Abstract: Apparatus include an atmospheric pressure glow discharge (APGD) analyte electrode defining an analyte discharge axis into an APGD volume, and a plurality of APGD counter electrodes having respective electrical discharge ends directed to the APGD volume, wherein the APGD analyte electrode and the APGD counter electrodes are configured to produce an APGD plasma in the APGD volume with a voltage difference between the APGD analyte electrode and one or more of the AGPD counter electrodes. An electrode can be integrated into an ion inlet. Apparatus can be configured to perform auto-ignition and/or provide multi-modal operation through selectively powering electrodes. Electrode holder devices are disclosed. Related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A force generator applying a force load against a facemask. A first load cell carrying a first portion of the facemask at an attachment point of the facemask where the facemask is attachable to a helmet. A second load cell carrying a second portion of the facemask at another attachment point of the facemask where the facemask is attachable to a helmet. A first attachment platform carrying the first load cell, wherein the first attachment platform is laterally movable in at least two degrees of freedom. A second attachment platform carrying the second load cell, wherein the second attachment platform is laterally movable in at least two degrees of freedom. The force generator directs the contact plate against the facemask to cause a horizontal deformation of the facemask and a lateral movement of the attachment platforms to allow for repeatable force load testing on a single facemask.

Abstract: Provided is a copolymer exhibiting self-healing properties. The copolymer comprises first units comprising first pendant groups wherein the first pendant groups are alkyls having at least 1 to no more than 6 carbons. Second units comprising second pendant groups are alkyls having at least 2 to no more than 8 carbons. The first units and second units are in a molar ratio of 45/55 to 55/45 and the pendant groups form an inter-pendant space having a volume of at least 80 Ang.3 to no more than 140 Ang.3. The copolymer comprises no more than 3 adjacent first units and no more than 3 adjacent second units.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting metal clips inserted within a portion of a body of a patient are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a clip detector assembly includes a detector having a ferrous member, a transmitting coil around the ferrous member and configured to induce a current in the metal clip, and a receiving coil around the ferrous member and configured to receive a magnetic field generated by the current induced in the metal clip. The assembly can further include a control circuit having a band-pass filter configured to pass electrical signals induced by the magnetic field from the receiving coil that are within at most 35 kHz of a resonance frequency of the metal clip. The assembly still further includes a user notification component configured to alert a user to a location of the metal clip.

Abstract: Devices and methods for super-resolution optical microscopy are described. Devices include an optical multiplexer to develop an excitation/illumination optical beam that includes alternating pulses of different profiles. Devices also include a signal processing unit to process a sample response to excitation/illumination beam and to subtract the neighboring pulses of the different profiles from one another on a pulse-to-pulse basis. Devices can be incorporated in existing confocal microscopy designs. As the subtraction effectively reduces the volume of the response signal, the spatial resolution of the systems can be markedly improved as compared to previously known optical microscopy approaches.

Abstract: A composite filament for use in additive manufacturing such as fused filament fabrication is described along with methods of its construction and use. The composite filament includes a single continuous filament (e.g., a continuous carbon roving) and a polymer (e.g., a high glass transition polymer) in intimate contact. The composite filament is formed through immersion of the continuous filament in a solution of the polymer. The composite filament can be combined with an additional formation material in an additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in vitro method for identifying a compound that promotes endothelial cell adhesion, endothelial cell spreading, endothelial cell migration and/or endothelial cell proliferation for the manufacture of a diagnostic or therapeutic agent. The present invention further provides the identified compounds and pharmaceutical compositions, and assays and kits for identifying a compound or using a compound that promotes endothelial cell adhesion, endothelial cell spreading, endothelial cell migration and/or endothelial cell proliferation and is useful for bioprinting.

Abstract: A plant propagation system is described that can be utilized for micropropagation through early stages of plant development. A system can include multiple plant support matrices, containers for the matrices, and optionally a tool for separating sections of a plant support matrix from the remainder of the matrix. During use developing plant tissue can be transferred between matrices and growth media can be varied with little or no damage to developing plant tissue and lower chances for contamination of the developing plant tissues.

Abstract: Bioreactors and components of bioreactors are described as may be beneficially utilized in development and conditioning of cellular materials for study or implant. The bioreactors are modular and components of the bioreactors can be easily assembled with alternatives provided to develop specific, predetermined conditioning environments for cellular materials (e.g., implantable tissue). By selection of one of multiple alternative compliance chambers, a bioreactor can be utilized to condition tissue in a low pressure circuit (e.g., a pulmonary heart circuit), and by utilization of an alternative compliance chamber, the bioreactor can instead condition tissue in a high pressure circuit (e.g., an aortic heart circuit).

Abstract: Foldable composite structures and methods for fabricating foldable composite structures are provided. For example, a method comprises selectively applying a rigidifying substance to a sheet of composite material to define a plurality of hinges; allowing the rigidifying substance to cure; and folding the sheet of composite material along the hinges to form the composite structure. As another example, a method comprises laying out flat a sheet of composite material; masking a plurality of hinges on the sheet; applying a polymer to a sheet face; curing the polymer; removing the masking; and folding the sheet along the hinges to form the composite structure. An exemplary foldable composite structure comprises a planar sheet of composite material folded to define a plurality of surface segments and a plurality of hinges. A portion of the hinges form peaks and the remainder of the hinges form valleys. The hinges are defined between adjacent surface segments.

Abstract: An improved DC circuit breaker is provided for automatically detecting and isolating a fault between a source and a ground. The DC circuit breaker comprises at least one switch, in electrical series with a first inductor between the source and a load, and a second inductor magnetically coupled to the first inductor wherein a first side of the second inductor is electrically connected to the load and a second side of the second inductor is grounded through a capacitor.

Abstract: Described herein are tissues containing semiconductor nanomaterials. In some embodiments, the tissues include vascular cells, cardiomyocytes, and/or cardiac fibroblasts. The tissue may be scaffold-free. In some embodiments, the tissue includes an electrically conductive network. The tissue may exhibit synchronized electrical signal propagation within the tissue. In some embodiments, the tissue exhibits increased functional assembly of cardiac cells and/or increased cardiac specific functions compared to a cardiac tissue prepared using a conventional tissue culture method. Methods of preparing and using such tissues are also described herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods that establish a pressure differential across a tissue wall to encourage complete decellularization of the wall are described. The methods can be utilized for decellularization of blood vessel tissue including heart valves and surrounding tissues. The methods and systems can essentially completely decellularize the treated tissue segments. Systems can be utilized to decellularize one or multiple tissue segments at a single time.

Abstract: Terbium-based Faraday rotators, optical isolators incorporating the Faraday rotators, and methods for forming the Faraday rotators are described. Formation methods include hydrothermal growth methods for forming monolithic single crystals of TbO(OH) as Faraday rotator materials. TbO(OH) can also be used as a starting material in a hydrothermal growth method to form monolithic single crystals of TbxYb(2-x)O3, in which x is between about 0.05 and about 1 or terbium aluminum garnet TAG for use as a Faraday rotator in an optical isolator.

Abstract: A hydrogen permeation membrane is provided that can include a carbon-based material (C) and a ceramic material (BZCYT) mixed together. The carbon-based material can include graphene, graphite, carbon nanotubes, or a combination thereof. The ceramic material can have the formula BaZr1-x-y-zCexYyTzO3-?, where 0?x?0.5, 0?y?0.5, 0?z?0.5, (x+y+z)>0; 0???0.5, and T is Yb, Sc, Ti, Nb, Ta, Mo, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, In, or a combination thereof. In addition, the BZYCT can be present in the C-BZCYT mixture in an amount ranging from about 40% by volume to about 80% by volume. Further, a method of forming such a membrane is also provided. A method is also provided for extracting hydrogen from a feed stream.

Abstract: Systems for detecting analytes in electrical double layer nanopore devices and methods of use are provided.

Abstract: Materials and methods for prevention of biofouling that incorporate the presence of a conotoxin peptide on a surface are described. The conotoxin peptide is either directly or indirectly adhered to the surface and interferes with the ability of biofouling organisms to settle on the surface.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for determining the amount of material contained in a windrow. In particular embodiments, the methods and systems are applicable to agricultural applications, and in particular to hay yield monitoring. Systems include a remote sensing technology to determine windrow height. Remote sensing methods can include ultrasonic sensors, optical sensors, and the like. Systems can provide real time yield data.

Abstract: Methods for forming carbon-based cellular structures and 3D structures that can be formed by use of the methods are described. Methods include shaping an essentially 2D sheet that includes an organic polymer to form a 3D precursor followed by heat treatment of the 3D precursor. Heat treatment carbonizes the polymer to form an amorphous carbon. A metal precursor solution can be applied to the 3D precursor, and subsequent heat treatment can form a metal carbide, metal nanoparticles, or other carbon-based materials on/in the cellular structures.

Abstract: Pyrazoline-based fluorophores and plastic scintillators incorporating the fluorophores are described. The fluorophores include 1,3,5-triaryl substituted pyrazolines. A fluorophore of a plastic scintillator can be a 1-phenyl-4,5-1H-dihydroyrazole having the structure: in which R1 and R2 are independently selected from a heteroaryl group including one or more of an oxygen, selenium or sulfur atom in the ring; an aryl halide group; or a phenyl alkyl including a C1 to C18 saturated or unsaturated alkyl that optionally includes a reactive functionality.