Abstract: Disclosed herein are organic light emitting diode (OLED) devices and methods of use thereof. In one embodiment, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) device includes an emitting layer including: a host and an emitter, wherein the host exhibits triplet-triplet annihilation up-conversion, wherein the emitter has a band gap and exhibits triplet-triplet annihilation up-conversion, wherein the host and the emitter are different, and wherein the emitter has a concentration of 5% or more in the emitting layer.

Abstract: A variety of redox catalysts, methods of making, and methods of using thereof are provided. Surface modified redox catalysts are provided having an oxygen carrier core with an outer surface that has been modified to enhance the selectivity of the redox catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation. The surface modification can include forming a redox catalyst outer layer on the outer surface and/or suppressing sites that form nonselective electrophilic oxygen sites on the outer surface of the oxygen carrier. A variety of methods are provided for making the surface modified redox catalysts, e.g. modified Pechini methods. A variety of methods are provided for using the catalysts for oxidative cracking of light paraffins. Methods are provided for oxidative cracking of light paraffins by contacting the paraffin with a core-shell redox catalyst described herein to convert the paraffins to water and olefins, diolefins, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are photodynamic compositions that can contain a natural polymer scaffold and a photosensitizer, where the photosensitizer can be covalently or non-covalently attached to the natural polymer scaffold. Also provided herein are structures and objects that can contain the photodynamic compositions. Further provided herein are methods of making and using the photodynamic compositions. Finally provided herein are printing ink formulations.

Abstract: Nucleic acid vectors encoding light-gated cation-selective membrane channels, in particular channelrhodopsin-2 (Chop2), converted inner retinal neurons to photosensitive cells in photoreceptor-degenerated retina in an animal model. Such treatment restored visual perception and various aspects of vision. A method of restoring light sensitivity to a retina of a subject suffering from vision loss due to photoreceptor degeneration, as in retinitis pigmentosa or macular degeneration, is provided. The method comprises delivering to the subject by intravitreal or subretinal injection, the above nucleic acid vector which comprises an open reading frame encoding a rhodopsin, to which is operatively linked a promoter and transcriptional regulatory sequences, so that the nucleic acid is expressed in inner retinal neurons.

Abstract: Provided herein are DNA-glycan conjugates that include a glycan and a covalently attached polynucleotide. The polynucleotide includes a plurality of modules. Each module includes a nucleotide string, and the plurality of modules includes a monomer module that corresponds to each carbohydrate monomer present in the DNA-glycan conjugate, and a linkage module that corresponds to each glycosidic linkage present between each carbohydrate monomer in the DNA-glycan conjugate. The nucleotide sequence of the plurality of modules corresponds to the glycan structure. Also provided herein are methods for making and using the DNA-glycan conjugates. Further provided is a computer-implemented method for translating data from a nucleotide sequence to a glycan structure, a system for converting data from a glycan structure to a nucleotide sequence, and a system for translating data from a nucleotide sequence to a glycan structure.

Abstract: A method of treating or preventing methamphetamine related endothelial dysfunction in a patient comprising administering to the patient an effective dose of a pharmacologic composition; the composition comprising a therapeutic, the therapeutic including a hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donor, or a salt, solvate, ester, amide, clathrate, stereoisomer, enantiomer, prodrug or analogs thereof. The H2S donor may be one of sodium sulfide, diallyl trisulfide, diallyl disulfide, allicin, sugammadex, sulfanilamide, disulfiram, sulfonamide, sulfonates, sulfoxides, persulfides, polysulfides, and sulfones. The H2S donor may be sugammadex. The H2S donor may be administered in a dosage of between 0.5 mg/kg and 10.0 mg/kg.

Abstract: Mechanoluminescent devices and articles, such as wearable articles, that include mechanoluminescent devices. The mechanoluminescent devices may have a lateral type architecture or a vertical type architecture. The mechanoluminescent devices may be sensors, including pressure sensors.

Abstract: Methods and kits are described for testing for the presence or absence of any fungus in a sample. Examples of fungi that can be detected include, but are not limited to, those belonging to the genera Candida, Aspergillus and Pneumocystis. The methods include obtaining a sample suspected of containing fungal nucleic acid, including at least one universal region of fungal nucleic acid, and testing for the presence or absence in the sample of the at least one universal region of fungal nucleic acid. Samples may be biological or non-biological.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for deflating a gas cavity about a projectile formed upon entry of the projectile into a liquid. The device can include a wall coupleable with a body operable as a projectile and defining an exterior and an interior space. The wall can be oriented toward a trailing end relative to a leading end defined by the body. The device can also include at least one inlet to facilitate gas flow from the exterior to the interior space. An outlet can facilitate gas flow from the interior space to the exterior and can be oriented toward the trailing end relative to the at least one inlet. Upon entry of the body and the wall into a liquid and formation of a gas cavity about a portion of the body and the wall, the at least one inlet can be located within the gas cavity and the outlet can be located outside the gas cavity, such that gas flows from the exterior through the at least one inlet to the interior space, and from the interior space through the outlet to the exterior to deflate the gas cavity.

Abstract: An efficient approach to reconstruct the scanner trajectory of the mobile LIDAR system from the point cloud with minimal user parameters. The process of reconstructing trajectory comprises four steps: (1) spin rate estimation, (2) scan plane estimation, (3) scan origin estimation, and (4) global smoothing.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a sequential continuous catalytic solvolysis process and system for deconstructing co-mingled plastics containing polyesters, polyamides, and polyolefins into polyester monomers, polyamide monomers, and low molecular weight hydrocarbons, respectively. The catalysts and solvents used in the process can be recycled, and the monomers can undergo polymerization to fresh polyesters and polyamides for everyday use. The low molecular weight hydrocarbons can be used as liquefied gas.

Abstract: Biomarkers tests which can be used to predict a positive or negative risk of preeclampsia are described. More specifically, a panel of biomarkers including MMP-7 and gpIIbIIIa, described. The test is useful to predict preeclampsia when a biological sample is obtained between the 16th and 22nd week of pregnancy. Prediction later in pregnancy can be achieved by a combination of Siglec-6, Activin A, ALCAM, and/or FCN2.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in tobacco plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for a root-specific nicotine demethylases, CYP82E10, and variants thereof, that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Compositions of the invention also include tobacco plants, or plant parts thereof, comprising a mutation in a gene encoding a CYP82E10 nicotine demethylase, wherein the mutation results in reduced expression or function of the CYP82E10 nicotine demethylase. Seed of these tobacco plants, or progeny thereof, and tobacco products prepared from the tobacco plants of the invention, or from plant parts or progeny thereof, are also provided. Methods for reducing the level of nornicotine, or reducing the rate of conversion of nicotine to nornicotine, in a tobacco plant, or plant part thereof are also provided.

Abstract: Mechanoluminescent devices and articles, such as wearable articles, that include mechanoluminescent devices. The mechanoluminescent devices may have a lateral type architecture or a vertical type architecture. The mechanoluminescent devices may be sensors, including pressure sensors.

Abstract: This disclosure presents a new type of variable stiffness magnetic spring, which can have a highly linear translational force characteristic. The variable stiffness is achieved through the rotation of a central magnet. Both positive and negative spring constants can be created. Using an analytic-based field analysis modelling technique, the operating principle and linearity characteristics of the adjustable magnetic spring are studied. The use of a magnetic spring with an adjustable negative spring constant could enable an ocean generator to continuously operate in a resonant state, thereby greatly increasing its power generation capability. The described variable stiffness spring could also be useful in other energy harvesting applications, robotic actuator applications, and/or other applications.

Abstract: A series of functionalized imidazophenthridine analogue-based blue phosphorescent emitters have been designed, where bulky substituents (e.g., tetrabutyl, phenyl, mesityl, triisopropylbenzene, etc.) are introduced on an imidazophenthridine fragment of the emitters. Bulky substituents may suppress potential excimer formation, as well as improve the solubility of the complexes. This class of emitters may be utilized in luminescent labels, emitters for organic light emitting devices, and lighting applications.

Abstract: A tracheal sampling device is used to collect or acquire cells from an animal, such as at or near the tracheo-bronchial or larynx of an animal. The device includes a flexible and elongated shaft or stem, and a collection member at a distal end of the device. The collection member could be a swab or other member to best collect mucus. The device is used by inserting the collection end into an animal to position the collection member at or near the cell collection site, which may be in or around the larynx. The collection member is removed after collecting cells, which can be reviewed, tested, or otherwise managed to determine the presence of a disease or other bacteria. The length of the shaft or stem allows for optimal positioning of the swab in a variety of animal species and ages. The device can be disposed after each use.

Abstract: Bio-ink compositions comprising bio-compatible microgels or nanogels are described. The bio-inks can comprise, for example, micro- or nanogels comprising crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (poly-NIPam). The bio-inks can further comprise viscosity control agents, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and/or surface tension agents. Three-dimensional (3D) printing (e.g., piezoelectric printing) of the bio-inks can provide 3D printed materials comprising microgel or nanogel assemblies of the bio-ink compositions. These materials can be used as scaffolds for preparing biological tissues for use, for instance, in regenerative medicine.

Abstract: Tracking-based motion deblurring via coded exposure is provided. Fast object tracking is useful for a variety of applications in surveillance, autonomous vehicles, and remote sensing. In particular, there is a need to have these algorithms embedded on specialized hardware, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), to ensure energy-efficient operation while saving on latency, bandwidth, and memory access/storage. In an exemplary aspect, an object tracker is used to track motion of one or more objects in a scene captured by an image sensor. The object tracker is coupled with coded exposure of the image sensor, which modulates photodiodes in the image sensor with a known exposure function (e.g., based on the object tracking). This allows for motion blur to be encoded in a characteristic manner in image data captured by the image sensor. Then, in post-processing, deblurring is performed using a computational algorithm.

Abstract: A probe device is disclosed that includes one or more insulating layers and a glassy carbon layer. The glassy carbon layer includes one or more channels. Each channel includes a microstructure, which may include an electrode region, interconnect region, and bump pad region. The electrode region may be placed in contact with a human or animal patient or test subject and used to collect or deliver signals in applications such as electrocorticography (ECoG), electromyography (EMG), and neural stimulation. A method of making a probe includes depositing a glassy carbon precursor on a substrate, patterning the precursor using photolithography, pyrolyzing the precursor to allow the formation of glassy carbon, and depositing one or more insulating layers.