Abstract: Composite structures are provided whose composite matrix is a fully-dense (greater than 95%) magnesium oxide-containing phase and whose entrained phase, by virtue of its' decomposition temperature or chemical reactivity, would otherwise not be fabricable. Notably, a methodology is provided whereby a range of composite structures are formed by applying an advanced manufacturing technique and a blend of ceramic powder whose sintering is enhanced by small amounts of a metal halide sintering aid. This methodology and process significantly lowers the processing temperature of refractory ceramics such as magnesium oxide allowing formation of ceramic bodies incorporating phases such as metal hydrides, fragile ceramic phases, and highly reactive species such as beryllides. In all cases, the final product is substantially-free, or even devoid, of the metal halide sintering aid, resulting in a phase-pure ceramic matrix composed of the host phase and the entrained phase.

Abstract: Scintillating glass ceramics are disclosed. The scintillating glass ceramics may be used as an x-ray conversion layer (screen) for a flat panel imager (FPD) and as part of an imaging system. The FPD may have a single screen or a dual screen. The scintillating glass ceramics may be used for either a front screen or a back screen. The scintillating glass ceramics may be used for high energy x-ray applications including for energies of about 0.3 to about 20 MeV. A build-up layer may be attached to the scintillating glass ceramics for high energy applications. The scintillating glass ceramics may include a glass matrix hosting luminescent centers and light scattering centers. The materials used for the luminescent centers and light scattering centers may be the same or different. The scintillating glass ceramics may be coated onto a glass substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides nucleic acid compositions that incorporate one or more halouracil molecules. More specifically, the present disclosure reveals that the replacement of uracil nucleotides within a microRNA nucleotide sequence with a 5-halouracil increases the ability of the micro-RNA to inhibit cancer progression and tumorigenesis. As such, the present disclosure provides various nucleic acid (e.g., microRNA) compositions having 5-halouracil molecules incorporated in their nucleic acid sequences and methods for using the same. The present disclosure further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the modified nucleic acid compositions, and methods for treating cancers using the same.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the treatment of malignancy are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for self-cleaning a surface of an object where an electrodynamic shield is mounted to a surface of the object. The electrodynamic shield includes one or more sets of electrodes atop a substrate, at least one or more sets of electrodes being covered in a protective film. A coating is applied to the top surface of the protection film. A signal pulse generator is connected to the one or more sets of electrodes. The signal pulse generator generates a pulse signal that causes the one or more sets of electrodes to generate an electric field. The pulse signal comprises a plurality of different pulse signals which have phase differences between consecutive signals, and the electric field causes a particle atop the coating to experience an electrostatic force and be repelled away from the coating. These pulse signals (including shapes, amplitudes, shifts, and frequencies) can be tuned to increase efficiency of removal depending on dust type and relative humidity.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a device that includes a cavity formed by a plurality of rails, the plurality of rails connected to both a first support and a second support, each at predetermined intervals about a circumference of the first support and the second support; and at least one particle detection device operably connected to each rail of the plurality of rails. The disclosure is also directed to a scanner that includes the device, and a processor.

Abstract: A method and system for the characterization of equibiaxial compressive strength in 2D woven composites, such as carbon fiber reinforced laminate composites, is disclosed using induced biaxial flexure, the strain measurements from which are used to determine the equibiaxial compressive strength of the composite.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to using green solvents to synthesize an array of imines, imine-related and imine-derived compounds in an efficient and eco-friendly matter, satisfying green chemistry requirements. Reaction embodiments are performed using solvents, such as ethyl lactate and dimethyl isosorbide, which are both individually characterized as green. In embodiments, solvents include lactic whey and/or water as co-solvents. In these green solvents, the synthesis process discussed herein can produce up to quantitative yields of product at room temperature in a short duration. Embodiments include a method of forming an imine, imine-related or imine-derived compound product. In embodiments, the methods include mixing an aldehyde reactant with a nucleophilic/nitrogen-containing reactant in a green solvent at a temperature between negative twenty degrees Celsius (?20° C.) and positive fifty degrees Celsius (50° C.

Abstract: The present technology addresses the problem of quickly and safely improving policies in online reinforcement learning domains. As its solution, an exploration strategy comprising diverse exploration (DE) is employed, which learns and deploys a diverse set of safe policies to explore the environment. DE theory explains why diversity in behavior policies enables effective exploration without sacrificing exploitation. An empirical study shows that an online policy improvement algorithm framework implementing the DE strategy can achieve both fast policy improvement and safe online performance.

Abstract: A microwave microstrip resonator apparatus including a housing; a resonator within the housing; an output conductor within the housing and spaced apart from the resonator so as to define a capacitive gap therebetween; a reaction vessel configured to reside with the capacitive gap; and a power supply coupled to the resonator whereby contents within the reaction vessel are heated when energy is supplied to the resonator by the power supply. A mass spectrometer may also be coupled to an outlet end of the reaction vessel such that the contents within the reaction vessel are, simultaneously, delivered to the mass spectrometer for analysis.

Abstract: A suturing device includes a hollow needle. The hollow needle has a length extending between a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen having an inner diameter. The suturing device further includes a length of surgical suture having a leading end and a trailing end and an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the lumen. At least a portion of the surgical suture is located within the lumen of the hollow needle. A surgical kit including the suturing device and methods of using the suturing device of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The method of the present application is directed towards a method for suppressing an allergic response in response to an allergic trigger. This method comprises the following steps; applying, topically, to an affected area an effective amount of a minocycline composition so that the minocycline composition contacts the affected area for an effective amount of time and removing the minocycline composition from the affected area.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of treating a subject afflicted with a cancer comprising periodically administering to the subject an amount of a FABP5 inhibitor and an amount of an anticancer therapy, wherein the amounts when taken together are effective to treat the subject. This invention also provides FABP5 inhibitors for use as an add-on therapy or in combination with an anticancer therapy or in treating a subject afflicted with a cancer. This invention also provides the use of a FABP5 inhibitor in the manufacturing of a medicament for use in combination or as an add on with an anticancer therapy in treating a subject afflicted with cancer, wherein the FABP5 inhibitor and the anticancer therapy are administered simultaneously, contemporaneously or concomitantly.

Abstract: There is set forth herein an integrated photonics structure having a waveguide disposed within a dielectric stack of the integrated photonics structure, wherein the integrated photonics structure further includes a field generating electrically conductive structure disposed within the dielectric stack; and a heterogenous structure attached to the integrated photonics structure, the heterogenous structure having field sensitive material that is sensitive to a field generated by the field generating electrically conductive structure.

Abstract: This invention provides highly attenuated influenza viruses and vaccines. The attenuated viruses and vaccines proliferate well and have high safety factors. The attenuated viruses providing protective immunity from challenge by virus of the same subtype, as well as cross protection against heterologous viruses.

Abstract: There is set forth herein a method including building a first photonics structure using a first wafer having a first substrate, wherein the building the first photonics structure includes integrally fabricating within a first photonics dielectric stack one or more photonics device, the one or more photonics device formed on the first substrate; building a second photonics structure using a second wafer having a second substrate, wherein the building the second photonics structure includes integrally fabricating within a second photonics dielectric stack a laser stack structure active region and one or more photonics device, the second photonics dielectric stack formed on the second substrate; and bonding the first photonics structure and the second photonics structure to define an optoelectrical system having the first photonics structure bonded the second photonics structure.

Abstract: A method of treating a biofilm on a surface, comprising: providing a surface having a biofilm; and administering to the surface a treatment that reduces a concentration of pyruvate of the biofilm, comprising pyruvate produced by at least a portion the biofilm, under conditions effective reducing maintenance of the biofilm on the surface. A composition, comprising purified enzyme, within a particle, effective for reducing pyruvate concentration in an aqueous suspension of the composition.

Abstract: Provided are vaccine compositions and methods against Streptococcus pneumoniae. The composition comprises liposomes which have polysaccharides from one or more serotypes and have proteins non-covalently attached to the surface and exposed to the exterior.

Abstract: A method for performing positron emission tomography (PET) image denoising using a dilated convolutional neural network system includes: obtaining, as an input to the dilated convolutional neural network system, a noisy image; performing image normalization to generate normalized image data corresponding to the noisy image; encoding the normalized image data using one or more convolutions in the dilated convolutional neural network, whereby a dilation rate is increased for each encoding convolution performed to generate encoded image data; decoding the encoded image data using one or more convolutions in the dilated convolutional neural network, whereby dilation rate is decreased for each decoding convolution performed to generate decoded image data; synthesizing the decoded image data to construct a denoised output image corresponding to the noisy image; and displaying the denoised output image on an image display device, the denoised output image having enhanced image quality compared to the noisy image.

Abstract: A method and system for the nitrification and denitrification of septic effluent, e.g. from a domestic septic tank, is disclosed comprising a variable speed pump system for constant continuous flow and a recycle mechanism to increase efficacy in producing a final denitrified effluent suitable for discharge to ground or surface waters.