Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a highly stretchable three-dimensional (3D) percolated conductive nano-network structure, a 3D nano-structured porous elastomer including patterns distributed in a periodic network is formed. A surface of the 3D nano-structured porous elastomer is changed to a hydrophilic state. A polymeric material is conformally adhered on the surface of the 3D nano-structured porous elastomer. The surface of the 3D nano-structured porous elastomer is wet by infiltrating a conductive solution in which a conductive material is dispersed. A 3D percolated conductive nano-network coupled with the 3D nano-structured porous elastomer is formed by evaporating a solvent of the conductive solution and removing the polymeric material.

Abstract: Provided are a smart barn system and smart barn control method for detecting an abnormal sign of livestock and a tag attachable to livestock. The smart barn system includes a plurality of tags attached to ears of livestock bred in a pigsty and configured to measure temperatures of the livestock and transmit the measured temperature information of the livestock, a plurality of antennas configured to transmit and receive wireless signals to and from the tags, a reader configured to collect tag information of the livestock, which approaches an apparatus for providing feed and water, through any one of the plurality of antennas and measure an access frequency of the tag, which is collected through each of the antennas, through the collected tag information of the livestock, and a plurality of wireless power switching modules provided between the antennas and the reader and connected in a cascade.

Abstract: A method for separation and enrichment of lithium includes the following steps: pretreatment: carrying out at least two dilutions and at least two filtrations on salina aged brine to obtain pretreated brine; separation: separating the pretreated brine via a nanofiltration separation system to obtain nanofiltration permeate and nanofiltration concentrate; first concentration: carrying out first concentration on the nanofiltration permeate via a reverse osmosis system to obtain reverse osmosis concentrate and reverse osmosis permeate; second concentration: carrying out second concentration on the reverse osmosis concentrate via an electrodialysis system to obtain electrodialysis concentrate and electrodialysis permeate, and the electrodialysis concentrate is solution enriching lithium ions.

Abstract: Provided are methods for growing and shipping sprouts and microgreens in the same container, growing while in shipment using moisture provided in a water-absorbent layer, with optional added beneficials, and including methods for producing sprouts and microgreens for consumption, and for pharmaceutical/nutriceutical use, comprising growth of sprouts in retail-ready containers, the container comprising a moisture-retaining layer of agar media or the like providing water for growth and obviating the need for irrigation during sprout growth. In certain aspects, media is supplemented with beneficial organisms or additives such as probiotic microbes, vitamins (e.g., B12), cofactors, nutrients, and other items (e.g., phytochemicals, natural colors, and antioxidants) which promote the growth of the beneficial microbes on the product, and/or which become incorporated into the product.

Abstract: A device for measuring a heat transfer rate according to the present invention includes: a first layer provided with a first material portion and a second material portion disposed in parallel in a surface direction of an object; a second layer provided with a third material portion disposed in parallel with the first material portion in a thickness direction of the first layer and having the same thermal conductivity as the second material portion, and a fourth material portion disposed in parallel with the second material portion in the thickness direction and having the same thermal conductivity as the first material portion; and a temperature measurement layer to measure a temperature difference in the surface direction between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the temperature measurement layer includes: a thermocouple portion provided with a first contact between the first material portion and the third material portion, and a second contact between the second material portion and the fourth

Abstract: A scent visualization system may comprise a display apparatus for generating a target image including a target object; an olfactory sensor for detecting a scent; and a scent visualization apparatus for generating target associative visualization information that reminds the scent from the target image received from the display apparatus and sensing information received from the olfactory sensor, and generating an associative image by combining the target associative visualization information and the target image. Therefore, a low-cost, high-efficiency, high-utilization, and high-convenience scent visualization system can be provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided that can be used to vaccinate against and treat HIV. Specifically contemplated are vaccine compositions and methods of using these compositions treat HIV in patients. Aspects of the disclosure relate to an anti-CD40 antibody-HIV antigen fusion protein comprising (i) an anti-CD40 heavy chain (HCD40)-HIV antigen (Ag) fusion protein comprising the formula: HCD40-Ag, wherein Ag is a polypeptide with at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:1; and (ii) an anti-CD40 light chain (LCD40).

Abstract: Neuropeptide S receptor agonists are provided. The NPS agonists include trimeric, tetrameric, pentameric or hexameric peptidomimetic analogs exhibiting affinity for and activity at the neuropeptide S receptor. The peptidomimetic molecules may be useful in the treatment of disorders, syndromes and conditions mediated by modulation of the neuropeptide S receptor such as substance abuse, narcolepsy, insomnia, obesity, cognitive decline, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, panic disorder, generalized anxiety, PTSD, phobias, schizophrenia and as supportive medication during any kind of cessation program in cognitive behavioral therapy, such as drug addiction, eating disorders and gambling.

Abstract: A system includes a camera positioned in an environment to capture image data of a subject; a computing device communicatively coupled to the camera, the computing device comprising a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable memory; and a machine-readable instruction set stored in the non-transitory computer-readable memory. The machine-readable instruction set causes the computing device to perform at least the following when executed by the processor: receive the image data from the camera; analyze the image data captured by the camera using a neural network trained on training data generated from a 360-degree panoramic camera configured to collect image data of a subject and a visual target that is moved about an environment; and predict a gaze direction vector of the subject with the neural network.

Abstract: Coating materials and coated personal protective clothing items incorporating the coating material are described. The coating material includes a polymeric component; a metal oxide component; and a catalytic component. The catalytic component includes a metal oxide or a mixed metal oxide which is an effective catalyst for an oxidation reaction. The coated personal protective clothing item includes a personal protective clothing substrate with a coating including the coating material.

Abstract: Provided is a high efficiency long range drone, and more particularly, a high efficiency long range drone capable of increasing flight time and efficiently using power during long range cruising flight by selectively using the power among an engine generator and a battery and applying an auxiliary wing.

Abstract: A lighting device includes a light-emitting device, a heat sink having a hollow unit inside, a translucent cover, and a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element includes a casing unit having a housing unit, and includes a first electrode unit, a second electrode unit having a work function different from that of the first electrode unit, and a middle unit including nanoparticles having a work function between the work function of the first electrode unit and the work function of the second electrode unit, which are provided inside the housing unit. The casing unit is provided on the inner surface of the hollow unit of the heat sink.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a rapid, scalable, and high-throughput method of identifying the precise regions in a receptor protein which are involved in binding of a molecule of interest. The method of the instant disclosure is useful where the crystal structure of a protein of interest is not available. Also provided are surface display libraries, and methods of making the same.

Abstract: An n-type semiconductor layer has a single-crystal structure and is made of a wide-gap semiconducting material. A p-type semiconductor layer is provided on the n-type semiconductor layer and made of a material different from the aforementioned wide-gap semiconducting material, and has either a microcrystalline structure or an amorphous structure. An electrode is provided on at least one of the n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A method for producing a cluster-supporting catalyst, the cluster-supporting catalyst including porous carrier particles that has acid sites, and catalyst metal clusters supported within the pores of the porous carrier particles, includes the following steps: providing a dispersion liquid containing a dispersion medium and the porous carrier particles dispersed in the dispersion medium; and in the dispersion liquid, forming catalyst metal clusters having a positive charge, and supporting the catalyst metal clusters on the acid sites within the pores of the porous carrier particles through an electrostatic interaction.

Abstract: 2-manifold structures are structures having continuously curvilinear surfaces, with no kinks or sharp angles. Methods for building strong, lightweight 2-manifold structures include a computer implemented strength optimization process. The computer implemented process includes a structure optimization sub-routine in which a plurality of rod-like members, constituting an irregular scaffold, is constrained into a volume corresponding to the 2-manifold structure. The strength of the irregular scaffold is then optimized by application of an algorithm that maximizes strength as a function of variations in the ratio of the largest macroscopic dimension of the panel to the average length of the members; the aspect ratio of the members (diameter divided by length); the average or maximum number of times a member can contact another member; and the distribution of member lengths. Strength maximization can be simultaneous to minimization of total length of the members.

Abstract: A method for forming an anode of a sodium ion battery includes a step of heat treating the red phosphorus precursor and reduced graphene oxide powder at a first temperature that vaporizes the red phosphorus precursor such that red phosphorus structures grow on the reduced graphene oxide powder. Another method for forming an anode of a sodium ion battery includes steps of placing a red phosphorus precursor and a graphene oxide precursor in a reaction chamber; establishing a reducing environment in the reaction chamber; and heating the red phosphorus precursor and a graphene oxide precursor to a first temperature that is sufficient temperature to form a composite of red phosphorus and reduced graphene oxide. Characteristically, red phosphorus deposition and graphene oxide reduction are completed simultaneously in a single-step heat treatment. A method for making a black phosphorus-composite for sodium-ion batter anodes is also provided.

Abstract: A block copolymer, an ion-exchange membrane including the block copolymer and a method of preparing the block copolymer are provided. The block copolymer may include a hydrophobic repeating unit and a hydrophilic repeating unit.

Abstract: Herein are provided, inter alia, compounds capable of modulating the level of activity of low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase (LMPTP) and methods of using the same. In embodiments, the compound has a structure according to Formula (I-A).

Abstract: An operation method of a first communication node in a communication system includes receiving a signal from a second communication node; demodulating the signal to obtain LLR values; calculating a first codeword based on the LLR values; selecting error patterns from among all error patterns based on Hamming weights; generating second codewords by applying the first codeword to each of the selected error patterns; and determining a codeword having a highest similarity to the first codeword among the second codewords as an optimal codeword.