Abstract: In ultra-wideband or impulse radio terahertz wireless communication, the electromagnetic signal may experience group delay dispersion (GDD). Without correction, this can degrade the achievable data transmission rate. An apparatus comprising a stratified structure having a front portion and a back portion is disclosed. The structure comprises a plurality of adjacent layers of differing refractive indices, wherein each layer has a refractive index different from an immediately adjacent layer. The structure further includes a backing layer at the back portion. The structure defines a GDD, which can be adjusted, and the structure is configured to introduce the GDD to an incident electromagnetic signal and thereby produce a dispersion-compensated electromagnetic signal when the incident signal is reflected by the structure. The GDD of the structure is configured to substantially cancel out the dispersive effects experienced by the electromagnetic signal in the signal path.

Abstract: This invention relates to alkali metal (Li, Na, K) ion batteries, electrodes for alkali metal ion batteries, and methods for manufacturing electrodes for alkali metal ion batteries.

Abstract: Taught herein is a two stage process for removing dissolved and emulsified oil from produced water (PW) from, for example, a hydrocarbon well. The first stage involves microbiological stimulation of indigenous oil degrading methanogenic microbial communities that are adapted to high salinity conditions preferably by supplying carbon dioxide and protein-rich matter (isolated soy protein) under controlled pH conditions. The second stage removes toxic metals using filters made of compressed powdered dolomite of uniform grain size. Increased levels of toxic metals removal are achieved by filtrating PW previously treated for oil. To further increase the removal efficiency of the dolomite filter, calcium and magnesium is removed from PW by the addition of lime and soda ash in a sedimentation tank, and guar gum is supplied to PW to enable the trapping of toxic metals by guar gum in small pore throats of the dolomite filter.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a near-field data is used to determine a taper length that can isolate the source signature at the top of near-field data with minimum interaction with the Green's function. In some embodiments, a range of taper lengths is selected and for each length after tapering the near-filed data, converting each filtered near-field data to its minimum-phase equivalents. Summing pairwise cross-correlation of all of the minimum-phase equivalent wavelets at the zero-lag provides an attribute that shows how much the tapered portions of the near-field data look alike. An acceptable taper size will be the one that has the highest summation value. Finally, the average of the minimum-phase equivalents of tapered near-field data with the selected taper size is the estimated source signature.

Abstract: Contained herein is a system and method for using non-contact diffuse optical skin reflectance method to obtain remote sensing of in-vivo glucose levels in biological tissue or fluids. One embodiment uses an optical, non-contact method capable of measuring glucose levels at a stand-off distance of 0.5 to 2 meters. In this method, the tissue is illuminated with a collimated beam of near-infrared (optical) band of light having a specific band of wavelengths. The diffuse reflectance measured from the tissue/fluid is collected while varying the optical circuit. Using the collected data, an algorithm to unravel the mixed effects of tissue/fluid scattering and absorption is applied to determine the absorption level of the light, which is then associated with a quantitative glucose level.

Abstract: An acoustic damper has a sound pickup unit defining a plurality of pickup unit passageways. Hollow flexible tubes are connected to exit openings of the pickup unit passageways and extend outwardly therefrom. The hollow flexible tubes and pickup unit passageways define acoustic paths.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus for determining the water content of a fresh concrete mixture. Additionally, the present disclosure provides methods and apparatus for determining the water to binder ratio for a fresh concrete mixture.

Abstract: Herein, is taught a Eumelanin-inspired antimicrobial capable of overcoming methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSRA) and Enterococcus faecalis. By ligating quaternary ammonium functionalized “arms” on to a Eumelanin-inspired indole, with intrinsic antimicrobial activity, a cell wall destroying antimicrobial agent was prepared. It also has antifungal effects against Candida albicans. Further, Eumelanin-inspired phenyleneethynylene (EIPE) derivatives EIPE-1 and EIPE-HCl are novel compounds. EIPE structure serves as scaffolding for functional groups that may have antibacterial properties. Both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms are screened against EIPE derivatives using a standardized Kirby Bauer disk agar diffusion assay. These results showed that EIPE-1 has antibacterial properties against some pathogenic gram-positive organisms.

Abstract: A method of designing an acoustic liner includes identifying acoustic path lengths that will attenuate a frequency within a frequency range of interest, and selecting a liner configuration with a combination of acoustic paths that addresses the frequency range of interest. The selection may be made after a comparison of the response of different liner configurations.

Abstract: In ultra-wideband or impulse radio terahertz wireless communication, the atmosphere reshapes terahertz pulses via group delay dispersion (GDD). Without correction, this can degrade the achievable data transmission rate. An apparatus comprising a stratified structure having a front end and a back end is disclosed. The structure comprises a plurality of adjacent layers of differing refractive indices, wherein each layer has a refractive index different from an immediately adjacent layer. The structure further includes a backing layer at the back end. The structure defines a GDD, which can be adjusted, and the structure is configured to introduce the GDD to a received terahertz signal and thereby produce a compensated terahertz signal when the received terahertz signal is reflected by the structure. The GDD of the structure is configured to substantially cancel out the GDD effects caused by the atmosphere on the terahertz signal.

Abstract: One purpose of the an embodiment basket is to increase the capacity for long-stemmed hay in automated individual intake units. The inventive hay basket is a removable addition to an automated feeding system bunk that effectively triples the hay capacity as compared with the commercially available system alone. According to one embodiment, the hay basket includes a rotatable swing gate that can be used to control the amount of access an animal has to hay in the basket. Without the hay basket addition, accurate hay intake collection would not be possible on a useful number of animals. The inventive hay basket reduces waste and increases the carrying capacity of the dry lot pen.

Abstract: Taught herein is a two stage process for removing dissolved and emulsified oil from produced water (PW) from, for example, a hydrocarbon well. The first stage involves microbiological stimulation of indigenous oil degrading methanogenic microbial communities that are adapted to high salinity conditions preferably by supplying carbon dioxide and protein-rich matter (isolated soy protein) under controlled pH conditions. The second stage removes toxic metals using filters made of compressed powdered dolomite of uniform grain size. Increased levels of toxic metals removal are achieved by filtrating PW previously treated for oil. To further increase the removal efficiency of the dolomite filter, calcium and magnesium is removed from PW by the addition of lime and soda ash in a sedimentation tank, and guar gum is supplied to PW to enable the trapping of toxic metals by guar gum in small pore throats of the dolomite filter.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed which utilize liquid-philic surfaces and liquid-phobic surfaces to more safely and efficiently boil liquids and/or condense vapors. The methods and systems generally utilize two separated surfaces for nucleate boiling, where one of the surfaces is liquid-philic and the other is liquid-phobic. The methods and systems can utilize a condensing surface for condensing vapors, where the condensing surface can have liquid-philic regions and liquid-phobic regions.

Abstract: Contained herein is a system and method for using non-contact diffuse optical skin reflectance method to obtain remote sensing of in-vivo glucose levels in biological tissue or fluids. One embodiment uses an optical, non-contact method capable of measuring glucose levels at a stand-off distance of 0.5 to 2 meters. In this method, the tissue is illuminated with a collimated beam of near-infrared (optical) band of light having a specific band of wavelengths. The diffuse reflectance measured from the tissue/fluid is collected while varying the optical circuit. Using the collected data, an algorithm to unravel the mixed effects of tissue/fluid scattering and absorption is applied to determine the absorption level of the light, which is then associated with a quantitative glucose level.

Abstract: An embodiment is a form of an additive manufacturing (FDM) hotend that is composed of multiple tool heads or nozzles, preferably each with a different aperture diameter. This embodiment provides the printer the ability to print at different nozzle sizes with quick actuations of tool changes and preform print speeds faster than a stock extruder. This embodiment of a hotend is small as compared to default extruders and will allow the user to print at fast print speeds without sacrificing tolerance-based prints based on using a combination of small and large nozzle sizes. This version of the assembly is round with an accommodating control box to which allows the desired nozzle to be rotated into position, preferably under software control.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for and compositions comprising coronatine and surfactant for inducing abscission of fruit in plants and trees.

Abstract: A grain harvester for propulsion by a tractor over a field of grain growing on upwardly extending plant stems, the harvester having a housing supported and movable in a direction of travel over a field of grain by a tractor, an elongated cylindrical brush supported by the housing and rotating about a horizontal axis that is transverse to the housing direction of travel, the brush having bristles extending generally radially therefrom, shield members supported by the housing in planes parallel the brush rotational axis, the shield members providing an elongated air and grain intake opening, an air discharge opening and a grain discharge opening, the openings being spaced apart from each other, a grain bin supported by the harvester housing and connected with the grain discharge opening, the brush being rotated as the harvester is moved to draw air and grain into the housing through the air and grain intake opening and to dispel grain through the grain discharge opening into the grain bin, and to dispel air out

Abstract: 3-7-Diheterabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes and derivatives thereof are disclosed. Their method of preparation and use as antiarrhythmic agents is given.

Abstract: ‘OKC3920’ is disclosed herein as a new clonally propagated F1 hybrid bermudagrass cultivar with improved freeze tolerance, tolerance to low mowing heights, early spring green up, and high turfgrass quality.

Abstract: ‘OKC1876’ is disclosed herein as a new clonally propagated F1 hybrid Bermudagrass cultivar with improved drought resistance, excellent fall color retention, reduced seedheads, and high turfgrass quality.