Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for controlled release of macromolecules (such as proteins and polypeptides). The present disclosure also provides method for preparing and using the same.

Abstract: A method for predicting student performance in interactive question pools, comprising: a data processing and feature extraction module for: extracting from historical score data records statistical student features reflecting the students' past performances on the questions; and statistical question features indicating a question popularity of each question and the average students' scores on each question; and extracting from the pointing device movement data records a plurality of interactive edge features representing the characteristics of the students' problem-solving behaviors; a network construction module for: performing an Edge2Node transformation to transform the interactive edge features into one or more interaction nodes; and constructing a heterogeneous student-interaction-question (SIQ) network; and a prediction module for processing the SIQ network using a residual relational graph neural network to predict a student's score on unattempt questions.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to compositions and methods of coating objects using BOC-butenolide. The invention also relates to compositions and methods for enhancing the performance and longevity of the coated objects with BOC-butenolide, including inhibiting fouling often caused by marine organisms.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a solution-processed selective solar absorption coating and a process for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a post-treatment method and system for a core-shell catalyst, which relate to the field of fuel cell materials. The post-treatment method of the present disclosure includes the following steps: a core-shell catalyst is added into an electrolyte solution containing citric acid or ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, a gas containing oxygen is introduced into the electrolyte solution followed by stirring for a predetermined reaction time, the open circuit potential of the reactor base is recorded during the reaction time, and the open circuit potential should stabilize at 0.90˜1.0 V vs. RHE when the reaction is completed. The molar ratio of citric acid or ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid to platinum of the core-shell catalyst is 10 to 1000:1. A percentage of oxygen in the gas is 10 to 100% by volume. The post-treatment method of the present disclosure can significantly improve the platinum mass activity and PGM mass activity and durability of core-shell catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides new, fully human EphA4 monoclonal antibodies with distinct binding characteristics. Also disclosed are antigen binding fragments of these antibodies, bispecific forms of these antibodies, and conjugates of these antibodies. In addition, nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, antigen binding fragments, bispecific antibodies and conjugates are disclosed. These monoclonal antibodies, antigen binding fragments, bispecific antibodies, conjugates, nucleic acids and vector are of use for identifying and treating a subject with a disease or condition involving abnormal EphA4-mediated signaling.

Abstract: Fluorescent probes for silver ion detection include organic, water-soluble compounds having aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics. The probes can sense or detect silver ions through aggregation or a precipitation reaction between the silver ions and the organic compounds which induces fluorescence. The compounds are acidic, soluble in aqueous phase, and provide low background fluorescence in aqueous solutions.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions comprising one or more polymers capable of forming a hydrogel and methods for making and using the same. More specifically, the present disclosure provides compositions comprising one or more polymers capable of forming a hydrogel with prolonged mucosal retention, and methods for making and using the same.

Abstract: Small molecule compounds having aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics include donor-acceptor (D-A) structural NIR fluorophores based on 1,3-bis(dicyanomethylene)indan (BDCI), a strong and steric electron-deficient acceptor. A twisted quasi-double bond (TQDB) links each electron donor with the acceptor. The compounds can be used as NIR-II fluorescent dyes for in vivo imaging. The compounds can conjugate with bioactive molecules, such as peptides, sugars, aptamers and antibodies, to provide specific and active NIR-II fluorescent probes. The compounds can serve as active NIR-II fluorescent probes in many applications, such as, cancer cell-targeted imaging, accurate diagnosis of disease, and image-guided phototherapy.

Abstract: Various photo-luminescent films and associated methods are enabled. For instance, a photo-luminescent film comprises a substrate layer comprising a plurality of pores, and a composite comprising luminescent nanoparticles disposed in the plurality of pores.

Abstract: One or more devices, systems, methods and/or apparatus to facilitate suppression of fringe field effect, such as for diffraction grating and/or display purposes. In one embodiment, a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) element can comprise a pair of conductive substrates, a FLC layer having a helical pitch and positioned between the conductive substrates, one or more spacers fixedly positioned between the conductive substrates, and an alignment layer positioned between the FLC layer and one of the conductive substrates. The alignment layer can be disposed at least partially contiguous with the FLC layer. The FLC layer can comprise a chiral smectic C* liquid crystal layer having at least one of a helical pitch smaller than an average cell gap of the FLC layer, or an average helical pitch of the FLC layer being smaller than an average thickness of the FLC layer between the conductive substrates.

Abstract: A method of promoting axonal regeneration can include directing neuronal lipid synthesis away from triglyceride synthesis and toward phospholipid synthesis. The method can include administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor compound selected from the group consisting of a Lipin-1 inhibitor, a diglyceride acyltransferase inhibitor, and combinations thereof or administering a gene editing therapy to the patient that reduces expression of LIPIN1 or a diglyceride acyltransferase gene.

Abstract: An all-solid-state battery system having a solid-state electrolyte composite is provided. The solid-state electrolyte composite includes a porous framework providing support and mechanical strength for the solid-state electrolyte composite and a plurality of ionic conductors filling voids of the porous framework for maximizing ionic conductance of the solid-state electrolyte composite. The porous framework may be made of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) polymers and the plurality of ionic conductors may be made of poly(ethylene oxide)-LiN(SO2CF3)2 (PEO-LiTFSI) polymers. The all-solid-state battery system includes battery cells each including a cathode current collector, a cathode disposed beneath and connected to the cathode current collector, the solid-state electrolyte composite disposed beneath and connected to the cathode, an anode disposed beneath and connected to the solid-state electrolyte composite, and an anode current collector disposed beneath and connected to the anode.

Abstract: The invention relates to the systems and methods for isolating single cells, capturing selected prey biomolecules within said cells, and detecting said prey biomolecules using a sensitive assay method. Also described herein are functionalized substrates and compositions for enabling the low limit of detection of selected prey biomolecules of selected cells.

Abstract: A multifunctional and modular geotechnical testing device for testing a soil sample is provided. The testing device includes a testing cell, a plurality of needle probes, and a plurality of lateral pressure-measuring sensors. The testing cell has an oedometer ring for accommodating the soil sample, with a plurality of holes located on and angularly distributed over an internal lateral surface of the oedometer ring forming a plurality of channels to access the soil sample from outside. The plurality of needle probes, each configured to house a pore water pressure-measuring sensor, is detachably mountable to the plurality of channels from outside for simultaneously measuring the pore water pressures. The plurality of lateral pressure-measuring sensors is removably attachable to an inner peripheral side of the testing cell for measuring lateral pressures of the soil sample.

Abstract: Provided herein are aggregation-induced emission luminogens useful for imaging and/or detecting cancer cells and dynamically monitoring the viability of cancer cells and methods of use and preparation thereof.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to composition and methods of using said composition as an in vitro biosensor of small molecules in biological and/or environmental samples using enzyme-assisted nucleic acid reactions. The methods and compositions can be used to sense and/or transduce the signal of a sensing event mediated by allosteric proteins, endonucleases and nucleic acid reactions. This invention allows the rapid development and setup of one-pot assays to provide results in minutes. The methods and compositions may be used to generate an electrochemical, fluorescent, colorimetric, and/or luminescent output and the methods can be performed in different modalities, including a solution-based or paper-based assay.

Abstract: A system for proctoring online exams includes a client-side computing system and a visual analytics system. The client-side computing system includes a camera configured to obtain video data corresponding to a user while taking an exam and one or more input devices configured to obtain interaction data, wherein the interaction data includes mouse movements of the user while taking the exam. The visual analytics system is configured to obtain the video data and the interaction data from the client-side computing system, analyze the exam data to detect abnormal behavior by the user based at least in part on mouse movement data, and generate one or more visualizations of the analyzed exam data to be used in determining whether or not the user has cheated during the exam.

Abstract: The ionic liquid-based coating is a coating for both porous and nonporous materials. As non-limiting examples, a porous substrate coated with the ionic liquid-based coating may be used to disinfect and remove microorganisms from air and water, to provide an antimicrobial surface for preventing microbial contamination, or to enhance filtration efficiency of the porous material for airborne and waterborne particulate matter without increasing flow resistance. As a further non-limiting example, a nonporous substrate coated with the ionic liquid-based coating may be used to form a surface capable of self-disinfection from microorganisms contacting surface. The ionic liquid-based coating includes at least one ionic liquid, an adhesive, and at least one additive, which may be a disinfectant, a viscosity modifier, a pH buffer, a fragrance, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The dipole-resonator resistive absorber is a metamaterial absorber operating in the microwave regime. A single unit of the dipole-resonator resistive absorber includes a first rectangular conductive ring having a pair of first resistors mounted thereon and in electrical communication therewith, and a plurality of parallel linear arrays of second rectangular conductive rings, where each of the second rectangular conductive rings has a pair of second resistors mounted thereon and in electrical communication therewith. The first rectangular conductive ring is mounted above the plurality of parallel linear arrays of the second rectangular conductive rings, and this structure is backed by an electrically conductive layer. The single unit dipole-resonator resistive absorber may be expanded into an arrayed structure, forming a polarization-independent dipole-resonator resistive absorber.