Abstract: An efficient and robust approach for powerline point extraction and refinement is described. In the candidate powerline point extraction step, a voxel-based subsampling structure temporarily substitutes the original scan points with regularly spaced subsampled points that still preserve key details present within the point cloud but significantly reduce the dataset size. After removing the ground surface and adjacent objects, candidate powerline points are efficiently extracted through a hierarchical, feature-based filtering process. In the refinement step, the link between the subsampled candidate powerline points and original scan point cloud enable the original points to be segmented and grouped into clusters. By fitting mathematical models, an individual powerline is re-clustered and used to reconstruct the broken sections in the powerlines.

Abstract: Small molecule AhR ligands are disclosed. The ligands can induce the differentiation of Tr1 cells to suppress pathogenic immune responses without inducing nonspecific immune suppression. Methods of treatment of autoimmune diseases using the AhR ligands are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for inducing growth inhibition or apoptosis of Bcl-2-expressing cells and treatments of Bcl-2 expressing cancers are provided. Additionally, assays for agents that can induce apoptosis of Bcl-2 expressing cells are disclosed.

Abstract: An ultraviolet radiation-curable composition comprising a polyester having at least one pendant ultraviolet radiation-curable moiety covalently bonded to the polyester, wherein the polyester does not contain any free-radically polymerizable activated C?C groups.

Abstract: A general-purpose approach to solving the core problems of detecting and predicting the actions of invisible actors, and the consequential challenges of intervention and prevention. The operational forecasting system is applied to data gathered from complex systems. The operational forecasting system uses novel early-warning signals that are based on anomalous behaviors of actors/agents that are observed, as they respond to those unobserved actors that are the source of systemic change. The operational forecasting system targets predicting when an event will occur, before it does, based on the anomalous behaviors of observed actors responding to those invisible actors that are creating the perturbation (i.e. the murmuration).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are materials and a micro-LED display with carbon-based light-emitting materials, carbon quantum dots, that are made by a solvothermal synthesis of a mixture of aromatic amino acid, 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine (LDOPA), and urea in dimethylformamide (DMF). The mixture is heated in a sealed pressure reactor at a temperature, ranging from 120 degrees Celsius to 350 degrees Celsius, for 4-24 hours. The product is then purified to collect the solid powder. The purified CDs can be dissolved in an acrylate monomer solution or a polymer solution for material delivery and curing process on a target substrate for the applications, including light-emitting devices or sensors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of fluidic devices that can be used to detect the presence (or absence) of analytes in samples by providing separate and distinct chromatographic signals for particular analytes. The fluidic devices described herein are highly sensitive and user-friendly. Methods of making and using the disclosed fluidic devices also are disclosed herein.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a system and a method for removing dissolved solids from liquids. Specific implementations concern desalinating water. The system may comprise a blower, such as a thermal fan/compressor, configured to atomize a solid-bearing liquid to produce a hot, humid gas containing dissolved solids; a gas-solid separator configured to receive hot, humid gas containing entrained dissolved solids from the blower to separate the solids from the humid gas and to transmit the humid gas with solids removed through an exit port; a heater configured to heat the hot, humid gas received from the exit port of the gas-solid separator; and a condenser configured to receive heated humid gas from the heater and to condense solids-free liquid therefrom. The thermal fan/compressor may comprise a plurality of nozzles with outlets positioned adjacent atomization apertures across which a solid-bearing liquid flows and through which gas exiting the nozzles passes.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include potassium sodium niobate (KNN) films and methods of making such films. In an embodiment, a method of forming a potassium sodium niobate (KNN) film comprises preparing a solution comprising water, potassium hexaniobate salts, and sodium hexaniobate salts. In an embodiment, the solution is spin coated onto a substrate to form a film on at least a portion of a surface of the substrate. In an embodiment, the method may further comprise heat treating the film.

Abstract: Microwave annealing (MWA) is used in-situ within an atomic layer deposition (ALD) chamber so that deposited material can be directly exposed to microwave heating without removing the material from the ALD chamber. A microwave source is integrated in-situ within an ALD chamber to provide direct microwave interaction with defects and impurities in layer(s) deposited on a substrate. As such, the need to remove the substrate and film between cycles for annealing is eliminated. In-situ MWAs allow for improved ALD film properties at lower temperature, without negatively impacting throughput.

Abstract: The integrated circuit (IC) described herein lowers the start-up voltage to, for example, 50 mV, compatible for starting a DC-DC converter from a thermoelectric generator (TEG), even with a small temperature gradient. The IC further improves end-to-end efficiency of the energy harvester by improving power efficiency of the DC-DC converter while ensuring maximum power transfer from the TEG at low voltages. The IC uses a low voltage integrated charge pump that can boost sub-100 mV input voltage. A startup clock is generated by a ring-oscillator that begins operation with low supply (e.g., 50 mV or less), and which allows for one inductor to be used for DC-DC converter and for startup of the converter. The IC can be configured between the TEG and any downstream sensor or communication circuits to provide an acceptable (e.g., greater than 1 V) voltage for powering the downstream circuits from a low-voltage (e.g., less than 200 mV) TEG energy source.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which comprises: logic to privately compare one or more received Order Preserving Encrypted (OPE) signal strength (RSS) values, from a plurality of secondary users (SUs), with a OPE threshold value; a transmitter to send the comparison result to a fusion center (FC); and a receiver to receive the OPE threshold value from the FC.

Abstract: Multifunctional dendritic molecular probes that selectively detect Cu2+ ions via potentiometric and fluorometric techniques with low detection limits are disclosed. The selective and reversible binding of the molecules with the Cu2+ ion was used to make solid-state microsensors by incorporating the molecular probes into the carbon-based membranes as an ionophore for Cu (II).

Abstract: Provided are antisense oligomers targeted against bacterial mRNAs and other macromolecules associated with a biochemical pathway and/or cellular process, and related compositions and methods of using the oligomers and compositions to treat an infected mammalian subject, for example, as primary antimicrobials or as adjunctive therapies with classic antimicrobials.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes probiotic compositions comprising Emergencia timonensis and methods for using probiotic compositions comprising Emergencia timonensis to reducing TMA and/or TMAO levels in subjects in need thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a composition comprising at least one cellulose material (such as a cellulose nanomaterial) and an optional inorganic salt component. Some embodiments of the composition can further comprise additional components, with some embodiments further comprising a non-starch polysaccharide (e.g., methyl cellulose carboxymethyl cellulose or other cellulose derivative, chitosan, or the like), a surfactant, a plasticizer, an antimicrobial component, or any combination thereof. The disclosed compositions are useful for forming edible coatings/films on plants, plant parts, and other objects. The disclosed compositions and coatings/films made using the compositions are effective at protecting fresh and processed produce and other substances and products, from various different types of food processing damage (and the deleterious effects associated therewith).

Abstract: A scheme for identifying wireless devices by capturing out-of-band information in addition to in-band information from wireless devices for enabling accurate classification of wireless devices. Both the in-band and out-of-band spectrum emissions of the received signal are used to capture hardware signatures and features. These hardware signatures are used to discriminate different wireless devices uniquely and efficiently, even when the devices have the same hardware with significantly reduced distortions. The out-of-band information can be extracted using radios with software defined capabilities. Deep learning-based device classification technique is applied that uses IQ samples collected from the RF signals to efficiently identify and classify high-performing transmitters that have the same, minimally distorted hardware components.

Abstract: A method comprising reacting an aluminum mineral polymorph or a gallium mineral polymorph with an acid at an aluminum metal to acid molar ratio or gallium metal to acid molar ratio sufficient to produce M13 nanoscale clusters, M nano-agglomerates, or a M13 slurry, wherein M is Al or Ga.

Abstract: Provided are antisense oligonucleotides targeted against bacterial genes involved in biochemical pathways and/or cellular processes, and related compositions and methods of using the oligonucleotides and compositions, alone or in combination with other antimicrobial agents, for instance, in the treatment of an infected mammalian subject.

Abstract: Reagents and aqueous solutions thereof are described that are useful for aqueous processing to form thin films comprising metal oxides. A film, or layered film, may be incorporated into working devices where the thin film provides useful optical properties, electrical properties, or both.