Abstract: A liquid ventilation system includes a reservoir holding a perfluorochemical (“PFC”) fluid, and a suction pump connected to the reservoir to reduce pressure within the reservoir. A sensor is configured to measure an intra-lung pressure. An appliance is configured to be disposed within a patient. The appliance carries an injector to supply the PFC fluid through the appliance. An extraction valve is disposed on an extraction line between the appliance and the reservoir. The extraction valve is arrangeable between a first position enabling fluid communication from the appliance to the reservoir and a second position disabling fluid communication from the appliance to the reservoir.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various embodiments of systems, apparatuses, and methods of monitoring wind and water properties. For one such weather monitoring system, a weather monitoring station comprises an upper mast section having an instrumentation package, wherein the instrumentation package includes an orientation sensor, communications circuitry, a wind velocity sensor, and a control unit that is configured to at least receive sensor data and transmit communication data via the communications circuitry. The weather monitoring station further includes at least one lower mast section that is coupled to the upper mast section, and an anchoring system that is coupled to the lower mast section, wherein the anchoring system includes at least one subsurface anchor for inserting into a ground surface within a littoral zone of a coastal area. Other systems, apparatuses, and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are embodiments of para-substituted 1,1-dialkyl-4-phenylpiperazin-1-ium iodides advantageous for modulating inflammation that have been synthesized and their electrophysiology activities for ?9, ?9?10, and ?7 nAChRs compared. The para position contained alkyl or aryl amides, or heterocyclic isosteres for the amide, and the alkyl groups were varied at the ammonium piperazine nitrogen to see if compensatory changes in size at this position of the molecule impacted function. The compounds were characterized with two-electrode voltage-clamp measurements on Xenopus oocytes expressing nAChRs. General, the compounds were more potent for ?9-containing receptors than for ?7, and the majority were either full or strong partial agonists for ?9-containing nAChR.

Abstract: A plasma activated water production system includes a plasma reactor and a membrane concentrator. The plasma reactor includes an internal cavity, at least one electrically-conductive inlet capillary and outlet capillary. A mixing chamber has a feed gas inlet, a liquid inlet, and a mixed gas and liquid outlet. A power source is provided. The plasma reactor propagates a plasma discharge between the inlet capillary and the outlet capillary. A membrane concentrator includes a water flow channel with a water inlet and a water outlet, a dry gas inlet and a humidified gas outlet. An ion selective membrane is provided, and water will pass through the membrane into the dry gas, and the water leaving the membrane concentrator will have increased concentrations of nitrates, nitrites and hydrogen peroxide. An electrodialysis embodiment and a method of generating plasma activated with increased concentration of nitrates, nitrites and hydrogen peroxide are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a smart pseudo-palate for use in a Smart Electropalatograph (EPG) for Linguistic and Medical Applications (SELMA) system. In one aspect, the pseudo-palate is constructed from a thin, flexible polymer membrane and having an embedded electrode array. The pseudo-palate is configured to detect tongue contacts during speech while causing minimal disturbance or interference with speech motion. The disclosed pseudo-palate in the SELMA system is integrated with a microcontroller, wireless electronic module, and external readout app. The disclosure, in another aspect, relates to integration of the pseudo-palate with a smart sports/health mouth guard containing a series of sensors for monitoring head impacts, body temperature, and heart rate.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling the level relative to ground of moveable wings in a spray system that includes the moveable wings mounted to a common center frame support structure attached to an associated work vehicle to form a pair of opposed independently moveable wings extending laterally from the associated work vehicle. An initial control signal is determined for moving the moveable wings based on positions of the moveable wings relative to the ground. A compensating signal is determined for compensating the initial control signal, wherein the compensating signal is derived independent from the position of the moveable wings relative to the ground and includes a flexure component dependent upon one or more flexural properties of the associated work vehicle. A level control output signal is generated for controlling the level of the moveable wings based on a combination of the initial control signal and the compensating signal.

Abstract: An induction machine with localized voltage unbalance compensation is disclosed. The use of an induction machine with a voltage unbalance correction compensator (VUC) may be used to maintain proper working conditions of the machine during intervals of voltage unbalance.

Abstract: Radial-armed thin-film bilayers are designed and fabricated from a metal and an oxide to produce grippers that interact with the yarns or fibers of the fabric and form a mechanical tangle attachment to the fabric. MEMs devices attached to the grippers enable the MEMs devices to be adhered to a flexible and/or extensible fabric. Fabrics comprise conventional textile, smart textiles, functional fibers or other smart materials. The fabrics thus incorporate wearable sensors, medical devices, and other functional MEMs for commercial, biomedical, industrial and scientific applications.

Abstract: The application provides new compositions and methods for stimulating the production of natural killer (NK) cells in a subject. NK cells can be selectively expanded with a combination of stimulating ligands. Methods and compositions for the administration of stimulatory ligands modified to self-insert into tumor cells, thereby stimulating an increase in the number of NK cells in proximity to a tumor, are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes digital watermark detection systems and methods. In one such system, a plurality of intellectual property cores are integrated on a system-on-chip, such that the intellectual property cores comprise a first intellectual property core and a second intellectual property core. The system further includes a first network interface connected to the first intellectual property core that can encode a first digital watermark into a packet stream designated for the second intellectual property core. The system further includes a second network interface connected to the second intellectual property core that can receive the packet stream and decode the packet stream to generate a second digital watermark. The second network interface is further configured to perform a validation test on the packet stream and deliver the packet stream to the second intellectual property core when the first digital watermark is determined to match the second digital watermark.

Abstract: Provided herein are certain compounds useful as HTT modulators. Such compound are useful in the treatment of Huntington's disease.

Abstract: The present invention includes scalable and cost-effective auxetic foam sensors (AFS) created through conformably coating a thin conductive nanomaterial-sensing layer on a porous substrate having a negative Poisson's ratio. In general, the auxetic foam sensors possess multimodal sensing capability, such as large deformation sensing, small pressure sensing, shear/torsion sensing and vibration sensing and excellent robustness in humidity environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting and/or treating a subject having an aneurysm or at risk for developing an aneurysm. It has been discovered that a key metabolite of the kynurenine (Kyn) pathway, a major route for the metabolism of essential amino acid tryptophan (Trp) into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), plays a critical role in the formation of aneurysms, for example abdominal aortic aneurysms. In particular, it has been discovered that 3-Hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HAA), a product of kynureninase (KYNU), plays a causative role in the formation of aneurysms by, for example exerting pro-inflammatory effects on vascular smooth muscle cells. It has further been discovered that elevated levels of 3-HAA are indicative of the presence and/or progression of an aneurysm, and 3-HAA levels correlate with the size (aortic diameter) of the aneurysm.

Abstract: A solar panel support structure has two inclined extruded first members with upper heads and lower parts fastened by brackets to horizontal beams. Clamping members with diamond shaped bases extend into the first member heads which communicate with upper and lower tapped holes. The heads have lips disposed to underlie a solar panel extending between the two first members. Set screws with conical interior ends are insertable into the holes. When the screws are in the lower holes, the clamping member flanges are spaced above a solar panel. When in the upper holes, the set screws hold the clamping member flange secured against the solar panel. The first members have U-shaped channels which receive water which is captured in a rain tray extending between the first members. For extending the panel support additional first members with two cylindrical splicing channels allow a lengthened support surface.

Abstract: A device configured to inhibit the reflectance of electromagnetic radiation in the terahertz (THz) frequency range. This characterization is a combination of material and geometric parameters which are unique and tunable enabling resonating frequencies (spectral selectivity) in the THz range (0.1-25) with narrow channel widths (FWHM) controllable by the thickness and electrical properties of the crystalline material. This device may be integrated with broadband sources or co-integrated with other analytical detection methods (e.g., chromatography, Fourier Transform Reflectance Spectroscopy).

Abstract: An apparatus, systems, and methods of providing enrichment to poultry during raising or maintaining of the poultry. One or more light sources project beams to generate laser spots at and around the poultry. A control regimen moves the light spots relative the poultry in generally random fashion during timed sessions for each given time period (e.g. each day). The spot movement is designed to promote benefits to poultry and producer in correlation to experimental data related to animal welfare, health, and commercial value.

Abstract: A photonic switch system includes an optical chip having an optical input configured to receive an optical signal into the optical chip and an optical output configured to output the optical signal from the optical chip in an ON state. The optical chip defines an optical path from the optical input to the optical output in the ON state. A moveable member is included in the optical path proximate the optical input and a stationary member is included in the optical path proximate the optical output. In the ON state, the optical path runs from the optical input, into the moveable member, through the moveable member, into the stationary member, though the stationary member, and to the optical output. In an OFF state, the optical path diverts away from the optical output.

Abstract: The present invention provides fine grain structures for rare earth permanent magnets (REPMs) and their production in a manner to significantly enhance flexural strength and fracture toughness of the magnets with no or little sacrifice in the hard magnetic properties. The tough REPMs can have either homogeneous or heterogeneous refined grain microstructural architectures achieved by introducing a small amount of additive particle materials into the magnet matrix, such as fine-sized, insoluble, chemically stable, and non-reactive with the magnet matrix. These additive materials can act effectively as both heterogeneous nuclei sites and grain growth inhibitors during the heat treatment processes, which in turn resulting in refined grain structures of the REPMs. Alternatively, the fine grain structures were also achieved by using magnet alloy feedstock powders with finer particle sizes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions, devices, and methods for isolating human Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) without either electricity or enzymatic digestion. In particular, a paramagnetic immunobead (PIB) for isolating human ASCs is disclosed. In some embodiments, the PIB displays on its surface one or more antibodies that selectively bind ASC-specific antigens. Also disclosed is a method for isolating human ASCs using the disclosed PIBs.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Chamaecyparis plant named ‘RutCham1’, characterized by its good heat tolerance in USDA Hardiness Zone 8 relative to typical Chamaecyparis pisifera cultivars; foliage that turns golden in the winter and green in the summer for multi-seasonal interest; and a uniform, pyramidal shape.