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.

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 shoe organizer unit, a method of using a shoe organizer unit, and a method for storing shoes in a plurality of shoe storing shelves of a shoe organizer unit are described. The shoe organizer unit includes a plurality of shoe storing shelves adapted to store shoes therein. A plurality of linear actuators moves the plurality of shoe storing shelves in a path within a cabinet.; A controller manages operation of the linear actuators to move the shoes along the path. Transparent panels secure the shoes within the cabinet. Secure storage and retrieval of the shoes is controlled by electronics including a keypad, a push button and a shoe shelf identification code card printer. The shoe organizer unit provides for sterilization of the shoes stored and secure storing and retrieval of the shoes.

Abstract: A poly(vinylphosphonic acid) (PVPA)-(NH4)2MoO4), gel polymer electrolyte can be prepared by incorporating redox-mediated Mo, or similar metal, into a PVPA, or similar polymer, matrix. Gel polymer electrolytes including PVPA/MoX, x representing the percent fraction Mo in PVPA, can be used to make supercapacitors including active carbon electrodes. The electrolytes can be in gel form, bendable and stretchable in a device. Devices including this gel electrolyte can have a specific capacitance (Cs) of 1276 F/g, i.e., a more than 50-fold increase relative to a PVPA system without Mo. A PVPA/Mo10 supercapacitor can have an energy density of 180.2 Wh/kg at power density of 500 W/kg, and devices with this hydrogel structure may maintain 85+% of their initial capacitance performance after 2300 charge-discharge cycles.

Abstract: A curable composite material containing nanodiamonds, denture bases and other dental prosthetics made from the composite material and methods for treating dental stomatitis using these prosthetics.

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 composite nanomaterial of ZnO impregnated by, e.g., a green copper phthalocyanine compound (CuPc) can be an efficient solar light photocatalyst for water remediation. The composite may include hollow shell microspheres and hollow nanospheres of CuPc-ZnO. CuPc may function as a templating and/or structure modifying agent, e.g., for forming hollow microspheres and/or nanospheres of ZnO particles. The composite can photocatalyze the degradation of organic pollutants such as crystal violet (CV) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid as well as microbes in water under solar light irradiation. The ZnO—CuPc composite can be stable and recyclable under solar irradiation.

Abstract: Cross-linked polyvinyl polymers comprising charged groups and methods of making are disclosed. The polymers are effective and durable adsorbent of dyes from aqueous solutions. Also, a method of removal of dyes from contaminated water is disclosed.

Abstract: Cross-linked polyvinyl polymers comprising charged groups and methods of making are disclosed. The polymers are effective and durable adsorbent of dyes from aqueous solutions. Also, a method of removal of dyes from contaminated water is disclosed.

Abstract: A tooth paste composition comprising black cumin oil (Nigella sativa) and fluoride-doped bioactive glass, zinc oxide, and/or titanium oxide is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preparing iron oxide nanoparticles using an herbal mixture comprising Capparis spinosa, Cichorium intybus, Solanum nigrum, Cassia occidentalis, Terminalia arjuna, Achillea millefolium, and Tamarix gallica. The method produces crystalline ?-Fe2O3 nanoparticles which are superparamagnetic. The iron oxide nanoparticles are used in a method of killing or inhibiting the growth of a bacteria and/or fungus, particularly in the form of a biofilm. The nanoparticles are also used in a method of treating colon cancer.

Abstract: A solar powered smart window includes a light diffuser configured to convert an incident direct solar radiation to a diffusive light toward interior direction, a light diffuser positioner, a driving mechanism, a solar panel, and a control unit. The control unit moved the light diffuser from a predetermined opened position to a closed position and to hold the light diffuser at the closed position with latch mechanism, when the output power of the solar panel exceeds a threshold for over a duration time. The controller releases the latch mechanism and to cause the light diffuser to return to the predetermined opened position when the output power lowers below threshold for over the duration time. A method includes storing a predetermined condition, monitoring the output power, comparing the output power with the predetermined conditions, making decision whether a positional transition is necessary, and causing the transitional transition or maintaining current position.

Abstract: A poly(vinylphosphonic acid) (PVPA)-(NH4)2MoO4), gel polymer electrolyte can be prepared by incorporating redox-mediated Mo, or similar metal, into a PVPA, or similar polymer, matrix. Gel polymer electrolytes including PVPA/MoX, x representing the percent fraction Mo in PVPA, can be used to make supercapacitors including active carbon electrodes. The electrolytes can be in gel form, bendable and stretchable in a device. Devices including this gel electrolyte can have a specific capacitance (Cs) of 1276 F/g, i.e., a more than 50-fold increase relative to a PVPA system without Mo. A PVPA/Mo10 supercapacitor can have an energy density of 180.2 Wh/kg at power density of 500 W/kg, and devices with this hydrogel structure may maintain 85+% of their initial capacitance performance after 2300 charge-discharge cycles.

Abstract: A method for producing a nanocomposite sorbent comprising carbon nanotube-grafted acrylic acid/acrylamide copolymer which involves copolymerization of acrylic acid and acrylamide in the presence of an aqueous dispersion of carbon nanotubes. The method yields a nanocomposite sorbent material having a reversible adsorption capacity phenol of 5 to 2500 ?g of phenol per mg of nanocomposite sorbent. Also disclosed is a method for removing organic pollutants from water using the nanocomposite sorbent.

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 nanomaterial and a method of preparing the nanomaterial are provided. The nanomaterial is a product formed by a reaction of functionalized carbon nanotube comprising first and second aminoalkyl groups covalently bonded to a surface of the carbon nanotube and a porphyrin ring of formula (I). A method of removing a pollutant from an aqueous solution by contacting the aqueous solution having an initial concentration of the pollutant with the nanomaterial is also provided.

Abstract: Crystalline ?-Fe2O3 nanoparticles prepared by ultrasonic treatment of a solution of an iron (III)-containing precursor and an extract from the seeds of a plant in the family Linaceae. The crystalline ?-Fe2O3 nanoparticles have a spherical morphology with a diameter of 100 nm to 300 nm, a mean surface area of 240 to 260 m2/g, and a type-II nitrogen adsorption-desorption BET isotherm with a H3 hysteresis loop. The crystalline ?-Fe2O3 nanoparticles have a band gap of 2.10 to 2.16 eV and a mean pore size of 7.25 to 9.25 nm. A method for the photocatalytic decomposition of organic pollutants using the crystalline ?-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. An antibacterial composition containing the crystalline ?-Fe2O3 nanoparticles.

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.