Abstract: A system includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to send an acoustic ranging transmitter signal between a plurality of calibration reference positions and at least one anchor point, receive an acoustic ranging receiver signal associated with the acoustic ranging transmitter signal and with distances between the plurality of calibration reference positions and the at least one anchor point, and estimate a speed of sound based on the acoustic ranging receiver signal.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for context-aware synthesis for video frame interpolation are provided. Bidirectional flow may be used in combination with flexible frame synthesis neural network to handle occlusions and the like, and to accommodate inaccuracies in motion estimation. Contextual information may be used to enable frame synthesis neural network to perform informative interpolation. Optical flow may be used to provide initialization for interpolation. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: Hydroponics systems and apparatus for operation in zero-gravity and low-gravity environments are disclosed herein. An apparatus can include an elongated main body having an inlet end, an outlet end, and a channel disposed between the inlet end and the outlet end. The channel can include a first portion, and a second portion. The first portion can include surfaces that are inwardly tapered in a direction from the second portion to the first portion. The second portion can include at least one opening such that a portion of a plant can extend through the at least one opening. Fluid can flow through the channel.

Abstract: Molecular probes for detecting and imaging pancreatic cancer are disclosed. The probes are modified benzoxanthene fluorophores, which are selectively taken up by pancreatic cancer cells, such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. Embodiments of the disclosed probes are useful for pancreatic cancer detection, therapeutic monitoring, and/or image-guided surgery.

Abstract: Embodiments of templated polymeric materials capable of binding lysophosphatidic acids (LPAs) are disclosed. Methods of making and using the templated polymeric materials also are disclosed. The disclosed templated polymeric materials are molecularly imprinted polymers that bind LPAs and facilitate the production of lysophosphatidic acid-enriched samples, for instance through extraction of lysophosphatidic acids from biological samples, such as plasma or serum samples.

Abstract: A method for using hydrogels to detect metal ions, including transition metal ions, comprises contacting the hydrogel in any order, with a sample potentially containing metal ions, and a solution comprising a fluorescent dye, nanoparticle, colorimetric tag, or combination thereof. The presence of metal ions in the sample may be detected by one or more suitable techniques, such as determining the color, conductivity, Raman, infrared spectrum, and/or size and/or mass change of the hydrogel. The method may be useful for detecting corrosion and/or failure of protective coating of metal structures including outdoor sculptures, building, bridges, ships, and the like.

Abstract: Coated nanowires comprising a core and a ferromagnetic coating are magnetically aligned and bound to a substrate. The substrate may have a thiol-functionalized surface. In some examples, the coated nanowires are nickel-coated copper nanowires and the substrate may be a carbon-doped oxide or silicon oxide.

Abstract: This application relates to translating mechanical energy from a low-speed rotor to a high-speed rotor or vice versa in a magnetic gearbox. More specifically, this application discloses various embodiments of a coaxial magnetic gearbox with flux concentration Halbach rotors. In certain implementations, the device further comprises a circular back iron (or other ferromagnetic material) disposed concentrically along the axis of the cylindrical magnetic gearing device. In such embodiments, this flux concentration back iron (or ferromagnetic pole) improves the torque density and can also help retain the magnets in place.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for context-aware synthesis for video frame interpolation are provided. A convolutional neural network (ConvNet) may, given two input video or image frames, interpolate a frame temporarily in the middle of the two input frames by combining motion estimation and pixel synthesis into a single step and formulating pixel interpolation as a local convolution over patches in the input images. The ConvNet may estimate a convolution kernel based on a first receptive field patch of a first input image frame and a second receptive field patch of a second input image frame. The ConvNet may then convolve the convolutional kernel over a first pixel patch of the first input image frame and a second pixel patch of the second input image frame to obtain color data of an output pixel of the interpolation frame. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments concern a composition comprising a diatom frustule and two or more photocatalytic nanoparticles dispersed on the surface of the frustule. Also disclosed are embodiments of a method for making the composition. The nanoparticles are dispersed such that they are separate and not in physical contact with each other. An average distance between the nanoparticles may be from greater than 0 nm to 100 nm. The nanoparticles may comprise a dopant material. Paint compositions comprising the diatom frustule compositions are also contemplated. The diatom frustule composition may be useful for removing and/or degrading volatile organic compounds, such as those present in the atmosphere.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for the purification of water with a photoreactor. A continuous flow water purification photoreactor having a water inlet, a plurality of illumination sources disposed about a central axis facing and having n-fold rotational symmetry about the central axis, a reaction tube, and a water outlet. The reaction tube including a set of bundled rods having m×n-fold symmetry wherein the bundled rods include a photocatalyst support material at least partially coated with a photocatalyst film.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for embedding static information (such as serial numbers, etc.) on objects by modifying their exterior shape slightly, dubbed surface modulation. Data is embedded when the object is created and can then be read using readers with the appropriate resolution. According to one example of the disclosed technology, a method of embedding data expressed as a binary sequence onto an object surface includes establishing a coordinate system over an object surface, computing a transform of the coordinate system to a frequency domain, mapping the binary sequence to an integer value, replacing the highest frequency coefficient of the transform with the integer value, computing an inverse of the transform, producing a vector expressed in the coordinate system, and fabricating at least a portion of the object surface according to the vector.

Abstract: Embodiments of compounds for selectively detecting an analyte are disclosed, along with methods and kits for detecting analytes with the compounds. The compounds are bridged viologen conjugates including at least one fluorophore according to the general structure At least one of R1/R2, R2/R3, R3/R4, R5/R6, R6/R7, and/or R7/R8 together form a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl or aryl.

Abstract: Modified nano-clays and coating compositions including the modified nano-clays are disclosed. The coating compositions are useful for protecting objects such as outdoor sculptures and architectural elements made of metal or including metal components. In some embodiments, the modified nano-clay is LAPONITE clay that has been covalently modified with (tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl) triethoxysilane and cation-exchanged with phosphorylcholine.

Abstract: Embodiments of hydrogels for electrochemical sensing, electrodes comprising the hydrogels, and methods of making and using the hydrogels are disclosed. The disclosed hydrogel electrodes comprise a cross-linked poly(acrylic acid-co-2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (poly(AA-AMPS)) hydrogel and an electrical contact.

Abstract: Radiopaque bismuth particles and methods of making and using the radiopaque bismuth particles are disclosed. The radiopaque bismuth particles include an elemental bismuth core and an outer coating comprising one or more coating agents. Disclosed radiopaque bismuth particles are suitable for use in surgical sponges and plastic objects.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for embedding static information (such as serial numbers, etc.) on objects by modifying their exterior shape slightly, dubbed surface modulation. Data is embedded when the object is created and can then be read using readers with the appropriate resolution. According to one example of the disclosed technology, a method of embedding data expressed as a binary sequence onto an object surface includes establishing a coordinate system over an object surface, computing a transform of the coordinate system to a frequency domain, mapping the binary sequence to an integer value, replacing the highest frequency coefficient of the transform with the integer value, computing an inverse of the transform, producing a vector expressed in the coordinate system, and fabricating at least a portion of the object surface according to the vector.

Abstract: Innovations in the construction and use of variable-input-length tweakable ciphers (“VILTCs”). In some cases, a VILTC uses an initialization vector that is protected from exposure outside an encryption/decryption system in order to provide enhanced security with efficient performance. For example, a system for encryption and/or decryption includes two fixed-input-length tweakable block ciphers (“FIL TBCs”) and a VILTC. The first FIL TBC is adapted to produce a fixed-length initialization vector. The VILTC is adapted to produce a variable-length output string using the fixed-length initialization vector as a tweak. The second FIL TBC is adapted to produce a fixed-length output string. In this way, the first FIL TBC and the second FIL TBC protect the fixed-length initialization vector from exposure outside the system. In other cases, a VILTC is used for a reliable and efficient implementation of authenticated encryption/decryption with associated data.

Abstract: It is disclosed herein that viruses coated in silica retain infectivity and the capacity to induce an immune response in an infected host. In addition, silicified virus is remarkably resistant to desiccation. Provided herein are methods of inducing a virus-specific immune response in a subject by administering to the subject an effective amount of silicified virus or silicified virus particles. Methods of enhancing a virus-specific cell-mediated immune response (such as a T cell-mediated immune response) in a subject by administering to the subject a silicified virus or silicified virus particles are also described herein. Further provided are immunogenic compositions comprising silicified virus or silicified virus particles, such as compositions useful as vaccines. The immunogenic compositions include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or an adjuvant.

Abstract: Embodiments of near-infrared (NIR) dyes are disclosed, along with methods and kits for detecting analytes with the NIR dyes. The NIR dyes have a structure according to the general structure At least one of R1/R2, R2/R3, R3/R4, R5/R6, R6/R7, and/or R7/R8 together forms a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl or aryl.