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.

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 grating 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: The poly(pro-drug) material includes one or more alternating therapeutic compounds and biodegradable hydrocarbyl groups. The therapeutic compounds and biodegradable hydrocarbyl groups are separated by cleavable linker compounds. The therapeutic compounds, such as estrogen, curcumin, and fingolimod, include a plurality of substitutable functional groups that provide reaction sites for complexing with the cleavable linkers and in turn one or more polymers, such that the poly(pro-drug) material ends up composed of the therapeutic compound itself. In aqueous media and at physiological temperature and pH, the poly(pro-drug) materials degrade to release the therapeutic compounds from the material with a zero-order release profile, Advantageously, the poly(pro-drug) materials release the therapeutic compounds on time scales of years. The poly(pro-drug) materials also exhibit reduced to allow for prolonged implantation within a patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting power and information using acoustic energy produced by transducers are provided. The systems have particular application for powering and communication with electronics through drilling and pipe systems. Pairs of acoustic wedges holding transducers are provided for sending energy and information through a substrate which may be a steel pipe. Each wedge has an angled transducer which can be used to produce shear waves. The waves propagate through the substrate and are received by a second acoustic wedge. The shear waves, on reaching the second acoustic wedge, are converted back into electrical signals by a second transducer. Tangential shear waves, high, shallow wave transmission angles, and direct steel-steel bonding between wedges and substrates may be used.

Abstract: A method for modifying a polymeric surface is disclosed. The polymeric surface is activated utilizing atmospheric pressure plasma. An atom transfer radical polymerization initiator is then coupled to the activated surface. A monomer is then polymerized on the activated surface utilizing an activators regenerated by electron transfer (ARGET) atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) process. The method enables brush-modification of the polymeric surface, even if the polymeric surface is substantially chemically inert. By way of example, the method enables a chemically inert, substantially hydrophobic polymer surface to be functionalized with substantially hydrophilic polymer brushes. The methods of the present disclosure have general applicability to a myriad of implementations where tunable surface chemistry is advantageous, such as filtration membranes, marine surfaces, and medical devices seeking a biocompatible coating.

Abstract: The dehydration membrane reactor for methanol production from CO2 hydrogenation includes one or more porous supports, a dehydration membrane on the one or more porous supports, and a catalyst layer on the dehydration membrane. The one or more porous supports include hollow ceramic fibers and the dehydration membrane includes NaA zeolite. The reactor is made by dip-coating the porous supports in a zeolite crystal seed solution and drying the coated porous support. The coated porous support is dried at about 80° C. and then heated to a temperature above about 200° C. The NaA zeolite membrane is then grown on the seeded support, and a catalyst layer is applied to the zeolite membrane. A feedstream including carbon dioxide and hydrogen is fed to the catalyst layer, where a product stream including methanol and water is evolved. The water is then removed from the product stream through the dehydration membrane to produce a high-purity methanol product.

Abstract: A method of making a cellulose-nanoclay hemostatic nanocomposite fiber, including the steps of preparing a homogenous cellulose solution including cellulose and a room temperature ionic liquid, preparing a nanoclay suspension including halloysite and distilled water, electrospinning the cellulose solution into a first bath including the nanoclay suspension, transferring solidified cellulose-halloysite fibers from the first bath to a second bath including ethanol and distilled water, removing the solidified cellulose-halloysite fibers from the second bath, and freeze-drying the solidified cellulose-halloysite fibers.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a plant health status is described. The apparatus includes a light source positioned relative to the plant and a detector positioned relative to the plant. The light source is configured to emit a white light or an ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet (UV) light corresponds to UV-A and has a wavelength in the range of 340 nanometers (run) to 400 nm. The detector is configured to receive evaluation light. The evaluation light is related to the emitted light and corresponds to a health status of the plant.

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.

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 device for securing aircraft wiring includes a first body having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a concave portion extending semi-annularly between the first end and the second end, the concave portion having a surface defining a wire-receiving space. In an embodiment, the device includes a grip connection element configured to slidably mate with a gripping element. In an embodiment, the device includes a first hole extending into the second end, a first recess extending from the first hole, and a first tab including a first portion and a first latch, the first portion of the first tab projecting in a first direction from the first end of the first body, the first latch of the first tab projecting in a second direction from the first portion of the first tab, the first hole configured to receive a tab identical to the first tab.

Abstract: A solar cell device having a solid state light absorber region that incorporates a donor-acceptor particle structure. The particle structure includes acceptor particles that generate a flow of electrons in the solid state light absorber region in response to absorbed photons; and donor particles comprising a phosphorescent material, wherein each donor particle is coupled to a group of acceptor particles, and wherein the phosphorescent material absorbs high energy photons and emits lower energy photons that are absorbed by the acceptor particles.

Abstract: The anion exchange membranes exhibit enhanced chemical stability and ion conductivity when compared with traditional styrene-based alkaline anion exchange membranes. A copolymer backbone is polymerized from a reaction medium that includes a diphenylalkylene and an alkadiene. The copolymer includes a plurality of pendant phenyl groups. The diphenyl groups on the polymer backbone are functionalized with one or more haloalkylated precursor substrates. The terminal halide from the precursor substrate can then be substituted with a desired ionic group. The diphenylethylene-based alkaline anion exchange membranes lack the ?-hydrogens sharing tertiary carbons with phenyl groups from polystyrene or styrene-based precursor polymers, resulting in higher chemical stability. The ionic groups are also apart from each other by about 3 to 6 carbons in the polymer backbone, enhancing ion conductivity. These membrane are advantageous for use in fuel cells, electrolyzers employing hydrogen, ion separations, etc.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining scattering images during computed tomography (CT) imaging are provided. Two gratings or grating layers can be disposed between the object to be imaged and the detector, and the gratings or grating layers can be arranged such that primary X-rays are blocked while scattered X-rays that are deflected as they pass through the object to be imaged reach the detector to generate the scattering image.

Abstract: A machine-learning-based monochromatic CT image reconstruction method is described for quantitative CT imaging. The neural network is configured to learn a nonlinear mapping function from a training data set to map a CT image, which is reconstructed from a single spectral current-integrating projection data set, to monochromatic projections at a pre-specified energy level, realizing monochromatic CT imaging and overcoming beam hardening. An apparatus, method and/or system are configured to determine, by a trained artificial neural network (ANN), a monochromatic projection data set based, at least in part, on a measured CT image. The measured CT image may be reconstructed based, at least in part, on measured projection data. The measured projection data may be polychromatic. The apparatus, method and/or system may be further configured to reconstruct a monochromatic CT image based, at least in part, on the monochromatic projection data set.

Abstract: A system for providing a solar harvesting building envelope is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of solar harvesting apparatus configured to be installed as or on a building envelope in manner like that of traditional shingles or siding. The apparatus includes a frame having a photovoltaic end wall, as well as reflective base and side walls. A translucent, wedge-shaped body layer is positioned on the frame. A luminescent species film is positioned at and substantially parallel to a base of the wedge-shaped body layer, such that the luminescent species film is positioned at an angle relative to the photovoltaic end wall. Light incident on the wedge-shaped body layer is concentrated towards the photovoltaic end wall, such as through absorption and re-emission along with scattering by the luminescent species film and internal reflection by the wedge-shaped body layer and the reflective base and side walls of the frame.

Abstract: Fisher discriminant analysis is performed on data sets of typically developing (TD) individuals and data sets of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) individuals to produce a model that classifies TD individuals from ASD individuals. The ASD data sets include pre-treatment folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism (FOCM) and transsulfuration (TS) pathway metabolic profile data and post-treatment folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism (FOCM) and transsulfuration (TS) pathway metabolic profile data for patients receiving one or more ASD treatments. Changes in adaptive behavior are predicted by utilizing regression of changes in adaptive behavior and changes in biochemical measurements observed in the data sets. Thus, the system can be used to predict the effectiveness of a given course of treatment for an ASD patient based on measured metabolite data of that patient, or to predict the overall effectiveness of a clinical trial based on metabolite data for the trial participants.

Abstract: Generally, there is provided a hybrid image reconstruction system. The hybrid image reconstruction system includes a deep learning stage and a compressed sensing stage. The deep learning stage is configured to receive an input data set that includes measured tomographic data and to produce a deep learning stage output. The deep learning stage includes a mapping circuitry, and at least one artificial neural network. The mapping circuitry is configured to map image domain data to a tomographic data domain. The compressed sensing stage is configured to receive the deep learning stage output and to provide refined image data as output.

Abstract: In an embodiment, there is provided a three-dimensional (3-D) optic for beam shaping. The 3-D optic includes a first surface, a second surface and a beam forming feature. The first surface is configured to receive incident light. The second surface is positioned relative to the first surface and is configured to emit a light beam having a shape. The emitted beam shape is related to the beam forming feature. The beam forming feature is formed by a 3-D manufacturing process.