Abstract: The invention provides a polymer comprising two or more residues of formula III or IV or salts thereof: wherein dash line, X, Y, Q, L, M, n, R1, R2, Ra, Rb, Rc and Rd have any of the values defined in the specification, as well as synthetic intermediates and synthetic methods useful for preparing the compounds. The polymer is useful to treat contaminated water by chelating metal.

Abstract: This application discloses alginate microencapsulation-mediated differentiation of embryonic stem cells and use of the stem cell differentiation method for the development of effective treatment of various diseases and disorders. The microencapsulation of embryonic stem (ES) cells results in decreased cell aggregation and enhanced neural lineage differentiation through incorporating the soluble inducer retinoic acid (RA) into the permeable microcapsule system. This differentiation process can be augmented by differentiation pathway regulators such as PPAR agonists.

Abstract: A device for detecting a biomarker for inflammation in a respiratory system includes a sample collection and/or holding area to receive an exhaled breath condensate (EBC) sample obtained from a respiratory system; an electrode system coupled to the sample collection area, the electrode system including reduced graphene oxide (rGO); and circuitry coupled to the electrode system. The circuitry is configured to apply a voltage to the EBC sample in the sample collection area via the electrode system and to measure a current via the electrode system in response to the voltage applied, in order to determine a concentration of nitrite in the EBC sample based on the current measured. The concentration of nitrite is a biomarker for inflammation in the respiratory system.

Abstract: A clearing agent and mounting solution for microscopy is disclosed comprising at least trichloroethanol and/or derivatives thereof, where the refractive index of the solution is greater than or equal to about 1.3810. Also disclosed are methods of preparing specimens for microscopy.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods of diagnosing and determining treatment strategies for Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

Abstract: Various embodiments comprise systems, methods, architectures, mechanisms or apparatus configured to separate particles of varying size within a fluid flow, or filter particles from a fluid flow, via an array of anchored-liquid drops or anchored-gas drops.

Abstract: Magnesium Zinc Oxide (MZO)—based high voltage thin film transistor (MZO-HVTFT) is built on a transparent substrate, such as glass. The device has the circular drain and ring-shaped source and gate to reduce non-uniformity of the electric field distribution. Controlled Mg doping in the channel and modulated Mg doping in a transition layer located at the channel-gate dielectric interface improve the device's operating stability and increase its blocking voltage capability over 600V. The MZO HVTFT can be used for fabricating the micro-inverter in photovoltaic system on glass (PV-SOG), and for self-powered smart glass.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system that receives sensor information from each of a plurality of sensors. Each sensor in the plurality is associated with a vehicle. The sensor information includes location coordinates of each vehicle in the plurality. The sensor information associated with each vehicle in the plurality then is translated to parking statistics information. In one embodiment, the translation is based on an aggregate of sensor information corresponding to the plurality of vehicles. The system then communicates parking statistics information to the vehicle.

Abstract: This invention relates to nucleic acids, reagents and methods for detecting Rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a sample from a subject. In one aspect, the invention provides methods of detecting Rifampicin resistant M. tuberculosis in a sample comprising (a) amplifying a nucleic acid containing the rifampicin resistance determining region (RRDR) of the rpoB gene in a sample to provide an amplified nucleic acid; (b) probing the amplified nucleic acid with at least three molecular beacon probes for an RRDR mutant target; (c) conducting melting temperature (Tm) analysis to determine a Tm value for each probe; and (d) comparing the Tm value for each probe with a Tm value for a wild-type RRDR region, wherein a Tm value for at least one of the molecular beacon probes that is greater than the Tm value for the wild-type RRDR indicates the presence of rifampicin resistant M. tuberculosis in the sample.

Abstract: A system includes a device that is disposed within an environment and is adapted to communicate over a radio frequency communication link. The system also includes a wireless access point disposed within the environment, including a wireless transceiver in communication with the device over a radio frequency communication link using a plurality of channels, and recording a channel state information data set for the radio frequency communication link. The system also includes a monitoring device including a memory storing a plurality of activity profiles, each of which includes an activity and a channel state information profile corresponding to the activity, and a processor receiving, from the wireless access point, the channel state information data set and determining, based on a comparison of the channel state information data set to the channel state information profile of each of the plurality of activity profiles, the activity of the person in the environment.

Abstract: The disclosure provides seed, tissue cultures, essential oil extracts, and plants of catnip hybrid ‘CR3’, as well as methods for producing a catnip plants by crossing ‘CR3’plants with themselves or with another catnip plant, such as a plant of another genotype, variety, or cultivar. The disclosure further provides seed, tissue cultures, essential oil extracts, and plants produced by such crossing. Methods of using the plants and extracts as insect repellents and in pet toys, are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and kits are described for testing for the presence or absence of any fungus in a sample. Examples of fungi that can be detected include, but are not limited to, those belonging to the genera Candida, Aspergillus and Pneumocystis. The methods include obtaining a sample suspected of containing fungal nucleic acid, including at least one universal region of fungal nucleic acid, and testing for the presence or absence in the sample of the at least one universal region of fungal nucleic acid. Samples may be biological or non-biological.

Abstract: A method for forming a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composite by distributing carbon fibers or nanotubes into a molten polymer phase comprising one or more molten polymers; and applying a succession of shear strain events to the molten polymer phase so that the molten polymer phase breaks the carbon fibers successively with each event, producing reactive edges on the broken carbon fibers that react with and cross-link the one or more polymers. The composite shows improvements in mechanical properties, such as stiffness, strength and impact energy absorption.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are flexible plasma applicators based on fibrous layers that are capable of rapidly sanitizing a surface via either direct or indirect contact with said surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved stripfilm based pharmaceutical products (e.g., for enhancing dissolution and bioavailability). More particularly, the present disclosure provides improved systems/methods for fabricating stripfilm based pharmaceutical products by utilizing higher viscosity film forming precursors and drying methods that accomplish improved/faster drying and provide improved/excellent content uniformity of active pharmaceutical agents in the stripfilm based pharmaceutical products. Exemplary systems/methods advantageously use high viscosity, bio-compatible polymeric precursors, (optional use of surface modified drug powders), and convective drying for fabrication of thin films loaded with nano and/or micro sized particles of poorly water-soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to achieve improved active content uniformity and very fast dissolution from poorly water soluble actives, while accomplishing fast drying during the fabrication process.

Abstract: Described herein is an enriched substance containing a ground edible material comprising one or more concentrated bioactive natural products from plant juice, as well as methods of producing such enriched substances and methods of using such solids to provide beneficial effects to humans or other animals. Enriched foods comprising the enriched substance(s) are also provided. Also provided are non-sorbed natural products such as sugars, fats oils, and carotenoids found in the non-sorbed plant liquor fraction of plant juice.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of nucleic acids sequences in situ using hybridization probes and generation of amplified hybridization signals, wherein background signal is reduced and sensitivity is increased.

Abstract: The described invention relates to the use of parylene and composites of parylene as a flexible, sealable, and near hermetic barrier packaging material for nonaqueous electrochemical cells. Additionally, the invention relates to the technique of sealing of battery packaging material through the use of ultrasonic energy, and to the use of a low melting temperature inorganic barrier, which is predisposed between higher melting temperature polymer layers, that can be sealed to form a truly hermetic barrier at the interface.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide a lubricating oil composition comprising a lubricating oil base stock and a compound of formula (I): or a salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 have any of the values defined in the specification, as well as methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Substitution of tantalum into the lattice of monoclinic niobium phosphate results in improved reversibility, near 0% irreversible loss, and similar excellent 20 C high rate behavior in large grain material without the formation of electronically conducting nanocomposites. Tantalum substitution into niobium pentaphosphate enables an improved stabilization of the difficult to fabricate monoclinic niobium phosphate phase. Such tantalum-substituted niobium phosphates show excellent potential for use as electrodes in lithium or lithium-ion batteries.