Abstract: The described invention is directed to hydrogel-based transparent soils that can provide heterogeneous, aeration, and porous condition for plant growth. The hydrogel beads are highly tailorable in size and porosity providing an environment that is closer to natural soil. Index-matching allows the beads to appear transparent, facilitating the use of imaging and microscopy of the plant root system in vivo.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fault detection in a component of a machine during operation. Vibration data is acquired based on a vibration signal output from a sensor associated with the component. The vibration data is analyzed with at least two machine learning models to predict a condition of the component.

Abstract: The invention involves producing discontinuous, flake-shaped particles of a soft magnetic material, coating the flake-shaped particles with an electrically insulating coating, and consolidating the coated flaked-shaped particles to form a soft magnetic bulk shape. The consolidated bulk shape can comprise a layer or a simple or complex 3D magnet part shape, which has a consolidated layered microstructure that includes laminated soft magnetic regions that are substantially encapsulated by an electrical insulating layer to increase the resistivity of soft magnetic material, especially when used in silicon iron magnet parts.

Abstract: A portable device for removal of metabolic waste from the blood of patient having kidney disease or in need of hemodialysis is provided. Methods of hemodialysis employing the portable device beneficially obtain a dialysate by electrokinetic means from excess fluid in the peripheral blood of the patient in need thereof. The methods employ a branched microfluidic channel for the use of ion concentration polarization to separate charged from neutral species in blood to obtain the dialysate for undergoing hemodialysis. Beneficially the methods and device are resistant to biofouling, remove the need for a dialysate and/or dialysate reservoir, and provide a disposable, wearable device.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods to generate plants with high frequency of spontaneous haploid genome doubling for use in doubled haploid production. The invention relates to the BUBR1 nucleic acid and protein sequences identified, which are associated with spontaneous haploid genome doubling.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a nanocomposite organo gel having a continuous polymeric network structure, wherein polymer chains are held together by ionic interaction between polymer chain ends, interparticle chain entanglements, layered silicate surface modifier, ionic salt, and layered silicate. The present application is also directed to methods of making and using the nanocomposite organo gel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a feedback predictive controller, systems comprising and methods employing the same. Preferably the feedback predictive controller and/or systems comprising the feedback predictive controller are part of an automatic insulin delivery system. The methods described herein can be used to control blood glucose concentration in a patient with diabetes. Preferably, the insulin delivery system is an artificial pancreas.

Abstract: A coat protein of Junonia coenia densovirus (JcDNV) is used to deliver attached peptide insect toxin across the gut epithelium of a fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. A fusion protein comprising VP4 attached to an insect toxin via a peptide linker is developed. A composition comprising a JcDNV coat protein attached to an insect toxin via a peptide linker can be used for insect pest control.

Abstract: An entrainment-based filtering system for use in connection with a facemask or respirator that includes: a filter housing defining an interior volume comprising at least one airflow pathway having an airflow pathway length that is longer than the length of the interior volume and spaced within the interior volume; and a plurality of entrainment substrates. The plurality of entrainment substrates is positioned within the at least one airflow pathway and the plurality of substrates and the dimensions of the at least one airflow pathway together function to entrain particles on the surface of the chemically coated entrainment substrates and prevent at least 95% of particles traveling through the at least one airflow pathway from exiting the entrainment-based filter.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel nucleotide and amino acid sequences of Porcine Sapelovirus (“PSV”), including novel genotypes thereof, all of which are useful in the preparation of vaccines for treating and preventing diseases in swine and other animals. Vaccines provided according to the practice of the invention are effective against multiple swine PSV genotypes and isolates. Diagnostic and therapeutic polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies are also a feature of the present invention, as are infectious clones useful in the propagation of the virus and in the preparation of vaccines. Particularly important aspects of the invention include polynucleotide constructs that replicate in tissue culture and in host swine. The invention also provides for novel full-length PSV genomes that can replicate efficiently in host animals and tissue culture.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a center frame positioning method for an agricultural sprayer. The method comprises activating a center frame positioning system and collecting and processing position data related to a position of a suspended center frame in the center frame positioning system. The method further comprises evaluating the position data to determine whether any adjustment to the position of the suspended center frame is needed and controlling actuator force in at least one actuator to adjust the position of the suspended center frame based on the evaluating the position data.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a resonator system that can be used to monitor proteins, cells, or small molecules in a container. A resonant sensor, embedded in or on the container, can have an inductive element and a capacitive element, where the container and resonant sensor are structured such that, when a concentration of the proteins, cells, or small molecules in the container changes, dielectric permittivity and conductivity of the proteins, cells, or small molecules contributes to capacitance of the resonant sensor to affect a resonant frequency shift of the resonant sensor. Interrogating the resonant sensor can be conducted wirelessly along with wirelessly transmitting data collected from the interrogation. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for separating and/or purifying different metal oxalates by mixing the different metal oxalates in an aqueous solution comprising oxalic acid and an organic base so that at least one metal oxalate is soluble and at least another metal oxalate is not soluble. Different rare earth metal oxalates and/or transition metal oxalates can be separated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a multiblock copolymer. This method comprises i) providing a block copolymer comprising at least one PA block and at least one PB block, where PA represents a polymer block comprising one or more units of monomer A and PB represents a polymer block comprising one or more units of monomer B, with monomers A and B being the same or different, where the block copolymer contains a chain transfer agent moiety (CTA); ii) providing a radically polymerizable monomer C; and iii) polymerizing the block copolymer with monomer C under conditions effective to achieve a number average degree of polymerization (Nn) for the multiblock copolymer of up to 100,000 without gelation.

Abstract: This work develops a novel microfluidic method to fabricate conductive graphene-based 3D micro-electronic circuits on any solid substrate including, Teflon, Delrin, silicon wafer, glass, metal or biodegradable/non-biodegradable polymer-based, 3D microstructured, flexible films. It was demonstrated that this novel method can be universally applied to many different natural or synthetic polymer-based films or any other solid substrates with proper pattern to create graphene-based conductive electronic circuits. This approach also enables fabrication of 3D circuits of flexible electronic films or solid substrates. It is a green process preventing the need for expensive and harsh postprocessing requirements for other fabrication methods such as ink-jet printing or photolithography. We reported that it is possible to fill the pattern channels with different dimensions as low as 10×10 ?m. The graphene nanoplatelet solution with a concentration of 60 mg/mL in 70% ethanol, pre-annealed at 75° C. for 3 h, provided ˜0.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel nucleotide and amino acid sequences of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (“PEDV”), including novel genotypes thereof, all of which are useful in the preparation of vaccines for treating and preventing diseases in swine and other animals. Vaccines provided according to the practice of the invention are effective against multiple swine PEDV genotypes and isolates. Diagnostic and therapeutic polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies are also a feature of the present invention, as are infectious clones useful in the propagation of the virus and in the preparation of vaccines. Particularly important aspects of the invention include polynucleotide constructs that replicate in tissue culture and in host swine. The invention also provides for novel full length PEDV genomes that can replicate efficiently in host animals and tissue culture.

Abstract: A method of direct printing or writing of a metallic material involves depositing, with a printing device or writing device, an ink comprising of at least undercooled liquid metallic particles dispersed in a carrier fluid. The ink is deposited on any substrate surface to deposit the undercooled liquid metal particles thereon as one or more layers that can form a desired pattern or layered structure.

Abstract: In this disclosure, transition and rare earth metal-based magnetic ionic liquids (MILs) are successfully prepared in a two-step synthesis and used to extract viable bacteria from a liquid sample. The disclosed MILs are extremely hydrophobic MILs and were insoluble in aqueous solution at 0.01% (v/v). Furthermore, these MILs were miscible in a variety of polar and non-polar organic solvents. Moreover, these MILs possess low viscosity and increased magnetic susceptibility. These MILs possess unique characteristics that can have great potential uses in various chemical applications such as extraction solvents in LLE, liquid electrochromic materials (Co-based MILs), and novel reaction media for organic synthesis.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for enhancing solid propellant performance include seeding combusting energetic material, including solid propellant, with microwave energy at a controlled power and duration.

Abstract: An integrated dual-modality microfluidic sensor chip and methods for using the same. In one form, the sensor comprises a patterned periodic array of nanoposts coated with a noble metal and graphene oxide (GO) to detect target biomarker molecules in a limited sample volume. The device generates both electrochemical and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) signals from a single sensing area of the metal-GO nanoposts. The metal-GO nanoposts are functionalized with specific receptor molecules, serving as a spatially well-defined nanostructured working electrode for electrochemical sensing, as well as a nanostructured plasmonic crystal for SPR-based sensing via the excitation of surface plasmon polaritons.