Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising TWIST signaling inhibitors and optionally one or more anti-cancer agents, and methods of using the compositions for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: A microporous wick and a method for non-thermal solar desalination is disclosed, which includes placing a capillary wick in a brine containing sodium chloride (NaCl), the capillary wick comprising a plurality of bonded aluminum nitride (Al—N) microparticles and illuminating the capillary wick with a light source.

Abstract: Methods for the efficient isolation and use of pluripotent adipose-derived stem cells (PASCs) are provided. In certain embodiments the methods involve providing an adipose tissue sample from which the stromal vascular fraction is co-cultured with the adipocyte fraction. PASCs can be isolated with a high degree of purification without requiring an additional cell enrichment process (e.g. cell sorting). PASCs and their conditioned media can be used for tissue regeneration within hours of harvesting the adipose tissue, and without requiring cell expansion. PASCs can grow as floating individual cells, as clusters of cells, or attached to surface(s) of the culture vessel. PASCs do not produce teratomas in vivo, nor do they induce immunorejection upon transplantation, and they achieve a high efficiency in grafting. The cells and compositions can be used for cell therapy and to screen new drugs.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a quality and manufacturable aperture for light emitting elements, such as vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs), using epitaxial later overgrowth (ELO). A bar comprised of island-like III-nitride semiconductor layers is grown on a substrate using a growth restrict mask, and the island-like III-nitride semiconductor layers are fabricated into light-emitting resonating cavities across a smallest length of the bar. Apertures for the resonating cavities are also fabricated along the smallest length of the bar on wing regions of the epitaxial lateral overgrowth. Distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) are fabricated as mirrors for the resonant cavities on the bottom and top of the wing regions of the epitaxial lateral overgrowth.

Abstract: Effluent water is combined with carbon dioxide sourced from a carbon dioxide-containing emission stream to produce a reaction solution. The pH of the reaction solution is controlled to induce precipitation of a carbonate salt from the reaction solution.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for preparing graphene by mixing graphite and carbon nanofibrils. The prepared graphene can be used to form nanopaper. The present invention also provides a method of preparing nanopaper by suspending cellulose nanofibrils and graphene, followed by vacuum filtering of the suspension.

Abstract: A pyramid-type multilevel converter for converting DC voltage to AC voltage waveforms, and vice versa. An example device can use modular building blocks to form a selector stage, a converter stage, and at least one intermediate stage if the number of converters within the converter stage is greater than or equal to 3, with the converter stage switching at high-frequency PWM to chop the DC voltages. The modular building blocks are connected in a symmetric or asymmetric pyramid configuration having a base of using the converter stage and an apex of the selector stage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, are composite materials, methods, tools and abrasive materials comprising a tungsten-based metal composition, a tungsten carbide, and an alloy. In some cases, the composite materials or matrix are resistant to oxidation.

Abstract: A submicron structure comprising a silica body defining a plurality of pores that are suitable to receive molecules therein, and having a surface, and a phospholipid bilayer coating the surface, wherein said submicron structure has a maximum dimension of less than one micron, and wherein the phospholipid bilayer stably seals the plurality of pores; and wherein the submicron structure is a member of a monodisperse population of submicron structures.

Abstract: A method for producing one or more hydroxide solids includes providing a catholyte comprising an electrolyte solution; contacting the catholyte with an electroactive mesh cathode to electrolytically generate hydroxide ions, thereby precipitating the one or more hydroxide solid(s); and removing the one or more hydroxide solids from the surface of the mesh where they may deposit.

Abstract: Provided herein is an implant for delivering a hydrophobic active agent to a target tissue. The implant may include a scaffold defining a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the scaffold is substantially impermeable to a hydrophobic active agent, and a silicone tubing having a wall permeable to the active agent, wherein a first length of the silicone tubing is affixed to the first surface of the scaffold, wherein the two ends of the silicone tubing extend from the first surface, and wherein a path outlined by a second length of the tubing within the first length is circuitous. Also provided is a method of using the implant to locally deliver a hydrophobic active agent to a target tissue, and kits that find use in performing the present method.

Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a human pathogen with high morbidity. The HCV NS3/4A protease is essential for viral replication and is one of top three drug targets. A number of drugs have been developed but drug resistant mutant strains emerged. Here we screened and synthesized of novel class of small molecules of Formula I or Formula IA based on tryptophan derivative scaffold as HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitors that is active against both wild type and mutant form of the protease. Only the docking hits with a binding pose that is not affected by the most frequent mutations in the active site were selected for experimental validation. The antiviral activities were evaluated by replicon and enzymatic assays. Twenty-two compounds in this series were found to inhibit HCV with EC50 values ranging between 0.64 to 63 ?M with compound 22 being the most active of this series. In protease assays, 22 had a comparable inhibition profile for the common mutant HCV GT1b D168A and the wild type enzyme.

Abstract: An avalanche diode including a gain region and a readout structure including an n-type (p-type) region having electrically isolated segments each including implanted regions; a p-type (n-type) region; and a first electrode on each of the segments. The gain region includes a p-n junction buried between the n-type region and the p-type region: an n+-type region having a higher n-type dopant density than the n-type region; a p+-type region having a higher p-type dopant density than the p-type region; and the p-n junction between the n+-type region and the p+-type region. A bias between the first electrodes and a second electrode (ohmically contacting the p-type (n-type) region) reverse biases the p-n junction. Electrons generated in response to electromagnetic radiation or charged particles generate additional electrons m the gain region through impact ionization but the segmented region comprises a low field region isolating the gain region from the first electrodes.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to sub-meter level navigation accuracy for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) using broadband communication signals, such as cellular long-term evolution (LTE) signals. A framework and methods are provided using a receiver and controller to produce at least one of carrier phase, code phase, and Doppler frequency measurements from received LTE signals. Single difference measurements may be used to remove clock bias. LTE ENodeB clock biases are initialized using the known initial position of the UAV. The measurements are fused via an extended Kalman filter (EKF) to estimate the UAV position and integer ambiguities of the carrier phase single difference measurements. LTE signals can have different carrier frequencies and conventional algorithms do not estimate the integer ambiguities. Processes are described to detect cycle slip, where the carrier phase measurements from the LTE eNodeB multiple antenna ports are used to detect cycle slip.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an exceptional points of degeneracy (EPD) system with a resonator by introducing a linear time-periodic variation. In contrast, prior art systems with EPD require two coupled resonators with precise values of gain and loss and a precise symmetry of inductances and capacitances. The disclosed EPD system only requires the tuning of the modulation frequency or modulation depth, which can be easily achieved in electronic systems. The EPD is a point in a system parameters' space at which two or more eigenstates coalesce, and this leads to unique properties not occurring at other non-degenerate operating points. Also disclosed are experimental data showing the existence of a second order EPD in a time-varying single resonator and the expected sensitivity of its resonances to circuit perturbations. The disclosed EPD system exhibits structural degenerate and non-degenerate resonances whose dynamics dramatically boosts its sensitivity performance to very small perturbations.

Abstract: A distributed hybrid algorithm that synchronizes the time and rate of a set of clocks connected over a network. Clock measurements of the nodes are given at aperiodic time instants and the controller at each node uses these measurements to achieve synchronization. Due to the continuous and impulsive nature of the clocks and the network, we introduce a hybrid system model to effectively capture the dynamics of the system and the proposed hybrid algorithm. Moreover, the hybrid algorithm allows each agent to estimate the skew of its internal clock in order to allow for synchronization to a common timer rate. We provide sufficient conditions guaranteeing synchronization of the timers, exponentially fast. Numerical results illustrate the synchronization property induced by the algorithm as well as its performance against comparable algorithms from the literature.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a high-throughput methodology for rapid and highly personalized screenings to identify efficacious anti-tumor immunotherapy regiments. In one embodiment, therapeutic agents or a combination thereof are screened by co-culturing tumor shaped organoid extrudates with a population of immune cells taken from the same patient. Reduced tumor cell functions or increased immune cell functions in the presence of the therapeutic agents or combination thereof would identify the therapeutic agents or combination thereof for treating the tumor in the patient.

Abstract: Antiviral compounds can be utilized to mitigate viral activity of enveloped viruses in an infected host. In some instances, a virally infected biological cell is contacted with an antiviral to mitigate viral activity in the biological cell. In some instances, a virally infected animal is administered an antiviral to mitigate viral activity in the animal. In some instances, an animal is prophylactically administered an antiviral to mitigate viral activity in the animal. Therapeutics and treatments involving antiviral compounds are also described.

Abstract: Composite materials with adjustable spectral properties comprised of IR-reflecting micro-domains overlaying an IR-transparent elastomeric matrix, and capable of dynamically controlling IR radiation transmission are described, as well as methods of fabrication thereof. Systems with capabilities to regulate IR radiation (including heat) transmission based thereon, and methods of regulating IR radiation transmission (including thermal regulation) using the same are also provided.

Abstract: The embodiments disclose a method comprising creating 3D models of an orchard with multiple plants in the form of a densified point cloud using oblique aerial RGB imaging and photogrammetry, identifying and segmenting individual plants of the orchard from the 3D models, simulating sunlight radiation in the 3D models, determining a shading effect of branches and neighboring plants on each individual plant at any time of the day, determining canopy light interception of each plant, analyzing canopy geometry of each plant in the 3D models, forecasting potential yield of each plant based on the measured canopy light interception and calculating nitrogen and water requirements of each plant based on the potential yield and other predetermined field, environmental and climate factors and validating the yield forecasting model using the canopy light interception data by measuring the actual yield for each plant.