Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a fuel cell comprising a gradient catalyst structure and a method of making the same. The gradient catalyst structure can include a plurality of catalyst nanoparticles, e.g., platinum, disposed on layered buckypaper. The layered buckypaper can include at least a first layer and a second layer and the first layer can have a lower porosity compared to the second layer. The gradient catalyst structure can include single-wall nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, or both in the first layer of the layered buckypaper and can include carbon nanofibers in the second layer of the layered buckypaper. The MEA can have a catalyst utilization efficiency of at least 0.35 gcat/kW or less.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell comprising having improved absorption of electromagnetic radiation is disclosed. The photovoltaic cell can include a rear contact, a first cell having a first band-gap energy, and a rear contact in electrical communication with an electromechanical device. The first cell can include InxGaySbz, where x+y+z=1 and z ranges from 0.00001 to 0.025. the photovoltaic cell can also include a second cell having a second band-gap energy, and a first tunnel disposed between the first and second cells. The photovoltaic cell can include at least a third cell and a second tunnel disposed between the second and third cells. The uppermost cell can include GaP or InP.

Abstract: A method of screening an agent for ability to interfere with collagen synthesis includes the steps of reacting a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 1 with collagen mRNAs in the presence of the agent and detecting if the agent has interfered with binding of the polypeptide to the mRNAs. Another method includes the steps of reacting the polypeptide with nonmuscle myosin filaments in the presence of the agent and detecting if the agent has interfered with binding of the polypeptide to the nonmuscle myosin filaments.

Abstract: An apparatus for capillary zone electrophoresis includes a polyelectrolyte multilayer positioned in a capillary tube for analytical separations of macromolecules. The capillary comprises a passage defined by passage walls comprising fused silica and the polyelectrolyte multilayer positioned within the passage. The polyelectrolyte multilayer comprises layers with alternating charge. The apparatus includes a power supply having a positive electrode and a negative electrode for generating an electric field therebetween and a sensor positioned adjacent the passage for sensing macromolecules.

Abstract: A method of treating pre-term labor in pregnant human patient expressing melatonin receptors in her myometrial cells comprises administering an inhibitor of MT2R, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, an inhibitor of phospholipase C, or a combination thereof to the patient.

Abstract: A four-ring birdcage coil having at least one moveable tuning ring for double resonance MRI includes low-pass configuration in both channels so that the HF mode only requires a small capacitance for resonance, enabling easy modification of a single resonance coil into a double resonance coil by incorporation of non-contact coupling rings whose capacitive coupling with the rungs generates enough capacitance to introduce the high-frequency resonance mode. The coil also includes at least one moving ring for broad range tuning in the HF channel. The LF channel is adjusted by a variable capacitor that is not directly connected to the coil, thus the frequency adjustment on each channel is independent. The HF channel is connected to the input cable by coupling capacitor. The LF channel is connected to the input cable by coupling inductor. This alternating driving scheme provides sufficient channel isolation and obviates the need for an external isolation network.

Abstract: A direct double-frequency ripple current control in a two-stage high-frequency-link (HFL) based fuel cell converter that can achieve low-frequency ripple free input current without using large electrolytic capacitors is provided. To eliminate the double-frequency ripple current disturbance introduced by the single-phase inverter load, a proportional-resonant (PR) controller is developed to achieve an extra high control gain at designed resonant frequency. This high gain can be viewed as the virtual high impedance for blocking the double-frequency ripple energy propagation from inverter load to fuel cell stack. More particularly, the proposed control system can realize the utilization of all capacitive ripple energy sources in the system by regulating all the capacitors to have large voltage swing and the voltage swing is synchronized to keep real-time balancing of the transformer primary-side and secondary-side voltages.

Abstract: High quantum yield InP nanocrystals are used in the bio-technology, bio-medical, and photovoltaic, specifically IV, III-V and III-VI nanocrystal technological applications. InP nanocrystals typically require post-generation HF treatment. Combining microwave methodologies with the presence of a fluorinated ionic liquid allows Fluorine ion etching without the hazards accompanying HF. Growing the InP nanocrystals in the presence of the ionic liquid allows in-situ etching to be achieved. The optimization of the PL QY is achieved by balancing growth and etching rates in the reaction.

Abstract: A system and method of aggregating and predicting stock ranking stocks. The novel system and method uses a neighborhood model to aggregate a plurality of “neighboring” or related stocks having similar pricing trends. The system and method then uses a ranking optimization method to predict the ranking of each stock based on percentage change in price. The current invention facilitates investors trading by using a novel methodology to predict stock rankings and providing a neighborhood of related stocks, while having an easy-to-use interface.

Abstract: NMR probe coils designed to operate at two different frequencies, producing a strong and homogenous magnetic field at both the frequencies. This single coil, placed close to the sample, provides a method to optimize the NMR detection sensitivity of two different channels. In addition, the present invention describes a coil that generates a magnetic field that is parallel to the substrate of the coil as opposed to perpendicular as seen in the prior art. The present invention isolates coils from each other even when placed in close proximity to each other. A method to reduce the presence of electric field within the sample region is also considered. Further, the invention describes a method to adjust the radio-frequency tuning and coupling of the MAR probe coils.

Abstract: Flame retardant composite materials are provided which include at least one first paper which comprises carbon nanofibers and graphite oxide particles. The composite materials may further include at least one second paper which comprises carbon nanofibers. The composites may further include one or more structural material layers sandwiched between the first and second papers. Occupant structures are also provided with fire and smoke retardant surfaces composed of carbon nanofibers/graphite oxide particles papers at least partially surrounding occupants of the occupant structures.

Abstract: Dendritic cooling layers for printed circuit boards and method of fabrication thereof. The dendritic cooling layers may have non-intuitive dendritic structures that minimize peak temperature. The dendritic cooling layers may also be compatible with current PCB fabrication techniques. The dendritic cooling layers may have an adjustable tolerance to meet fabrication limits. The current invention also contemplates a method of generating a dendritic high conductivity path suitable for printed circuit boards. The methodology comprises the replacement of low conductivity materials with high conductivity materials such that the optimal ratio can be obtained to minimize heat flow resistance, while also maintaining lower costs of production.

Abstract: Photouncaging-assisted evaluation of large-scale synaptic reorganization of brain circuits and methods in use thereof. The current invention utilizes laser-scanning photostimulation in large-scale and with higher accuracy to detect synaptic reorganization in neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. Using the invention's methodology, disease and non-disease conditions can be determined, and treatments can be personalized and administered more efficiently.

Abstract: Unsymmetrical bisazides containing chelating and non-chelating azido groups undergo chemoselective three-component copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne conjugation reactions with two different alkyne molecules. In conjunction with the reactivity gap between aromatic and aliphatic alkynes, a bistriazole molecule can be generated with an excellent regioselectivity by mixing two alkynes and a bisazide in a single reaction container. This method is applicable in aqueous solutions at neutral pH, which may lend utilities in bioconjugation applications.

Abstract: A method of detecting a compromised machine on a network. The method receives an email message from a machine on the network and classifies it as either spam or non-spam. A probability ratio is then updated, according to whether the message was spam or non-spam, by applying a sequential probability ratio test. If the probability ratio is greater than or equal to a first threshold, then the machine is compromised. If the probability ratio is less than or equal to a second threshold, then the machine is normal. The operations of receiving a message, classifying the message, updating the probability ratio, and indicating the machine is normal or compromised until the probability ratio is greater than or equal to the first threshold are repeated for a plurality of messages. Such repeated operations are performed on each of the messages one at a time, as each of the messages is received.

Abstract: A system and method of aggregating and predicting stock ranking stocks. The novel system and method uses a neighborhood model to aggregate a plurality of “neighboring” or related stocks having similar pricing trends. The system and method then uses a ranking optimization method to predict the ranking of each stock based on percentage change in price. The current invention facilitates investors trading by using a novel methodology to predict stock rankings and providing a neighborhood of related stocks, while having an easy-to-use interface.

Abstract: Fire retardant materials are provided that contain carbon nanotubes and particles capable of endothermically reacting when exposed to elevated temperatures. The carbon nanotubes may be a buckypaper. Methods also are provided for making a fire retardant material and for improving the fire retardation capabilities of a material.

Abstract: Automated, standardized and accurate extraction of relationships within text. Automatic extraction of such relationships/information allows the information to be stored in structured form so that it can be easily and accurately retrieved when needed. Such information can be used to build online search engines for highly specific and accurate information retrieval. The current invention discloses a novel approach to extract such information from raw text based on natural language processing (NLP) and graph theoretic algorithm. The novel method can be applied, for example, to extract protein-protein relationships in biomedical literature. The method can be easily extended to extract other biological relationships between biological terms such as proteins, genes, pathways, diseases and drugs. The method can also be applied to other information domains to extract other relationships.

Abstract: Fire retardant materials are provided that contain carbon nanotubes and particles capable of endothermically reacting when exposed to elevated temperatures. The carbon nanotubes may be a buckypaper. Methods also are provided for making a fire retardant material and for improving the fire retardation capabilities of a material.

Abstract: Fire retardant materials arc provided that contain carbon nanotubes and particles capable of endothermically reacting when exposed to elevated temperatures. The carbon nanotubes may be a buckypaper. Methods also are provided for making a fire retardant material and for improving the fire retardation capabilities of a material.