Abstract: The invention generally relates to apparatuses for focusing ions at or above ambient pressure and methods of use thereof. In certain embodiments, the invention provides an apparatus for focusing ions that includes an electrode having a cavity, at least one inlet within the electrode configured to operatively couple with an ionization source, such that discharge generated by the ionization source is injected into the cavity of the electrode, and an outlet. The cavity in the electrode is shaped such that upon application of voltage to the electrode, ions within the cavity are focused and directed to the outlet, which is positioned such that a proximal end of the outlet receives the focused ions and a distal end of the outlet is open to ambient pressure.

Abstract: A woven structure includes thermoelectric ribbons interwoven with thread. Each thermoelectric ribbon includes a folded matrix of thermoelectric elements, the matrix having an insulating substrate that supports plural rows of thermoelectric elements, a plurality of conductive elements, and two terminals. The conductive elements form a series connection of the thermoelectric elements between the two terminals. A set of first conductive elements have a first temperature and a set of second conductive contacts have a second temperature lower than the first temperature when a first current flows in a first direction between the first matrix terminal and the second matrix terminal. The folded matrix is configured to form spaced-apart alternating stacks of the first conductive contacts and second conductive contacts. Each length of the yard or thread is interwoven such that it passes alternately under stacks of first conductive contacts and over stacks of second conductive contacts.

Abstract: A method of performing magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) measures neurochemical profiles over larger regions non-invasively. The method includes transmitting a multi-slice excitation pulse through tissue, the multi-slice excitation pulse configured to generate multi-slice MRSI signals. The method also includes performing density weighted concentric ring acquisition on the multi-slice MRSI signals. The method further includes receiving the generated multi-slice MRSI signals in a plurality of sensors disposed in various locations around the tissue. Imaging data is reconstructed based on the acquired imaging signals. A representation of the data is displayed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel cellulose nanomaterial (CN) based waterborne polyurethane coating, and to methods of making and using the novel cellulose nanomaterial (CN) based waterborne polyurethane coating.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to compositions comprising substrate-free 2D tellurene crystals, and the method of making and using the substrate-free 2D tellurene crystals. The 2D tellurene crystals of the present disclosure are characterized by an X-ray diffraction pattern (CuK? radiation, ?=1.54056 A) comprising a peak at 23.79 (2?±0.1°) and optionally one or more peaks selected from the group consisting of 41.26, 47.79, 50.41, and 64.43 (2?±0.1°).

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for mass spectrometry analysis of microorganisms in samples.

Abstract: A battery management system (BMS) to detect conditions favorable to thermal runway. The BMS includes Interdigitated Platinum Electrode (IPE) on a substrate. The IPE contains a coating containing PEDOT:PSS (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate). The system has an impedance measuring system (IMS) to measure impedance changes caused in the IPE due to exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOC's) resulting from decomposition of electrolyte in a battery. The impedance changes are indicative of release of the VOC's from the battery signaling a temperature increase in components of the battery. A method of inferring the concentration of VOC's produced by an electrochemical cell. The method includes providing a sensor integrated into the electrochemical cell, the sensor being IPE on a substrate containing a coating containing PEDOT:PSS, recording the impedance response of the sensor to the VOC's released by the electrochemical cell and inferring the concentration of the VOC's.

Abstract: A metal-ion deposition regulator to regulate the flux and deposition of metal ions in an electrochemical cell. The regulator containing two membranes made of a polymer and a plurality of two-dimensional porous nanosheets sandwiched between the two membranes. The regulator is capable of distributing flux of metal ions passing through the metal-ion deposition regulator and regulating the deposition of the metal ions onto the cathode or anode thereby suppressing dendrite growth in the electrochemical cell. An electrochemical cell containing an anode, a cathode, a liquid electrolyte, and a metal-ion deposition regulator. A method of making a metal-ion deposition regulator. The method includes fabricating two-dimensional porous nanosheets utilizing graphene oxide as an expendable template, and sandwiching the porous nanosheets between two membranes made of a polymer such that the nanosheets are in contact with the two membranes.

Abstract: Examples of methods for image enhancement are described. In some examples, a method includes segmenting an image into an object region and a background region. In some examples, the image has a first resolution. In some examples, the method includes generating, using a first machine learning model, an enhanced object region with a second resolution that is greater than the first resolution. In some examples, the first machine learning model has been trained based on object landmarks. In some examples, the method includes generating, using a second machine learning model, an enhanced background region with a third resolution that is greater than the first resolution. In some examples, the method includes combining the enhanced object region and the enhanced background region to produce an enhanced image.

Abstract: A topochemical approach for creating elongated C—C bonds with a bond length of 1.57˜1.70 ? between monomers in the solid state; and topochemically prepared highly crystalline polymers.

Abstract: Digital imagery can help to quantify seasonal changes in desirable crop phenotypes that can be treated as quantitative traits. Because limitations in precise and functional phenotyping restrain genetic improvement in the post-genomic era, imagery-based phenomics could become the next breakthrough to accelerate genetic gains in field crops. Whereas many phenomic studies focus on exploratory analysis of spectral data without obvious interpretative value, we used field images to directly measure soybean canopy development from phenological stage V2 to R5. Over three years, we collected imagery using ground and aerial platforms of a large and diverse nested association panel comprising 5,555 lines. Genome-wide association analysis of canopy coverage across sampling dates detected a large quantitative trait locus on soybean (Glycine max, L. Merr.) chromosome 19. This QTL provided an increase in yield of 47.3 kg·ha?1.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to adhesive compositions made from the reaction product of plant protein and phenolics, and method of making and using the adhesive compositions. A maximum bonding strength of 7.8±1.5 MPa was obtained using only 1 weight % tannic acid in a zein matrix of pH=7 and cured at 120° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides oxygenized nanobubbles and their uses in imaging and cancer treatment when combined with therapeutic drugs and precise ultrasound beam steering.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for processing materials to enhancing the material's surface strength, improving the material's cyclic and thermal stability of microstructures, and extend the material's fatigue performance. Embodiments include laser shock peening at material temperatures that are moderately elevated (from the material's perspective) above room temperature. Alternate embodiments include laser shock peening at very cold (cryogenic) material temperatures. Still further embodiments include laser shock peening while covering the surface of the material being processed with an active agent that interacts with the laser energy and enhances the pressure exerted on the surface.

Abstract: A system may forecast a plurality of workload measurements for a database management system (DBMS) at respective times based on a workload model. The system may determine, based on the forecasted workload measurements, configuration parameter sets optimized for the DBMS at the respective times. The system may generate a reconfiguration plan. The system may determine performance that would result from reconfiguring nodes of the DBMS with the configurations parameter sets. The system may select a reconfiguration plan in response to the performance satisfying a fitness criterion. The system may cause, at the reconfiguration times, the nodes to begin reconfiguration with the configuration parameter sets included in the selected reconfiguration plan.

Abstract: Methods and nucleic acid sequences for the synthesis of biotemplates in a non-plant based expression system are provided. Such biotemplates include Barley stripe mosaic virus viral-like particles (BSMV-VLPs) that are capable of self-assembly due to being operatively linked with an origin of self-assembly with the Barley stripe mosaic virus capsid protein (BSMV-CP). Also provided are BSMV-VLPs that are capable of self-assembly due one or more site-directed mutations on the BSMV-CP, and BSMV-VLPs that exhibit enhanced stability due to such site-directed mutation(s).

Abstract: A method for fabricating structures includes on a substrate includes providing the substrate having a substrate surface, and generating nanostructures or microstructures on the substrate surface at least in part by exposing the substrate surface to thermal particles from a thermal particle source while irradiating the substrate surface with an ion beam. The generated nanostructures or microstructures have a smaller surface area than the area of incidence of the ion beam or a beam generated by the thermal particle source. The method also includes obtaining a measurement of a characteristic of the substrate surface and adjusting at least one of the thermal particle source and the ion beam based on the measurement.

Abstract: A heterogeneous catalyst for substrate-directed hydrogenation includes bimetallic nanoparticles of M1-M2, wherein M1 is a noble metal and M2 is a first-row transition metal. The bimetallic nanoparticles are on a substrate and atoms of both the noble metal and the first-row transition metal are distributed across surfaces of the bimetallic nanoparticles. The heterogeneous catalyst may be produced by providing M1-M2 bimetallic nanoparticles on a substrate to produce an intermediate composition, and performing a reduction process on the intermediate composition such that atoms of both the noble metal (M1) and the first-row transition metal (M2) are distributed across surfaces of the bimetallic nanoparticles and thereby form the heterogeneous catalyst. The catalyst may be used for performing directed hydrogenation of a substrate.

Abstract: A system includes a first structure, wherein the first structure lacks space inversion symmetry, and wherein the first structure includes a first elastic lattice. The system further includes a second structure, wherein the second structure lacks space inversion symmetry, and wherein the second structure includes a second elastic lattice. Additionally, the system includes the first structure coupled to the second structure such that the first structure and the second structure have a mirror symmetry to each other.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to novel sesquiterpenoid compounds as SHP2 and/or POLE3 inhibitors for potential treatment for cancers, and to methods of making and using the sesquiterpenoid compounds. The present invention therefore provides a method of using the disclosed compounds as chemosensitizations agent to a DNA damaging drugs for cancers.