Abstract: A small-sized, portable enclosure protects a gas sensor against degradation due to environmental exposure and changes in atmospheric conditions. The protective enclosure includes an inlet for introduction of a gas into the enclosure, an outlet for release of the gas upon completion of a sensing run, and a number of in-line filters that remove from the inflowing gas sample analytes, contaminants, and other materials that can compromise the integrity of the sensor or cause the sensor to degrade over time. The enclosure does not include any filters during the measurement phase of the sensing run in order to allow the gas sensor to accurately measure an unmodified gas mixture and/or analyte.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the activation and expansion of genetically-modified Tcells, such as tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. In some cases, cells of the embodiments can be used for the therapeutic treatment of human diseases, such as cancer.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of making a high-quality quantum dot (QD), including by providing anion precursor chemistry that enables chemical modulation of precursor reactivity, thereby, allowing independent optimization of reaction temperature and precursor reactivity to systematically grow high quality QDs and by providing specially configured tunable precursors and related chemistry to facilitate separate reaction pathways for nucleation and growth, thereby accessing heat-up based synthesis of high-quality QD, including core-shell QDs. The methods may include providing a base-QD and a first anion or cation precursor having a composition comprising an anion or a cation element, respectively, and a modification agent. At least one add-layer is grown on the base-QD at a growth temperature, thereby making the high-quality QD comprising the base-QD and the at least one add-layer. At least one add-layer may have a composition comprising an add-layer cation element and an add-layer anion element.

Abstract: Methods for extracting and analyzing a sample, and methods for predicting or diagnosing thyroid cancers and disorders, are described.

Abstract: Provided herein are chimeric scavenger receptor where the endogenous binding region is replaced with an antigen-specific binding region to redirect the specificity of the receptor. Also provided are immune cells, such as, for example, monocytes, that are engineered to express the chimeric scavenger receptor. Also provided are methods of treating patients, such as, for example, Alzheimer's patients, by administering the engineered monocytes.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides biomarkers and methods of use thereof for diagnosing and prognosing pancreatic cancer and other cancers in a subject. The biomarkers comprise protein kinase C (PKC), PH domain and leucine rich repeat protein phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1), and the ratio of PKC/PHLPP1 and can be detected using anti-PKC and/or anti-PHLPP1 antibodies and quantified using immunochemistry techniques. Methods of treating pancreatic cancer with PHLPP1 inhibitors are also provided.

Abstract: Sensor systems, sensors, and methods for detecting a presence and a phase of a medium on a surface are described. The sensor system has a power source providing a voltage; a sensing element in electrical communication with the power source, the sensing element including: two electrodes, wherein a gap is defined between the two electrodes, and a temperature measurement device disposed between the two electrodes; a fixed resistor in electrical communication with the power source and the sensing element; and a data acquisition system in electrical communication with the power source, the sensing element, and the fixed resistor. The sensor system measures the electrical resistance of the medium, and the temperature of the surface, and identifies the phase of the medium.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for sensing an environment electric field. In one exemplary implementation, a method includes disposing a sensor in the environment, wherein the sensor comprising a crystalline lattice and at least one optically-active defect in the crystalline lattice; pre-exciting the crystalline lattice to prepare at least one defect in a first charge state using a first optical beam at a first optical wavelength; converting at least one defect from the first charge state to a second charge state using a second optical beam at a second optical wavelength; monitoring a characteristics of photoluminescence emitted from the defect during or after the conversion of the at least one defect from the first charge state to the second charge state; and determining a characteristics of the electric field in the environment according to the monitored characteristics of the photoluminescence.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods suitable to measure trace amounts of specific ions in fluid samples. An example system includes a resonator having an input coupler and an output coupler. The example system also includes an ion-selective membrane (ISM) optically coupled to at least a portion of the resonator. The system additionally includes a light source configured to illuminate the resonator by way of the input coupler. Furthermore, the system includes a detector configured to receive output light by way of the output coupler and provide information indicative a concentration of a specific ion proximate to tire ISM.

Abstract: A probe, such as a spectroscopic probe, for enabling a fluid or tissue sample to be tested in situ. The probe includes a conduit, such as a hypodermic needle, that can be inserted into a test subject and a wave coupling arranged to direct electromagnetic radiation, such as light, from an energy source to the sample and/or from the sample to a receiver for analysis. The receiver may comprise a Raman spectroscope. The probe may include a carriage that can be used to move at least some of the optical coupling towards and away from the insertion tip of the conduit. The probe may include a pressure modifier that can be used to draw fluid into or expel fluid from the conduit.

Abstract: Viral promoters and compositions and methods of use thereof are provided. Compositions include viruses with impaired ability to reactivate from latency, and pharmaceutical compositions and method of use thereof. The genome of the viruses include one or more mutations that reduce expression from one or more promoters that regulate expression of viral genes during reactivation from latency. The mutation(s) are typically in a region of the viral genome that includes (i) promoter elements of the iP1 promoter of human cytomegalovirus, or the sequence of another virus corresponding thereto (e.g., an iP1 promoter homolog); (ii) promoter elements of the iP2 promoter of human cytomegalovirus, or sequence of another virus corresponding thereto (e.g., an iP2 promoter homolog); or (iii) a combination thereof. In some embodiments the virus encodes one or more heterologous antigens. The viruses can be used as vaccines to induce prophylactic and therapeutic immune responses in subjects in need thereof.

Abstract: A method of preparing a composite positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery includes surface-treating a nickel-based active material using carbon dioxide to form a lithium carbonate layer on the surface of the nickel-based active material, mixing the nickel-based active material having the lithium carbonate layer on the surface thereof with a metal precursor including at least one metal selected from cobalt (Co), aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg), and gallium (Ga) to prepare a mixture, and heat-treating the mixture. A composite positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery may be obtained according to the method; and used in a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery.

Abstract: This disclosure describes spinal implants with anchoring elements including an aperture for delivery of injectable materials. In one aspect, a spinal implant includes a body defining one or more injection ports and one or more channels, the one or more injection ports configured to receive flowable material and to provide the flowable material to the one or more channels; and one or more anchoring elements protruding from a surface of the body, the one or more anchoring elements each defining an aperture coupled to the one or more channels and configured to receive the flowable material from the one or more channels and to provide/output the flowable material from the aperture.

Abstract: A protonated dimeric ionic liquid that enhances and improves the performance of a fuel cell catalyst. The protonated dimeric ionic liquid comprises 9?9?-(butane-1, 4-diyl)bis(3,4,6,7,8,9-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-1-ium) 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,4-nonafluorobutane-1-sulfonate (HTBD) Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) employing the protonated dimeric ionic liquid are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions for, and methods of treating, Raynaud's phenomenon. The compositions comprise a TRPM-8 antagonist formulated in a topical formulation in an amount effective to treat Raynaud's phenomenon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel sulfur-doped carbonaceous porous materials. The present invention also relates to processes for the preparation of these materials and to the use of these materials in applications such as gas adsorption, mercury and gold capture, gas storage and as catalysts or catalyst supports.

Abstract: A monocyte, monocyte derived cell or macrophage infected with an oncolytic herpes simplex virus is disclosed together with uses of such infected cells in the treatment of diseases such as cancer.

Abstract: Traversing a vehicle transportation network includes operating a scenario-specific operational control evaluation module instance. The scenario-specific operational control evaluation module instance includes an instance of a scenario-specific operational control evaluation model of a distinct vehicle operational scenario. Operating the scenario-specific operational control evaluation module instance includes identifying a multi-objective policy for the scenario-specific operational control evaluation model. The multi-objective policy may include a relationship between at least two objectives. Traversing the vehicle transportation network includes receiving a candidate vehicle control action associated with each of the at least two objectives. Traversing the vehicle transportation network includes selecting a vehicle control action based on a buffer value.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, embodiments that comprise obtaining a data budget associated with a communication session for streaming video content over a communication network from a video content server, determining a first portion of the data budget that is associated with a first segment of the video content, and obtaining quality information associated with the video content from the video content server over the communication network. Further embodiments can include identifying a first group of tracks for the first segment, and determining a first target quality for the first segment based on the first portion of the data budget and the quality information. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A locking fixation device for treating extra-articular fractures includes a connector assembly connected to two end plates. Rotation of the connector assembly about an axis extending therethrough converts rotational motion to linear motion, and advances the end plates in a linear direction away from (lengthening) or toward (compression) each other.