Abstract: A nanostructure sensing device comprises a semiconductor nanostructure having an outer surface, and at least one of metal or metal-oxide nanoparticle clusters functionalizing the outer surface of the nanostructure and forming a photoconductive nanostructure/nanocluster hybrid sensor enabling light-assisted sensing of a target analyte.

Abstract: A method for forming nanometer-sized super-iron salt particles and a storage battery having the nanometer-sized super oxidized iron salts is provided. The method includes providing super-iron salts, and grinding the super-iron salts to nanometer-sized super-iron salt particles in a water-free environment.

Abstract: The field of the invention is atmospheric pressure mass spectrometry (MS), and more specifically a process and apparatus which combine infrared laser ablation with electrospray ionization (ESI)

Abstract: The present invention encompasses arrays and methods related to the genome of M. smithii.

Abstract: The present invention provides means for identifying or classifying breast tumors based on the levels of nuclear cathepsin-L (CTSL) and nuclear p53 binding protein (53BP1), and methods of treating thereof.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to treating non age-related hearing impairments. More specifically, the present invention provides combinations and methods for treatment and prevention of non age-related hearing impairment in a subject.

Abstract: Methods of reducing Wallerian degeneration are disclosed. These methods comprise inhibiting expression or activity of a mixed lineage kinase such as a dual leucine-zipper-bearing kinase (DLK), inhibiting expression or activity of a molecule acting downstream from DLK, such as a c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), or a combination thereof. Further disclosed are methods of screening candidate compounds for DLK inhibition activity. These methods comprise providing a neuronal culture comprising a plurality of axons; contacting the culture with a candidate compound and with an axon degeneration-triggering agent; and comparing axonal degeneration in the culture to a control culture comprising the axon degeneration-triggering agent but not the candidate compound.

Abstract: Cultures of Chlamydomonas are disclosed comprising greater than 340 mg/l triacylglycerols (TAG). The cultures can include buoyant Chlamydomonas. Methods of forming the cultures are also disclosed. In some embodiments, these methods comprise providing Chlamydomonas growing in log phase in a first culture medium comprising a nitrogen source and acetate, replacing the first culture medium with a second medium comprising acetate but no nitrogen source, and subsequently supplementing the second medium with additional acetate. In some embodiments, a culture can comprise at least 1,300 mg/l triacyglycerols. In some embodiments, cultures can be used to produce a biofuel such as biodiesel.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for determining efficacy of a cyclodextrin therapy in a subject afflicted with a disorder involving oxysterol accumulation. These methods comprise: obtaining a first body fluid sample from the subject prior to cyclodextrin administration; administering cyclodextrin; obtaining at least one second body fluid sample after the cyclodextrin administration; subjecting the body fluid samples to chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis to determine concentration of 24-hydroxycholesterol and/or cholestane-3?,5?,6?-triol; and determining magnitude of difference between the 24-hydroxycholesterol and/or cholestane-3?,5?,6?-triol concentration of the body fluid samples, whereby an increase or stabilization of 24-hydroxycholesterol concentration, or a reduction of cholestane-3?,5?,6?-triol concentration in the at least one second sample compared to the first sample, indicates efficacy of the cyclodextrin therapy.

Abstract: Embodiments provide metamaterials having an enhanced nonlinear response to light. The metamaterials are artificially manufactured materials having a nonlinear response to light greater than that typically found in naturally occurring materials. A two-dimensional periodic metal-dielectric array can be mathematically mapped as an effective uniform dielectric slab with enhanced optical nonlinearity. The enhanced nonlinearity is controlled by the geometry of the array. Further, the configuration of the array can be applied to form three-dimensional structures having an enhanced nonlinear response to light.

Abstract: A system that simultaneously measures the translational temperature, bulk velocity, and density in gases by collecting, referencing, and analyzing nanosecond time-scale Rayleigh scattered light from molecules is described. A narrow-band pulsed laser source is used to probe two largely separated measurement locations, one of which is used for reference. The elastically scattered photons containing information from both measurement locations are collected at the same time and analyzed spectrally using a planar Fabry-Perot interferometer. A practical means of referencing the measurement of velocity using the laser frequency, and the density and temperature using the information from the reference measurement location maintained at constant properties is provided.

Abstract: Methods of aging biological samples through the use of fluorescence lifetime are disclosed herein. These methods provide aging of samples such as bloodstains using endogenous fluorophores and conformational protein changes. Advantageously, the methods provide the average fluorescence lifetime across a region of interest in a biological sample, thereby minimizing problems with sampling and providing accurate results.

Abstract: A method of producing iron by: solubilizing iron oxide as a lithiated iron oxide in a molten carbonate having lithium carbonate; and subjecting the lithiated iron oxide to electrolysis to obtain iron and oxygen. The molten alkali metal carbonate salt may further include lithium oxide. Additionally the lithium carbonate may be simultaneously subjected to electrolysis to produce steel instead of iron.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for inserting in a fluid filled space in a body includes a main body having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is positionable within the fluid filled space and the second end portion is adapted to extend outward from the fluid filled space when the first end portion is positioned within the fluid filled space. The catheter assembly also includes a catheter tip that is connected to the second end portion. The catheter tip includes a housing having a cavity defined therein. The catheter tip also includes a rotating element positioned within the cavity. The rotating element is configured to rotate within the cavity to facilitate movement of the first end portion of the main body within the fluid filled space.

Abstract: A computing device for use in a system for mapping brain activity of a subject includes a processor. The processor is programmed to select a plurality of measurements of brain activity that is representative of at least one parameter of a brain of the subject during a resting state. Moreover, the processor is programmed to compare at least one data point from each of the measurements with a corresponding data point from a previously acquired data set from at least one other subject. The processor is also programmed to produce at least one map for each of the measurements based on the comparison of the resting state data point and the corresponding previously acquired data point. The processor may also be programmed to categorize the brain activity in a plurality of networks in the brain based on the map.

Abstract: The invention encompasses fluorescent cyanine dyes and methods of using such dyes. In particular, the invention encompasses near infrared polymethine cyanine dyes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for visualizing ablated tissue are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system for imaging tissue includes a catheter having an expandable balloon at a distal end, an illumination device positioned within the balloon for propagating light from an external light source for illuminating a tissue being treated to excite native nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrogen (NADH) in the tissue, and an imaging device positioned within the balloon for detecting fluorescence from the illuminated tissue, the imaging device being configured to communicate detected NADH fluorescence to an external fluorescence camera.

Abstract: The present application is directed to methods of detecting sleepiness.

Abstract: Systems and methods for visualizing ablated tissue are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system for imaging tissue comprising: a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end; an inflatable balloon disposed about the distal end of the catheter; and an optical housing extending from the distal end of the catheter into the balloon, the optical housing being configured to position inside the balloon a light source for illuminating a tissue outside the balloon and a camera for imaging the illuminated tissue.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for inhibiting the anticoagulation effect of a thrombin inhibitor in a patient in need thereof comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a variant prothrombin or thrombin that is capable of binding the thrombin inhibitor and that has reduced procoagulant activity. Variant prothrombins or thrombins of use in the methods of the present disclosure include thrombin mutants W215A, W215A/E217A, or variants thereof in which the amino acids at positions 215 and/or 217 are alanine. Methods are also provided in which the thrombin mutants are administered with an additional active agent. In one embodiment, the methods are useful in the treatment of patients in which a direct thrombin inhibitor has been administered. The present disclosure further provides a method for quantifying the concentration of an anticoagulant in the plasma or whole blood of a patient using a variant prothrombin or thrombin titration assay.