Abstract: Foamy macrophages with senescence markers accumulate in the subendothelial space at the onset of atherosclerosis where they drive pathology by increasing expression of key atherogenic and inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. In advanced lesions, senescent cells promote features of plaque instability, including elastic fiber degradation and fibrous cap thinning, by heightening metalloprotease production. This invention provides methods and materials for treating arthritis by removing senescent cells in or around atherosclerotic plaques, thereby stabilizing the plaques, inhibiting rupture of the plaques and pathological sequelae that manifest as coronary artery disease.

Abstract: Thin-film photovoltaic devices and methods of their use and manufacture are disclosed. More particularly, polycrystalline CuIn(1-x)GaxSe2 (CIGS) based thin-film photovoltaic devices having independently tunable sublayers are disclosed. Also provided are methods of producing an n-doped graphene.

Abstract: A system for treatment of biological tissues is provided. The system can deliver electric pulses to a targeted region within a biological tissue. The system includes an antenna assembly and a lens. The antenna assembly is configured to generate and direct electromagnetic radiation. The lens is configured to be positioned between a surface of the biological tissue and the antenna assembly. The lens can have a plurality of lossy portions. The lens can be configured to be adjustable to create a patient-specific desired electric field distribution by selective positioning of the plurality of lossy portions within the lens.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for generating intensity modulated proton therapy plans robust to various kinds of delivery uncertainties with the capability for treatment planners to control the balance between plan quality and robustness. The system obtains a representation of a subject and a proton beam configuration that describes a number of beamlets and their respective arrangement. The system computes an objective function, in the treatment planning system, first part of which is about dose deviations from the prescribed dose in the target volumes, second part of which is about dose deviations from the dose constraint in the non-target volumes, and computing dose volume constraints for targets using a probability to control the dose distribution in the target volumes to be between a lower threshold and an upper threshold. Based on this information, the system obtains a robust chance-constrained treatment planning model with a user-adjustable tolerance level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I): including any stereochemically isomeric form thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, for the treatment of, for example, cancer.

Abstract: A method of generating soluble polyphosphides using solution chemistry is presented. A reaction between potassium ethoxide in THF/DME and shelf stable red phosphorus generated soluble polyphosphides in a variety of organic solvents with the 31P NMR spectrum being used to detect the species of polyphosphides produced.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating one or more denoised images from a series of noisy images acquired with a medical imaging system are described. In general, the systems and methods described here implement techniques whereby the series of noisy images are formed into a spatial-temporal or spatial-spectral image matrix in which each column represents a different noisy image. The image matrix is then processed to decompose the image matrix into basis images defined by a spatial and a temporal or spectral basis. Low rank solutions are enforced and extracted from the resulting decomposed image matrix as denoised images.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward blades having serrations, and methods for forming the serrations. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, laser light is scanned across a surface of a knife blade in which the laser light is intersected with an edge thereof. The laser light is used to serrate the edge of the knife blade by generating heat in the knife blade while the laser light is scanned, melting portions of the knife blade at serration regions at the edge, and removing the melted portions. This approach may be carried out without registering an accurate location of the knife edge, and while also melting portions of the knife blade away from the edge.

Abstract: A nanoscale-sized pore positioned between two reservoirs may sequence biomolecules by detecting changes in the emitted light due to a change in charge of portions of the biomolecules as they pass through the pore such as affect an emission frequency of a quantum structure proximate to the pore opening. The nanopores may be fabricated using local droplet etching whose randomness is accommodated by lowering the droplet density to permit isolation of nanopores in tiles that may be adhered to an underlying supporting substrate having an aligned opening. The nanopore-tiles may be integrated with commonly applied glass chips and may be employed in microfluidic circuitry.

Abstract: Novel collagen mimics are disclosed with a tripeptide unit having the formula (Xaa-Yaa-Gly)n,where one of the positions Xaa or Yaa is a bulky, non-electron withdrawing proline derivative. By substituting a proline derivative at either the Xaa or Yaa position in the native collagen helix, the stability of the helix is increased due solely to steric effects relative to prior known collagen-related triple helices. Methods are also disclosed for making the novel collagen mimics.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and biomarkers for diagnosing autism by identifying cellular metabolites differentially produced in autistic patient samples versus non-autistic controls. Methods for identifying a unique profile of metabolites present or secreted in brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, plasma, or biofluids of autistic samples are described herein. The individual metabolites or a pattern of secreted metabolites provides metabolic signatures of autism, which can be used to provide a diagnosis thereof.

Abstract: An organic light-emitting device having high efficiency and long lifespan including: a first electrode; a second electrode facing the first electrode; and an organic layer between the first electrode and the second electrode and including an emission layer, wherein the organic layer includes a first compound represented by Formula 1 and a second compound represented by Formula 2: When compounds represented by Formulae 1 and 2 are included in the emission layer, organic light-emitting devices may exhibit improved driving voltage, improved luminance, improved efficiency, and/or improved lifespans.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for producing metal clusters; functionalized surfaces; and droplets including solvated metal ions. In certain aspects, the invention provides methods that involve providing a metal and a solvent. The methods additionally involve applying voltage to the solvated metal to thereby produce solvent droplets including ions of the metal containing compound, and directing the solvent droplets including the metal ions to a target. In certain embodiments, once at the target, the metal ions can react directly or catalyze reactions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of estimating the pose of a ligand in a receptor comprising identifying all possible atom pairs of protein-ligand complexes in a given configuration space for a system that comprises proteins; creating a first database and a second database; where the first database comprises associated pairwise distant dependent energies and where the second database comprises all probabilities that include how the atom pairs can combine; combining the first database with the second database via statistical mechanics to accurately estimate binding free energies as well as a pose of a ligand in a receptor; and selecting a protein-ligand complex for further study.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring shear force and a dummy for testing a vehicle using the same are provided herein. A sensor for measuring shear force which is configured to quantitatively accurately measure shear force applied to a human body who sits on a vehicle seat, and a dummy for measuring shear force using the sensor are provided, wherein the sensor for measuring shear force includes an upper block, an intermediate block and a lower block and is configured such that a first strain gauge is mounted upright between the upper block and the intermediate block and a second strain gauge is mounted upright between the intermediate block and the lower block so that the shear force can be accurately measured without being affected by horizontal tensile force.

Abstract: An ultrafast electromechanical switch having a drive mechanism comprising three non-movable contacts, an actuator and two movable contacts. The switch further including one or more precision adjustment screws coupled to the non-movable contacts for adjusting the contact pressure. The provided ultrafast electrical (e.g., transfer, disconnect, etc.) switch is simple, compact, clean, exhibits ultralow loss, does not require high energy to operate and is capable of being automatically reset.

Abstract: A system for dynamically replicating data for a heterogeneous Hadoop is provided. The system includes a name node having a replication manager. The replication manager calculates a probability that a map task is allocated to a map task slot of a data node that stores an input data block of the map task out of a plurality of map task slots of data nodes by using a number of the map task slots in the Hadoop clusters comprised of heterogeneous clusters, and dynamically replicates data based on the probability.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for providing a retrofit and repair technique and device for asphalt shingle roof coverings or roofing systems that exhibit premature adhesive tab seal failures. A device can have a handle at one end and a blade tip end at the other end has the blade tip inserted under a shingle to be repaired. The device can dispense a row of “dabs” at a selected location under roof shingle(s). The dispenser can dispense a row of individual “dabs” by a volume container. Alternatively, the dispenser can have a roll with a plurality of rows of pre-made “dabs” of adhesive on removable type paper. Once the blade tip end of the tool device is inserted between upper and lower shingles, the dabs are dispensed by removing the release paper, and the device is pulled out with the release tape is wound up, advancing the adhesive cylinders. Next, the worker can press down on the upper shingle.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a vertical tunneling random access memory comprising: a first electrode disposed on a base substrate; a second electrode vertically spaced from the first electrode; a floating gate disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and configured to charge or discharge charges; a tunneling insulating layer disposed between the first electrode and the floating gate; a barrier insulating layer disposed between the floating gate and the second electrode; a contact hole passing through the tunneling insulating layer and the barrier insulating layer for partially exposing the first electrode; a semiconductor pattern extending from the second electrode, along and on a portion of a side wall face defining the contact hole, to the first electrode such that one end of the semiconductor pattern is in contact with the first electrode and the other end of the pattern is in contact with the second electrode.

Abstract: ‘UF16-27-1’ is a new coleus plant with novel characteristics that include a vigorous compact spreading growth habit, an excellent heat tolerance, and consistent bright chartreuse leaves. It has superior stability in foliage color in both sun and shade conditions, maintaining stable color in all conditions. ‘UF16-27-1’ is unique because it grows twice as wide as it grows tall, which is a characteristic not seen in comparable commercial cultivars.