Abstract: The invention provides compounds and compositions that are useful for treating conditions including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, cancer, and psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia.

Abstract: Nanoscale metal halide perovskites are provided. The nanoscale metal halide perovskites may have a 2D structure, a quasi-2D structure, or a 3D structure. Methods also are provided for making the nanoscale metal halide perovskites. The color emitted by the nanoscale metal halide perovskites may be tuned.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising a biomolecular processor. Each biomolecular processor has one or more bioreactor chambers defined by a solid substrate; a support structure within each bioreactor; a cleaving enzyme immobilized to the support structure and operatively positioned within the bioreactor chamber to cleave monomer or multimer units of a biopolymer molecule operatively engaged by the cleaving enzyme; and one or more time-of-flight channels formed in the solid substrate and fluidically coupled to said one or more bioreactor chambers. Each of the time-of-flight channels have two or more sensors including at least (i) a first sensor contacting the time-of-flight channel proximate to the input end of the channel and (ii) a second sensor contacting the time-of-flight channel proximate to the output end of channel. The present invention further relates to methods of sequencing and identifying biopolymer molecules using the device.

Abstract: This invention discloses multi-part primers for primer-dependent nucleic acid amplification methods. Also disclosed are primer-dependent nucleic acid amplification reactions, particularly DNA amplification reactions, reaction mixtures and reagent kits for such reactions. This invention relates to primer-dependent nucleic acid amplification reactions, particularly DNA amplification reactions such as PCR, and primers, reaction mixtures and reagent kits for such reactions and assays employing same.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for producing continuous buckypapers. The systems may permit the in-line characterization and crosslinking of the continuous buckypapers. The systems include roll-to-roll systems in which a continuous buckypaper is created and then separated from the filter paper in an automated process.

Abstract: A system for quantitative detection and analysis of the interactions of molecules with molecular receptors on the surfaces of biological cells based on detecting a mechanical deformation in the membrane of a cell associated with the molecular interactions, which works for both large and small molecules. The mechanical deformation can be detected with high precision in real time from an optical image of the cell with a differential detection method. The system can be also used to detect the electrical activities, such as ion channel opening and closing, as well as action potential propagation in neuronal cells.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing performance of a power grid monitor are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving test data from a test power grid monitor coupled to a power grid signal source and receiving reference data from a reference power grid monitor coupled to the same power grid signal source. The method also includes identifying a power grid condition based on the received test data and/or reference data, extracting a subset of the test data and a subset of the reference data corresponding to the identified power grid condition, and comparing the subset of the test data to the subset of the reference data to determine a measurement accuracy of the test power grid monitor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are monolayers comprising alkylamine-gold nanoparticles that have tunable electrical and optical properties. Also disclosed is a method for forming the monolayers that comprises self-assembly of the nanoparticles.

Abstract: An accelerometer 100 which includes a bracket 110, a pair of electrodes 210/220/230/240/250, a first electrically conductive foam 120, a second electrically conductive foam 130, wherein the first electrically conductive foam and the second electrically conductive foam are inserted between the pair of electrodes and the bracket.

Abstract: Methods for synthesizing aluminum-modified silazanes, their use as polymer-derived ceramic precursors, and polymer-derived ceramics and carbon nanotube core/shell nanocomposites formed therefrom are disclosed.

Abstract: A composite anode for a lithium-ion battery is manufactured from silicon nanoparticles having diameters mostly under 10 nm; providing an oxide layer on the silicon nanoparticles; dispersing the silicon nanoparticles in a polar liquid; providing a graphene oxide suspension; mixing the polar liquid containing the dispersed silicone nanoparticles with the graphene oxide suspension to obtain a composite mixture; probe-sonicating the mixture for a predetermined time; filtering the composite mixture to obtain a solid composite; drying the composite; and reducing the composite to obtain graphene and silicon.

Abstract: A novel IFN-?/? independent ligand receptor system which upon engagement leads, among other things, to the establishment of an anti-viral state is disclosed. Further disclosed are three closely positioned genes on human chromosome 19 that encode distinct but highly homologous proteins, designated INF-?1, IFN-?2, IFN-?3, based inter alia, in their ability to induce antiviral protection. Expression of these proteins is induced upon viral infection. A receptor complex utilized by all three IFN-? proteins for signaling is also disclosed. The receptor complex is generally composed of two subunits, a novel receptor designated IFN-?R1 or CRF2-12, and a second subunit, IL-10R2 or CRF2-4, which is also a shared receptor component for the IL-10 and IL-22 receptor complexes. The gene encoding IFN-?R1 is generally widely expressed, including many different cell types and tissues. Expression of these proteins is induced by immune events, including, for example, upon viral infection.

Abstract: A particle usable as T1 and T2 contrast agents is provided. The particle is a gadolinium silicide (Gd5Si4) particle that is ferromagnetic at temperatures up to 290 K and is less than 2 ?m in diameter. An MRI contrast agent that includes a plurality of gadolinium silicide (Gd5Si4) particles that are less than 1 ?m in diameter is also provided. A method for creating gadolinium silicide (Gd5Si4) particles is also provided. The method includes the steps of providing a Gd5Si4 bulk alloy; grinding the Gd5Si4 bulk alloy into a powder; and milling the Gd5Si4 bulk alloy powder for a time of approximately 20 minutes or less.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a system. The system includes a sensor device having a sensor element having a sensor output and an amplification element having at least one amplification stage, an amplifier input, and an amplifier output. The sensor output can be coupled to the amplifier input. Further, each amplification stage of the amplification stage(s) can have at least four thin film transistors, an input node, and an output node. Meanwhile, the sensor element can detect a physical quantity and/or an event and can provide an electric signal to the amplification element in response to detecting the physical quantity and/or the event, and the amplification element can amplify the electric signal received from the sensor element. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for altering carbon partitioning in biomass isolated from Duckweed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for detecting and diagnosing sexually transmitted infections using a string of epitopes (SOE) specific for detection of causative microorganisms. The antigenic epitopes may be single epitope sequences a plurality of epitope sequences joined by repeats of glycine (-GG-) and/or lysine (-KK-) to form a series of epitopes (SOE), or nucleotide sequences encoding one or more SOEs and host cells harboring said SOE nucleotide sequences. SOEs specific for highly immunogenic regions of proteins from Trichomonas, Treponema and Neisseria species are provided. SOEs to detect the presence of trichomonas species comprise regions from Trichomonas-sptciric aldolase, GAPDH, ?-enolase and ?-actinin proteins. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising SOEs can also be used as vaccines or to elicit an immune response to specific microorganisms.

Abstract: A combination of albuterol and caffeine can be used to reduce fat body mass or to increase lean body mass. The combination may be used to treat conditions such as obesity or sarcopenia. There is a substantial synergy in the combinations: The combined effect of albuterol and caffeine is significantly greater than would be expected from the known properties of the individual components.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting a future wind direction and speed and, based thereon, determining a future wind-driven drift and providing the information to an operator or automatically acting to adapt application parameters to better control the wind-driven drift of a fluid during application of the fluid to land or crops by an agricultural machine. A processor receives machine and meteorological data, uses a model to predict the future wind direction and speed, and accesses a drift distance database to determine and visually depict the future wind-driven drift of the fluid. A sensitive area database stores information about sensitive areas bordering the target area, which may also be displayed, to facilitate controlling the wind-driven drift with regard to the sensitive areas. The mathematical model may be a kernel filter, an autoregressive model, an autoregressive integrated moving average model, or a hybrid model which incorporates features of different models.

Abstract: The invention is both a product and a method for the safe, harmless and effective remediation of oil spills on water and on land. The oil can then be successfully recovered from the product for use. The invention also allows for the reuse of two waste products post-consumer plastics and coal combustion products into a material that is used for the clean-up of oil spills and for site remediation. Furthermore, the used product can be reprocessed post use into more usable product.

Abstract: Methods for preventing and/or inhibiting preterm labor in a pregnant subject, such as a human subject, are disclosed according to the invention including administering a therapeutically effective amount of a protein selected from the group consisting of: PIBF1, a fragment or variant thereof; IL-33, a fragment or variant thereof; and a combination of any two or more thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions for preventing and/or inhibiting preterm labor in a pregnant subject, such as a human subject, are disclosed according to the invention including a therapeutically effective amount of a protein selected from the group consisting of: PIBF1, a fragment or variant thereof; IL-33, a fragment or variant thereof; and a combination of any two or more thereof.