Abstract: A power inverter combination includes a half-bridge power inverter including first and second semiconductor power switches receiving input power having an intermediate node therebetween providing an inductor current through an inductor. A controller includes input comparison circuitry receiving the inductor current having outputs coupled to first inputs of pulse width modulation (PWM) generation circuitry, and a predictive control block having an output coupled to second inputs of the PWM generation circuitry. The predictive control block is coupled to receive a measure of Vin and an output voltage at a grid connection point. A memory stores a current control algorithm configured for resetting a PWM period for a switching signal applied to control nodes of the first and second power switch whenever the inductor current reaches a predetermined upper limit or a predetermined lower limit.

Abstract: A method of forming electrical contacts on a diamond substrate comprises producing a plasma ball using a microwave plasma source in the presence of a mixture of gases. The mixture of gases include a source of a p-type or an n-type dopant. The plasma ball is disposed at a first distance from the diamond substrate. The diamond substrate is maintained at a first temperature. The plasma ball is maintained at the first distance from the diamond substrate for a first time, and a UNCD film, which is doped with at least one of a p-type dopant and an n-type dopant, is disposed on the diamond substrate. The doped UNCD film is patterned to define UNCD electrical contacts on the diamond substrate.

Abstract: A cluster system based on a parallel computing framework is provided, and the cluster system includes a host node configured to execute a host program for a parallel computing framework and a computing node configured to be connected to the host node and execute a kernel program for the parallel computing frame work.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oral immunotherapy for the desensitization of patients who are hypersensitive to peanut allergen. The immunotherapy comprises increasing the oral dose daily dose of peanut protein administered to the patient at intervals of at least 2 weeks in a series of increments from an initial dose to a maximum dose, the series of dose increments including 2 mg, 5 mg, 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 400 mg and 800 mg; administering a daily oral dose of the maximum dose of peanut protein for at least 2 years and then administering a weekly oral dose of the maximum dose of peanut protein for at least 2 years.

Abstract: Oral compositions and methods of use thereof are provided herein. The oral compositions comprise a first component comprising at least one Eh-raising compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and a second component comprising at least one zinc compound, an anti-microbial agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: There is provided a peer-to-peer communication method in a content centric network environment. In embodiments, the peer-to-peer communication method in a content centric network (hereinafter referred to as a “CCN”) environment includes, receiving, by a CCN router, a join message including a desired service name of a user node from the user node, transmitting, by the CCN router, the join message to a rendezvous point mapped to the service name and forming a share tree, receiving, by the CCN router, a content request message including a name of content that is provided through the service from the user node, and transmitting, by the CCN router, the content request message through an interface connected to the share tree.

Abstract: Human cathepsin L inhibitors and probes containing a vinyl sulfonate ester moiety are described. The inhibitors are highly potent (low nM affinity), selective, and cell permeable, and can inhibit ultra-low concentration of active cathepsin L. The developed probes are highly sensitive and can detect an ultra-low amount of probe-labeled active cathespin L.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for transferring ions for analysis. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a system for analyzing a sample including an ionizing source for converting molecules of a sample into gas phase ions in a region at about atmospheric pressure, an ion analysis device, and an ion transfer member operably coupled to a gas flow generating device, in which the gas flow generating device produces a laminar gas flow that transfers the gas phase ions through the ion transfer member to an inlet of the ion analysis device.

Abstract: An electric vehicle battery charging device includes: a series resonance part, which receives a rectified voltage, and which includes a transformer, a resonant inductor, and a resonant capacitor; a rectifying part, of which a first input end is connected with one end of a secondary winding of the transformer, a second input end is connected with the other end of the secondary winding of the transformer, and an output end is connected with an electric vehicle battery; and a switching part, of which one end is connected with one end of the secondary winding of the transformer and the first input end of the rectifying part, and the other end is connected with the other end of the secondary winding of the transformer and the second input end of the rectifying part, where the switching part controls the current from the secondary winding of the transformer to the rectifying part.

Abstract: A computer system may be employed to verify program execution integrity by receiving a request to launch a program that has been instrumented to include at least one integrity marker, instantiating the program with an integrity marker value, and verifying the execution integrity of the program based on the integrity marker value and information received from the program during execution. A computer system may also be employed for program instrumentation by modifying the program to include at least one instruction for passing an integrity marker value to an operating system kernel during execution of the instruction.

Abstract: An emission can be obtained from a sample in response to excitation using a specified range of excitation frequencies. Such excitation can include generating a specified chirped waveform and a specified downconversion local oscillator (LO) frequency using a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), upconverting the chirped waveform via mixing the chirped waveform with a specified upconversion LO frequency, frequency multiplying the upconverted chirped waveform to provide a chirped excitation signal for exciting the sample, receiving an emission from sample, the emission elicited at least in part by the chirped excitation signal, and downconverting the received emission via mixing the received emission with a signal based on the specified downconversion LO signal to provide a downconverted emission signal within the bandwidth of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The specified chirped waveform can include a first chirped waveform during a first duration, and a second chirped waveform during a second duration.

Abstract: A method for storing the energy of a nuclear power plant in which the nuclear core is cooled by gases or liquid heat transfer media. The hot heat transfer liquid is stored directly in storage tanks. When needed, it is used for heating a power plant. The heat of a compressed gas heat transfer medium such as helium is stored by passing the compressed gas through tanks filled with heat-resistant solids and recovered by passing the same type of gas in a second circuit in a reverse direction. Through the hot tanks to the power plant and back. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: Hybrid orthotic devices configured to apply electrical stimulation to one or more body parts of a person are generally described. A hybrid orthotic device may comprise one or more sensors, one or more electrodes, and a controller configured to receive input signals from the one or more sensors and deliver output signals to the one or more electrodes. In certain cases, the controller may be configured to store one or more programs associated with functional activities (e.g., standing, sitting, and/or walking), and the programs may be configured to enable one or more body parts of the person to track a desired trajectory. In some embodiments, a program may implement a Robust Integral of the Sign of the Error (RISE) control method. The program may further implement control methods to compensate for electromechanical delay and/or muscle fatigue. In certain embodiments, a program may further implement neural network (NN)-based methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a patterned substrate for gallium nitride-based light emitting diode, comprising: a patterned substrate having patterns, wherein the plurality of patterns are circle type having diameters (d) and the distances between the centers of the patterns are pitches (p), and the cross sections of the patterns are extruded shapes and have heights (h), and wherein the value of [diameter (d)/pitch (p)] is larger than (2.6)/3, and equal or smaller than 3/3.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are di-substituted aryl polyamine compounds and methods of making and using the same. The di-substituted polyamine compounds act as PTS targeting agents, which selectively target the polyamine transport system (PTS) with high efficacy and have improved stability in the presence of amine oxidases.

Abstract: A method of processing a solution comprising aromatic compounds. The method includes culturing a first microorganism in the solution for a time sufficient to reduce an amount of an aromatic compound and thereby generate a processed solution. The culturing may remove an aromatic compound deleterious to growth of a second microorganism without substantially reducing fermentable sugars, thereby permitting enhanced growth of the second microorganism in the processed solution. The culturing may additionally or alternatively convert an aromatic compound into a commodity chemical. The methods of the present invention are advantageous for processing lignocellulosic biomass for upgrading to biofuel or for generating commodity chemicals therefrom.

Abstract: A method of casting an article includes forming a melt comprising copper, introducing manganese into the melt to produce a copper-manganese alloy, and casting the copper-manganese alloy in a mold to form the article. The carbon and oxygen contents of the copper-manganese alloy are controlled in order to control the formation of graphite, manganese carbide, and/or manganese oxide particles within the article. Copper-manganese alloys containing carbon are also provided, as well as articles made therefrom in cast or wrought form.

Abstract: Provided are a method of preparing biofuel, in which the method includes obtaining saccharificated products from lignocelluosic biomass in high saccharification yield, and a simultaneous pretreatment and saccharification (SPS), in which the method includes a first step of pulverizing biomass and immersing the pulverized biomass; and a second step of preparing saccharificated products by performing the simultaneous pretreatment and saccharification of the immersed biomass with the enzyme produced by inoculating a fungal consortium in a culture medium and culturing the fungal consortium. In addition, the second step further includes a detoxification of decreasing or removing toxic materials through laccase produced by culturing with a strain producing laccase in the second step.

Abstract: The new variety ‘TH-948’ is provided. The new and distinct variety ripens around early May in southern Georgia and mid May in middle Georgia. The fruit of the new variety ‘TH-948’ are large, firm, have good flavor and scar. The new variety ‘TH-948’ is vigorous with an estimated chilling requirement of about 500 to 550 hours at or below approximately 7° C. The asexually reproduced variety is reliably propagated vegetatively.

Abstract: A Vitex agnus-castus plant named ‘V0509A-7’ has upright, large panicles, with white flowers borne more closely along the rachis, resulting in a stunning floral display.