Abstract: A chemical composition includes graphene oxide covalently bonded to an ionic liquid. A nanocomposite anion exchange membrane (26) includes graphene oxide; and an ionic liquid covalently bonded to the graphene oxide. A fuel cell (20) includes an anode (22); a cathode (24); and a nanocomposite anion exchange membrane (26) including graphene oxide; an ionic liquid covalently bonded to the graphene oxide; and a base membrane. A method of fabricating a nanocomposite anion exchange membrane (26) includes functionalizing graphene oxide with an ionic liquid to create a nanocomposite; and forming an anion exchange membrane (26) with the nanocomposite.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for inhibition UVB-irradiation damage by targeting constitutive nitric oxide synthases (cNOS), including endothelial NOS (eNOS) and neuronal NOS (nNOS) are described.

Abstract: Compounds having General Formula (I) or General Formula (II): in which R1 is chosen from C1 to C10 aliphatic or heteroaliphatic groups, optionally substituted with one or more aryl groups, substituted aryl groups, heteroaryl groups, substituted heteroaryl groups, or combination thereof; R2 is chosen from aromatic moieties, substituted aromatic moieties, heteroaromatic moieties, substituted heteroaromatic moieties, and coumarin; R3 is chosen from —H, C1 to C10 aliphatic or heteroaliphatic groups, phenyl, or substituted phenyl, wherein the aliphatic or heteroaliphatic groups are optionally substituted with one or more phenyl groups, aryl groups, heteroaryl groups, substituted heteroaryl groups, or combination thereof, and wherein the aliphatic or heteroaliphatic groups are optionally bonded to R2 to form a ring; X is S or O; and Y is S or NH, may be used in pharmaceutical compositions that modify of biological signaling processes or as reagents for biological assays.

Abstract: A first example provides a circuit configured to operate in four modes. A first mode includes propagating data from a first terminal of the circuit to a second terminal of the circuit. A second mode includes propagating data from the second terminal of the circuit to the first terminal of the circuit. A third mode includes storing data received by the first terminal. A fourth mode includes storing data received by the second terminal. A second example provides a circuit configured to cause one or more communication links to operate in one of two modes based on data traffic detected on the one or more communication links. The first mode includes propagating data from a first router to a second router. The second mode includes propagating data to the first router from the second router.

Abstract: A hot extrusion die tool and a method of making the hot extrusion die tool are provided. The hot extrusion die tool includes a die tool component including a nickel-based super alloy; and a wear resistant coating deposited on the die tooling component. The method of making the hot extrusion die tool includes coating at least one portion of an extrusion die tool component comprising a nickel-based super alloy with a wear resistant coating at a high temperature; and hardening the extrusion die tool component and the at least one coated portion.

Abstract: Methods and kits for determining a propensity to develop Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in an individual by measuring an asymmetry of at least one captured fingerprint from the individual are described.

Abstract: A force-absorbing barrier 10 includes a plurality of concentric chambers 21, 23, 25 and 27 at least partially filled with fluid 42. The walls 22, 24, 26 and 28 defining the chambers are flexible. Fluid passages 30 in the interior walls 24, 26 and 28 between chambers allow fluid flow between the chambers. The fluid flow from chamber to chamber will absorb energy from the impact a motor vehicle, preventing the vehicle from impacting the terminal of a guardrail.

Abstract: Devices and methods for determining a propensity to diabetic and/or macular degeneration in a subject by measuring certain featured from a captured retinal image from a subject are described.

Abstract: A discharge electrode with equal or better performance to conventional discharge electrodes, but at significantly lower cost uses carbon fiber composite tapes suspended around support rings attached to a support at the top and a bias at the bottom. The tape is in a loop and extends around the support rings, causing the rings to be pulled apart in tension by the bias to keep the tape taut. The tape, and preferably the top ring, and alternatively the lower ring, are conductively connected to a power supply.

Abstract: Compounds having General Formula (I) or General Formula (II): in which R1 is chosen from C1 to C10 aliphatic or heteroaliphatic groups, optionally substituted with one or more aryl groups, substituted aryl groups, heteroaryl groups, substituted heteroaryl groups, or combination thereof; R2 is chosen from aromatic moieties, substituted aromatic moieties, heteroaromatic moieties substituted heteroaromatic moieties, and coumarin; R3 is chosen from —H, C1 to C10 aliphatic or heteroaliphatic groups, phenyl, or substituted phenyl, wherein the aliphatic or heteroaliphatic groups are optionally substituted with one or more phenyl groups, aryl groups, heteroaryl groups, substituted heteroaryl groups, or combination thereof, and wherein the aliphatic or heteroaliphatic groups are optionally bonded to R2 to form a ring; X is S or O; and Y is S or NH, may be used in pharmaceutical compositions that modify of biological signaling processes or as reagents for biological assays.

Abstract: Glucose deprivation is an attractive strategy in cancer research and treatment. Cancer cells upregulate glucose uptake and metabolism for maintaining accelerated growth and proliferation rates. Specifically blocking these processes is likely to provide new insights to the role of glucose transport and metabolism in tumorigenesis, as well as in apoptosis. As solid tumors outgrow the surrounding vasculature, they encounter microenvironments with a limited supply of nutrients leading to a glucose deprived environment in some regions of the tumor. Cancer cells living in the glucose deprived environment undergo changes to prevent glucose deprivation-induced apoptosis. Knowing how cancer cells evade apoptosis induction is also likely to yield valuable information and knowledge of how to overcome the resistance to apoptosis induction in cancer cells.

Abstract: An active colonoscopy training model (10) and method of using the same with a colonoscope (60) includes an abdominal model (12), a colorectal tube (16) configured to replicate a human colon, and at least one sensor operably coupled to the colorectal tube (16). The abdominal model (12) comprises an outer body (14) having a hollow interior portion (22), and the colorectal tube (16) is operably coupled to the abdominal model (12) within the interior portion (22). The colorectal tube (16) is configured to receive the colonoscope (60), and the at least one sensor measures one or more of a tension, a force, a pressure, a light, and a position of the colonoscope (60) when the colonoscope (60) is positioned and advanced through the colorectal tube (16).

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer storage mediums securely authenticate an identity of an individual based on a pattern that is traced by the individual. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to prompting an individual with a pattern to trace when attempting to authenticate the identity of the individual during an identity authentication session. Motion-based behavior data that is generated by motions executed by the individual as the individual traces the pattern is captured via a motion-capturing sensor. The motion-based behavior data is unique to the individual and has a low likelihood of being duplicated by an unauthorized individual attempting to fraudulently pose as the individual. The captured motion-based behavior data is compared to previously captured motion-based behavior data from previous traces of the pattern completed by the individual.

Abstract: A mass spectrometry-based method for analyzing an acidic organic target compound includes directing a charged solvent (44) toward a pre-acidified sample (12) comprising the target compound, to thereby ionize the pre-acidified sample (12). The method further includes directing the ionized pre-acidified sample (54) to a mass spectrometer (18), the mass spectrometer (18) being configured to identify and quantify the target compound.

Abstract: A discharge electrode using carbon fibers, nanofibers and/or nanotubes to generate the corona discharge. The invention contemplates conductive fiber, such as carbon strands with or without a polymer matrix to form a composite, and a supporting configuration in which the strand is extended along or wrapped helically around a supporting rod that extends along the length of the electrode. A mechanical bias is applied to each strand to maintain tension on the strand. Preferably this includes coil springs extending between bushings mounted on the rod and moveable hemispherical supports slidably mounted on the rod that seat against the strand.

Abstract: Flow and product waste water from fracturing can be cleaned and reused utilizing a precipitation methodology incorporating, in part, a super critical reactor 30. Initially, the waste water is treated to remove solids, destroy bacteria, and precipitate out certain salts, such as barium, strontium, calcium, magnesium and iron. The waste water then can be passed through a radioactive material adsorption unit 20 to remove radium, as well as other radioactive materials, and then introduced into the super critical reactor 30. The super critical reactor is designed to bring the waste water to super critical conditions at a central portion of the reactor. This causes any dissolve solids, in particular sodium chloride and the like, to precipitate out of solution in the center 42 of the reactor 30 thereby avoiding scale formation on the walls of the reactor. A catalyst can be utilized to promote the breakdown of carbon bonds and promote the water/gas shift reaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to conducting polymer composites for use in electrochemical applications and electrolysis applications, and methods of making the same. A composite material is provided that includes a conducting polymer; and a silsesquioxane compound. The composite material is used to prepare ion conducting membranes and membrane electrode assemblies (MEA).

Abstract: Systems and methods securely authenticate an identity of an individual based on a pattern that is traced by the individual. Embodiments relate to prompting an individual with a pattern to trace when attempting to authenticate the identity of the individual during an identity authentication session. Motion-based behavior data that is generated by motions executed by the individual as the individual traces the pattern is captured via a motion-capturing sensor. The motion-based behavior data is unique to the individual and has a low likelihood of being duplicated by an unauthorized individual attempting to fraudulently pose as the individual. The captured motion-based behavior data is compared to previously-captured motion-based behavior data from previous traces of the pattern completed by the individual. The identity of the individual is authenticated when the motion-based behavior data is within a threshold of the previously captured motion-based behavior data.

Abstract: Neuroprotective compositions, methods of making the same, and methods of using the same, are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the mass transfer rate of a soluble gas from a gaseous phase to an aqueous phase using a membrane including a catalyst. The method comprises wetting the membrane with a liquid such that a film of the liquid forms on at least a portion of the membrane, the film contacting at least a portion of the catalyst. The method further comprises exposing the wetted membrane to at least one soluble gas, wherein at least a portion of the soluble gas dissolves into the liquid.