Abstract: A coral reef-like nickel phosphide-tungsten oxide nanocomposite is disclosed. The coral reef-like nickel phosphide-tungsten oxide nanocomposite has a structure in which algae-like transition metal-doped nickel phosphide nanosheets are deposited on coral-like tungsten oxide nanostructures grown vertically on a substrate. This structure allows the coral reef-like nickel phosphide-tungsten oxide nanocomposite to have a large surface area, which leads to a significant increase in the number of catalytic active sites, and ensures high conductivity and electrochemical stability of the coral reef-like nickel phosphide-tungsten oxide nanocomposite. Due to these advantages, the coral reef-like nickel phosphide-tungsten oxide nanocomposite has a low overpotential and superior hydrogen evolution reaction or oxygen evolution reaction efficiency when applied to a water splitting catalyst under alkaline conditions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a transition metal-doped nickel phosphide nanostructure, a method for preparing the same, and a catalyst for electrochemical water decomposition including the transition metal-doped nickel phosphide nanostructure. More specifically, a transition metal-doped nickel phosphide nanostructure can be prepared by converting a zinc oxide nanostructure grown on a substrate vertically by hydrothermal synthesis to a transition metal-doped nickel oxide nanostructure by cation exchange and then phosphorizing the nickel oxide. The transition metal-doped nickel phosphide nanostructure of the present disclosure is advantageous in that it has superior catalytic activity and conductivity due to large surface area. In addition, when used as a catalyst for water decomposition under an alkaline condition, it has a low overvoltage and can have excellent catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction or oxygen evolution reaction.

Abstract: Protein based highly stretchable compositions with ionic conductivity are disclosed herein. Methods for preparing such compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: An early earthquake detection method may comprise acquiring a frame image from a camera; acquiring a vibration signal from the frame image; removing a noise signal due to vibration of the camera from the vibration signal; acquiring a motion signal obtained by magnifying subtle motions from the noise signal-removed vibration signal; extracting vibration characteristics from the motion signal; estimating an occurrence of an earthquake by extracting a peak signal from the vibration characteristics; and determining whether an earthquake occurs by receiving earthquake estimation information from at least one other camera located within a certain range.

Abstract: There is provided a method of representing a three dimensional (3D) object using univariate curves, comprising: receiving an initial definition of a 3D object representation, calculate a covering set of univariate curves, the covering set comprising at least one non-planar univariate curve, wherein the covering set of univariate curves represent the volume of the 3D object within a tolerance requirement, and generating a representation of the 3D object based on the set of univariate curves, wherein the set of univariate curves represent the volume of the 3D object.

Abstract: Methods and systems implemented in a vehicle involve obtaining a single camera image from a camera arranged on the vehicle. The image indicates a heading angle ?0 between a vehicle heading x and a tangent line that is tangential to road curvature of a road on which the vehicle is traveling and also indicates a perpendicular distance y0 from a center of the vehicle to the tangent line. An exemplary method includes obtaining two or more inputs from two or more vehicle sensors, and estimating kinematic states of the vehicle based on applying a Kalman filter to the single camera image and the two or more inputs to solve kinematic equations. The kinematic states include roll angle and pitch angle of the vehicle.

Abstract: In some aspects, methods and probiotic compositions are provided for the treatment of bone diseases such as, e.g., ostetoporosis. In some embodiments, one or more bacteria from the warm microbiota such as, e.g., Clostridialeace-assimilate, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacteriaceae, Akkermansia, and/or Parabacteroides may be administered to a subject, such as a human subject, to treat the bone disease. In some embodiments, heat may be applied to the subject to promote the development of warm microbiota to treat the bone disease.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for a suicide gene approach comprising an expression vector comprising a cell cycle-dependent promoter driving the expression of a suicide gene. Also provided herein are methods to render proliferative cells sensitive to a prodrug after transplantation but avoids expression of the suicide gene in post-mitotic cells, such as neurons.

Abstract: Cell-targeted serine protease constructs are provided. Such constructs can be used in methods for targeted cell killing such as for treatment cell of proliferative diseases (e.g., cancer). In some aspects, recombinant serine proteases, such as Granzyme B polypeptides, are provided that exhibit improved stability and cell toxicity. Methods and compositions for treating lapatinib or trastuzumab-resistant cancers are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and kits for determining the presence of a mutated SLC30A2 polynucleotide. The invention is further directed to methods of determining a subject's genetic-susceptibility to zinc deficiency and evaluating zinc levels in a composition comprising breast milk.

Abstract: A circuit includes a plurality of first counting gates, a first ternary half adder (THA) and a second THA that are connected to the plurality of first counting gates, a third THA configured to receive a sum output signal of the first THA and a sum output signal of the second THA, a first ternary sum gate configured to receive a carry output signal of the first THA and a carry output signal of the second THA, and a second ternary sum gate configured to receive a carry output signal of the third THA and an output signal of the first ternary sum gate, wherein the third THA and the second ternary sum gate may be configured to output voltage signals corresponding to a number of drain voltages among input signals applied to the plurality of first counting gates.

Abstract: A method comprising: receiving a plurality of pairs of queries associated with a database, wherein the queries in each pair in the plurality of pairs of queries have an identical FROM clause; at a training stage, training a machine learning model on a training set comprising: (i) the plurality of pairs of queries, and (ii) labels associated with containment rates between each of the pairs of queries over the database; and at an inference stage, applying the trained machine learning model to a pair of target queries, to estimate containment rates between the target pair of queries over the database.

Abstract: A polyHIPE-based substance-releasing system capable of releasably encapsulating a highly concentrated solution and/or a room temperature solid while minimizing or avoiding burst release from the closed-cell microstructure of an elastic polyHIPE.

Abstract: A narrow channel Hall thruster comprising a thruster body with a magnetic circuit, an annular thruster channel having a channel width of less than 3 mm formed within the magnetic circuit, an annular anode, a cathode positioned externally to the thruster, and configured for electron emission, a power supply applying a positive potential to the anode, such that a plasma discharge can be generated in the annular thruster channel, and another power supply applying a negative potential to the cathode, relative to the thruster body and the anode. The second power supply reduces its negative voltage output to the cathode when the current supplied by the anode power supply exceeds a predetermined level, indicating that the discharge has reached a stable initiated condition. The reduction of the voltage output of the second power supply can be achieved either by self-regulation, or by use of a current limit circuit.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a protective film for a lithium electrode and a lithium electrode for a lithium secondary battery including the same. The protective film includes a first layer, which includes polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) and is porous, and a second layer, which is disposed on the first layer, includes a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, and is porous.

Abstract: A system for extracting water from the atmosphere is disclosed. The system has a vapor absorber vessel, an absorption cycle pump, a flash drum vapor desorber, a vapor condenser, an output conduit, and a heat exchanger. The vessel has an atmospheric air inlet and outlet ports, at least one liquid desiccant inlet port, at least two liquid desiccant outlet ports, and a surface on which the liquid desiccant flows between the at least one liquid desiccant inlet port and the at least two liquid desiccant outlet ports. The pump is adapted to circulate a first portion of the liquid desiccant from a first of the outlet ports to the at least one inlet port. The desorber is adapted to receive a second portion of the liquid desiccant from a second of the outlet ports, after passage through an expansion valve, the desorber incorporates a heat exchanger for supplying heat to liquid desiccant therein.

Abstract: A method for controlling a controlled system by a control device, the method may include transmitting multiple actuation signals to multiple degree of freedom (DOF) points of the controlled system; wherein the multiple actuation signals comprise multiple alternating current (AC) components that are mutually orthogonal, measuring at least one feedback signal from at least one probe point of the controlled system; wherein a number of DOF points exceeds a number of the at least one probe point; determining, based upon the at least one feedback signal, values of line search pulses to be sent to the multiple DOF points during at least one line search iteration; and performing the at least one line search iteration.

Abstract: A monitoring system and method are presented for use in monitoring a target. The monitoring system comprises: an input utility for receiving input data comprising measured data indicative of optical response of the target measured under predetermined conditions and comprising phase data indicative of a two-dimensional profile of full phase of the optical response of the target in a predetermined two-dimensional parametric space including a two-dimensional range in which said target exhibits phase singularity; an analyzer module for processing said measured data and extracting at least one phase singularity signature of the target characterizing the target status, the phase singularity signature being formed by a number N of phase singularity points, each corresponding to a condition that the physical phase continuously accumulates a nonzero integer multiple m of 2? around said point.

Abstract: A high-efficiency, motorless purge system for closed-cycle absorption heat pumps, adapted for both absorption heat transformers and absorption chillers, using a series of valves to control the entry and exit of absorbent solution into a low-pressure, secondary absorption vessel. A small percentage of the total circulating solution is forced under pressure into the secondary absorption vessel via a spray nozzle, causing adiabatic absorption of absorbate vapor by the solution. Non-condensable gases accumulate in the secondary absorber until a certain vapor pressure is reached, upon which, gas, and possibly liquid, are transferred to an exhaust vessel having an exit vent for non-condensable gases. In an absorption chiller system, the secondary absorber has an internal heat exchanger to lower the temperature of the solution within, to facilitate the absorption process.

Abstract: Provided are methods for the identification of mutant kinases that are resistant to inhibition by a kinase inhibitor. In some embodiments, the methods may be used to assess a test compound or kinase inhibitor for the risk of the development of resistance in vivo, e.g., during clinical administration to treat a disease such as a cancer.