Abstract: Methods and solutions for fabricating a superhydrophobic, optically transparent surface on a substrate. A dip coating technique is employed in which a solution comprising hydrophobic nanoparticles, a resin binder and a solvent is provided. The substrate is dipped and then withdrawn from the solution. As the substrate is withdrawn, a precursor coating of the solution is formed on a surface of the substrate. The solvent in the precursor coating is allowed to evaporate (is otherwise removed), immediately resulting in a superhydrophobic, optically transparent coating on the substrate surface. The hydrophobic nanoparticles can be metal oxide nanoparticles (such as SiO2, ZnO, and ITO) that are surface functionalized to be hydrophobic. Substrate types include glass and polymer substrates such as PC and PMMA.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing prescribed unit size azido-poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (azido-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 ?-azidofatty acid substrate that is equal in carbon length to the prescribed or desired unit size of an azido-PHA polymer to be produced. Azido-PHA polymers or azido-PHA co-polymers can be conjugated via copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) or strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) reactions. The prescribed unit size conjugated azido-PHA polymer or orthogonally conjugated azido-PHA co-polymer that is produced is then isolated and/or purified.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical system are disclosed that include at least one electrode, microelectrode or combination thereof, wherein the at least one electrode comprises a carbon material, a glassy carbon material or a combination thereof. Contemplated systems are suitable for ?-ECoG arrays. Additional microelectromechanical systems are disclosed that include at least one electrode, microelectrode or combination thereof, wherein the at least one electrode comprises a carbon material, a glassy carbon material or a combination thereof; at least one substrate, surface, layer or a combination thereof, wherein the at least one electrode, microelectrode or combination thereof is disposed on, coupled with or otherwise layered on the at least one substrate, surface, layer or a combination thereof; and at least one bump pad, wherein the at least one electrode, microelectrode or combination thereof is coupled with the at least one bump pad via at least one conductive metal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods utilizing phosphodiesterase inhibitors to treat blast-induced tinnitus and/or hearing loss. The compositions include phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as sildenafil.

Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to a thermal inkjet printhead stack with an amorphous thin metal protective layer, comprising an insulated substrate, a resistor applied to the insulated substrate, a resistor passivation layer applied to the resistor, and an amorphous thin metal protective layer applied to the resistor passivation layer. The amorphous thin metal protective layer can comprise from 5 atomic % to 90 atomic % of a metalloid of carbon, silicon, or boron. The film can also include a first and second metal, each comprising from 5 atomic % to 90 atomic % of titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, nickel, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, rhodium, palladium, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, iridium, or platinum. The second metal is different than the first metal, and the metalloid, the first metal, and the second metal account for at least 70 atomic % of the amorphous thin metal protective layer.

Abstract: A plasma system includes a plasma device, an ionizable media source, and a power source. The plasma device includes an inner electrode and an outer electrode coaxially disposed around the inner electrode. The inner electrode includes a distal portion and an insulative layer that covers at least a portion of the inner electrode. The ionizable media source is coupled to the plasma device and is configured to supply ionizable media thereto. The power source is coupled to the inner and outer electrodes, and is configured to ignite the ionizable media at the plasma device to form a plasma effluent having an electron sheath layer about the exposed distal portion.

Abstract: The described invention provides a system and method for predicting disease outcome using a multi-field-of-view scheme based on image-based features from multi-parametric heterogenous images.

Abstract: Efficient and recyclable heterogeneous nanocatalysts and methods of synthesizing and using the same are provided.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to articles that comprise polymeric winged fibers. The winged fibers have a high surface area because of their structure, which includes a core surrounded by a plurality of lobes. Channels of one micron or less in width are formed between adjacent lobes to form paths for the capture and/or transport of gases, liquids or particles. The winged fibers are assembled in woven or non-woven fabrics for use in wipes, absorbent pads, composite structures, apparel, outdoor wear, bedding, filtration systems, purification/separation systems, thermal and acoustic insulation, cell scaffolding, and battery membranes.

Abstract: The present invention provides novels genes encoding methyl butenol (MBO) synthase, methy butenol synthases and their use in methyl butenol production.

Abstract: A separator is disclosed that may be used to separate oil from water in situ in the ocean or other water body. The difference in density between oil and water causes them to separate between two limbs of the apparatus, and to exit from different ports at different heights. The input may contain oil:water in essentially any ratio. The apparatus may be placed within a boat or ship, or it may be mounted on pontoons or other floatation gear and towed behind a boat or ship.

Abstract: The present invention provides a meter retrofit and method for use thereof, utilizing a transducer with an encoder driven by a rotating shaft of a meter reading dial, the transducer including a plurality of encoder contacts surrounding a rotation axis, with each encoder contact connected to a magnetic switch. A wiper connects to the shaft and rotates around the rotation axis, sequentially contacting the plurality of encoder contacts, providing a variable signal to a monitoring device.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter includes methods for producing liquid hydrocarbons from syngas. In some embodiments the syngas is obtained from biomass and/or comprises a relatively high amount of nitrogen and/or carbon dioxide. In some embodiments the present methods can convert syngas into liquid hydrocarbons through a one-stage process. Also provided are catalysts for producing liquid hydrocarbons from syngas, wherein the catalysts include a base material, a transition metal, and a promoter. In some embodiments the base material includes a zeolite-iron material or a cobalt-molybdenum carbide material. In still further embodiments the promoter can include an alkali metal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a plasma system including a plasma device coupled to a power source, an ionizable media source and a precursor source. During operation, the ionizable media source provides ionizable media and the precursor ionizable media source provides one or more chemical species, photons at specific wavelengths, as well as containing various reactive functional groups and/or components to treat the workpiece surface by working in concert for synergetic selective tissue effects. The chemical species and the ionizable gas are mixed either upstream or midstream from an ignition point of the plasma device and once mixed, are ignited therein under application of electrical energy from the power source. As a result, a plasma effluent and photon source is formed, which carries the ignited plasma feedstock and resulting mixture of reactive species to a workpiece surface to perform a predetermined reaction.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide a compound of formula (I): A-X—Y—Z—R1??(I), or a salt thereof, wherein A, X, Y, Z and R1 have any of the values defined in the specification, and methods of use thereof. For example, certain embodiments of the invention provide a method for inhibiting atherosclerosis or atherosclerotic development in a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A method of reducing tumor cell growth, the method including administering an effective amount of a compound having the formula:

Abstract: Surface modified medical devices with nanotubes and polyelectrolyte multilayers, methods of promoting endothelialization, and methods of modifying a medical device surface are disclosed. Nanotubes may be formed on the surface of the medical device and may further be coated with polyelectrolyte multilayers of a polycation and a polyanion. The surface modification is characterized by a nanopattern on the surface of the medical device, with biomimetic properties.

Abstract: Antimicrobial compounds are provided that are polymerizable. The compounds include monomers with antimicrobial properties. The compounds have cross-linking properties and are hydrolytically stable. The compounds may be utilized in dental and/or medical applications, including dental composites, dentures, bonding agents, sealants, resins and medical devices.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed that employ Tousled-like kinase to selectively protect normal tissues from the adverse effects of radiation therapy, genotoxic chemotherapy and the like without protecting cancer tissues; or to sensitize cancer cells to such cancer therapies without similarly sensitizing normal tissues; or both protect normal cells and sensitize cancer cells. The compositions and methods may be used as a complementary therapy to selectively reduce adverse effects of the principal therapy (radiation therapy or chemotherapy) in normal tissues, with minimal impact on the antitumor effects of the principal therapy.

Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments concern a method and an apparatus for determining molecular structure. One embodiment comprises producing sample ions from a sample, cooling molecules of the sample ions by either embedding sample ions in superfluid droplets, such as superfluidic helium droplets, or subjecting sample ions in a cooled ion trap, to a selected temperature approaching absolute zero. Plural cooled sample ions confined in a diffraction zone are oriented using a laser, and a diffraction image is produced from oriented sample ions using an electron beam. Molecular structure is determined using collected images from different orientations obtained under different polarization directions of the orientation laser. Embodiments of an apparatus for determining molecular structure also are disclosed. The apparatus operation, data accumulation and processing are controlled by software.