Abstract: Synthetic materials that are useful as heterogeneous catalysts or electrocatalysts. The materials can be used to catalyze oxidation and/or reduction reactions and/or oxygen/hydrogen evolution/oxydation reactions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that IRGM, encoded by a uniquely human gene which confers risk for inflammatory diseases, affects autoophagy through a hitherto unknown mechanism. The present invention shows that IRGM controls autophagy and that IRGM modulators, in particular, double-stranded RNA, including poly I:C, poly-UG (polyUGUGU) and polyICLC and muramyldipeptide and related analogs of same, including N-acetyl muramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (Muramyl dipeptide or MDP) and numerous other compounds as identified herein, which may be used alone, in combination, or in combination with alternative autophagy modulators and additional bioactive agents to provide effective therapies for a number of diseases, including cancer, bacterial infections and inflammatory diseases, especially including tuberculosis infections and Crohn's disease, among others.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of silicic acid to transform biological materials, including cellular architecture into inorganic materials to provide biocomposites (nanomaterials) with stabilized structure and function. In the present invention, there has been discovered a means to stabilize the structure and function of biological materials, including cells, biomolecules, peptides, proteins (especially including enzymes), lipids, lipid vesicles, polysaccharides, cytoskeletal filaments, tissue and organs with silicic acid such that these materials may be used as biocomposites. In many instances, these materials retain their original biological activity and may be used in harsh conditions which would otherwise destroy the integrity of the biological material. In certain instances, these biomaterials may be storage stable for long periods of time and reconstituted after storage to return the biological material back to its original form.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining blood brain barrier (BBB) damage and treating patients who may have suffered from BBB damage due to an ischemic event are provided. The methods and apparatus involve detecting the presence of cleaved occludin fragments in a sample of blood. According to some embodiments, the method further provides determining the degree of BBB damage based on the concentration of occludin fragments in the sample. In further embodiments the present disclosure provides kits for detecting the presence of occludin fragments in a blood sample.

Abstract: A novel peptide sequence that is a modified derivative of a neuron-specific tyrosine phosphatase is shown and described. Specifically, the novel peptide sequence is a modified derivative of striatal-enriched tyrosine phosphatase (STEP). The peptide sequence has been modified so as to be able to ameliorate and treat brain injury resulting from excessive glutamate release and/or oxidative stress. Examples of the types of brain injury which the presently disclosed peptide sequence is useful for treating includes acute brain injury resulting from stroke or traumatic brain injury and chronic disorders such as Huntington's chorea and schizophrenia. Furthermore, the presently described peptide sequence may further be useful in the treatment and amelioration of disorders associated with fear memory such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of compounds which are modulators of the G protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor (GPER) for the inhibition —and/or treatment of Bacterial infections, especially including metMctHin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment of bacterial pathogens, including MRSA are also described.

Abstract: A device for providing cutaneous sensations to a fingertip includes a lower base, an upper platform positioned over and mechanically connected to the lower base, and a shear plate positioned between the lower base and the upper platform and mechanically connected to the lower base. When a fingertip is positioned between the upper platform and the lower base, the upper platform is selectively vertically translatable relative to the lower base to provide a compressive force, and the shear plate is selectively laterally translatable relative to the lower base to provide a shear force. Accordingly, a wearable fingertip device having two degrees-of-freedom (DoF) to provide consecutive and/or concurrent compressive force and/or shear force to a fingertip is provided. The wearable fingertip device can be used in various scenarios; is portable, easily wearable, and easily manufacturable; and has low overall operating power requirements.

Abstract: An larvicide comprising an essential oil encapsulated within a non-viable yeast cell. The larvicide is particularly effective against mosquito larvae, non-toxic to humans and other non-target species, inexpensive to make, and non-toxic during manufacture, transport, and storage.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of treating a subject suffering from chronic neuropathic pain and/or allodynia by administering a therapeutically-effective amount of at least one LFA1 antagonist to the subject. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a method of treating a subject suffering from chronic neuropathic pain and/or allodynia, the method comprising administering intrathecally to the subject a therapeutically-effective amount of microparticles comprising PLGA-encapsulated pDNA-IL-10, optionally in combination with a therapeutically-effective amount of intrathecally-administered CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG ODN) and/or at least one LFA1 antagonist.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel class of medicament based on CXCR antagonistic peptides. Among other things, the present invention provides peptides, compositions and methods for treating diseases, disorders and conditions in which a CXCR mediated pathway is implicated. Compositions and methods for effective treatment of inflammation, stroke, traumatic brain injury, pancreatic cancer, and others are provided.

Abstract: A larvicide comprising an essential oil encapsulated within a non-viable yeast cell. The larvicide is particularly effective against mosquito larvae, non-toxic to humans and other non-target species, inexpensive to make, and non-toxic during manufacture, transport, and storage.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to p-phenylene ethynylene compounds as bioactive and detection agents. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of inducing germination of microbial spores including contacting the microbial spores with a p-phenylene ethynylene compound. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method for detecting an enzyme, a method of protein analysis, or a method of detecting a chemical agent, including introducing a p-phenylene ethynylene compound to a composition including an enzyme substrate, and analyzing the fluorescence of the p-phenylene ethynylene compound. Various embodiments provide sensors that include a p-phenylene ethynylene compound and an enzyme substrate.

Abstract: A panel comprising internal strips or regions reinforced with nanomaterials having high load carrying capacity.

Abstract: A photonic infrared detector having at least one metal layer having a broad-band IR absorption and the detector is configured to enable light to make a plurality of passes within a c-Si substrate.

Abstract: A method and precursor for making carbon fibers and the like comprising carbon black modified with at least one cyclic compound promoter. A source of the carbon black may be recycled materials such as recycled tires or recycled plastics. The carbon black is modified by attaching at least one cyclic compound promoter to the outer periphery of the carbon black.

Abstract: A supported bi-metallic non-platinum catalyst that is capable of oxidizing hydrazine to produce, as by-products of energy production, nitrogen, water, and zero or near-zero levels of ammonia is described. The catalyst is suitable for use in fuel cells, particularly those that utilizes an anion-exchange membrane and a liquid fuel such as hydrazine.

Abstract: The present prevention provides a surface coating for cooling a surface by light scattering comprising a plurality of successive layers, each of the layers may be comprised of a plurality of spheres arranged to form a structure comprised of packed spheres. Each layer may have a different arrangement of packed spheres to create to a different light scattering property in each of the layers. The coating of the structures may also be formed by randomly packed spheres and the spheres may have a uniform diameter.

Abstract: Ion-doped metal or ceramic nanoparticles can be added into, for example, a component that upon exposure to an environmental stimulus, will release the ion and ‘tattle’ on any impending destruction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that MK2 is highly expressed in cancer tissue and the inhibition of MK2 using an MK2 inhibitor represents a viable approach to the treatment of cancer, including drug resistant cancers, metastatic cancers and recurrent cancers. MK2 inhibitors as described herein may be used alone or in combination with an at least one additional anti-cancer agent for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for using aggregated loads from a plurality of distributed energy resources to perform a function at a power distribution feeder. The invention includes a plurality of distributed energy resources, wherein at least one distributed energy resource includes a renewable energy resource, a communication network, a control device, a power distribution feeder coupled to the control device, and an energy storage system coupled to the power distribution feeder. The control device sends a signal to the plurality of distributed energy resources via the communication network. The signal is a request to switch a status of one or more of the distributed energy resources if one or more distributed energy resources is within a predetermined condition. Loads from the one or more of the distributed energy resources that switched status are aggregated to perform a function at the power distribution feeder.