Abstract: The invention provides novel nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists, for example, phantasmidine and derivatives thereof, for example a compound of formula I. Also disclosed are methods of treating disorders responsive to nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, Myasthenia Gravis, Tourette's syndrome, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, pain, and cognitive dysfunction by treatment with the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists.

Abstract: A method of forming a micromechanical structure comprising, forming a sacrificial layer on a surface and walls of a trench in a substrate; depositing a structural layer over the sacrificial layer, extending into the trench, selectively etching the structural layer to define a pattern having a boundary, at least a portion of the structural layer overlying a respective portion of the trench being removed and at least a portion of the structural layer extending into the trench being preserved at the boundary; and removing at least a portion of the sacrificial layer from underneath the structural layer, prior to removal of at least a portion of the sacrificial layer extending into the trench at the structural boundary. A micromechanical structure formed by the method is also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are perovskite-polymer films, methods of forming polymer-perovskite films, and devices including polymer-perovskite films. The polymer-perovskite films may include a plurality of methylammonium lead chloride (CH3NH3PbCl3) nanopillar crystals embedded in a polymer matrix. The devices can be optoelectronic devices, such as light emitting diodes, which include polymer-perovskite films. The polymer-perovskite films of the devices can be hole transport layers in the devices. The methods of making films may include spin casting a precursor solution followed by thermal annealing.

Abstract: Provided herein is a thermoplastic elastomer hydrogel and methods of making such. The hydrogel comprises a glass formed from poly(styrene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) in which the coronal chain end has been functionalized with photodimerizable groups (AB-photo) and a liquid medium at a concentration between about 32:1 and about 2:1 liquid medium/AB-photo by weight. The hydrogel has a fatigue resistance to at least 500,000 compression cycles.

Abstract: This describes homogeneous catalysts that are recoverable from solution by being phase selective and through host-guest interactions. An example of a method includes separating a water soluble N-heterocyclic carbene homogeneous catalyst from a solution by: (a) forming a host-guest compound between the catalyst and an inclusion compound in the solution; and (b) isolating the host-guest compound from the solution.

Abstract: A method for separating a homogeneous catalyst from a solution includes forming a host-guest compound between a first isomer of the catalyst and inclusion compound in the solution and isolating the host-guest compound from the solution. The catalyst may be released from the inclusion compound by converting the first isomer of the catalyst to a second isomer of the catalyst.

Abstract: An osseointegratable prosthetic device suitable for implantation via a one-step surgical process includes a threaded insertion end, an externally accessible tool interface end, and an intermediately arranged scaffold portion defining recesses that permit ingrowth of skeletal tissue. Such recesses may include multiple longitudinal fins as well as transverse ribs, which may embody or be coated with porous material to promote bone ingrowth. A split flange portion includes discontinuous portions and may permit pretensioning of the device. The device may be fabricated as a unitary body structure from thermoplastic materials using techniques such as fused filament fabrication (a form of 3D printing). The osseointegratable prosthetic device enables one-step surgical implantation without requiring separately implantable fixture/sleeve and abutment portions according to conventional osseointegratable prosthetics. Methods for fabricating an osseointegratable prosthetic device are further provided.

Abstract: The present invention presents methods to alter the genetic composition of crop plants susceptible to nematode infection to improve tolerance to the same. Methods and compositions for modulating key pathways involved in the syncytial event of nematode infection and for preventing the cascade of differential gene expression caused by the same as disclosed. Applicants have found that the microRNA miR396 acts as a master switch of syncytial gene expression changes in plants after infection, and further that miR396 and certain growth regulating transcription factors (GRF) are connected through feedback interaction in syncytium initiation and maintenance.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to biosensing systems and biosensing elements having increased storage capability and increased functional lifetimes through using compositions and methods for recycling cofactors.

Abstract: Implementation of high performance controllable damping devices can ameliorate cost-effectiveness of structural systems for mitigation of natural hazards relative to structures such as building, wind turbines, and off-shore structures. However, the applications of these damping systems are limited due to a lack of 1) mechanical robustness; 2) electrical reliability; and 3) large resisting force capability. To broaden the implementation of modern damping systems, a semi-active damping device is proposed. The device, in one form termed Banded Rotary Friction Device (BRFD), has enhanced applicability compared to other proposed damping systems due to its cost-effectiveness, high damping performance, mechanical robustness, and technological simplicity. Its mechanical principle is based on a band brake, which results in a high amplification of the input force while enabling a variable control force.

Abstract: Multidentate metal complexes useful as phosphorescent emitters in display and lighting applications have the structures as described herein. Multidentate metal complexes and compositions including one or more of the complexes described herein can be useful as emitters in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), displays and lighting applications, and photovoltaic devices. Generally, a chemical structural change will affect the electronic structure of the compounds, which thereby affects the optical properties of the compounds (e.g., emission and absorption spectra). Thus, the compounds described herein can be tailored or tuned to a particular emission or absorption energy. In some aspects, the optical properties of the compounds disclosed herein can be tuned by varying the structure of the ligand surrounding the metal center.

Abstract: Provided is a method for inhibiting the growth of tumor cells comprising administering to an individual in need of treatment, a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of Lappaol F. Also provided are compositions comprising Lappaol F and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: To address the inefficiency and unfairness issues in channel bonding, a dynamic channel bonding protocol is presented in which a node is allowed to start a transmission as long as a narrow channel is available and gradually increase channel width during transmission whenever a new narrow channel becomes available. The protocol aggregates all available narrow channels as one wide channel, removing the need of setting guard bands between contiguous narrow channels. A challenge in dynamic channel bonding is the communication over uncertain channels. To enable fast spectrum agreement between transmitter and receiver, a partial spectrum correlation method is introduced. When new channels become available, multiple nodes may contend for them. A compound preamble is designed to make collisions detectable in the frequency domain and a parallel bitwise arbitration mechanism is used to quickly resolve the collisions in the time domain.

Abstract: A method for probing a target sequence of messenger ribonucleic acid molecules (mRNA's) in a fixed, permeabilized cell, said target sequence including at least 30 non-overlapping probe binding regions of 15-100 nucleotides, comprising immersing said cell in an excess of at least 30 nucleic acid hybridization probes, each singly labeled with the same fluorescent label and each containing a nucleic acid sequence that is complementary to a different probe binding region of said target sequence; washing said fixed cell to remove unbound probes; and detecting fluorescence from said probes.

Abstract: The invention relates to the development of chimeric OspA molecules for use in a new Lyme vaccine. More specifically, the chimeric OspA molecules comprise the proximal portion from one OspA serotype, together with the distal portion from another OspA serotype, while retaining antigenic properties of both of the parent polypeptides. The chimeric OspA molecules are delivered alone or in combination to provide protection against a variety of Borrelia genospecies. The invention also provides methods for administering the chimeric OspA molecules to a subject in the prevention and treatment of Lyme disease or borreliosis.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a filtration system capable of filtering a water stream, a water purification system capable of purifying said water stream in a non-batch process, a mixing system capable of producing a stream of dialysate from mixing one or more dialysate components with the water stream in a non-batch process, and a dialyzer system. The dialyzer may be a microfluidic dialyzer capable of being fluidly coupled to the stream of dialysate and a blood stream.

Abstract: Provided herein are metal halide perovskites that may have a 0D crystal structure, and may be lead free. Also provided are methods for making the metal halide perovskites, including methods for making bulk crystals or micro crystals. Devices, such as optoelectronic devices, also are provided that include one or more of the metal halide perovskites. A metal halide perovskite may be a light emitting material in the devices.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a composition for use in forming films or coatings that prevent damage in foodstuffs, including plants, fruits, and vegetables. The disclosed compositions comprise a cellulose nanomaterial and can further comprise a nanoscale mineral compound and one or more additional components. Also disclosed are films or coatings made using the disclosed compositions, as well as methods for making the disclosed compositions and methods for using the disclosed compositions.

Abstract: A radiography apparatus includes a radiation source, a radiation detector, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to obtain an X-ray image of an object, obtain a focal spot size of a radiation source used to generate the obtained X-ray image, and estimate a magnification of the obtained X-ray image. The processing circuitry is also configured to obtain, using a look-up table and the obtained focal spot size, a deconvolution kernel. The processing circuitry is also configured to generate a corrected X-ray image by performing a deconvolution operation on the obtained X-ray image using the obtained deconvolution kernel and the estimated magnification.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for tandem alkene dehydrogenation/alkene dimerization using an iridium pincer complex catalyst on a support comprising magnesium silicates (e.g., Florisil®). The reaction process comprises providing an iridium pincer complex bound to a solid support comprising magnesium silicates; providing a gaseous alkane feedstock comprising at least one alkane; and contacting the gaseous alkane feedstock with the iridium pincer complex bound to the solid support in the presence of a hydrogen acceptor to form dimerized alkenes. The processes disclosed herein can accomplish facile, low-temperature tandem transfer dehydrogenation of alkanes and dimerization of alkenes with unprecedented TONs at a reasonable rate of conversion.