Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for specific detection of a target analyte using probe DNA specific to the target analyte and non-functionalized, carbohydrate-capped metal nanoparticles such as non-functionalized, dextrin-capped gold nanoparticles. A sample mixture including a target DNA analyte and a probe DNA specific thereto is incubated to from a probe DNA-target DNA complex. The non-functionalized, carbohydrate-capped metal nanoparticles and an ionic species such as sodium chloride or other salt are added to the probe DNA-target DNA complex, and the mixture is incubated. Addition of the ionic species creates a detectable distinction, such as color of the resultant mixture, between stabilized metal nanoparticles when the probe DNA-target DNA complex is present and destabilized metal nanoparticles when the probe DNA-target DNA complex is absent. The method can be used for colorimetric detection of plant pathogens and associated diseases in agricultural production systems.

Abstract: A single beam plasma or ion source apparatus, including multiple and different power sources, is provided. An aspect of the present apparatus and method employs simultaneous excitation of an ion source by DC and AC, or DC and RF power supplies. Another aspect employs an ion source including multiple magnets and magnetic shunts arranged in a generally E cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to metal nanoparticle compositions and their methods of formation and use, in particular gold nanoparticles (AuNP) and gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles. Compositions according to the disclosure include aqueous suspensions of metal nanoparticles that are stabilized with one or more carbohydrate capping agents and/or that are functionalized with one or more binding pair members for capture/detection of a target analyte. The nanoparticle suspensions are stable for extended periods and can be functionalized as desired at a later point in time, typically prior to use in an assay for the detection of a target biological analyte. The stable nanoparticle suspension can be formed by the aqueous reduction of oxidized metal precursors at non-acidic pH values in the presence of a carbohydrate-based capping agent such as dextrin or other oligosaccharides.

Abstract: A medication bottle includes an outer container wall, an inner container wall and a fluid, such as an aversive liquid, located between the walls. In another aspect, the fluid is located within separate compartments or channels located between the walls where the walls contact or are secured to each other. A further aspect provides a removeable cap including multiple sensors, at least one of which is a biometric sensor.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and related systems for precision crop modeling and management using the same. Precision crop modeling and management can be incorporated into various methods for growing plants such as crop plants and various methods for managing the growth of such plants in a particular field. The methods generally utilize in-season information relating to weather conditions actually experienced by the field to prepare mid-season, updated crop management plans. A crop management plan is determined using a crop model incorporating a variety of inputs and plant-specific material and energy balances to specify one or more grower-controlled management parameters. An updated plan for a given field can be followed by a grower to increase crop yield and/or optimize one or more other crop or field parameters.

Abstract: A bioactive scaffold is provided. The bioactive scaffold includes an interconnected web of struts composed of a glass-ceramic material, the web of struts being printed as a three-dimensional structure from a filament composition having a bimodal distribution of glass-ceramic microparticles, wherein the bioactive scaffold has a porosity defined by spaces between struts of greater than or equal to about 40% to less than or equal to about 80% and an average pore size of greater than or equal to about 200 ?m to less than or equal to about 400 ?m. Methods of making the bioactive scaffold and treating bone defects using the bioactive scaffolds are also provided.

Abstract: A clinical or research instrument or apparatus is provided. In another aspect, an apparatus operably conducts microfluidic measurement of metabolic functions in biological samples. A further aspect employs an instrument which includes an enclosed sample chamber having walls of low oxygen permeability and an optically transparent material to allow remote probing or sensing of oxygen.

Abstract: An electrode apparatus and method remove a polarized molecule in a fluid. In another aspect, a non-uniform electric field is created between an anode and a cathode, the fluid flows within a gap between the cathode and the anode, and the polarized molecule is driven by an electrostatic force to and adsorbed on the anode without experiencing a chemical reaction.

Abstract: Inferring product activity includes providing a first product having an attached first harmonic tag; directing, at a first area in which the first product is located, a first transmitted signal of a first frequency; and receiving a first return signal of a first return frequency from the first harmonic tag, wherein the first harmonic tag, upon receiving the first transmitted signal, radiates the first return signal, such that the first return frequency is a harmonic of the first frequency. A computer can then infer, based on the first return signal, a first activity in which the first product is being used.

Abstract: An ingress-egress apparatus for protection of a surgical work site during removal of a surgical implant therefrom includes an inverted frustum surface having a sidewall defining: a bottom open area at a base portion of the frustum surface sidewall, and an opposing top open area at a top portion of the frustum surface sidewall. The top open area has a larger area than the bottom open area. The apparatus includes an ingress port located at the base portion of the frustum surface sidewall and an egress port located at the base portion of the frustum surface sidewall. During surgical removal of the surgical implant using a surgical burr, the apparatus can be used to irrigate the work site, thereby cooling it and protecting it from damage, and further removing metal implant particles generated during burring.

Abstract: A diesel engine employs a turbulent jet ignition system and method. In another aspect, diesel fuel and air are premixed prior to introduction of the mixture into a main engine combustion chamber. A further aspect employs a turbocharger compressor to boost air pressure into a main piston combustion chamber and/or an ignition pre-chamber for missing with a heavy fuel, such as diesel.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes multiple fuel injections external to a pre-chamber. A further aspect provides an engine pre-chamber ignition apparatus which employs a pre-assembled and/or removable cartridge including an ignitor and a fresh air inlet but not a fuel inlet injector directly mounted thereto. Another aspect of a vehicular engine apparatus includes a fuel injector positioned externally to a pre-chamber which delivers an initial greater quantity of fuel for combustion and then a later and smaller quantity of fuel for pre-chamber ignition.

Abstract: A technique is presented for quantizing pixels of an image using Sigma Delta quantization. In one aspect, pixel values for an image are segmented into columns of pixel values; and for each column in the matrix, pixel values of a given column are quantized using sigma delta modulation. The pixel values in a given column are preferably quantized as a whole, thereby minimizing accumulated quantization error from a starting pixel value in the given column to a current pixel value in the given column. In another aspect, the pixels of an image are quantized using a 2D generalization of Sigma Delta modulation.

Abstract: A method of simultaneously modifying degradation rates of at least two compounds including a first compound having a first unmodified degradation rate constant k1 and a second compound having a second unmodified degradation rate k2 is provided. The method includes combining a first composition including the first compound with a second composition including the second compound, degrading the first compound and forming a first degradation product; and degrading the second compound and forming a second degradation product. The second degradation product modifies the first unmodified degradation rate constant k1 of the first compound to a first modified degradation rate k1? and the first degradation product modifies the second unmodified degradation rate k2 of the second compound to a second modified degradation rate k2?. Compositions resulting from the method are also provided.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating a representation for a fingerprint includes receiving, by a computer processor, an image of a given fingerprint. The method extracts particular attributes for the given fingerprint from the image using a first neural network. The first neural network is trained to identify particular attributes in fingerprints and constructs a first feature vector from the extracted particular attributes, where the first feature vector has a first fixed length. The method includes extracting textural features of the given fingerprint from the image using a second neural network, where the second neural network is trained to identify textural features that are not limited to particular attributes and constructing a second feature vector from the extracted textural features, where the second feature vector has a second fixed length. The method includes concatenating the first feature vector with the second feature vector to form a representation for the given fingerprint.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for cuff-less blood pressure measurement in a mobile device. A key aspect of this disclosure is the discovery of a new location for blood pressure measurement at the fingertip of a subject and that reflectance-mode photoplethysmography can be used to help make this measurement. Through experiments in human subjects, it was discovered that it is indeed possible to measure systemic blood pressure by having a subject press the fingertip against a reflectance-mode photo-plethysmography-force sensor unit under visual guidance and then compute blood pressure from the resulting variable-amplitude blood volume oscillations and applied pressure via an oscillometric algorithm.

Abstract: Most automatic cuff blood pressure (BP) measurement devices are based on oscillometry. These devices estimate BP from the envelopes of the cuff pressure oscillations using fixed ratios. The values of the fixed ratios represent population averages, so the devices may be accurate only in subjects with normal BP levels. A patient-specific oscillometric BP measurement method was developed. The idea was to represent the cuff pressure oscillation envelopes with a physiologic model and then estimate the patient-specific parameters of the model, which includes BP levels, by optimally fitting it to the envelopes.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium-ion cell has a cell capacity and includes a positive electrode having a recharged potential and a negative electrode. The rechargeable lithium-ion cell also includes a charge-carrying electrolyte. The charge-carrying electrolyte includes a charge-carrying medium and a lithium salt. The rechargeable lithium-ion cell also includes a redox shuttle having the following structure Formula (I).

Abstract: A solar concentrator device is provided. The solar concentrator device includes a waveguide having a luminophore and a first refractive index; a photovoltaic component operably coupled to the waveguide; and a film disposed onto a surface of the waveguide, the film having a second refractive index. The second refractive index of the film is lower than the first refractive index of the waveguide. The waveguide and the film are visibly transparent.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium-ion cell has a cell capacity and includes a positive electrode having a recharged potential and a negative electrode. The rechargeable lithium-ion cell also includes a charge-carrying electrolyte. The charge-carrying electrolyte includes a charge-carrying medium and a lithium salt. The rechargeable lithium-ion cell also includes a redox shuttle having the following structure.