Abstract: A method of promoting hair growth can include: a polypeptide having a sequence that has at least 75% complementarity to or at least 75% identical to SPR4; and topically administering the polypeptide to a subject. This can include putting or causing the polypeptide to be in the skin, such as in any dermal layer. In one aspect, the method can include administering the composition topically so as to administer the polypeptide to the subject. In one aspect, the method can include administering the polypeptide to skin of the subject. In one aspect, the method can include administering the polypeptide to a hair follicle of the subject. In one aspect, the method can include administering the polypeptide to a bald spot of the subject.

Abstract: A microfluidic exosome profiling platform integrating exosome isolation and targeted proteomic analysis is disclosed. This platform is capable of quantitative exosomal biomarker profiling directly from plasma samples with markedly enhanced sensitivity and specificity. Identification of distinct subpopulation of patient-derived exosomes is demonstrated by probing surface proteins and multiparameter analyzes of intravesicular biomarkers in the selected subpopulation. The expression of IGF-1R and its phosphorylation level in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patient plasma is assessed as a non-invasive alternative to the conventional biopsy and immunohistochemistry. Detection of ovarian cancer also is assessed. The microfluidic chip, which may be fabricated of a glass substrate and a layer of poly(dimethylsiloxane), includes a serpentine microchannel to mix a fluid and a microchamber for the collection and detection of exosomes.

Abstract: An implantable hydrogel precursor composition can include: a cross-linkable polymer matrix that is biocompatible; and a plurality of polymer particles in the cross-linkable polymer matrix. The cross-linkable polymer matrix can include a cross-linkable hyaluronic acid polymer that has cross-linkable functional groups. The hyaluronic acid polymer can be a methacrylated hyaluronic acid polymer. The methacrylated hyaluronic acid polymer can have a molecular weight from about 500 kDa to about 1.8 MDa. The polymer particles can include a cross-linked hyaluronic acid. The cross-linkable polymer matrix having the polymer particles has a yield stress. The cross-linkable polymer matrix having the polymer particles has shape retention at physiological temperatures. The composition can include live cells in the cross-linkable polymer matrix. The composition can include a biologically active agent in the cross-linkable polymer matrix.

Abstract: The invention is directed to delayed gelation agents comprising a degradable polymeric cage containing therein one or more gelation agents. The cage degrades in situ, e.g., in an oil reservoir, thus releasing the gelation agent(s), which can then crosslink second polymers in situ to form a gel.

Abstract: A gas diffusion layer having a first major surface and a second major surface which is positioned opposite to said first major surface and an interior between said first and second major surfaces is formed. The gas diffusion layer comprises a porous carbon substrate which is directly fluorinated in the interior and is substantially free of fluorination on at least one of the first major surfaces or the second major surfaces, and preferably both surfaces. The gas diffusion layer may be formed using protective sandwich process during direct fluorination or by physically or chemically removing the C—F atomic layer at the major surfaces, for example by physical plasma etching or chemical reactive ion etching.

Abstract: The disclosure provides compounds for reducing the prevalence of the perinucleolar compartment in cells, for example, of formula (I), wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are as defined herein, that are useful in treating a disease or disorder associated with increased prevalence of the perinucleolar compartment, such as cancer. Also disclosed is a composition containing a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and at least one compound embodying the principles of the invention, and a method of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal.

Abstract: Cyclic tetrapeptide stereochemical isomers of CJ-15,208, pharmaceutical compositions from such cyclic tetrapeptides, and methods of using such pharmaceutical compositions. The cyclic tetrapeptide compounds and pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein are potent analgesics active in several pain models with generally minimal tolerance and reduced likelihood to induce addiction relative to other known opiates.

Abstract: A method of imaging a sample via scanning resonator microscopy is provided comprising positioning a whispering gallery mode (WGM) optical resonator at a first location over the surface of the sample, the WGM optical resonator characterized by at least one resonance frequency, wherein the WGM optical resonator is mounted to the free end of an atomic force microscopy (AFM) cantilever such that the WGM optical resonator moves with the AFM cantilever, and wherein the AFM cantilever is operably coupled to an AFM system configured to provide a topographical image of the sample; evanescently coupling excitation light into the WGM optical resonator; detecting light derived from the excitation light to monitor for a shift in the at least one resonance frequency induced by the surface of the sample; and repeating steps (a)-(c) at least at a second location over the surface of the sample.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, a lighting fixture is designed to help prevent the accumulation of snow or ice on the light emitting face (e.g., lens) of the lighting fixture. The lighting fixture harvests both the light and heat generated by at least one light source, such as but not limited to at least one LED light source. The lighting fixture adopts a flip-mount light source mounting design in which one side of a passive heat exchanger is mounted or secured closely adjacent or proximate to the lens, and the light source is mounted or secured to another side of the passive heat exchanger. The heat generated by the light source is conducted by the passive heat exchanger to heat the lens. Additionally, the light emitted from the light source is redirected back through the passive heat exchanger and to the lens using a bundle of light fiber cables.

Abstract: A device for studying protein conformation transformation can include a macroscopic substrate, and chaperonin proteins bound to the substrate, each chaperonin protein being capable of binding to a protein of interest during or after undergoing protein conformation transformation. The device may also include the proteins of interest bound to the substrate, where the substrate is included in a label-free assay system. A method of studying protein conformation transformation can include: providing a macroscopic substrate bound with the chaperonin protein and immersing the chaperonin protein in a study composition having the protein of interest, or include providing a macroscopic substrate bound with the protein of interest; and immersing the protein in a study composition having the chaperonin. Such a method can be done with and without a potential stabilizer in order to determine whether the potential stabilizer stabilizes the protein of interest.

Abstract: A method of transforming human cells into mechanosensory hair cells (MHCs), such as inner hear hair cells in the cochlea and vestibular organs, can include: causing human Wharton's jelly cells (hWJCs) to increase expression of or biological function of HATH1 so as to transform the hWJCs into MHCs. The method can include; administering a nucleic acid that encodes HATH1 to the hWJCs; causing inhibited expression of or biological function of HES1 and/or HES5 in the hWJCs; administering a nucleic acid that inhibits HES1 and/or a nucleic acid that inhibits HES5 to the hWJCs; causing inhibited expression of or biological function of HES1 and/or HES5 in the WJCs by administering a nucleic acid that inhibits HES1 and/or a nucleic acid that inhibits HES5; nucleic acids are administered includes a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, and/or SEQ ID NO: 4.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate to for analyzing behavior of small live test subjects. More specifically, methods and devices of the present invention can allow a researcher to use a single device for analyzing effects of genetic modifications made to the test subjects on the test subject's behavior and movements. Additionally, the methods and devices may allow for analysis of effects that various medications may have on the test subject's behavior and movement.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device comprises a nanocomposite comprising a carbon nanostructure having a surface and a biomolecule adsorbed on the surface and forming a heterojunction at the interface of the carbon nanostructure and the biomolecule, the carbon nanostructure and the biomolecule each characterized by respective conduction band edges and valence band edges. The device further comprises first and second electrodes in electrical communication with the nanocomposite. The conduction band edge offset, the valence band edge offset, or both, across the heterojunction is greater in energy than the binding energy of an exciton generated in the carbon nanostructure or the biomolecule upon the absorption of light such that the exciton dissociates at the heterojunction to an electron, which is injected into one of the carbon nanostructure and the biomolecule, and a hole, which is injected into the other of the carbon nanostructure and the biomolecule.

Abstract: A method of promoting hair growth can include: a polypeptide having a sequence that has at least 75% complementarity to or at least 75% identical to SPR4; and topically administering the polypeptide to a subject. This can include putting or causing the polypeptide to be in the skin, such as in any dermal layer. In one aspect, the method can include administering the composition topically so as to administer the polypeptide to the subject. In one aspect, the method can include administering the polypeptide to skin of the subject. In one aspect, the method can include administering the polypeptide to a hair follicle of the subject. In one aspect, the method can include administering the polypeptide to a bald spot of the subject.

Abstract: Polyelectrolyte nanoparticles are generated to stabilize foam for use in enhanced oil recovery. Stability is further enhanced by optimizing pH and a ratio of polycationic and polyanioinic materials, resulting in stronger and longer lasting foams in the presence of crude oil. Use of these nanoparticles results in negligible damage to formation permeability.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel imidazoquinoline derived compounds, derivatives thereof, analogues thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and methods of making and using such compounds. The present disclosure also provides TLR7 agonists and TLR7/TLR8 dual agonists, probes, tissue-specific molecules, adjuvants, immunogenic compositions, therapeutic compositions, and self-adjuvanting vaccines including the imidazoquinoline derived compounds, derivatives thereof, analogues thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Derivatives of the imidazoquinoline derived compounds also include dendrimers and dimers of the imidazoquinoline derived compounds, and methods of making and using the dendrimeric and dimeric imidazoquinoline derived compounds. The present disclosure also provides dual TLR2/TLR7 hybrid agonists that include imidazoquinoline derived compounds of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of formula (I), formula (II), and formula (III): wherein Ar, R1, A, and X are as defined in the specification. These compounds are antiviral agents and are contemplated for use in the treatment of viral infections, for example, hepatitis C. These compounds are also contemplated for use in treating or preventing cancers.

Abstract: A method for making a metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic material comprises titrating a precursor solution with a (bi)carbonate salt, the precursor solution comprising a first metal salt and a solvent, wherein the titration induces reactions between the (bi)carbonate salt and the first metal salt to provide first metal carbonate species in the titrated precursor solution; and exposing the titrated precursor solution to microwave radiation to decompose the first metal carbonate species to form the metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic material and carbon dioxide. Mixed metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic materials such as nickel-iron oxyhydroxide may be formed. Also provided are the materials themselves, electrocatalytic systems comprising the materials, and methods of using the materials and systems.

Abstract: Compounds of the formulas: wherein: R1-R4, X1, Y1, and A are as defined herein are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions of the compounds are also provided. In some aspects, these compounds are are useful for the treatment of a disease or disorder. In some embodiments, the disease or disorder is a proliferative disease such as cancer.