Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a composition comprising a drug in a polymer nanoparticle. The nanoparticles may have a size and/or a surface potential selected to facilitate lymph node uptake and/or dissemination throughout the lymphatic system. The nanoparticle may be a polyethyleneglycol-block-poly(?-caprolactone) (PEG-PCL) nanoparticle. Also disclosed are embodiments of a method of using the composition. The composition may be administered subcutaneously. The drug-loaded nanoparticles are useful for treating certain cancers and/or decreasing the number of melanocytes in lymph nodes that are proximal to, distal to or both proximal and distal to a site of administration.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, there is provided herein a system and method wherein knowledge of the syngas fermentation is combined with standard instrumentation to provide a stable control of gas supply to automatically poise the fermentation to provide both high conversion of CO and H2, and high selectivity for production of ethanol. The control is based on an automatic feedback loop that corrects for operational imbalance and maintains a stable continuous fermentation required for commercial operation. In a further embodiment, feed of syngas to ethanol fermentation can be optimally controlled using the pH of the broth as the input variable for flow control of the gas. This concept will automatically maintain the correct supply of syngas to the fermentation, and provide stable operation at optimal rates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nanoparticle compositions and treatment of cardiovascular disease using nanoparticles to target Class A and B scavenger receptors. This invention further relates to methods of detecting cells that express scavenger receptors, detecting atherosclerotic lesions, and targeting bioactive amphiphilic macromolecules to cells that express scavenger receptors.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for more accurately modeling the in vitro environment in which cancer occurs is disclosed. The device comprises a surface defining one or more microfluidic channels that may further comprise one or more endothelial cells, a first three dimensional scaffold comprising one or more cancer cells that is spatially separated from the one or more microfluidic channels, and a second three dimensional scaffold comprising one or more stromal cells, at least a portion of which is interposed between the one or more microfluidic channels and the first three dimensional scaffold. The second three dimensional scaffold is in fluid communication with both the first three dimensional scaffold and the one or more microfluidic channels. The device can be used to assay anti-cancer agents, or as a system for modeling the growth, behavior, or metastasis and tumor formation of cancer cells.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising chimeric polypeptides that bind to free ubiquitin proteins or free ubiquitin-like proteins with high affinity, as well as chimeric polypeptides that bind to both free and conjugated ubiquitin proteins or free and conjugated ubiquitin-like proteins, and methods of using the chimeric polypeptides to determine the amount of free or total ubiquitin or free or total ubiquitin-like proteins in various types of samples.

Abstract: A cross-layer encoder for providing UEP encoding of video data configured to provide UEP encoding of video data at an application layer of a transmission channel by receiving video packets having first and second priority levels, applying first and second coding schemes to video packets having first and second priority levels, respectively, and transmitting video frames having first and second priority levels. The cross-layer encoder can be configured to provide UEP encoding of video data at a physical layer of the transmission channel by receiving encoded video frames having first and second priority levels, applying third and fourth coding schemes to video frames having first and second priority levels, respectively, and transmitting cross-layer encoded video frames having first and second priority levels. The first through fourth coding schemes can generate different percentages of the total coding overhead based on first and second priority levels, respectively.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing prescribed unit size poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA) polymers and copolymers are provided. The methods and systems can employ recombinant bacteria that are not native producers of PHA or lack enzymes to degrade PHA once synthesized, metabolize short to long chain fatty acids without induction, and express an (R)-specific enoyl-CoA hydratase and a PHA synthase, the (R)-specific enoyl-CoA hydratase and PHA synthase having wide substrate specificities. The recombinant bacteria are fed at least one fatty acid substrate that is equal in carbon length to the prescribed or desired unit size of the PHA polymer to be produced. The prescribed unit size PHA that is produced is then isolated and/or purified.

Abstract: Satellite images from vast historical archives are analyzed to predict severe storms. We extract and summarize important visual storm evidence from satellite image sequences in a way similar to how meteorologists interpret these images. The method extracts and fits local cloud motions from image sequences to model the storm-related cloud patches. Image data of an entire year are adopted to train the model. The historical storm reports since the year 2000 are used as the ground-truth and statistical priors in the modeling process. Experiments demonstrate the usefulness and potential of the algorithm for producing improved storm forecasts. A preferred method applies cloud motion estimation in image sequences. This aspect of the invention is important because it extracts and models certain patterns of cloud motion, in addition to capturing the cloud displacement.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a cell culture, where the method includes measuring pulse-echo ultrasonic waveforms from the cell culture, and analyzing the pulse-echo ultrasonic waveforms to monitor the cell culture.

Abstract: A phosphorescent emitter or delayed fluorescent and phosphorescent emitters represented by Formula 1 or Formula II, where M is platinum or palladium.

Abstract: Methods and devices for stimulating nerves are disclosed. In one embodiment adapted for stimulating excitable tissue, the invention includes drive circuitry, an acoustic transducer and a pair of electrodes.

Abstract: A reconfigurable free-space optical inter-rack network includes a plurality of server racks, each including at least one switch mounted on a top thereof, where each top-mounted switch includes a plurality of free-space-optic link connector, each with a free-space optical connection to a free-space-optic link connector on another top-mounted switch, a single ceiling mirror above the plurality of server racks that substantially covers the plurality of server racks, wherein the single ceiling mirror redirects optical connections between pairs of free-space-optic link connectors to provide a clear lines-of-sight between each pair of connected free-space-optic link connectors, and a controller that preconfigures a free-space optical network connecting the plurality of server racks by establishing connections between pairs of free-space-optic link connectors, and that reconfigures connections between pairs of free-space-optic link connectors in response to network traffic demands and events.

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: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for enhancing the performance of permeable antennas. Further, the parallel solenoid feed system disclosed herein may be used to reduce or eliminate significant phase delays in antennas, which may lead to destructive interference. Moreover, use of the parallel solenoid feed in an antenna eliminates the need for multiple feeds, complicated feed networks, and elaborate matching circuits. Using the parallel solenoid feed in circular magnetic antennas may enhance the performance of the antenna through maintaining the flux. Finally, many adjustable parameters for further tuning and/or optimizing the performance of particular antenna design have been identified herein, which may allow those skilled in the art to utilize known systems, such as full wave simulation software, to determine the desired final design for an antenna utilizing a parallel solenoid feed.

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: A biosensor system including a biosensor patch and an interrogation device. The biosensor patch includes an open circuit self-resonating pattern for passively generating a response signal when excited by an interrogation signal. The response signal may have a frequency amplitude, phase, and bandwidth that may change according to an electro-magnetic response of a biological component of a user. The interrogation device transmits an interrogation signal to the biosensor patch and receives the response signal in return. The interrogation device may run an application for decoding and analyzing the response signal to generate data corresponding to the health of the biological component.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present application are directed toward a focusing Schlieren technique that is capable of adding color-coded directional information to the visualization of density gradients. Other advantages of the technique can include that it does not require manual calibration, has a simple design and is sensitive enough to be used in compact experimental setups. Certain embodiments include the use of a color-coded source image that replaces the conventional source grid. The technique may benefit from a computer-controlled digital background, which is used for both illumination and display of color-coded source images.

Abstract: A method includes fluorescence imaging a cell that synthesizes Type 1 collagen. The cell includes a first gene encoding collagen a1(I) tagged with a first fluorescent tag and a second gene encoding collagen a2(I) tagged with a second fluorescent tag.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for tumor treatment by administering an inhibitor of quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase 1 (QSOX1), compositions comprising such inhibitors, and methods for identifying such inhibitors.