Abstract: A visibly transparent, homogeneous UV-blocking cellulose nanocrystal/lignin nanocomposite film and a method of making the same. The film is made by dispersing cellulose nanocrystals and lignin in an aqueous, alkaline solution to yield a dispersion; casting the dispersion onto a substrate; and evaporating the aqueous, alkaline solution to yield a homogeneous, visibly transparent film that at least partially absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the fields of immunology and vaccine technology. More specifically, the invention relates to recombinant human adenovirus vectors for delivery of avian immunogens and antigens, such as avian influenza into avians. The invention also provides methods of introducing and expressing an avian immunogen in avian subjects, including avian embryos, as well as methods of eliciting an immunogenic response in avian subjects to avian immunogens.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprises a metal nanoparticle having an average diameter of about 0.5 nm to about 5 nm. The composition may be used to treat cancer or an anosmia-related disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes genes and proteins of the coenzyme F430 synthetic pathway. The genes and proteins in the pathway find uses as isolated nucleic acids, transformation vectors, a transformation media, genetically modified cells, methods of modulating methanogenesis, methods of modulating methane oxidation, methods of making a tetrapyrrole compound, methods of oxidizing methane, methods of biogenic methane synthesis is provided, methods of assaying an organism for potential methanogenic or methanotrophic activity, and isolated proteins.

Abstract: A computerized information processing method for evaluating blood vessels is provided. The method includes acquiring a series of sequences of measurements, each at different time points in at least one cardiac cycle and at a different point along a blood vessel segment of a subject, generating corresponding profiles, calculating a transfer function for a subsegment between two selected points along a blood flow direction, and based thereon determining the physiological property of the subsegment. The measurements can contain information of blood velocity or blood pressure. A processing device and system implementing the information processing method are also provided. This approach can be used to evaluate arteries or veins and can be applied in screening, diagnosis, or prognosis of a variety of vascular diseases. For example, when combined with MRI scan, this approach can be used for non-invasively diagnosing pulmonary hypertension (PH) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), etc.

Abstract: Enantiomers of 1?,6?-isoneplanocin, including derivatives of the enantiomers of 1?,6?-isoneplanocin, are disclosed along with novel synthetic methods. In particular, a substituted cyclopentane epoxide is synthesized into the enantiomers of 1?,6?-isoneplanocin. Enantiomers of carbocyclic nucleoside analogs of 3-deazaneplanocin to provide D- and L-like 1?,6?-iso-3-deazaneplanocin are also disclosed. The small molecule chemotherapeutic compounds beneficially provide DNA and RNA antiviral activity, demonstrating activity towards, for example, human cytomegalovirus, measles, Ebola, norovirus, dengue, vaccinia and HBV. Compounds exhibiting reduced S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase inhibitory effects are disclosed and provide improved toxicity profiles in comparison to neplanocin. The invention provides improved prophylactic and/or therapeutic antiviral efficacy.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a time-to-digital converter (TDC) based RF-to-digital (RDC) data converter for time domain signal processing polar receivers. Polar data conversion achieves better SNR tolerance owing to its phase convergence near the origin in a polar coordinate. The proposed RDC consists of a TDC for phase detection and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for amplitude conversion. Unlike the conversional data converter, the proposed ADC's sampling position is guided by the detected phase result from the TDC's output. This TDC assisted data-converter architecture reduces the number of bits required for the ADC. In addition, oversampling is no longer needed. With precisely controlled tunable delay cells and gain compensator, this hybrid data convertor is capable to directly convert Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) waveforms and Amplitude Phase Shift Keying (APSK) waveforms directly from the RF signal without down-conversion.

Abstract: Disclosed are recombinant spike ectodomain proteins, compositions, vectors, kits, and methods for inducing an immune response against avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). In particular, the recombinant proteins, compositions, vectors, kits, and methods relate to, include, and/or utilize a soluble, multimerized form of the (IBV) spike (S) protein ectodomain. The recombinant proteins, compositions, vectors, kits, and methods may be utilized to immunize poultry against disease associated with IBV infection or to protect poultry from IBV infection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electrochemical cells comprising electrodes prepared from layered materials comprising a substantially two-dimensional ordered array of cells having an empirical formula of Mn+1Xn, where M comprises a transition metal selected from the group consisting of a Group IIIB metal, a Group IVB metal, a Group VB metal, a Group VIB metal, and any combination thereof, X is CxNy wherein x+y=n, and n is equal to 1, 2, or 3. Also disclosed herein are batteries comprising the electrochemical cells and methods for electrochemically preparing MXene compositions with the use of the electrochemical cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the fields of immunology and vaccine technology. More specifically, the invention relates to recombinant human adenovirus vectors for delivery of avian immunogens and antigens, such as avian influenza into avians. The invention also provides methods of introducing and expressing an avian immunogen in avian subjects, including avian embryos, as well as methods of eliciting an immunogenic response in avian subjects to avian immunogens.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of determining geometric characteristics of reflective surfaces are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, a method of determining geometric characteristics of reflective surfaces includes sensing electromagnetic waves with a sensor, where the electromagnetic waves have been reflected off a reflective surface of a specimen from a target structure including a feature point. The method further includes determining a displacement of the feature point of the target structure indicated by the sensed electromagnetic waves relative to reference data indicating a reference location for the feature point and determining a surface slope of a point of the reflective surface based on the determined displacement of the feature point of the target structure.

Abstract: The present system for fall restraint includes a mounting frame connected to a trigger mechanism and firing blocks, with a trigger cable extending through apertures in the mounting frame and trigger mechanism. Sudden movement by a user, such as a fall, actuates the trigger mechanism to trigger the firing blocks. The firing blocks are loaded with anchors and firing cartridges. Triggering the firing blocks causes the cartridges to fire, propelling the anchors into an anchoring surface, such as a roof. Because the user is connected to the trigger cable, once the anchors deploy the user is anchored to the roof and their fall arrested.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions that include a plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and an insecticide. The disclosed compositions may be formulated as incoculants for promoting growth and/or health in plants. The disclosed compositions may be administered to a plant in order to increase tolerance to stress caused by root-feeding pests and/or drought and may include additional components such as fertilizers.

Abstract: The present system for fall restraint includes a mounting frame connected to a trigger mechanism and firing blocks, with a trigger cable extending through apertures in the mounting frame and trigger mechanism. Sudden movement by a user, such as a fall, actuates the trigger mechanism to trigger the firing blocks. The firing blocks are loaded with anchors and firing cartridges. Triggering the firing blocks causes the cartridges to fire, propelling the anchors into an anchoring surface, such as a roof. Because the user is connected to the trigger cable, once the anchors deploy the user is anchored to the roof and their fall arrested.

Abstract: A system and method for rapid lithium ion battery charging are provided. The method for rapid charging a lithium ion battery may include generating a reduced order electrochemical model (ROM) of the lithium ion battery in which a state-of-charge (SOC) model, a side reaction model and a degradation model are embedded. The method may further include calculating an SOC, a side reaction rate, and a lithium plating rate from the ROM. The method may further include generating a charging protocol based on the SOC and a required SOC, and applying the charging protocol to the lithium ion battery.

Abstract: A superconducting circuit device includes one or more JJs and one or more QPSJs. The one or more QPSJs are adapted for receiving at least one input and responsively providing at least one output. Each QPSJ is configured such that when an input voltage of an input voltage pulse exceeds a critical value, a quantized charge of a Cooper electron pair tunnels across said QPSJ as an output, when the input voltage is less than the critical value, no quantized charge of the Cooper electron pair tunnels across said QPSJ as the output, wherein the presence and absence of the quantized charge that is realizable as a constant area of current pulses in the output form two logic states, and wherein the at least one QPSJ is biased with a bias voltage. The superconducting circuit device may include one or more JJs.

Abstract: A system and method for managing the distribution of ice is provided. Generally, the system and method of the present disclosure are designed to easily and conveniently produce and distribute ice to users who pay a fee. The system generally comprises an ice maker, a processor operably connected to at least one of a weight measuring device and a motor, a distributor operably connected to the motor, a power supply, a nozzle, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium coupled to the processor and having instructions stored thereon. In another preferred embodiment, a Point-of-Sale interface may be operably connected to the processor. A user may operate the system by compressing the trigger mechanism of the nozzle and pointing the nozzle at the container in which the user desires to fill with ice. The user may decompress the trigger when the desired amount of ice has been distributed.

Abstract: An animal, specimen, or imaging phantom is imaged in precise increments over at least 360 degrees. The animal, specimen, or imaging phantom is supported within a subject holder. The subject holder has an elongated portion or tube for holding securely the animal, specimen or imaging phantom. The subject holder is connected to an actuator motor driver. The actuator motor driver causes the subject holder to rotate at the precise increments, and an image of the animal, specimen, or imaging phantom is captured at each increment. The subject holder limits movement of the subject being imaged at each increment.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating cancers, such as melanoma and/or metastatic melanoma, using compounds that interact with and/or inhibit cellular proteins lamin A/C, ATP-dependent RNA helicase DDX1 (DDX1), heterogeneous nuclear ribonuclear protein H1/H2 (hnRNP H2), and/or heterogeneous nuclear ribonuclear protein A2/B1 (hnRNP A2/B1). The invention additionally provides a method for identifying compounds active against melanoma cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of endothelialized matrices and materials from immature endothelial cells using substrates to which particular peptides have been grafted. The resultant substrates can be used to capture and support immature endothelial cells. Further, the methods and compositions of the present invention provide viable cell delivery platforms that allow for production and provision of endothelialized medical devices and implants, including vascular grafts, stents, shunts, and valves, endothelialized surfaces and channels for in vitro testing devices, including microfluidic chips, and materials that support vascularization such as for use in engineered tissues. The present invention includes novel methods required for the successful production of cellularized substrates, systems and components used for the same, and methods of using the resultant cell and tissue compositions.