Abstract: Various embodiments to mitigate the contamination of electroplated cobalt-platinum films on substrates are described. In one embodiment, a method of manufacture of a device includes depositing a diffusion barrier over a substrate, depositing a seed layer upon the diffusion barrier, and depositing a cobalt-platinum magnetic layer upon the seed layer. In a second embodiment, a method of manufacture of a device may include depositing a diffusion barrier over a substrate and depositing a cobalt-platinum magnetic layer upon the diffusion barrier. In a third embodiment, a method of manufacture of a device may include depositing an adhesion layer over a substrate, depositing a seed layer upon the adhesion layer, and depositing a cobalt-platinum magnetic layer over the seed layer. Based in part on these methods of manufacture, improvements in the interfaces between the layers can be achieved after annealing with substantial improvements in the magnetic properties of the cobalt-platinum magnetic layer.

Abstract: An exemplary transaction sharding method comprises splitting a distributed ledger into a plurality of shards; and storing a shard across the subgroup of computer nodes associated with the shard. Such a method further comprises assigning a new transaction to one of the plurality of shards, wherein assigning the new transaction comprises iteratively choosing one of the plurality of shards; in each iteration, determining a transaction-to-shard score measuring a probability that a subgroup of computing nodes associated with the chosen shard for the current iteration would be involved in a same-shard transaction for the new transaction; in each iteration, determining a latency-to-shard score by estimating a confirmation latency of the new transaction under the chosen shard for the current iteration; and selecting the new transaction to be assigned to the shard based on a combination of the transaction-to-shard score and the latency-to-shard score.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to novel sesquiterpenoid compounds as SHP2 and/or POLE3 inhibitors for potential treatment for cancers, and to methods of making and using the sesquiterpenoid compounds. The present invention therefore provides a method of using the disclosed compounds as chemosensitizations agent to a DNA damaging drugs for cancers.

Abstract: The present technology provides methods end medicaments useful for treating prostate cancer and breast cancer. Such methods include administering at least one of cyclo[Phe-D-Pro-Phe-Trp] and cyclo[Phe-D-Pro-Phe-D-Trp] to a subject suffering from prostate cancer or breast cancer.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods relating to molecular cerium-oxide nanoclusters. Described herein are methods of producing cerium-oxide nanoclusters. Described herein are cerium-oxide nanoclusters. Further described herein are cerium-oxide nanoclusters produced by methods as described herein. Methods as described herein can comprise providing a first cerium source, an organic acid, and a solvent; and mixing the cerium source and the organic acid in the presence of a solvent to create a reaction mixture at a temperature and a pressure for a period of time to create a composition of molecular cerium-oxide nanoclusters containing a plurality of molecular cerium-oxide nanoclusters.

Abstract: A device and a process for performing high temporal- and spatial-resolution MR imaging of the anatomy of a patient during intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to directly measure and control the highly conformal ionizing radiation dose delivered to the patient for the treatment of diseases caused by proliferative tissue disorders. This invention combines the technologies of open MRI, multileaf-collimator or compensating filter-based IMRT delivery, and cobalt teletherapy into a single co-registered and gantry mounted system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for structures including an alloy of calcium, strontium, and magnesium.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising transporting a conduit and a template through a guide tube; the template being disposed on an outer surface of the conduit between the conduit and the guide tube; and transferring a texture from the template to the conduit as the conduit and the template are transported through the guide tube. Disclosed herein too is an apparatus comprising a guide tube; the guide tube being operative to facilitate a transfer of a pattern from a template to a conduit; a first feed spool and a first take-up spool for feeding the conduit through the guide tube and for taking up the conduit after it has travelled through the guide tube respectively; and a second feed spool and a second take-up spool for feeding the template through the guide tube and for taking up the template after it has travelled through the guide tube respectively.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to methods for preparation of intermediates useful for the preparation of terpenoid cores. In a further aspect, the disclosed methods pertain to the preparation of compounds comprising a terpenoid core or scaffold, such as 6/7/5 tricycloalkanes. The disclosed methods utilize abundant starting materials and simple reaction sequences that can be used to tunably and scalably assemble common terpenoid cores. In various aspects, the present disclosure pertains to compounds prepared using the disclosed methods. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Described are chromogenic sensors, methods of use, and kits including sensors. The sensors can have a polymer structure with a waveform cross-section in a programmed state. Upon exposure to a first liquid, the polymer structure in the programmed state changes to polymer structure in an activated state. Methods for measuring the presence of a liquid using the sensor are described, as are kits including the sensors.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes exemplary methods and systems that are applicable for hardware authentication, counterfeit detection, and in-field tamper detection in both printed circuit board and/or integrated circuit levels by utilizing random variations in boundary-scan path delay and/or current in the industry-standard JTAG-based design-for-test structure to generate unique device identifiers.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a contact lens comprising a disclosed lubricious surface layer. In a further aspect, the lubricious surface layer comprises a polyacrylamide, e.g., a poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide. In various aspects, the lubricious surface layer is formed at the surface of a contact lens. In a further aspect, the lens can be a hydrogel lens. In a further aspect, the lens can be a silicone hydrogel lens. The present disclosure also pertains to methods of forming the disclosed lubricious surface layers on a surface of a contact lens. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to power side-channel vulnerability assessment. In one example, a method includes identifying target registers in an IC design; generating input patterns associated with a target function that can generate a power difference in the target registers when processing the target function; determining a side-channel vulnerability (SCV) metric using the power difference produced by the input patterns; and identifying a vulnerability in the IC design using the SCV metric. Identification of the vulnerability allows for modification of the IC design at an early stage, which can avoid power side-channel attacks (e.g., DPA and CPA) in the fabricated IC design. The method can be used for pre-silicon power side-channel leakage assessment of IC designs such as, e.g., cryptographic and non-cryptographic circuits.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a PPA from a microorganism belonging to the family Halobacteriaceae (HPPA), for example, a PPA from Haloferax volcanii. The HPPA provided by the invention is soluble, thermostable and active at high concentrations of salt and/or organic solvent. An embodiment of the invention provides a method of increasing the rate of a reaction by adding an HPPA to the reaction mixture, wherein the reaction produces PPi, for example, an enzymatic reaction, and wherein the reaction is carried out at moderately high temperature and/or low water activity. Further embodiments of the invention provide an assay to detect the PPi released during a reaction which produces PPi by adding an HPPA to convert the PPi in to Pi and measuring the resultant Pi. The invention further pertains to an assay to monitor a reaction which produces PPi in the presence or the absence of an HPPA.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for methods of detecting, sensors (e.g., chromogenic sensor), kits, compositions, and the like that related to or use tunable macroporous polymer. In an aspect, tunable macroporous materials as described herein can be used to determine the presence of a certain type(s) and quantity of liquid in a liquid mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multilayered wound dressing comprising a first layer; the first layer including channels that facilitate neovascularization of a wound; and a second layer in contact with the first layer, the second layer having the same or different chemical composition as the first layer; where the second layer comprises at least one surface that has a texture and the direction of the texture is operative to facilitate cell orientation and growth. A method includes forming a first layer of a polymeric material; forming a second layer of the same polymeric material as the first layer on the first layer; and forming a textured surface of the second layer of the same polymeric material as the first layer, the textured surface being operative to facilitate directional cell growth when used in a wound dressing, where the first layer and the second layer are formed using an additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: Compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for treating cancer, in particular brain cancer, are provided, including amphiphilic fatty acid/alcohol ethers (AIPs) comprising endocannabinoid and FABP motifs covalently linked to a beta-adrenoreceptor antagonist motif in one molecule. The invention includes methods for inhibiting growth of brain cancer cells by contacting the compound(s) with brain cancer cells. The invention provides a method for treating both brain cancer and brain cancer metastases, and for suppression of regrowth of brain cancer cells after radiation, surgical treatment, or chemotherapy of brain cancer. The invention also comprises an optimized chemical synthesis of the AIP compounds and methods of using the compounds, alone or in combination with another agent, for suppressing the growth of brain cancer cells, and enhancing survival of normal CNS cells, or improving recuperation from radiation, surgical or chemotherapy.

Abstract: Nanoparticles and compositions thereof are provided for detecting and/or preventing food spoilage. Methods of making the nanoparticles and compositions, and methods of using the nanoparticles and compositions, e.g. in food packaging, are also provided. The nanoparticles can have a hydrophobic core containing a hydrophobic active agent, e.g. a hydrophobic dye and/or an antimicrobial agent, for detecting and/or preventing food spoilage. The nanoparticles can also have a copolymer of a hydrophobic polymer repeat unit, e.g. styrene or lactic acid, and a pH responsive dendrimer repeat unit. The pH responsive dendrimer repeat unit can have a pH responsive amine core having a plurality of branched acrylate arms extending therefrom. The nanoparticles can be chemically stable at neutral pH, and then release the hydrophobic active agent at a pH range indicative of food spoilage. By releasing the hydrophobic dye and/or antimicrobial agent, the nanoparticles can detect and/or inhibit food spoilage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are monoclonal antibodies targeting specific tau epitopes, particularly, phosphorylated tau epitopes. Also disclosed are methods of detecting tau protein in a subject, comprising performing an assay using the antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof on the subject or on a biological sample obtained from the subject. Assay kits containing the disclosed antibodies are also provided. Further, methods of treating or preventing a tauopathy in a subject by administering to the subject tau antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof are provided.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to hydrogen plasma treatment of hafnium oxide. In one example, a method includes depositing a monolayer of a precursor on a first oxide monolayer; forming a second oxide monolayer by applying an oxygen (O2) plasma to the monolayer of the precursor; and creating oxygen vacancies in the second oxide monolayer by applying a hydrogen (H2) plasma to the second oxide monolayer. In another example, a device includes a hafnium oxide (HfO2) based ferroelectric thin film on a first side of a substrate and an electrode layer disposed on the HfO2 based ferroelectric thin film opposite the substrate. The HfO2 film includes a plurality of oxide monolayers including at least one HfO2 monolayer, each of the plurality of oxide monolayers having oxygen vacancies distributed throughout that oxide monolayer.