Abstract: This disclosure relates to polymer coatings with desirable anti-fouling properties. In certain embodiments, polymers are coated on particles which allow for conjugation with targeting moieties. In certain embodiments, the particles are nanoparticles with targeting moieties that bind with tumor associated antigens.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing high-purity lithium carbonate and barium sulfate from discarded lithium secondary batteries, including: a first process for producing high-purity lithium phosphate from a discarded battery; and a second process for producing lithium sulfate from the lithium phosphate and producing lithium carbonate and barium sulfate from the lithium sulfate.

Abstract: A method of comprising: introducing a sample volume into an inlet end of a liquid chromatography column, wherein the liquid chromatography column includes a focusing segment proximal to the inlet end of the liquid chromatography column and a separation segment proximal to an elute outlet of the liquid chromatography column; maintaining only the focusing segment at a first temperature as the sample is introduced into the focusing segment; and subsequently heating the focusing segment to a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature after the entire sample volume has been introduced into the focusing segment.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for computer-aided tracking and motion analysis with ultrasound. A computing device is employed to access an ultrasound video generated by at least one ultrasonic imaging device and/or at least one motion sensing camera. A target patch embodied is tracked throughout frames of the ultrasound video by compressing target patches of individual ones of the frames of the ultrasound video into vectors; generating a space partitioning data structure for each of the frames of the ultrasound video; and identifying an image intensity feature for each frame utilizing a corresponding one of the space partitioning data structures generated for each frame of the ultrasound video. Optimized tracking locations may be determined for a sequence of the ultrasound video using the image intensity feature identified for each frame.

Abstract: A method of regioselectively preparing a pyridine-containing compound is provided. In particular embodiments, the method includes reacting halogen-functionalized pyridal[2,1,3]thiadiazole with organotin-functionalized cyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b?]dithiophene or organotin-functionalized indaceno[2,1-b:3,4-b?]dithiophene. Also provided is a method of preparing a polymer. The method includes regioselectively preparing a monomer that includes a pyridal[2,1,3]thiadiazole unit; and reacting the monomer to produce a polymer that includes a regioregular conjugated backbone section, wherein the section includes a repeat unit containing the pyridal[2,1,3]thiadiazole unit. A polymer that includes a regioregular conjugated backbone section, and electronic devices that include the polymer, are also provided.

Abstract: A fiber useful in the absorption of metal ions from aqueous solutions, the fiber comprising a polyolefin backbone having a diameter of at least 1 micron and having covalently appended on its surface halogen atoms and vinyl-addition polymeric grafts functionalized with metal-binding groups, such as at least one functional group selected from carboxylate, keto, aldo, amino, imino, nitrile, amido, oxime, amidoxime, imide dioxime, and hydroxamate groups. The vinyl-addition polymeric grafts may also be further functionalized with hydrophilic groups different from the metal-binding groups, wherein the hydrophilic groups may be selected from carboxylate, sulfone, sulfonate, phosphonate, alkylammonium, iminium, amide, pyrrolidone, and polyalkyleneglycol groups. Also described are methods for producing the functionalized fibers, and methods for using the functionalized fiber, particularly in extracting metal ions from metal-containing solutions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention provide devices for measuring concentrations of bound and unbound fractions of a target analyte in a biofluid sample. Analytes present in biofluid may be found in a free state, or bound to a binding solute, presenting difficulties for wearable analyte sensors to measure physiologically significant concentrations of the analyte in biofluid. The disclosed devices feature sensors configured to measure both the bound and unbound fractions of the analyte, as well as analyte releasers that cause a portion of the bound fraction of analytes to be released to facilitate measurement. Some embodiments include a collector and or a sample conduit. Other embodiments include a plurality of fluid pathways.

Abstract: A gas detecting sensor including a substrate, a gate electrode provided on the substrate, an insulating layer provided on the gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode, provided on the insulating layer, respectively, an n-type channel provided between the source electrode and the drain electrode, and a quantum dot layer provided on the n-type channel and provided so as to have electronic transition energy capable of resonating with vibration energy of a target gas molecule.

Abstract: A sealant composition and method for its manufacture are disclosed. A two-way shape memory polymer (2W-SMP) sealant expands upon cooling and contracts upon heating, and thus provides improved sealing for pavements and other structures. The base resin for the sealant is polybutadiene with a high cis content.

Abstract: A high-order optical fiber multi-wavelength filter includes a polarization beam splitter configured to form a polarization-diversity loop configuration by splitting light received from a broadband light source into two polarization components, combining circulated and input light of the two polarization components, and outputting the combined light, a pair of polarization controllers each including at least one wave plate in combination, and configured to change a polarization state of input light, and a pair of polarization-maintaining fibers configured to form interference spectrums by assigning phase differences through birefringence.

Abstract: A composition of materials including a first compound having a structure according to Formula I

Abstract: Chemoselective conjugation is achieved through redox reactivity by reacting an N-transfer oxidant with a thioether substrate in a redox reaction in an aqueous environment to form a conjugation product. In embodiments, Redox-Activated Chemical Tagging (ReACT) strategies for methionine-based protein functionalization. Oxaziridine (Ox) compounds serve as oxidant-mediated reagents for direct functionalization by converting methionine to the corresponding sulfimide conjugation product.

Abstract: A new fuel quality sensor enables the use of RNG without removing CO2. Efficiency and the economy of the process improves significantly if CO2 separation cost can be avoided. Fuel quality information from the sensor makes it easy to adjust air/fuel ratio as well as efficient combustion inside a combustion engine or boiler.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preventing, improving or treating fatty liver by administering an effective amount of azelaic acid to a subject. Azelaic acid is a compound primarily contained in a natural product, has no or fewer side effects and an effect of reducing the degree of accumulation of triglycerides in liver tissue, and thus may be used in treatment and improvement of non-alcoholic fatty liver. In addition, due to an anti-inflammatory effect, azelaic acid may be used in the treatment of steatohepatitis. Therefore, the azelaic acid according to the present invention is expected to be effectively used in food material, drug composition and a health functional food to treat fatty liver or steatohepatitis.

Abstract: A method for detecting errors is performed on a data string which includes an information portion and a redundancy portion. The information portion includes two or more sub-strings. The method includes generating respective redundancy words for each sub-string by encoding each sub-string with a separable robust code. A composite redundancy word is generated from respective redundancy words. An error is flagged when the redundancy portion of said data string differs from the composite redundancy word.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing multi-layer structures in which a spectrum array is generated from low coherence interferometry and input into a statistical estimator, which determines the thickness and layer number based on the inputted spectrum and other information, including information about a source intensity noise, Poisson noise, and dark noise associated with the low coherence interferometry.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of eliciting an immune response to group A streptococcal bacteria in a mammal, the method including the step of administering to the mammal an effective amount of a composition comprising an isolated p145 peptide of SEQ ID NO: 56 and/or a p145 peptide variant having an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 56, and an isolated SpyCEP peptide of SEQ ID NO: 18 and/or a SpyCEP peptide variant having an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 18.

Abstract: A strained bilayer film with reinforcing members is used to open and close gas flow outlets in a microvalve array. The bottom layer of the bilayer film is compressive and the top layer is tensile. Reinforcing members are made from compressive material that accomplishes the dual objectives of reducing potential defects at the interface between the anchor region and the free region of the actuator, and controlling the stresses along the edges of the strained bilayer to avoid curling as the actuator unrolls from its normal coiled configuration in response to an applied voltage. Because of the configuration, the strained bilayer film occupies a minimal amount of space compared to other systems when the valve is opened, and it permits a higher density of microvalves to be utilized. Optional supports are provided over gas flow channel openings to increase the area over which the voltage is applied, increasing electrostatic stability of the actuators in maintaining their unrolled state for a variety of uses.

Abstract: A microprobe is provided that includes a microsphere optical resonator operatively coupled to a nanoscatterer. The microsphere optical resonator includes a back surface and a front surface opposite the front surface. The front surface is configured to receive a focused laser beam, and the nanoscatterer is positioned adjacent to the back surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a subject afflicted with hyperpigmentation or of lightening the skin tone of a subject comprising administering to the subject an amount of a compound having the structure: or a salt or ester thereof, so as to thereby treat the subject or lighten the skin tone of the subject.