Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for implementing an automated air quality analysis system. The system includes: a sealed enclosure, a filter sample analysis system disposed within the sealed enclosure, and a controller operably coupled with the filter sample analysis system. The filter sample analysis system includes: an automated filter management system with filter samples and an articulating robotic arm which selects the filter sample for analysis, a filter weighing apparatus for weighting of the filter sample, and a primary chemical analysis apparatus for performing electromagnetic energy spectroscopy measurement on the filter sample. The controller operates the automated filter management system to transport the filter sample to the filter weighing apparatus and the primary chemical analysis apparatus, obtains data from the filter sample analysis system, and determines the type and amount of accumulated mass in the sample based on the weight and the spectroscopy measurement result.

Abstract: A substrate having an antibacterial surface includes a chitosan matrix and water-stable metal-organic frameworks dispersed throughout the chitosan matrix. The water-stable metal-organic frameworks are present in an amount of 5% wt/wt to 20% wt/wt based on total solids of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for treating a bone defect extending between a proximal bone structure and a distal bone structure of a patient may include resecting a region of bone between the proximal bone structure and the distal bone structure and encompassing the bone defect, positioning a biodegradable osteogenic scaffold within a biodegradable sleeve, coupling the biodegradable sleeve to a fixation member, positioning the biodegradable sleeve between the proximal bone structure and the distal bone structure, and attaching the fixation member to each of the proximal bone structure and the distal bone structure.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a cancer vaccine composition comprising inactivated cancer cells and an adjuvant, wherein the inactivated cancer cells are incapable of replication. Also provided is a method for producing a cancer vaccine composition, the method comprising contacting cancer cells with light (e.g., UV light) in the presence of a photosensitizer (e.g., riboflavin).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method that includes utilizing a microorganism for the converting of a substrate to an acid contained in a mixture that includes the acid and water, maintaining a pH of the mixture to less than 5, and treating the mixture with a first stream comprising an organic.

Abstract: Polymer composite photonic crystal materials are disclosed as coatings with topcoats having high reflection (>30%) in a specific range of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as ultraviolet (<400 nm), visible (Vis, 400 nm-700 nm), or near-infrared radiation range (NIR, 700-2000 nm), and optionally a relatively low reflection (<20% reflection) in a second, different range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Surprisingly, it was found that through a multi-layer coating approach, the optical properties of polymer composite photonic crystal films can be selectively modified from a variety of different coating methods, including spray deposition.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a jet impingement cooling system configured to cool high heat flux devices via a cooling fluid. The jet impingement cooling system may include a heatsink and a first supply surface. The heatsink is coupled to the high heat flux device or capable of being coupled to the high heat flux device. The heatsink includes a first impingement surface having exit orifices and impingement regions. The exit orifices are spaced-apart from each other and defined in the first impingement surface. The impingement regions are located between adjacent exit orifices. The first supply surface is spaced-apart from the first impingement surface and includes injection ports spaced-apart from each other and defined in the supply surface. The injection ports are oriented such that impingement jets therefrom are directed to impinge against the impingement regions.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a plant or plant part comprising a polynucleotide encoding an herbicide tolerant IAA2 polypeptide having a deleted or disrupted degron tail region, the expression of said polynucleotide confers to the plant or plant part tolerance to synthetic auxin herbicides, such as 2,4-D. The present invention relates to methods and plants and that have a deleted or disrupted degron tail region of the IAA2 protein obtained by gene editing, transformation, mutagenesis, breeding, and the like.

Abstract: An orthopedic cast splitter apparatus for splitting an orthopedic cast may include a frame, a handle pivotally coupled to the frame, a drive rod configured to translate relative to the frame, and a jaws. The jaws may include a first plate coupled to the frame, and a second plate coupled to the drive rod and extending parallel to the first plate, with the second plate being configured to translate relative to the first plate. The jaws also may include a first tooth removably coupled to the first plate and extending beyond an end of the first plate, and a second tooth removably coupled to the second plate and extending beyond an end of the second plate, with the first tooth and the second tooth being configured to be inserted within a fissure formed in the orthopedic cast.

Abstract: Various implementations include a self-heating device. The device includes an electrically insulative layer, an electrically conductive layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The electrically insulative layer has a first surface and a second surface spaced apart from the first surface. The electrically conductive layer has a first surface and a second surface spaced apart from the first surface. The second surface of the conductive layer is coupled to the first surface of the insulative layer. The conductive layer includes a polymer. Conductive nanoparticles are embedded in the polymer. The first electrode and a second electrode are coupled to the conductive layer. The first electrode and the second electrode are spaced apart from each other and in electrical communication with each other through the conductive layer. The conductive layer produces heat through Joule heating when electrical current is passed through the conductive layer.

Abstract: A topological spin memory effect, defined as the recovery of magnetic skyrmions or magnetic bubble skyrmions in magnetic thin films after a transition to a dramatically different spin texture, is used for encrypted non-volatile information storage. The storage strategy is based on magnetic skyrmions, that is, topologically protected spin textures comprising chiral domain walls surrounding small (e.g., nanometers to microns in diameter), typically circular, single-domain cores. Systems and methods are described for encrypted non-volatile information storage based on a spin memory effect in magnetic thin films that support skyrmions. Systems and methods encrypt and recover information stored in the form of magnetic skyrmions.

Abstract: A method for indentation of physical items may include forming, via an indenter, a plurality of first indents in a first surface of a first physical item, and validating a first material of the first physical item based at least in part on the first indents. The first indents may be disposed within a first defined region of the first surface and arranged in a first encoded pattern corresponding to a first item-specific serialization code for the first physical item.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a robotic wheel that includes a tensegrity structure, an inner hub, an outer hub, and a cable. The tensegrity structure includes multiple rigid rods and multiple elastic cables, and the tensegrity structure defines a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end. The inner hub is disposed at the first end of the tensegrity structure and the outer hub is disposed at the second end of the tensegrity structure. The cable is in contact with the outer hub, extends through the tensegrity structure parallel to the longitudinal axis, and extends through the inner hub. The cable is operable to retract to transition the tensegrity structure to a collapsed state and to extend to transition the tensegrity structure an expanded state.

Abstract: Polymer composite photonic crystal materials are disclosed as coatings which have high reflection (>30%) in a specific range of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as ultraviolet (<400 nm), visible (Vis, 400 nm-700 nm), or near-infrared radiation range (NIR, 700-2000 nm), and relatively low reflection (<20% reflection) in a second, different range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Surprisingly, it was found that through a formulation and additives approach, the optical properties of polymer composite photonic crystal films can be selectively modified from a variety of different coating methods, including spray deposition.

Abstract: The present application relates to vanadium compounds. More specifically, the present application relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising vanadium salts, use thereof and methods using the same. The present application also includes compositions comprising vanadium compounds and a therapeutic or prophylactic virus providing for increased virus infection, spread, titer, activity, cytotoxicity and/or immunotherapeutic activity.

Abstract: A well plate for measuring an analyte in a sample is disclosed. The well plate includes at least a first, a second, and a third electrode. The first electrode has a higher sensitivity to a first analyte than the second and third electrodes. The second electrode has a higher sensitivity to a second analyte than the first and third electrodes.

Abstract: A portable sampler, the sampler including a sampler assembly having a housing that includes a receiver defined therein for interchangeably receiving a number of removable inlet assemblies, the removable inlet assemblies including a respirable inlet assembly and a thoracic inlet assembly. The respirable inlet assembly includes a hybrid cyclone assembly, the hybrid cyclone assembly including an impaction stage and a cyclone in series. The thoracic inlet assembly includes an inlet slot configured to function as a size-selective inlet. Another thoracic inlet assembly includes a housing having a number of openings configured to receive a sample airflow; an inlet insert through which an inlet aperture is defined; a prequalification chamber defined between a lower surface of the housing and an upper surface of the inlet insert; and a protrusion extending downward from the lower surface of the housing into the inlet aperture of the inlet insert to from an inlet slot.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a first processor coupled to the non-volatile memory and configured to receive a data set associated with an object and user information associated with a spatial position of a user in a multi-user virtual (IMVR) environment, and a second processor coupled to the volatile memory, the second processor configured to render an instance of the portion of the object in the IMVR environment from a perspective of the user based on the spatial position of the user. The first processor is configured to generate a look-up table (LUT) based on a set of inputs received from a user. The second processor is configured to render, based on the LUT and information related to a manipulation by a user, an updated instance of the portion of the object that manifests an effect of the manipulation in the IMVR environment.

Abstract: An Ussing chamber assembly for assessing a tissue sample and for receiving a first fluid and a second fluid during such assessment is disclosed. The Ussing chamber assembly includes an Ussing chamber configured to be separated by the tissue sample into a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion. The assembly includes a first channel in fluidic communication with the first chamber portion, a second channel in fluidic communication with the second chamber portion, and at least three electrical conductors in fluidic communication with the first chamber portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to fibers prepared using decellularized liver ECM. The disclosure further provides in vitro cultures of human hepatocytes on decellularized liver ECM fibers, and the use of the cultures in developing and screening drugs.