Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a composition comprising nanoparticles of a noble metal functionalized with at least one type of metal complex and surfactant. The method comprises providing a first solution comprising nanoparticles and surfactant, and a second solution comprising a first type of metal complex, and adding the second solution to the first solution. Each nanoparticle has a loading of at least 500 and the method permits independent control of particle size and loading and enables large particles with high loading to be reproduced without agglomeration.

Abstract: Compounds having a structure of Structure I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R6, Y1 and Y2 are as defined herein, and wherein at least one of R3 or R4 is a straight-chain C1-C6 haloalkyl, are provided. Uses of such compounds for treatment of various indications, including prostate cancer, as well as methods of treatment involving such compounds are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for electrospinning chitinous biomass solution to form chitin fibers, using ionic liquids or other ion-containing liquids as solvent. Chitin fibers produced thereby and articles containing such chitin fibers are also disclosed. The chitin fiber thus obtained has very high surface area and improved strength over currently commercially available chitin materials.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions for evaluating nucleic acids, standardized mixture for assessing amounts of at least one target nucleic acid in a sample, and kits comprising the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds having a CB1 receptor-binding moiety and a directing moiety. In related aspects, the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of the invention, methods for inhibiting a pathway modulated in part by the CB1 receptor activity, and methods for treating a condition or disorder mediated in part by CB1 receptor activity. In certain embodiments, the compounds are compounds of Formula I. Methods of preparing compounds of Formula I are also described. In another aspect, the invention provides methods of identifying a selective agonist of the beta-arrestin pathway over the G-protein pathway.

Abstract: Techniques for metal enhanced fluorescence include determining a calibration curve that relates concentration of a particular analyte to at least one of intensity or lifetime of fluorescent emissions at a plasmonic substrate in response to incident light, for a plurality of known concentrations of the particular analyte mixed with a reagent. The reagent comprises a detection molecule. A concentration of the particular analyte in a vicinity of a cell in a sample is determined directly from the calibration curve and measurements, in response to the incident light, of at least one of intensity or lifetime of fluorescent emissions at the plasmonic substrate in contact with the cell and reagent.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for the identification of chemical agents and determination of their level of exposure using electrochemical detection and advanced signal processing. In one aspect, a method includes collecting a sample from a surface containing a chemical agent to an electrode on a sensor such that the chemical agent transfers on the electrode, detecting an electrochemical signal of the chemical agent on the electrode to transduce chemical information associated with the chemical agent to an electrical signal, processing the electrical signal to obtain electrochemical spectral signature data to identify the chemical agent and generating a series of coefficients of the electrochemical spectral signature data to reduce the data, and classifying the chemical information based on the series of coefficients among preselected data sets to determine a level of exposure to the chemical agent.

Abstract: Scanning mechanisms that have application in confocal imaging use electromagnetic actuation to move elements in an optical system. An objective lens mounted to a flexure comprising a magnetic material is actuated in the axial direction by an electromagnet coil. An optical path may pass through the coil. Scanning in transverse directions may be provided using magnetically actuated flexible beams which move the tip of an optical fiber or other pinhole in one or more transverse directions. Actuators may be actuated using driving currents that include an AC component and a DC bias component. The scanning mechanisms may be miniaturized and may be constructed to provide real-time imaging.

Abstract: Superhydrophobic coatings and compositions and methods for preparing superhydrophobic coatings and compositions are described herein whereby the coatings and compositions are prepared under mild conditions, yet the methods are amenable to chemical functionalization of the coatings and components therein. The methods are useful for tuning and optimizing the physical properties of the coatings. In an embodiment, the coatings comprise nanostructured fluorinated silica colloids.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming the profile of deformable materials including tubular sections. The apparatus (1) includes at least two sets (4, 5) of die elements (6), each set (4,5) including a plurality of die elements (6) respectively arranged to travel along corresponding endless path. The paths each include a forming portion (9,10) in which die elements (6) of each set (4. 5) are opposed to define a forming space (11) therebetween. The forming portion (9, 10) of each path is configured so that one or more dimensions of the forming space (11) reduce along the length of the forming portion (9,10) to simultaneously apply lateral forces to material progressing through the forming portion.

Abstract: A method for predicting a subject's response to a TUSC2 therapy is provided. In particular, a subject's response is predicted based on the proportion of cancers cells that are apoptotic. Also provided is a method of treating a subject previously predicted to have a favorable response with a TUSC2 therapy. Methods for treating cancer by administration of a TUSC2 therapeutic in conjunction with an EGFR inhibitor and/or a protein kinase inhibitor are also disclosed. Kits and reagents for use in TUSC2 therapy are provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for tracking material through a production chain or operational process chain in which the material is transferred via a plurality of spatially distinct lumped masses of material (12, 14, 16, 18). A dynamic state space (430) is maintained descriptive of the plurality of spatially distinct lumped masses of material, wherein a quantity of entries in the dynamic state space is augmented or diminished dependent on a quantity of spatially distinct lumped masses being tracked. Measurements relating to an observed lumped mass of material are fused into the dynamic state space and a dynamic covariance matrix to provide an updated estimate of material in the plurality of spatially distinct lumped masses of material.

Abstract: The antifouling coating is a composite material consisting of fluorinated electroactive bipolymers and magnetic particles. This composite material is coated on a solid surface to make a smooth durable grassy coating. The coating generates electrical current when an electrolytic liquid flows over it, which prevents bacterial cells from attaching to the surface. It prevents virus and protein attachment. It also prevents chemical corrosion of a surface. The composite material itself, and the antifouling method that uses fluoride compounds and electrical current that is generated by the fluid flow are disclosed for a patent. The composite material can be applied to medical devices, biomedical devices, industrial equipment, ship's hulls, food processing equipment, food processors, drinking water distribution systems, and home electrical appliances.

Abstract: A photodetector is provided with a thin film double layer heterostructure. The photodetector is comprised of: a substrate; a channel layer of a transistor deposited onto a top surface of the substrate; a source layer of the transistor deposited on the top surface of the substrate; a drain layer of the transistor deposited on the top surface of the substrate, the source layer and the drain layer disposed on opposing sides of the channel layer; a barrier layer deposited onto the channel layer; and a light absorbing layer deposited on the barrier layer. The light absorbing layer is configured to absorb light and, in response to light incident on the light absorbing layer, electrical conductance of the channel layer is changed through hot carrier tunneling from the light absorbing layer to the channel layer.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for separating double-stranded nucleic acids out of a mixture comprising single-stranded nucleic acids and/or dNTPs and/or enzymes. The method uses spatially inhomogeneously functionalized nanoporous materials. For example, the compositions and methods of the present invention can be used to purify DNA amplification reaction products.

Abstract: Provided are devices, systems, and methods for the testing of materials and structures. For example, the devices, systems, and methods are optionally used for the non-destructive testing of a material or structure. Furthermore, the devices, systems, and methods may optionally use a high-amplitude, air-coupled acoustic source for non-destructive testing of materials and structures.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a hospital patient's risk of mortality includes collecting data from physiologic signals generated by patient monitors, physiologic signals of organ function, and demographic information for a patient. A measure of the variability of at least one of the physiologic signals is determined. Data and the measure of variability are analyzed to determine whether a value for a particular physiologic or demographic variable falls within a critical interval for the variable that indicates that the value is predictive of mortality or survival. Each time a value for a physiological or demographic variable for the patient falls within a critical interval, the occurrence of an event for the patient is recorded. The number of events for the patient is counted over a time period. Output perceptible by human user that indicates the patient's risk of mortality or likelihood of survival is generated based on the count.

Abstract: Atomically layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) exhibit a significant potential to enable low-cost transistor biosensors that permit single-molecule-level quantification of biomolecules. Two different principles for operating such biosensors are presented. In one arrangement, antibody receptors are functionalized on an insulating layer deposited onto the channel of the transistor. The charge introduced through antigen-antibody binding is capacitively coupled with the channel and shifts the threshold voltage without significantly changing the transconductance. In another arrangement, antibodies are functionalized directly on the channel of the transistor. Antigen-antibody binding events mainly modulate the ON-state transconductance, which is attributed to the disordered potential formed in channel material.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a radiation dosimetry apparatus and associated methods for measuring radiation dose. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes multiple scintillating elements for detecting amounts of radiation dose at multiple points within a detection region. Each of the scintillating elements generates light in response to radiation interacting within their volume. A light guide combines the light generated by all of the scintillating elements as well as radiation-induced contaminated optical energy and transmits the combined light to a spectral analysis setup. Multi or hyper-spectral calibration technique allows calculating the dose or dose rate at the positions of the different scintillating elements. The calibration technique isolates the light produced by a given scintillating element from the other scintillating elements as well as any other source of radiation-induced contaminating light.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for treating or inhibiting a bacterial infection involving at least one antibiotic and a compound that potentiates the antibiotic activity of the antibiotic. In certain embodiments the antibiotic is a beta lactam. In further embodiments, the antibiotic is oxacillin. In additional embodiments, the potentiating compound is an inhibitor of vraSR operon expression. In specific embodiments, the bacterial infection involves an antibiotic-resistant bacteria.