Abstract: A device for performing a microfluidic assay on a chip comprising, a microfluidics chip, one or more fluid receptacles on the chip for receiving a fluid, a plurality of pneumatic pumps arrayed on the chip, each pump having a discharge channel leading to a rectifier on the chip, and a reaction chamber in fluid communication with each of the rectifiers, wherein a pressure on the pressurized fluid source drives fluid from the fluid receptacle into the incoming fluid channel connecting the fluid receptacle to the pump, through the pump and into the discharge channel, through the discharge channel to the rectifier, and through the rectifier into the reaction chamber, wherein the pump is configured to generate droplets of a pre-determined size, wherein the rectifiers prevent backflow of the droplets, and wherein droplets are combined in the reaction chamber, the chamber facilitating an assay being performed on the chip.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel composition of matter useful for the treatment of neoplastic diseases. The novel composition is synergistic and comprised of galectin-3C in combination with a proteasome inhibitor, the combination having a pharmacologic activity greater than the expected additive effect of its individual components. Other embodiments of the invention provide novel synergistic compositions of galectin-3C with a proteasome inhibitor capable of reducing or overcoming resistance that develops to the proteasome inhibitor or reducing the adverse side effects from the proteasome inhibitor through increasing the therapeutic efficacy of lower doses.

Abstract: Methods for optimization of liquid oil production by huff-n-puff in shale reservoirs to achieve an improved (and optimal) oil recovery factor. The process determines and utilizes the optimum huff and puff times, number of cycles and soaking time under practical operation and reservoir conditions. The huff time in the process is a period so long that the pressure near the wellbore reaches the set maximum injection pressure during the huff period. The puff time in the process is the time required for the pressure near the wellbore to reach the set minimum production pressure during the puff period. Soaking is typically not necessary during the huff-n-puff gas injection in shale oil reservoirs. The number of huff-n-puff cycles is determinable by the time in which the economic rate cut-off is reached.

Abstract: The present invention includes a microfluidic device comprising one or more parking loops 12, each parking loop 12 comprising a bypass channel 14 and a lower branch 16 capable of retaining one or more drops, wherein bypass channel 14 has a smaller hydrodynamic resistance than the lower branch 16.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for obtaining data to determine one or more characteristics of a wind flow field using one or more radars. Data is collected from the one or more radars, and analyzed to determine the one or more characteristics of the wind flow field. The one or more radars are positioned to have a portion of the wind flow field within a scanning sector of the one or more radars.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of delivering a therapeutic agent into and across an endothelial cell (EC) in a subject in need thereof, comprising: attaching to a T Cell receptor mimic (TCR mimic) an active agent to form a therapeutic agent; and administering to the subject the therapeutic agent in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the therapeutic agent effectively crosses the EC microvascular barrier. Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods of treating diseases (particularly neuronal diseases) or conditions comprising identifying a subject in need of such a treatment and administering to said subject a composition comprising a TCR mimic conjugated to an active agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for obtaining data to determine one or more characteristics of a wind field using a first remote sensing device and a second remote sensing device. Coordinated data is collected from the first and second remote sensing devices and analyzed to determine the one or more characteristics of the wind field. The first remote sensing device is positioned to have a portion of the wind field within a first scanning sector of the first remote sensing device. The second remote sensing device is positioned to have the portion of the wind field disposed within a second scanning sector of the second remote sensing device.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer with a recombinant tumor-associated antigen loaded antigen presenting cell that generates a cytotoxic T lymphocyte specific immune response to at least one of SP17, AKAP-4, or PTTG1 expressed by one or more lung cancer cells.

Abstract: Antibacterial metallic nanofoams, substrates having the nanofoam coated thereon, methods for preventing, inhibiting, and/or killing bacterial growth using the metallic nanofoams, and compositions and methods for making the metallic nanofoams.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device and method for forming a chemically patterned paper microfluidic device (cPMD) having controllable hydrophobic regions for purposes of providing a repeatable and versatile production with no temperature limitations similar or expensive printers, enabling point of care sensor devices. The disclosed invention comprises multilayer capability, including the ability for various biomolecules to be immobilized with charge interaction. The paper-based microfluidic platform as disclosed repeatable, versatile, cost effective, and allows for the creation of complex channels using the settling time calculated from calibration results. The disclosed system supports a wide variety of scenarios for testing, diagnostics and drug delivery, and related products and services.

Abstract: An energetic material comprising an elemental fuel, an oxidizer or other element, and a carbon nanofiller or carbon fiber rods, where the carbon nanofiller or carbon fiber rods are substantially homogeneously dispersed in the energetic material. Methods of tailoring the electrostatic discharge sensitivity of an energetic material are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method, systems and devices for the detection of carbon nanotubes in biological samples by providing a sample suspected of having one or more carbon nanotubes; irradiating the sample with a microwave radiation, wherein the carbon nanotubes absorb the microwave radiation; and detecting and measuring the one or more thermal emissions from the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Disclosed is an invention of cotton lines 2-340/1-422, 1-422/SCM 3-7-3, 1-422/2-340, 1-136/2-340, AFIS 1-422, AFIS 2-340, AFIS 1-136, and SCM 3-7-3, and relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue and harvested products, lint, and oil, as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds and other plants, cultivars, and varieties produced by essentially deriving such plants, cultivars, and varieties from cotton lines 2-340/1-422, 1-422/SCM 3-7-3, 1-422/2-340, 1-136/2-340, AFIS 1-422, AFIS 2-340, AFIS 1-136, and SCM 3-7-3. The present invention particularly relates to the development of specific cotton lines for the regulation of palmitic acid for the production of seeds having cottonseed oil content with reduced levels of palmitic acid. The cotton lines of the present disclosure have lower levels of palmitic acid content, and allows for the germination of seed at lower soil temperatures than current commercially available cotton cultivars.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of optimizing the placement of fractures along deviated wellbores by hydraulically fracturing a well to form a complex fracture network of hydraulically connected fractures.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus tracks targets (e.g., tumors) during treatment (e.g., radiation therapy) using a radar motion sensor by generating a microwave signal, radiating the microwave signal to a subject, and receiving a modulated microwave signal from the subject. The modulated microwave signal is processed to provide a subject motion information using a sensor having an arctangent-demodulation microwave interferometry mode. A location of a target on or within the subject is determined based on the subject motion information and a three-dimensional model for the subject and the target. One or more control signals are generated based on the location of the target, and the treatment device is controlled using the one or more control signals to treat the target on or within the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel composition of matter useful for the treatment of neoplastic diseases. The novel composition is synergistic and comprised of galectin-3C in combination with a proteosome inhibitor, the combination having a pharmacologic activity greater than the expected additive effect of its individual components. Other embodiments of the invention provide novel synergistic compositions of galectin-3C with a proteasome inhibitor capable of reducing or overcoming resistance that develops to the proteasome inhibitor or reducing the adverse side effects from the proteasome inhibitor through increasing the therapeutic efficacy of lower doses.

Abstract: No effective vaccine exists for the devastating parasitic disease of Schistosomiasis. The present invention focuses on Sm-p80, a functionally important antigen of Schistosoma mansoni that plays a pivotal role in the schistosome immune evasion process. When used in a novel vaccine formulation, Sm-p80 demonstrates consistent immunogenicity, protective potential, and antifecundity effects. Two novel DNA constructs were made for immunization purposes. Sm-p80 coding sequence was cloned into VR 1020. Additionally, Sm-p80 coding sequence was cloned into pcDNA3.1 with flanking CpG motifs on each end of the Sm-p80 sequence. When used in different vaccine formulations, both of the constructs demonstrate the superior antifecundity and anti-worm effects of Sm-p80, which has great potential as an important vaccine candidate for the reduction of the morbidity associated with schistosome infection.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus to separate X or Y-chromosome bearing sperm cells in a population by first placing the population of sperm cells at physiological pH environment, and simultaneously contacting the population of sperm cells with one or more additional sub-environments with different pH values. The exposure allows mobile sperm cells bearing X or Y-chromosome to migrate to the different pH sub-environments, wherein each cell only exposed or come in contact with one pH sub-environment. Finally, the collecting X or Y-chromosome enriched population of sperm cells is performed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optoelectronic device layer structures, light emitting devices, and detectors based upon heterostructures formed between hexagonal boron nitride (hNB) and III nitrides, and more particularly, to heterojunction devices capable of emitting and detecting photons in the ultraviolet (UV) and extremely ultraviolet (RUV) spectral range. The present invention also relates to neutron detectors based on epitaxially grown hBN thin films (or epitaxial layers) and hBN stacked thin films (or epitaxial layers) to satisfy the thickness required for capturing all incoming neutrons.

Abstract: A method and composition for the diagnosis of and treatment of prostate cancer including a recombinant AKAP-4 tumor-associated antigen loaded antigen presenting cell that generates an AKAP-4 specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte specific for one or more prostate cancer cells.