Abstract: Disclosed is a method for experimentally optimizing information quality and engagement in crowd sourced evaluation systems. It allows estimating efficiencies of different strategies to provide the greatest opportunity for social learning. It can be used for continuous tuning of social feedback. Also disclosed is a system that allows experimentation with crowd sourced evaluations of virtual services. The experimental system supports large scale online recruitment of participants into web-browser 3D virtual world. The virtual world can be designed to approximate several types of real-world, distributed information systems. Social influences can be experimentally introduced into the feedback system in order to empirically optimize its utility.

Abstract: This invention discloses drug-delivery compositions, methods of making prodrugs, and methods of drug delivery using a self-assembled gelator. The backbone of the gelator can contain a drug or prodrug, such as acetaminophen or salicin. Additional drugs or agents can be encapsulated in the gelator. Enzymatic or hydrolytic cleavage can be used to release the drugs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for experimentally optimizing information quality and engagement in crowd sourced evaluation systems. It allows estimating efficiencies of different strategies to provide the greatest opportunity for social learning. It can be used for continuous tuning of social feedback. Also disclosed is a system that allows experimentation with crowd sourced evaluations of virtual services. The experimental system supports large scale online recruitment of participants into web-browser 3D virtual world. The virtual world can be designed to approximate several types of real-world, distributed information systems. Social influences can be experimentally introduced into the feedback system in order to empirically optimize its utility.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides inhibitors of bunyavirus of the formula: wherein the variables are defined herein.

Abstract: A engineered alpha-galactosidase A polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 1 having at least one non-glycosylation mutation; and at least one glycosylation compensatory mutation is claimed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods of use thereof for detection of biomolecules, in vitro, in vivo, or in situ. The invention relates to methods of diagnosing and/or treating a subject as having or being at risk of developing a disease or condition that is associated with abnormal levels of one or more biomolecules including, but not limited to, inter alia, epilepsy, diseases of the basal ganglia, athetoid, dystonic diseases, neoplasms, Parkinson's disease, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and cancer. The invention also provides methods of differentiating white matter from gray matter. In some embodiments, regions of the brain to be resected or targeted for pharmaceutical therapy are identified using sensors. The invention further provides methods of measuring the neurotoxicity of a material by comparing microvoltammograms of a neural tissue in the presence and absence of the material using the inventive sensors.

Abstract: The luminance of a transmission mode X-ray scintillator diamond plate is dominated by induced defect centers having an excited state lifetime less than 10 msec, and in embodiments less than 1 msec, 100 usec, 10 used, 1 used, 100 nsec, or even 50 nsec, thereby providing enhanced X-ray luminance response and an X-ray flux dynamic range that is linear with X-ray flux on a log-log scale over at least three orders of magnitude. The diamond plate can be a single crystal having a dislocation density of less than 104 per square centimeter, and having surfaces that are ion milled instead of mechanically polished. The defect centers can be SiV centers induced by silicon doping during CVD diamond formation, and/or NV0 centers formed by nitrogen doping followed by applying electron beam irradiation of the diamond plate and annealing.

Abstract: Technologies are described for methods to fabricate lasers to amplify light. The methods may comprise depositing nanoparticles on a substrate. The length, width, and height of the nanoparticles may be less than 100 nm. The methods may further comprise distributing the nanoparticles on the substrate to produce a film. The nanoparticles in the film may be coupled nanoparticles. The coupled nanoparticles may be in disordered contact with each other within the film. The distribution may be performed such that constructive interference of the light occurs by multiple scattering at the boundaries of the coupled nanoparticles within the film. The methods may comprise exposing the film to a power source.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compounds containing both an NO-releasing moiety and an H2S-releasing moiety and the use of such compounds in treating inflammatory diseases, including cancers.

Abstract: A system for producing a public ring that is fully homomorphically encrypted. The system comprises a processor which generates a first presentation G of a ring, wherein G=x, y|x2=0, y2=0, xy+(p+1)yx=1, where x and y are generators and p is a first private prime number. The system further generates a second presentation H of the ring. H is defined as follows: H=x, y, t|x2=0, y2=0, t=m1yx, xy+m2yx+t=1. In addition, m1 and m2 are positive integers and p+1=m1+m2, wherein t is a generator and the first presentation G and the second presentation H are isomorphic. The system further produces a public ring ? that is fully homomorphically encrypted, where: H ^ = ? x , y , t ? N · 1 = 1 , x 2 = 1 , y 2 = 0 , xyx = x , yxy = y , tx = 0 , yt = 0 , t 2 = t + m 2 2 - m 2 m 1 ? tyx ? , N=pq and further, q is a second private prime number, and the public ring ? is further, publically available. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Self-suspending proppants including proppant particles coated with a CO2-philic coating are provided. The CO2-philic coating may be lightly crosslinked and may have a physical structure that constrains CO2 molecules. Methods of making self-suspending proppants may include coating a proppant particle with a polymerizable precursor material of a CO2-philic material and polymerizing the polymerizable precursor material to form a self-suspending proppant are also provided. Additionally, hydraulic fracturing fluids that may include a CO2-based fluid and the self-suspending proppants and methods of treating subterranean formations by contacting a subterranean formation with hydraulic fracturing fluid and propagating at least one subterranean fracture are provided.

Abstract: Self-suspending proppants including proppant particles coated with a CO2-philic coating are provided. The CO2-philic coating may be lightly crosslinked and may have a physical structure that constrains CO2 molecules. Methods of making self-suspending proppants may include coating a proppant particle with a polymerizable precursor material of a CO2-philic material and polymerizing the polymerizable precursor material to form a self-suspending proppant are also provided. Additionally, hydraulic fracturing fluids that may include a CO2-based fluid and the self-suspending proppants and methods of treating subterranean formations by contacting a subterranean formation with hydraulic fracturing fluid and propagating at least one subterranean fracture are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to inhibitors of herpesvirus nucleic acid metabolism and inhibitors of Hepatitis B virus. Also provided are methods of treatment using these agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for thickening a hydrophobic liquid. When a hydrophobic liquid is thickened in accordance with the invention, the liquid becomes significantly denser. Preferably, the hydrophobic liquid becomes a gel.

Abstract: Self-suspending proppants including proppant particles coated with a CO2-philic coating are provided. The CO2-philic coating may be lightly crosslinked and may have a physical structure that constrains CO2 molecules. Methods of making self-suspending proppants may include coating a proppant particle with a polymerizable precursor material of a CO2-philic material and polymerizing the polymerizable precursor material to form a self-suspending proppant are also provided. Additionally, hydraulic fracturing fluids that may include a CO2-based fluid and the self-suspending proppants and methods of treating subterranean formations by contacting a subterranean formation with hydraulic fracturing fluid and propagating at least one subterranean fracture are provided.

Abstract: Self-suspending proppants including proppant particles coated with a CO2-philic coating are provided. The CO2-philic coating may be lightly crosslinked and may have a physical structure that constrains CO2 molecules. Methods of making self-suspending proppants may include coating a proppant particle with a polymerizable precursor material of a CO2-philic material and polymerizing the polymerizable precursor material to form a self-suspending proppant are also provided. Additionally, hydraulic fracturing fluids that may include a CO2-based fluid and the self-suspending proppants and methods of treating subterranean formations by contacting a subterranean formation with hydraulic fracturing fluid and propagating at least one subterranean fracture are provided.

Abstract: Self-suspending proppants including proppant particles coated with a CO2-philic coating are provided. The CO2-philic coating may be lightly crosslinked and may have a physical structure that constrains CO2 molecules. Methods of making self-suspending proppants may include coating a proppant particle with a polymerizable precursor material of a CO2-philic material and polymerizing the polymerizable precursor material to form a self-suspending proppant are also provided. Additionally, hydraulic fracturing fluids that may include a CO2-based fluid and the self-suspending proppants and methods of treating subterranean formations by contacting a subterranean formation with hydraulic fracturing fluid and propagating at least one subterranean fracture are provided.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to graphene derivatives, as well as related devices including graphene derivatives and methods of using graphene derivatives.

Abstract: A reduced noise screw expander is described, which comprises a main rotor and a gate rotor each having an ‘N’ profile. The rotors are designed so that the torque on the gate rotor caused by pressure forces is in the same direction as the torque on the gate rotor caused by frictional drag forces. A method of designing a screw machine exhibiting reduced noise is also described. The screw machine has two or more rotors having an ‘N’ profile, and the method involves determining a ratio r/r1, where r is the main rotor addendum and r1 is the radius of the rack round side, and ensuring that this ratio is greater than 1.1 where the screw machine is to be a screw compressor or less than or equal to 1.1 where the screw machine is to be a screw expander.

Abstract: A drive unit for driving a robot along an inclined surface is disclosed. An endless tread engages a pair of wheels to define a planar bottom surface of the endless tread. A vacuum motor pulls air through holes in the endless tread when the holes are aligned with a vacuum opening.