Abstract: Administering an effective dose of glutenase to a Celiac or dermatitis herpetiformis patient reduces levels of toxic gluten oligopeptides, thereby attenuating or eliminating the damaging effects of gluten.

Abstract: Methods of imaging a living host using Raman nanoparticles; methods of generating a true image of a living host having been administered Raman nanoparticles; methods of multiplex imaging of a living host using a plurality of Raman nanoparticles; methods of generating multimodality images by combining Raman images with other functional/anatomical images; labeled Raman nanoparticles; and the like, are provided.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an optical device and a method of use is provided. The optical device can include a fiber Bragg grating and a narrowband optical source. The narrowband optical source can be configured to generate light. A first portion of light can be transmitted along a first optical path extending along and through the length of the fiber Bragg grating at a group velocity. The light can have a wavelength at or in the vicinity of a wavelength at which one or more of the following quantities is at a maximum value: (a) the product of the group index spectrum and a square root of the power transmission spectrum, (b) the slope of a product of the group index spectrum and one minus the power transmission spectrum, and (c) the slope of a product of the group index spectrum and the power transmission spectrum.

Abstract: A micro-array surface that provides for drag reduction. In one aspect, an aerodynamic or hydrodynamic wall surface that is configured to modify a fluid boundary layer on the surface comprises at least one array of micro-cavities formed therein the surface. In one example, the interaction of the micro-cavities with the boundary layer of the fluid can delay transition of the fluid over an identical smooth surface without the micro-cavities.

Abstract: An AC, rf, or pulse-excited microdischarge device and array are provide by the invention. A preferred array includes a substrate. A plurality of microdischarge cavities that contain discharge medium are in the substrate. A transparent layer seals the discharge medium in the microdischarge cavites. Electrodes stimulate the discharge medium. The microdischarge cavities are physically isolated from the electrodes by dielectric and arranged relative to the electrodes such that ac, rf, or pulsed excitation applied to the electrodes stimulates plasma excitation of the discharge medium. The microdischarge cavities are sized to produce plasma within the microdischarge cavities.

Abstract: A method for producing a single stranded DNA (ssDNA) molecule of a defined length and sequence is disclosed. This method enables the preparation of, inter alia, probes of greater length than can be chemically synthesized. The method starts with a double stranded molecule, such as genomic, double stranded DNA (dsDNA) from any organism. A fragment of the starting molecule (dsDNA) is amplified by specific primers engineered to introduce cleavage sites on either side of the desired sequence. Cleavage steps on the amplified, engineered fragment are combined with a phosphate removal step, thereby creating a construct that can be digested with an exonuclease without damage to the desired ssDNA. Probes, which hybridize with large gaps between the ends of the probes, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and materials for delivering biologically active molecules to cells in vitro or in vivo are provided. The methods and materials use carbon nanotubes or other hydrophobic particles, tubes and wires, functionalized with a linking group that is covalently bound to the nanotubes, or, alternatively, to the biologically active molecule, such as a protein. The biologically active molecule is preferably released from the nanotube when the complex has been taken up in an endosome.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions for making and methods of using a hand-held nucleic acid amplification device, comprising a disposable biochip with a series of sample wells, each sample well having a novel optical arrangement that includes a light-emitting diode (LED) and a single light capturing element (e.g. a photodiode) for quickly measuring light emissions from biological samples such as nucleic acid amplification reactions. Such a device can utilize isothermal amplification for obtaining detectable yields of amplified nucleic acid product in short time periods, for example, within seconds.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a scalable single stage differential power converter. The inverter can be implemented in signal, split and multi-phases. A multiphase converter can be achieved with only three modules. Integrated magnetics used in preferred embodiments of the invention mitigate the DC component of the steady-state dynamics and can be extended to AC ripple mitigation. Control architectures in preferred embodiments can mitigate higher order harmonics in steady state dynamics. Embodiments of the invention also provide scalability for voltage and current source topologies.

Abstract: A method for providing an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with nonrigid motion correction of an object is provided. An MRI excitation is applied to the object. A magnetic field read out from the object using a plurality of sensor coils. Spatially localized motion estimates are obtained for each sensor coil of the plurality of sensor coils. The motion estimates are used for each sensor coil to provide motion correction.

Abstract: Artificial control of a prosthetic device is provided. A brain machine interface contains a mapping of neural signals and corresponding intention estimating kinematics (e.g. positions and velocities) of a limb trajectory. The prosthetic device is controlled by the brain machine interface. During the control of the prosthetic device, a modified brain machine interface is developed by modifying the vectors of the velocities defined in the brain machine interface. The modified brain machine interface includes a new mapping of the neural signals and the intention estimating kinematics that can now be used to control the prosthetic device using recorded neural brain signals from a user of the prosthetic device. In one example, the intention estimating kinematics of the original and modified brain machine interface includes a Kalman filter modeling velocities as intentions and positions as feedback.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing carbon-magnetite nanocomposites. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of (a) dissolving a first amount of an alkali salt of lignosulfonate in water to form a first solution, (b) heating the first solution to a first temperature, (c) adding a second amount of iron sulfate (FeSO4) to the first solution to form a second solution, (d) heating the second solution at a second temperature for a first duration of time effective to form a third solution of iron lignosulfonate, (e) adding a third amount of 1N sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to the third solution of iron lignosulfonate to form a fourth solution with a first pH level, (f) heating the fourth solution at a third temperature for a second duration of time to form a first sample, and (g) subjecting the first sample to a microwave radiation for a third duration of time effective to form a second sample containing a plurality of carbon-magnetite nanocomposites.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for resizing an image using a seam carving algorithm. The method may include measuring energy levels of pixels in an original image to derive an original energy map; applying a filter to an original energy map to derive a first energy map having a scale less than the original energy map; iteratively applying the filter N times, starting with the first energy map, to an energy map from an immediately preceding iteration; upsampling each of the energy maps to a resolution that matches the original energy map; combining the upsampled energy maps with the original energy map to form a composite image; identifying a seam by finding a path in the composite image having lowest energy quantities from one end of the composite image to an opposing end of the composite image; and selectively deleting the identified seam from the original image, thereby yielding a resized image.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture for simulating a physical phenomenon characterized by a set of partial differential equations that are reduced based on harmonic time dependence. The system of linear equations represent an operation in the differential equations, and are characterized by a coefficient matrix multiplied by an unknown column vector, with the product thereof being equal to a column vector. The system of linear equations is solved using at least one of three sets of operations.

Abstract: Various approaches to imaging involve selecting directional and spatial resolution. According to an example embodiment, images are computed using an imaging arrangement to facilitate selective directional and spatial aspects of the detection and processing of light data. Light passed through a main lens is directed to photosensors via a plurality of microlenses. The separation between the microlenses and photosensors is set to facilitate directional and/or spatial resolution in recorded light data, and facilitating refocusing power and/or image resolution in images computed from the recorded light data. In one implementation, the separation is varied between zero and one focal length of the microlenses to respectively facilitate spatial and directional resolution (with increasing directional resolution, hence refocusing power, as the separation approaches one focal length).

Abstract: A soybean cultivar designated KK-09 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar KK-09, to the plants of soybean cultivar KK-09, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar KK-09, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar KK-09. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar KK-09. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar KK-09, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar KK-09 with another soybean cultivar.

Abstract: Provided herein are electron emission devices and device components for optical, electronic and optoelectronic devices, including cantilever-based MEMS and NEMS instrumentation. Devices of certain aspects of the invention integrate a dielectric, pyroelectric, piezoelectric or ferroelectric film on the receiving surface of a substrate having an integrated actuator, such as a temperature controller or mechanical actuator, optionally in the form of a cantilever device having an integrated heater-thermometer. Also provided are methods of making and using electron emission devices for a range of applications including sensing and imaging technology.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating nanoscale array structures suitable for surface enhanced Raman scattering, structures thus obtained, and methods to characterize the nanoscale array structures suitable for surface enhanced Raman scattering. Nanoscale array structures may comprise nanotrees, nanorecesses and tapered nanopillars.

Abstract: Methods for creating a transient nanoscale opening in a cell membrane and methods for transporting a desired species through the nanoscale opening are provided. A nano-sized needle-like tip can be used to mechanically slice the cell membrane to create a transient, localized nanoscale slit. The nanoscale slit may be used for transferring exogenous molecules into a living cell.

Abstract: Analysis of live beings is facilitated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a light-directing arrangement such as an endoscope is mounted to a live being. Optics in the light-directing arrangement are implemented to pass source light (e.g., laser excitation light) into the live being, and to pass light from the live being for detection thereof. The light from the live being may include, for example, photons emitted in response to the laser excitation light (i.e., fluoresced). The detected light is then used to detect a characteristic of the live being.