Abstract: Polymer-derived ceramic composites are described herein. The composites are formed using hexagonal boron nitride nanosheet-functionalized silicon-based ceramic precursor polymers. The composites a matrix of a polymer-derived ceramic and hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets embedded therein. Silicon-derived ceramic precursors such as polysilazane and/or polysiloxane are used to create improved SiCN and/or SiOC ceramic composites.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode. An electrode according to the present invention includes an active material layer; and a current collector which includes a plurality of conductive filaments, wherein at least one from among the plurality of conductive filaments is embedded in the active material layer so that a set length is exposed from the surface thereof.

Abstract: Materials and methods for treating cancer (e.g., by reducing metastasis) are provided herein. For example, materials and methods for treating cancer by targeting WSB1 and/or pVHL are provided.

Abstract: Described herein are compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for inhibiting the expression of a vitamin D receptor target gene, inhibiting interactions between the vitamin D receptor and at least one vitamin D receptor coactivator, for treating cancer in a subject, and for inhibiting angiogenesis in a subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel oligo phenylene ethynylene (OPE) compounds, methods for synthesizing these compounds, and materials and substances incorporating these compounds. The various OPEs show antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention pertain to the use of alloyed semiconductor nanocrystals for use in solar cells. The use of alloyed semiconductor nanocrystals offers materials that have a flexible stoichiometry. The alloyed semiconductor may be a ternary semiconductor alloy, such as AxB1-xC or AB1-yCy, or a quaternary semiconductor alloy, such as AxByC1-x-yD, AxB1-xCyD1-y or ABxCyD1-x-y (where A, B, C, and D are different elements). In general, alloys with more than four elements can be used as well, although it can be much harder to control the synthesis and quality of such materials. Embodiments of the invention pertain to solar cells having a layer incorporating two or more organic materials such that percolated paths for one or both molecular species are created. Specific embodiments of the invention pertain to a method for fabricating nanostructured bulk heterojunction that facilitates both efficient exciton diffusion and charge transport.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoplastic block copolymer comprising at least one PA block and at least one PB block. The PA block represents a polymer block comprising one or more units of monomer A, and the PB block represents a polymer block comprising one or more units of monomer B. Monomer A is a vinyl, acrylic, diolefin, nitrile, dinitrile, acrylonitrile monomer, a monomer with reactive functionality, or a crosslinking monomer. Monomer B is a radically polymerizable triglyceride or mixtures thereof, typically in the form of a plant or animal oil. The present invention also relates to a method of preparing a thermoplastic block copolymer or novel thermoplastic statistical copolymers by polymerizing a radically polymerizable monomer with a radically polymerizable triglyceride or mixtures thereof via reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization (RAFT), in the presence of an free radical initiator and a chain transfer agent.

Abstract: Devices and methods for measuring subsurface thermal fluxes and for estimating a rate of change in the amount of a reactive material within a subsurface formation using the measured thermal fluxes are described herein. The methods of measuring subsurface thermal fluxes may use at least one array of temperature sensors distributed along a vertical transect projecting from the surface and into the subsurface of a region of interest. Methods of estimating a rate of change in the amount of a reactive material within a portion of the region of interest based on perturbations of the thermal profile within the subsurface due to an endothermic or exothermic degradation of the reactive material within the portion of the region of interest are also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to RNA interference (RNAi) molecules targeted against a nucleic acid sequence, and methods of using these RNAi molecules to reduce off-target toxicity.

Abstract: A device for providing hands-optional mobility to a visually impaired toddler is disclosed. The device has a frame with vertical rods that connect to a toddler's body with a fastener. Curved surfaces at the distal ends of the rods slide along the floor and transmit tactile sensations to the toddler. Advantageously, the vertical rods are sufficiently flexible that the toddler cannot utilize the rods as walking aids.

Abstract: Provided are a method and system for detecting frequency-domain cardiac information, the method comprising: acquiring moving images of a pupil from a subject; extracting a pupil size variation (PSV) from the moving images; extracting a heart rate variability (HRV) spectrum by performing a processing procedure including frequency-analysis of HRV; and calculating power of at least one of a plurality of frequency bands by analysis of the HRV spectrum.

Abstract: Orbital angular momentum (OAM) communications systems provide an additional degree of freedom to the electromagnetic waves that travel between the transmission and receiving stations, thereby enabling a dramatic increase in data transmission rates. The present invention provides a design for a very low reflectivity flat spiral phase plate that generates OAM modes and a method of making the same. The design incorporates variable sizes of perforated unit cells and may include matched layers to provide improved impedance matching, and the flat disc shape makes the phase plate compact and easy to install. The OAM phase plate can be designed to operate at frequencies from a few 100s KHz to ultraviolet frequencies and is capable of providing one or more OAM modes at the operational frequencies, irrespective of polarization. In a preferred embodiment, the OAM phase plate is designed for operation at about 30 GHz frequency, with 20 GHz bandwidth.

Abstract: Immunocompatible pluripotent stem cells (pSCs), which include cells compatible with different patient populations or patient-specific cells, find wide application in regenerative medicine therapies. Described herein are immunocompatible pSCs generated using techniques such as parthenogenesis resulting in cells possessing desired haplotypes of reduced zygosity, antigenically compatible with multiple patient populations, or nuclear transfer allowing generation of patient-specific cells. Methods described herein related to parthenogenesis, nuclear transfer, or pSC cell line generation. Also described herein are compositions of immunocompatible pSCs and cell lines generated by the aforementioned techniques.

Abstract: A new approach is described herein for outfitting a mass spectrometer with an infrared laser that provides an improved method of ion dissociation. One embodiment, generally referred to as Activated Ion Electron Transfer Dissociation (AI-ETD) utilizes additional energy from photons during fragmentation to generate extensive fragmentation by interacting with peptides or proteins that are not fully fragmented or separated in the high pressure linear ion trap, thus allowing for increased information during MS/MS. Additionally, a new activation scheme generally referred to as AI-ETD+ is also described that combines AI-ETD in the high pressure cell of the linear ion trap with additional infrared multi-photon dissociation (IRMPD) activation in the low pressure cell. These methods provide improved fragmentation and sequence coverage without introducing additional time to the scan duty cycle.

Abstract: A system and method determines one or more favorable dates for delivery of therapeutic treatment to a specific patient based on the “state” of one or more biological variables of the patient on the proposed treatment date(s). The “state” of the biological variables refers to whether the concentration of the biological variable is greater than a threshold value (state=HIGH or UP) on the proposed date of treatment or less than a threshold value (state=LOW or DOWN) on the proposed date of treatment. The biological variables may include lymphocytes and/or monocytes. A system and method may also determine one or more favorable dates for delivery of therapeutic treatment to patient based on a lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio on the proposed treatment dates, and/or the “state” of the lymphocytes and monocytes on the proposed treatment dates.

Abstract: An engagement guarantee system uses a gamification method and includes a sensor configured to sense vehicle data from a vehicle tag attached to a vehicle, to sense tool data from a tool tag attached to a tool, and to transmit the sensed data to a server A controller is configured to receive the vehicle data and the tool data from the server, to transmit an engagement torque corresponding to the vehicle to the tool, and to receive an engagement result from the tool An analyzer is configured to receive the engagement result from the controller, to analyze the engagement result, and to transmit an analyzed result to a display unit. The display unit is configured to display the analyzed result transmitted from the analyzer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for producing a heat-dissipating ceramic foam containing carbonized cellulose particles, the method including: mixing particles of carbonized cellulose or carbonized cellulose-containing substance, ceramic powders, silicate, and water to form slurry; adding a foaming agent to the slurry to form foamed slurry; and drying the foamed slurry.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cell culture device and its applications of creating gradient of chemicals or gradient of cells to mimic the in vivo physiological conditions of homeostasis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a halo-de-carboxylation process for the preparation of organic chlorides, organic bromides and mixtures thereof, from their corresponding carboxylic acids, using a chlorinating agent selected from trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA), dichloroisocyanuric acid (DCCA), or combination thereof, and a brominating agent.