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: The present invention provides methods for treating or limiting development of inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: A stereo-phase-based absolute three-dimensional (3D) shape measurement method is provided that requires neither phase unwrapping nor projector calibration. This proposed method can be divided into two steps: (1) obtain a coarse disparity map from the quality map; and (2) refine the disparity map using local phase information. Experiments demonstrated that the proposed method could achieve high-quality 3D measurement even with extremely low-quality fringe patterns. The method is particular well-suited for a number of different applications including in mobile devices such as phones.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention pertains to fluid compositions that generally comprise: (1) a base fluid; and (2) boron nitride-based materials dispersed in the base fluid. In some embodiments, the boron nitride-based materials may include hexagonal boron nitride. In some embodiments, the boron nitride-based materials in the fluid compositions may be less than about 1% of the weight of the fluid composition. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of making fluid compositions. Such methods generally include dispersing boron nitride-based materials in a base fluid, such as by mixing. In some embodiments, the methods of the present invention may also include steps of exfoliating or sonicating the bulk boron nitride-based materials followed by centrifugation and drying procedures.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for promoting wound healing or tissue injury treatment in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of one or more fungal immunomodulatory protein (preferably, Ganoderma immunomodulatory protein).

Abstract: Provided herein are benzopyrimido-pyrrolo-oxazine-dione (BPO) compounds and pyrimido-pyrrolo-quinoxalinedione (PPQ) compounds, and compositions comprising these compounds, that inhibit cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mediated ion transport and that are useful for treating diseases and disorders associated with aberrantly increased CFTR chloride channel activity, such as polycystic kidney disease and secretory diarrheas. The compounds and compositions comprising the compounds described herein may be used for inhibiting expansion or preventing formation of cysts in persons who have polycystic kidney disease.

Abstract: Provided are bis-quaternary ammonium cyclophane compounds which are modulators of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Also provided are methods of using the compounds for modulating the function of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, and for the prevention and/or treatment of central nervous system disorders, substance use and/or abuse, and or gastrointestinal tract disorders.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting and assessing a tissue surface property without a separate access port to internal anatomical structures. The system includes a first unit positioned outside the patient's body and a second unit positioned inside the patient's body. The first unit includes a magnetic field source and a force sensor and is positioned outside the patient's body in a position that enables magnetic coupling with the second unit, which is inside the patient's body. The second unit includes a magnetic field source, a processor, a sensor, a telemetry unit, a power source, and an optional actuator or other components. The resulting attractive force between the internal and external magnetic field sources can be perceived by the force sensor of the first unit. By varying the distance between the two units, the attractive force triggers a variable stress on the tissue surrounding the second unit in the direction of the magnetic field source in the first unit.

Abstract: A region of a device is provided that includes a first material and a second material. The first and second materials may be co-dopants of an emissive material or region. The first material may have an energy gap of not more than about 100 meV between the first excited singlet state and the first excited triplet state. Excitons that transition to the T1 state can be activated to the S1 state due to the relatively small energy gap. This thermal activation process is fast enough that non-radiative decay from the T1 state to the S0 state is minimal or negligible, thus allowing for sensitization up to and including 100%. The second material may be a phosphorescent-capable material, and may act as a sensitizer to the first material.

Abstract: A metal oxide-supported nickel catalyst includes a matrix containing a metal oxide and catalytic sites distributed throughout the matrix and having an intricate interface with the matrix, in which the catalytic sites are selected from the group consisting of nano-nickel(0) domains and nano-nickel(0)-A(0) alloy domains. Also disclosed are a method for preparing this catalyst and a method for using it to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen by partial oxidation of a C1-C5 hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Fluorescence based sensing systems and methods that exploit xerogels are provided. Embodiments of the invention encompass a sensing system that includes: an optical excitation source emitting over a first predetermined wavelength range and capable of analog modulation over a predetermined frequency range; a sensor including a gel substrate incorporating within its matrix a receptor for molecular recognition of an analyte and a luminophore for signaling a recognition event relating to the analyte, the luminophore emitting an optical signal over a second predetermined wavelength range; a detection circuit including an optical detector for receiving the optical signal emitted by the luminophore and generating a photocurrent in dependence thereof; an excitation circuit that generates an analog signal for modulating the optical excitation source in dependence upon a digital control; and a read circuit for receiving the photocurrent and generating a digital output.

Abstract: Provided is a capture nanobead with multiple oriented adapting peptides, comprising: a nanobead; and multiple adapting peptides, each adapting peptide specifically recognizing an IgG constant region or fragment thereof and being chemically conjugated with the nanobead, whereby the adapting peptides are orientedly arranged on the nanobead. The capture nanobeads is capable of binding or conjugating with capture molecules such capture antibodies, which is useful as the basis to bind to alternative antibodies or Fab fragments in sandwich immunoassays.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of inducing psychosis in animals using light-responsive opsins and methods of identifying or screening compounds that may be useful in treating psychosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides optical systems and methods for determining a characteristic of a cell, such as cell type, cellular response to a biochemical event, biological state and the like. The methods typically involve using interferometry to observe membrane properties in a cell and then use this information to determine one or more characteristics of a cell. The methods of the invention are useful for applications such as drug screening as well as diagnostic techniques.

Abstract: Described herein are compact regular programmable fabrics for improved logic density, yield, reliability, performance and power consumption compared with existing programmable fabric based VLSI design. Programmable fabrics facilitate technology transition from current silicon lithographic VLSI design to future non-silicon self-assembled nanoscale device based VLSI design.

Abstract: Methods for the treatment or prevention of diseases which are caused by the decreased concentrations of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) in cells are described. The diseases which may be treated by the methods of the invention include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, including steroid resistant COPD and asthma. The invention provides methods for treating or preventing of diseases caused by the degradation of HDAC2 by providing to the subject in need of treatment or prevention a molecular compound capable of preventing the degradation of HDAC2. Such molecular compounds include Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) activators. Methods are further provided for the treatment and prevention of COPD and asthma by providing to a subject in need of such treatment and prevention a nucleic acid which causes expression of HDAC2 in lung cells and/or a nucleic acid which causes expression of Nrf2 in lung cells.

Abstract: A method that estimates the coordinates of the calibration points in the projector image plane using local homographies obtained from the imaging camera. First, a dense set of correspondences between projector and camera pixels is found by projecting onto the calibration object an identical pattern sequence as the one later projected when scanning the target, reusing most of the software components written for the scanning application. Second, the set of correspondences is used to compute a group of local homographies that allow projection back of any of the points in the calibration object onto the projector image plane with sub-pixel precision. In the end, the data projector is then calibrated as a normal camera.

Abstract: Composite materials for carbon dioxide (C02) capture that include: (1) a mesoporous carbon source; and (2) an in situ polymerized polymer that is associated with the mesoporous carbon source, where the in situ polymerized polymer is selected from the group consisting of thiol-based polymers, amine-based polymers, and combinations thereof. Methods of making the composite materials for C02 capture include: (1) associating a mesoporous carbon source with monomers, where the monomers are selected from the group consisting of thiol-based monomers, amine-based monomers, and combinations thereof; and (2) polymerizing the monomers in situ to form said composite materials. Further embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of capturing C02 from an environment by associating the environment with one or more of the aforementioned composite materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for detection, diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of chronic pelvic pain syndrome. In particular, the present invention provides biomarkers of chronic pelvic pain syndrome (e.g., mast cell markers (e.g., tryptase)), and/or inhibition of mast cell function (e.g. inhibition of MCP-1 and/or MIP-1?) to treat or prevent chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Abstract: Microfluidic oscillator circuits and pumps for microfluidic devices are provided. The microfluidic pump may include a plurality of fluid valves and a microfluidic oscillator circuit having an oscillation frequency. The fluid valves may be configured to move fluids. Each fluid valve may be connected to a node of the microfluidic oscillator circuit. The pumps may be driven by the oscillator circuits such that fluid movement is accomplished entirely by circuits on a microfluidic chip, without the need for off-chip controls.