Abstract: An LED-driven optical cavity PCR system and method providing fast, accurate and reliable PCR based diagnostics. Thermal cycling for PCR takes place in an optical cavity formed in a microfluidic channel or chamber with thin light absorbing metal films disposed on at least two opposing walls that provide uniform heating between the walls by photothermal light to heat conversion. The opposing metal films may be sized for equal light absorption from a single light source orthogonal to the two opposing films to produce an even temperature elevation between the equally heating films upon a single light exposure. Uniform temperature elevation may also be achieved with films made from two different materials.

Abstract: This document provides oilseed plants (e.g., pennycress plants) having increased levels of one or more saturated fatty acids, increased levels of one or more polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), altered (e.g., increased or decreased) levels of oleic acid, and/or altered (e.g., increased or decreased) levels of erucic acid. For example, oilseed plants having reduced polypeptide levels and/or reduced polypeptide activity of one or more polypeptides involved in triglyceride synthesis (e.g., diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 (TAG1) can have increased levels of stearic acid, increased levels of one or more PUFAs, altered levels of oleic acid, and/or altered levels of erucic acid. Also provided herein are methods and materials for making and using oilseed plants having increased levels of one or more saturated fatty acids, increased levels of one or more PUFAs, altered levels of oleic acid, and/or altered levels of erucic acid.

Abstract: This disclosure provides compositions of metal-binding fluorinated compounds and associated methods for producing cellular labels for tracking cells by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and related methods.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to various robotic and/or in vivo medical devices having compact joint configurations. Other embodiments relate to various medical device components, including forearms having grasper or cautery end effectors, that can be incorporated into certain robotic and/or in vivo medical devices.

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: The chloroplast vesiculation (CV) gene encodes a protein associated with stress-induced chloroplast degradation. Inhibiting expression or activity of the protein inhibits or delays stress-induced chloroplast degradation and confers tolerance to a variety of stress conditions. Alternatively, enhancing CV expression or activity promotes chloroplast degradation and enhances nutrient assimilation in desired sink tissues, such as young leaves, fruit, or seeds.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic actuator includes a deformable shell defining an enclosed internal cavity and containing a liquid dielectric, first and second electrodes on first and second sides, respectively, of the enclosed internal cavity. An electrostatic force between the first and second electrodes upon application of a voltage to one of the electrodes draws the electrodes towards each other to displace the liquid dielectric within the enclosed internal cavity. The shell includes active and inactive areas such that the electrostatic forces between the first and second electrodes displaces the liquid dielectric within the enclosed internal cavity from the active area of the shell to the inactive area of the shell. The first and second electrodes, the deformable shell, and the liquid dielectric cooperate to form a self-healing capacitor, and the liquid dielectric is configured for automatically filling breaches in the liquid dielectric resulting from dielectric breakdown.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a method of treating glioma and medulloblastoma brain tumors using the Zika virus and a tumor vaccine.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for modulating, i.e., stimulating or inhibiting, activity of the alternative complement pathway, and methods of identifying factor H-binding proteins.

Abstract: Described herein is the application of centrifugal spinning to provide a flexible mechanoluminescent material composed of rare earth metal doped fibers. Rare earth metal doped fibers are formed, in one embodiment, by centrifugal spinning.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2-specific peptide reagents, methods for detecting epithelial-derived cancer cells such as esophageal, colorectal, gastric, pancreatic or breast carcinoma cells using the peptide reagents, and methods for targeting such cells using the peptide reagents.

Abstract: Self-assembly methods are provided for making hedgehog-shaped microparticles or nanoparticles. The method may comprise combining a metal-containing (e.g., Fe, Au) precursor, a chalcogen-containing precursor (e.g., Se, S), and a self-assembly additive (e.g., dodecanethiol (DT), oleylamine (OLA), hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)). At least one hedgehog-shaped nanoscale, mesoscale, or microscale particle is formed that defines a core region formed of a first material and a plurality of needles connected to and substantially orthogonal to a surface of the core region. The needles comprise a second material. At least one of the first or the second material comprises iron or gold and optionally selenium or sulfur, for example, iron diselenide (FeSe2). Hedgehog-shaped microparticles or nanoparticles formed from such self-assembly methods are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure provides, inter alia, formulations comprising cerium (III) carbonate, and processes for producing cerium (III) carbonate. In embodiments, the disclosure provides methods for passivating photodegradation of organic compounds using cerium (III) carbonate.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide for a more efficient web crawler (102) that accesses a plurality of links from a web page (106). In certain embodiments, the web crawler (102) determines link scores for each of the plurality of links, with each link score corresponding to a probability that the associated link leads to a web page (106) of a target page type. The plurality of links and the associated link scores are added to a priority queue (114). The web crawler (102) accesses a second web page (106) using the highest-ranked link in the priority queue (114), obtains links from that web page (106), identifies a link score for each of those links, and adds those links to the priority queue (114) based on their link scores. This process can be repeated for several pages, as needed, using the highest-rank link in each instance, until the crawler (102) identifies a web page (106) of a target page type.

Abstract: A III-nitride optoelectronic device includes at least one n-type layer, an active region grown on or above the n-type layer, at least one p-type layer grown on or above the active region, and a tunnel junction grown on or above the p-type layer. A conductive oxide may be wafer bonded on or above the tunnel junction, wherein the conductive oxide comprises a transparent conductor and may contain light extraction features on its non-bonded face. The tunnel junction also enables monolithic incorporation of electrically-injected and optically-pumped III-nitride layers, wherein the optically-pumped III-nitride layers comprise high-indium-content III-nitride layers formed as quantum wells (QWs) that are grown on or above the tunnel junction. The optically-pumped high-indium-content III-nitride layers emit light at a longer wavelength than the electrically-injected III-nitride layers.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer system (DES) variable stiffness actuator (VSA) is provided. In an embodiment, the DES VSA includes a variable stiffness module (VSM). The VSM includes a DES that softens when energized and stiffens when unpowered, an outer frame, and an inner frame member. The stiffness of the DES is variable. The outer frame supports the DES and the inner frame member, which is disposed within the DES. The inner frame member is configured to be displaceable with respect to the outer frame. The DES VSA also includes an actuation motor mechanically coupled to the inner frame member that is configured to cause a force to be applied to the inner frame member and the actuation motor is configured to control an equilibrium position of the DES VSA.

Abstract: Stable perfluorocarbon nanodroplet compositions with properties such as low-boiling points and small particle diameters are provided for improved performance in ultrasound imaging and therapeutic applications. Methods of producing stabilized nanodroplet compositions and methods of using the compositions are further provided to allow for improved performance in ultrasound imaging techniques and/or therapeutic applications.

Abstract: In vivo positionable filtration devices are provided that filter one or more therapeutic agents in blood flowing in a blood vessel. The filtration devices include an elongated member and a filtering component coupled to the elongated member. The elongated member and the filtering component are dimensioned for positioning within the blood vessel of a human or non-human animal. Further, the filtering component includes a filtration material to filter the one or more therapeutic agents from the blood. Methods of in vivo filtration of the one or more therapeutic agents are also provided. The methods include positioning a filtration device in the blood vessel of a body of the human or non-human animal, and administering a therapeutic agent upstream from a target tissue site to direct flow of the therapeutic agent to the target tissue site and then to the filtration device. The filtration device is positioned downstream from the target tissue site.

Abstract: A method for selective labelling of necrotic cells including incubating the cells in a solution including a Ln(III)Zn16(HA ligand)16 metallacrown complex, wherein the HA ligand is a hydroximate ligand.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of cancer and to the prevention of cancer growth and/or metastasis. In particular, the invention relates to cellular and acellular vaccines containing C3d, a proteolytic product of complement (C3), and methods of enhancing a host immune response (e.g., a T cell mediated immune response) against cancers using same. Compositions and methods of the invention find use, alone or in conjunction with other cancer therapies, in treating lymphoma and/or cancers that develop and/or persist by evading host immune surveillance and/or responses (e.g., T-cell mediated immune responses). Compositions and methods of the invention find use in both clinical and research settings, for example, within the fields of biology, immunology, medicine, and oncology.