Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for modulating a microorganism's response to an antimicrobial agent. In one embodiment, the method comprises contacting the microorganism with an antimicrobial agent and bicarbonate. In one embodiment, provided herein are methods for treating a microbial infection comprising administering to a subject in need an effective amount of (i) bicarbonate and (ii) an antimicrobial agent. Also provided herein are methods of screening for antimicrobial compounds.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to DNA aptamers that bind eosinophil peroxidase, including uses thereof, such as in eosinophil peroxidase detection assays. Also provided is a method for detecting the presence of eosinophil peroxidase in a sample, using the DNA aptamers that bind eosinophil peroxidase. Further provided is a kit for detecting the presence of eosinophil peroxidase in a sample, using the DNA aptamers that bind eosinophil peroxidase.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to catalytic nucleic acid probes, biosensors and lateral flow biosensor systems and methods and kits of using the probes, biosensors and lateral flow biosensor systems for detecting microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus.

Abstract: A narrow linewidth mid infrared laser, including a pumping laser diode with a fast-axis compressor and a pumping wavelength ?o; and an optical resonator arranged to receive the pumping wavelength ?o, the optical resonator including a laser crystal with a lasing wavelength ?p, a dichroic mirror, and a nonlinear crystal to generate an idler wavelength ?i.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a silver sintered molybdenum (SSM) packaging for power semiconductor devices and a method of manufacturing thereof. The SSM packaging comprises a substrate; a MOSFET die comprising a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is bonded to the substrate using nano silver sintering; and at least two leads connected, at a respective first end, to the substrate and, at a respective second end, to the second side of the MOSFET die, wherein nano silver sintering is used to bond the first and second ends of the at least two leads, and wherein each of the substrate and at least two leads is formed of pure molybdenum.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to DNAzymes and biosensors for detecting pathogenic bacteria, and in particular, for detecting Legionella pneumophila. This disclosure also provides a method for detecting the presence of Legionella pneumophila in a test sample, comprising: a) contacting said test sample with the DNAzyme or biosensor described herein, wherein the DNAzyme comprises a detectable label; b) allowing cleavage of the DNAzyme if a target is present, thereby releasing the detectable label; and c) measuring a detectable signal if the portion of the DNAzyme comprising the detectable label is released, wherein the RNA cleavage activity of the DNAzyme is activated by a target from Legionella pneumophila.

Abstract: Described herein is a hybrid biological membrane comprising an endogenous bilayer doped with one or more synthetic lipid molecules. Also described herein is a method of preparing a hybrid biological membrane, the method comprising doping an endogenous bilayer with one or more synthetic lipid molecules.

Abstract: This application relates to compounds such as compounds of Formula (I) that block SREBP2-induced hepatic PCSK9 expression, compositions comprising these compounds and methods of use thereof; for example, for treating diseases, disorders or conditions treatable by blocking SREBP2 activation and/or PCSK9 gene expression.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing or monitoring endometriosis in a mammal are provided. The methods include the steps of determining the expression levels of BDNF, glycodelin and optionally ZAG, in a biological sample from the mammal, and determining that the mammal has endometriosis when the biomarker expression levels in the sample are elevated.

Abstract: Multivalent trident aptamers comprising the general formula [A-SA]2 or 3-L-[SB-B] in which a central branched linker molecule (L) possesses 2 or 3 variable arms ([A-SA]2 or 3), and a root ([SB-B]), connected by a central carbon atom, to provide enhanced affinity and/or avidity with a target are described, as well as methods of making and using the multivalent trident aptamers are provided.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to novel CD133-binding agents. The disclosure is also directed to uses of novel CD133-binding agents for detecting CD133-expressing cells and/or quantitating levels of cellular CD133 expression, for targeting CD133-expressing cells, for decreasing levels of CD133 in CD133-expressing cells and for treating or preventing cancer.

Abstract: A cutting tool, comprising a substrate having a cutting surface and a coating adhered to the cutting surface in a solid state, wherein the coating includes a soft metal and is capable of melting and functioning as an in-situ liquid lubricant when the cutting tool is applied in a machining operation. Also, a method of applying a coating to a cutting tool, comprising receiving a premachining workpiece, the premachining workpiece formed of a coating material including a soft metal; and machining the premachining workpiece with the cutting tool such that a layer of the coating material adheres to a cutting surface of the cutting tool in a solid state.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing cognitive function are described that use tracked electrical activity of the brain of the individuals in response to a specific sequence of stimuli in generating data sets, which, for example, can be encapsulated as a data structure. The data sets can include tracked specific response types, at different times and amplitudes, including, but not limited to, event related potential signal components. Brainwave features including, event related potentials, are tracked in relation to both pre-attentive brain responses and consciously controlled attention responses.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to implementing cooperative management strategies. In one embodiment, a method includes determining a severity score and a risk area. The method may then determine whether vehicles should belong to a first vehicle set, which may perform a cooperative vehicle response action, or a second vehicle set, in which individual response actions may be performed. The method may then generate a cooperative response action or an individual response action corresponding to the cooperative or individual vehicle sets, provided such vehicle sets are not empty.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in subjects is provided based on the determination of metabolites in urine samples, such as serine, hypoxanthine, kynurenine, threonine, dimethylglycine, tryptophan, indoxylsulfate, phenylacetylglutamine, sialic acid, 5-hydroxy-6-indolyl-o-sulfate, 5-(?-carboxybutyl) homocysteine, and/or an anion having m/z:RMT:polarity of 345.1553:0.770:n, or determination of metabolites in stool samples, such as ketodeoxycholic acid, cholic acid, choline, tryptophan, trimethyllysine, serine, butyric acid, lactic acid, hypoxanthine and/or guanine.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a DC-DC power converter comprises a primary circuit coupled to a DC input voltage, a secondary circuit coupled to a DC output voltage, and a transformer isolating the primary from the secondary circuit. The primary circuit comprises a first and second circuit branch. The first circuit branch comprises a plurality of switches, a diode, and a reconfiguration switch. The second circuit branch comprises a plurality of switches, and a plurality of diodes. The reconfiguration switch is operable to switch the primary circuit between a first mode and a second mode, wherein the primary circuit operates as a full-bridge circuit in the first mode and the primary circuit operates as a half-bridge circuit in the second mode.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel pentamidine analogues such as pentamidine analogs having the general formula: wherein: X is C, N, or —CH—CH—, Y is Y1 when X is N, and Y is Y1 and Y2 when X is C, or —CH—CH—, Y1, or Y1 and Y2 independently, are selected from H, hydroxyl, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halogen, nitro, amino, cyano or thiol, wherein the lower alkyl or alkoxy is optionally substituted with one or more of hydroxyl, halogen, nitro, amino, cyano, thiol, or a 5- or 6-membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring, optionally substituted with one or more of hydroxyl, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halogen, nitro, amino, cyano or thiol, wherein Y1 is not H when X is N; or Y1 is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring, optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from hydroxyl, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halogen, nitro, amino, cyano, carboxy, or thiol, and Y2 is H, if present; or Y1 and Y2 together with X form a 5- to 8-membered hydrocarbon ring, optionally substituted with one or more g

Abstract: Hybrid silicon devices are disclosed in which a silicon-based resonant structure is coated with a rare-earth-doped tellurium oxide layer that facilitates optical gain, thereby forming a silicon-based laser cavity. The silicon-based laser cavity supports at least one resonant mode that has a modal volume extending from the silicon resonant base structure into the rare-earth-doped tellurium oxide layer. The silicon-based laser cavity is optically coupled to a silicon waveguide to facilitate the delivery of pump laser energy to the silicon-based laser cavity, such that at least a portion of the pump laser energy propagating through the silicon waveguide is coupled to the silicon-based laser cavity for excitation of the rare earth dopant within the rare-earth-doped tellurium oxide layer. The silicon waveguide that is optically coupled to the silicon-based laser cavity also facilitates the external delivery of the laser energy generated within silicon-based laser cavity.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a start time and severity value associated with the roadway incident to provide traffic management instructions. The system may, for example, receive sensor data from a vehicle at a location associated with a roadway incident. The system can determine a traffic flow profile for the location, where the traffic flow profile identifies characteristics of the roadway incident that match characteristics of the traffic flow profile. Based on the traffic flow profile, the system may determine a severity value for the roadway incident and calculate a start time of the roadway incident. The start time may correspond with the traffic flow profile for the location in view of the severity value.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a biosensor, and methods of use thereof, for detecting a target in a sample comprising a photoelectrode comprising a conductive substrate and a photoactive material; a population of capture probes functionalized on the photoelectrode wherein the capture probes are capable of binding to the target and a reporter moiety; and the reporter moiety comprising a detectable label and a capture probe binding portion; wherein exposure of the target to the population of the capture probes results in binding of the target to a fraction of the population which results in a decrease in detection signal intensity compared to the intensity in the absence of the target, and subsequent binding of the reporter moiety to the remaining unbound capture probes results in an increase in detection signal intensity that is less than an increase from the reporter moiety binding to capture probes not exposed to the target.