Abstract: This document provides fire retardant materials, including polymers that include pyridinium salt moieties, or a combination thereof, and phosphine oxide moieties. In some cases, fire retardant polymers provided herein have the following structure: where R1 and R6 are each selected consisting of N, wherein R2 and R7 are each negatively charged counterions, where R3, R4, R8, R9, R11, R13, R14, R15, and R16 are each H or a group including one or more carbon molecules, and where R5, R10, and R12 are each groups including one or more carbon molecules.

Abstract: Non-invasive methods are provided herein for the diagnosis of melioidosis with specific antibodies capable of detecting molecules associated with melioidosis in a biological fluid, such as urine or serum. These molecules can be identified using proteomic methods, including but not limited to antibody based methods, such as an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA), a radioimmunoassay (RIA), or a lateral flow immunoassay. Methods of inducing an immune response to melioidosis are also disclosed. The methods include the use of the immunogenic melioidosis polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding these polypeptides, and/or viral vectors encoding an immunogenic melioidosis polypeptide, alone or in conjunction with other agents, such as traditional melioidosis therapies. Also disclosed are methods for treating a subject having melioidosis.

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: This document provides fire retardant materials, including polymers that include pyridinium salt moieties, or a combination thereof, and phosphine oxide moieties. In some cases, fire retardant polymers provided herein have the following structure: where R1 and R6 are each selected consisting of N, wherein R2 and R7 are each negatively charged counterions, where R3, R4, R8, R9, R11, R13, R14, R15, and R16 are each H or a group including one or more carbon molecules, and where R5, R10, and R12 are each groups including one or more carbon molecules.

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 signal identification methods and systems. In some examples, the method and/or system allows appliances to be associated with their electrical usage. In one example, a method for determining whether a load is in a steady state or in transition includes analyzing a time series of electric power or current measurements on at least one circuit, at least one load coupled to the at least one circuit; and determining whether the load is in a steady state or a transition. Also disclosed is an appliance identification method. Further disclosed is a method of mapping unlabeled appliances which utilizes a STEC Table which summarizes linkages between transitions and steady state clusters.

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 one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for producing a solid fuel. A feedstock that includes algae or delipidized algal residue and a liquid carrier is heated to a suitable temperature, at a suitable pressure, and for a suitable amount of time to form a desired amount of solid hydrochar. The hydrochar is collected and compressed into a compressed solid.

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: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides an energy production apparatus. The apparatus includes fuzzy focusing optics and a mounting plate having a generally planar surface. The planar surface is positioned relative to the fuzzy focusing optics such that at least a portion of light incident on the fuzzy focusing optics is directed onto the planar surface. The apparatus also includes a plurality of solar cells coupled to the planar surface of the mounting plate. A power transmission bus is coupled to the plurality of solar cells. A drive mechanism is coupled to the mounting plate and configured to rotate the mounting plate about an axis normal to the planar surface of the mounting plate.

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: Disclosed is a method of fabricating a multiple degree of freedom actuator with inter-digitated electrodes including molding an electroactive polymer membrane so that a plurality of projections are formed around a cross section of an outer surface of the polymer membrane; depositing a metal electrode layer onto the outer surface of the molded membrane; and removing the plurality of projections on the outer surface on the molded membrane, thereby forming a multiple degree of freedom actuator with a plurality of inter-digitated electrodes. Also provided are actuators as well as devices (such as catheters) including such actuators formed by the disclosed methods of fabricating an actuator with multiple DOF.

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: In general, the subject matter described in this document can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products. A computing system receives a token that was specified during a process for logging into an account. The computing system determines whether the token matches any of a plurality of tokens that are assigned to a respective plurality of accounts. The computing system identifies, in response to determining that the token matches a particular token that is assigned to a particular one of the plurality of accounts, a username for the particular one of the plurality of accounts. The computing system provides information to cause a computer display to present the username and multiple other usernames in an obscured manner. The computing system receives an indication that user input selected the username. The computing system receives a password. The computing system provides authorization to log into the account.

Abstract: This document provides methods, systems, and devices for inducing a decomposition reaction by directing x-rays towards a location including a particular compound. The x-rays can have an irradiation energy that corresponds to a bond distance of a bond in the particular compound in order to break that bond and induce a decomposition of that particular compound. In some cases, the particular compound is a hazardous substance or part of a hazardous substance. In some cases, the particular compound is delivered to a desired location in an organism and x-rays induce a decomposition reaction that creates a therapeutic substance (e.g., a toxin that kills cancer cells) in the location of the organism. In some cases, the particular compound decomposes to produce a reactant in a reactor apparatus (e.g., fuel cell or semiconductor fabricator).

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.