Abstract: Methods and diagnostic tools are provided for assessing contrast sensitivity in a subject in the presence and absence of luminance noise by: i) presenting to the subject a series of scenes, each scene comprising at least a first target having a preselected level of contrast superimposed on a uniform background and a second target having a preselected level of contrast superimposed on a luminance noise background, wherein in each successively presented scene the first and second targets that are superimposed on the uniform background and on the luminance noise background, respectively, have contrast levels that are different from the contrast levels of the first and second targets superimposed on the uniform background and on the luminance noise background, respectively, in the previously presented scene; ii) monitoring responses by the subject to step i); and iii) evaluating the contrast sensitivity of the subject based on the monitored responses.

Abstract: Methods of RNA-guided DNA endonuclease-mediated genome editing in Bacteria and Archaea are provided.

Abstract: A hemostatic composition is provided. The hemostatic composition includes a hemostatically effective amount of a hemostatic agent that includes a nanoparticle and a polyphosphate polymer attached to the nanoparticle. Also provided are medical devices and methods of use to promote blood clotting.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes compositions of matter comprising a ribonucleoprotein complex comprising a nucleic acid-guided nuclease and a guide RNA, and further comprising and a blocking nucleic acid molecule represented by Formula I, wherein Formula I in the 5?-to-3? direction comprises: A-(B-L)J-C-M-T-D; wherein A is 0-15 nucleotides in length; B is 4-12 nucleotides in length; L is 3-25 nucleotides in length; J is an integer between 1 and 10; C is 4-15 nucleotides in length; M is 1-25 nucleotides in length or is absent, wherein if M is absent then A-(B-L)J-C and T-D are separate nucleic acid strands; T is 17-135 nucleotides in length and comprises at least 50% sequence complementarity to B and C; D is 0-10 nucleotides in length and comprises at least 50% sequence complementarity to A; and wherein the blocking nucleic acid molecule comprises a sequence complementary to a gRNA.

Abstract: A fluazifop-resistant sorghum cultivar designated ‘21534_ACCase-R’ and plants comprising a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 39 are disclosed herein. The present invention provides seeds, plants, and plant parts derived from sorghum cultivar ‘21534_ACCase-R’ and those including SEQ ID NO: 39. Further, it provides methods for producing a sorghum plant by crossing ‘21534_ACCase-R’ with itself or another sorghum variety. The invention also encompasses any sorghum seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by the methods disclosed herein, including those in which additional traits have been transferred into ‘21534_ACCase-R’ through the introduction of a transgene or by breeding ‘21534_ACCase-R’ with another sorghum cultivar.

Abstract: A monocone antenna is described for V2X wireless communications. To achieve ultrawide bandwidth, low-profile, omnidirectional radiation, an implementation comprises various components including a circular monocone, a capacitive feed, a ring with grounding vias, capacitive bars, and conductive cylinders. Another implementation comprises a monocone, a capacitive feed, a ground ring with grounding vias, a plurality of first meander lines, each having a first size, and a plurality of second meander lines each having a second size, wherein the second size is larger than the first size.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for preparing nanoparticle monolayers on a sub-phase by controlling the spreading rate of the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are first prepared in a nanoparticle solution at a predetermined concentration with a solvent. The sub-phase solution is prepared to have a density and viscosity compatible with the desired spreading rate. Additives, such as glycerol, are used to alter the density of the sub-phase solution. A volume of nanoparticle solution is deposited on the surface of the sub-phase solution and allowed to spread in a controlled manner on the unconstrained surface, forming a uniform nanoparticle monolayer. A substrate is then placed in contact with the nanoparticle monolayer to form a uniform nanoparticle coating on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An integrated circuit on a chip may include a plurality of capacitors that are connected in series and generate an AC noise signal. A selected bandwidth of the AC noise signal transmits through the series of capacitors as a first AC power signal. Respective rectifiers are positioned for receiving a positive cycle of the first AC power signal and a negative cycle of the first AC power signal. Output terminals are connected to the respective rectifiers and configured for connection to an off chip circuit. The capacitors may be fixed or variable gap capacitors.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for monitoring unstructured environments. A predetermined path can be determined according to an assignment of geolocations to one or more agronomically anomalous target areas, where the one or more agronomically anomalous target areas are determined according to an analysis of a plurality of first images that automatically identifies a target area that deviates from a determination of an average of the plurality of first images that represents an anomalous place within a predetermined area, where the plurality of first images of the predetermined area are captured by a camera during a flight over the predetermined area. A camera of an unmanned vehicle can capture at least one second image of the one or more agronomically anomalous target areas as the unmanned vehicle travels along the predetermined path.

Abstract: A computerized method includes analyzing program code, including a control flow graph, of one or more applications that are executable by an operating system of a computing device to determine event-logging functions of the program code that generate event logs; extracting, by the processing device based on the event-logging functions, log message strings from the program code that describes event-logging statements; identifying, by the processing device, via control flow analysis, possible control flow paths of the log message strings through the control flow graph; storing, in a database accessible by the processing device, the possible control flow paths; and inputting, by the processing device into a log parser, the possible control flow paths of the log message strings to facilitate interpretation of application events during runtime execution of the one or more applications.

Abstract: A programmable switch includes an input arbiter to analyze packet headers of incoming packets and determine which of the incoming packets are part of gradient vectors received from worker computing devices that are performing reinforcement learning. The programmable switch also includes an accelerator coupled to the input arbiter, the accelerator to: receive the incoming packets from the input arbiter; asynchronously aggregate gradient values of the incoming packets, as the gradient values are received, to generate an aggregated data packet associated with a gradient segment of the gradient vectors; and transfer the aggregated data packet to the input arbiter to be transmitted to the worker computing devices, which are to update local weights based on the aggregated data packet.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating an abstract meaning representation (“AMR”) of a sentence, comprising receiving, by a computing device, an input sentence and parsing the input sentence into one or more syntactic and/or semantic graphs. An input graph including a node set and an edge set is formed from the one or more syntactic and/or semantic graphs. Node representations are generated by natural language processing. The input graph is provided to a first neural network to provide an output graph having learned node representations aligned with the node representations in the input graph. The method further includes predicting via a second neural network, node label and predicting, via a third neural network, edge labels in the output graph. The AMR is generated based on the predicted node labels and predicted edge labels. A system and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and devices for characterizing a biomolecule parameter by a nanopore-containing membrane, and also methods for making devices that can be used in the methods and devices provided herein. The nanopore membrane is a multilayer stack of conducting layers and dielectric layers, wherein an embedded conducting layer or conducting layer gates provides well-controlled and measurable electric fields in and around the nanopore through which the biomolecule translocates. In an aspect, the conducting layer is graphene.

Abstract: An image processing method includes defining relations between entities of a target of which a motion is to be predicted from an image of a first time point based on a feature vector of the entities, estimating a dynamic interaction between the entities at the first time point based on the defined relations between the entities, predicting a motion of the entities changing at a second time point based on the estimated dynamic interaction, and outputting a result to which the motion predicted at the second time point is applied.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a battery and methods for making and using the battery. The battery includes (a) a separator that is woven and porous, and (b) a graphene oxide (GO) nanosheet coating coupled to a surface of the separator. The GO nanosheet coating is configured as a buffer layer to permit transport of Li-ions therethrough and to regulate a rate of flow of the transport of the Li-ions.

Abstract: A method to strengthen or repair concrete and other structures comprises securing a plate having a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire embedded therein to a localized region of a structure. The SMA wire has a deformed shape configured for self-anchorage within the plate. The SMA wire is heated at or above an austenite transformation temperature, and the SMA wire resists shape recovery and remains self-anchored within the plate. Accordingly, a compressive force is generated within the SMA wire and transferred to the plate. At an interface between the plate and the localized region of the structure, the compressive force is transmitted from the plate to the structure, thereby providing localized prestressing of the structure.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of using salt inducible kinase inhibitors to enhance female fertility.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are antibacterial compounds that accumulate in Gram-negative bacteria, methods of preparing the compounds, and methods of using the compounds to inhibit or kill microbes, and methods of treating microbial infections, such as Gram-negative bacterial infections. Compounds selected for conversion to potential Gram-negative antibacterial compounds were identified based on compounds having low globularity and low flexibility. Amine substituents were then strategically added to the selected compounds to provide compounds having antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria.

Abstract: A method includes depositing a first metal layer on a semiconductor substrate; etching the first metal layer to form a first electrode having a first lead; depositing a piezoelectric layer on the semiconductor substrate and first electrode; etching the piezoelectric layer to a shape of the gyrator to be formed within the circulator; depositing a second metal layer on the piezoelectric layer; etching the second metal layer to form a second electrode having a second lead, the second electrode being positioned opposite the first electrode, wherein the first lead and the second lead form an electrical port; depositing a magnetostrictive layer on the second electrode; etching the magnetostrictive layer to approximately the shape of the piezoelectric layer; depositing a third metal layer on the magnetostrictive layer; and etching the third metal layer to form a metal coil that has a gap on one side to define a magnetic port.

Abstract: An apparatus such as an optical modulator includes a buried oxide layer is disposed on a substrate. A microring resonator and an optical waveguide are disposed on the buried oxide layer and within a bonded semiconductor layer. The optical waveguide is optically coupled to the microring resonator and inputs a first optical wave into the microring resonator. An oxide layer is deposited on top of the optical waveguide and the microring resonator. A set of electrodes is disposed adjacent to the microring resonator, and in response to an electrical signal, the set of electrodes modulates the first optical wave into a modulated optical wave of transverse magnetic polarization within the microring resonator and outputs the modulated optical wave to the optical waveguide.