Abstract: Electronic design automation (EDA) technologies are disclosed that analyze a circuit design for candidate low-voltage swing (LVS) modifications, report the impact of the candidate LVS modifications on circuit characteristics (such as area, timing and energy) and implement selected LVS modifications based on their impact on the circuit characteristics. Candidate LVS modifications comprise replacing existing standard low-voltage swing drivers and receivers, or inserting low-voltage swing drivers and receivers.

Abstract: A method to generate siRNAs in vivo is described, as are constructs and compositions useful in the method. The method does not depend on the use of DNA or synthetic constructs that contain inverted duplications or dual promoters so as to form perfect or largely double-stranded RNA. Rather, the method depends on constructs that yield single-stranded RNA transcripts, and exploits endogenous or in vivo-produced miRNAs or siRNAs to initiate production of siRNAs. The miRNAs or siRNAs guide cleavage of the transcript and set the register for production of siRNAs (usually 21 nucleotides in length) encoded adjacent to the initiation cleavage site within the construct. The method results in specific formation of siRNAs of predictable size and register (phase) relative to the initiation cleavage site. The method can be used to produce specific siRNAs in vivo for inactivation or suppression of one or more target genes or other entities, such as pathogens.

Abstract: A fluid micro-mixer apparatus includes a plurality of first microchannels for receiving a first fluid and a plurality of second microchannels for receiving a second fluid. A mixing chamber flow path is disposed to receive the first and second fluids after the first and second fluids exit their respective output ports. The mixing chamber flow path can include a first mixing chamber in the vicinity of the respective output ports, and the mixing chamber flow path can separate into at least two different flow paths downstream from the first mixing chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of sensor devices comprising a sensing component able to determine the presence of, detect, and/or quantify detectable species in a variety of environments and applications. The sensing components disclosed herein can comprise MOF materials, plasmonic nanomaterials, or combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, light guides can be coupled with the sensing components described herein to provide sensor devices capable of increased NIR detection sensitivity in determining the presence of detectable species, such as gases and volatile organic compounds. In another exemplary embodiment, optical properties of the plasmonic nanomaterials combined with MOF materials can be monitored directly to detect analyte species through their impact on external conditions surrounding the particle or as a result of charge transfer to and from the plasmonic material as a result of interactions with the plasmonic material and/or the MOF material.

Abstract: A new and distinct Corylus plant named ‘McDonald’ characterized by moderate vigor and upright-spreading plant habit, yellowish-green developing and fully expanded leaves during the spring and summer, resistance to eastern filbert blight caused by the fungus Anisogramma anomala (Peck) E. Müller, presence of random amplified polymorphic DNA markers 152-800 and 268-580 in DNA, expression of incompatibility alleles S2 and S15 in the styles, and DNA fingerprints at 14 of 21 microsatellite marker loci differ from both parents, ‘Tonda Pacifica’ and ‘Santiam’, and from one parent at an additional 5 marker loci.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhesive construct comprising: (a) a backing substrate; and (b) a pressure sensitive adhesive composition disposed on the backing substrate, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive includes a product made from at least one epoxidized vegetable oil and at least one dibasic acid or anhydride, or a combination of a dibasic acid or anhydride and a monobasic acid or anhydride.

Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to amorphous thin metal films and associated methods. Generally, an amorphous thin metal film can comprise a combination of four metals or metalloids including: 5 at % to 85 at % of a metalloid selected from the group of carbon, silicon, and boron; 5 at % to 85 at % of a first metal; 5 at % to 85 at % of a second metal; and 5 at % to 85 at % of a third metal wherein each metal is independently selected from the group of titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, nickel, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, rhodium, palladium, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, iridium, and platinum, wherein the first metal, the second metal, and the third metal are different metals. Typically, the four elements account for at least 70 at % of the amorphous thin metal film.

Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to amorphous thin metal films and associated methods. Generally, an amorphous thin metal film can comprise a combination of three metals or metalloids including: 5 at % to 90 at % of a metalloid selected from the group of carbon, silicon, and boron; 5 at % to 90 at % of a first metal selected from the group of titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, nickel, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, rhodium, palladium, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, iridium, and platinum; and 5 at % to 90 at % of a second metal selected from the group of titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, nickel, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, rhodium, palladium, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, iridium, and platinum, wherein the second metal is different than the first metal. Typically, the three elements account for at least 70 at % of the amorphous thin metal film.

Abstract: One disclosed embodiment concerns an aqueous inorganic coating precursor solution comprising a mixture of water, polynuclear aluminum hydroxide cations, and polyatomic ligands selected from nitrate (NO3?), nitrite (NO2?), or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the composition has a molar concentration ratio of polyatomic ligands to aluminum of less than 3; an aluminum cation concentration of from about 0.01 M to about 3.5 M; and/or a polyatomic anion concentration of from about 0.1 to about 2.5 times the aluminum cation concentration. Embodiments of a method for forming the precursor solution also are disclosed. For example, certain embodiments comprise adding a metal having a sufficient reduction potential to reduce nitric acid to an aqueous solution comprising aluminum nitrate (Al(NO3)3).

Abstract: A method to generate siRNAs in vivo is described, as are constructs and compositions useful in the method. The method does not depend on the use of DNA or synthetic constructs that contain inverted duplications or dual promoters so as to form perfect or largely double-stranded RNA. Rather, the method depends on constructs that yield single-stranded RNA transcripts, and exploits endogenous or in vivo-produced miRNAs or siRNAs to initiate production of siRNAs. The miRNAs or siRNAs guide cleavage of the transcript and set the register for production of siRNAs (usually 21 nucleotides in length) encoded adjacent to the initiation cleavage site within the construct. The method results in specific formation of siRNAs of predictable size and register (phase) relative to the initiation cleavage site. The method can be used to produce specific siRNAs in vivo for inactivation or suppression of one or more target genes or other entities, such as pathogens.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhesive construct comprising: (a) a backing substrate; and (b) a pressure sensitive adhesive composition disposed on the backing substrate, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive includes a product made from at least one epoxidized vegetable oil and at least one dibasic acid or anhydride, or a combination of a dibasic acid or anhydride and a monobasic acid or anhydride.

Abstract: This application concerns systems and methods for compressing natural gas with an internal combustion engine. In a representative embodiment, a system for compressing a gas comprises a reciprocating internal combustion engine including at least one piston-cylinder assembly comprising a piston configured to travel in a cylinder and to compress gas in the cylinder in multiple compression stages. The system can further comprise a first pressure tank in fluid communication with the piston-cylinder assembly to receive compressed gas from the piston-cylinder assembly until the first pressure tank reaches a predetermined pressure, and a second pressure tank in fluid communication with the piston-cylinder assembly and the first pressure tank. The second pressure tank can be configured to receive compressed gas from the piston-cylinder assembly until the second pressure tank reaches a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to a thermal inkjet printhead stack with an amorphous thin metal protective layer, comprising an insulated substrate, a resistor applied to the insulated substrate, a resistor passivation layer applied to the resistor, and an amorphous thin metal protective layer applied to the resistor passivation layer. The amorphous thin metal protective layer can comprise from 5 atomic % to 90 atomic % of a metalloid of carbon, silicon, or boron. The film can also include a first and second metal, each comprising from 5 atomic % to 90 atomic % of titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, nickel, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, rhodium, palladium, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, iridium, or platinum. The second metal is different than the first metal, and the metalloid, the first metal, and the second metal account for at least 70 atomic % of the amorphous thin metal protective layer.

Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments concern a method and an apparatus for determining molecular structure. One embodiment comprises producing sample ions from a sample, cooling molecules of the sample ions by either embedding sample ions in superfluid droplets, such as superfluidic helium droplets, or subjecting sample ions in a cooled ion trap, to a selected temperature approaching absolute zero. Plural cooled sample ions confined in a diffraction zone are oriented using a laser, and a diffraction image is produced from oriented sample ions using an electron beam. Molecular structure is determined using collected images from different orientations obtained under different polarization directions of the orientation laser. Embodiments of an apparatus for determining molecular structure also are disclosed. The apparatus operation, data accumulation and processing are controlled by software.

Abstract: Fish bone can be ground into nano-scale particles and then mixed with surimi to form a marinade that can be injected into boneless fish fillets or otherwise added to boneless fish fillets to increase the highly bioavailable dietary calcium content, reduce drip loss and cook loss, improve yield, demonstrate improved texture after frozen storage, and/or provide other benefits. The reintroduction of fish bone back into boneless fish fillets can utilize a conventionally discarded natural resource and reduce waste.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Ribes sanguineum, ‘Oregon Snowflake’, characterized by its compact and densely branched growth habit and highly dissected leaves.

Abstract: Novel compounds having a formula M1dM2eM3fChg where M1 is a transition metal, a group III, group IV, or group V element, M2 is a group 13, group 14, or group 15 element, and M3 and Ch independently are group 15 or group 16 elements, and a method for making the same are disclosed. The compounds may have a tetrahedrite crystal structure. Also disclosed are novel compounds having a formula A13MCha4 where A1, is a transition metal, M is a transition metal, a group 14 element, a group 15 element or a combination thereof, and Cha is a group 16 element. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the compounds. The compounds may form part of a device. Some devices may comprise both a tetrahedrite and a A13MCha4 compound. Some devices may have an electrical output, for example a photovoltaic device, such as a thin film solar cell.

Abstract: Described are nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals, including aluminum-borate NLO crystals, that have low concentrations of contaminants that adversely affect the NLO crystal's optical properties, such as compounds that contain transition-metal elements and/or lanthanides, other than yttrium, lanthanum, and lutetium. Some NLO crystals with low concentrations of these contaminants are capable of second harmonic generation at very short wavelengths. Also described are embodiments of a method for making these NLO crystals. Some embodiments involve growing a single NLO crystal, such as an aluminum-borate NLO crystal, from a mixture containing a solvent that is substantially free of harmful contaminants. The described NLO crystals can be used, for example, in laser devices.

Abstract: Acoustically assisted magnetic recording can be used in a hard disk drive or a solid state medium. In the described embodiments, otherwise unwriteable high-coercivity media are made amenable to recording by lowering their coercivity via strain induced by acoustic waves. The use of acoustic waves temporarily and locally reduces the magnetic field required to record information on a magnetic recording medium. The process makes use of the magnetostrictive property of a magnetic material by which the magnetic anisotropy of the material is changed by strain. The result of such a change is a reduction in the coercive field, i.e., the magnetic field required to reverse the magnetization direction. Because acoustic waves cause strain, the passage of an acoustic wave through a magnetic material can be used to reduce its coercive field.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Ribes sanguineum, ‘Oregon Snowflake’, characterized by its compact and densely branched growth habit and highly dissected leaves.