Abstract: Oligonucleotides for use in amplifying at least one gene present in M. riyadhense are disclosed. The oligoncleotides include forward primers, SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 5, and 7 and the reverse primers comprises, consists essentially of or consists of SEQ ID NO:2, 4, 6, and 8, fragment(s), derivative(s), mutation(s), or complementary sequence(s) thereof. Also provided are methods for detecting the presence of M. riyadhense in a sample. The method includes contacting a biological sample with a pair of forward/reverse primers, under conditions suitable for amplification of at least one gene product from M. riyadhense if present in a sample and detecting the presence of the amplification product. The oligonucleotides and method disclosed herein can be used to determine the presence of M. riyadhense in a biological or non-biological sample. The sample can be obtained from a subject such as a human subject.

Abstract: An energy-efficient capacitance-to-digital converter (CDC) is provided that utilizes a capacitance-domain successive approximation (SAR) technique. Unlike SAR analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), analysis shows that for SAR CDCs, the comparator offset voltage will result in signal-dependent and parasitic-dependent conversion errors, which necessitates an op-amp-based implementation. The inverter-based SAR CDC contemplated herein provides robust, energy-efficient, and fast operation. The inverter-based SAR CDC may include a hybrid coarse-fine programmable capacitor array. The design of example embodiments is insensitive to analog references, and thus achieves very low temperature sensitivity without the need for calibration. Moreover, this design achieves improved energy efficiency.

Abstract: A system includes a programmable assessor and a remote computer. The programmable assessor includes an assessment chamber, which includes an assessment platform and a sensor arranged to sense characteristics of a product on the assessment platform, as well as a processor coupled to the sensor and an input coupled to the processor. The remote computer includes a remote processor. The sensor is configured to sense characteristics of first and second versions of the product. The input is configured to receive a classification of the first and second versions of the product. The programmable assessor is configured to provide the sensed characteristics and classification of the first and second versions of the product to the remote processor. The remote processor is configured to generate an assessment program based on the sensed characteristics and classification of the first and second versions of the product, and to provide the generated assessment program to the programmable assessor.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds comprising at least one unit of formula (1) or (1?) as well as a process for the preparation of the compounds, intermediates of this process, electronic devices comprising the compounds, and the use of the compounds as semiconducting materials.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for modeling fluid flow through a fracture. The method includes obtaining a normal stress, and a shear stress and determining a first three-dimensional (3D) aperture model. Further, the method includes estimating a normal fracture closure displacement under the normal stress and a fracture dilation under the shear stress and simulating a fluid flow through a second 3D aperture model of the fracture. The second 3D aperture model of the fracture is based on the first 3D aperture, the normal fracture closure displacement, and the fracture dilation. Additionally, the method includes calculating a permeability of the second 3D aperture model of the fracture based on the simulated fluid flow.

Abstract: A bio-lubricant composition includes a first component that includes a first triglyceride, which is part of a cooking oil; a second component that includes a first epoxidized triglyceride; a third component that includes a hydroxylated triglyceride; a fourth component that includes a first fatty acid ester moiety; a fifth component that includes a first epoxidized fatty acid ester; and a sixth component that includes a hydroxylated fatty acid ester. A mixture of the first to sixth components at room temperature have a viscosity between 40 and 200 centipoise, and the composition is substantially free of free fatty acids.

Abstract: A light-emitting diode includes an n-type aluminum nitride layer formed on a substrate, a multiple quantum well formed on the n-type aluminum nitride layer, and a p-type aluminum nitride hole-injection layer formed adjacent to the multiple quantum well. The multiple quantum well includes a first aluminum nitride quantum well layer having a fixed composition and surrounded by first and second aluminum nitride quantum barrier layers, and a second aluminum nitride quantum well layer having a fixed composition and surrounded by the second aluminum nitride quantum barrier layer and a third aluminum nitride quantum barrier layer. At least one of the first, second, and third aluminum nitride quantum barrier layers has a graded aluminum composition. The first aluminum nitride quantum barrier layer is adjacent to the n-type aluminum nitride layer and the third aluminum nitride quantum barrier layer is adjacent to the p-type aluminum nitride hole-injection layer.

Abstract: A two-wheel compact magnetic crawler vehicle for traversing and inspecting surfaces. The crawler comprises a chassis. Two independently actuated magnetic drive wheels are spaced apart in a lateral direction and mounted to the chassis by a hinged joint enabling each wheel to tilt in response to the surface curvature. A probe wheel is provided at the midpoint between the two drive wheels and laterally in line therewith. A spring-assisted probe carrier passively moves the probe wheel vertically relative to the chassis in response to changes in the surface curvature. Additionally, the vehicle includes a probe angle normalization mechanism comprising spring-loaded, vertically moveable, ball casters positioned symmetrically about the probe wheel. The combined utilization of the probe carrier and the caster carrier passively maintain the probe contacting the surface, the chassis level, and the probe normal to the surface irrespective of changes in the surface curvature with vehicle movement.

Abstract: An optical fiber distributed acoustic sensor (DAS) system for detecting a red palm weevil and/or its larvae inside a tree. The system includes an optical fiber that is configured to be placed next to a tree; and a DAS box optically connected to the optical fiber and configured to receive a reflected light from the optical fiber. The DAS box includes electronics that extracts from the reflected light a frequency in a range of [400 Hz, 4 kHz], and sends a message indicating a presence of the red palm weevil and/or its larvae inside the tree.

Abstract: An apparatus, computer program product, and method are provided for the determination of one or more components of an EC number through the application of a level-by-level modeling approach capable of conducting feature reconstruction and classifier training simultaneously, based on encoded aspects of a sequence listing for a protein with an unknown function. The method includes receiving a sequence source data object associated with an enzyme; extracting a sequence data set from the sequence source data object; encoding the sequence data set into a first and second encoded sequence; generating a first predicted characteristic of the enzyme by applying the first and second encoded sequence to a first level of a model comprising a plurality of levels; and generating a second predicted characteristic of the enzyme by applying the first and the second encoded sequences to a second level of the model comprising a plurality of levels.

Abstract: Supported onium salts used as initiators for the synthesis of polycarbonates by copolymerization of carbon dioxide with epoxides are described. Embodiments of the present disclosure describe initiators comprising an insoluble portion including an onium cation attached to an insoluble support; and an anion, wherein the anion is a counter-ion to the onium cation. Embodiments further describe methods of making polycarbonates using the initiator, methods of making initiators, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are modified zeolites and methods for making modified zeolites. In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, a modified zeolite may include a microporous framework including a plurality of micropores having diameters of less than or equal to 2 nm. The microporous framework may include at least silicon atoms and oxygen atoms. The modified zeolite may further include organometallic moieties each bonded to a nitrogen atom of a secondary amine functional group comprising a nitrogen atom and a hydrogen atom. The organometallic moieties may comprise a hafnium atom that is bonded to the nitrogen atom of the secondary amine functional group. The nitrogen atom of the secondary amine function group may bridge the hafnium atom of the organometallic moiety and a silicon atom of the microporous framework.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally describe ethano-Tröger's base-amine monomers, ethano-Tröger's base polyimides of intrinsic microporosity, membranes based on ethano-Tröger's base polyimides of intrinsic microporosity, methods of making ethano-Tröger's base-amine monomers, methods of making ethano-Tröger's base polyimides of intrinsic microporosity prepared from ethano-Tröger's base-amine monomers, methods of separating chemical species, and the like.

Abstract: A free node to be deployed underwater for omnidirectional energy and data harvesting includes a housing that forms a sealed chamber; a wavelength-changing layer attached to an outside of the housing and configured to receive a first optical signal having a first wavelength range and to emit a second optical signal having a second wavelength range, different from the first wavelength range, wherein the first optical signal includes encoded data; a flexible solar cell wrapped around the housing, the flexible solar cell being configured to receive the second optical signal and generate an electrical signal; an energy storage module located in the chamber and configured to store electrical energy associated with the electrical signal; and a decoder located in the chamber and configured to receive the electrical signal and decode the encoded data. The first wavelength range is ultraviolet light and the second wavelength range is visible or infrared light.

Abstract: A prefabricated polymeric layer to be used in a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) based system, the prefabricated polymeric layer including a first sublayer; and a second sublayer attached to the first sublayer, wherein the second sublayer includes a sample holder. At least one of the first sublayer and the second first sublayer includes a polymeric material, and the prefabricated polymeric layer is to be added to a target material to be examined by the MALDI system.

Abstract: A multipurpose and transferrable sample platform for supporting, analyzing and/or processing a target material. The platform includes a substrate; a dielectric layer formed over a face of the substrate; electrodes formed over the dielectric layer; a slot formed through the substrate and the dielectric layer; and an exfoliated graphene-based membrane placed over the slot and in electrical contact with the electrodes. The exfoliated graphene-based membrane is configured to support, or act upon, a study material or chemical precursors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are modified zeolites and methods for making modified zeolites. In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, a modified zeolite may include a microporous framework including a plurality of micropores having diameters of less than or equal to 2 nm. The microporous framework may include at least silicon atoms and oxygen atoms. The modified zeolite may further include organometallic moieties each bonded to a nitrogen atom of a secondary amine functional group including a nitrogen atom and a hydrogen atom. The organometallic moieties may include a titanium atom that is bonded to the nitrogen atom of the secondary amine functional group. The nitrogen atom of the secondary amine function group may bridge the titanium atom of the organometallic moiety and a silicon atom of the microporous framework.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are modified zeolites and methods for making modified zeolites. In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, a modified zeolite may include a microporous framework including a plurality of micropores having diameters of less than or equal to 2 nm. The microporous framework may include at least silicon atoms and oxygen atoms. The modified zeolite may further include organometallic moieties each bonded to a nitrogen atom of a secondary amine functional group including a nitrogen atom and a hydrogen atom. The organometallic moieties may include a zirconium atom that is bonded to the nitrogen atom of the secondary amine functional group. The nitrogen atom of the secondary amine function group may bridge the zirconium atom of the organometallic moiety and a silicon atom of the microporous framework.

Abstract: An energy producing device includes a piezoelectric layer having a first side and second side opposite of the first side, a first electrical contact arranged on the first side of the piezoelectric layer, a second electrical contact arranged on the second side of the piezoelectric layer, and a counter-layer arranged on the second electrical contact. The piezoelectric layer, first and second electrical contacts, and counter-layer form a beam having a neutral axis outside of the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A method and system for early detection of biofouling utilizing a fluorescence based extracellular enzyme activity assay is disclosed. The method provides a means for early detection of biofouling on membranes used in flow-through membrane filtration systems for with a feed water flow, such as waste water of water for desalination. Also disclosed is an at-line sensor utilizing the fluorescence based extracellular enzyme activity assay that is positioned in the membrane filtration system for detection of biofouling.