Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of constructing a phage display library where at least 90% of combinatorial regions in the phage display library include at least one in-frame amber codon. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the formed phage display libraries. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of selecting peptides or proteins that bind to a desired target (e.g., a ligand binding site of a desired target) by utilizing the phage display libraries of the present disclosure. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to peptides that have been screened from the phage display libraries and methods of the present disclosure, such as inhibitors of sirtuin 2, or inhibitors of ENL.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon conversion and transportation methods and apparatuses are provided. An apparatus may apply electron beam irradiation to hydrocarbons (i.e., natural gas) to convert the hydrocarbons to liquid fuel. Lower-weight hydrocarbons may be converted into medium-weight organics through a gas to liquid process (GTL). The electrons may generate radicals that facilitate desired reactions. The hydrocarbons may be temperature and pressure controlled. For example, the hydrocarbons may be at lower temperatures (e.g., cryogenic or otherwise below ambient) and/or at higher pressures (e.g., greater than standard atmospheric pressures). Temperature suppression may reduce decomposition reactions. A high energy electron beam (e.g., 500 keV or higher, such as 10 MeV) could be used for the conversion process. The hydrocarbon may be liquefied. The liquid-like, higher density lower-weight hydrocarbons may lead to radical-neutral interactions.

Abstract: A biodegradable and biocompatible three dimensional construct comprising a combination of a nano silicate (e.g., laponite) and two different polymers, the two polymers each individually providing at least one covalently linked polymer chain and at least one ionically linked polymer chain, the polymeric chains forming a dual strengthening intertwined polymeric system. The constructs demonstrate improved mechanical and strength properties, while the bioinks provide a material having superior printability characteristics suitable for printing a three dimensional biodegradable construct having an aspect ratio of greater than 2.0. The bioink may also comprise cells or combinations of cells. Methods of using the constructs and bioinks for wound healing preparations and tissue regeneration are also provided.

Abstract: A method of electrochemical exfoliation, may include: electrochemically exfoliating a parent material comprising coke, wherein the electrochemically exfoliating comprises introducing the parent material into a porous chamber, applying pressure to the porous chamber to thereby compress the parent material in the porous chamber, and applying a potential bias to the parent material while at least a portion of the parent material is in contact with an electrolyte solution to produce a mixture of exfoliated material and unexfoliated parent material, wherein the exfoliated material comprises exfoliated graphene; and separating at least a portion of the exfoliated material from the unexfoliated parent material.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for deep reinforcement learning-based irrigation control to maintain or increase crop yield and/or other desired crop status, and/or reduce water use. One or more computing devices can be configured to determine an amount of water to be applied to at least one crop in at least one of a plurality of irrigation management zones through execution of a deep reinforcement learning routine. Further, the computing devices can determine a start time and an end time to be applied to the at least one of the plurality of irrigation management zones based at least in part on the amount of water determined by the deep reinforcement learning module. Finally, the computing devices can instruct an irrigation system to apply irrigation to the at least one of the plurality of irrigation management zones in accordance with the start time and the end time.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a new and improved separation process that isolates individual minerals from brines containing a mixture of minerals. The brines may be derived from seawater, brackish water, oilfield brines, solution mining, mine run-off, and other sources. Typically, the minerals are recovered as chlorides using a variety of processing steps including evaporation, centrifugation, elutriation, filtration, electrocogulation, crystallization, adsorption, and chromatography.

Abstract: A passive infrared (PIR) sensor system, includes a PIR sensor configured to produce an output signal in response to receiving infrared (IR) radiation, an electronic shutter positionable in a field of view (FOV) of the PIR sensor, wherein the electronic shutter includes a liquid crystal (LC) material, wherein the electronic shutter includes a first state providing a first transmissivity of IR radiation through the electronic shutter and a second state providing a second transmissivity of IR radiation through the electronic shutter that is less than the first transmissivity, and a shutter actuator configured to apply an actuation signal to the electronic shutter to actuate the electronic shutter between the first state and the second state.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: an iodine containing thermoset open-cell shape memory polymer (SMP) foam that is x-ray visible; wherein (a) the SMP foam is configured to expand from a compressed secondary state to an expanded primary state in response to thermal stimulus, (b) the SMP foam is a poly(urethane-urea-amide). Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: An embolectomy device comprised of an expansion unit and a support unit is disclosed. The expansion unit can be actuated in response to one or more external stimuli, and the support unit, located proximately to the expansion unit, provides a force to hold the expansion unit in place and to further induce the expansion unit's radial expansion. The radial expansion of the expansion unit causes the expansion unit to physically contact a blood clot, enabling the blood clot to be removed. In some embodiments, the expansion unit can be fabricated from a shape memory polymer foam. In some embodiments the support unit can be fabricated from any elastic material including, without limitation, shape memory alloys.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and composition including vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, chimeric molecule of an extracellular fibrinogen binding protein (Efb) and targeted agent delivery pharmaceutical composition comprising at least a portion of a modified N-terminus region, at least a portion of a modified C-terminus region, or both, wherein the modified extracellular fibrinogen binding protein results in inhibiting the fibrinogen binding, C3 binding, or both or administering to a subject a pharmacologically effective amount of a vaccine in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, comprising a modified extracellular fibrinogen binding protein comprising at least a portion of a modified N-terminus region, at least a portion of a modified C-terminus region, or both, wherein the modified extracellular fibrinogen binding protein results in not shielding the staphylococcus bacterium from recognition by a phagocytic receptor.

Abstract: A system for monitoring one or more physiological parameters includes a plurality of patches positionable at a plurality of locations on a surface of a body, wherein the plurality of patches are electrically isolated from each other, wherein a first patch of the plurality of patches includes a transmitter configured to inject an electrical signal into the body at a first location on the surface of the body, and wherein a second patch of the plurality of patches includes a sensor configured to detect a bio-impedance signal at a second location on the surface of the body that is spaced from the first location, and wherein the bio-impedance signal is induced within the body by the electrical signal injected from the first patch which is electrically isolated from the second patch.

Abstract: A surgical device for identification of a surgical site of interest, such as a craniofacial or dental site (root apex of an identified tooth), and a method for using the device is provided. The device includes a perimeter bar and a plurality of intermediate cross bars arranged in a grid structure. The device can be used during a surgical procedure requiring enhanced precision, such as during an endodontic surgical procedure, by positioning the device next to a patient's tooth and capturing a CBCT image, the CBCT image being used to identify a drilling location. The device can be repositioned alongside the patient's tooth, and used to identify an accurate drilling position.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for cracking liquid hydrocarbon materials into light hydrocarbon fractions using a carrier gas including methane and hydrogen.

Abstract: A method for performing object occlusion is disclosed. The method includes capturing an image of a physical item, determining a location and an orientation of a first virtual item with an augmented reality registration function; generating an augmented reality image, wherein the augmented reality image comprises a rendering of the first virtual item in the image using a first rendering function to depict the location and orientation of the first virtual item in the image and a rendering of a second virtual item in the image with a second rendering function; displaying the augmented reality image, wherein occlusion of the first virtual item by the physical item is shown in the augmented reality image based on occlusion of the first virtual item by the second virtual item wherein the first virtual item depicts a next step in the step-by-step instructions for the assembly.

Abstract: A projectile-launched aircraft system includes a projectile launcher including a triggering mechanism, a rotary-wing, hover-capable aircraft including a rotor assembly that includes at least one rotor blade, wherein the rotor blade includes a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration that is circumferentially spaced from the stowed configuration about a pivot axis, wherein, upon actuation of the triggering mechanism, the projectile launcher is configured to launch the aircraft along a flightpath.

Abstract: Vaccine compositions including a yeast comprising an immunostimulatory polypeptide and optionally an antigenic polypeptide are provided herein. The immunostimulatory polypeptide and the antigenic polypeptide are expressed or displayed on the surface of the yeast vaccine composition. Methods of using the vaccine composition to vaccinate subjects are also provided.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: an outer conduit; a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam; a metal backbone including: (a)(i) a first portion that extends from the SMP foam proximal end to the SMP foam distal end and which is generally covered by the SMP foam, and (a)(ii) a distal portion that extends distally from the SMP foam distal end and which is not covered by the SMP foam; wherein: (b)(i) SMP foam and the metal backbone are both included within the outer conduit adjacent to the outer conduit distal end; (b)(ii) the metal backbone distal portion transitions from a secondary shape that is uncoiled to a primary shape that is coiled; and (b)(iii) the metal backbone distal portion is in the metal backbone distal portion secondary shape and is located between the SMP foam distal end and the distal end of the outer conduit.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: a substrate of a medical device; an un-foamed polyurethane coating directly contacting the substrate and fixedly attached to the substrate; a thermoset polyurethane shape memory polymer (SMP) foam, having first and second states, which directly contacts the polyurethane coating and fixedly attaches to the polyurethane coating; wherein the polyurethane coating fixedly attaches the SMP foam to the substrate. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: Vaccine vectors and methods of using the vaccine vectors to enhance the immune response to an Apicomplexan parasite and reduce the morbidity or mortality associated with subsequent infection are provided herein. The vaccine vectors include a polynucleotide encoding a Rhomboid polypeptide and optionally include an immune-stimulatory polypeptide suitably expressed on the surface of the vaccine vector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for removing heavy metals such as selenium from wastewater with zero valent iron media. Air may be introduced directly into a reaction zone of a fluidized bed reactor filled with the media to catalyze treatment.