Abstract: Precast construction elements are described suitable for use in high seismic areas. The precast construction elements can be precast, pre-topped double tees. The precast construction elements incorporate a passive energy dissipation device in a flange. The energy dissipation device provides a ductile connection having a deformation capacity of larger than 0.6?. Adjacent elements are connected to one another at joints that include the passive energy dissipation device. Passive energy dissipation devices can be passive hysteretic dampeners, such as U-shaped flexural plates. Passive energy dissipation devices can be bar dissipaters (e.g., grooved dissipaters). Also described are passive hysteretic dampers that include U-shaped flexural plates held in conjunction with a reinforcement element that defines a circle around which the flexural plate can bend.

Abstract: An apparatus including a heating element and a sublimation vessel disposed adjacent the heating element such that the heating element heats a portion thereof. A collection vessel is removably disposed within the sublimation vessel and is open on an end thereof. A crucible is configured to sealingly position a solid mixture against the collection vessel.

Abstract: Wave energy conversion (WEC) systems and methods for harvesting wave energy by use of the systems are described. WEC systems incorporate a plurality of submerged oscillating water columns (SOWC) that encourage oscillating water motion within each submerged column to mimic the motion of waves passing the SOWC system. A WEC system includes multiple SOWC connected to one another via air pockets within each submerged column. Each SOWC includes a float connected to a power take-off. The oscillations of the floats are converted to useful energy by the power take-off of the system.

Abstract: Precast construction elements are described suitable for use in high seismic area. The precast construction elements can be precast, pre-topped double tees. The precast construction elements incorporate a passive energy dissipation device in a flange. The energy dissipation device provides a ductile connection having a deformation capacity of larger than 0.6?. Adjacent elements are connected to one another at joints that include the passive energy dissipation device. Passive energy dissipation devices can be passive hysteretic dampeners, such as U-shaped flexural plates. Passive energy dissipation devices can be bar dissipaters (e.g., grooved dissipaters). Also described are passive hysteretic dampers that include U-shaped flexural plates held in conjunction with a reinforcement element that defines a circle around which the flexural plate can bend.

Abstract: An apparatus including a heating element and a sublimation vessel disposed adjacent the heating element such that the heating element heats a portion thereof. A collection vessel is removably disposed within the sublimation vessel and is open on an end thereof. A crucible is configured to sealingly position a solid mixture against the collection vessel.

Abstract: Methods for identifying marks in a defaced metal surface by use of computer-implemented processing of images obtained according to a thermal lock-in imaging technique are described. Methods include processing phase images and/or amplitude images according to principal component analysis of a concatenated input matrix and development of a score image for each principal component determined by the analysis. Score images or extracted features of score images (e.g., Zernike moments) are compared to images/features in a reference data library and based upon the comparison, the defaced mark can be identified.

Abstract: A method of treating cancer or metastasis is provided involving administering at least one oncostatin M (OSM) antagonist to a subject, wherein the subject has been diagnosed with cancer. Administration of an OSM antagonist such as a small molecule pharmaceutical is provided as well as an anti-OSM antibody, an anti-OSM aptamer, and an OSM mRNA antagonist. The OSM antagonists were found to inhibit or prevent tumor cell detachment, proliferation and metastasis in several cancer types.

Abstract: An apparatus including a heating element and a sublimation vessel disposed adjacent the heating element such that the heating element heats a portion thereof. A collection vessel is removably disposed within the sublimation vessel and is open on an end thereof. A crucible is configured to sealingly position a solid mixture against the collection vessel.

Abstract: Various embodiments enable wireless monitoring of a radioactive environment and related operating conditions. Structures of increasing complexity and formed at least in part from a semiconductor material based on crystalline actinide oxide-based material enable monitoring at least one operating conditions of the radioactive environment. An exemplary embodiment is a device comprising one or more crystal oscillator units that can generate a first oscillating signal, and an actinide oxide-based unit functionally coupled to at least one of the one or more crystal oscillator units, and configured to receive the first oscillating signal. The actinide oxide-based unit can supply a second oscillating signal to an antenna that delivers the second oscillating signal wirelessly, wherein the second oscillating signal is based on the first oscillating signal and is indicative of an operating condition of the radioactive environment. The antenna is part of the radioactive environment.

Abstract: CuInS2 nanoparticles have been prepared from single source precursors via microwave irradiation. Also, CuInGaS2 alloy nanoparticles have been prepared. Microwave irradiation methods have allowed an increase in the efficiency of preparation of these materials by providing increased uniformity of heating and shorter reaction times. Nanoparticle growth has been controlled in the about 1 to 5 nm size range by variation of thiolated capping ligand concentrations as well as reaction temperatures and times. Investigation of the photophysical properties of the colloidal nanoparticles has been performed using electronic absorption and luminescence emission spectroscopy. Qualitative nanoparticles sizes have been determined from the photoluminescence (PL) data and compared to TEM images.

Abstract: CuInS2 nanoparticles have been prepared from single source precursors via microwave irradiation. Also, CuInGaS2 alloy nanoparticles have been prepared. Microwave irradiation methods have allowed an increase in the efficiency of preparation of these materials by providing increased uniformity of heating and shorter reaction times. Nanoparticle growth has been controlled in the about 1 to 5 nm size range by variation of thiolated capping ligand concentrations as well as reaction temperatures and times. Investigation of the photophysical properties of the colloidal nanoparticles has been performed using electronic absorption and luminescence emission spectroscopy. Qualitative nanoparticles sizes have been determined from the photoluminescence (PL) data and compared to TEM images.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a defect imaging device that has an energy beam that is directed at a device under test. The energy beam creates positrons deep within the material of the device under test. When the positrons combine with electrons in the material they produce a pair of annihilation photons. The annihilation photons are detected. The Doppler broadening of the annihilation photons is used to determine if a defect is present in the material. Three dimensional images of the device under test are created by directing the energy beam at different portions of the device under test.

Abstract: The invention is a method and device for determining dissolution of a solid compound within the oral cavity. The device models dissolution within the oral cavity with a flow-through cell containing a solid compound and physiological amounts of simulated saliva. The device supplies and removes the simulated saliva at rates similar to production and loss of saliva within the oral cavity. The simulated saliva interaction with the solid compound mimics saliva interaction with a solid compound within the oral cavity. Dissolution of solid compound is determined from simulated saliva collected from the flow-through cell outflow.

Abstract: Bit blocks for an adder are provided which include a first bit stage that generates a first bit associated propagation characteristic (bapc). The bapc is independent of a carry input to the bit block from another bit block of the adder. Additional bit stages may be included in the bit block such as a second bit stage that, based on the first bapc, generates a second bapc that is also independent of the carry input to the bit block. The first and second bapc may be generated based on first and second operand bits input to the respective stages and a bapc that is generated by a less significant bit stage of the bit block and is independent of the carry input to the bit block. Adders including the bit blocks and methods for adding using the bit block as well as bit block size optimization methods are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is a process and reactors designs for simultaneous ultraviolet light/ultrasound(UV/US) treatment of halogenated organic compounds contaminants in water. The reactors are preferably circular cylindrical reaction vessels that accept a central ultrasonic horn. UV light is provided by lamps placed generally parallel to the reactor walls. Or, UV light may be centrally provided in an immersion well near the ultrasonic horn. Also, preferably a hollow metal partition with a reactant flow-through hole is placed in the reactor between the UV light source and the ultrasonic horn. This way, simultaneous UV/US energy may be effectively provided to the reactors for the remediation of toxic compounds in the water in the reactors. Also, this way, compact and portable reactors may be constructed to permit mobile applications of the UV/US processes.

Abstract: The invention is a process and reactors designs for simultaneous ultraviolet light/ultrasound(UV/US) treatment of halogenated organic compounds contaminants in water. The reactors are preferably circular cylindrical reaction vessels that accept a central ultrasonic horn. UV light is provided by lamps placed generally parallel to the reactor walls. Or, UV light may be centrally provided in an immersion well near the ultrasonic horn. This way, simultaneous UV/US energy may be effectively provided to the reactors for the remediation of toxic compounds in the water in the reactors. Also, this way, compact and portable reactors may be constructed to permit mobile applications of the UV/US processes.

Abstract: Embodiments of a flowmeter and velocity measurement method are described, which include preferably a dual element thermocouple that is immersed in a flowing fluid and a computer that processes, validates, and calculates data to arrive at a velocity measurement for fluids at low flow rates. A temperature differential is created by the Peltier effect when electric current is applied to one thermocouple pair in the dual element thermocouple, and this temperature differential causes heat transfer to occur between the fluid and the thermocouple. The temperature response of the cooled junction of the thermocouple is preferably measured using the second pair of the dual element thermocouple while the electric current is pulsed on and off.