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: Electro-optical devices utilizing alternative transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layers, such as aluminum zinc oxide (AZO) and gallium zinc oxide (GZO), and indium composites, are able to replace traditional indium-tin-oxide (ITO) TCOs. As a result, the electro-optical devices of the embodiments of the present invention are able to achieve high operating performance, including: high light transmittance, fast response times and low applied voltages, which are comparable to those of electro-optical devices using (ITO) coated substrates, while also being low-cost.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides intramedullary mandibular implants for the temporomandibular joint. The mandibular implants include a stem portion, a collar portion and a head portion. The stem, collar and head portions may be integral. The stem portion may define an inferior end and the head portion may define a superior end of the implants. The head portion may be arcuate in the sagittal plane to provide an articulating surface with a fossa or a fossa component. The collar portion may be intermediate of the head and stem portions and form a channel between an interior surface of the collar portion and an exterior surface of the stem portion. In use, the stem portion may be implanted within a condyle of a mandible such that an end portion of the condyle is situated within the channel of the implant and the head portion articulates with the fossa or fossa component.

Abstract: Innovations in the construction and use of variable-input-length tweakable ciphers (“VILTCs”). In some cases, a VILTC uses an initialization vector that is protected from exposure outside an encryption/decryption system in order to provide enhanced security with efficient performance. For example, a system for encryption and/or decryption includes two fixed-input-length tweakable block ciphers (“FIL TBCs”) and a VILTC. The first FIL TBC is adapted to produce a fixed-length initialization vector. The VILTC is adapted to produce a variable-length output string using the fixed-length initialization vector as a tweak. The second FIL TBC is adapted to produce a fixed-length output string. In this way, the first FIL TBC and the second FIL TBC protect the fixed-length initialization vector from exposure outside the system. In other cases, a VILTC is used for a reliable and efficient implementation of authenticated encryption/decryption with associated data.

Abstract: A thermophoretic sampler includes a sample assembly into which a removable sample cartridge can be inserted. The sample cartridge holds a substrate that, upon insertion, is exposed to a sample chamber. Thermophoresis is induced in the sample chamber, causing nanoparticles to be deposited on the substrate.

Abstract: Various embodiments of contaminant removal systems, compositions, and methods are described herein. In one embodiment, a method for oxidizing a contaminant includes contacting the contaminant with a peroxygen compound and initializing, maintaining, or propagating degradation of the peroxygen compound with an oxygenated organic compound, thereby releasing oxidizing radicals. The method also includes oxidizing the contaminant with the released oxidizing radicals.

Abstract: A method to prepare coumalic acid comprising (a) heating a solution in dichloroethane of malic acid and sulfuric acid or a solution in dichloroethane of malic acid and a perfluorosulfonic acid or (b) adding an acid comprising sulfuric acid or a perfluorosulfonic acid to a solution of malic acid in dichloroethane to yield a solution that is heated for a period of time so as to convert the malic acid into a major amount of coumalic acid and, optionally, a minor amount of fumaric acid.

Abstract: Strain sensors are provided that include a flexible substrate, a sheet affixed to the flexible substrate, and two or more microelectrodes printed at spaced locations onto either the sheet or the flexible substrate, wherein the sheet includes a carbon nanotube network, the sheet having a top side and an opposing second side. The two or more microelectrodes are printed at spaced locations onto the top side of the sheet or onto a side of the flexible substrate facing the second side of the sheet. Methods are provided for fabricating a strain sensor wherein the sheet is arranged between the printed microelectrodes and the flexible substrate or wherein the second side of the sheet is arranged atop or across the printed microelectrodes. Methods are also provided for measuring strain in a structure via the strain sensors affixed or integrated therein.

Abstract: Described herein are eco-friendly formulations and methods for providing such formulations to plants. The formulations include mixtures of microbial isolates. In particular, numerous bacterial and fungal strains were isolated from a variety of soil types, from rhizospheres and from root nodules of leguminous plants, in designed combinations, for providing plant growth and plant productivity enhancing formulations. These specifically designed polymicrobial formulations provide protection against plant pathogens, lower the need for nitrogen containing fertilizers, solubilize minerals, protect plants against pathogens, and make available to the plant valuable nutrients, such as phosphate, thus reducing and eliminating the need for using chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides.

Abstract: Described herein are small peptide domains and consensus sequences that bind small target molecules of industrial importance, e.g., metals such as nickel, ? carotene, and isoflavones such as genistein. Also described are fusion proteins containing such binding domains fused to proteins or to peptide domains like GST or CBD that bind other ligands and can be used to immobilize the target binding domain on a support. One class of fusion proteins that is useful in industrial settings are fusions that contain concatemers of target binding domains, which increases the binding equivalents per molecule.

Abstract: A method of plating a metal on a hydrophobic polymer, especially in the shape of small particles, involves: (a) contacting a surface of hydrophobic polymer substrate with a polycation such as poly(allylamine hydrochloride) to create a treated surface; (b) contacting the treated surface with a catalyst; and then (c) immersing the surface in a electroless metal plating bath to create a coating of metal on the surface. Metals include copper, silver, gold, nickel and cobalt. Catalysts are selected from compounds containing palladium, platinum, tin, copper, or nickel salts. Damaging surface treatments such as etching by plasma or acid are avoided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for thermally treating flowable materials using electromagnetic radiation, and foods and materials obtained thereby. Also provided are methods of continuous flow thermal treatment of biomaterials, apparatuses for performing the same, and products prepared using the methods and/or apparatuses.

Abstract: The scalable cascaded Z-source inverter is able to interface flexibly different distributed renewable energy sources or storages in wide voltage change range, such as wind power, solar power, battery, fuel cell, Ultra-capacitor and so on. The invention facilitates the AC 1 MHz frequency output; therefore high power density can be reached. Z-source network is integrated in each inverter module to wide system operation range, improve high system efficiency, and enhance high system reliability. The invention is applied for PV system to verify the performance.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of reducing or preventing the growth of microbes on the surface of an object, wherein the object is of such material that it can act as a working electrode. The method comprises the steps of providing a counter electrode, and a reference electrode. The object is used as the working electrode. Electrical current is passed through the working and counter electrodes. The current through the counter electrode is varied such that the electric potential of the working electrode is constant relative to the electric potential of the reference electrode. Also described is an apparatus for reducing or preventing microbes on an object using a potentiostatic device.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions and methods for producing crop plants that are resistant to herbicides. In particular, the present invention provides for sorghum plants, plant tissues and plant seeds that contain altered acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) genes and proteins that are resistant to inhibition by herbicides that normally inhibit the activity of the ACC protein.

Abstract: Sub-50-nm structures are formed using sequential top-down and bottom up lithographies in conjunction with selective etching. The preferred rendition of the method involves: (a) rough lithographic patterning, (b) size/shape selected nanostructure deposition, (c) resist reflow around the nanostructures, and (d) selective removal/etching of the nanostructure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a composition for use in reforming is provided comprising a catalyst material comprising molybdenum dioxide and/or MO2 (where M=Mo, W, Ru, Re, Os, Ir) nanoparticles having an average particle size from about 2 nm to about 1,000 nm; and a substrate, wherein both the molybdenum dioxide and/or MO2 (where M=Mo, W, Ru, Re, Os, Ir) nanoparticles are substantially immobilized on the substrate. In another embodiment an anode for use in a fuel cell is provided comprising the forgoing composition. And in another embodiment a fuel cell is provided comprising the forgoing anode.

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

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for preparing and offering to the marketplace a muscle cut from a carcass for use as a steak. In particular, the Subscapularis muscle may be utilized according to the instant invention as a high-end cut of meat. In an embodiment, a Subscapularis muscle will be processed into a steak via a prescribed series of cuts. The steak will, in some embodiments, be further processed by trimming fat and connective tissue as is taught herein.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Azalea plant named ‘STEWARD’, characterized by its globe to broad columnar plant form; freely branching habit; terminal truss flower arrangement; pure white hose-in-hose flowers with some yellow-green flecking in the throat of the petals; green-yellow flower buds; and hardiness in USDA zone 6a.