Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to method for the generation and use of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the prevention and treatment of graft/transplant rejection. In particular, the method employs engineered CAR Treg cells that protect transplanted materials from rejection.

Abstract: This system and method of for providing a tunable orbital angular momentum system for providing higher order Bessel beams comprising: an acousto-optical deflector configured to receive an input beam, deflect a first portion of the input beam a first deflection angle relative to an axis of propagation and along an optical axis and deflect a second portion of the input beam a second deflection angle relative to the optical axis; a line generator disposed along the optical angle for receiving the first portion and the second portion of the input beam and provide an elliptical Gaussian mean; a log-polar optics assembly disposed along the optical angle for receiving the elliptical Gaussian beam and wrapping the elliptical Gaussian beam with an asymmetric ring; and, a Fourier lens configured to receive the wrapped elliptical Gaussian beam.

Abstract: An improved material, preferably a biomaterial, is provided which is the reaction product of S8 and a free fatty acid or free fatty acid-containing material, preferably in the presence of metal. The improved material can be made by a method comprising reacting S8 with a free fatty acid to obtain a FFA/S8 composite and shaping the FFA/S8 composite into a solid form. The solid form of said FFA/S8 is melted to form melted FFA/S8 and the melted FFA/S8 is optionally applied as a coating on a surface, used as an adjacent material to a surface or the FFA/S8 composite itself is shaped thereby forming a device and preferably a medical device.

Abstract: Disclosed are bioremediation substrates that include animal-based proteins and animal-based lipids that can function as electron donors in microbial respiration. The bioremediation substrates have been developed from animal by-products, such as rendered animal co-products. The bioremediation substrates can be utilized in restoration of subsurface environments, such as soil, sediment, and water, that have been impacted by one or more environmental contaminants, such as chlorinated solvents and metals such as chromium.

Abstract: A fiber includes a core and cladding, both of which may have temperature dependent indices of refraction. The materials and size of the core and cladding may be selected such that as the temperature of the core and/or cladding is heated above room temperature, the fiber transitions from supporting multimode optical waveguiding to supporting single mode waveguiding.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a protonic ceramic energy device includes: coating an electrolyte layer on an anode layer; and densifying the electrolyte layer by a rapid laser reactive sintering (RLRS) process on the electrolyte layer and/or the anode layer to form a half-cell comprising a dense electrolyte and a porous anode.

Abstract: Herein are described data acquisition systems and methods applying such systems to determine three-dimensional (3D) diffusion tensors, and simultaneously, to perform 3D structure imaging. Example data acquisition systems can include computing systems in communication with modified light sheet microscopes that are configured for high-speed volumetric imaging to record 3D diffusion processes and high-resolution 3D structural imaging.

Abstract: Methods and delivery agents for treatment of connective tissue that includes elastic fibers are described. Delivery agents are nano- or micro-sized particles that include a biologically active compound useful in treatment of degraded elastic fibers, and an anchoring agent at a surface that binds at or near the area of degraded elastic fibers. The delivery agents may be utilized for targeted delivery of biologically active compounds to degraded elastic fibers so as to maintain and/or regenerate the elastin component of connective tissue, and to prevent further degradation and/or rehabilitate the structural architecture of the connective tissue.

Abstract: A computerized system for generating digital representations of natural deep eutectic solvents comprising: a training dataset having a plurality of natural deep eutectic solvents; a set of non-stable natural deep eutectic solvents generated by random variation of the number of components, random variation of the individual chemical component, random variation of the stoichiometric coefficient for each component and any combination thereof; a set of non-transitory computer readable instructions, that when executed by a process are adapted to: receive a training dataset having a set of compounds using the simplified molecular-input line-entry system and having a designation of stable (e.g., 1) or not stable (e.g., 0), pre-training a language model according to the training dataset, fine tuning the language model according to a subset of labeled DES data, applying a classifier, and, providing results in a textual format.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for selectively controlling or modifying the growth of Poa annus in a turfgrass using a composition comprising an herbicidally-effective amount tebuconazole, or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an analyte concentration in liquid is provided. The system includes a coupon comprising an absorbent body with a window through the absorbent body wherein the liquid is maintained in said window by capillary action and surface tension. A reactant is in the absorbent body wherein the reactant is capable of diffusing into the window to react with an analyte in the liquid, or the reactant is able to react with the analyte within the coupon itself, with color-indicating by-products of the reaction diffusing into the window, wherein the analyte is present in an analyte concentration, to form a reactant with a color wherein the color has an intensity which correlates to the analyte concentration. A light source is provided which is capable of passing light into the window wherein the light is attenuated by the color proportional to the analyte concentration to form attenuated light. A detector is provided which is capable measuring an intensity of the attenuated light.

Abstract: A microheater comprises an optical fiber including a rare earth-doped glass core surrounded by a glass cladding. The rare earth-doped glass core comprises a rare earth dopant at a concentration sufficient for luminescence quenching such that, when the rare earth dopant is pumped with light at an absorption band wavelength, at least about 90% of absorbed pump light is converted into heat.

Abstract: High-power, highly efficient 3-level system fiber lasers are described. The lasers can operate at an average power of about 50W or greater with an efficiency of about 60% or greater with low diffraction limited mode quality. The lasers incorporate an all-solid photonic bandgap fiber that includes a large core (20 micrometers or greater), a high core/clad ratio (greater than 15%), and a waveguide cladding designed to define a transmission band to suppress the 4-level system of the gain medium through determination of the node size of individual nodes of a cladding lattice.

Abstract: Methods for synthesis of high surface area porous silicon-based materials and structures that can be formed according to the methods are described. Methods are scalable and capable of producing large quantities of the high surface area materials with high efficiency. The high surface area products can be in the form of a 3D network of interconnected arms or quills with multimodal porosity including high level pores between and among arms, hollow cores of the arms of the network, and pores through the walls of the arms of the network.

Abstract: Hydrothermal methods for the synthesis of bulk crystals of alkaline earth metal stannates are described. Methods can be utilized for growth of large, single crystals of alkaline earth metal stannates including fully cubic BaSnO3 and SrSnO3.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other aspects, functionalized chromophoric polymer dots comprising a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic cap, and bioconjugates thereof. Also provided are improved methods for preparing functionalized chromophoric polymer dots. Methods for in vivo imaging and molecular labeling are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein is a redox flow battery comprising an anode comprising anodic redox mediators; a negative electrolyte tank comprising an anolyte; and an anode pump capable of circulating the anolyte through the anode. The redox flow battery further comprises a cathode comprising cathodic redox mediators; a positive electrolyte tank comprising a catholyte and a cathode pump capable of circulating the catholyte through the cathode. A separator is between the anode and cathode.

Abstract: Bioreactors and components of bioreactors are described as may be beneficially utilized in development and conditioning of cellular materials for study or implant. The bioreactors are modular, and components of the bioreactors can be easily assembled with alternatives provided to develop specific, predetermined conditioning environments for cellular materials (e.g., implantable tissue). By selection of one of multiple alternative compliance chambers, a bioreactor can be utilized to condition tissue in a low-pressure circuit (e.g., a pulmonary heart circuit), and by utilization of an alternative compliance chamber, the bioreactor can instead condition tissue in a high-pressure circuit (e.g., an aortic heart circuit).

Abstract: A new and distinct peach (Prunus persica) cultivar denominated ‘CaroRes Wonder’ can be distinguished by its melting yellow flesh, early ripening season, large size, attractive appearance, high red skin color, excellent fruit quality, good flavor, fruitlet tolerance to late spring frost, and resistance to bacterial spot disease.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) denominated ‘EveRes Ruby’ can be distinguished by its firm fruit with slow softening, but eventually melting yellow flesh, early to mid ripening season, large size, attractive appearance, high red skin color, excellent fruit quality, good flavor, and fruit resistance to bacterial spot disease.