Abstract: The composition of matter comprising Ga(Sbx)N1?x where x=0.01 to 0.06 is characterized by a band gap between 2.4 and 1.7 eV. A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer of that composition. A photoelectric cell includes that semiconductor device.

Abstract: A method of repairing diseased or dysfunctional pancreas or liver is provided. The method involves preparation of a suspension of stem cells and/or progenitor cells such as biliary tree stem cells, hepatic stem cells, pancreatic stem cells or their descendants, committed progenitor cells, from healthy tissue of the patient or of the biliary tree of a non-autologous donor and engrafting the cells into the wall of bile ducts near to the organ to be treated. The graft consists of stem cells or progenitors that are admixed with biomaterials and, optionally, with cytokines and/or native epithelial-mesenchymal cells appropriate for the maturational lineage stage of the cells to be engrafted.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a flexible strain sensor includes a flexible substrate having a top surface and a layer of piezoresistive amorphous carbon formed on the top surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the proline rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) gene, and the identification of mutations and variations in PRRT2 that give rise to seizure and movement disorders. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the diagnosis or prognosis of such disorders by identifying alterations in the PRRT2 gene. Identification of alterations in the PRRT2 gene also enables the identification of subjects with an increased likelihood of having an offspring predisposed to such disorders. The present invention also provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising an alteration in the PRRT2 gene, wherein said alteration produces a seizure and/or movement disorder phenotype. Also provided is an isolated PRRT2 polypeptide that comprises an alteration which produces a seizure and/or movement disorder phenotype.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for determining the absorption coefficient and the optical density of a fluid as they relate to the wavelength of incident radiation. Specifically, ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV LEDs) or the like that emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation or the like are used as sources for irradiating the interior of an integrating chamber that is designed to increase the path length of the radiation through the fluid, thus enhancing the detection limits of the absorption coefficient and the optical density according to Beer's Law.

Abstract: A method for determining the likelihood of late ER? breast cancer disease relapse/recurrence is disclosed. Late ER+ breast cancer disease onset and/or recurrence is determined for a period of 5 to 20 years after an initial ER+ breast cancer disease onset in a patient. An ER+ breast cancer patient is assigned a risk score that is compared to a defined threshold value, and identifies the risk score as low risk or high risk for late breast cancer recurrence. A late ER+ breast cancer gene panel of 8 to 15 genes is provided. Subjects having a risk score greater than or equal to that of the threshold value are at a relatively high risk of recurrent disease, and are determined to benefit from aggressive therapeutic intervention, whereas subjects having a risk score less than the threshold value are at a relatively low risk of recurrent disease, and could forego treatment.

Abstract: Various examples are directed to systems and methods for a multi-level inverter to convert direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). The inverter may comprise first, second and third capacitors electrically coupled in series between a positive DC rail and a negative DC rail. A first pole switch bank of the inverter may comprise a plurality of first pole switches. A first pole may be electrically coupled to the first pole switch bank.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a composite photocatalyst having a remarkable water splitting activity, which is capable of efficiently loading a co-catalyst having a small particle size in a highly dispersed manner on a surface of an optical semiconductor. According to the present invention, the method of producing a composite photocatalyst from a plurality types of optical semiconductors includes a step of heating a solid-liquid mixture containing a solvent, a co-catalyst or a co-catalyst source, and a plurality of types of optical semiconductors by irradiating the solid-liquid mixture with microwave.

Abstract: It was found that bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium induce accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in the colon. Moreover, the present inventors found that regulatory T cells (Treg cells) induced by from these bacteria suppressed proliferation of effector T-cells. From these findings, the present inventors found that the use of bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium or a physiologically active substance derived therefrom made it possible to induce proliferation or accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells), and further to suppress immune functions.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the manipulation of fluids using acoustic waves such as surface acoustic waves. In some aspects, one fluid may be introduced into another fluid via application of suitable acoustic waves. For example, a fluid may be added or injected into another fluid by applying acoustic waves where, in the absence of the acoustic waves, the fluid cannot be added or injected, e.g., due to the interface or surface tension between the fluids. Thus, for example, a fluid may be injected into a droplet of another fluid. Other embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems and methods for making or using such systems, kits involving such systems, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating inflammation or a wound in a subject in need of such wound treatment or inflammation treatment by delivering a volatile anesthetic to the wound or the inflammation site.

Abstract: An autothermal reforming catalytic structure for generating hydrogen gas from liquid hydrocarbons, steam and an oxygen source. The autothermal reforming catalytic structure includes a support structure and nanosized mixed metal oxide particles dispersed homogenously throughout the support structure.

Abstract: An antagonistically actuated shape memory alloy (SMA) manipulator utilizes a pair of SMA actuators. The SMA actuators are configured, such that one actuator is trained to have a substantially linear or extended shape in its austenite phase, while the other actuator is trained to have a curved or flexed shape in its austenite phase. As such, the manipulator is operated, such that when one SMA actuator is heated and takes on its “trained” shape in the austenite phase, the other SMA actuator is permitted to cool and allowed to return to its original “untrained” shape in the martensite phase, and vice versa. This antagonistic operation of the SMA actuators allows the manipulator to achieve rapid flexion and extension movements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amphiphilic peptides having antibacterial and/or antitumor activity, and to therapeutic and non-therapeutic compositions comprising these peptides. The peptides are of structural formula I or II shown below wherein A1, v, A2, w, A3, x, y, A4, z, R1, R2 and R3 are as defined in the application; or a salt thereof. The invention further relates to use of the peptides as antibacterial agents, or antitumor agents, including the medical use of the peptide in treating infection and/or cancer, as well as their use as preservatives and antibacterial agents in other products, including personal care products such as skin topical treatments, cleansers, mouth washes, toothpastes, shampoo, body lotions and creams etc.

Abstract: Surface modification methods based on a combination of plasma and chemical treatments render an unfilled butyl rubber surface highly reactive toward organosilanes, allowing formation of an organosilane self-assembled monolayer (SAM). Plasma oxidation of the butyl rubber surface followed by vapor deposition of SiCl4 produces a hydrophilic surface suitable for anchoring organosilanes. Fabrication of SAMs on this hydrophilic butyl rubber surface with n-octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) and trichloro(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)silane (FOTS) via vapor deposition resulted in a 15% and 25% decrease in gas permeability, respectively, with no change in optical transparency of the butyl rubber.

Abstract: A thermal energy harvesting device includes a rotatable shaft and a shape memory alloy element secured to rotatable shaft. The shape memory alloy element is adapted to undergo a shape memory effect upon reaching a transition temperature, which causes rotation of the rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft may be operatively connected to a generator or tachometer to convert the rotation of the shaft into electrical energy, which may then be stored in a rechargeable battery. In certain embodiments a gear box may be provided to increase the speed of rotation, and thereby increase the amount of electrical energy created.

Abstract: Example photoconductive devices and example methods for using photoconductive devices are described. An example method may include providing a photoconductive device having a metal-semiconductor-metal structure. The method may also include controlling, based on a first input state, illumination of the photoconductive device by a first optical beam during a time period, and controlling, based on a second input state, illumination of the photoconductive device by a second optical beam during the time period. Further, the method may include detecting an amount of current produced by the photoconductive device during the time period, and based on the detected amount of current, providing an output indicative of the first input state and the second input state. The example devices can be used individually as discrete components or in integrated circuits for memory or logic applications.

Abstract: A sunlight redirector has a first mirror array formed of a first plurality of substantially parallel, uniformly spaced, longitudinal outward mirror segments; and a second mirror array formed of a second plurality of substantially parallel, uniformly spaced, longitudinal inward mirror segments. Each mirror segment has a normal vector. The outward mirror segments are adjustably positionable, such that their normal vectors remain parallel. The first mirror array is rotatable about a normal vector of the sunlight redirector. The inward mirror segments may remain fixed in position at all times; or they may be moved, twice per day, between first and second fixed positions.

Abstract: Compound of Formula I: are described, along with pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, compositions containing the same, and methods of use thereof in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device production method where separate semiconductor chips are stacked on a semiconductor substrate having a main surface on which multiple semiconductor chips including semiconductor integrated circuits are formed, the semiconductor chips in different layers are connected to each other to enable signal transmission, and a structure formed thereby is separated into multiple stacks of the semiconductor chips. The method includes a first step of forming an insulating layer on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate; a second step of stacking the separate semiconductor chips, which include the integrated semiconductor circuits on main surfaces thereof, via the insulating layer on the semiconductor chips formed on the semiconductor substrate such that opposite surfaces of the separate semiconductor chips opposite to the main surfaces face the insulating layer; and a third step of forming connecting parts that enable signal transmission between the semiconductor chips in different layers.