Abstract: A method of making an antimicrobial textile comprising TiO2 nanoparticles is described. The TiO2 nanoparticles are immobilized by first treating a textile with a base, and then contacting with TiO2 nanoparticles in a solution of an alcohol and acid. The textile may be subsequently irradiated with UV light prior to use. The antimicrobial textile shows high effectiveness against the growth and proliferation of microorganisms transmitted within indoor environments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for level of service assessment at signalized intersections is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for estimating an average delay per vehicle at a signalized intersection with a traffic signal, including sampling vehicle arrival rates at the signalized intersection, sampling vehicle departure rates at the signalized intersection, analyzing generated shock waves at the traffic signal, wherein the traffic signal shock wave is a change in vehicle density due to changes in the traffic signal, and estimating the average delay per vehicle based on the vehicle arrival rates, the vehicle departure rates, and the traffic shock waves at the signalized intersection.

Abstract: Methods of forming spinel ferrite nanoparticles containing a chromium-substituted copper ferrite as well as properties (e.g. particle size, crystallite size, pore size, surface area) of these spinel ferrite nanoparticles are described. Methods of preventing or reducing microbe growth on a surface by applying these spinel ferrite nanoparticles onto the surface in the form of a suspension or an antimicrobial product are also described.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a T/R switch. The T/R switch includes a double sided microstripline based hybrid couplers with a top side and a bottom side each including two concentric microstripline based hybrid couplers. Each of the two concentric microstripline based hybrid couplers includes an inner microstripline based hybrid coupler and an outer microstripline based hybrid coupler. The inner microstripline based hybrid coupler forms an inner loop of the two concentric microstripline based hybrid couplers and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler forms an outer loop. In a transmission mode, the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler at the top side of the dual-tuned T/R switch are activated. In a receiving mode the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler at the top side and at the bottom side of the dual-tuned T/R switch are activated.

Abstract: A magnetoelectric nanocomposite (MEN) is described. The MEN are used as a colorectal cancer treatment. The MEN includes a shell having at least one ferroelectric compound and a rare earth (R) metal doped spinel ferrite nanoparticle (SFNP) core, of a formula of CoxMn1-xR2-yFeyOz wherein x= 0.1-0.9, y = 1.90-1.99, and z = 3-5; and R is at least one rare earth metal selected from the group consisting of cerium (Ce), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb) and thulium (Tm). A method of making MENs is also provided.

Abstract: An efficient photocatalyst nanocomposite comprising reduced graphene oxide, noble metal, and a metal oxide prepared by a one-step method that utilizes date seed extract as a reducing and nanoparticle determining size agent. The photocatalyst of the invention is a more effective sunlight photocatalyst than that prepared by traditional method in the photo decomposition of organic compounds in contaminated water.

Abstract: A catheter having a head with a head orifice and a head channel connected to the head orifice, a primary lumen wall that defines an internal primary lumen volume, an adjustable neck that connects the head channel to the internal primary lumen volume, an adjustment system partially enclosed in the primary lumen wall that provides an articulation of the adjustable neck between an extended position to a contracted position, wherein the articulation from the extended position to the contracted position provides a flexible tip catheter while the articulation from the contracted position to the extended position provides an ability to angulate toward a target.

Abstract: A cooling system for a photovoltaic panel including micro flat heat pipes (HP) integrated with thermoelectric generators (TEG) and a cooled water reservoir for cooling the working fluid in heat pipes. The cooled water in the reservoir is pumped from the condensate pan of an air conditioner. Experimental results show that cooling system reduced the average temperature of the panel by as much as 19° C. or 25%. Further, the output power of the photovoltaic panel increased by 44% when the photovoltaic panel was used in a very hot climate (30-40° C.). An additional two watts of power was generated by the TEGs.

Abstract: A nanomedicinal composition comprising a nanocarrier and a pharmaceutical agent mixture comprising an anti-cancer therapeutic and an antioxidant. The nanocarrier comprises a porous silicate matrix and particles of a magnetic ferrite disposed in the pores of the porous silicate matrix. The pharmaceutical agent mixture is disposed in the pores and/or on the surface of the nanocarrier by a solution phase impregnation process. The nanomedicinal composition is used in a method of treating breast cancer.

Abstract: A supercapacitor including a gel electrode and two electrodes is described. Each of the two electrodes include a second mixture of 5-10 wt. % conductive additive, 5-10 wt. % binding compound, and 80-90 wt. % activated carbon. Further, the second mixture is at least partially coated on an inner surface of a substrate, and where the inner surfaces of the two electrodes are separated by and in physical contact with the gel electrolyte to form the supercapacitor. The gel electrolyte includes a polyol compound, a base with a molarity (M) of 1-5 in the polyol compound, and 1-10 wt. % of boric acid relative to the weight of the polyol compound. The boric acid intercalates with a first mixture of the polyol compound and the base, creating a gel.

Abstract: A method of removing a metal ion from water is disclosed. The method includes treating the water with a nanocomposite to absorb the metal ion with the nanocomposite, forming a polymer-metal ion composite and removing the polymer-metal ion composite from the water. The nanocomposite includes aluminum oxide dispersed in a matrix of an uncrosslinked graft copolymer that includes a chitosan backbone and side chains of poly(itaconic acid) grafted to the chitosan backbone. The chitosan backbone has a plurality of amino groups that are acetylated by itaconic acid.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a surgical device which is externally used as aiming device that permits accurate placement of surgical wire to mend a supracondylar fracture. The device of the invention decreases operative time, risks of the re-dislocation through continuous manipulation, radiology exposure for both the patient and operation room staff, and to decreases anesthesia duration. It is also directed to surgical use of the device for repair of a supracondylar fracture and to methods for making it.

Abstract: A system and method of 3-D image segmentation of brain images includes obtaining a 3-D MRI image, an employee phase including performing search cycles of generating solutions in a neighborhood, taking into account (a) movement of a bee's current location toward a mean value of a positive direction of a global best location and a positive direction of its own best location, (b) movement of the bee's current location toward the mean value of the positive direction of its own best location and a negative direction of the global best location, and (c) a random number, calculating a fitness value for the solutions based on membership values of pixels and distances between the pixels to cluster centers of pixels until search ends. Image segmentation of the image is performed using centers of clusters.

Abstract: A superconducting material includes YBa2Cu3O7-? and a nano-structured, preferably nanowires, WO3 dopant in a range of from 0.01 to 3.0 wt. %, preferably 0.075 to 0.2 wt. %, based on total material weight. Methods of making the superconductor may preferably avoid solvents and pursue solid-state synthesis employing Y, Ba, and/or Cu oxides and/or carbonates.

Abstract: Water treatment structures may have at least a first geotextile fabric layer; a second geotextile fabric layer; a third geotextile fabric layer; a first filler layer with plastic particles, arranged between the first and second geotextile fabric layers; and a second filler layer with plastic particles, arranged between the second and third geotextile fabric layers, wherein the geotextile fabric layers and the filler layers are within a housing, and wherein the structure is configured such that contaminated water proceeds sequentially through the first geotextile fabric layer, the first filler layer, the second geotextile fabric layer, the second filler layer, and the third geotextile fabric layer. Methods of treating wastewater may involve passing wastewater, after optional oxygenating and pre-filtering, through such alternating layers of geotextile, preferably nonwoven, and polymer particles.

Abstract: A nanocomposite electrode and a supercapacitor device including said nanocomposite electrode. The nanocomposite electrode includes a mixture of at least one binding compound, at least one conductive additive, and at least one molybdenum doped carbon material coated onto a substrate. The supercapacitor device includes two nanocomposite electrodes disposed facing one another, wherein the substrate of each nanocomposite electrode is coated with the mixture on an inside facing surface and the outer surfaces of the nanocomposite electrodes are not coated with the mixture, and the inside facing surfaces are separated by at least one electrolyte.

Abstract: A nanotherapeutic supported by a hierarchical silica composite with dual imaging capability (e.g. fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging), a method of preparing the nanotherapeutic, and a method of treating cancer. Also disclosed is a method of oxidatively dehydrogenating ethane using a catalytic system supported by a hierarchical silica composite.

Abstract: A ventilator adaptor for switching between ventilator devices while maintaining respiratory support to a patient is described. The ventilator adaptor has a first movable element with a first inlet and a second inlet, and a second movable element movably attached to the first movable element and with an outlet. The outlet has an inner diameter of 14.5-15.5 mm, preferably 15 mm, and the first inlet and the second inlet have an outer diameter of 14.5-15.5 mm, preferably 15 mm. The outlet is in fluid communication with the first inlet in a first position or with the second inlet in a second position by moving the second movable element relative to the first movable element thereby aligning the outlet with the first inlet or the second inlet. The outlet may be attached to an endotracheal tube in order to form a ventilation assembly.

Abstract: Base material arrangements having at least two layers can accommodate the addition of antifungal material (nanofiller), such as in denture base resin without significantly compromising the mechanical properties and/or translucency of the base material arrangements. Antifungal agents such as nanosilver and nanozirconia can be used to modify a surface layer of the material arrangements, such as the denture base, to overcome certain known shortcomings of the modified materials, e.g., typical acrylic resins containing nanosilver and nanozirconia.

Abstract: A cooling system for a photovoltaic panel including micro flat heat pipes (HP) integrated with thermoelectric generators (TEG) and a cooled water reservoir for cooling the working fluid in heat pipes. The cooled water in the reservoir is pumped from the condensate pan of an air conditioner. Experimental results show that cooling system reduced the average temperature of the panel by as much as 19° C. or 25%. Further, the output power of the photovoltaic panel increased by 44% when the photovoltaic panel was used in a very hot climate (30-40° C.). An additional two watts of power was generated by the TEGs.