Abstract: Codoped alkali and alkaline earth halide scintillators are described. More particularly, the scintillators are codoped with tetravalent ions, such as Ti4+, Zr4+, Hf4+, Ge4+. The codoping can alter one or more optical and/or scintillation property of the scintillator material. For example, the codoping can improve energy resolution. Radiation detectors comprising the scintillators and methods of detecting high energy radiation using the radiation detectors are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a preparing method of a large-area perovskite thin film, comprising: forming an organic metal halide-alkylamine compound by exposing an organic metal halide compound having a perovskite structure to an alkylamine gas; preparing a coating solution by adding a solvent on the organic metal halide-alkylamine compound; and preparing a perovskite thin film by coating the coating solution on a substrate.

Abstract: A device for generating singlet oxygen is provided. The device has elongated posts extending from a surface, the lateral sides of which have particles with a sensitizer that converts triplet oxygen to single oxygen upon exposure to light. An optical fiber conveys light to the sensitizer and a gas supply tube conveys oxygen to the sensitizer. The device is configured to keep the sensitizer from contacting external fluids, such as saliva.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vaccine comprising an antigen and a protein, peptide, or carbohydrate of Chlamydia spp., or a fragment thereof, wherein the antigen is not derived from a Chlamydia spp. Also disclosed are methods of treating or preventing diseases comprising administering to a subject a vaccine, wherein the vaccine comprises an antigen and a protein, peptide, or carbohydrate of Chlamydia spp., or a fragment thereof, wherein the antigen is not derived from a Chlamydia spp.

Abstract: The invention pertains to compositions comprising inhibitors of PI3K, AKT and/or mTOR, one or more 4-quinolinemethanols and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. These compositions can contain subtherapeutic amounts of each active ingredient (PI3K, AKT, mTOR, one or more 4-quinolinemethanols and various combinations thereof). The invention also provides a method of treating various forms of cancer, such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, hepatocyte carcinoma, brain cancer, lung cancer, non-small cell lung carcinoma, colorectal cancer, melanoma and/or pancreatic cancer.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials for reducing the risk of infection after a shoulder surgery or medical procedure. For example, this document relates to methods and materials for using a topical composition containing clindamycin or erythromycin to reduce the risk of or to prevent infection associated with shoulder surgeries or medical procedures.

Abstract: A variable focus optical device (100) can include first optically transparent membrane (102) and a second membrane (104) that at least partially define a chamber (106) retaining an optically transparent liquid. A transparent piston (110) is attached to the second membrane (104). At least one actuator (112a-c) is operatively coupled to the transparent piston (110) and configured to move to change a focal length of the variable focus optical device (100) via actuation of the transparent piston (110). Three curved bimorph actuators (112a-c) can surround and be coupled to the piston (110) for actuation of the piston (110) to generate a plano-convex or plano-concave lens via the membranes (102, 104). A smart eyeglasses system includes a pair of variable focus optical devices (100), an object distance sensor, a battery, optional eye-tracking camera(s), and a microcontroller, collectively used for purposes of sensing distance of objects and adjusting said focal length via the variable focus optical devices (100).

Abstract: An arrangement and method for mounting a brake disc to an axle hub of a vehicle is provided. The arrangement includes wedge-shaped holes at an radially inner region of the brake disc, corresponding wedge-shaped key inserts, a retaining device such as a retaining ring, and mounting devices such as bolts or studs and nuts that pass through the retaining ring and keys to bias the keys against the axle hub. The circumferential sides of the wedge shapes are aligned with radial lines extending from the rotation axis of the axle hub. This arrangement and method provides a simple, robust and easily installed brake disc mounting that minimizes heat transfer between the brake disc and the axle hub and accommodates thermal expansion of the brake disc and the axle hub to minimize thermal expansion-induced stresses to the brake disc.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for endoscopic dissection of blood vessels and control over cavity pressure within an endoscopic procedure are described herein. Apparatus, systems, and methods for harvesting of blood vessels are also described herein.

Abstract: This application relates to a separator for a fuel cell and a fuel cell stack with improved durability, which contains the same, particularly to a solid oxide fuel cell stack. Specifically, this application allows an oxidizer and a fuel to flow in a counter-flow manner and a cross-flow manner in the fuel cell stack by forming an outlet manifold and an inlet manifold to have a specific shape, location and size in the separator. As a result, interlayer peeling, microcracking, etc. are prevented because no variation in temperature, reactant concentration, power, etc. occurs between each unit cell and the power density per unit volume is significantly improved because the volume is minimized.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stochastic time-to-digital converter, which includes a first arbiter cell that compares a timing of a reference signal and a timing of an input signal based on a voltage selected by a first selection signal from among a first voltage or a second voltage and outputs a first comparison result, a second arbiter cell that compares the timing of the reference signal with the timing of the input signal based on a voltage selected by a second selection signal from among the first voltage or the second voltage and outputs a second comparison result, and a binary converter that calculates a phase difference between the reference signal and the input signal based on the first comparison result and the second comparison result.

Abstract: A concentric ring gas atomization nozzle with isolated gas supply manifolds is provided for manipulating the close-coupled atomization gas structure to improve the yield of atomized powders.

Abstract: Membranes, methods of making the membranes, and methods of using the membranes are described herein. The membranes can comprise a gas permeable support layer, optionally an inorganic layer disposed on the support, and a selective polymer layer disposed on the inorganic layer. In some cases, the selective polymer layer can comprise an amine-containing polymer and an amino acid salt dispersed within the amine-containing polymer. In other cases, the selective polymer layer comprises a sterically hindered amine-containing polymer, such as a sterically hindered derivative of polyvinylamine. The membranes can be used, for example, to separate gaseous mixtures, such as flue gas.

Abstract: A system and method that relies on the principles of material science, deformable body mechanics, continuum mechanics and additive manufacturing to reduce the costs associated with additive manufacturing. Physical properties are used by numerical solution methods, such as the Finite Element Method (FEM) or Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH), to deform an original model of an object to be manufactured into a viable configuration that reduces fabrication material, time, and cost when manufacturing an object through additive manufacturing.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for conducting neutral loss scans in a single ion trap. In certain aspects, the invention provides systems that include a mass spectrometer having a single ion trap, and a central processing unit (CPU), and storage coupled to the CPU for storing instructions that when executed by the CPU cause the system to apply a scan function that excites a precursor ion, rejects the precursor ion after its excitation, and ejects a product ion in the single ion trap.

Abstract: A sensor technology comprising a single nano-material (gold nanoparticles and/or carbon nanotube) based sensor or a plurality of sensors in conjunction with a pattern recognition algorithm for non-invasive and accurate diagnosis of tuberculosis caused by M. tuberculosis bacteria in a subject. The sensor technology is suitable for population screening of tuberculosis, particularly in resource-poor and developing countries.

Abstract: A control system and method for controlling a system, which employs a data set representing a plurality of states and associated trajectories of an environment of the system; and which iteratively determines an estimate of an optimal control policy for the system. The iterative process performs the substeps, until convergence, of estimating a long term value for operation at a respective state of the environment over a series of predicted future environmental states; using a complex return of the data set to determine a bound to improve the estimated long term value; and producing an updated estimate of an optimal control policy dependent on the improved estimate of the long term value. The control system may produce an output signal to control the system directly, or output the optimized control policy. The system preferably is a reinforcement learning system which continually improves.

Abstract: Composite materials are provided which may include one or more sheets of carbon fibers woven in orthogonal direction bundles; carbon nanotubes embedded within pores between the bundles; and a matrix material in which the one or more sheets and the carbon nanotubes are embedded. In one case, the carbon fibers lie substantially in an x-direction and a y-direction and the carbon nanotubes are oriented substantially in a z-direction, which is substantially perpendicular to the x- and y-directions. Methods for making the composite materials are also provided.

Abstract: Devices and systems can be used to treating spinal conditions. For example, this document describes artificial facet joint systems that can be implanted to treat spinal conditions while facilitating normal stability and motions of the spine. Such systems and methods can be used to treat spinal conditions such as, but not limited to, spondylosis, vertebral fractures, and the like.

Abstract: A composite exciter ring for use in a vehicle brake system includes a base layer and a cover layer that is disposed on the base layer. The base layer is made of a ceramic material that insulates the cover layer from a heat source generated during brake activation. The cover layer is made of a plastic material and that defines openings. Each opening exposes a different part of the base layer. The ceramic material includes an additive infused therein. The additive has an effect on a magnetic field.