Abstract: In an embodiment, there is provided a light guide for an edge-lit light panel. The light guide includes a first light coupling surface; a second light coupling surface; a first light output surface; and a second light output surface. The second light coupling surface opposes the first light coupling surface. The second light output surface opposes the first light output surface. The first light output surface and the second light output surface are coupled between the first light coupling surface and the second light coupling surface. Each light coupling surface is configured to receive incident light from a respective light source and to produce at least a portion of a batwing light beam inside the light guide. The at least a portion of the batwing light beam is concentrated adjacent the first light output surface, the first light output surface corresponding to a first light extraction surface.

Abstract: A system for generating a high resolution (HR) computed tomography (CT) image from a low resolution (LR) CT image is described. The system includes a first generative adversarial network (GAN) and a second GAN. The first GAN includes a first generative neural network (G) configured to receive a training LR image dataset and to generate a corresponding estimated HR image dataset, and a first discriminative neural network (DY) configured to compare a training HR image dataset and the estimated HR image dataset. The second GAN includes a second generative neural network (F) configured to receive the training HR image dataset and to generate a corresponding estimated LR image dataset, and a second discriminative neural network (DX) configured to compare the training LR image dataset and the estimated LR image dataset.

Abstract: A detection scheme for x-ray small angle scattering is described. An x-ray small angle scattering apparatus may include a first grating and a complementary second grating. The first grating includes a plurality of first grating cells. The complementary second grating includes a plurality of second grating cells. The second grating is positioned relative to the first grating. A configuration of the first grating, a configuration of the second grating and the relative positioning of the gratings are configured to pass one or more small angle scattered photons and to block one or more Compton scattered photons and one or more main x-ray photons.

Abstract: A stationary in-vivo grating-enabled micro-CT (computed tomography) architecture (SIGMA) system includes CT scanner control circuitry and a number of imaging chains. Each imaging chain includes an x-ray source array, a phase grating, an analyzer grating and a detector array. Each imaging chain is stationary and each x-ray source array includes a plurality of x-ray source elements. Each imaging chain has a centerline, the centerlines of the number of imaging chains intersect at a center point and a first angle between the centerlines of a first adjacent pair of imaging chains equals a second angle between the centerlines of a second adjacent pair of imaging chains. A plurality of selected x-ray source elements of a first x-ray source array is configured to emit a plurality of x-ray beams in a multiplexing fashion.

Abstract: A heparin structure with increased anticoagulant activity and method of making the same are disclosed. A heparin sample is provided and treated with a heparan sulfate sulfotransferase in an enzymatic reaction to add sulfuryl groups from a sulfuryl group source to the heparin sample, resulting in a heparin structure having above about 8% more 3-O-sulfo groups relative to wild-type bovine intestinal heparin. The added sulfuryl groups modify the heparin structure and increase the sample's binding to antithrombin III and its anticoagulant activity to be more similar and a viable alternative to porcine intestinal heparin. The modified heparin exhibits an anti-FXa activity and an anti-FIIa activity greater than about 180 U/mg, and a ratio of the anti-FXa activity to the anti-FIIa activity of about 0.9 to about 1.1, consistent with U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) heparin activity specifications.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a sensor module for patient monitoring. The sensor module includes a processor circuitry; a memory circuitry; at least one time of flight (TOF) sensor; a TOF logic; and a monitor logic. The TOF logic is configured to determine a sequence of elevation maps of at least a portion of a patient room. The TOF logic is further configured to at least one of a distance vector and a velocity vector associated with a selected room occupant based, at least in part, on a plurality of elevation maps in the sequence of elevation maps. Each elevation map is determined based, at least in part, on a respective TOF data set captured from the at least one TOF sensor. Each TOF data set is captured, periodically at a time interval. The monitor logic is configured to classify an activity of the selected room occupant as acceptable or unacceptable. The classifying is based, at least in part, on the at least one of the distance vector and the velocity vector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining simultaneous X-ray—magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images are provided. A magnetic resonance X-ray CT (MRX) system can combine X-ray imaging and MRI in a cost-effective and relatively simple solution for improved imaging. During imaging of a subject, the X-ray source and X-ray detector can be simultaneously rotated around the subject, and the means for generating a magnetic field can also be rotated around the subject. The means for generating a magnetic field can be a plurality of permanent magnets.

Abstract: A method of assessing a membrane, including calculating fluid dynamic characteristics of at least one of a membrane and a material to be passed through the membrane, where the material comprises particles; obtaining characteristic of at least one force acting on the particles of the material to be passed through the membrane due to the interaction between the particles and the membrane, the at least one force being an intermolecular force; combining the calculated fluid dynamic characteristic and the obtained characteristics to assess the flow of the material through the membrane; and optimizing at least one characteristics of the membrane in relation to the material. The membrane includes a plurality of rows and a plurality of teardrop structures arranged in the plurality of rows. The teardrop structures in each row are arranged at substantially the same angle with respect to an anticipated direction of flow through the membrane.

Abstract: Interpretation maps of deep neural networks are provided that use Renyi differential privacy to guarantee the robustness of the interpretation. In one aspect, a method for generating interpretation maps with guaranteed robustness includes: perturbing an original digital image by adding Gaussian noise to the original digital image to obtain m noisy images; providing the m noisy images as input to a deep neural network; interpreting output from the deep neural network to obtain m noisy interpretations corresponding to the m noisy images; thresholding the m noisy interpretations to obtain a top-k of the m noisy interpretations; and averaging the top-k of the m noisy interpretations to produce an interpretation map with certifiable robustness.

Abstract: A network of microfibers are fabricated with a core-shell construction from sustainable materials, where the core includes a phase-change material, such as coconut oil, and the shell includes a biomass, such as cellulose. The microfibers are made via a wet-wet electrospinning process utilizing a coaxial spinneret with an inner conduit and an outer conduit. The biomass and the phase-change material are coaxially extruded into a coagulation bath including a mixture of ethanol and water. The collected microfibers exhibit a beaded structure of PCM aggregates and biomass connecting regions between the aggregates and are effective to aid in the thermoregulation of the immediate environment surrounding the network. The microfibers are suitable for use in a variety of sustainable products such as wearable thermoregulating textiles, wall/ceiling panels, insulation, packaging material, and more.

Abstract: Systems and method for performing X-ray computed tomography (CT) that can improve spectral separation and decrease motion artifacts without increasing radiation dose are provided. The systems and method can be used with either a kVp-switching source or a single-kVp source. When used with a kVp-switching source, an absorption grating and a filter grating can be disposed between the X-ray source and the sample to be imaged. Relative motion of the filter and absorption gratings can by synchronized to the kVp switching frequency of the X-ray source. When used with a single-kVp source, a combination of absorption and filter gratings can be used and can be driven in an oscillation movement that is optimized for a single-kVp X-ray source. With a single-kVp source, the absorption grating can also be omitted and the filter grating can remain stationary.

Abstract: A method of directed evolution for developing a membrane includes using a 3D protocol to simulate particle trajectories and determine the effect of intermolecular forces on particle capture performance during membrane filtration to determine the effectiveness of different candidate membranes in optimizing performance.

Abstract: A composition includes a contraceptive chimeric virus-like particle with an antigenic carrier domain and one or more antigenic regions from a sperm cell in the antigenic carrier domain, with the antigenic carrier domain including human papillomavirus L1 capsid protein and the antigenic regions including one or more structural elements of the Catsper ion channel complex. When administered to a patient, the contraceptive vaccine stimulates production of anti-sperm antibodies that, upon binding to a sperm cell, inhibit the sperm cell's motility and thus inhibit the ability of the sperm cell to fertilize an egg cell. The induced immunoinfertility of the composition can be reversed for brief or extended lengths of time by overdosing the patient with a reversal agent lacking the antigenic carrier domain but having a protein sequence substantially identical to that of the one or more antigenic regions to sequester the anti-sperm antibodies.

Abstract: A high frequency push-push oscillator is disclosed. The high frequency push-push oscillator includes a resonant circuit, including tank transmission lines or an inductor capacitor (LC) tank circuit, for generating a differential signal having a resonant frequency, and a Gm-core circuit for converting the differential signal to an output signal having an output frequency that is higher than the resonant frequency. The Gm-core circuit includes cross-coupled first and second transistors having first and second gates, drains, and sources, respectively, and first and second gate transmission lines. The first and second drains are in electrical communication with the resonant circuit. The first gate transmission line is joined with the first gate and the resonant circuit and the second gate transmission line is joined with the second gate and the resonant circuit. The Gm-core circuit includes a differential transmission line positioned between the first and second gates of the first and second transistors.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to anion exchange membranes and, more particularly, to anion exchange membranes comprising a styrene block copolymer and methods for their manufacture. In one embodiment, the invention provides a polymer according to formula IV, wherein x and y are mol %, QA is or each of R1 and R2 is, independently, a linear alkyl chain or a cyclic alkyl chain, and Z is selected from a group consisting of: a linear alkyl chain, a cyclic alkyl chain, and an alkylene ether chain.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to protein extraction and, more generally, to bone protein extraction methods that do not require demineralization. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method comprising: mixing a bone sample and a quantity of an extraction buffer comprising: ammonium phosphate dibasic; or ammonium phosphate dibasic and ammonium bicarbonate; or ammonium phosphate dibasic, ammonium bicarbonate, and guanidine HCl; or sodium phosphate dibasic and sodium bicarbonate; or sodium phosphate dibasic, sodium bicarbonate, and guanidine HCl; or potassium phosphate dibasic and potassium bicarbonate; or potassium phosphate dibasic, potassium bicarbonate, and guanidine HCl; and incubating the bone sample/extraction buffer mixture.

Abstract: A method and system for impregnating a source of fiber tow is provided. A stream of fiber tow is drawn through a tow guide to align the fiber tow with a predetermined path. The stream is drawn in tension across a series of tow spreader pins, that include convex spreading surface aligned with the predetermined tow path. As the fiber tow is drawn over spreading surfaces, the fibers tend to spread and/or fan out along that surface. The stream of fiber tow now being spread to a greater width and reduced thickness, the spread fiber tow is drawn through an impregnation die that includes a plurality of resin supply conduits. Resin melt is applied to the spread fiber tow from one or more directions to fully impregnate the fiber tow. The prepreg fiber tow is then drawn to a converging die which removes excess resin and converge to a fiber tow product. An angled drive roller is utilized to pull the fiber tow with sufficient force to overcome dry and viscous friction in the system components.

Abstract: A hybrid fiber for detection of UV light is described. The hybrid fiber includes a conductor, a first layer, a photoactive layer, a second layer, and a transparent electrode. The conductor includes a conductive material. The first layer includes a first material deposited onto the conductor. The first material is configured to transport holes and block electrons. The photoactive layer includes a photoactive material coating the first layer. The photoactive material includes a first submaterial and a second submaterial. The second layer includes a second material deposited onto the photoactive layer. The second material is configured to block holes and transport electrons. The transparent electrode includes a transparent electrode material deposited onto the second layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel anti-microbial peptides with inhibitory activity against M. tuberculosis and streptococcus bacteria. Additionally, a method for designing novel anti-microbial peptides is disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a novel class of polymers with superior mechanical properties and chemical stability, as compared to known polymers. These polymers are particularly well suited for use in anion exchange membranes (AEMs), including those employed in fuel cells. Novel methods for the manufacture of these polymers are also described.