Abstract: A high voltage discharge generating a plasma wave front is disposed within a headspace over an oil-containing liquid in order to create various chemical changes within the headspace, and ultimately within the liquid in order to inactivate various microbes, synthesize new chemicals, speed separation of a mixture, and aid in oil extraction. Such a discharge may be repeated at an optimum duration and duty-cycle to maximize the chemical effects of the non-equilibrium plasma at a substantially lower temperature than for an equilibrium plasma.

Abstract: Processes and systems for electrochemical exfoliation that use a compression reactor and, more particularly, to processes and systems for electrochemical exfoliation of planar parent materials, such as graphite. A reactor for electrochemical exfoliation may include a container configured to hold an electrolyte solution. The reactor may further include a porous chamber, wherein the porous chamber is configured to hold a parent material in fluid communication with the electrolyte solution. The reactor may further include a pressure source positioned to apply a pressure along a length of the porous chamber to thereby compress the parent material in the porous chamber. The reactor may further include a first counter electrode. The reactor may further include a working electrode. The reactor may further include an electrical power source in electrical communication with the first counter electrode and the working electrode.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for a machine learning system for automatic genotype selection and performance evaluation using multi-source and spatiotemporal remote sensing data collected from an unmanned aerial system (UAS). A computing device may be configured to access images of a field having a first genotype and a second genotype of at least one crop or plant planted therein. The computing device may apply an image processing routine to the images to analyze the images of the field and determine characteristics of the first genotype and the second genotype of the at least one crop or plant planted in the field. The computing device may then apply a machine learning routine to forecast a first estimated yield of the first genotype and a second estimated yield of the second genotype using the identified characteristics of the first genotype and the second genotype.

Abstract: The present invention provides a direct cardiac compression device comprising one or more passive chambers that taper from an aperture to an apex; one or more inflatable active pockets individually independently inflatable, wherein each of the one or more inflatable active pockets is connected to the one or more passive chambers at least partially from the aperture to the apex and wherein the each of the one or more inflatable active pockets does not tension the adjacent one or more inflatable active pockets upon inflation; and a frame in contact with the one or more active chambers to at least partially surround the one or more active pockets.

Abstract: A surge gate for blocking a surge of water includes a sleeve disposed below a waterline of the water, wherein the sleeve has an open upper end and a closed lower end, and a piston slidably disposed in the sleeve, wherein the piston is configured to rise vertically within the sleeve along a vertical axis between a first position with an upper end of the piston positioned below the waterline, and a second position with the upper end of the piston positioned above the waterline.

Abstract: Synthetic compositions comprising a plant element and at least one fungal endophyte are described. The fungal endophyte is capable of improving plant tolerance to biotic stress as compared to a reference plant element not further comprising the endophyte. Examples of biotic stress include the biotic stress caused by a nematode, an aphid, a fleahopper, a lygus bug, a stink bug, a soy looper, a cabbage looper, or a fungus.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of treating COVID-19 by administering a pharmaceutical composition providing inhibition of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) main protease (MPro) in a patient. The disclosure also provides other methods as well as pharmaceutical formulations for use in treating COVID-19 patients.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to surgical cannulas and methods relating thereto. In some embodiments, a method includes cutting one or more lines in a tubular member to form a tubular body and a hinge of a surgical cannula. In some embodiments, a surgical cannula includes a fiber brag grating (FBG) reflector mounted to a tendon for deflecting a distal tip of the surgical cannula. A controller is coupled to the FBG reflector and is configured to determine a tension in the tendon based on reflected light from the FBG reflector. In some embodiments, a surgical cannula includes a tubular body including a plurality of apertures extending therethrough.

Abstract: A vehicle platooning system includes a lead vehicle including a lead powertrain system, a lead steering system, and a lead breaking system, a follower vehicle including a follower powertrain, a follower steering system, a follower braking system, and a follower vehicle control unit wherein the follower powertrain system, the follower steering system, and the follower braking system are each controllable by the vehicle control unit, and a hard connect including a mechanical linkage physically connected between the lead vehicle and the follower vehicle, a sensor unit, and a hard connect control unit configured to control the operation of the follower powertrain system, the follower steering system, and the follower braking system of the follower vehicle based on sensor data provided to the hard connect control unit by the sensor unit.

Abstract: A process for continuously upgrading heavy oil to produce light hydrocarbon gases which are recycled in the process as a carrier gas used in spark-discharge hydrocarbon cracking within the process. The process also produces light hydrocarbon liquids which are used to upgrade the heavy oil. An apparatus for continuously upgrading heavy oil to produce light hydrocarbon gases which are recycled in the as a carrier gas used in spark-discharge hydrocarbon cracking within the apparatus. The apparatus also produces light hydrocarbon liquids which are used to upgrade the heavy oil.

Abstract: A combination micro/macro-fluidic analysis system with one or more of a droplet transition unit, a droplet cleaving unit, a droplet synchronization, and a merging unit to enable highly efficient complex droplet microfluidic assays.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes depositing an amorphous layer on a substrate, masking a portion of the amorphous layer, removing a portion of the amorphous layer to form a first channel into the amorphous layer, depositing a semiconductor layer onto the substrate layer, and removing at least a portion of a defect region of the semiconductor layer to form a second channel.

Abstract: The present invention concerns non-human animals with cells having a genome that is lacking the entire E3 ubiquitin ligase (Ube3a) gene (including all isoforms and alternative promoters). These animals are useful for modeling Angelman Syndrome. The invention also includes methods for assessing the effect of an agent, such as potential therapeutics, on an animal model by exposing the animal or cells, tissues, or organs isolated therefrom, to an agent of interest.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for generating broadly neutralizing bovine anti-HIV Env antibodies, compositions comprising the broadly neutralizing bovine antibodies, and methods of treatment or prevention of HIV using the broadly neutralizing bovine antibodies. In certain embodiments, a broadly neutralizing bovine antibody comprises a polyclonal F(ab) or F(ab?)2 fragment. In certain embodiments, a broadly neutralizing bovine antibody comprises a humanized bovine monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: A method and system for decoding low density parity check (LDPC) codes. An LDPC code decoder includes LDPC decoding circuitry comprising a Q message generator and a P sum adder array. The Q message generator combines an R message from a previous iteration with a P message to produce a Q message. The P sum adder array adds the P message to a difference of an R message from a current iteration and the R message from the previous iteration to produce an updated P message.

Abstract: An embodiment includes an apparatus comprising: a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam having an outside surface; and a membrane that encapsulates at least 50% of the outside surface of the SMP foam; wherein (a) the SMP foam includes a thermoset SMP, and (b) the membrane includes a thermoplastic polymer. Other embodiments are addressed herein.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for preventing or reducing symptoms or disease associated with Xylella fastidiosa or Xanthomonas axonopodis in a plant. The invention provides novel bacteriophages virulent to Xylella fastidiosa or Xanthomonas axonopodis, including XfaMija and XfaMijo, and further provides methods for treating or preventing Pierce's Disease or Citrus Canker in plants.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for long-term storage, shipping, and stable production of black soldier flies, capable of use in waste remediation or protein production. The invention overcomes drawbacks associated with current methods of using black soldier flies, significantly increasing the period during which black soldier fly neonates can be stored and the time in which larvae mature.

Abstract: A system for anchoring an offshore vessel to a seabed includes a foundation including a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end along the longitudinal axis of the foundation, a keying-flap assembly including a plurality of flaps coupled to the foundation whereby the plurality of flaps are configured to pivot relative to the foundation about a plurality of rotational axes associated with the plurality of flaps, the keying-flap assembly having a run-in configuration in which each of the plurality of flaps occupies a first position, and a set configuration in which the plurality of flaps are pivoted from their first to occupy a plurality of second positions, and a follower configured to apply an extraction force to the foundation to transition the keying-flap assembly from the run-in configuration to the set configuration.

Abstract: A new and distinct Hibiscus plant having ruby-red colored flowers and a compact growth habit.