Abstract: Disclosed are nanoparticles comprising octapod iron oxide having eight trigonal bipyramidal arms and a method of preparing the same. The nanoparticles are prepared by heating a mixture of a ferric carboxylate, a carboxylic acid, a chloride salt, water, and a non-polar solvent, to a temperature above about 300° C. Also disclosed is a method of magnetic resonance imaging a tissue in a mammal, comprising use of the aforesaid nanoparticles.

Abstract: Provided is a preparation method of a crystalline silicon film. The method includes: 1) forming a mask for making a periodic silicon rod array on a monocrystalline silicon wafer substrate, and forming the periodic silicon rod array on the monocrystalline silicon substrate by a wet chemical etching or dry etching process; 2) forming barrier layers on the surface of the monocrystalline silicon substrate and the surface of the silicon rod array for next selectively epitaxial growth of silicon; 3) exposing silicon cores on the heads of the rod array by a selective etching process to form a silicon seed array; 4) growing a continuous silicon film at the top of the rod array by a chemical vapor deposition method using the exposed silicon cores as seeds for selectively epitaxial growth of silicon; and 5) lifting off the silicon film and transferring the silicon film to a preset substrate, and the seeded substrate is reusable.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for detecting the presence or absence of a biomarker in a biological sample at a very low concentration comprising the steps of (a) contacting the biological sample with a capture binding sequence immobilized on a surface, (b) providing a conjugate comprising a detection binding sequence-glucose oxidase, (c) contacting the surface with the detection binding sequence-glucose oxidase conjugate, (d) separating any unbound detection binding sequence-glucose oxidase conjugate from the surface, (e) incubating the resulting surface with a glucose solution and a mixture comprising gold nanoparticles and a gold salt, wherein the gold nanoparticles have an initial particle size of about 5 nm, and (f) observing any change in color of the mixture. The invention also provides a method for diagnosing the presence of a prostate cancer biomarker in a subject and a kit for detecting or quantifying a biomarker in a biological sample.

Abstract: Sheets that are made up of oriented polymer chains are provided. Chains of polymer may be oriented or substantially aligned in one or more directions exhibiting enhanced thermal conductivity along the direction of orientation. Orientation of polymers within sheets may lead to a wide range of thermally relevant applications.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of use thereof encompass engineered mesenchymal stem cells as a vehicle to deliver secreted tissue necrosis factor-RGD4C fusion polypeptides for tumor treatment, thereby reducing side effects of TNF. A reporter gene can be included in vector constructs to monitor the localization and viability of engineered MSCs after administration into a recipient animal. The genetically modified mesenchymal stem cell can comprise an expression cassette comprising a nucleic acid sequence operably linked to a gene expression promoter and encoding the heterologous fusion polypeptide comprising a tissue necrotic factor region and an integrin-binding region.

Abstract: Thermoelectric materials with high figures of merit, ZT values, are disclosed. In many instances, such materials include nano-sized domains (e.g., nanocrystalline), which are hypothesized to help increase the ZT value of the material (e.g., by increasing phonon scattering due to interfaces at grain boundaries or grain/inclusion boundaries). The ZT value of such materials can be greater than about 1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.8, 2 and even higher. Such materials can be manufactured from a thermoelectric starting material by generating nanoparticles therefrom, or mechanically alloyed nanoparticles from elements which can be subsequently consolidated (e.g., via direct current induced hot press) into a new bulk material. Non-limiting examples of starting materials include bismuth, lead, and/or silicon-based materials, which can be alloyed, elemental, and/or doped. Various compositions and methods relating to aspects of nanostructured theromoelectric materials (e.g., modulation doping) are further disclosed.

Abstract: Thermoelectric materials with high figures of merit, ZT values, are disclosed. In many instances, such materials include nano-sized domains (e.g., nanocrystalline), which are hypothesized to help increase the ZT value of the material (e.g., by increasing phonon scattering due to interfaces at grain boundaries or grain/inclusion boundaries). The ZT value of such materials can be greater than about 1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.8, 2 and even higher. Such materials can be manufactured from a thermoelectric starting material by generating nanoparticles therefrom, or mechanically alloyed nanoparticles from elements which can be subsequently consolidated (e.g., via direct current induced hot press) into a new bulk material. Non-limiting examples of starting materials include bismuth, lead, and/or silicon-based materials, which can be alloyed, elemental, and/or doped. Various compositions and methods relating to aspects of nanostructured thermoelectric materials (e.g., modulation doping) are further disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are imaging agents having the following Formula I: (I); wherein F is a near infrared fluorophore, S is an enzymatically cleavable oligopeptide, Q is a fluorescence quencher molecule, and M is a moiety selected from the group consisting of PEG or derivative thereof and a targeting ligand, and wherein F, Q and M are linked to separate amino acids of the enzymatically cleavable oligopeptide. Compositions comprising such compounds, as well as methods of use, methods of identifying a cell or a population of cells in vivo expressing a protease of interest, and methods of treating a disease through imaging are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nanoparticulate complex comprising an artificial phosphate receptor of formula (I): P-[L-[-N(CH2-2-pyridyl)2]]p.pZN2+ (I) wherein P represents a nanoparticulate substrate, L represents a linking group, and p is an integer of ?1. Also disclosed are a method for silencing a gene in a cancer patient in need thereof, a method for treating or preventing cancer in a patient in need thereof, and a method for targeting a cell in cancer treatment comprising use of the nanoparticulate complex, for example, a DPA/Zn-functionalized nanoparticulate complex.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilizing solar-electrical generators are discussed. Solar-electrical generators are disclosed having a radiation-capture structure and one or more thermoelectric converters. Heat produced in a capture structure via impingement of solar radiation can maintain a portion of a thermoelectric converter at a high temperature, while the use of a low temperature at another portion allows electricity generation. Thus, unlike photovoltaic cells which are generally primarily concerned with optical radiation management, solar thermoelectrics converters are generally concerned with a variety of mechanisms for heat management. Generators can include any number of features including selective radiation surfaces, low emissivity surfaces, flat panel configurations, evacuated environments, and other concepts that can act to provide thermal concentration. Designs utilizing one or more optical concentrators are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilizing solar-electrical generators are discussed. Solar-electrical generators are disclosed having a radiation-capture structure and one or more thermoelectric converters. Heat produced in a capture structure via impingement of solar radiation can maintain a portion of a thermoelectric converter at a high temperature, while the use of a low temperature at another portion allows electricity generation. Thus, unlike photovoltaic cells which are generally primarily concerned with optical radiation management, solar thermoelectrics converters are generally concerned with a variety of mechanisms for heat management. Generators can include any number of features including selective radiation surfaces, low emissivity surfaces, flat panel configurations, evacuated environments, and other concepts that can act to provide thermal concentration. Designs utilizing one or more optical concentrators are also disclosed.

Abstract: that are made up of oriented polymer chains are provided. Chains of polymer may be oriented or substantially aligned in one or more directions exhibiting enhanced thermal conductivity along the direction of orientation. Orientation of polymers within sheets may lead to a wide range of thermally relevant applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are oligonucleotide conjugates that include ligands that target cell receptors that mediate endocytosis. The ligands can include peptides and small molecules. The conjugates can include carrier macromolecules to which the ligands and oligonucleotides are attached, or conjugates where an oligonucleotide is attached to a ligand in the absence of a carrier macromolecule. The oligonucleotides can include therapeutic oligonucleotides, such as siRNA, antisense RNA and miRNA. The ligand can be an RGD peptide. Also disclosed herein are methods of delivering the conjugates to cells in subjects.

Abstract: Rapid assessment of cancer response to a therapeutic regimen can determine efficacy early in the course of treatment. Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure, among others, encompass a class of molecular imaging probes that can predict tumor early responses to anti-angiogenic therapies, such as that based on Bevacizumab (AVASTIN™). In particular, the present disclosure provides peptides that selectively bind to vascularized taget tissues such as, but not limited to solid tumors, responsive to anti-angiogenic therapies and which can, therefore, be useful to selectively concentrate moieties such as detectable labels, or therapeutic agents, in a tumor. The detectable labels, therefore, provide a way to selectively detect and monitor tissues, and most advantageously tumors, that respond to anti-angiogenic therapies.

Abstract: Disclosed are pharmaceutical compounds comprising a cell-specific targeting moiety, an anti-cell proliferation moiety, and a chelator moiety. Also disclosed are methods for treating a subject with a hyperproliferative disease, methods for diagnosing presence of a hyperproliferative disease in a subject, and methods for detecting a therapeutic response in a subject that employ the pharmaceutical compounds of the present invention.

Abstract: The present disclosure encompasses heterodimeric compositions for delivering radiolabeled and other ligands to a cell or tissue, and particularly to compositions and methods of use thereof for targeting and imaging cells and tissues expressing both an integrin and gastrin-releasing peptide receptor, in particular prostate cancer cells. The disclosure, therefore, firstly encompasses compositions that can comprise a heterodimeric probe comprising a first peptide domain comprising a moiety capable of selectively binding to an integrin; a second peptide domain comprising a moiety capable of selectively binding to a gastrin-releasing peptide receptor; a linker connecting the first peptide domain and the second peptide domain; and a prosthetic group. The first peptide domain comprises at least one tripeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of arginine-glycine-aspartate, and the second domain can be the peptide bombesin(7-14).

Abstract: Systems and methods utilizing solar-electrical generators are discussed. Solar-electrical generators are disclosed having a radiation-capture structure and one or more thermoelectric converters. Heat produced in a capture structure via impingement of solar radiation can maintain a portion of a thermoelectric converter at a high temperature, while the use of a low temperature at another portion allows electricity generation. Thus, unlike photovoltaic cells which are generally primarily concerned with optical radiation management, solar thermoelectrics converters are generally concerned with a variety of mechanisms for heat management. Generators can include any number of features including selective radiation surfaces, low emissivity surfaces, flat panel configurations, evacuated environments, and other concepts that can act to provide thermal concentration. Designs utilizing one or more optical concentrators are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical device includes an input optical source that provides and optical signal to the optical device. A surface phonon polariton (SPP) nanostructure receives the optical signal that interacts with the SPP nanostructure to excite a Raman process and produce a Raman light signal. The Raman light signal comprises a broad spectral range from near infrared to far infrared.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for RGD compounds that include a multimeric RGD (arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (Arg-Gly-Asp)) peptide, methods of making the RGD compound, pharmaceutical compositions including RGD compound, methods of using the RGD compositions or the pharmaceutical compositions including RGD compositions, methods of diagnosing and/or targeting angiogenesis related disease and related biological events, kits for diagnosing and/or targeting angiogenesis related disease and related biological events, and the like. In addition, the present disclosure includes compositions used in and methods relating to non-invasive imaging (e.g., positron emission tomography (PET) imaging) of the RGD compounds in vivo.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device comprises: a first cladding material; a photosensitive material having an index of refraction larger than the first cladding material index of refraction, the photosensitive material disposed adjacent the first cladding material; and a second cladding material having an index of refraction smaller than the photosensitive material index of refraction, the photosensitive material disposed between the first cladding material and the second cladding material so as to form a waveguide for confining propagating photons; and first and second electrodes in electrical contact with the photosensitive material.