Abstract: Provided herein is DNA vaccine and composition comprising PD1-based TWIST1. Also provided is a method for inducing TWIST1-specific T cell response by administering a PD1-based TWIST1 vaccine. Also provided is a method for inducing TWIST1-specific T cell response by administering a PD1-based TWIST1 vaccine and an immune checkpoint inhibitor.

Abstract: A UV based surface disinfection system that consists of the UV light source, a robot arm, and an omni directional mobile base. The mobile robot can be programmed autonomously and be able to bring the UV light source to the centimeters away from surfaces to achieve effective and efficient surface disinfection. The mobile robot can navigate autonomously in a complicated environment to perform disinfection operation in a large area.

Abstract: Platinum (II) complexes (“Pt(II) complexes”) that can emit in the red and/or deep red regions and methods of making and using thereof are described. These Pt(II) complexes can have dinuclearity with close Pt—Pt contact and close interplanar distance, allowing for high emission quantum yield, such as >50%, short emission lifetime, such as <3 ?s, and high radiative decay rate, such as in the order of 105 s?1. The Pt(II) complexes disclosed herein can be included in organic light-emitting devices, such as organic light-emitting diodes (“OLEDs”), for use in commercial applications. OLEDs containing these red-emitting Pt(II) complexes can have current efficiency and/or external quantum efficiency that are comparable or higher than commercially available red emitters and prolonged operational lifetime, such as a LT95 at 1000 nits>9000 h for a red OLED.

Abstract: Devices and methods related to a chitosan-enhanced melamine sponge are provided. A method comprises grafting chitosan on the melamine sponge matrix via the chemical with two or more carboxyl groups; and crosslinking the chitosan with crosslinker under a heating procedure to make a more robust melamine sponge with a larger surface and smaller pores. The chitosan-enhanced melamine sponge is used to separate chemicals from water as a gravity flow-driven filter, and it can be compressed and backwashed for regeneration.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a new method for measuring the elastic properties of microfibers by rope-coiling. Rope-coiling refers to the buckling of a slender elastic fiber caused by axial compression. A continuous flow microfluidic method enables the high-throughput measurement of the elasticity of microfibers by rope-coiling, where sample loading and unloading are not needed between consecutive measurements. In certain embodiments the coiling radius can be directly proportional to the elastic modulus of the fiber, facilitating calibration to measure fiber elasticity for high-throughput applications. Throughput can be thousands of times higher than that of a tensile tester, making possible an in situ, on-line measurement in a microfluidic production line, which couples the making of microfibers and the measurement of elasticity on the same line. The new method can also measure certain fibers with local variations in elasticity.

Abstract: A method and system for encrypting and decrypting authentication information about a synthetic Raman diamond tag formed with predetermined defects, impurities and/or strains in its crystal structure. A sender uses an optical spectrometer to establishing authentication identities of the synthetic diamond Raman tag and the sender's nature by means of Raman scanning. The sender then encrypts information about the synthetic Raman diamond tag and the sender, and transfers the Raman tag physically to a receiver and the encrypted information electronically to the receiver. The receiver first authenticates the diamond Raman tag and second authenticates the sender's nature. The receiver decrypts the encrypted information by reverse Raman scanning only if the first and second authenticating steps are successful.

Abstract: Disclosed are B5 hybridoma and a B5 monoclonal antibody to Burkholderia mallei, Burkholderia pseudomallei, or Burkholderia thailandensis and methods of use. Also disclosed are isolated binding fragments, isolated antibody fragments, isolated monoclonal antibodies, isolated chimeric antibodies, and isolated humanized antibodies having the binding fragments of the B5 monoclonal antibody. Also disclosed are assays for detecting B. mallei, B. pseudomallei, or B. thailandensis in a sample, for detecting infection by B. mallei, B. pseudomallei, or B. thailandensis, and therapeutic methods for treating infections by B. mallei, B. pseudomallei, or B. thailandensis.

Abstract: An optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR-PAM) system for visualizing water content deep in biological tissue uses an all-fiber 1930-nm hybrid optical parametrically-oscillating emitter. The emitter includes a tunable laser source whose output is amplified by a first erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA). The output of the first amplifier is modulated with a Mach-Zehnder amplitude modulator that receives an RF signal with a nanosecond pulse width and a multiple kilohertz repetition rate. A second EDFA further amplifies the signal and passes it to a fiber circulator that in turn delivers it to a 1950/1550 mm fiber wavelength-division-multiplexing coupler WDM. The coupler introduces the signal to a cavity that includes a spool of highly nonlinear fiber and a Thulium-doped fiber amplifier TDFA. From the TDFA the signal reaches a 50/50 fiber coupler that sends part to a second output TDFA and guides part back to the cavity through a port of the WDM.

Abstract: Disclosed are soft origami actuators with embedded optical waveguides and underwater manipulator applications.

Abstract: Provided are an Eye Movement analysis with Hidden Markov Model (EMHMM) with co-clustering, an Eye Movement analysis with Switching Hidden Markov Models (EMSHMM) to analyze eye movement data in cognitive tasks involving stimuli with different feature layouts and cognitive state changes, a switching hidden Markov model (SHMM) to capture a participant's cognitive CN state transitions during the task and an EMSHMM to assess preference decision-making tasks with two or more cognitive states. The EMSHMM provides quantitative measures of individual differences in cognitive behavior/style, making a significant impact on the use of eye tracking to study cognitive behavior across disciplines.

Abstract: A rechargeable aqueous Mg battery is composed of a Mg metal anode, a solid-state aqueous polymer-based electrolyte, and an intercalation-type Prussian blue analogue cathode for ion storage. During battery operation, the Mg anode undergoes dissolution and deposition, while Mg ions in the electrolyte are inserted and extracted from the cathode lattice, thereby releasing energy during discharge and storing energy during charge.

Abstract: Provided are novel diagnostic and prognostic methods for biliary atresia using amyloid precursor protein.

Abstract: Methods for asymmetric cis-dihydroxylation (“AD”) of quinones to produce cis-diols of quinones with high yield (i.e. a yield ?30%) and high enantioselectivity (i.e. an enantiometric excess ?30%) are disclosed. The method uses an iron-based catalyst, such as one or more Fe(II) complexes, as the catalyst, and can be performed under mild reaction conditions (e.g. a temperature ?50° C. at 1 atom in open air). The method generally includes: (i) maintaining a reaction mixture at a temperature for a period of time sufficient to form a product, where the reaction mixture contains a quinone, one or more iron-based catalyst(s), and a solvent, and where the product contains a chiral cis-diol. Optionally, the method also includes adding an oxidant into the reaction mixture prior to and/or during step (i), such as a hydrogen peroxide solution.

Abstract: A power converter circuit includes: a direct current (DC) side; a first passive network; a first current switching network; at least one floating capacitor; a second current switching network; a second passive network; and an alternating current (AC) side. The first passive network is connected between the DC side and the first current switching network for linking the DC side and the first current switching network. The first current switching network comprises at least four serially linked switches for switching the power converter circuit between switching cycles. The at least one floating capacitor is connected to the first current switching network. The second current switching network comprises two pairs of switches for providing an interface between the first current switching network and the second passive network. The second passive network is connected between the second current switching network and the AC side.

Abstract: Provided are a composition comprising a peptide conjugated to a TLR agonist, including TLR7 agonist 1v209, and methods of using the composition. The methods comprise administering the peptide-based vaccine conjugate to a subject. The peptide-based vaccine conjugate inhibits tumor growth and induces antigen-specific B and T cell responses in a subject.

Abstract: AM580 and structurally related compounds have been found to be useful in treating infection by a wide range of RNA and DNA viruses, and also in reducing associated inflammation. This activity is independent of RAR-? signaling, and is not a result of activation of the hosts innate immune response. Broad antiviral activity of AM580 and structurally related compounds is a due to modulation of lipogenesis so as to correct disregulation of this pathway in virus-infected cells, via inhibition of nSREPBP.

Abstract: Devices and methods related to a graphene oxide-based membrane are provided. A method comprises immersing graphene oxide-based layers in a water-based solution, stirring the water-based solution in a swirling motion until the graphene oxide-based layers each physically curve, adding a crosslinker to the water-based solution to cause the formation of saccate graphene oxide-based cells that are connected to each other via channels, and stacking the saccate graphene oxide-based cells on a substrate to form a graphene oxide-based membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound for treating fungal disease, wherein said compound provide target-specific inhibition of fungal adhesion, biofilm formation, and filamentation without affecting their growth, at very low concentration. The compound of the present invention is selected from FDA approved drugs Cangrelor. Further, the present invention provides a composition comprising compound of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Further, the present invention provides a method of treating fungal infections using the compound and/or composition of the present invention. Furthermore, uses of the compound and/or composition is also being provided in the present disclosure.

Abstract: A nanostructured composite membrane filter for rapid water purification and methods for preparing the nanostructured composite membrane filter are provided. The nanostructured composite membrane includes a silver layer having a plurality of silver functionalized nanofibers for disinfecting microorganisms of water, and a chemical modified layer having a plurality of chemical modified nanofibers for removing impurities from the water. The plurality of silver functionalized nanofibers includes a plurality of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers coated with polydopamine (PDA) and silver, and each of the plurality of chemical modified nanofibers includes a polymer matrix such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and anionic polyelectrolytes such as poly (sodium styrenesulfonate) (PSSNa) for capturing metal ions of the water.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center quantum sensing device based on electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing. A nanopipette with an aperture at one end is filled with nanodiamond suspension ink so the ink is present in a meniscus at The aperture, the nanodiamond suspension ink comprises nanodiamonds and solvent. The nanopipette is supported above a substrate having a back electrode. A DC is applied pulse between the nanopipette and the back electrode so as to generate an electrostatic attractive force resulting in the ejection of nano-diamond-laden droplets with sub-attoliter volume. The droplet lands on the substrate and is allowed to dry due to solvent evaporation. Using the method, the control of the number of printed nano-diamonds is at will, attaining single-particle level precision. This printing approach, therefore, enables printing NV center arrays with a controlled number directly on the substrate without any lithographic process.