Abstract: Embodiments of a composition comprising a photosensitive compound and a polymer nanoparticle are disclosed herein. The composition may further comprise a targeting moiety. In some embodiments, the photosensitive compound is a phthalocyanine or phthalocyanine derivative, such as a naphthalocyanine. Upon irradiation with near infrared light, the composition may be used as a fluorescent imaging agent and/or as a phototherapeutic agent, such as for photodynamic and/or photothermal therapies. In certain embodiments, the composition is used to treat certain cancers.

Abstract: The invention features formulations for the local delivery of therapeutically effective doses of curcumin to treat head and neck disorders and upper aerodigestive disorders. Also disclosed are uses of the formulations for delivery of other phytochemicals, or the combination of phytochemicals for the treatment of said disorders. Furthermore, these formulations can be used to deliver the recommended daily allowance of vitamins and/or minerals to children or adults.

Abstract: A composition and method for treating autoimmune disease includes administering an effective amount of an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligand. The AhR ligand includes 11-Cl-BBQ, 10-Cl-BBQ, an analog of 11-Cl-BBQ, or combination thereof. The AhR ligand is administered topically, orally, transdermally, intravenously, subcutaneously, or with a nanoparticle. The AhR ligand induces regulatory T cells (AhR-Tregs). AhR-Treg cells block the differentiation of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL). The AhR ligand activates AhR in CD4+ T cells to induce CD4+ AhR-Tregs that suppress the development of effector CTL, thereby suppressing the development of CTL that attack host cells in graft versus host disease (GVHD) or ?-cells in the pancreas in diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM). The AhR ligand can also suppress development of CTL independently of Foxp3+ regulatory T cell induction. The AhR ligand can therefore be used to treat autoimmune diseases characterized by an absence of functional Foxp3+ regulatory T cell.

Abstract: A method of preparing a vaccine for immunization against a herpes virus comprising the steps of one of deleting, substituting, or modifying a UL148 gene and interfering with or modifying an expression of the UL148 gene. Wherefore, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the above mentioned shortcomings and drawbacks associated with the prior art The inventors observed that less extensively passaged HCMV strains that retain expression of gH/gL/UL128-131 can efficiently infect epithelial and endothelial cells.

Abstract: Polypeptide marker antigens for detecting the presence of autoantibody biomarkers associated with ovarian cancer recurrence, each of the polypeptide marker antigens binding specifically to at least one autoantibody marker. An antibody binding assay for detecting the presence of autoantibody biomarkers associated with ovarian cancer recurrence, and methods for performing the assay. Methods for determining ovarian cancer recurrence in an ovarian cancer patient. A method for isolating antibodies specific for ovarian cancer by their affinity to the polypeptide marker antigens, and antibodies isolated by that method.

Abstract: A composition of an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-taxoid conjugate encapsulated in an oil-in-water nanoemulsion (NE) drug delivery system. A method of treating cancer by administering an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition including a PUFA-taxoid conjugate encapsulated in an oil-in-water NE drug delivery system to a subject in need of treatment, and treating cancer. A method of overcoming multidrug resistance by exposing a multidrug resistant cell to an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition including an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-taxoid conjugate encapsulated in an oil-in-water NE drug delivery system, and inducing the death of the multidrug resistant cell. A method of eliminating a cancer stem cell. Methods of reducing stemness of a cancer stem cell, retaining drug in the body, and providing a slower release profile.

Abstract: For synthetic aperture radar (SAR) processing, a SAR receives a plurality of SAR signals. The SAR generates a piecewise approximation of the plurality of SAR signals over a coherent processing interval. The piecewise approximation may mitigate phase reflection components of each SAR signal. The SAR further generates an estimate of the scene from the piecewise approximation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are metal compounds useful in devices, such as, for example, OLEDs.

Abstract: A gesture recognition biofeedback device is provided for improving fine motor function in persons with brain injury. The system detects a physical characteristic of the patient and provides feedback based on the detected characteristic. For instance, the system may detect surface muscle pressures of the forearm to provide real-time visual biofeedback to the patient based on a comparison of the detected muscle pressure and predefined values indicative of appropriate motor function.

Abstract: Hybrid media formed by combining a metal precursor solution with particulate media to yield a mixture, decanting the mixture to yield a decanted mixture, heating the decanted mixture in via microwave radiation to yield hybrid media, rinsing the hybrid media with water, soaking the rinsed hybrid media in a salt solution, and rinsing the soaked hybrid media with water. The hybrid media includes a metal dioxide derived from the metal precursor, such as TiO2 derived from TiOSO4.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of converting levulinic acid or a derivative thereof to hydrocarbons and hydrogen by providing a source of levulinic acid or a derivative thereof and converting the levulinic acid or a derivative thereof in the source to hydrocarbons and hydrogen, where converting is carried out in a single reactor. The present invention also relates to methods for producing hydrocarbons and hydrogen.

Abstract: A linear-motion stage that is angularly or radially symmetric or asymmetric, or monolithic may be used as the moving mechanism in a Fourier transform spectrometer. In embodiments, a linear-motion stage includes a base; a first multiple-arm linkage extending from the base to a first carriage attachment end; a second multiple-arm linkage extending from the first carriage attachment end to the base; a third multiple-arm linkage extending from the base to a second carriage attachment end; a carriage extending from the first carriage end to the second carriage end. Also in embodiments, the first, second, and third multiple-arm linkages comprise a first arm rotateably connected to a second arm through a flexure, the angular travel of the first arm is configured to be different than an angular travel of the second arm as the carriage moves along the carriage motion line.

Abstract: Tetradentate and octahedral metal complexes suitable for use as phosphorescent or delayed fluorescent and phosphorescent emitters in display and lighting applications.

Abstract: An integrated inductor can be tunable via a control current which alters the magnetic flux density in a permeable magnetic material. The resulting inductor can be adjusted in-circuit, and may be suitable for applications such as dc-dc converters, RF circuits, or filters requiring operation at high frequencies and across wide bandwidths.

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: An intervention for sleep disorders comprises: collagen, a gelatin peptide, or the amino acid glycine; L-theanine; lactucopicrin, deoxylactucopicrin, or another lactucopicrin derivative; hyaluronic acid; epigallocatechin gallate; and quinic acid. The intervention helps regulate pro-inflammatory biomarkers that are often associated with insomnia development and progression. These biomarkers include cytokines and enzymes associated with tryptophan degradation. Inhibition of these enzymes and cytokines improves tryptophan availability and sleep quality, and allows individuals to sleep better with fewer side effects. The composition promotes high-quality, deep sleep.

Abstract: An improved device provides a cost-effective, time-effective way to stably and reliably affix soft tissues (e.g., tendon or ligament) to the surface of anatomical structures with comparable or greater strength and stiffness (e.g., bone). The device does not require specialized procedures or tools. A single device applies both incremental tensioning and compression to the soft tissue being affixed. The device allows the user, typically a physician or veterinarian, to reliably manipulate, control, and maintain tissue tension. The device is versatile, and can accommodate attachment of soft tissues of different sizes and mechanical properties to bone or to other soft tissues. These features provide flexibility to human and veterinary health practitioners in a variety of specialized areas including orthopedics, joint stabilization, soft tissue repair, spinal surgery, and plastic surgery.

Abstract: A threshold logic element (TLE) is disclosed. The TLE includes a first input gate network, a second input gate network, and a differential sense amplifier. The first input gate network is configured to receive a first set of logical signals and the second input gate network configured to receive a second set of logical signals. The differential sense amplifier is operably associated with the first input gate network and the second input gate network such that the differential sense amplifier is configured to generate a differential logical output in accordance with a threshold logic function. To obfuscate the TLE, any number of obfuscated transmission gates can be provided in one or both of the input gate networks. The obfuscated transmission gates are obfuscated such that obfuscated transmission gates are incapable of effecting the threshold logic function of the TLE and thus hide the functionality of the TLE.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system and/or method may include assessing surface cleanliness. In some embodiments, the system may include a dispensing device. The dispensing device may dispense, during use, a measured amount of liquid on a surface forming a drop. In some embodiments, the system may include a stage. The stage may support, during use, a digital imaging device. In some embodiments, the system may include a calibration feature. The calibration feature may be of known dimension. The calibration feature may be coupled to the stage. The calibration feature may facilitate assessment, during use, of a dimension of the drop. The dimension may include a diameter of the drop. In some embodiments, the system is configured to assess a contact angle of the drop with the surface.

Abstract: A method of suppressing interference in a communication sent over a channel includes assessing characteristics of channel-induced distortion in a channel, and applying pre-distortion to a signal sent over the channel. The pre-distortion is based on the assessed characteristics of the channel-induced distortion.