Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a multi-variant control system for an industrial facility. In one form of a method, a processor monitors a behavior of a distributed control system with respect to at least a set of uncontrolled variables, a set of controlled variables, and a set of monitored variables; trains a model based on the monitored behavior utilizing at least one of artificial intelligence or machine learning; and identifies, based on the model, a subset of controlled variables for optimization. Further, the processor monitors a behavior of the industrial facility without the use of the distributed control system; optimizes, based on the monitored behavior, the subset of controlled variables to obtain a target result and restrict variation of values of the set of monitored values; and executes a control system for the industrial facility based on the optimization of the subset of controlled variables.

Abstract: An exemplary transparent tandem organic solar cell comprises a transparent substrate; a first transparent electrode disposed on a surface of the transparent substrate; and a series of interconnecting organic active layers disposed on a surface of the first transparent electrode. The series of organic interconnecting active layers comprise at least a front sub-cell that blocks ultraviolet wavelengths from passing through the front sub-cell; and a back sub-cell that blocks infrared wavelengths from passing through the back sub-cell. The solar cell further comprises a distributed Bragg reflector disposed on a surface of the back sub-cell, wherein the distributed Bragg reflector reflects unblocked infrared photons at an interface between the back sub-cell and the distributed Bragg reflector.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a particle containing an inner liposomal vesicle (ILV) encapsulating a therapeutic agent; an outer liposomal vesicle (OLV) encapsulating the ILV; a membrane fusion-promoting agent; and a pH-altering agent. Also disclosed are methods of delivering a therapeutic agent to a subject comprising: a) providing a herein disclosed particle b) triggering ILV and OLV fusion; and c) releasing the therapeutic agent outside of the OLV. Also disclosed are methods for treating a disease in a subject in need thereof comprising: administering to a subject a herein disclosed particle. Also disclosed are methods to release insulin to an environment comprising increased glucose levels, the method comprising exposing to the environment a herein disclosed particle.

Abstract: Fractal-like polymeric particles having a hierarchical, branched structure are disclosed. The particles have fibers with nanometer-scale diameters on their peripheries, which enables a number of unique and highly desirable properties. The particles are fabricated by a method combining phase separation and shear forces of different solutions, in particular a polymer solution. In addition, the particles may be used as coatings, nonwovens, textiles and viscosity modifiers and adhesives, among other applications.

Abstract: Optical elements and systems are disclosed that can be incorporated into buildings to prevent beam sunlight from entering through apertures of the building while allowing diffuse skylight to enter the building through the apertures. The optical system comprises optical elements configured to admit diffuse skylight through an aperture in the building envelope, while reflecting away the beam sunlight incident on the aperture in the building envelope. The apertures can be, for example, windows in walls or skylights in roofs of the building envelope. The optical system works for both windows in the walls and skylights in the roof, with somewhat different configurations for those two parts of the building envelope.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents environmental sensing apparatuses and methods. In one such apparatus, an environmental sensor comprises a substrate and an array of multiple metal oxide materials on the substrate. The multiple metal oxide materials can comprise layers of different metal oxide material, in which the multiple metal oxide materials are deposited on a cross-bar array of heater elements and electrodes and each row in the cross-bar array contains an independently-controlled heater element and each column in the array contains a pair of electrodes. At each crossing of the heater element and the pair of electrodes, one of the multiple metal oxide materials is deposited, and the pair of electrodes and the heater elements are dielectrically isolated from one another at the crossing.

Abstract: This invention relates to recombinant Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) arrays and recombinant nucleic acid constructs encoding Type I-E CASCADE complexes, plasmids, retroviruses and bacteriophage comprising the same, and methods of use thereof for screening for variant cells of an organism.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for detecting a high-risk phenotype of a mast cell tumor (MCT) in a biological sample from a mammal, preferably a dog. Kits, PCR probes and primers to detect high-risk MCT are also provided.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to 3D airgap electric machines and winding embedded liquid cooling. In one example, an electric machine includes a stator assembly with stator windings supported by a stator core and an outer rotor assembly includes a radial plate surrounding the stator assembly and an endplate at a first end of the radial plate adjacent to the first end of the stator core. The stator windings can include a first portion extending along an axial length of the stator core and a second portion at a first end of the stator core that extends radially inward towards a shaft of the electric machine. The radial plate can include magnets distributed about the radial plate. In another example, a stator assembly includes stator windings supported by a stator core with a winding support including cooling channels distributed between the stator windings. The winding support can be nonmagnetic.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards systems and methods built for predictively timing the inflation and/or deflation of an intra-aortic balloon pump. A controller operates in three states: (1) initialization state, (2) learning state, and (3) peak detection state. The controller decomposes a patient's electrocardiogram signal to a power signal. It then learns characteristics of the patient's electrocardiogram signal during the learning state and computes adaptive threshold parameter values. During the peak detection state, the controller applies the learnt threshold parameter values on a current electrocardiogram signal to identify occurrence and timings of R peaks in the electrocardiogram signal. The R-to-R peak timings are then used to trigger inflation of an intra-aortic balloon pump.

Abstract: Method of ultrasound-assisted 3D bioprinting includes depositing a bioink fluid matrix containing a suspension of cells into a chamber comprising two piezo transducers on opposing ends of the chamber. The method further includes vibrating the piezo transducers to generate longitudinal bulk acoustic waves within the bioink fluid matrix such that waves from opposing piezo transducers superimpose to form a standing bulk acoustic wave to drive the cells to cluster and align along one or more nodes or nodal planes formed within the bioink fluid matrix at points of intersection of the standing bulk acoustic wave. The nodes or nodal planes are spaced apart from each other by a distance equaling half a wavelength of the standing bulk acoustic wave. The nodes or nodal planes further mimic a contour of the vibrating surfaces of the piezo transducers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming an antenna layer for use in a light emitting device, the method comprising providing a plurality of particles on a support layer so that a space is formed between at least two particles of the plurality of particles, depositing a material so that at least a portion of the material passes through the space between the at least two particles on to the support layer and removing the plurality of particles from the support layer, the portion of the material remaining on the support layer to form at least a part of the antenna layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tobacco products from plants comprising mutated berberine bridge enzyme-like nucleic acids and the recessive nic1 and/or nic2 alleles and methods of making the same.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides a free-energy based model of translation elongation to predict and optimize heterologous gene expression. The model and software allow for the prediction and optimization of genes for increased or decreased protein yield and for increased or decreased protein aggregation.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to the discovery of an improved method to diagnose malignant melanoma of the oral cavity in the dog.

Abstract: Methods of mineralizing hemp fiber to provide hemp fibers mineralized with calcium carbonate are described. Also described are mineralized hemp fibers and compositions including the mineralized hemp fibers. The mineralized hemp fibers can be hemp fibers with calcium carbonated deposited on the hemp fiber surface. The compositions including the mineralized hemp fibers can be cementitious or non-cementitious. Also described are methods of preparing “green” concrete comprising mineralized hemp.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Vaccinium plant named ‘BWPBLUE02’ that is characterized by its mid-season fruit ripening, its upright, easy to manage plant habit, its concentrated harvest window, its fruit that are brilliant purplish-blue in color, its fruit with a good balance of sugar and acid, its fruit with small, shallow flower calyx scar and picking scar, and its fruit with excellent post-harvest shelf life.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Rhododendron plant named ‘NCRX12’ is disclosed, characterized by a floriferous plant with a prostrate, compact habit. Single deep-pink flowers bloom in spring and rebloom in fall. The new variety is a Rhododendron, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Ilex plant named ‘NCIC2’ is disclosed, characterized by its unique upright, narrow growth habit, and persistent, vivid yellow foliage. The new variety is an Ilex, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Viburnum plant named ‘NCVX5’ is described, characterized by abundant white spring flowers with lustrous, evergreen foliage. Plants have upright habits and dense branching. The new cultivar is a Viburnum, typically for ornamental garden use.