Abstract: The present invention relates to a culture media system that useful for the isolation and epigenetically stable propagation of normal stem cells in culture which are derived from columnar epithelial tissues and cancer stem cells from epithelial cancers. In certain embodiments, the culture system is a feeder-free system.

Abstract: Described herein are polymers comprising a terminus having a structure according to formula (1): wherein R is a fluorinated alkane, alkene or alkyne, a fluorinated aromatic, a fluorinated cycloalkane or cylcoalkene, a fluorinated heteroaromatic, or a fluorinated heterocyclic.

Abstract: An apparatus is used with supplied power for treating air flow of an air handing system of a facility. A frame has a plenum with an inlet and an outlet. The frame is configured to position in the air flow of the air handing system for passage of the air flow therethrough. A filter is disposed in the plenum and is configured to filter the air flow therethrough up to a filtration threshold. An ultraviolet light source disposed in the plenum is connected in electrical communication with the supplied power and is configured to generate ultraviolet radiation in the plenum. A permeable metal barrier disposed in the plenum is configured to impede the air flow therethrough up to an impedance threshold. The barrier is connected in electrical communication to the supplied power and is heated to a surface temperature.

Abstract: Provided herein are phosphors of the formula: (A1-xEux)(Ba1-ySry)B9O15, wherein the variables are as defined herein. Methods of producing the phosphors are also provided. In some aspects, the present disclosure provides light-emitting devices comprising these phosphors.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the detection of analytes in high volumetric flow applications. Particular embodiments relate to the use of fluorescence polarization/anisotropy based for detection of analytes in a flow cell. In one testing format, an analyte of interest is probed with reagents containing fluorescent labeled recognition elements. When present in a sample or portion of a sample, thee labeled analyte produces a shift in fluorescence polarization/anisotropy/intensity/lifetime as the output signal following the binding of the recognition elements to the analytes.

Abstract: A composition composed of highly reactive metal particles that are ball milled, bead milled or blended and dispersed in a solvent with/without polymer for significantly reducing the viscosity of heavy oil for extracting viscous heavy oil, such that the composition reacts with water and oil to produce heat, H2 gas, and hydroxide to lower the oil viscosity and facilitate extraction from an underground formation or transport of heavy oil, such as in a pipe from one place to another place.

Abstract: A superconductor tape and method for manufacturing, measuring, monitoring, and controlling same are disclosed. Embodiments are directed to a superconductor tape which includes a superconductor film overlying a buffer layer which overlies a substrate. In one embodiment, the superconductor film is defined as having a c-axis lattice constant higher than 11.74 Angstroms. In another embodiment, the superconductor film comprises BaMO3, where M=Zr, Sn, Ta, Nb, Hf, or Ce, and which has a (101) peak of BaMO3 elongated along an axis that is between 60° to 90° from an axis of the (001) peaks of the superconductor film. These and other embodiments achieve well-aligned nanocolumnar defects and thus a high lift factor, which can result in superior critical current performance of the tape in, for example, high magnetic fields.

Abstract: Provided here are systems and method for non-intrusive authentication of a user. Such systems and methods may include in an embodiment a waveform generator to generate a message, encrypt the message, and transmit the encrypted message to one or more transmitters. The system may include a decryption engine to receive a bone conduction signal from one or more receivers, process the bone conduction signal, decrypt the processed bone conduction signal, and separate a bone conduction token portion from the decrypted bone conduction signal. The system may include an authentication engine to analyze the bone conduction signal, authenticate a user for the operation detected based on a comparison of the analyzed bone conduction signal and the pilot portion of the message exceeding a preselected threshold, and verify bone conduction signal authenticity via the bone conduction token portion and the token portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the detection of analytes in high volumetric flow applications. Particular embodiments relate to the use of fluorescence polarization/anisotropy based for detection of analytes in a flow cell. In one testing format, an analyte of interest is probed with reagents containing fluorescent labeled recognition elements. When present in a sample or portion of a sample, the labeled analyte produces a shift in fluorescence polarization/anisotropy/intensity/lifetime as the output signal following the binding of the recognition elements to the analytes.

Abstract: The present invention addresses IBD from the standpoint of mucosal stem cells cloned from defined regions of the gastrointestinal tract. In the case of pediatric Crohn's disease, for example, isolation of those stem cells according to the methods of the present invention reveals a pattern of inflammatory gene expression in stem cells from the terminal ileum and colon that is epigenetically maintained despite months of continuous cultivation in the absence of immune or stromal cells, or of intestinal microbes. Superimposed on this distributed inflammatory phenotype is a differentiation defect that profoundly and specifically alters the mucosal barrier properties of the terminal ileum. The co-existence of diseased and normal stem cells within the same endoscopic biopsies of Crohn's disease patients implicates an epigenetically enforced heterogeneity among mucosal stem cells in the dynamics of this condition.

Abstract: Provided herein are fluorinated compounds having chemical structures: (I) where n is 0 or greater, or (II) where m and n are 0 or greater, or an amino acid, a soluble polymer, an oligo(ethylene glycol), a poly(ethylene glycol), or a carbohydrate each fluorinated with perfluorocarbons having the chemical structure (III) where n is 0 or greater. These fluorinated compounds are utilized in contact lenses to impart lipid-resistant, protein-resistant and biofouling-resistant properties, thus reducing discomfort and infection caused by contact lens wear without changing its transmission characteristics. Also provided is an ophthalmic drug delivery system comprising at least one of the compounds described above embedded in the contact lens and a kit to incorporate the ophthalmic into a contact lens. Methods for incorporating these compounds onto a contact lens without affecting transparency and for use in treating an ophthalmologic-associated condition are provided.

Abstract: A soleus contraction measurement system includes a sensor configured to measure rotational movement when positioned on a user's foot with an X-axis oriented laterally across the user's foot, a Y-axis oriented parallel to the user's foot, a Z-axis orthogonal to the X-axis and the Y-axis, and a positive X-axis rotational movement corresponding to an increasing ankle angle, and a memory storing computer-executable instructions for controlling a processor to: measure an X-axis rotational movement, identify a positive X-axis rotational movement as a plantarflexion and a negative X-axis rotational movement as an ankle dorsiflexion, deem the plantarflexion a performed soleus contraction when the plantarflexion is immediately followed by the ankle dorsiflexion for two consecutive cycles of plantarflexion and ankle dorsiflexion, and cause performance information regarding the performed soleus contractions to be communicated.

Abstract: Disclosed are probes based on papilloma virus and modified SV40 that can be used for detecting circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood stream, methods for manufacturing such probes, and methods for using such probes.

Abstract: Loss of cardiomyocytes underlies most causes of heart failure, and normal repair processes are inadequate to deal with extensive myocardial damage. The inventors have identified mutations of the N-terminus of serum respose factor (SRF)'s MADS box, termed STEMINs, that block cardiac differentiation, but also powerfully activate the stem cell marker genes Nanog and Octomer 4, as well as cyclins, which promotes adult myocyte replication. SRF Stemin mutations are not cardiac-specific, and also propel mammalian fibroblasts into a proliferative state. Thus, STEMINs may be useful for regeneration of all tissue and organ types, by activating partial pluripotency programs and enhacing repair by increased cell replication. Following withdrawal of STEMINs, the cells then return to normal cell identity.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a circuit, comprising a device under test, such as a power field effect transistor or capacitor, coupled to a power source and a signal source and configured to generate a power output using the signal source, a current output, a voltage output and an end of life detector coupled to the current output and the voltage output and configured to generate a first impedance as a function of the current output and the voltage output, to compare the first impedance to a second impedance and to generate an indicator if the first impedance exceeds the second impedance.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a strategy to synthesize antimony- and zinc-doped tin oxide particles with tunable band gap characteristics. The methods yield stable and monodispersed particles with great control on uniformity of shape and size. The methods produce undoped and antimony and zinc-doped tin oxide stand-alone and core-shell particles, both nanoparticles and microparticles, as well as antimony and zinc-doped tin oxide shells for coating particles, including plasmonic core particles.

Abstract: Nanoparticles and nanonetworks formed of these nanoparticles are provided. Methods for forming such nanoparticles and nanonetworks are also provided, as well as uses of the nanoparticles and/or nanonetworks, including their use for drug delivery.

Abstract: Milling with ultraviolet excitation (MUVE) realizes high-throughput multiplex imaging of large three-dimensional samples. The instrumentation may comprise a UV-source attachment, precision stage attachment, and/or a blade assembly, and the instrumentation may overcome several constraints inherent to current state-of-the-art three-dimensional microscopy. MUVE offers throughput that is orders of magnitude faster than other technology by collecting a two-dimensional array of pixels simultaneously. The proposed instrumentation also utilizes serial ablation and provides the opportunity for true whole-organ imaging at microscopic resolution.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage device comprising (i) hydrogen gas and (ii) a host framework material. A hydrogen discharge device comprising (i) hydrogen gas and (ii) a host framework material. A method of storing hydrogen comprising introducing hydrogen gas to a host framework material comprising a zeolite, carbon, silica, nickel foam, carbon nanosponge (CNS), a graphene aerogel or a combination thereof under conditions suitable for the formation of hydrogen gas hydrates. A battery comprising a host framework material comprising hydrogen gas hydrates wherein the host framework material comprises a zeolite, carbon, silica, nickel foam, carbon nanosponge (CNS), a graphene aerogel or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Described herein are single chain polypeptides comprising both the b- and a-chains of insulin fused to each other by a linker. Also provided are nucleic acids coding for the same, host cells expressing the same, and methods of use therefor.