Abstract: Reducing feedback in an input signal that contains a signal component based on an output signal from a proximate output. The input signal is separated into a plurality of frequency bands by band pass filters. The power of signal in each band is determined, and the band signal with the greatest power is selected. That band's signal is sampled at a sampling rate, and at regular intervals one of the samples is selected. Blind signal separation is used to estimate signal sources from the selected samples. The estimated signals are compared to the output signal, and the estimated signal most similar to the output signal is subtracted from the input signal.

Abstract: A method of producing graphene comprises forming a composition comprising magnesium and carbon, and isolating graphene from the composition. The isolated graphene is crystalline.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided an improved refreshable tactile display apparatus including a housing, bias compression springs, sliding blocks, pins, and a shape memory alloy wire. The sliding block is actuated by the interaction between the bias compression spring and the shape memory alloy wire. The shape memory alloy wire is then activated by current driven from a power supply in either a modulated or unmodulated fashion.

Abstract: A proton computed tomography (pCT) detector system, including two tracking detectors in sequence on a first side of an object to be imaged, two tracking detectors in sequence on an opposite side of the object to be imaged, a calorimeter, and a computer cluster, wherein the tracking detectors include plastic scintillation fibers. All fibers in the detector system are read out by Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPM). A method of imaging an object by emitting protons from a source through two tracking detectors, through and around the object, and through two opposite tracking detectors, detecting energy of the protons with a calorimeter, and imaging the object.

Abstract: Many fungal secondary metabolites are of industrial interest, such as antibiotics, while others are undesirable compounds such as mycotoxins. Overexpression of mtfA enhances production of fungal compounds with applications in the medical field, and overexpression or impaired mtfA expression decreases the production of compounds that negatively affect health/agriculture/economy such as mycotoxins.

Abstract: Many fungal secondary metabolites are of industrial interest, such as antibiotics, while others are undesirable compounds such as mycotoxins. Overexpression of mtfA enhances production of fungal compounds with applications in the medical field, and overexpression or impaired mtfA expression decreases the production of compounds that negatively affect health/agriculture/economy such as mycotoxins.

Abstract: A molecular fan for dissipating heat, the fan having a chemically functionalized molecular fan thin film coating affixed to a surface in need of heat dissipation. A nanocoating for dissipating heat, the coating having a thin film coating affixed to a surface in need of heat dissipation. A molecular fan thin film coating affixed to a surface in need of heat dissipation for dissipating heat.

Abstract: A propulsion device including a chamber that stores a superfluid, a substrate coupled to a portion of the chamber, a plurality of orifices extending through the substrate, each of the plurality of orifices having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end disposed in an interior of the chamber and the second end disposed outside the chamber; and a pressure source that generates a pressure differential between the first end of each of the plurality of orifices and the second end of each of the plurality of orifices.

Abstract: A method of preparing an aryl carbonyl or aryl thiocarbonyl compound, comprises reacting an N-(nitroaryl)-amide or N-(nitroaryl)-thioamide with an aromatic ring, with a superacid catalyst, to produce the aryl carbonyl or aryl thiocarbonyl compound. The superacid is present in an amount of at most 8 equivalents in proportion to the N-(nitroaryl)-amide or N-(nitroaryl)-thioamide. A method of preparing aryl amide or aryl thioamide, comprises reacting an N-(nitroaryl)-carbamide or N-(nitroaryl)-thiocarbamide with an aromatic ring, with a superacid catalyst, to produce the aryl amide or aryl thioamide.

Abstract: A chemical sensor having a sol-gel material affixable to a predetermined surface, and an indicator within the sol-gel, for detecting and signaling the presence of at least one chemical is provided. Also provided is an indicator for detecting and indicating a presence of at least one chemical. The indicator includes a sol-gel material affixable to a predetermined surface and an indicator within the sol-gel, for detecting and signaling the presence of at least one chemical. There is provided a method of detecting at least one chemical by applying the indicator from above to a predetermined surface of an object and indicating the presence of a chemical. A method of making a chemical sensor encapsulating within a sol-gel a detector capable of detecting and signaling a presence of at least one chemical.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for introducing molecular switch functionality into a protein affinity reagent to render its binding to a target molecule sensitive to an environmental trigger, such as pH, while maintaining binding affinity to the target molecule. Combinatorial libraries created by the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for integrating adaptive noise cancellation (ANC) with communication features in an enclosure, such as an incubator, bed, and the like. Utilizing one or more error and reference microphones, a controller for a noise cancellation portion reduces noise within a quiet area of the enclosure. Voice communications are provided to allow external voice signals to be transmitted to the enclosure with minimized interference with noise processing. Vocal communications from within the enclosure may be processed to determine certain characteristics/features of the vocal communications. Using these characteristics, certain emotive and/or physiological states may be identified.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for laser assisted machining are provided, by utilizing a computer to develop interrelated heating and machining plans, from a variety of input data describing the material to be machined, the properties of lasers and pyrometers used for heating the material, and computer models of the machining arrangement, workpiece and final part to be produced. An iterative process continues until the machining and heating plans result in the cutting zone of the workpiece being maintained at a desired temperature with no obstruction in the line-of-sight of at least one laser and pyrometer throughout the machining process, while also maintaining the cutting tool at or below a desired maximum temperature.

Abstract: An unnatural amino acid including a phosphate mimicking group for mimicking a phosphate group in phosphoamino acids and a protein phosphatase modifying group for covalently binding protein phosphatases. A probe for detecting disease including a phosphate mimicking group for mimicking a phosphate group in phosphoamino acids and a protein phosphatase modifying group for covalently binding protein phosphatases. A method for detecting the presence of disease by administering the unnatural amino acid, binding the unnatural amino acid with a phosphatase, detecting a signal, and detecting the presence of disease. A method of identifying a known protein phosphatase, and a method of identifying an unknown protein phosphatase. A method of making the unnatural amino acid.

Abstract: An encasement such as an electronic pillow including a pillow unit encasing at least one error microphone and at least one loudspeaker in electrical connection with a controller unit, the pillow unit also including a power source, and a reference sensing unit including at least one reference microphone in electrical connection with the controller unit, the controller unit including an algorithm for controlling interactions between the error microphone, loudspeaker, and reference microphone. A method of abating unwanted noise, by detecting an unwanted noise with a reference microphone, analyzing the unwanted noise, producing an anti-noise corresponding to the unwanted noise in a pillow, and abating the unwanted noise.

Abstract: A proton computed tomography (pCT) detector system, including two tracking detectors in sequence on a first side of an object to be imaged, two tracking detectors in sequence on an opposite side of the object to be imaged, a calorimeter, and a computer cluster, wherein the tracking detectors include plastic scintillation fibers. All fibers in the detector system are read out by Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPM). A method of imaging an object by emitting protons from a source through two tracking detectors, through and around the object, and through two opposite tracking detectors, detecting energy of the protons with a calorimeter, and imaging the object.

Abstract: An electronic pillow including a pillow unit encasing at least one error microphone and at least one loudspeaker in electrical connection with a controller unit, the pillow unit also including a power source, and a reference sensing unit including at least one reference microphone in electrical connection with the controller unit, the controller unit including an algorithm for controlling interactions between the error microphone, loudspeaker, and reference microphone. A method of abating unwanted noise, by detecting an unwanted noise with a reference microphone, analyzing the unwanted noise, producing an anti-noise corresponding to the unwanted noise in a pillow, and abating the unwanted noise. Methods of hands-free communication, recording and monitoring sleep disorders, providing real-time response to emergencies, and playing audio sounds.

Abstract: Disease resistance in domesticated fowl has been associated with the B and Rfp-Y systems of major histocompatability genes. A method for breeding domesticated fowl to produce disease resistant offspring involves selecting at least one parent that has a B genotype, an Rfp-Y genotype or both that is characteristic of disease resistance and mating that parent with a second parent to produce a disease resistant offspring.