. The TcdB toxin may be derived from a hypervirulent strain of C. difficile. A further embodiment is directed to a method of conferring an active immunity against a C. difficile infection in a subject by administering the vaccine composition to the subject.

Abstract: Derivatives of licofelone for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases and epithelial cancers associated with chronic inflammation are disclosed. The agents target mPGES-1 and 5-LOX.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microemulsions and methods of preparing and using the microemulsions.

Abstract: The presently disclosed inventive concept(s) include inhibitors of antiplasmin cleaving enzyme (APCE) and fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAP) which can be used in various therapies related to disorders of fibrin and ?2-antiplasmin and abnormal cell proliferation. The presently disclosed inventive concept(s) also include substrates of APCE and FAP, which may be used, for example, in screening methods for identifying such inhibitors. The presently disclosed inventive concept(s) further include, but are not limited to, methods of treating or inhibiting atherosclerosis and thrombus disorders by altering the ratios of types of plasma ?2-antiplasmin and to methods of treating conditions involving abnormal cell proliferation such as cancers.

Abstract: An electrode assembly includes a retainer, a flexible sheath, and an electrode. The retainer may include a plurality of clasping arms. The retainer is movable to an open position and a closed position. The flexible sheath is positioned below a lower surface of the retainer. The flexible sheath is at least partially surrounded by the clasping arms of the retainer. The retainer is able to hold the flexible sheath around a target tissue when the retainer is in the closed position. The electrode is configured for conducting electrical signals to or from the target tissue. The electrode is connected to at least one of the retainer and the flexible sheath. The retainer is able to hold the electrode in electrical communication with the target tissue when the retainer is disposed around the target tissue in the closed position.

Abstract: Inhibitors of fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAP) and Prolyl Oligopeptidase (POP) are disclosed, along with their use in various therapies related to conditions, diseases, and disorders involving abnormal cell proliferation such as malignancies and angiogenesis, and in neural disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Stalk portions of the inhibitor molecules, and substrates of FAP and POP, are also disclosed and may be used, for example, in screening methods for identifying such inhibitors.

Abstract: Disclosed is at least one embodiment of an infrared (IR) photovoltaic (PV) detector, comprising a IV-VI Lead (Pb)-salt layer disposed on a substrate and a charge-separation-junction (CSJ) structure associated with the IV-VI Pb-salt layer, wherein the CSJ structure comprises a plurality of element areas disposed upon or within the IV-VI Pb-salt layer, wherein the plurality of element areas are spaced apart from each other. Each element area may be connected to a first Ohmic contact thereby forming a plurality of interconnected first Ohmic contacts, and a second Ohmic contact may be disposed upon a portion of the IV-VI Pb-salt layer. In another non-limiting embodiment, a PV detector, comprising a heterojunction region that comprises at least one IV-VI Pb-salt material layer coupled to at least one non-Pb-salt layer, wherein the at least one IV-VI Pb-salt layer and the at least one non-Pb-salt layer form a p-n junction or Schottky junction with a type II band gap alignment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for restoring or recovering linear polarization state of an optical signal as it exits the far end of an optical fiber are disclosed. The optical signal may have an expected pattern of polarization states through a birefringent material of the optical fiber from a first node to a second node. The optical signal may be received by the second node and resulting polarization states may be measured. In certain non-limiting examples, the measured polarization states may be compared to expected polarization states to determine a characterization angle indicative of an axis of the optical fiber.

Abstract: Disclosed are genetically-modified phages, comprising a first nucleic acid sequence encoding at least a first peptide able to bind to a magnetic nanoparticle, and a second nucleic acid sequence encoding at least a second peptide able to bind with high specificity to a predetermined biomarker, and a method for using the genetically-modified phage displaying the first peptide and second peptide in a method for analyzing a fluid sample for the predetermined biomarker.

Abstract: An interband cascade (IC) light emitting device comprising a plurality of interband cascade stages, wherein at least one of the IC stages is constructed to have an electron injector made of one or more QWs, a type-I quantum well (QW) active region, a barrier layer positioned between the active region and the electron injector, a hole injector made of one or more QWs, and a barrier layer positioned between the active region and the hole injector. In at least one embodiment, a type II heterointerface layer is between the electron injector and an adjacent hole injector. The well layer of the type-I QW active region has compressive strain, while the barrier layers which flank the type-I QW active region comprise tensile strain layers. In certain embodiments, the electron injector and the hole injector comprise tensile strained layers.

Abstract: A sampling probe, system and analysis method is disclosed. The sampling probe in one embodiment is constructed of a silicon substrate having a first channel, a second channel, a first tapered tip with an opening, and a second tapered tip with an opening, wherein the first channel extends from the first tapered tip opening to the second tapered tip opening, and wherein the second channel extends from an inlet port to a junction with the first channel.

Abstract: A multiple piece tongue blade is described. The multiple piece tongue blade is provided with a step and a tip. The stem is adapted to be inserted into a handle of a surgical retractor. The tip is adapted to be selectively attached to the stem. The tip is insertable into a mouth of a patient such that the tip applies pressure onto a tongue of the patient.

Abstract: A method and composition for treating a cancerous tumor in a subject by targeting the tumor's vasculature using an enzyme conjugate comprising a ligand which binds to endothelial cells in the tumor vasculature and converts a prodrug administered to the subject into an anticancer drug in the tumor vasculature.

Abstract: An electroosmotic pump unit includes at least a first pump element, at least a second pump element, and an electrode. Each pump element includes a tube, an electrically grounded fluid inlet, a fluid outlet electrically coupled to the electrode, and a porous monolith immobilized in the tube and having open pores having net surface charges. When the electrode applies a voltage across the monoliths, a fluid supplied to the first pump element flows through the pump elements in a direction from a fluid inlet of the first pump element toward a fluid outlet of the second pump element. A plurality of electroosmotic pump units may be connected in series in a pump assembly. The electroosmotic pump unit, or pump assembly, may be connected to an apparatus such as a HPLC.