Abstract: Disclosed is an algal bloom measuring system includes a body that floats on a water surface in a divided area, an algal bloom sensor unit disposed in the body and that generates an electric current through algae distributed in water, a controller that detects the electric current generated by the algal bloom sensor unit and determine whether algae are present, and a communication unit that transmits alga determination information of the controller to an outside.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for manufacturing a catechol-containing co-polymer through a suspension polymerization or a solution polymerization process. In some illustrative embodiments, this disclosure relates to a process of a free radical suspension polymerization for large-scale manufacturing catechol-containing copolymers. In some other illustrative embodiments, this disclosure relates to a solution polymerization of free radical, cationic, or anionic process for large-scale manufacturing catechol-containing copolymers. The process and the product thereof are within the scope of this disclosure.

Abstract: Self-assembling compounds for the formation of ion channels in biological membranes include monoacylated benzo(crown-ether) (MAcBCE) compounds and monoalkylated benzo(crown-ether) (MAkBCE) compounds. Methods of preparing the MAcBCE and MAkBCE compounds and methods of forming an ion channel in a biological membrane are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents an exemplary tier-based reconfigurable security architecture that can adapt to different use-case scenarios by selecting security tiers and configure parameters in each security tier based on system requirements. An exemplary system comprises a security agent that is configured to monitor system characteristics of embedded components on a system-on-chip and communicate a status of the system characteristics to a reconfigurable service engine integrated on the system-on-chip, such that the reconfigurable service engine is configured to activate one of a plurality of tiers of security based at least upon the status of the system characteristics communicated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions related to probiotic formulas. These formulas comprise the bacterial strain Lactobacillus crispatus WZ-12 or a derivative thereof. Other strains which can be included in the composition include, but are not limited to, Lactobacillus salivarius 1-14, or Lactobacillus reuteri 2-2, and derivatives thereof. These compositions can be used in a variety of methods to treat and/or ameliorate diseases, such as colonization of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the host organism. Also disclosed herein are methods of treating those subjects in need thereof by administering the compositions disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vitamin E-based amphipathic compound, a method for producing same, and a method for extracting, solubilizing, stabilizing, or crystallizing a membrane protein using same. By using a compound according to the present invention, not only is an excellent membrane protein extraction and solubilization effect achieved, but the membrane protein can be stably stored for a long period of time in an aqueous solution, and thus the compound can be utilized in analyzing the function and structure of the membrane protein. Moreover, the vitamin E-based amphipathic compounds exhibited superb properties in the visualization of protein compounds through an electron microscope.

Abstract: The disclosure relates, in some aspects, to compositions and methods useful for production of nitrated aromatic molecules. The disclosure is based, in part, on whole cell systems expressing artificial fusion proteins comprising cytochrome P450 enzymes linked to reductase enzymes. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to methods of producing nitrated aromatic molecules in whole cell systems having artificial fusion proteins comprising cytochrome P450 enzymes linked to reductase enzymes.

Abstract: A negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery and a rechargeable lithium battery, the negative active material including a composite including silicon particles, metal particles, and a first amorphous carbon; and a second amorphous carbon surrounding on the composite.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for characterizing the interaction of free radicals with various materials and the use of known interactions to isolate free radical generation from free radical interaction with a target molecule.

Abstract: A system and a method for supporting automated valet parking, and an infrastructure and a vehicle therefor are provided. The method for operating a vehicle which supports automated valet parking includes initializing automated valet parking and receiving, from an infrastructure, a target position which is related to the vehicle and a guide route which guides movement to the target position. Additionally, the method includes performing automated driving by the vehicle along the guide route, and measuring a position of the vehicle based on behavior information of the vehicle and environmental information, while the vehicle performs the automated driving. The environmental information includes at least one among parking lot slot information, road signs, walls, pillars, and floor markings.

Abstract: A composite material is formed by combining an expandable polymer having a charge with another polymer having an opposite charge to produce. In particular, the composite material can be prepared by combining the polymers with a medium such as and water, and expanding the mixture using a treatment that expands the mixture to produce, for example, insoluble porous foam-like composites.

Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for optimization techniques for automatically selecting x-ray beam spectra, energy threshold, energy bin settings, and other imaging technique parameters for photon-counting detector computed tomography (“PCCT”). The techniques described here are generally based on subject or object size, material of interest, and location of the target material. Advantageously, the optimizations can be integrated with different PCCT systems to automatically select optimal imaging technique parameters before scanning a particular subject or object.

Abstract: A magnetic ink composition for three-dimensional (3D) printing a bonded magnet is provided. The magnetic ink composition includes magnetic particles, a polymer binder and a solvent. A 3D printing method for fabrication of a bonded magnet using the magnetic ink composition is also provided.

Abstract: An ultra-hard carbon film is formed by the uniaxial compression of thin films of graphene. The graphene films are two or three layers thick (2-L or 3-L). High pressure compression forms a diamond-like film and provides improved properties to the coated substrates.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for conducting reactions and screening for reaction products.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for processing materials to enhancing the material's surface strength, improving the material's cyclic and thermal stability of microstructures, and extend the material's fatigue performance. Embodiments include laser shock peening at material temperatures that are moderately elevated (from the material's perspective) above room temperature. Alternate embodiments include laser shock peening at very cold (cryogenic) material temperatures. Still further embodiments include laser shock peening while covering the surface of the material being processed with an active agent that interacts with the laser energy and enhances the pressure exerted on the surface.

Abstract: A method for crystallizing an amorphous multicomponent ionic compound comprises applying an external stimulus to a layer of an amorphous multicomponent ionic compound, the layer in contact with an amorphous surface of a deposition substrate at a first interface and optionally, the layer in contact with a crystalline surface at a second interface, wherein the external stimulus induces an amorphous-to-crystalline phase transformation, thereby crystallizing the layer to provide a crystalline multicomponent ionic compound, wherein the external stimulus and the crystallization are carried out at a temperature below the melting temperature of the amorphous multicomponent ionic compound. If the layer is in contact with the crystalline surface at the second interface, the temperature is further selected to achieve crystallization from the crystalline surface via solid phase epitaxial (SPE) growth without nucleation.

Abstract: A microfluidic device can include an upstream passage, a sample passage, a bifurcating passage, and a combining passage. The upstream passage can be configured to provide a focusing stream. The sample passage can be configured to provide a sample stream. The bifurcating passage can include a specified bifurcating flow resistance. The combining passage can be configured to create a combined stream from the focusing stream and the sample stream, where the focusing stream can direct the sample stream away from the upstream passage and toward the bifurcating passage. A first portion of the combined stream can be discharged through the bifurcating passage. The main discharge can be configured to discharge a second portion of the combined stream. The main discharge can include a main discharge resistance that is selectable to vary the main discharge resistance relative to the bifurcating flow resistance.

Abstract: An electrocatalyst includes a carbon substrate, metal oxide particles dispersed on the carbon substrate, and metal catalyst particles. The metal catalyst particles are metal substitutions in the metal oxide particles, or adsorbed on the metal oxide particles.

Abstract: This application relates to a method of preparing a composite material for a semiconductor test socket, and a composite material prepared through the method. In one embodiment, the method includes preparing a powder mixture including (i) a metal powder comprising aluminum or aluminum alloy particles and magnesium particles and (ii) a polymer powder. The method may also include sintering the powder mixture to produce the composite material using a spark plasma sintering (SPS) process. This application also relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor test socket, the method including forming an insulating portion of the semiconductor test socket with the composite material. This application further relates to a semiconductor test socket produced through the method.