Abstract: A trencher includes a trencher body; a cable detection mechanism disposed at a front portion of the trencher body; a chain mechanism and a jet mechanism disposed in the center of a bottom portion of the trencher body; a first track mechanism and a second track mechanism, the first track mechanism being disposed on a first side of the bottom portion of the trencher body, and the second track mechanism being disposed on a second side of the bottom portion of the trencher body; and a soil discharging component disposed at a rear portion of the trencher body.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a suspicious object, including a wireless signal transmitter with first and second transmitter antennas, a first wireless signal receiver on an opposite side of the object from the transmitter having first and second receiver antennas, and a second wireless signal receiver on a same side of the object as the transmitter having a third receiver antenna. The transmitter may emit wireless signals from each of the transmitter antennas. The signals emitted by the first transmitter antenna may be received at the first and second receiver antennas. The signals emitted by both transmitter antennas may be received at the third receiver antenna. The object's material type may be determined based on channel state information of the wireless signals received at first receiver. A size of the object may be determined based on channel state information of the wireless signals received at the second receiver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for improvement in lower urinary tract function in an individual with neurogenic urological dysfunction through epidural stimulation of the spinal cord. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise applying a pattern of epidural electrical stimulation to the spinal cord of an individual with impaired lower urinary tract under stimulation parameters sufficient to improve the storage of fluid in the bladder, sensations of fullness and/or emptying, detrusor over-activity, high detrusor pressure, voiding the bladder, transitioning from a storage state to a voiding state, and decreasing detrusor-external urethral sphincter dyssynergia. In certain embodiments, additional patterns of epidural electrical stimulation may be applied simultaneously, such as to maintain a normotensive cardiovascular state of the individual.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to discovery of novel compounds involved in the treatment and prevention of suicidality by bioinformatics drug repurposing using novel genes expression biomarkers involved in suicidality. Disclosed are methods for assessing severity, determining future risk, matching with a drug treatment, and measuring response to treatment, for suicidality. Also disclosed are new methods of use for drugs and natural compounds repurposed for use in preventing and treating suicidality. These methods include computer-assisted methods analyzing the expression of panels of genes, clinical measures, and drug databases. Detailed herein are methods using a universal approach, in everybody, as well as personalized approaches by gender, and by diagnosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to RNA-based methods for inhibiting the expression of the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD-1) gene. Recombinant adeno-associated viruses of the invention deliver DNAs encoding RNAs that knock down the expression of SOD-1. The methods have application in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated chimeric virus comprising bocavirus capsid protein and a recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV) genome, an isolated rBoV comprising human bocavirus capsid protein and a recombinant BoV genome, and uses therefor. For example, the chimeric virus may be employed to deliver transgenes, such as those encoding therapeutic or prophylactic gene products, to mammalian cells.

Abstract: The following relates generally to ion sensing using organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs). In one aspect, a device comprises: an amplification portion including an OECT; a feedback portion that receives a differential voltage from the amplification portion and outputs a feedback signal; and a readout portion which receives the feedback signal and outputs an output voltage.

Abstract: Methods and systems suitable for tracking Brownian motion of particles suspended in a fluid and determining the diffusion coefficient of the particles therefrom in order to characterize the particles, their synthesis, and/or their surface modifications. The methods include providing a sample having particles suspended in a fluid, obtaining and recording at least first and second images of the sample wherein the first image obtained at a first time and the second image subsequently obtained at a second time, determining the average displacement of the particles in an area of the first and second images during a time period between the first time and the second time based on the first and second images, and then determining a diffusion coefficient of the particles in the area of the first and second images based on the average displacement of the particles during the time period.

Abstract: A system and method to analyze building performance without requiring an on-site energy audit or customer input is described. The analysis combines total customer energy load from a power utility with externally-supplied meteorological data to analyze each customer's building performance. Building thermal performance is characterized to produce a rich dataset that the power utility can use in planning and operation, including assessing on-going and forecasted power consumption, and for other purposes, such as providing customers with customized information to inform their energy investment decisions and identifying homes for targeted efficiency funding.

Abstract: Compositions and methods, including vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions for inducing or enhancing an immune response are disclosed based on the discovery of useful immunological adjuvant properties in a synthetic, glycopyranosyl lipid adjuvant (GLA) that is provided in substantially homogeneous form. Chemically defined, synthetic GLA offers a consistent vaccine component from lot to lot without the fluctuations in contaminants or activity that compromise natural-product adjuvants. Also provided are vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions that include GLA and one or more of an antigen, a Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonist, a co-adjuvant and a carrier such as a pharmaceutical carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of isobutylene preparation. Disclosed are a catalyst and preparation method thereof, and method for preparing isobutylene by applying the same; the catalyst has a core-shell structure, the core an amorphous silica-alumina particle and/or an aggregate molding thereof, and the shell aluminum oxide comprising silicon and tin; the weight ratio of aluminum oxide comprising silicon and tin to amorphous silica-alumina is 1:60-1:3; in the aluminum oxide comprising silicon and tin, on basis of the weight of aluminum oxide comprising silicon and tin, the content of silicon is 0.5-2 wt %, and of tin is 0.2-1 wt %. The catalyst of the present invention is used to catalyze a mixture of MTBE and TBA to prepare isobutylene, enabling the MTBE cleavage and TBA dehydration reactions to be conducted simultaneously to generate isobutylene, achieving higher conversion rates of TBA and MTBE, and higher selectivity for generating isobutylene.

Abstract: A method for MRI imaging of a subject includes spatially encoding spins in a slice of the subject in orthogonal first and second directions. The encoding includes applying a chirped radiofrequency (RF) pulse concurrently with application of a magnetic field gradient pulse along the first direction. After applying of the RF pulse, a second chirped RF pulse is applied concurrently with application of a second magnetic field gradient pulse, with polarity opposite that of the first gradient pulse. An encoding magnetic field gradient, constant from applying the first RF pulse until the end of applying the second RF pulse, is concurrently applied along the second direction. Following the encoding, a spin signal is measured concurrently with application of a constant readout magnetic field gradient.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer system is disclosed. The system includes a first resonator having a first resonant frequency ?o1, a half power bandwidth ??1, and an unloaded quality factor Qo1=?o1/??1 coupled through a first coupling circuit to a power source, a second resonator having a second resonant frequency ?o2, a half power bandwidth ??2, and an unloaded quality factor Qo2=?o2/??2 coupled through a second coupling circuit to a load, the first resonator disposed a distance away from the second resonator, wherein the distance is smaller than the first and second resonant wavelengths, the first and second coupling circuits are configured so that up to a maximum achievable power transfer efficiency between the first and second resonators can be achieved, wherein Qo1 and Qo2 can be less than 100.

Abstract: A dual chamber bioreactor for producing complex, multilayer tissue, organs, organ parts, and skin replacements has been developed. The bioreactor is modular and incorporates a removable tissue culture cassette. By rotating the dual chamber bioreactor along the horizontal axis, different populations of cells with different growth requirements can be cultured on the different surfaces of the tissue culture cassette that are exposed to different media reservoirs. Culturing different populations of cells on different surfaces of the tissue culture cassette enables the production of multilayer tissue and organs. The tissue culture cassette can contain one or more discrete tissue culture sections.

Abstract: A multivalued microprocessor including a multivalued processing module having a plurality of multivalued processing units constructed with multivalued logic gates. The microprocessor also includes a multivalued register file having a plurality of registers, wherein the registers are constructed with multivalued memory cells. The multivalued microprocessors utilizes two memory modules constructed with multivalued memory cells: one for storing solely instructions and one for storing solely data. A plurality of multivalued buses transmit multivalued data between the processing module, the register file, and the memory modules. A methodology for designing multivalued circuits that are constructed with multivalued logic gates and memory cells. The designs of multivalued memory cells, multivalued tristate buffers, and multivalued decoders using multivalued logic gates.

Abstract: This document provides bioartificial liver (BAL) devices. Methods for making and using BAL devices also are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an operation of devices for an occupant. A processor to iteratively train a personalized thermal comfort model (PTCM) during an initialization period. Receive a sequence of unlabeled real-time data. A transmitter requests the occupant to label an instance of unlabeled data, when there is a disagreement between the labels of stored historical labeled data (LD) similar to received unlabeled data and a predicted label on the new unlabeled data that exceeds a threshold. The processor, in response to receiving the labeled data, trains the PTCM using different weights of the personalized LD than to the historical LD. Retrains PTCM using the historical database and the updated personalized database. A controller controls the set of devices based on the retrained PTCM.

Abstract: A novel, advanced polymeric swab is disclosed herein. The swabs have a surface texture that allows for independent motion between microscale regions, are reusable with no loss of accuracy or efficiency, and are fabricated from optoelectronically-active elements to minimize static charging during repeated use.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and method of depositing ceramic or ceramic composite coatings on the inside surface area of a tubular shape. The system and method described herein can provide an interior coating for tubes and pipes to provide wear resistance, abrasion resistance, and anti-scaling effects.

Abstract: The invention is a capacitive, aka electrostatic, deionization apparatus and method that solves the problem of short lifetime of conventional capacitive deionization (CDI) and of membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) devices and methods by shifting the Potential of Zero Charge of electrode surfaces through surface modifications. Such electrode surface modifications provide very long lifetime capacitive deionization devices and methods.