Abstract: A conductive concrete electric thermal battery includes conductive concrete; and a plurality of electrodes disposed in the conductive concrete, each electrode of the plurality of electrodes is mechanically isolated from every other electrode of the plurality of electrodes and configured to connect electrically to a source of electrical energy. The conductive concrete includes a mixture of concrete and at least one conductive material.

Abstract: A method of producing ceria nanocrystals is provided. The method includes providing a gas that includes ozone to a solution that includes a cerium salt, and obtaining ceria nanocrystals from the solution after the gas is provided to the first solution. A method of producing nanoparticles is provided. The method includes providing a gas that includes ozone to a solution that includes a metal salt that includes at least one of a transition metal or a lanthanide, and producing at least one of metal oxide nanoparticles, metal oxynitrate nanoparticles, or metal oxyhydroxide nanoparticles from the solution after the gas is provided to the solution.

Abstract: An overhead support system includes a plurality of posts; a plurality of beams configured to connect to and span between the posts; a counterbalance system configured to be attached to the plurality of posts; a harness configured to be worn by and support a patient; a plurality of pulleys configured to be disposed on the plurality of posts; a plurality of cables, each cable including a first end configured to be operatively connected to the harness and a second end configured to be operatively connected to a counterbalance system, each cable passing over one of the pulleys; and a mechanism configured to selectively adjust a tension in at least one of the plurality of cables to support some or all of the weight of the patient. The counterbalance system compensates to maintain support while the patient is located between the posts and the harness is lower than the pulleys.

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 Trp-Tyr-Trp-Lys-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 1), a second targeting peptide comprising a structure of phospho-Ser178; Ac-Thr-Gln-Arg-Gln-Asn-Ser-(PO32?)-Ala-Pro-Arg-Met-Leu-Ser-Ser-Asn-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 2), and a third targeting peptide comprising a structure of phospho-Thr507 residue; Ac-Arg-Thr-Lys-Ser-Arg-Thr(PO32?)-Trp-Ala-Gly-Glu-Lys-Ser-Lys-Arg-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 3).

Abstract: A wind turbine generator fault detection method is described. The method includes obtaining a first signal from a generator of a wind turbine and a second signal from a vibration sensor coupled to the wind turbine, the first signal representing an output current of the generator, and the second signal being a time-sampled signal representing vibrations of a bearing in the wind turbine. Determining a shaft rotation frequency signal from the first signal, the shaft rotation frequency signal representing a time-varying rotational speed of a shaft of the wind turbine. Resampling an envelope of the second signal based on the shaft rotation frequency signal to provide a third signal, the third signal being an angular sampled signal. Detecting, by the at least one processor, a fault in the bearing of the wind turbine by identifying a characteristic signature of a bearing fault in the third signal.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, for hybrid additive manufacturing of parts. In one aspect, a method includes providing a workpiece and manufacturing multiple additive layers on a surface of the workpiece. Manufacturing each of the multiple additive layers includes forming one or more formed layers on a surface of the workpiece by depositing a quantity of powder material on a growth surface, the growth surface inclusive of at least one of a first surface of the workpiece and a second surface of a previously formed layer, and applying a first amount of energy to the quantity of powder material to fuse the particles of the powder material into a formed layer fused to the growth surface, where the formed layer includes a formed surface, and further applying a secondary process to a particular area of the formed surface of the one or more formed layers on the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing the concentration of nitrogen-bound nitrate from at least one of groundwater, surface water, or waste water is disclosed. The system includes an algal photobioreactor system. The photobioreactor includes a transparent tubular structure, a medium disposed inside the transparent tubular structure, and alga configured to adhere to the medium. The photobioreactor further includes a pump, and a light source. The method includes providing contaminant-containing water, adding the water to the algal photobioreactor system, adjusting at least one of temperature, ion concentration, CO2 concentration, pH, light wavelength, ion concentration or light intensity in the algal photobioreactor system to enhance growth of algae, removing water from the algal photobioreactor system, and harvesting the algal biomass. A system and method are also disclosed for reducing the concentration of organophosphates from water via an organophosphate-removing alga.

Abstract: This invention relates to inhibitors of UDP-glucose dehydrogenase, and more particularly to UDP-glucose dehydrogenase inhibitors that are useful in the treatment of prostate cancer. Methods of inhibiting UDP-glucose dehydrogenase and improving the efficacy of additional prostate cancer therapies are also provided.

Abstract: An articulated instrument and method of its manufacture includes a plurality of segments connected to one another end-to-end, each having a hollow tubular shape defined by a wall, the wall comprising three or more rectangular panels connected along their respective edges at acute angles. A plurality of tendons extends at least partially through the plurality of segments and is configured to apply tension that selectively causes two adjacent segments from the plurality of tendons to bend relative to one another along a pivot joint disposed between the two adjacent segments. The plurality of segments is formed by staggered rectangular portions of a single sheet of stock material, each rectangular portion being folded to form the hollow tubular shape and connected to an adjacent rectangular portion by a tab, each tab defining a respective pivot joint.

Abstract: A surgical tool exchanger includes an elongated base having a first end and a second end. The surgical tool exchanger also includes an end effector configured to receive a replaceable surgical tool and an elbow configured to allow the end effector to pivot with respect to the elongated base. The surgical tool exchanger further includes an actuator connected to the second end of the elongated base. The actuator is operatively connected to the end effector and is configured to cause the end effector to retain the replaceable surgical tool in a first actuation state and release the replaceable surgical tool in a second actuation state.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a continuous nanofiber is described. The method includes preparing a solution of one or more polymers and one or more solvents and electrospinning the solution by discharging the solution through one or more liquid jets into an electric field to yield one or more continuous nanofibers. The electrospinning process (i) highly orients one or more polymer chains in the one or more continuous nanofibers along a fiber axis of the one or more continuous nanofibers, and (ii) suppresses polymer crystallization in the one or more continuous nanofibers. The one or more continuous nanofibers can have diameters below about 250 nanometers and exhibit an increase in fiber strength and modulus while maintaining strain at failure, resulting in an increase in fiber toughness.

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

Abstract: A method for power management of a multi-cell battery includes identifying a desired power value and voltage value, determining a battery voltage value and a battery current value for a battery, determining a number of battery banks from a plurality of battery banks to use for the battery, where each battery bank includes one or more battery cells (or battery modules), checking availability of each of the one or more battery cells (or battery modules), selecting one or more battery banks from the plurality of battery banks, where the selection of a battery bank is based on the availability of the battery cells (or battery modules) included in the battery pack, and a quantity of the selected battery banks is equal to the determined number of battery banks, and connecting the available battery cells (or battery modules) in the selected one or more battery banks to form the battery.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices, and methods of forming the same, include a cathode layer, an anode layer, and an active layer disposed between the cathode layer and the anode layer, wherein the active layer includes a perovskite layer. A passivation layer is disposed directly on a surface of the active layer between the cathode layer and the active layer, the passivation layer including a layer of material that passivates both cationic and anionic defects in the surface of the active layer.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods that allow for the uncoupling of microbial growth from product formation, which allows for maximal use of raw material and optimal end-product formation.

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: A pipe inspection robot includes first and second bodies connected by a connection mechanism, at least two legs connected to the first body, and at least two additional legs connected to the second body, each of the at least two legs and the at least two additional legs including a linkage connected at one end to the first or second body, and a pipe engaging member connected at another end of the linkage; wherein each linkage is configured to operate between a stowed position, in which the pipe engaging member is disposed adjacent the first or second body, and an extended position, in which the linkage is adapted to cause the pipe engaging member to slide against an inner surface of a pipe.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of reducing or disproportionating peroxide, comprising combining an organic chalcogenide, an iron salt, and the peroxide in the presence of an additional reductant, which can be the organic chalcogenide. The method can be used to, e.g., prepare alcohols from peroxides and to disproportionate hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.

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.