Abstract: Methods for measuring diffusion in a medium. One method includes dissolving a fluorescent sample in a medium, imaging the fluorescent sample with a patterned illumination Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) technique, and analyzing a set of microscope images of the photobleached dissolved fluorescent sample with the patterned illumination using a Fourier Transform (FT) FRAP technique.

Abstract: A method of producing a sulfonated polymer. The method includes providing a source for a quantity of a polymer containing polymer fibers. The quantity of the polymer is heated while immersed in sulfuric acid to 100-200° C. for a period time in a closed reactor containing an atmosphere and capable of holding pressure generated by a reaction between the quantity of the polymer and the sulfuric acid resulting in a sulfonated polymer, wherein substantially all the quantity of the polymer from the source is converted into sulfonated polymer. The sulfonated polymer is then removed from the reactor and dried. An electrode suitable for use as an electrode in an electrochemical energy storage cell is disclosed. The electrode contains amorphous porous carbon fibers made from a sulfonated polymer with a morphology wherein the amorphous porous carbon fibers have the morphology of the sulfonated polymer from which they are made.

Abstract: Processes for producing sheet metal products by machining a solid metal body with a cutting tool in a single step to continuously produce a continuous bulk form from material obtained from the solid metal body, and without performing a hot rolling operation thereon, cold rolling the continuous bulk form to produce a sheet metal product. The machining step is a large-strain machining process capable of being directly performed on an as-cast ingot or other solid body to produce a continuous intermediate product that can be directly cold rolled without any intervening hot rolling operation, and optionally without homogenization or annealing.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to charged mass label compositions and methods of use thereof for detecting a target analyte in a sample. In certain aspects, the invention provides a charged mass label composition including an affinity reagent, and a mass label precursor bound to the affinity reagent. The mass label precursor includes a label binding unit and a mass label. The label binding unit reversibly binds the mass label to the affinity reagent. The mass label includes a charge unit and a mass label unit having a pre-defined mass-to-charge-value in a mass spectrum.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compounds that are useful as near-infrared fluorescence probes, wherein the compounds include i) a pteroyl ligand that binds to a target receptor protein, ii) a dye molecule, and iii) a linker molecule that comprises an amino acid or derivative thereof. The disclosure further describes methods and compositions for incorporating the compounds as used for the targeted imaging of tumors. Conjugation of the amino acid linking groups increase specificity and detection of the compound. Methods and compositions for use thereof in diagnostic imaging are contemplated.

Abstract: High-resolution, selective, and self-optimizing haptic and electrotactile display and methods of use. In an embodiment of a feedback system referenced herein, the feedback system includes a prosthesis configured to be worn by an individual, including at least one prosthesis sensor configured to detect a state or condition in an environment of the at least one prosthesis sensor, and at least one actuator in communication with the at least one prosthesis sensor and configured to receive data relating to the detected state or condition and to stimulate a nerve of the individual; a neural sensor positioned upon or within the individual, configured to detect a neural response relating to the stimulation of the nerve by the at least one actuator; and a processor in communication with at least one of the at least one prosthesis sensor, at least one of the at least one actuator, and the neural sensor.

Abstract: A method of supervising a complex system includes acquiring and storing failures data and repair resources information regarding the complex system, identifying failure networks and structures of the complex system. Failure types associated with the failure networks of the complex system are determined. The method includes generating a plurality of failure prevention and repair (FPR) sequences, wherein each FPR is associated with the failure networks and the failure types. The generated FPR sequences are analyzed to select a set of FPR sequences and associated repair resources. The method further comprises applying the selected one of the plurality of failure prevention and repair sequences to the complex system, thereby managing the complex system.

Abstract: The disclosure develops a multi-scale model that partitions the device into different spatial regions where the high carrier domains are treated as reservoirs in local equilibrium and serve as injectors and receptors of carriers into the neighboring reservoirs through tunneling and thermionic emission. The nonequilibrium Green's function (NEGF) formalism is used to compute the dynamics (states) and the kinetics (filling of states) in the entire extended complex device. The local density of states in the whole device is computed quantum mechanically within a multi-band tight binding Hamiltonian. The model results agree with experimental I-V curves quantitatively.

Abstract: A method for spontaneous emulsification comprising mixing (i) an aqueous phase comprising a partitioning agent which contains a partitioning anion which determines the hydrophilicity of the partitioning agent, alone or in further combination with an electrolyte, with (ii) an oil phase comprising a phase-transfer agent, wherein the phase-transfer agent creates and promotes an interfacial flux of an anion and promotes the formation of droplets at a liquid-liquid interface of the aqueous phase and oil phase; and a method for spontaneous electro-emulsification comprising generating an ionic flux across the liquid-liquid interface by applying an electrical potential.

Abstract: Padding materials capable of use as or incorporation into protective products, and methods of producing such padding materials. The padding material includes a base and an array of raised unit cells that individually protrude from a surface of the base so that the unit cells are spaced apart from each other. The base and the unit cells are formed of a cured polymeric material that contains fine porosity, and a substrate formed of a textile or fabric material is embedded in the base and permeated by the cured polymeric material.

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: A method and apparatus for generating solar power in agricultural fields while minimally impacting crop growth and farming efforts, including positioning an elongated solar panel above crops, wherein the elongated solar panel runs generally parallel to longitudinal lines and wherein the elongated solar panel has at least one solar transducing face and an endless edge surrounding and perpendicular to the at least one solar transducing face, automatically pivoting the elongated solar panel such that the at least one solar transducing face is oriented parallel to incident solar rays during predetermined times when plant growth requires incident sunlight, automatically pivoting the elongated solar panel such that the at least one solar transducing face is oriented parallel to the vertical during rain, automatically pivoting the elongated solar panel out of the way of heavy farm equipment, and automatically pivoting the elongated solar panel such that the at least one solar transducing face is oriented perpendicul

Abstract: Nanoconstructs and compositions comprising a nanoparticle coated with an immunoadjuvant (e.g. ATP) and comprising one or more therapeutic agents (e.g. ICD inducer) encapsulated therein; and methods for treating cancer in a subject using such nanoconstructs and compositions, as well as combination immunotherapies.

Abstract: A splint single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), which comprises a linear splint sequence and a hairpin sequence on each side of the linear splint sequence; a splint ssDNA-ligating linear ssDNA monomeric complex; a method of producing a ssDNA circle; and a kit comprising the splint ssDNA and instructions for using the splint ssDNA to produce a ssDNA circle.

Abstract: A method for inducing a covert misclassification performed on a non-transitory computer readable medium, the method includes identifying a target position. The method further includes creating a spectral perturbation tensor. The spectral perturbation tensor is configured to shift a projection of an initial spectrum towards the target position. Additionally, the method includes combining the spectral perturbation tensor to the initial spectrum. Further, the method includes classifying the combination of the spectral perturbation tensor and the initial spectrum with an established classifier, thereby designing the spectral perturbation tensor such that the combination is misclassified.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting cracks in a surface by analyzing a video, including an full-HD video, of the surface. The video contains successive frames, wherein individual frames of overlapping consecutive pairs of the successive frames have overlapping areas and a crack that appears in a first individual frame of a consecutive pair of the successive frames also appears in at least a second individual frame of the consecutive pair. A fully convolutional network (FCN) architecture implemented on a processing device is then used to analyze at least some of the individual frames of the video to generate crack score maps for the individual frames, and a parametric data fusion scheme implemented on a processing device is used to fuse crack scores of the crack score maps of the individual frames to identify cracks in the individual frames.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the measurement and transmission of data pertaining to the tissue of an animal. In one embodiment, there is an implantable device that is wirelessly powered and also wirelessly transmits data. Preferably, the implant measures neuromuscular activity.

Abstract: A system and methods for heating and cooling are provided. The system may include an energy collector and an adaptive panel connected to the energy collector. The adaptive panel may a radiative cooling layer configured to dissipate heat from the energy collector. The radiative cooling layer may further include a thermo-responsive polymer configured to adjust transparency depending on temperature. The system may include a solar heating layer configured to absorb solar irradiation that passes through the radiative cooling layer and transfer heat to the energy collector.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel device for selective collection and condensation of an exhaled breath, and the method of using the novel device. The novel device is portable and capable of collecting and condensing reproducible volumes of exhaled breath under about 10 minutes by using a unique temperature-based algorithm.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel method for lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) by utilizing plasmonic enhancement strategy. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a plasmonic enhanced lateral flow sensor (pLFS) concept by introducing a liposome-based amplification of the colorimetric signals on the lateral flow platform for ultrasensitive detection of pathogens.