Abstract: Poly-(caffeyl alcohol) (PCFA), also known as C-lignin, is a promising new source of both carbon fibers and pure carbon. PCFA can be used to produce carbon fibers by direct electrospinning, without blending with another polymer to reduce breakage. Analyses have shown that the carbon obtained from PCFA is superior to that obtained from other lignins. The fibers formed from PCFA are smoother, have a narrower diameter distribution, and show very low defects. The PCFA can be obtained by extraction from plant seed coats. Examples of these plants include the vanilla orchid, Vanilla planifolia, and Jatropha curcas. The fibers may be formed through electrospinning, although other methods for forming the fibers, such as extrusion with a carrier polymer, could be used. The fibers may then be carbonized to increase the carbon yield.

Abstract: The present invention includes photochemical method of making hybrid metal-polymer microparticles in an aqueous, biocompatible solution by providing a metal (I) composition and one or more polymeric materials; applying an electromagnetic radiation to the metal (I) composition; converting the metal (I) composition to a metal (0) composition; forming one or more hybrid metal-polymer microparticles from the metal (0); capping the one or more hybrid metal-polymer microparticles; and stabilizing the one or more hybrid metal-polymer microparticles with the one or more polymeric materials to prevent agglomeration.

Abstract: A method for enhancing amidohydrolase activity of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) is disclosed. The method comprising administering a phenoxyacyl-ethanolamide that causes the enhanced activity. The enhanced activity can have numerous effects on biological organisms including, for example, enhancing the growth of certain seedlings.

Abstract: Iron garnet nanoparticles and or iron garnet particles containing various activatable nuclides, such as holmium-165 (165Ho) and dysprosium-164 (164Dy), are disclosed in this application. The iron garnet (e.g., HoIG and DyIG) nanoparticles and iron garnet particles can prepared using hydroxide co-precipitation methods. In some embodiments, radiosensitizers can be loaded on radioactive magnetic nanoparticles or radioactive iron garnet particles and, optionally, coated with suitable lipid bilayers. Methods of using the disclosed nanoparticles and particles for mediating therapeutic benefit in diseases responsive to radiation therapy are also provided. Another aspect of the invention provides films, electrospun fabrics or bandage coverings for the delivery of radiation to the site of a skin lesion amenable to treatment with radiation (e.g., skin cancers or psoriasis).

Abstract: Novel compounds comprising a guanidine-rich head covalently coupled to one or more oligonucleotide antisense sequences which are useful to modulate blood coagulation by affecting the expression of integrin ?IIb or ?3 are described herein. This invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, with or without other therapeutic agents, and to methods of using these compounds as inhibitor of platelet aggregation, as thrombolytics, and/or for the treatment of other thromboembolic disorders. Vivo-MOs, which include eight guanidine groups dendrimerically arranged in the guanidine-rich head and two synthetic antisense morpholino oligonucleotides, are representative compounds of the present invention.

Abstract: Bidentate heteroleptic square planar complexes of (pyridyl)azolates possess optical and electrical properties that render them useful for a wide variety of optical and electrical devices and applications. In particular, the complexes are useful for obtaining white or monochromatic organic light-emitting diodes (“OLEDs”), including doping-free OLEDs. Preferred forms also demonstrate semiconducting behavior and may be useful in a variety of other applications. Within the general complexes of (pyridyl)azolates, the metal and the ligands may be varied to impart different optoelectronic properties.

Abstract: Manufacturable spin and spin-polaron interconnects are disclosed that do not exhibit the same increase in resistivity shown by Cu interconnects associated with decreasing linewidth. These interconnects rely on the transmission of spin as opposed to charge. Two types of graphene based interconnect approaches are explored, one involving the injection and diffusive transport of discrete spin-polarized carriers, and the other involving coherent spin polarization of graphene charge carriers due to exchange interactions with localized substrate spins. Such devices are manufacturable as well as scalable (methods for their fabrication exist, and the interconnects are based on direct growth, rather than physical transfer or metal catalyst formation). Performance at or above 300 K, as opposed to cryogenic temperatures, is the performance criteria.

Abstract: Described herein are nanoparticles comprising a mixture of a steroid, a phospholipid composition, an ?-tocopheryl compound, and a therapeutic agent wherein the ?-tocopheryl compound is presented on the surface of the nanoparticle. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles are useful for delivering a peptide or a protein. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles are formulated for ocular administration. In other embodiments, the nanoparticles are formulated to cross the blood brain barrier for the delivery of the therapeutic agents to the brain.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable oil phase, a surfactant, and a therapeutic agent are provided herein, wherein the composition is in the form of a pro-nanoparticle or a self-assembling nanoparticle. Additionally, these pharmaceutical compositions have high loading of the therapeutic agent. Also provided herein are methods of preparing the pharmaceutical compositions and methods using the compositions in the treatment of a patient.

Abstract: Direct growth of graphene on Co3O4(111) at 1000 K was achieved by molecular beam epitaxy from a graphite source. Auger spectroscopy shows a characteristic sp2 carbon lineshape, at average carbon coverages from 0.4-3 monolayers. Low energy electron diffraction (LEED) indicates (111) ordering of the sp2 carbon film with a lattice constant of 2.5 (±0.1) ? characteristic of graphene. Six-fold symmetry of the graphene diffraction spots is observed at 0.4, 1 and 3 monolayers. The LEED data also indicate an average domain size of ˜1800 ?, and show an incommensurate interface with the Co3O4(111) substrate, where the latter exhibits a lattice constant of 2.8 (±0.1) ?. Core level photoemission shows a characteristically asymmetric C(1s) feature, with the expected lr to lr* satellite feature, but with a binding energy for the three monolayer film of 284.9 (±0.1) eV, indicative of substantial graphene-to-oxide charge transfer.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and system for enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio in emission detection comprising: selecting a probe capable of at least one of fluorescence, phosphorescence, or delayed fluorescence in or about a sample that comprises interfering background signal; and exposing the probe to one or more controllable bursts, each burst comprising two or more pulses, wherein the one or more controllable bursts of high repetition energy pulses enhance the signal from the probe above that of the background signal.

Abstract: A soft-landing (SL) instrument for depositing ions onto substrates using a laser ablation source is described herein. The instrument of the instant invention is designed with a custom drift tube and a split-ring ion optic for the isolation of selected ions. The drift tube allows for the separation and thermalization of ions formed after laser ablation through collisions with an inert bath gas that allow the ions to be landed at energies below 1 eV onto substrates. The split-ring ion optic is capable of directing ions toward the detector or a landing substrate for selected components. The inventors further performed atomic force microscopy (AFM) and drift tube measurements to characterize the performance characteristics of the instrument.

Abstract: A Tunnel Magnetic Junction of high magnetoresistance is prepared at temperatures and pressure consistent with Si CMOS fabrication and operation. A first metal layer of cobalt or nickel is grown on an interconnect or conductive array line of e.g., copper. The metal layer is formed by electron beam irradiation. Annealing at UHV at temperatures below 700K yields a carbon segregation that forms a few layer thick (average density 3.5 ML) graphene film on the metal layer. Formation of a second layer of metal on top of the graphene barrier layer yields a high performance MTJ.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods of making an activated polymeric nanoparticle for targeted drug delivery that includes a biocompatible polymer and an amphiphilic stabilizing agent non-covalently associated with a spacer compound that includes at least one electrophile that selectively reacts with any nucleophilic on a targeting agent and places the targeting agent on the exterior surface of a biodegradable nanoshell, wherein an active agent is loaded with the nanoshell.

Abstract: A method for enhancing amidohydrolase activity of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) is disclosed. The method comprising administering a phenoxyacyl-ethanolamide that causes the enhanced activity. The enhanced activity can have numerous effects on biological organisms including, for example, enhancing the growth of certain seedlings.

Abstract: Porositized/activated carbon processed from carbon or carbonaceous raw materials. The porositization process comprises: (1) loading porositizing agents; (2) thermal treatment; and (3) porous generation. In another embodiment, the porositization process comprises: (1) loading porositizing agents; and (2) thermal treatment wherein the carbon or carbonaceous materials undergo carbonization and self-activation during the thermal treatment. Activated carbon products that exhibit magnetic functionality.

Abstract: A single reflective optical element is constructed for use in interference lithography. The single reflective optical element is generally made up of at least two, and preferably four, polished reflective strips arranged to have particular angles relative to a laser beam passing through the optical element. A laser beam passing through the optical element will be partially reflected by the reflective strips to generate additional linearly polarized beams. The additional reflected beams overlap with the central laser beam and form an interference pattern as the beams pass out of the optical element. The generated polarized beams and interference pattern can be directed onto a photosensitive material to produce photonic crystals or photonic crystal templates.

Abstract: The present invention discloses gene targets and methods for the genetic control of lipid accumulation in vegetative (non-seed) portions of plants. Enhanced lipid, e.g. triacylglycerol (TAG), accumulation in vegetative portions of plants may be obtained by down-regulation of activity of At4g24160 or a homolog thereof. Plants, plant parts, seeds comprising down-regulated AT4G24160 activity, or activity of a homolog thereof, are also provided, as well as products prepared therefrom.

Abstract: Improved methods for utilizing 911 services, for implementing 911 dispatch protocols, and for measuring vital signs of a human, all by accessing mobile phone sensors and applications, are disclosed. Vital signs such as heart rate, breathing rate, breathing distress, and blood pressure can be measured using mobile phone sensors and applications. A method for differential estimation of blood pressure involves the synchronization of time between two mobile phones, locating an appropriate position for one cell phone and recording heart sounds, and recording video data from the finger tip of the subject using the other mobile phone.

Abstract: A method for enhancing amidohydrolase activity of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) is disclosed. The method comprising administering a phenoxyacylethanolamide that causes the enhanced activity. The enhanced activity can have numerous effects on biological organisms including, for example, enhancing the growth of certain seedlings. The subject matter disclosed herein relates to enhancers of amidohydrolase activity.