Abstract: Disclosed herein are highly interpenetrated robust metal-organic frameworks having the repeat unit Zn5(BTA)6(TDA)2, useful for applications such as selective gas storage, selective gas sorption and/or separation, and gas detection.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising providing a mixture of different analyte ions and supplying electrons or reagent ions to said mixture so as to transfer charge to the analyte ions. The transfer of charge causes at least some of the analyte ions to dissociate and others of the analyte ions not to dissociate, but to form intermediate ions of altered charge state. These intermediate ions are then isolated from other ions and excited so as to dissociate into daughter ions. The intermediate ions and their daughter ions are analyzed and associated with each other so that the intermediate can be identified from their daughter ions. The analyte ions can then be identified from the intermediate ions, since they differ only in charge state. The disclosed method enables analyte ions to be associated with their fragment ions, and therefore identified, without having to isolate individual analyte ions prior to their interactions with the electrons or reagent ions.

Abstract: A vibration detection apparatus includes a ring laser resonator, a fiber Brag grating and a detection system. The ring laser resonator generates a laser beam propagating a ring shaped optical path. The fiber Bragg grating is disposed in the ring laser resonator such that the laser beam enters the grating, and has a transmittance distribution characteristic of transmitted light in a wavelength direction, which changes in accordance with vibration of an object. The detection system detects the vibration based on the transmitted light through the fiber Bragg grating.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating and/or preventing Wolfram Syndrome (WS)-related neurodegeneration (i.e. of Wolfram Syndrome-Associated Neuronal Degeneration), by increasing the expression and/or functional activity of p21. A method of screening for pharmacological agents useful in treating and/or preventing such conditions is also provided.

Abstract: Surface plasmon microscopy methods are described which comprise irradiating a sample with a beam of electromagnetic radiation, wherein at least some of the radiation is incident on the sample at an angle or angles which results in the excitation of surface plasmons in the sample, and wherein the beam of radiation comprises a longitudinal axis passing through a focus of the beam. Both radiation reradiated from the sample by one or more surface plasmons and radiation reflected from a location on the sample which does not lie on the longitudinal axis passing through the focusare received at a detector. The received reradiated radiation is then interfered with the received reflected radiation to provide information about the sample. Apparatus for performing the methods is also described.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of water treatment, and in particular to polymer inclusion membranes for use in industrial processes which generate aqueous solutions containing thiocyanate (SCN). The invention particularly relates to polymer inclusion membranes for use in processes for treating aqueous solutions containing SCN and more specifically polymer inclusion membranes comprising (i) about 10-20% wt/wt of a quaternary ammonium salt of formula (I) wherein R1 -R4 are independently alkyl chains and X? is an anion; (ii) about 5-30% wt/wt of a plasticizer/ modifier; and (iii) about 50% wt/wt of a polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(vinyl chloride), cellulose triacetate, and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A method, system or device for configuring an optical coupling device including obtaining characteristics of an optical signal and ambient conditions for storage in memory, utilizing a processor for identifying an optimum effective subwavelength area refractive index and a grating period for the input signal and ambient characteristics stored in memory, and utilizing the processor for identifying a preferred filling factor for a transverse polarization.

Abstract: A novel idea involving the coupling of CO2 geological storage with methane and/or heat production (geothermal energy) from geopressured-geothermal aquifers is described herein. The production of energy from the extracted brine offsets the cost of capture, pressurization, and injection and the subsequent injection of brine containing carbon dioxide back into the aquifer. Calculations described in the present invention indicate that this offset would reduce the cost of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) to a point that CCS could survive in a competitive market environment without subsidies or a price on carbon.

Abstract: An electrode array (30) which is able to be inserted to a desired depth within the cochlea to provide useful percepts for the recipient which will also preferably not cause damage to the sensitive structures of the cochlea. The electrode array (30) is insertable through an opening in the cochlea and into at least the basal region of the cochlea and comprises an elongate carrier (31) having a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of electrodes (32) supported by the carrier at respective spaced locations thereon in a region between the proximal end and the distal end. A stabilizing collar (35) extends outwardly from the elongate carrier (31) at or adjacent a proximal end thereof and has an abutment surface adapted to abut a portion of the cochlea surface around the cochleostomy and at least substantially prevent movement of the carrier (31) following completion of insertion of the array (30) into the cochlea.

Abstract: Disclosed are solid-state nanopore devices having pores of nanometer-scale thickness, which ultrathin (e.g., less than 10 nm thick) pores enable devices having improved resolution. Also provided are methods of fabricating such devices and of using such devices. The invention also provides nanometer-thick membranes and related methods of fabricating such membranes, which membranes are useful in high resolution microscopy applications. Further disclosed are devices for detection of analytes—including miRNA—that may be small in size and may also be present in only small quantities.

Abstract: Compositions comprising from about 40 weight parts to about 1000 weight parts of a botanical nitrate source; from about 20 weight parts to about 500 weight parts of a botanical source of nitrite reduction activity; and from about 4 weight parts to about 100 weight parts of a nitrite salt. Use of said composition in methods of reducing triglycerides or reducing C-reactive protein levels are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a semiconducting nanoparticle comprising a one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle having a first end and a second end; where the second end is opposed to the first end; a first node that comprises a first semiconductor; where the first node contacts a radial surface of the one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle producing a first heterojunction at the point of contact; and a second node that comprises a second semiconductor; where the second node contacts the radial surface of the one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle producing a second heterojunction at the point of contact; where the first heterojunction is compositionally different from the second heterojunction.

Abstract: A computer sets a first point on a first part in a plurality of tomographic images of an organ. The computer determines a relative position of the first point with respect to reference positions of the first part and a second part in the tomographic images. The computer sets a second point in association with the first point, on the first part in a 3D model representing a structure of the organ, such that a relative position of the second point with respect to reference positions of the first part and the second part in the 3D model matches the relative position of the first point. Then, the computer deforms the 3D model such that, when the tomographic images and the 3D model are placed in the same coordinate system, the position of the second point matches that of the first point.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems, methods and compositions for the encapsulation of particles. In one form, the system comprises one or more particles, a rotatable reaction chamber in a plasma enhanced chemical reactor to accept one or more particles, and at least one carbonaceous compound to be used in the rotatable reaction chamber, wherein the carbonaceous compound is polymerized onto a surface of one or more particles forming a polymer film encapsulating one or more particles. Using systems, methods, and compositions of the present invention, any particle encapsulated with a degradable or nondegradable polymer film may be introduced and/or released into an environment. The polymer film as well as introduction of encapsulated particles and release therefrom into an environment are controlled by the present invention.

Abstract: A diblock copolymer system that self-assembles at very low molecular weights to form very small features is described. One polymer in the block copolymer contains silicon, and the other polymer is a polylactide. The block copolymer may be synthesized by a combination of anionic and ring opening polymerization reactions. This block copolymer may form nanoporous materials that can be used as etch masks in lithographic patterning.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for conducting a hearing assessment of a patient. The method includes: presenting a plurality of objects on a display of a computing device, where each object produces an audio output in response to a stimuli from the patient and the audio output by the objects varies in frequency and intensity amongst the plurality of objects; prompting a patient with a visual cue to classify objects producing sound; receiving an input from the patient for each object in the plurality of objects, where the input indicates whether the audio output by a given object was perceptible to the patient; and generating an audiogram for the patient using the input received from the patient.

Abstract: There is provided methods for administering a toroidal pharmaceutical composition to a subject. The method includes dispensing a toroidal pharmaceutical composition, and allowing the toroidal pharmaceutical composition to contact a target organ of the subject, thereby administering the toroidal pharmaceutical composition. There are additionally provided toroidal aerosol delivery systems.

Abstract: Poly(?-peptoid)s selected from the group consisting of poly(N-methyl-?-alanine)s (PMeA) and poly(N-ethyl-?-alanine)s (PEtA) and polyl(methyl-?-alanine-co-ethyl-?-alanine) copolymers (P(MeA-co-EtA) are found to be good anti-fouling materials in that they resist protein adsorption. A process for protecting a surface of an object from protein adsorption comprises the steps of binding such poly(?-peptoid)s to the surface. A medical implant is coated with such poly(?-peptoid)s. A medical drug delivery device is coated with such poly(?-peptoid)s. A filtration device has pores coated with such poly(?-peptoid)s, and an object placed in freshwater or saltwater and having a surface in contact with the freshwater or saltwater has that surface coated with such poly(?-peptoid)s.

Abstract: A method for designing an apex seal, a rotor housing, and a rotor includes defining a rotor radius describing a distance between a rotor housing and a specified point within a rotor pitch curve p1, defining a switch angle describing a portion of an apex seal of the rotor to contact the rotor (START) housing, and identifying a generating curve g1 from the rotor radius and the switch angle. A conjugate curve g2 represents an envelope of patterns traced by the generating curve g1 as the rotor pitch curve p1 is moved along a housing pitch curve p2. A rotor flank curve g3 represents an inside envelope of patterns traced by the conjugate curve g2 as the housing pitch curve p2 is moved along the rotor pitch curve p1. Curves g1, g2, and g3 may represent profiles of an apex seal, a rotor housing, and a rotor, respectively.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed for removing contaminants from a surface of a thermal barrier coating (TBC) and, optionally, estimating the remaining lifetime of the TBC. Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is one method that may be used to remove contaminants from a surface the TBC prior to performing photo luminescence piezo spectroscopy (PLPS) or another spectroscopic technique on a thermally grown oxide (TGO). LIBS may facilitate monitoring substantially in real-time the chemical composition of the material removed. LIBS may be used to remove substantially only the contaminants with minimal effects on the underlying TBC. One technique for determining when to stop removal of material from the TBC is cross-correlation between a spectrum collected from the ablated material and a reference spectrum collected from a reference substrate. In some embodiments, the same system may be used to perform LIBS to remove impurities and PLPS to measure stress in the TGO.