Abstract: This discloses that compounds of Formula 1 may be used as antifibrotics because they inhibit type 1 collagen production. In particular, this discloses a pharmaceutical composition containing one or more compounds of Formula 1 and methods of using compounds of Formula 1 in fibrosis treatment and inhibiting type 1 collagen synthesis.

Abstract: An improved material, preferably a biomaterial, is provided which is the reaction product of S8 and a free fatty acid or free fatty acid-containing material, preferably in the presence of metal. The improved material can be made by a method comprising reacting S8 with a free fatty acid to obtain a FFA/S8 composite and shaping the FFA/S8 composite into a solid form. The solid form of said FFA/S8 is melted to form melted FFA/S8 and the melted FFA/S8 is optionally applied as a coating on a surface, used as an adjacent material to a surface or the FFA/S8 composite itself is shaped thereby forming a device and preferably a medical device.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a plant or plant part comprising a polynucleotide encoding an herbicide tolerant IAA2 polypeptide having a deleted or disrupted degron tail region, the expression of said polynucleotide confers to the plant or plant part tolerance to synthetic auxin herbicides, such as 2,4-D. The present invention relates to methods and plants and that have a deleted or disrupted degron tail region of the IAA2 protein obtained by gene editing, transformation, mutagenesis, breeding, and the like.

Abstract: Composite materials that include a polymer matrix and a metal halide perovskite. The metal halide perovskite may be a lead-free metal halide double perovskite. Devices that include a layer of a composite material, a first electrode, and a second electrode. Methods of forming composite materials and devices, including methods that include printing one or more layers with a 3D printer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an Al—Ce—Cu alloy for use in additive manufacturing. The disclosed alloy embodiments provide fabricated objects, such as bulk components, comprising a heterogeneous microstructure and having good mechanical properties even when exposed to conditions used during the additive manufacturing process. Methods for making and using alloy embodiments also are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a method for producing a rare earth metal from a metallothermic reaction of a reductant metal and a double salt of the rare earth metal. The double salt of rare earth metal can be prepared from an alkali halide and a salt of the rare earth metal at room temperature over a time period of 2 hours of less without the requirement to use hydrofluoric acid.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a thin-film photovoltaic technology including a single-junction crystalline silicon solar cell with a photonic-plasmonic back-reflector structure for lightweight, flexible energy conversion applications. The back-reflector enables high absorption for long-wavelength and near-infrared photons via diffraction and light-concentration, implemented by periodic texturing of the bottom-contact layer by nanoimprint lithography. The thin-film crystalline silicon solar cell is implemented in a heterojunction design with amorphous silicon, where plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) is used for all device layers, including a low-temperature crystalline silicon deposition step. Excimer laser crystallization is used to integrate crystalline and amorphous silicon within a monolithic process, where a thin layer of amorphous silicon is converted to a crystalline silicon seed layer prior to deposition of a crystalline silicon absorber layer via PECVD.

Abstract: An orthopedic cast splitter apparatus for splitting an orthopedic cast may include a frame, a handle pivotally coupled to the frame, a drive rod configured to translate relative to the frame, and a jaws. The jaws may include a first plate coupled to the frame, and a second plate coupled to the drive rod and extending parallel to the first plate, with the second plate being configured to translate relative to the first plate. The jaws also may include a first tooth removably coupled to the first plate and extending beyond an end of the first plate, and a second tooth removably coupled to the second plate and extending beyond an end of the second plate, with the first tooth and the second tooth being configured to be inserted within a fissure formed in the orthopedic cast.

Abstract: A method of direct printing or writing of a metallic material involves depositing, with a printing device or writing device, an ink comprising of at least undercooled liquid metallic particles dispersed in a carrier fluid. The ink is deposited on any substrate surface to deposit the undercooled liquid metal particles thereon as one or more layers that can form a desired pattern or layered structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally the use of compositions comprising a glutathione precursor and a selenium source, e.g., compositions which elevate intracellular glutathione, in the prevention and treatment of Zika viral diseases, e.g., Zika fever. Related embodiments are directed to use of such compositions, e.g., compositions comprising a glutathione precursor and a selenium source, in reducing the infectivity of Zika viruses or Zika viral particles.

Abstract: Various implementations include a self-heating device. The device includes an electrically insulative layer, an electrically conductive layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The electrically insulative layer has a first surface and a second surface spaced apart from the first surface. The electrically conductive layer has a first surface and a second surface spaced apart from the first surface. The second surface of the conductive layer is coupled to the first surface of the insulative layer. The conductive layer includes a polymer. Conductive nanoparticles are embedded in the polymer. The first electrode and a second electrode are coupled to the conductive layer. The first electrode and the second electrode are spaced apart from each other and in electrical communication with each other through the conductive layer. The conductive layer produces heat through Joule heating when electrical current is passed through the conductive layer.

Abstract: In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein is versatile polyene cyclization strategy that exploits conjugated ?-ionyl derivatives. Photomediated disruption of the extended ?-system within these chromophores unveils a contra-thermodynamic polyene that engages in a Heck-type cyclization to afford [4.4.1]-propellanes. The connectivity of overbred polycycles generated from this process is controlled by the position of the requisite C-Halide bond. Thus, compared to conventional biomimetic polyene cyclization, this approach allows for complete control of regiochemistry and facilitates incorporation of both electron-rich and electron-deficient (hetero)aryl groups. This strategy was successfully applied to the total synthesis of abietanes such as, for example, taxodione and salviasperanol, two isomeric abietane-type diterpenes that previously could not be prepared along the same synthetic pathway.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit includes a first pad configured to provide a first voltage, a second pad configured to provide a second voltage, an equalizing circuit including a first inductor, a second inductor, and a third inductor, an input/output pad connected to the equalizing circuit, and a diode circuit including a first diode and a second diode. An end of the first diode is connected to the first pad and another end of the first diode is connected the equalizing circuit. An end of the second diode is connected to the equalizing circuit and the first diode and another end of the second diode is connected to the second pad.

Abstract: Composite materials that include a phosphor and boron nitride particles. The composite materials may be scintillating materials. The boron nitride particles may be 10B enriched particles. Systems that include composite materials and a detector. Methods of detecting or blocking neutrons. Methods of manufacturing composite materials, including large-area composite materials.

Abstract: Disclosed are articles comprising substrate and graphene coating that are configured to support a sample for electron or optical microscopy. Also disclosed are methods of making the same and methods of using the same in imaging technology.

Abstract: Provided is an analog-to-digital converter and a voltage offset correction method thereof. The analog-to-digital converter may include a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to generate a first comparison voltage, a comparison circuit configured to output a first comparison result signal based on a result of comparing the first comparison voltage with a second comparison voltage, and a control circuit configured to control the DAC and output an output signal, wherein the DAC may include a correction circuit configured to generate a correction voltage by selectively switching switches connected to terminals to which a plurality of reference voltages are applied, and correct a voltage offset of the comparison circuit based on the correction voltage.

Abstract: New types of particle feedstocks and heterogeneous grain structures are provided for rare earth permanent magnets (REPMs) and their production in a manner to significantly enhance toughness of the magnet with little or no sacrifice in the hard magnetic properties. The novel tough REPMs made from the feedstock have heterogeneous grain structures, such as bi-modal, tri-modal, multi-modal, laminated, gridded, gradient fine/coarse grain structures, or other microstructural heterogeneity and configurations, without changing the chemical compositions of magnets.

Abstract: An artificial and/or simulated environment is used to raise a domestic or commercially raised animal to promote a positive health feedback and to minimize stress on the animal. The simulated environment is used to create the façade of a free range or cage free environment, while also minimizing the exposure to inclement weather, potential predators, and other unknown or stress-inducing situations. The results include animals that have higher resistance to diseases and have a lower stress. The artificial environment can be created by projecting or otherwise showing images and/or videos depicting simulation of environments, climate, and/or other unknown situations to normalize the animals to the same.

Abstract: A topological spin memory effect, defined as the recovery of magnetic skyrmions or magnetic bubble skyrmions in magnetic thin films after a transition to a dramatically different spin texture, is used for encrypted non-volatile information storage. The storage strategy is based on magnetic skyrmions, that is, topologically protected spin textures comprising chiral domain walls surrounding small (e.g., nanometers to microns in diameter), typically circular, single-domain cores. Systems and methods are described for encrypted non-volatile information storage based on a spin memory effect in magnetic thin films that support skyrmions. Systems and methods encrypt and recover information stored in the form of magnetic skyrmions.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for high-resolution patterning of various substrates with functional materials, including nanomaterials. A technique of preparing a patterned substrate in a high-resolution mold for stick and transfer process is disclosed with promotes integrity of the high-resolution pattern onto the substrate. One example of a substrate is an adhesive tape. The transferred pattern(s) are scalable and can be implemented in different fabrication processes. One example is a roll-to-roll processes. In one embodiment, the transferred pattern comprises nanomaterials and the substrate comprises a flexible substrate for use in flexible and conformal assemblies for a wide variety of applications including, but not limited to, electrical-based sensors on non-planar inanimate surfaces, plant body surface, or human or animal skin.