Abstract: Disclosed herein are support column structures which can be used to support bridges, buildings or other structures. In some cases, a support column structure can be deconstructable and include one or more removable elements. In some cases, a support column structure can include shape memory alloy reinforcing bars. In some cases, a removable element of a support column structure can include an engineered cementitious composite. In some cases, a removable element includes one or more sleeves to separate an engineered cementitious composite from one or more shape memory alloy reinforcing bars. Methods include assembling and disassembling a support column structure.

Abstract: Disclosed are an articulated hydraulic machine supporting, control system and control method for same. The articulated hydraulic machine has an end effector for performing useful work. The control system is capable of controlling the end effector for automated movement along a preselected trajectory. The control system has a position error correction system to correct discrepancies between an actual end effector trajectory and a desired end effector trajectory. The correction system can employ one or more absolute position signals provided by one or more acceleration sensors supported by one or more movable machine elements. Good trajectory positioning and repeatability can be obtained. A two joystick controller system is enabled, which can in some cases facilitate the operator's task and enhance their work quality and productivity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of detecting and identifying antigens that are shed into human bodily fluids during infection. The disclosed method allows circulating antigens associated with a particular infection to be detected within minutes or hours from testing as compared to days required with the current methods. Methods of identifying diagnostic indicators/targets for a given condition or disease are disclosed which include immunizing a verterinary subject with biological fluids obtained from a human infected with particular antigens to identify diagnostic targets for immunoassay. Also disclosed are methods of diagnosing and monitoring a B. pseudomallei-associated condition, such as melioidosis. Point-of-care immunoassays are also provided that can be used to diagnose or monitor the efficacy of a B. pseudomallei-associated condition treatment. These immunoassays can also be used for rapid diagnosis of infection produced by B. pseudomallei, such as meliodosis.

Abstract: An electrical heat production device comprising a thin resistive layer sandwiched between a pair of plates having high thermal and electrical conductivity, the stack of layers being insulated around the side surfaces. When a voltage potential is applied across the plates in the disclosed electrical heat production device, an electrical current flows across the resistive layer producing heat within the resistive layer that is conducted through the plates and across the outer surfaces of the plates. A guard heater can be positioned adjacent to one of the outer plate surfaces to bias the heat flow from the resistive layer toward the opposite outer plate surface, such that the apparatus can have a single planar heating surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of inhibiting sperm motility. In some embodiments, a method of inhibiting sperm motility includes contacting a sperm with an effective amount of 3BP, thereby inhibiting sperm motility. Also disclosed herein are methods of contraception. In some embodiments, a method of contraception includes administering an effective amount of 3BP to the vagina so that sperm in contact with 3BP change their swimming patterns, which are incompatible with fertilization, thus preventing pregnancy. In one embodiment, a method includes topical application of 3BP to the penis in an amount effective to cause complete loss of motility of ejaculated sperm during sexual intercourse, thereby achieving contraception. In some examples, 3BP is administered as a spermicide in the forms of a jelly (gel), films, sponges, foams and timed-release mesh. In some examples, condoms are coated with 3BP-containing lubricant to achieve contraception.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of treating a subject using laminin or a composition that includes laminin. In one embodiment, the method is used to enhance muscle regeneration, maintenance, or repair in a subject. In another embodiment, the method is used to promote wound healing. The method, in yet another embodiment, is used to prevent or reduce muscle damage or injury. In specific implementations of these methods, the laminin or composition that includes laminin is administered in a therapeutically effective amount. In some implementations, the laminin is a complete laminin protein. In other implementations, the laminin is a laminin fragment, a laminin derivative, or a laminin analogue.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a target or mold having one or more support arms coupled to a substrate. The support arm can be used in handling or positioning a target. In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides target molds, targets produced using such molds, and a method for producing the targets and molds. In various implementations, the targets are formed in a number of disclosed shapes, including a funnel cone, a funnel cone having an extended neck, those having Gaussian-profile, a cup, a target having embedded metal slugs, metal dotted foils, wedges, metal stacks, a Winston collector having a hemispherical apex, and a Winston collector having an apex aperture. In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a target mounting and alignment system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 7-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds and methods of making the same. Using a novel aza-[4+3] cycloaddition reaction, the 7-membered heterocyclic compounds are synthesized by reacting a first reactant and a second reactant. Exemplary first reactants and second reactants include ?-halohydroxamates and dienes, respectively.

Abstract: Hand-based biometric analysis systems and techniques are described which provide robust hand-based identification and verification. An image of a hand is obtained, which is then segmented into a palm region and separate finger regions. Acquisition of the image is performed without requiring particular orientation or placement restrictions. Segmentation is performed without the use of reference points on the images. Each segment is analyzed by calculating a set of Zernike moment descriptors for the segment. The feature parameters thus obtained are then fused and compared to stored sets of descriptors in enrollment templates to arrive at an identity decision. By using Zernike moments, and through additional manipulation, the biometric analysis is invariant to rotation, scale, or translation or an in put image. Additionally, the analysis utilizes re-use of commonly-seen terms in Zernike calculations to achieve additional efficiencies over traditional Zernike moment calculation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for electron emission are disclosed. An example system can comprise a cup-rod-needle assembly that can collect a source of electrons and allow internal space charge build-up and generation of an internal self-electric field build-up. The system can provide self-emission at a predetermined location of the needle in the system. An example system can comprise a cup-rod-needle assembly, an annular dielectric insulator as a plug, a source of electrons to provide electrons into a cup, and a beam drift tube.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for diagnosing, prognosing and treating muscular dystrophy. Also disclosed are methods of determining the effectiveness of an agent for the treatment of muscular dystrophy. Provided are methods of enhancing muscle regeneration, repair, or maintenance in a subject by administering galectin, such as Galectin-1 and/or Galectin-3 to a subject in need thereof. Also disclosed are methods of increasing or maintaining muscle strength and/or bone density in a subject by administering an effective amount of a Galectin-1 composition, Galectin-3 composition or a combination thereof to the subject in need thereof. Methods of preventing, inhibiting and/or reducing muscle loss and/or bone loss in a subject by administering an effective amount of a Galectin-1 composition, Galectin-3 composition or a combination thereof to the subject in need thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient to reduce risk of developing Clostridium difficile-associated disease or reducing existing Clostridium difficile-associated disease in a mammalian subject involves administering to a mammalian subject an effective amount of a germination-inhibiting compound derived from taurocholate. Novel compounds of this class are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a drilling method and drill. According to a disclosed method, multiple reciprocating rock-breaking elements, including a hammer drill bit, are used. The elements are moved in alternation to each other such that the net volume displacement by the moving parts is reduced for reducing compression work and thus for losing useful energy from the available amount from the drill bit engine for rock breaking. If desired, a small component of the net volume displacement is kept for enhancing PVW for enhancing rock chipping by tensile strength. The method also includes synchronizing the peak of the pressure depression wave with that of the impact moment of the drill bit's reciprocating motion to enhance, rather than hamper, rock breaking by the creation of PVW.

Abstract: A disclosed chemical detection system for detecting a target material, such as an explosive material, can include a cantilevered probe, a probe heater coupled to the cantilevered probe, and a piezoelectric element disposed on the cantilevered probe. The piezoelectric element can be configured as a detector and/or an actuator. Detection can include, for example, detecting a movement of the cantilevered probe or a property of the cantilevered probe. The movement or a change in the property of the cantilevered probe can occur, for example, by adsorption of the target material, desorption of the target material, reaction of the target material and/or phase change of the target material. Examples of detectable movements and properties include temperature shifts, impedance shifts, and resonant frequency shifts of the cantilevered probe. The overall chemical detection system can be incorporated, for example, into a handheld explosive material detection system.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of fixing nitrogen. An amount of titania catalyst is provided and contacted with a feed stream that includes nitrogen. The titania catalyst is heated. The heated titania catalyst fixes nitrogen in the feed stream to form nitrogen products, such as nitrates. The nitrogen products are then removed from the titania catalyst. In some examples, the titania catalyst is treated with a base. In further examples, the catalytic process is carried out in the absence of light for photochemically activating the titania catalyst.

Abstract: A vapochromic gold-copper complex [AuL2(Cu(Y)n)2](X)3 exhibiting luminescence is provided, where L is an N-heterocyclic carbene; Y is a heteroatom-containing ligand; X is an anion, and n is an integer having a value of 1 or 2, and solvates thereof. A reaction of [AuL2(Cu(Y)n)2](X)3 with water vapor or an organic compound vapor, for example, affords a modified complex that yields a change in luminescence color under UV excitation. These tricationic vapochromic materials exhibit large changes in the emission through ligand substitution reactions between the solid complex and vapors, which permit use in luminescent vapochromic sensors.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method and enzyme for forming various compounds, such as monoterpenes and monoterpenoid compounds. In a specific example, the present disclosure provides a method for producing one or more of (?)-ipsdienol, (?)-ipsenol, ipsenone, and ipsdienone. The present disclosure also provides methods of using compounds formed from the disclosed method and enzyme.

Abstract: A template-free reverse micelle (RM) based method is used to synthesize pyrochlore nanostructures having photocatalytic activity. In one embodiment, the method includes separately mixing together a first acid stabilized aqueous solution including pyrochlore precursor A and a second acid stabilized aqueous solution including pyrochlore precursor B with an organic solution including a surfactant to form an oil-in-water emulsion. Next, equimolar solutions of the first and second acid stabilized oil-in-water emulsions are mixed together. Then, the mixture of the first and second acid stabilized oil-in-water emulsion is treated with a base to produce a precipitate including pyrochlore precursors A and B. After which, the precipitate is dried to remove volatiles. The precipitate is then calcined in the presence of oxygen to form a pyrochlore nanostructure, such as a bismuth titanate (Bi2Ti2O7) pyrochlore nanorod. The method of synthesizing the pyrochlore nanorod is template-free.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method and enzyme for forming various compounds, such as monoterpenes and monoterpenoid compounds. In a specific example, the present disclosure provides a method for producing one or more of (?)-ipsdienol, (?)-ipsenol, ipsenone, and ipsdienone. The present disclosure also provides methods of using compounds formed from the disclosed method and enzyme.

Abstract: A system and method A method of growing an elongate nanoelement from a growth surface includes: a) cleaning a growth surface on a base element; b) providing an ultrahigh vacuum reaction environment over the cleaned growth surface; c) generating a reactive gas of an atomic material to be used in forming the nanoelement; d) projecting a stream of the reactive gas at the growth surface within the reactive environment while maintaining a vacuum of at most 1×10?4 Pascal; e) growing the elongate nanoelement from the growth surface within the environment while maintaining the pressure of step c); f) after a desired length of nanoelement is attained within the environment, stopping direction of reactive gas into the environment; and g) returning the environment to an ultrahigh vacuum condition.