Abstract: A multi-stage optically-triggered power system. At least one triggering stage is responsive to at least one optical trigger to directly create photogeneration of carriers in the at least one triggering stage and thus generate at least one output signal. At least one main power device stage coupled to the at least one triggering stage is responsive to the at least one generated output signal to activate the at least one main power device stage. The at least one triggering stage and the at least one main power device stage may be monolithically integrated.

Abstract: A method for detecting coupled RF current magnetic resonance (MR) objects in a body and determining MR risk is provided. The body is scanned with reverse circularly polarized RF. MR signals generated by coupling of the reverse circularly polarized RF with the RF current MR objects are detected. The detected MR signals are used to determine a risk value.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus having an outer nozzle operable to discharge an outer stream of a shell solution, and an inner nozzle operable to discharge an inner stream of a core solution intermixed with a plurality of materials. The outer stream can substantially surrounds the inner stream, thereby forming a combined stream. A plurality of capsules can be formed responsive to a force applied to the combined stream. At least a portion of the plurality of capsules are desirable capsules, each having a core encapsulated by a portion of the shell solution. The core can have at least one of the plurality of materials encapsulated by a portion of the core solution without protruding an outer surface of the portion of the shell solution. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for classifying nanoobjects having different electrical properties, such as conductivities and permittivities. The method includes: suspending nanoobjects having different electrical properties in a liquid medium; passing the liquid medium through a microchamber; and filtering nanoobjects having a first type of electrical property from the liquid medium by applying an electric field to the liquid medium in the microchamber.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for performing low background multiplex nucleic acid amplification reactions are provided. Aspects of the invention include contacting a nucleic acid sample with two or more primer pairs for two or more target nucleic acids under template dependent primer extension reaction conditions, e.g., polymerase chain reaction (PCR) conditions. The resultant amplified composition is then contacted with target nucleic acid circularizing reagents, and product circularized target nucleic acids are then selected, e.g., for further amplification. Also provided are systems and kits that find use in practicing embodiments of the inventions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of dielectrophoretic forces for the arbitrary manipulation of micrometer- and nanometer-sized particles and to devices capable of arbitrarily manipulating micrometer- and nanometer-sized particles by means of dielectrophoretic forces within a two- or three-dimensional region. The devices and methods of the invention are capable of arbitrarily controlling the velocities, locations, and forces applied to a particle, arbitrarily specifying a force or set of forces at a location in space, and determining friction and/or drag coefficients of a particle, and are thus well-suited for a range of applications including cell sorting, drug delivery, as a diagnostic tool for determining membrane stiffness, and in the heterogeneous integration of micro- and nano-components through directed assembly.

Abstract: A polymeric composition including a blend of poly(vinylidine fluoride) (PVDF), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), carbon nanofibers, and poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) particles is described and claimed. The polymeric composition may be coated onto a substrate and dried to form a film adhered to the substrate. The film optionally exhibits an electrical conductivity of about 10 Siemens per meter (S/m) to about 310 S/m and an electromagnetic interference shielding of about 32 decibels. Further, a coated substrate is provided including a substrate and a film adhered to the substrate, where the film includes a polymeric composition comprising a blend of PVDF, PMMA, carbon nanofibers, and PTFE particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions which employ low concentrations of combinations of zinc salts and antimicrobial agents in coatings for medical articles. The coatings have an anti-irritant effect and inhibit transmission of infectious disease.

Abstract: A fiber-optic sensor includes an optical fiber coil and a laser source optically coupled to the coil. Light from the source is transmitted to the coil as a first optical signal and a second optical signal counter-propagating through the coil. The optical paths of the first optical signal and the second optical signal are substantially reciprocal with one another and the first optical signal and the second optical signal are combined together after counter-propagating through the coil to generate a third optical signal. The laser source is frequency-modulated or can have a coherence length longer than a length of the coil.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing stimulated Raman lasing are provided. In some embodiments, devices include a photonic crystal that includes a layer of silicon having a lattice of holes and a linear defect that forms a waveguide configured to receive pump light and output Stokes light through Raman scattering, wherein the thickness of the layer of silicon, the spacing of the lattice of holes, and the size of the holes are dimensioned to provide Raman lasing. In some embodiments, methods include forming a layer of silicon, and etching the layer of silicon to form a lattice of holes with a linear defect that forms a waveguide configured to receive pump light and output Stokes light through Raman scattering, wherein the thickness of the layer of silicon, the spacing of the lattice of holes, and the size of the holes are dimensioned to provide Raman lasing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of agents that inhibit the toxic effects of amyloid oligomers by increasing intracellular levels of phosphoinositol 4-phosphate (PI(4)P, or “PIP”) and/or phosphotidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate (PI(4,5)P2 or “PIP2”), the use of such agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, methods of treating neurodegenerative diseases by administration of agents which alter lipid metabolism, and methods of identifying agents which alter the association of presenilins with ?-secretase and lipid rafts.

Abstract: A rice cultivar designated Templeton is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of rice cultivar Templeton, to the plants of rice cultivar Templeton, to plant parts of rice cultivar Templeton, and to methods for producing a rice plant produced by crossing rice cultivar Templeton with itself or with another rice variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a rice plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic rice plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to rice cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from rice cultivar Templeton, to methods for producing other rice cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from rice cultivar Templeton, and to the rice plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid rice seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing rice cultivar Templeton with another rice cultivar.

Abstract: Methods and devices for preventing a change in the core body temperature of a mammal under cold conditions are provided. In the subject methods, a requirement for thermal energy input in said mammal is first detected. In response to the detection of this requirement for thermal energy input, a surface of a portion of the mammal is contacted with a warm temperature medium under negative pressure conditions for a period of time sufficient to introduce thermal energy into the core body of the mammal. The subject devices include at least a means for detecting a requirement for thermal energy input and a means for contacting a surface of the mammal with a warm temperature medium under negative pressure conditions. The subject methods and devices find use in a variety of applications, and are particularly suited for use in maintaining the core body temperature of a mammal substantially constant under cold conditions for an extended period of time.

Abstract: Provided are ethyne synthons comprising boron and related methods. Also provided are related water-soluble arylethynylene polymers capable of being synthesized in neat water under aerobic conditions.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides techniques for multiple-factor selection. The factors can be features or elements that are jointly associated with one or more outcomes by their joint presence or absence. There may be a non-causative correlation between the factors, features, or elements and the outcomes. In some embodiments, Entropy Minimization and Boolean Parsimony (EMBP) is used to identify modules of genes jointly associated with disease from gene expression data, and a logic function is provided to connect the combined expression levels in each gene module with the presence of disease. The smallest module of genes whose joint expression levels can predict the presence of disease can be identified.

Abstract: A method of modifying properties of intrinsic tissue of an organ is provided. The method includes providing an organ, where a first electrode is disposed proximal to the organ first end. The first electrode has a surface area and insulator. A second electrode is disposed opposite the first electrode, where the organ is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The second electrode has surface area and surface insulator. An organ-shaping device is provided that is disposed on the organ between the electrodes, where the organ-shaping device deforms the organ middle section along at least one lateral direction between the electrodes. An electric current is provided between the first second electrodes, where a current density gradient is provided by the electrode surface areas and the deformed organ middle section, and the properties of the intrinsic muscle tissue are modified according to the current density gradient.

Abstract: A membrane strip biosensor device using a fluid mobile conductive composition of ferromagnetic particles bound to a conductive polymer bound to a capture reagent is described. The biosensor device is designed to detect analytes at low concentrations in near real-time with an electronic data collection system and can be small. The device can be used to detect pathogens, proteins, and other biological materials of interest in food, water, and environmental samples.

Abstract: For use in or as part of a communications system benefiting from compensation for one or more non-idealities of components in the communications system, aspects of the invention are directed to providing compensation for such non-idealities. An example method which is applicable in a system that receives a pilot signal having an expected amplitude, includes determining a received amplitude for the received pilot signal using at least one of the components of the communications system, and using feedback indicative of a comparison of the determined received amplitude and the expected amplitude, compensating for a non-ideality of the component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for testing the efficiency of delivering an inhibitory polynucleotide to a target cell or tissue. The invention also provides a method for testing efficiency of delivering and efficacy for an effect on tumor size of an inhibitory polynucleotide against a target gene.

Abstract: A high surface area scaffold to be used for a solar cell, made of a three-dimensional percolated network of functionalized graphene sheets. It may be used in the preparation of a high surface area electrode by coating with a semi conductive material. Electronic devices can be made therefrom, including solar cells such as dye-sensitized solar cells.