Abstract: Systems and methods for MBIR reconstruction utilizing a super-voxel approach are provided. A super-voxel algorithm is an optimization algorithm that, as with ICD, produces rapid and geometrically agnostic convergence to the MBIR reconstruction by processing super-voxels which comprise a plurality of voxels whose corresponding memory entries substantially overlap. The voxels in the super-voxel may also be localized or adjacent to one another in the image. In addition, the super-voxel algorithm straightens the memory in the “sinogram” that contains the measured CT data so that both data and intermediate results of the computation can be efficiently accessed from high-speed memory and cache on a computer, GPU, or other high-performance computing hardware. Therefore, each iteration of the super-voxel algorithm runs much faster by more efficiently using the computing hardware.

Abstract: Micro- or nano-pores are produced in a membrane for various applications including filtration and sorting functions. Pores with at least one cross-sectional dimension in or near the nano-scale are provided. Device designs and processing allow for the use of thin film disposition and nano-imprinting or nano-molding to produce arrays of nano-pores in membrane materials function ing in applications such as filtration membranes, drug application/control structures, body fluid sampling structures, and sorting membranes. The nano-imprinting or nano-molding approach is utilized to create nano-elements in an organic or inorganic mold material with at least one nano-element cross-sectional dimension in or close to the nano-scale. These nano-elements can be in various shapes including slits, cones, columns, domes, and hemispheres.

Abstract: Attenuated vaccines to protect vertebrate animals and people against tick-born rickettsial, Ehrlichia and Anaplasma species infections is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods to modify the organism to achieve the desired immunity through the modification of a novel genetic region involved in pathogenesis. These compounds represent a needed vaccine against an organism causing life-threatening febrile illness in humans and animals, and also represent the potential to develop new classes of drugs targeting the gene products of genes Ech_0660, Ech_0379, and Ech_0230, and their homologs of other related rickettsial pathogens.

Abstract: A method is provided for coating the substrate of a component, such as a zirconium alloy cladding tube, for use in a water cooled nuclear reactor under normal operating conditions and under high temperature oxidation conditions. The method includes heating a pressurized carrier gas to a temperature between 200° C. and 1200° C., adding chromium or chromium-based alloy particles having an average diameter of 20 microns or less to the heated carrier gas, and spraying the carrier gas and particles onto the substrate at a velocity, preferably from 800 to 4000 ft./sec. (about 243.84 to 1219.20 meters/sec.), to form a chromium and/or chromium-based alloy coating on the substrate to a desired thickness.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating or manipulating biological tissues are provided. In the systems and methods, a biological tissue is placed in contact with an array of electrodes. Electrical pulses are then applied between a bias voltage bus and a reference voltage bus of a distributor having switching elements associated with each of the electrodes. The switching elements provide a first contact position for coupling electrodes to bias voltage bus, a second contact position for coupling electrodes to the reference voltage bus, and a third contact position for isolating electrodes from the high and reference voltage buses. The switching elements are operated over various time intervals to provide the first contact position for first electrodes, a second contact position for second electrodes adjacent to the first electrodes, and a third contact position for a remainder of the electrodes adjacent to the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compounds, compositions and kits including mitochondrially-targeted electrophilic (MTE) compounds that are useful for treating cancer.

Abstract: This disclosure provides extracellular matrix-binding synthetic peptidoglycans comprised of one or more synthetic peptides conjugated to a glycan and methods of their use.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure can include an active device FET region having a FET and a photonics region having a photonic device including a waveguide. A semiconductor structure can include an active device FET region having a FET and a trench isolation region having a photonic device that includes a waveguide. A method can include forming a FET at an active device FET region of a semiconductor structure. A method can include forming a photonic device at a trench isolation region of a semiconductor structure.

Abstract: A membrane useful in gas separation, the membrane comprising a cross-linked polysiloxane structure having a cross-link density of about 0.1×10?5 mol/cm3 to about 6×10?5 mol/cm3, where, in particular embodiments, the cross-linked polysiloxane structure has the following general structure: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are independently selected from hydrocarbon groups having at least 1 and up to 6 carbon atoms; A1 and A2 are independently selected from cyclic hydrocarbon groups; L1 and L2 are linking groups or covalent bonds; n is an integer of at least 1; r and s are independently selected from integers of at least 1; and p is an integer of at least 10. The invention also includes methods for making and using the above-described membranes for gas separation.

Abstract: A prosthetic joint (100) comprises a first component (110) having a first interface portion (111). The prosthetic joint (100) further comprises a second component (120) having a second interface portion (121) with a textured surface (122) to interface with the first interface portion (111) and form a skeletal joint. The textured surface (122) can include a plurality of concave features (123). Each or the concave features (123) can be configured to compress a lubricant (140) to facilitate hydrodynamic lubrication between the first and second interface portions (111, 121) to minimize wear between the first interface portion (111) and the second interface portion (121) of the prosthetic joint (100).

Abstract: The subject technology relates to arylquinoline compounds and their use for treating cancer or cancer metastasis. The compounds of the subject technology promote cells to secrete a pro-apoptotic tumor suppressor, i.e., prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4), which in turn promote apoptosis in cancer cells or metastatic cells.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for devices, methods for separating particles, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and materials for RNA-mediated gene assembly from oligonucleotide sequences. In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides used for gene assembly are provided in an array format. An RNA polymerase promoter is appended to surface-bound oligonucleotides and a plurality of RNA copies of each oligonucleotide are then produced with an RNA polymerase. These RNA molecules self-assemble into a desired full-length RNA transcript by hybridization and ligation. The resulting RNA transcript may then be converted into double strand DNA useful in a variety of applications including protein expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound having the structure: wherein X is a therapeutic agent containing at least one amine nitrogen and the amine nitrogen on the therapeutic agent covalently bonds directly to carbon ?; Z is CH3 or CF3; R1 is —H, —NR2R3, —NH—C(?O)—R4, —NH—C(?O)—OR4, —CH2—C(?O)—NR5R6, —OR7, —CO2R7, C1-6 alkyl, C2-6 alkenyl, C2-6 alkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, wherein R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are each, independently, —H, C1-6 alkyl, C2-6 alkenyl, C2-6 alkynyl, heteroalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, alkylaryl, heteroaryl, alkylheteroaryl, an amino acid or an oligopeptide; wherein an amine of the amino acid or oligopeptide is substituted or unsubstituted; and n is an integer from 0 to 6; or a diastereomer, enantiomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound.

Abstract: A method, a system and a program product for use when monitoring degradation of a photovoltaic cell each use a plurality of current-voltage curves for the photovoltaic cell obtained at a plurality of predetermined times, where the plurality of current-voltage curves is obtained when the photovoltaic cell (or related module, string or array) is in operational service. The use of such a plurality of current-voltage curves provides for extraction of a plurality of degradation characteristics or parameters for the photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: A method for treating an inflammatory disease is provided. The method comprises administering an effective amount of a BLT1 inhibitor to a subject in need thereof. The BLT1 inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of a BLT1 receptor antagonist, a small molecule, a polypeptide, an siRNA, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A photovoltaic power station includes, for example, a plurality of solar panels at a first location, the plurality of solar panels operable to provide a maximum power output, a controller operable to supply, from the plurality of solar panels, a predetermined power output less than the maximum power output to an electrical grid, and wherein the photovoltaic power station is operable to maintain, from the plurality of solar panels, a reserve power output to provide the reserve power output to the electrical grid, the reserve power output being the difference between the maximum power output and the predetermined power output.

Abstract: The invention provides modified griffithsin polypeptides comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, as well as corresponding nucleic acids, vectors, cells, fusion proteins, constructs, conjugates, and methods of inhibiting viral infection.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods related to targeted delivery of a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to a subject utilizing an engineered receptor-ligand system, such as an engineered dockerin-cohesin system. As described herein, previously-developed targeted delivery systems for delivering therapeutic and diagnostic agents to a tissue of interest have drawbacks that have not been addressed to date. For example, with respect to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB), both of which hamper delivery of agents to the brain, others have relied on the use of endogenously expressed receptors, like the transferrin receptor, to assist the agent across the barriers.