Abstract: Novel systems and methods are provided that rapidly separate particles from a liquid. In an embodiment, a small volume of liquid (such as a blood sample, or any other solution with a concentration of particles) is input into a flow device implemented as a unilateral channel. When activated by an acoustic energy source (such as an ultrasound pulse), gas-liquid interfaces naturally occurring between the liquid in the flow device and a plurality of gas-filled cavities that line the channel will oscillate and create stable cavitation streaming within a localized region of the surrounding liquid. These oscillations create micro-vortices that gently remove and trap particles and debris from the liquid and adjacent surfaces. Fluid and particle manipulation can thus be accomplished on a passive, disposable chip that is placed on top of an external acoustic transducer with a coupling medium.

Abstract: Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate torsional and/or tensile actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize non-coiled or coiled yarns and can be either neat or comprising a guest. Devices comprising these artificial muscles are also described.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell structure is disclosed that includes a back contact layer that includes single wall carbon nanotube elements. The single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) back contact is in electrical communication with an adjacent semiconductor layer and provides a buffer characteristic that impedes elemental metal migration from the back contact into the semiconductor active layers. In one embodiment, the SWNT back contact includes a semiconductor characteristic and a buffer characteristic. In another embodiment, the SWNT back contact further includes a metallic characteristic.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions for treating or preventing a bacterial infection, particularly infection by a Staphylococcus bacterium. The invention provides methods and compositions for stimulating an immune response against the bacteria. In certain embodiments, the methods and compositions involve a non-toxigenic Protein A (SpA) variant. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions involve SdrD, ClfA, and/or FnbpB polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode assembly having a laminate structure comprising: a first insulating capping layer; a first conducting layer capped by the first insulating capping layer and substantially sandwiched by at least the first insulating capping layer such as to leave exposed only an electrical contact lip of the first conducting layer; and an array of etched voids extending through at least the first insulating capping layer and the first conducting layer, wherein each void is partly bound by a surface of the first conducting layer which acts as an internal submicron electrode.

Abstract: The invention is directed to carbon nanostructure composite systems which may be useful for various applications, including as dry adhesives, electronics and display technologies, or in a wide variety of other areas where organized nanostructures may be formed and integrated into a flexible substrate. The present invention provides systems and methods wherein organized nanotube structures or other nanostructures are embedded within polymers or other flexible materials to provide a flexible skin-like material, with the properties and characteristics of the nanotubes or other nanostructures exploited for use in various applications. In one aspect, the invention is directed to a carbon nanotube/polymer composite material having a plurality of carbon nanotubes formed into a predetermined architecture, with each of the plurality of nanotubes having a desired width and length.

Abstract: PARylated proteins are enriched by treating cell lysates comprising PARylated proteins and DNA/RNA with an endonuclease that cleaves the DNA/RNA but not the PAR; and separating the PARylated proteins from the cleaved DNA/RNA. PARylation sites are labeled by eluting PARylated proteins from a PAR-affinity substrate with a nucleophilic amine exchange reactant, wherein the reactant labels PARylation sites of the proteins. Specific binding agents are identified by screening compounds for specific binding to a PARylated protein disclosed herein; and identifying one of the compounds as a specific binder of the protein. Antibodies which specifically bind PARylation sites are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds that are allosteric inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor receptor I, compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of using such compounds and compositions thereof in the treatment of TNF-? mediated conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to stimulating neurogenesis (e.g., post-natal neurogenesis, e.g., post-natal hippocampal neurogenesis) and protecting from neuron cell death.

Abstract: A method of making a hyperbranched amphiphilic polyester compound includes drying under vacuum a mixture of 2-(4-hydroxybutyl)-malonic acid and p-toluene sulphonic acid as catalyst. The vacuum is then released with a dry inert gas after drying. The dried mixture is heated under the inert gas at a temperature sufficient for polymerization. The inert gas is evacuated while continuing to heat the mixture. The formed polymer is then dissolved in dimethylformamide and precipitated out by adding methanol. Modifications of the method yield nanoparticles of polyesters having properties suited for coencapsulating fluorescent dyes together with therapeutic drugs, resulting in theranostic nanoparticles, that is, nanoparticles useful in both therapeutic treatments and diagnostic methods.

Abstract: A non-aqueous single pot synthesis of [18F]SFB is set forth. The [18F]SFB produced with this method is then used, for example, to label a peptide or an engineered antibody fragment (diabody) targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) as representative examples of labeled compounds for use as an injectable composition to locate abnormal tissue, specifically tumors within an animal or human using a PET scan.

Abstract: An infrared sensor formed from a resonant sensor element having a mechanical resonator and an IR absorber arranged to receive and absorb incident infrared radiation. The resonator includes a temperature-responsive material that exhibits pyroelectric and piezoelectric effects. The IR absorber is thermally coupled to the resonator such that the resonator receives thermal energy from at least some of the incident infrared radiation absorbed by the IR absorber. The resonator has at least one resonant characteristic that varies based on the amount of thermal energy received from the IR absorber by the resonator. A sensor array and infrared sensing method are included that use a plurality of the infrared sensors along with a reference sensor having the same construction as the other sensor elements, except that the sensor either lacks the IR absorber or has it arranged so that it is not exposed to the incident infrared radiation.

Abstract: A non-synthetic, hydrophilic, biodegradable, biocompatible polysaccharide based non-toxic anti-adhesion hydrogel barrier is disclosed herein. The barrier of the present invention is formed by constructing a unique interpenetrating, crosslinked network with a unique porosity. Furthermore, the barrier of the present invention is comprised of tunable biopolymers for controllable mechanical robustness and degradation. The barrier of the present invention effectively reduces unwanted adhesions using non-synthetic components.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compounds and their use to treat cell proliferative diseases such as cancer. Compounds of the present invention display significant potency as kinase inhibitors, cause the downregulation of c-myc, and inhibit the growth and survival of cancerous cell lines.

Abstract: An explosive material in the form of a cocrystal comprising 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20 or HNIW) and at least one energetic material. The energetic material is selected from 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), and 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane (HMX).

Abstract: Described herein are method, compositions and kits for prognosis of prostate cancer. The methods include determining the ratio of PCA3 and of a prostate-specific marker expression in a urine sample and correlating the value of the PCA3/prostate-specific marker ratio with the aggressiveness and mortality risk of prostate cancer in the subject. The method for prognosing prostate cancer in a sample of a patient includes assessing the amount of a prostate cancer specific PCA3 mRNA and the amount of prostate-specific marker in the sample; determining a ratio value of this amount of prostate cancer specific PCA3 mRNA over the amount of prostate-specific marker; comparing the ratio value to at least one predetermined cut-off value, wherein a ratio value above the predetermined cut-off value is indicative of a higher risk of mortality of prostate cancer as compared to a ratio value below the predetermined cut-off value.

Abstract: Administration of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) targeted against the testosterone-repressed prostate message-2 (TRPM-2) gene can reduce the amount of TRPM-2 in renal cell cancer (RCC) cells and other cancer cells, and as a result enhance chemosensitivity of these cells to chemotherapy agents and radiation. Thus, for example, the sensitivity of renal cell cancer cells to a chemotherapeutic agent can be increased by exposing renal cell cancer cells to a chemotherapeutic agent and an agent which reduces the amount of TRPM-2 in the renal cell cancer cells. This provides an improved method for treatment of renal cell cancer, which is generally resistant to treatment with known chemotherapy agents.

Abstract: This technology relates generally to compounds and methods for stimulating neurogenesis (e.g., post-natal neurogenesis, including post-natal hippocampal and hypothalamic neurogenesis) and/or protecting neuronal cell from cell death. Various compounds are disclosed herein. In vivo activity tests suggest that these compounds may have therapeutic benefits in neuropsychiatric and/or neurodegenerative diseases such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, normal aging, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Down syndrome, spinocerebellar ataxia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, stroke, radiation therapy, chronic stress, abuse of a neuro-active drug, retinal degeneration, spinal cord injury, peripheral nerve injury, physiological weight loss associated with various conditions, as well as cognitive decline associated with normal aging, chemotherapy, and the like.

Abstract: A semiconductor device employs an epitaxial layer arrangement including a first ohmic contact layer and first modulation doped quantum well structure disposed above the first ohmic contact layer. The first ohmic contact layer has a first doping type, and the first modulation doped quantum well structure has a modulation doped layer of a second doping type. At least one isolation ion implant region is provided that extends through the first ohmic contact layer. The at least one isolation ion implant region can include oxygen ions. The at least one isolation ion implant region can define a region that is substantially free of charge carriers in order to reduce a characteristic capacitance of the device. A variety of high performance transistor devices (e.g., HFET and BICFETs) and optoelectronic devices can employ this device structure. Other aspects of wavelength-tunable microresonantors and related semiconductor fabrication methodologies are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Methods for predicting cancer recurrence following a BCG immunotherapy are provided. In some aspects, cytokine levels from a patient are measured before and after a BCG therapy and the changes in cytokine levels are used to determine the risk of cancer lapse. Methods for selecting a patient for a further anti-cancer therapy are also provided.