Abstract: In an example, a conductive concrete structure disclosed. The conductive concrete can include a plurality of conductive side structures defining an interior of the conductive concrete structure and a plurality of conductive concrete partitions disposed within the interior of the conductive concrete structure. The plurality of conductive concrete partitions are arranged to define a labyrinth within the conductive concrete structure.

Abstract: A method for desensitizing a metal alloy such as an aluminum (Al) alloy is presented. The surface of the alloy is treated by controlled laser beam irradiation. The scanning laser beam heats the alloy to reach a relative low temperature between a solvus temperature and a soften/annealing temperature of the metal alloy to controllably reduce the degree of sensitization (DOS) of the metal alloy. The locally rapid heating and cooling effects produced by scanning the laser can improve the future sensitization resistance of the metal alloy, reduce the average desensitization temperature applied, and maintain the mechanical properties of Al alloy at the same time.

Abstract: Methods and materials for treating a mammal having Alzheimer's disease (AD) are described. For example, one or more Zika virus (ZIKV) polypeptides can be administered to a mammal having, or at risk of developing, AD to treat the mammal.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and controlling chemical concentration in a direct injection agricultural sprayer system monitors initial chemical concentration output from a chemical tank, carrier flow from a carrier tank, and mixed chemical concentration at nozzles of the spray system downstream of individual mixing points of the nozzles. Flow from the carrier tank and/or the chemical tank are controlled to target a set concentration at each of the nozzles. The initial chemical concentration establishes maximum concentration and a calibration curve for a chemical being applied and the mixed chemical concentration establishes an applied concentration in view of the calibration curve. A system is provided for the method.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to materials and methods for extracellular vesicle (e.g., exosome)-mediated delivery of cargo (e.g., endogenous and/or exogenous) to non-bovine mammalian (e.g., human) cells. For example, exosomes isolated from bovine milk for delivering cargo to non-bovine mammalian (e.g., human) cells are provided.

Abstract: A method for determining superheat for an air-conditioning system or a heat pump system using a virtual superheat measurement system.

Abstract: A method of measuring a stress-strain curve in a cell-cell adhesion interface, the method including: providing a structure including a first movable island supported by a first beam, a second movable island supported by a second beam, and a gap therebetween connected by a pair of cells forming a junction, the pair of cells comprising a cell-cell adhesion interface having an initial length defined by a distance between nuclei of the pair of cells; moving the second movable island with a defined displacement; determining a displacement of the first movable island based on moving the second movable island; calculating a difference between the displacement of the first movable island and the defined displacement of the second movable island based on moving the second movable island; determining an applied strain in the cell-cell adhesion interface between the pair of cells based on the difference divided by the initial length of the cell-cell adhesion interface; calculating a force between the cell-cell adhesion

Abstract: In an aspect, a method of forming a photoactive device comprises: providing a perovskite-surfactant solution, said perovskite-surfactant solution comprising a perovskite ink and a surfactant; and coating said perovskite-surfactant solution onto a receiving surface of a substrate thereby forming a layer of said photoactive device; wherein said layer comprises a perovskite material; and wherein an active area of said photoactive device is at least 1 cm2.

Abstract: An asphalt pavement modification system and method for improving aging resistance of asphalt pavement and a method of manufacturing reclaimed asphalt pavement. The asphalt pavement modification system and method include using one or more antioxidants and one or more recycling agents in a blended binder to provide improved short term and long term performance of the asphalt pavement. The method of manufacturing reclaimed asphalt pavement includes mixing at least one antioxidant with at least one recycling agent to form a binder that constitutes a portion of the reclaimed asphalt pavement. One of the antioxidants may be zinc diethyldithiocarbamate.

Abstract: A method of removing nitrogen-bound nitrate from at least one of groundwater, surface water, or waste water is disclosed. The method includes providing contaminant-containing water from groundwater, surface water, and/or waste water sources. The method further includes adding the contaminant-containing water to an algal photobioreactor system. The method further includes adding an alga culture to the alga photobioreactor system. The method further includes adjusting temperature, CO2 concentration, pH, light wavelength, and/or light intensity in the algal photobioreactor system to optimize the growth of the algae. The method further includes separating the algae from the water and harvesting algal biomass.

Abstract: Particularly effective prebiotic-probiotic combinations including a novel probiotic, B. longum subsp longum, and XOS and B. pseudocatenulatum with Xylo-oligosaccharides are provided, together with methods of identifying synergistic probiotic-prebiotic combinations. Additionally, kits comprising the probiotic(s) and prebiotic(s) are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions useful for localized and sustained release of therapeutic agents, and more particularly to functionalized liposomes embedded in a polyelectrolyte multilayer. Methods of preparing the compositions, methods of treating diseases, devices, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A method of recognizing animals includes recognizing a plurality of body parts of a plurality of animals based on at least one image of the animals, in which the plurality of body parts include a plurality of types of body parts, including determining first estimated positions of the recognized body parts in the at least one image. The method includes estimating a plurality of first associations of body parts based on the at least one image of the animals, each first association of body parts associates a body part of an animal with at least one other body part of the same animal, including determining relative positions of the body parts in each estimated first association of body parts in the at least one image.

Abstract: A method of treating recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) that includes constructing a chamber configured to form a hermetic seal, loading the RCA into the chamber, hermetically sealing the chamber, pressurizing the interior of the chamber with carbon dioxide gas, monitoring a pressure and a relative humidity in the interior of the chamber, and controlling the pressure and the relative humidity until a predetermined condition is met.

Abstract: A continuous-time recurrent neural network (CTRNN) is described that exploits the nonlinear dynamics of micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) devices to model a neuron in accordance with a neuron rate model that is the basis for dynamic field theory. Each MEMS device in the CTRNN is configured to simulate a neuron population by exploiting the characteristics of bi-stability and hysteresis inherent in certain MEMS device structures. In an embodiment, the MEMS device is a microbeam or cantilevered microbeam device that is excited with an alternating current (AC) voltage at or near an electrical resonance frequency associated with the MEMS device. In another embodiment, the MEMS device is an arched microbeam device that is excited with a direct current voltage and exhibits snap-through behavior due to the physical design of the structure. A CTRNN can be implemented using a number of MEMS devices that are interconnected, the connections associated with varying connection coefficients.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treatment of squamous cell carcinoma or other cancer utilizing targeting peptides are described. The targeting peptides interact with SCC cells or other cancerous cells to block or interfere with 14-3-3? heterodimerization or CDC25A binding to 14-3-3?. A peptide composition embodiment includes, but is not limited to, at least one of a first targeting peptide comprising a structure of Ac-Gln-Arg-Gln-Asn-Ser-(PO32?)-Ala-Pro-Ala-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 4) and a second targeting peptide comprising a structure of Ac-Arg-Thr-Lys-Ser-Arg-Thr(PO32?)-Trp-Ala-Gly-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 5), and a third targeting peptide comprising a modification of or a substituted derivative of the peptide of SEQ ID NO: 4 or SEQ ID NO: 5.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to mesofluidic devices and methods for eluting and concentrating a plurality of nucleic acid molecules. The mesofluidic device includes a device frame having a bottom surface upon which is defined a first reservoir and the second reservoir. The first reservoir includes a first electrode, and the second reservoir includes a second electrode. The first and second electrodes are configured for electrical connection. The mesofluidic device includes an elongated channel extending between the first reservoir and the second reservoir. The mesofluidic device includes a first slot having a first slot width. The first slot is configured to receive an insert. The first slot intersects the elongated channel. The mesofluidic device includes a second slot having a second slot width. The second slot is configured to receive a separation material having a first porosity. The second slot intersects the elongated channel.

Abstract: Systems for and methods for improving mechanical properties of ceramic material are provided. The system comprises a heat source for heating the ceramic material to a temperature greater than a brittle-to-ductile transition temperature of the ceramic material; a probe for mounting the ceramic material and configured to extend the ceramic material into the heat source; a plasma-confining medium and a sacrificial layer disposed between the ceramic material and the plasma-confining medium; and an energy pulse generator such as a laser pulse generator. The sacrificial layer is utilized to form plasma between the ceramic material and the plasma-confining medium.

Abstract: Formation of low-crystallinity curcumin nanoparticles via controlled supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) impregnation of curcumin into biodegradable nanoporous starch aerogels and methods of preparing these aerogels are disclosed. The nanoporous starch aerogels increase water solubility and bioaccessibility of the curcumin, thereby making them available for preparation of high nutraceutical value foods.

Abstract: Perovskite single crystal X-ray radiation detector devices including an X-ray wavelength-responsive active layer including an organolead trihalide perovskite single crystal, a substrate layer comprising an oxide, and a binding layer disposed between the active layer and the substrate layer. The binding layer including a binding molecule having a first functional group that bonds to the organolead trihalide perovskite single crystal and a second functional group that bonds with the oxide. Inclusion of the binding layer advantageously reduces device noise while retaining signal intensity.