Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for ultrafast optical waveform sampling based on temporal stretching of an input signal waveform. Temporal stretching is performed using a time lens based on four-wave mixing in a nonlinear medium. The signal is passed through an input dispersive element. The dispersed signal is sent into the time lens, which comprises a chirped pump pulse and a nonlinear medium. The chirped pump pulse is combined with the signal. The four-wave mixing process occurs in the nonlinear device or medium, which results in the generation of a signal at a new optical frequency (idler). The idler is spectrally separated from the signal and pump pulse using a bandpass filter and sent into an output dispersive element. The output dispersive element is longer than the input dispersive element and the temporal stretching factor is given by the ratio between the dispersions of these two elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for microstructuring a substrate. In the method according to the invention a substrate with a region to be structured is provided, and then by applying colloid spheres into this region, a colloid sphere monolayer is formed. The thus applied colloid sphere monolayer exhibits a certain geometrical symmetry. Said colloid sphere monolayer is then illuminated with a beam of spatially modulated intensity distribution synchronized to said monolayer, thereby performing mechanical structuring in said region in conformity with a desired pattern through concentrating beam intensity via near-field effect behind said colloid sphere monolayer in the propagation direction of light.

Abstract: A three-dimensional nanobattery formed by individually wiring nanostructured electrodes and combining them with an electrolyte. Short, capped nanotubes termed ‘nanobaskets’ are formed by sputtering coating onto nanoporous templates. Metallic nanowires are grown by electrochemical deposition from the nanobaskets and through the template, making electrical contact with each nanobasket electrode. The same procedure can be used to fabricate both a battery anode and a battery cathode. A thin layer of electrolyte is placed between the two nanobasket electrodes, and electrical contact is made through the nanowires.

Abstract: Photovoltaic devices and methods of making the same, are disclosed herein. The cell comprises a photovoltaic device that comprises a first electrically conductive layer comprising a photo-sensitized electrode; at least one photoelectrochemical layer comprising metal-oxide particles, an electrolyte solution comprising at least one asphaltene fraction, wherein the metal-oxide particles are optionally dispersed in a surfactant; and a second electrically conductive layer comprising a counter-electrode, wherein the second electrically conductive layer comprises one or more conductive elements comprising carbon, graphite, soot, carbon allotropes or any combinations thereof.

Abstract: Electric power grid monitoring methods and apparatus are described. According to one aspect, an electric power grid signal processing method includes accessing a plurality of signals which are individually indicative of a characteristic of electromechanical energy within an electric power grid, using the plurality of signals, generating a composite signal, and analyzing the composite signal to provide information regarding an oscillatory mode within the electric power system.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods, and compositions for the thermal imaging of cells with nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a thin or thick film, comprising the steps of: (1) arranging non-spherical seed crystals on a substrate such that all the a-, b- and c-axes of each seed crystal are oriented under a predetermined rule; and (2) forming and growing the film from the seed crystals through secondary growth by exposing the arranged seed crystals of step (1) to a seed crystal growth solution. The invention also provides a film prepared by the method. According to the invention, crystals or films larger than the seed crystals can be prepared.

Abstract: Provided are TCL1 peptides that bind to MHC I (HLA-A2) on tumor cells or other antigen-presenting cells and are recognized by T-cell receptors on T cells. The TCL1 peptides may be therapeutically used to treat a cancer, such as a B cell malignancy, leukemia, or lymphoma. Methods for expanding a population of T cells that target TCL1 are also provided.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for efficiently identifying images, videos, audio files or documents relevant to a user. Using either manual annotations or learned functions, the method predicts the relative strength of an attribute in an image, video, audio file or document from a pool of images, videos, audio files or documents. At query time, the system presents an initial set of reference images, videos, audio files or documents, and the user selects among them to provide relative attribute feedback. Using the resulting constraints in the multi-dimensional attribute space, the relevance function for the pool of images, videos, audio files or documents is updated and the relevance of the pool of images, videos, audio files or documents is re-computed. This procedure iterates using the accumulated constraints until the top-ranked images, videos, audio files or documents are acceptably close to the user's envisioned image, video, audio file or document.

Abstract: A method of quantifying non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI) in a biological fluid is provided, the method comprising: (a) contacting a sample of the biological fluid with a reducing agent to obtain redox-active iron; (b) contacting the sample of the biological fluid with a nitrilotriacetate (NTA) at a concentration of 0.4-2 mM to mobilize non-transferrin bound iron including redox inactive and the redox active iron in the sample; (c) contacting the sample of the biological fluid of step (b) with an indicator including an iron binding moiety and fluorophore; and (d) detecting and quantifying a fluorescent signal of the fluorophore thereby quantifying the NTBI in the biological sample.

Abstract: A method of generating a CD4+FoxP3+ Treg cell, the method includes administering at least one complement antagonist to a naive CD4+ T cell at an amount effective to substantially inhibits C3a receptor (C3aR) and/or C5a receptor (C5aR) signal transduction in the CD4+ T cell, induce TGF-?1 expression of the CD4+ T cell, and induce differentiation of the of the naive CD4+ T cell into a CD4+FoxP3+ Treg cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an amine grafted chitosan nanofiber having the formula (I) wherein R1 to R5 are independently selected from linear or branched C1-C20 alkandiyl C6-C24 arenediyl; k and m are independently selected from 1 to 10, wherein, in case that k and/or m are >1, each R4 and R5 group can be independently selected; and l and n are independently selected from 50-3000, a method for the preparation thereof and its use in heavy metal adsorption.

Abstract: In the instant invention, simvastatin (Sim) is used to modulate Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) infection at the level of viral replication for treatment of cancer. Both lipid-lowering and pleiotropic cellular effects of simvastatin are exploited in this modulation. Simvastatin upregulates the expression of Rae1 and Nup98, therefore altering normal cellular mRNA distribution and reverting VSV's mRNA export block. Furthermore, simvastatin causes redistribution of Flotillin-1, which affects VSV replication/budding. Simvastatin is further used as a neoadjuvant for the selective modulatory control of live VSV oncolytic therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of reducing spasticity in a mammal involving administering modafinil or related compounds. The spasticity can be secondary to multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, stroke, brain injury, and other causes.

Abstract: Methods of treating a tumor in a subject include identifying a subject having, at risk for, or suspected of having a tumor, and administering to the subject an effective amount of an SRPX.

Abstract: A cyclopentadienyl-substituted Salan catalyst, a catalyst system comprising an activator and the cyclopentadienyl-substituted Salan catalyst, a process comprising contacting one or more olefins with the catalyst system, and polymers produced by the process are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for preparing porous noble metal oxide nanoparticles, comprising the following steps: a) preparing an Olea Europaea fruit extract; b) preparing an Acacia Nilotica extract; c) mixing the Olea Europaea fruit extract and the Acacia Nilotica extract for preparing a mixed extract; d) providing an aqueous solution containing a noble metal compound dissolved therein; e) mixing the mixed extract obtained in step c) and the aqueous solution of step d); f) dropping a solution of sodium chloride to be mixture of step b); g) drying the mixture, in air or by vacuum, and h) calcining at a temperature between 100 to 900° C., to get the porous noble metal oxide nanoparticles; porous noble metal oxide nanoparticles obtained thereby and their use.

Abstract: Provided are novel sensitive methylation assays referred to herein as Digital MethyLight, comprising stochastically distributing and compartmentalizing bisulfite-treated genomic DNA over multiple PCR reaction wells for detection of individually methylated DNA molecules in a large background of unmethylated DNA. Digital Bisulfite Genomic DNA Sequencing methods are also provided for high-resolution DNA methylation information without subcloning. Background signal and PCR contaminants are diluted, while the ratio of primer to methylated template DNA is kept high. Preferably, biological fluid (e.g., urine, blood-based (e.g., plasma and/or serum)) samples are analyzed for cancer diagnosis, prognosis and surveillance. Multiplexed PCR formats may be implemented to enhance when using small DNA amounts.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a three-stage atrial cardioversion therapy that treats atrial arrhythmias within pain tolerance thresholds of a patient. An implantable therapy generator adapted to generate and selectively deliver a three-stage atrial cardioversion therapy and at least two leads, each having at least one electrode adapted to be positioned proximate the atrium of the patient. The device is programmed for delivering a three-stage atrial cardioversion therapy via both a far-field configuration and a near-field configuration of the electrodes upon detection of an atrial arrhythmia. The three-stage atrial cardioversion therapy includes a first stage for unpinning of one or more singularities associated with an atrial arrhythmia, a second stage for anti-repinning of the one or more singularities, both of which are delivered via the far-field configuration of the electrodes, and a third stage for extinguishing of the one or more singularities delivered via the near-field configuration of the electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ?v?8 antagonists, anti-?v?8 antibodies or immunoconjugates for reducing TGF? activation in an individual. Further provided are compositions comprising one of the ?v?8 antagonists, anti-?v?8 antibodies or immunoconjugates, methods for using the compositions, and related subject matter.