Abstract: A multiscale telescopic imaging system is disclosed. The system includes an objective lens, having a wide field of view, which forms an intermediate image of a scene at a substantially spherical image surface. A plurality of microcameras in a microcamera array relay image portions of the intermediate image onto their respective focal-plane arrays, while simultaneously correcting at least one localized aberration in their respective image portions. The microcameras in the microcamera array are arranged such that the fields of view of adjacent microcameras overlap enabling field points of the intermediate image to be relayed by multiple microcameras. The microcamera array and objective lens are arranged such that light from the scene can reach the objective lens while mitigating deleterious effects such as obscuration and vignetting.

Abstract: The current invention is a broad-based remediation mechanism against MRFs and includes nanotechnology formulations and methodologies that may be used to develop novel mitigation strategies against certain drug resistant bacterial strains. In an embodiment, the current invention relates to mitigation of drug resistant bacteria from nosocomial infections, for example in hospitals and in food animals. The invention uses hybrid nanomaterials comprising oligo-chitosan and zinc oxide formulated as nanoparticles and micelles. The inventors unexpectedly found unique properties of very small oligomers of chitosan that effectively mitigate MRFs- and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus (VRE)-induced illnesses without compromising the balance of the beneficial flora in the abdomen. Also, the combination of chitosan with zinc oxide demonstrated synergistic and unexpected effects in remediation of important food-borne bacteria including the resistant types.

Abstract: Borylated compounds are disclosed, as well as their methods of preparation and their applications. The disclosed borylated compounds are highly stable, and have reduced band gap properties, thereby making them attractive candidates for incorporation into semiconducting materials for use in a variety of electronic, optical or electro-optical devices or components.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present disclosure provides novel ligands, which may be used to make novel MRI contrast agents for the detection of zinc. In further aspects, by the present disclosure also provides methods of using as imaging agents and compositions thereof.

Abstract: Described herein is the generation of optimized H5N1 influenza HA polypeptides for eliciting a broadly reactive immune response to H5N1 influenza virus isolates. The optimized HA polypeptides were developed through a series of HA protein alignments, and subsequent generation of consensus sequences, based on human and avian H5N1 isolates. Provided herein are optimized H5N1 HA polypeptides, and compositions, fusion proteins and VLPs comprising the HA polypeptides. Further provided are codon-optimized nucleic acid sequences encoding the HA polypeptides. Methods of eliciting an immune response against influenza virus in a subject are also provided by the present disclosure.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing a nucleic acid complementary to a target nucleic acid sequence in a template nucleic acid includes annealing a swarm primer to a target nucleic acid, the swarm primer overlapping an F1 site of the target nucleic acid and extends toward the F2 site of the target nucleic acid. An inner primer may also be annealed to the target nucleic acid to produce a complimentary nucleic acid having a single-strand loop onto which further primers may anneal. A plurality of amplicons may be reproduced, many of which may have further primers annealed thereto to generate more complementary nucleic acids.

Abstract: A slurry composition for the CMP process includes a dispersion medium, and ceria particles having a NO3 functional group bonded to surfaces thereof. The ceria particles are contained in an amount of about 0.1 parts by weight to about 15 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the dispersion medium.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a computer-implemented method for tracking a plurality of spermatozoa. The method includes: identifying a coordinate for each of the plurality of spermatozoa in a plurality of video frames; and applying a nearest-neighbor joint probabilistic data association filter (NN-JPDAF) algorithm to associate the coordinates with one or a plurality of sperm tracks. Another aspect of the invention provides a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing program instructions executable by a processor. The computer-readable medium can include program instructions for performing a method as described herein. Another aspect of the invention provides a system including: a processor and a computer-readable medium including program instructions for performing a method as described herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of forming a polymer composite by exposing a solution that includes nanomaterials (e.g., functionalized graphene nanoribbons) and cross-linkable polymer components (e.g., thermoset polymers and monomers) to a microwave source, where the exposing results in the curing of the cross-linkable polymer component in the presence of the nanomaterial to form the polymer composite. The solution may be exposed to a microwave source in a geological formation such that the formed polymer composite becomes embedded with the geological formation and thereby enhances the stability of the geological formation. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the aforementioned polymer composites.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions (e.g. vaccine compositions) which can be used to provide a subject with protective immunity against a parasite infection. The compositions comprise: (i) an immunologically effective amount of a nucleic acid (e.g. a nucleic acid-based vaccine) comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) antigen; (ii) a parasite MIF antigen; or (iii) an antibody which specifically binds to a parasite MIF antigen. The compositions may be used to treat infections and diseases caused by parasitic protozoans, such as a Plasmodium parasite, or parasitic helminths.

Abstract: Methods of delivering therapeutic agents by administering compositions including a bacterial collagen-binding polypeptide segment linked to the therapeutic agent to subjects in need of treatment with the therapeutic agent are provided. Methods of treating hyperparathyroidism, and hair loss using compositions comprising a collagen binding polypeptide and a PTH/PTHrP receptor agonist are provided. In addition, methods of reducing hair regrowth by administering a composition including a collagen binding polypeptide and a PTH/PTHrP receptor antagonist are provided.

Abstract: A method of power management to be implemented by an energy-consuming device includes the steps of: while the energy-consuming device is in an operating state, receiving an input associated with a time period; determining first energy consumption for operation in the operating state for the time period; determining second energy consumption for switching to a shutdown state; determining a smaller one between the first and second energy consumptions; maintaining operation in the operating state when it is determined that the first energy consumption is the smaller one; and switching to the shutdown state when it is determined that the second energy consumption is the smaller one.

Abstract: A tunable sensing device includes a substrate, a deformable dielectric unit and a tunable member. The dielectric unit is disposed on the substrate and is formed with a receiving space. The tunable member is received in the receiving space and has a stiffness tunable by an external electric field or an external magnetic field.

Abstract: A miniature electrical-mobility aerosol spectrometer comprising a 3D-printed body comprising: (i) a single inlet section configured to receive particles to be evaluated by the spectrometer; (ii) an electrostatic precipitator section coupled to the electrostatic precipitator section; (iii) a classifier section, wherein the electrostatic precipitator section is coupled to the classifier section; and (iv) an outlet, wherein the classifier section is coupled to the outlet; a high voltage classifier plate positioned within the classifier section; and a classifier component positioned within the classifier section opposite the high voltage classifier plate, wherein the classifier component comprises sensing circuitry configured to detect particles in the classifier section, and wherein the classifier section comprises a two-sided printed circuit board, wherein the two-sided printed circuit board comprises the sensing circuitry, and wherein a first side of the two-sided printed circuit board comprises a plurality of

Abstract: A method for electrochemical deposition of refined lithium metal to form a lithium anode in situ in a lithium (Li) ion battery comprising providing a fully lithiated cathode, providing a metal anode, providing a block copolymer electrolyte membrane between the cathode and the metal anode, and polarizing the cathode and the metal anode in the lithium ion battery to cause Li ions to migrate from the cathode through the block copolymer electrolyte and cause the electrochemical deposition to deposit refined lithium metal on the metal anode to form the lithium anode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a self-interference incoherent digital holography system including a light sensor and a diffractive filter configured to receive light from an object to be holographically imaged and generate holographic interference patterns on the light sensor. A self-interference incoherent digital holography system comprising: a light sensor; and a diffractive filter configured to receive light from an object to be holographically imaged and generate holographic interference patterns on the sensor.

Abstract: Dual-functional nonfouling surfaces and materials, methods for making dual-functional nonfouling surfaces and materials, and devices that include dual-functional nonfouling surfaces and materials. The dual-functional surfaces are nonfouling surfaces that resist non-specific protein adsorption and cell adhesion. The dual-functional surfaces and materials include covalently coupled biomolecules (e.g., target binding partners) that impart specific biological activity thereto. The surfaces and materials are useful in medical diagnostics, biomaterials and bioprocessing, tissue engineering, and drug delivery.

Abstract: Thin-film photovoltaic devices and methods of their use and manufacture are disclosed. More particularly, polycrystalline CuIn(1-x)GaxSe2 (CIGS) based thin-film photovoltaic devices having independently tunable sublayers are disclosed. Also provided are methods of producing an n-doped graphene.

Abstract: Size-controlled ultra-small iron-based metal oxide nanoparticles, nanocolloids comprising the nanoparticles, and methods of making the nanoparticles. The method for making the iron-based nanoparticles include sequential mixing of an iron(III) salt, a metal (II) salt, a carboxylic acid, an amine, and an inorganic base in water at temperatures ranging from 25-80° C. Nanoparticles in the size ranging from 2 nm to 10 nm with a narrow size distribution are obtained with the method. The nanoparticles have an iron-based core surrounded by molecules such as a panel of different carboxylates, polycarboxylates, and amines. Depending on the hydrophilicity of the carboxylates used, the functional nanoparticulate colloid can be dispersed in either organic or aqueous solvents. The nanocolloids comprise the nanoparticles in a concentration ranging from 1-10 mg/ml, and are stable for at least several months.

Abstract: Provided are compositions comprising a cocaine esterase (CocE) and a compound that thermostabilizes the CocE. Also provided are methods of thermostabilizing a cocaine esterase. Additionally provided are methods of treating a mammal undergoing a cocaine-induced condition. Methods of determining whether a compound is a thermostabilizing agent for a protein are also provided. Uses of the above-described compositions for the treatment of a cocaine-induced condition is additionally provided. Additionally provided is an isolated nucleic acid encoding a CocE polypeptide having the substitutions L169K and G173Q, and the CocE polypeptide encoded by that nucleic acid, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Further provided is the use of that composition for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a cocaine-induced condition and for the treatment of a cocaine-induced condition.