Abstract: A multiband sensing system includes an active multiband sensing unit configured to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal in multiple bands and communicate with a network. The active multiband sensing unit includes at least one transmitting antenna configured to transmit the RF signal. The multiband sensing system includes a passive multiband sensing unit including at least one receiving antenna configured to receive the RF signal, an acoustic actuator powered by the received RF signal including an actuating sensor element configured to actuate in response to receiving extracted modulated information of the RF signal, and an acoustic detector. The acoustic detector includes a detector transmitting antenna configured to backscatter a new frequency band signal to the active multiband sensing unit and a detector sensor element configured to sense data. The sensed data is modulated over the received RF signal to produce the new frequency band signal.

Abstract: A technique is presented for correcting phase distortion in a digital wireless transmitter. The technique includes: receiving an RF signal in an analog domain by a digital-to-RF modulator; amplitude modulating, the RF signal in accordance with a digital input code; and introducing delay in a signal path traversed by the RF signal before the digital-to-RF modulator using a delay circuit. The duration of the delay depends upon the value of the digital input code and substantially cancels out the phase distortion introduced by the digital wireless transmitter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are inhibitors of gene transcription mediated by myocardin-related transcription factor and serum response factor, or both myocardin-related transcription factor and serum response factor (“MRTF/SRF”), and methods for their use in treating or preventing cancer and fibrosis. In particular, disclosed herein are compounds of Formula (I) and Formula (II), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: wherein the substituents are as described.

Abstract: Thermoelectric materials based on tetrahedrite structures for thermoelectric devices and methods for producing thermoelectric materials and devices are disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an irreversible dosimetric shock-detection substrate as well as related articles and methods. The shock-detection substrate incorporates a plurality of microcapsules serving as an irreversible means for detecting impact on the substrate. A shock above a characteristic threshold level experienced by the substrate induces an irreversible detectable change associated with the microcapsules upon shock-induced rupture. The irreversible detectable change provides a tamper-proof and non-electronic means for detecting a shock or impact. The shock-detection substrates can be incorporated into a variety of articles and used in a variety of settings, for example to monitor personal safety, to monitor article integrity, to monitor the end of the useful life of the shock-detection substrate itself, or in any other setting where it is desirable to irreversibly detect and/or localize a shock event.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, among other things, compositions and methods useful for inhibiting bacteria, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These compositions and methods find many uses in medicine and research, e.g., treating subjects afflicted with active or latent bacterial infections. The compositions described herein are also useful for decontaminating surfaces (e.g., surgical tools or implants).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a plant growth apparatus and related system to grow and maintain plants under controlled biotic conditions, for example to grow axenic (microbe-free) plants, gnotobiotic (defined microbiota) plants, and holoxenic (complex, or undefined microbiota) plants. This system allows aseptic bottom irrigation with water, soluble nutrients, chemicals, and/or microbiota. Plants can be inverted for dipping and/or vacuum infiltration. The system also allows for passive (gravity) drainage, thereby allowing for gas exchange and preventing root anoxia. A variety of plant growth substrates can be used within the plant growth apparatus as a plant growth medium. The plant growth apparatus, containing the growth substrate medium, can be completely flushed via the drainage port to remove potential toxic byproducts of the sterilization processes. The entire system is suitably constructed using autoclavable material.

Abstract: Current oscillometric devices for monitoring central blood pressure (BP) maintain the cuff pressure at a constant level to acquire a pulse volume plethysmography (PVP) waveform and calibrate it to brachial BP levels estimated with population average methods. A physiologic method was developed to further advance central BP measurement. A patient-specific method was applied to estimate brachial BP levels from a cuff pressure waveform obtained during conventional deflation via a nonlinear arterial compliance model. A physiologically-inspired method was then employed to extract the PVP waveform from the same waveform via ensemble averaging and calibrate it to the brachial BP levels. A method based on a wave reflection model was thereafter employed to define a variable transfer function, which was applied to the calibrated waveform to derive central BP.

Abstract: Described herein are compounds that can bind CaSR and/or a CaSR extracellular domain and formulations thereof. Also described herein are methods of inhibiting CaSR and/or treating a disease or disorder associated with a mutation in CaSR by administering a compound or formulation thereof described herein. Also described herein are assays that can be used to identify compounds that can bind an extracellular domain of CaSR.

Abstract: A redox flow battery includes a cathode, an anode, a charge-carrying electrolyte, and an (a) oxidized and a (b) reduced form of an active material. The active material has the following formula: (D)-(L)-(A)-[(L)-(A)]V-DZ(F1) or (D)-(L)-(A)-(L-D)X (F2). In these formulae, each D is covalently bonded to an L, each L is covalently bonded to an A, x is a number from 0 to 5, v is a number from 0 to 5 and z is 0 or 1. D is an electron donor compound, L is a linker, and A is an electron acceptor compound. Each of D, L, and A has a particular structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for one or more server computers communicatively coupled to a network and configured to: generate a code construction for a file, including layers, each at a different code rate; calculate optimized code parameters, including storage efficiency, error-correction capability parameters, and constraints on error patterns; use the plurality of layers and optimized parameters to encode the file on a physical storage media; detect an error on the physical storage media; identify an error location within a first layer encoded at a first code rate; mark the error location as an erasure; and identify the erasure and a second error location for a second error location within a second layer, higher than the first layer, encoded at a second code rate.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electrolyzer reactor suitable for the reduction of organic compounds. The reactor includes a membrane electrode assembly with freestanding metallic meshes which serve both as metallic electrode structures for electron transport as well as catalytic surfaces for electron generation and organic compound reduction. Suitable organic compounds for reduction include oxygenated and/or unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds, in particular those characteristic of bio-oil (e.g., alone or a multicomponent mixtures). The reactor and related methods provide a resource- and energy-efficient approach to organic compound reduction, in particular for bio-oil mixtures which can be conveniently upgraded at or near their point of production with minimal or no transportation.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for measuring C-peptide binding by cells, including cells expressing Glut1, using a C-peptide binding facilitator, such as an albumin. Such methods include incubating the cell with a known amount of C-peptide and a C-peptide binding facilitator, and determining the amount of C-peptide bound to the incubated cells. Also provided are methods for detecting, monitoring, and/or treating immune-mediated diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), using method of the present technology for measuring C-peptide binding by cells obtained from a human or other animal subject.

Abstract: An alloy and method for producing an alloy is presented. The Titanium alloy has Ti-xCr-yFe-zAl, where 16>x>10, 4>y>0, and 6>z>0, where the alloy is subjected to strain at a temperature between 250 and 500 degrees C. A portion of the Titanium alloy is converted from a first phase to a second phase.

Abstract: Thermoelectric materials based on tetrahedrite structures for thermoelectric devices and methods for producing thermoelectric materials and devices are disclosed. The thermoelectric device has a pair of conductors and a p-type thermoelectric material disposed between the conductors. The thermoelectric material is at least partially formed of a hot pressed high energy milled tetrahedrite formed of tetrahedrite ore and pure elements to form a tetrahedrite powder of Cu12-xMxSb4S13 disposed between the conductors, where M is at least one of Zn and Fe.

Abstract: A virtual reality (VR) system includes a light source configured to illuminate an area and a plurality of photosensors configured to receive reflections from the illuminated area. The system includes a trained orientation module configured to store a trained neural network model and a gaze direction identification module coupled to the light source and the plurality of photosensors. The gaze direction identification module includes a light reflection module configured to receive a light intensity value from each of the plurality of photosensors and an eye coordinate determination module configured to apply the trained neural network model to the light intensity value from each of the plurality of photosensors to determine a horizontal coordinate value and a vertical coordinate value. The system includes a display configured to adjust a displayed image based on the gaze position of the illuminated area.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a fusion protein comprising (1) a bacterial microcompartment (BMC) shell protein comprising one or more subunit, and (2) a first component of a specific-binding pair, operably linked to the BMC shell protein such that the first component faces (i) a lumen (inside) side, or (ii) outside of a BMC shell formed incorporating the fusion protein and the fusion protein does not disrupt or prevent the folding of the BMC shell protein or the ability of the BMC shell protein to integrate with other BMC shell proteins into a BMC shell; wherein the first component is capable of forming a stable or irreversible interaction with a second component of the specific-binding pair.

Abstract: An electron spectroscopy system and method are disclosed. In another aspect, an ultrabright and ultrafast angle-resolved electron spectroscopy system is provided. A further aspect of the present system employs an electron gun, a radio frequency cavity and multiple spectrometers. Yet another aspect uses spectrometers in an aligned manner to deflect and focus electrons emitted by the electron gun. Moreover, an ultrafast laser is coupled to an electron spectroscopy system. A bunch of monochromatic electrons have their energy compressed and reoriented in an additional aspect of the present system. A further aspect of the present electron spectroscopy system employs adaptive and/or adjustable optics to optimize both time and energy compression. Another aspect provides at least two RF lenses or cavities, one before a specimen and one after the specimen.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system is provided. The energy harvesting system includes a waveguide, a luminophore embedded in the waveguide, and a solar photovoltaic array or a solar photovoltaic cell coupled to the waveguide. The energy harvesting system is visibly transparent, having an average visible transmittance of greater than about 50% and a color rendering index of greater than about 80 at normal incidence to the waveguide.

Abstract: A high-precision magnetometer based on a miniature Penning trap is used to measure high magnetic field strengths with very high accuracy. Due to the high precision of the developed miniature charged particle trap, magnetic field strengths can be measured with an accuracy of 1 part per million or greater, including up to and above 1 part per billion. The charged particle trap has been configured to operate with such precision in environments of high radiation, e.g., 1 MGy or above.