Abstract: A Janus graphene nanosheet (JGN) surfactant formed from a two-dimensional graphene oxide sheet and functionalized to produce an amphiphilic graphene nanosheet. The JGN may be a component of a nanofluid utilized in nanofluid flooding for oil recovery. The JGN may also be used as solid surfactants to form emulsions for oil recovery.

Abstract: Discussed herein are systems and methods for fabrication of MgSnGe-based thermoelectric materials for applications from room temperature and near room temperature to high temperature applications. The TE materials may be fabricated by hand or ball milling a powder to a predetermined particle size and hot-pressing the milled powder to form a thermoelectric component with desired properties including a figure of merit (ZT) over a temperature range. The TE materials fabricated may be disposed in thermoelectric devices for varying applications.

Abstract: A method of measuring dissociation of the biomolecular bonds in one or multiple sample wells using super-resolution force spectroscopy (SURFS). SURFS utilizes precise ultrasound radiation to exert an acoustic radiation force on the biomolecular bonds labeled with magnetic particles. The force-induced dissociation of the protein bonds labeled with magnetic particles may be measured as a reduced magnetic signal by a magnetic sensor. The force resolution allows for differentiating biomolecular bonds with an extremely high level of precision. The biomolecular bonds include protein-protein, protein-nucleic acid, nucleic acid-nucleic acid, small molecule-protein, and small molecule-nucleic acid interactions.

Abstract: Externally-strained devices such as LED and FET structures as discussed herein may have strain applied before or during their being coupled to a housing or packaging substrate. The packaging substrate may also be strained prior to receiving the structure. The strain on the devices enables modulation of light intensity, color, and electrical currents in some embodiments, and in alternate embodiments, enables a fixed strain to be induced and maintained in the structures.

Abstract: In some embodiments the present disclosure pertains to a method of activating an anti-tumor immune response for the treatment of a cancer. In some embodiments, such a method comprises detecting CD26 expression in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising adenosine deaminase. In some embodiments, the adenosine deaminase stimulates T cell proliferation and activates maturation of macrophages or dendritic cells. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a method for targeted reduction of adenosine or deoxyadenosine in a tumor microenvironment of a solid tumor.

Abstract: A facile and scalable method to prepare graphene-based amphiphilic Janus nanosheets with high efficiency utilizing the formation of hydrogen bonding to immobilize graphene oxide (GO) on the surfaces of starch microspheres. After selective functionalization of the exposed surface using alkylamine, amphiphilic Janus nanosheets (AJN) were obtained by releasing the nanosheets from the starch microspheres.

Abstract: A phosphatidylserine targeted peptoid has been identified with the ability to bind to cancer cells globally and specifically. A dimer of the peptoid decreases cancer cell viability. Use of the dimerized peptoid enhances the efficacy of docetaxel. The peptoid can be used for including but not limited to diagnosing and treating cancer, diagnosing and treating a viral condition, and diagnosing and treating diabetes.

Abstract: Systems and methods of authenticating and/or communicating key and/or data between communication parties using quantum channels are provided. In some embodiments, authentication may be provided during transmission (including at various stages), without transmission, before transmission, and/or without keys. Such systems and methods allow authentication to be performed on a bit-by-bit basis using the same quantum communication channel. Further, these systems and methods prevent an eavesdropper from gaining useful information, and/or allow man-in-the-middle attacks to be detected.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using texture parameters to predict human interpretation of images to design, modify, or optimize an imaging system or an imaging process. According to embodiments, a method includes receiving image data; calculating one or more texture parameters based on the image data; and predicting performance of a human observer in detecting a signal or object in the image data obtained by the imaging system or processed by the imaging process based on the one or more texture parameters. The method may include designing, optimizing, or modifying parameters of the imaging system or the imaging process based on the predicted performance of a human observer or interpreter in detecting the signal or object in the image data. The method may include assigning weights to two or more texture parameters based on a given detection task, such as detecting explosives in luggage or finding a tumor in tomographic images.

Abstract: Assay compositions and methods for detection of analytes that include covalent modification of assay elements, such that they are preserved, destroyed, created, or immobilized. Methods for detecting an analyte in a biological sample. The method includes providing a mixture of a biological sample potentially containing the analyte, and a molecular recognition element physically coupled to a covalent modification agent, wherein the molecular recognition element is capable of specific recognition of the analyte, and exposing the mixture to a first set of reaction conditions, wherein the analyte and molecular recognition element can associate to form a recognition complex. Upon formation of the recognition complex, the method further includes generating by use of the covalent modification agent, a template complex; and exposing the template complex to a second set of reaction conditions, wherein the template complex is amplified to generate a detectable product indicative of the presence of the analyte.

Abstract: Aryl-substituted acetamide and pyrrolidin-2-one (?-butyrolactam) derivatives have useful activity in the inhibition, prevention, or treatment of seizures. The derivatives may be useful in the treatment of epilepsy, including medically refractory epilepsy, and nerve agent poisoning.

Abstract: A scour monitoring system may provide a housing that is separated into multiple segments that are fluidically isolated from each other. The scour monitoring system may be position adjacent to a structure to be monitored for bridge scouring. Each of the segments may provide a water-swellable material positioned near or in contact with a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) cable. If water penetrates a segment, the water-swellable material may expand to deform the FBG cable. The wavelength of the FBG cable may be monitored periodically for changes, thereby providing moisture detection when a change in wavelength is detected.

Abstract: A superconductor tape may be fabricated via Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) to achieve peel strengths greater than approximately 4.5 N/cm. The superconductor tape may be fabricated via MOCVD with a REBCO composition that includes the elements Samarium (Sm)-Barium(Ba)-Copper(Cu)-Oxygen(O). Varying levels of Copper (Cu) content can achieve peel strengths ranging between approximately 4.5 N/cm to approximately 8.0 N/cm.

Abstract: A stretchable battery comprising at least one electrochemical cell further comprising a first electrode having a first active material coupled with a first current collector, a second electrode having a second active material coupled with a second current collector, an electrolytic separator configured between the first and second electrodes, and at least one stretchable substrate coupled with the formation of at least one electrochemical cell, wherein the stretchable substrate encapsulates the formation and is capable of reversible stretching.

Abstract: Viscoelastic icephobic surfaces of the present disclosure include organogel particle beads dispersed in an elastomer matrix. The surfaces are highly repellant to ice formation, easy and cost efficient to apply, and have long term durability for harsh outdoor applications.

Abstract: A nanoporous metal can be formed by projecting laser patterns using a spatial light modulator (SLM) onto a gold/silver alloy film immersed in diluted nitric acid solutions. Heat accumulation induced by the photothermal effect enables localized dealloying in dilute nitric acid. NPG micropatterns can be formed at the irradiated spots while the surrounding alloy remains intact.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the manufacture of n-type and p-type filled skutterudite thermoelectric legs of an electrical contact. A first material of CoSi2 and a dopant are ball-milled to form a first powder which is thermo-mechanically processed with a second powder of n-type skutterudite to form a n-type skutterudite layer disposed between a first layer and a third layer of the doped-CoSi2. In addition, a plurality of components such as iron, and nickel, and at least one of cobalt or chromium are ball-milled form a first powder that is thermo-mechanically processed with a p-type skutterudite layer to form a p-type skutterudite layer “second layer” disposed between a first and a third layer of the first powder. The specific contact resistance between the first layer and the skutterudite layer for both the n-type and the p-type skutterudites subsequent to hot-pressing is less than about 10.0 ??·cm2.

Abstract: A REBCO superconductor tape that can achieve a lift factor greater than or equal to approximately 3.0 or 4.0 in an approximately 3 T magnetic field applied perpendicular to a REBCO tape at approximately 30 K. In an embodiment, the REBCO superconductor tape can include a critical current density less than or equal to approximately 4.2 MA/cm2 at 77 K in the absence of an external magnetic field. In another embodiment, the REBCO superconductor tape can include a critical current density greater than or equal to approximately 12 MA/cm2 at approximately 30 K in a magnetic field of approximately 3 T having an orientation parallel to a c-axis.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring biomechanical properties of tissues without external excitation are capable of measuring and quantifying these parameters of tissues in situ and in vivo. The system and method preferably utilize a phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography (OCT) system for measuring the displacement caused by the intrinsic heartbeat. The method allows noninvasive and nondestructive quantification of tissue mechanical properties. Preferably, the method is used to detect tissue stiffness and to evaluate its stiffness due to intrinsic pulsatile motion from the heartbeat. This noninvasive method can evaluate the biomechanical properties of the tissues in vivo for detecting the onset and progression of degenerative or other diseases and evaluating the efficacy of therapies.

Abstract: An optrode may provide a cylindrical substrate with two or more electrodes deposited on said cylindrical substrate. The cylindrical substrate and electrodes may be coated by an insulating layer with openings or vias over certain portions of the electrodes that may provide a contact for the neural probe or may be utilized to connect lead lines. Manufacturing of an optrode may utilize a jig that secures a cylindrical substrate coated by a conductive material and a resist. A first mask may be positioned in an opening provided by the jig, and the cylindrical substrate may expose ions or neutral particles to define one or more electrode patterns. After regions of the resist and conductive material are removed to form the electrodes, a second mask may be utilized to define via regions in which portions of the electrodes are exposed and uncoated by an insulating layer.