Abstract: A method and apparatus for level of service assessment at signalized intersections is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for estimating an average delay per vehicle at a signalized intersection with a traffic signal, including sampling vehicle arrival rates at the signalized intersection, sampling vehicle departure rates at the signalized intersection, analyzing generated shock waves at the traffic signal, wherein the traffic signal shock wave is a change in vehicle density due to changes in the traffic signal, and estimating the average delay per vehicle based on the vehicle arrival rates, the vehicle departure rates, and the traffic shock waves at the signalized intersection.

Abstract: A superconducting material includes YBa2Cu3O7-? and a nano-structured, preferably nanowires, WO3 dopant in a range of from 0.01 to 3.0 wt. %, preferably 0.075 to 0.2 wt. %, based on total material weight. Methods of making the superconductor may preferably avoid solvents and pursue solid-state synthesis employing Y, Ba, and/or Cu oxides and/or carbonates.

Abstract: A magnetoelectric multiferroic nanocomposite. The nanocomposite comprises a ferroelectric perovskite oxide and a rare-earth substituted mixed ternary transition metal ferrite of the formula A1-xBxRyFe2-yO4. The nanocomposite has a high dielectric constant, low dielectric loss, both stable over a wide frequency range. These properties may make the nanocomposite desirable for applications in microelectronic devices, sensors and antennas.

Abstract: A flexible energy storage device with a redox-active biopolymer organogel electrolyte is provided. The flexible energy storage device can include a pair of electrodes separated by the redox-active biopolymer organogel electrolyte. The redox-active biopolymer organogel electrolyte can include a biopolymer organogel, redox-active molybdenum-containing ions, and a secondary ionic substance. The flexible energy storage device may retain greater than 75% of an unbent specific capacitance when bent at an angle of 10° to 170°.

Abstract: A nanocomposite electrode including a substrate, a binding compound, a conductive additive, and zinc doped molybdenum vanadium oxide (ZMV) nanorods. The substrate is at least partially coated on a first side with a mixture including the ZMV nanorods, the binding compound, and the conductive additive. A battery including the nanocomposite electrode.

Abstract: A method of delivering insulin, including: orally administering to a subject a composition containing a ferrisilicate material, polyethylene glycol, and insulin. The insulin at least partially penetrates pores of the ferrisilicate material to form a ferrisilicate insulin composite and the polyethylene glycol, at least partially enfolds the ferrisilicate insulin composite to form the composition. The composition has an insulin release rate of 10-50% after 100-500 hours following oral administration.

Abstract: A curable composite material containing nanodiamonds, denture bases and other dental prosthetics made from the composite material and methods for treating dental stomatitis using these prosthetics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel fused imidazo pyrazole derivatives of formula (I), and formula (II), and methods for preparation thereof, in the presence of a chitosan-A203 nanocomposite film. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of the invention as active ingredients as well as the use of compounds of the invention for antimicrobial action.

Abstract: A bio-electrochemical fuel cell is provided. The fuel cell includes an anode placed between a second endplate and a supporting plate, a cathode placed between a first endplate and the supporting plate, a separator plate provided between the first endplate and the cathode, a separator plate provided between the second endplate and the anode, and at least one separator plate provided on each side of the supporting plate. The anode has a first layer and a biofilm including photosynthetic microorganisms is present on a surface of the first layer. A central aperture of the first endplate receives a flow of water containing the photosynthetic microorganisms and a central aperture of the second endplate discharges the flow of water. Application of light to the fuel cell assembly causes the photosynthetic microorganisms to release oxygen at the anode and induces a photo-current in the anode.

Abstract: A smart gate system, and method, includes a thermal sensor for measuring a temperature of a visitor and transmitting the measured temperature, a QR code reader to read a health status QR code having a date range and transmitting a message including health status information of the visitor and a request for entry, a gate controller receiving a control signal for permitting or denying entry through a gate, a server for determining that the health status information and the temperature of the visitor indicate that the visitor has not contracted a predetermined virus and that the visitor is a registered visitor, and responding to the request for entry by transmitting the control signal to the gate controller in accordance with the determination and whether the health status QR code is within the predetermined date range, and the gate controller controlling opening of the gate based on the control signal.

Abstract: An efficient photocatalyst nanocomposite comprising reduced graphene oxide, noble metal, and a metal oxide prepared by a one-step method that utilizes date seed extract as a reducing and nanoparticle determining size agent. The photocatalyst of the invention is a more effective sunlight photocatalyst than that prepared by traditional method in the photo decomposition of organic compounds in contaminated water.

Abstract: A non-invasive method for determining fetal gender prior to the second trimester using multiplex polymerase chain reaction to identify target segments of the SRY, DAZ2 and TSPY1 genes which are located on the Y chromosome of a male fetus. A kit for determining gender comprising primers that amplify target segments of the SRY, DAZ2 and TSPY1 genes.

Abstract: A solar powered smart window includes a light diffuser configured to convert an incident direct solar radiation to a diffusive light toward interior direction, a light diffuser positioner, a driving mechanism, a solar panel, and a control unit. The control unit moved the light diffuser from a predetermined opened position to a closed position and to hold the light diffuser at the closed position with latch mechanism, when the output power of the solar panel exceeds a threshold for over a duration time. The controller releases the latch mechanism and to cause the light diffuser to return to the predetermined opened position when the output power lowers below threshold for over the duration time. A method includes storing a predetermined condition, monitoring the output power, comparing the output power with the predetermined conditions, making decision whether a positional transition is necessary, and causing the transitional transition or maintaining current position.

Abstract: A method of making an antimicrobial textile comprising TiO2 nanoparticles is described. The TiO2 nanoparticles are immobilized by first treating a textile with a base, and then contacting with TiO2 nanoparticles in a solution of an alcohol and acid. The textile may be subsequently irradiated with UV light prior to use. The antimicrobial textile shows high effectiveness against the growth and proliferation of microorganisms transmitted within indoor environments.

Abstract: A hydrogel electrolyte for a supercapacitor includes sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (C), water, citric acid (CA); and an aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa. The sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (C) and the citric acid (CA) form a citric acid cross-linked cellulose-based polymer hydrogel (C-CA-C). An organic acid from the aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa is intercalated to the citric acid cross-linked cellulose-based polymer hydrogel (C-CA-C) via hydrogen bonds. A method of preparation of the hydrogel electrolyte is also discussed.

Abstract: A modular solar panel including multiple solar panel modules. Each solar panel module includes a solar cell assembly. The solar cell assembly includes a protective glass, a base plate, a solar cell array located therebetween, and an electrical connection ribbons extending from the ends of the solar cell array. The solar panel module further includes one or more coupling modules. Each coupling module includes an interior cavity to receive one end of the solar cell assembly, two or more magnets removably embedded in the coupling module, a pin joint located on exterior of a first coupling module to interlock with a pin joint located on exterior of a second coupling module, and an electrical connection plug to receive one of the first and the second electrical connection ribbons. The electrical connection plug of the first coupling module electrically connects with an electrical connection plug of the second coupling module.

Abstract: A method for treating a microbial infection, especially pneumonia, comprising administering an aqueous-ethanol extract of Thymus or Boswellia or a composition containing the extract. Aqueous-ethanol extracts of Thymus and/or Boswellia.

Abstract: A superconducting material is described. The superconducting material includes a rare-earth barium copper oxide (ReBCO) matrix, 0.01 to 0.5 weight percentage (wt. %), WO3 nanoparticles, based on the total weight of superconducting material, and 0.01 to 0.5 wt. % barium titanate nanoparticles, based on the total weight of superconducting material. A method of making superconducting material is also described. The method includes mixing WO3 nanoparticles, barium titanate nanoparticles, and ReBCO particles to form a particulate mixture; pressing the particulate mixture at a pressure of 500 to 1000 megapascals (MPa) to form a solid sample; and heating the solid sample at 800 to 1100 degrees centigrade (° C.) for 1 to 24 hours to form the superconducting material.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus that includes a multi-resonance transmit/receive (T/R) switch, one switch design having a top side and a bottom side of a microstripline based hybrid coupler, a first pin diode, a second pin diode, four vertical transmission lines and six horizontal transmission lines arranged in a bended manner on the microstripline. The top side is associated with a first port and a second port, and electrically connected to the first pin diode and the second pin diode. The bottom side is associated with a third port and a fourth port, and electrically connected with the first pin diode and the second pin diode. The switch receives radio frequency (RF) pulses of different frequencies transmitted to and received from an MRI RF coil where the different frequencies are received concurrently and without tuning by the multi-resonance T/R switch from the MRI RF coil.

Abstract: Base material arrangements having at least two layers can accommodate the addition of antifungal material (nanofiller), such as in denture base resin without significantly compromising the mechanical properties and/or translucency of the base material arrangements. Antifungal agents such as nanosilver and nanozirconia can be used to modify a surface layer of the material arrangements, such as the denture base, to overcome certain known shortcomings of the modified materials, e.g., typical acrylic resins containing nanosilver and nanozirconia.