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: The present invention relates to a low-cost, thermally reversible valve for paper-fluidic diagnostic devices. In particular, this invention demonstrates a tunable valve mechanism fabricated by wax-ink printing and localized heating via thin-film resistors to sequentially release liquids through a cellulose or nitrocellulose membrane. The wax-ink valve can obstruct fluid flow for a sustained time and are thermally actuated to release a controlled amount of liquid past the valve. This integrated paper-fluidic diagnostic assay device requires minimal user involvement, can be easily manufactured and tuned to meet various fluid delivery timing and incubation needs.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to particle heaters for heating solid particles to store electrical energy as thermal energy. Thermal energy storage directly converts off-peak electricity into heat for thermal energy storage, which may be converted back to electricity, for example during peak-hour power generation. The particle heater is an integral part of an electro-thermal energy storage system, as it enables the conversion of electrical energy into thermal energy. As described herein, particle heater designs are described that provide efficient heating of solid particles in an efficient and compact configuration to achieve high energy density and low cost.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for analyzing a plant specimen. A housing assembly defines a sensing volume and controls entry of ambient light into the sensing volume when the housing is closed. A specimen support positions a plant specimen within the sensing volume whereby light emitted from at least one light emitter is incident upon the plant specimen. An image sensor senses light from the at least one light emitter that has been incident on the plant specimen. A processor analyzes data obtained from the light sensor to assess one or more properties of the plant specimen. There may be more than one light emitter, e.g., a halogen lamp and LED array, and the apparatus may acquire images under more than one lighting condition. The apparatus may include a mechanism for moving the plant specimen relative to the optical path to take images at multiple regions of interest on the specimen.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to composition matters and methods useful for gene delivery and an option for therapeutic treatment of various diseases. Particularly, this disclosure relates to a plasmid vector comprising a fusion of a plurality of genes comprising a gene of a chemokine or a cytokine, a gene for a targeting polypeptide and genes for one or more polypeptide linkers. Methods of use and composition matters are within the scope of this disclosure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides to a novel continuous processing method to prepare sheets comprising cellulose nanofibril (CNF) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Single screw extrusion was utilized to continuously process mechanically fibrillated cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) into sheets. Water-retention ability and stability of CNF suspensions containing different processing aids was assessed through centrifugation and zeta potential analysis. Subsequently, highly loaded pastes (up to ˜25 wt. % total solids content) containing the best performing processing aids (carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), xanthan gum (XG), and anionic polyacrylamide (aPAM)) and CNF were prepared using a Brabender with Banbury mixer-head at a dry weight ratio of either 0.1 to 1 or 0.15 to 1, respectively. Validation of the mixing procedure proved that highly loaded CNF pastes can be processed in under 40 minutes, saving up to 40 days in preparation and drying time.

Abstract: A method of selectively controlling materials structure in solution based chemical synthesis and deposition of materials by controlling input energy from pulsed energy source includes determining solution conditions, searching and/or determining energy barrier(s) of a desired materials structure formation, applying precursor solution with selected solution condition onto a substrate, and applying determined input energy from a pulsed energy source with a selected condition to the substrate, thereby nucleating and growing the crystal.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to compositions comprising substrate-free crystalline 2D bismuthene, and the method of making and using the substrate-free crystalline 2D bismuthene.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to compounds for targeting and healing bone fractures. Some of these compounds include a negatively charged oligopeptide comprising an acidic oligopeptide, a linker, which may be hydrolyzable or may be a substrate for the protease cathepsin K, and at least one molecule that promotes bone healing. In some compounds the molecule that promotes bone healing is an anabolic compound that inhibits GSK3?, in some compounds the molecule that promotes the healing of bone fracture is a pro-inflammatory agent such as PGE1. Other embodiments include methods of treating a bone fracture comprising administering a therapeutic amount of any one of the compounds disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method of determining a model for pixel power consumption for each pixel in a display of a device displaying each color in a color space is disclosed which includes establishing a color space for the display, decomposing the color space into a plurality of subgrids, measuring the pixel power associated with a selected set of colors in each subgrid of the plurality of subgrids, establishing a pixel power model for each subgrid of the plurality of subgrids by applying a function to the power values at the selected set of colors in that subgrid, and deriving a piecewise pixel power model for the entire color space which includes pixel power models for the plurality of subgrids.

Abstract: An integrated electromechanical and hydraulic system is disclosed which includes an electric machine, the electric machine includes a casing, a stator adapted to remain stationary within the casing, one or more electrically insulated windings coupled to the stator, a rotor separated from the stator and the one or more windings by a radial diamagnetic gap, electrical power couplings, and a first mechanical power couplings, and a hydraulic machine also disposed in the housing, the hydraulic machine having hydro-mechanical couplings as well as a second mechanical power couplings, wherein the second mechanical power couplings are coupled to the first mechanical power couplings.

Abstract: A system including a first micro-retarder array, wherein the first micro-retarder array is configured to convert a purely polarized light of an incident light into two components. The system additionally includes an optical device, wherein the optical device is configured to collimate the two components to two foci planes. Moreover, the system includes a second micro-retarder array, wherein the second micro-retarder array is configured to combine a set of two components of the incident light, thereby producing a second purely polarized light. Further the system includes a detector, wherein the detector is configured to receive the second purely polarized light.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to 6-amino-2,4-dihydropyrano [2,3-c] pyrazoles as a ubiquitin specific protease 7 (USP7) inhibitor useful for the treatment of diseases mediated by malfunction of USP7, such as inflammation, cancer, and immunological disorders. The invention described herein also pertains to pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating diseases mediated by malfunction of USP7, in mammals using compounds disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for producing hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells for therapeutic uses through a two-step process manipulating the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. Started from human pluripotent stem cells, the activation of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway of those stem cells is followed by downregulation of the Wnt signaling via various methods, including TGF-beta inhibition. Pharmaceutical composition matters and methods for treating a patient of hematopoietic diseases by administering therapeutically effective amounts of said stem cells or progenitor cells alone or together with other therapeutics are within the scope of this disclosure.

Abstract: A method for producing a single photon source includes lithographically patterning a polymer on top of a plasmonic thin film, functionalizing top surfaces of the plasmonic thin film and the polymer, removing the polymer to form patterned functionalized sites on the top surface of the plasmonic thin film surface, and depositing nanodiamond particles to the patterned functionalized sites.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides pro-angiogenic proteoglycan mimetics that can provide a provisional, pro-angiogenic scaffold to support tissue regeneration while limiting systemic exposure to VEGF activity. These mimetics can protect a collagen matrix from rapid degradation, and in conjunction with EPCs promote angiogenesis in order to accelerate ischemic wound healing. For example, the provided compounds can be delivered from the end of a catheter following balloon angioplasty to coat the collagen exposed areas, prevent platelet binding and thrombosis, support capture of EPCs from blood to facilitate reendothelialization, and reduce late-lumen loss (neointimal hyperplasia).

Abstract: A gas sensing device is provided. The gas sensing device includes a substrate, a sensing film deposited on the substrate, and a plurality of electrodes deposited on the sensing film. The sensing film comprising ReNiO3, wherein Re is a rare-earth cation wherein. At least one of the electrodes including platinum, palladium, or a combination thereof. The electrodes are spaced apart from each other for measurement of electrical resistance.

Abstract: A method for operating and controlling a vapor-compression cycle includes providing a system comprising an evaporator with a fan, a compressor, a condenser with a fan, an integrated expander, and a flash tank device with a vapor/liquid two-phase inlet and two outlets wherein a first outlet is a vapor outlet and a second outlet is a liquid outlet, and a metering valve; bringing a vapor-compression cycle up to steady-state at a fixed operating condition; opening the metering valve until the desired compressor suction superheat is achieved; and maintaining the desired degree of superheat by selectively increasing and decreasing superheat by reducing and increasing metering valve flow rate respectively.

Abstract: A method to build a persistent memory (PM)-based data storage system without involving a processor (CPU) at storage nodes is disclosed which includes storing data in one or more storage nodes that only include PM and no CPUs, with data stored in PM in form of link lists, accessing data stored in the one or more storage nodes' PM directly by remote compute nodes through a network, maintaining metadata associated with the data by one or more global controllers (metadata servers), upon request by a user to read or write data, the compute nodes contacting the one or more metadata servers to obtain location of data of interest in form of pointers (shortcuts), and the compute nodes sending network requests directly to the one or more storage nodes' PM to locate latest version of data by tracing the link list from the associated shortcut to corresponding tails.

Abstract: Boresight and lever arm calibration of cameras and scanners on UAVs or mobile platforms is performed by optimizing the flight/travel path of the UAV/platform relative to control points or tie points. The flight/travel paths account for the potential bias of boresight angles, lever arm and times delays to produce an accurate estimation of the orientation of these cameras/scanners relative to the GNSS/INS coordinate system of the UAV/platform.