Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for creating a nanoscale structure. The method includes forming a window in a semiconductor structure, the semiconductor structure comprising a substrate, a first semiconductor layer, and a mask layer; depositing a second semiconductor layer within the window such that a gap remains between the second semiconductor and a portion of the window; and regrowing the first semiconductor layer such that the first semiconductor layer fills the gap.

Abstract: A method for impulse noise detection and removal in color images comprising a detection module and a vector median filter.

Abstract: Methods for antibody profiling and epitope mapping are provided herein. More particularly, methods for screening and mapping epitopes of candidate antibodies and protein target identification are provided herein.

Abstract: A method of making a laser mirror in which a mirror substrate has at least a one micron size nodular defect includes depositing a planarization layer over the mirror substrate and the nodular defect, depositing a layer of silicon dioxide over the planarization layer, and etching away a portion of the layer of silicon dioxide. The method also includes thereafter, depositing a layer of hafnium dioxide over the layer of silicon dioxide and repeating the steps of depositing a layer of silicon dioxide, etching away a portion of the layer of silicon dioxide, and depositing a layer of hafnium dioxide until the nodular defect is reduced in size a predetermined amount.

Abstract: During the process of coagulation, prothrombin is activated to ?-thrombin by prothrombinase. Key residues in the structure of prothrombin allow for modulation of the activation of prothrombin. In certain embodiments, a recombinant prothrombin with at least one point mutation or deletion is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods or kits with inflammatory cytokines to pretreat 1-ISCs to augment their immune modulatory effect, in prevention and treatment of various diseases such as multiple sclerosis, arthritis, lupus, sepsis, hepatitis, cirrhosis, Parkinson's disease, chronic infections, and GvHD. The present invention relates to novel methods for enhancing the immunosuppressive or the immune stimulatory activities of mesenchymal stem cells (JvfSCs).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making palatable methionine-restricted foods, to deliver a methionine-restricted diet to human or veterinary patients. A protein or a food product containing protein is partially oxidized, preferably with ozone, to oxidize nearly all of the methionine and cysteine. After oxidation, tryptophan and lysine are optionally added back since they tend to be oxidized also. Optionally, a small amount of methionine is also added back so that the final methionine is within a preferred range of about 0.85 to about 1.8 gram methionine per 100 gram total protein, preferably about 1.2 gram per 100 gram total protein.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments concern a composition comprising a diatom frustule and two or more photocatalytic nanoparticles dispersed on the surface of the frustule. Also disclosed are embodiments of a method for making the composition. The nanoparticles are dispersed such that they are separate and not in physical contact with each other. An average distance between the nanoparticles may be from greater than 0 nm to 100 nm. The nanoparticles may comprise a dopant material. Paint compositions comprising the diatom frustule compositions are also contemplated. The diatom frustule composition may be useful for removing and/or degrading volatile organic compounds, such as those present in the atmosphere.

Abstract: A sensor including a layer of amorphous selenium (a-Se) and at least one charge blocking layer is formed by depositing the charge blocking layer over a substrate prior to depositing the amorphous selenium, enabling the charge blocking layer to be formed at elevated temperatures. Such a process is not limited by the crystallization temperature of a-Se, resulting in the formation of an efficient charge blocking layer, which enables improved signal amplification of the resulting device. The sensor can be fabricated by forming first and second amorphous selenium layers over separate substrates, and then fusing the a-Se layers at a relatively low temperature.

Abstract: The scope of this invention is to disclose the method of foaming a superior impact mitigation material, namely semi-closed cell hybrid polyurea foam, using scalable manufacturing process that is geometry-independent and allows for greater control of the resulting foam properties. while the process discussed herein, can be easily used to make complex geometries (e.g., padding foam for helmets, outsoles for walking and running shoes, body armors or other protection applications.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula (I) or (II) and tautomers and salts thereof, wherein variables are as described in the specification, as well as compositions comprising a compound of formula (I) or (II) or a tautomer or salt thereof, methods of making a compound of formula (I) or (II) or a tautomer or salt thereof, and methods of using a compound of formula (I) or (II) or a tautomer or salt thereof as, e.g., inhibitors of bacterial RNA polymerase or as antibacterial agents.

Abstract: Systems and methods to diagnose sarcoidosis are described. In addition to diagnosing sarcoidosis, the systems and methods can distinguish sarcoidosis from tuberculosis. Further disclosed is a cDNA library and methods of its use for reliably identifying sarcoidosis markers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to wheat plants having grain with high ?-glucan content, methods for constructing said wheat plants, grain therefrom and uses thereof. Wheat lines homozygous for the HvCslF6 gene from barley having five times the fiber content and an increased ?-glucan content of TA5790, TA5792, and TA5795 are disclosed.

Abstract: An example of a bottlebrush polymer has a polymer backbone and a plurality of individual brush moieties bonded to the polymer backbone. The individual brush moieties respectively including a ketone, a hydrophilic segment, and a surface adhesive terminal group. The brush moieties can be functionalized and/or cross-linked.

Abstract: A spirometer includes a housing, a mouthpiece coupled to the housing, and a measurement unit. The measurement unit is configured to receive air expelled by a user, and generate an electrical quantity corresponding to a peak expiratory flow or a forced expiratory volume based on the expelled air. The spirometer also includes a processing module supported by the housing, and configured to receive the electrical quantity from the measurement unit, a display coupled to the measurement unit to display an indication of the peak expiratory flow or the forced expiratory volume, and an energy harvester. The energy harvester is coupled to the measurement unit and the processing module, and is configured to receive energy from one of a group consisting of the measurement unit and an energy sensor, store the received energy in an energy storage device, and transfer the energy to the processing module.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for facilitating cognitive assessment are provided. Example embodiments provide a Cognitive Assessment Facilitator System CAFS, which facilitates the gathering and prediction of cognitive assessment of individuals using machine learning and sensors placed in the home of a resident. These predictive assessments can then be used by a clinician to further diagnose and/or provide health intervention. In one embodiment, the CAFS comprises a sensor input module, a machine learning engine (or algorithm as part of another component), a CAAB tool, and activity curve change engine (activity tools), and a reporting module 308. These components cooperate to process and transform smart home based sensor data into activity performance features and statistical activity features which are then processing through a machine learning engine to predict clinical cognitive assessment values.

Abstract: Compounds and methods involving inhibition of the enzymatic activity of QSOX1 (FIG. 13). The compounds and methods can be used in treatment of neoplastic cells, for example, to suppress tumor growth and invasion in a variety of cancers, including but not limited to myeloma and cancers of the breast, kidney, and pancreas.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for producing carboxylated nanocelluloses. Compared with conventional methods, the methods of the present disclosure are simple and cost-effective in the production of carboxylated (or carboxy) nanocelluloses, in embodiments nanofibers and/or nanowhiskers, directly from raw biomass, including lignocellulose wood, non-wood sources, non-lignocellulose wood, lignocellulose or pure cellulose. The carboxy groups on the surface of nanocellulose thus produced can then be easily modified into functional derivatives such as amide, acetate, ether, ester, etc. The resulting nanocelluloses may be used to form purifying agents and/or filters to remove impurities from wastewater.

Abstract: In this study, we demonstrated a unique application of our Metal-Assisted and Microwave-Accelerated Decrystallization (MAMAD) technique for the de-crystallization of uric acid crystals, which causes gout in humans when monosodium urate crystals accumulate in the synovial fluid found in the joints of bones. Given the shortcomings of the existing treatments for gout, we investigated whether the MAMAD technique can offer an alternative solution to the treatment of gout. Our technique is based on the use of metal nanoparticles (i.e., gold colloids) with low microwave heating to accelerate the de-crystallization process. In this regard, we employed a two-step process; (i) crystallization of uric acid on glass slides, which act as a solid platform to mimic a bone, (ii) de-crystallization of uric acid crystals on glass slides with the addition of gold colloids and low power microwave heating, which act as “nano-bullets” when microwave heated in a solution.

Abstract: Optical phase control elements are based on the Pancharatnam phase. Tunable liquid crystal devices containing the optical phase control elements may include a liquid crystal cell between a pair of substrates, a first plurality of electrodes, and a second plurality of electrodes. Each individual phase control element is defined by one electrode from the first plurality and one electrode from the second plurality.