Abstract: Systems and methods to perform privacy-aware computer-vision-based human activity monitoring with automatic registration are disclosed. To register for tracking, consenting human subjects wear beacons that emit a beacon signal. During a predefined timing window, beacon signals are detected and compared to a predefined signal-strength threshold and compared to the signal strength of other different beacon signals detected during the same timing window. At the end of the timing window, the strongest beacon signal above the threshold is selected for registration. The tracked human activities are assessed in real-time and upon detection of activities that violated predefined rules, feedback is delivered in real-time to the tracked human subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound having the structure: wherein R1 is H or a protecting group; R2 and R3 are each independently H, halo, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 alkyl-C(O)NHR6, C1-C6 alkyl-C(O)OR6, wherein R6 is H, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl or C2-C6 alkynyl, or R2 and R3 combine to form a 3-7 membered cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl ring; and R4 and R5 are each independently halo.

Abstract: Handheld, broadband terahertz (THz) scanners, housings therefor and imaging systems are provided. The scanner may comprise a 2-Dimensional (2D) gimbaled mirror for beam steering. The 2D gimbaled mirror may comprise a single minor mounted in a frame, a first motor and a second motor. The first motor and the second motor may be coupled to the frame. The minor may be rotatable in a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation to scan light on a target in two dimensions. The first motor corresponds to the first axis and the second motor corresponding to the second axis. The 2D gimbaled mirror may be positioned within the housing such that the single mirror is positioned at a focus of a focusing lens. The focusing lens may be fixed within a housing. The scanner may also comprise a terahertz emitter and detector.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a variable geometry quadrotor with a compliant frame are disclosed, which adapts to tight spaces and obstacles by way of passive rotation of its arms.

Abstract: The nucleotides can then be polymerized into oligomers. The design of the oligomers will depend on the design of the overall architecture. Simple architectures may be designed by any methods. However, more complex architectures may be design using software, such as caDNAno (as described at cadnano.org/docs.html, and herein incorporated by reference), to minimize errors and time. The user may input the desired shape of the architecture into the software and once finalized, the software will provide the oligomer sequences of the bricks to create the desired architecture. The length of the oligomers may be from about 10 to about 10,000, or less than about 9,000, less than about 8,000, less than about 5,000 nucleotides in length. The length of the oligomer will be optimized for the type of architecture used.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a system and a method for removing dissolved solids from liquids. Specific implementations concern desalinating water. The system may comprise a blower, such as a thermal fan/compressor, configured to atomize a solid-bearing liquid to produce a hot, humid gas containing dissolved solids; a gas-solid separator configured to receive hot, humid gas containing entrained dissolved solids from the blower to separate the solids from the humid gas and to transmit the humid gas with solids removed through an exit port; a heater configured to heat the hot, humid gas received from the exit port of the gas-solid separator; and a condenser configured to receive heated humid gas from the heater and to condense solids-free liquid therefrom. The thermal fan/compressor may comprise a plurality of nozzles with outlets positioned adjacent atomization apertures across which a solid-bearing liquid flows and through which gas exiting the nozzles passes.

Abstract: A system for determining a characteristic of a laser includes a collection housing receiving a laser beam comprising a first pulse, a second pulse and a time period between the first pulse and the second pulse. A photon counting detector receives photons from the laser beam disposed to generate photon signals from the laser beam and generating a start signal. A fast diode generates a stop signal to provide a time reference of counted photons ns. A controller is coupled to the photon counting detector and the fast diode. The controller counts photons from the photon counting detector occurring during the time period between the first and second pulse and generates a first output signal corresponding to a power during the time period between the first pulse and the second pulse.

Abstract: A multiband sensing system includes an active multiband sensing unit configured to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal in multiple bands and communicate with a network. The active multiband sensing unit includes at least one transmitting antenna configured to transmit the RF signal. The multiband sensing system includes a passive multiband sensing unit including at least one receiving antenna configured to receive the RF signal, an acoustic actuator powered by the received RF signal including an actuating sensor element configured to actuate in response to receiving extracted modulated information of the RF signal, and an acoustic detector. The acoustic detector includes a detector transmitting antenna configured to backscatter a new frequency band signal to the active multiband sensing unit and a detector sensor element configured to sense data. The sensed data is modulated over the received RF signal to produce the new frequency band signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for coordinating volt-var control between sub-transmission and distribution systems. Distributed energy resources of a distribution system are aggregated into virtual power plants from which reactive power can optimally be dispatched to the sub-transmission system. A sub-transmission controller executes a volt-var AC optimal power flow optimisation function to minimize voltage fluctuations that might otherwise occur when coordinating with a distribution system having distributed energy resources. The distribution system can use a sensitivity matrix for regulating voltage at distribution feeders while fulfilling a transmission or sub-transmission system's demand requests.

Abstract: Provided herein are rapid, large-scale screening methods for identifying metal-biocide combinations that are synergistically effective to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Also provided herein are novel, synergistically antimicrobial metal-biocide combinations and uses of such compositions to curb or slow microbial growth.

Abstract: A distributed sensing and control network includes a plurality of sensing/control nodes, each of the sensing/control nodes includes a sensor, a local controller, a local memory and a wireless transmitter/receiver. The local memory stores instructions for implementing a multiscale networking protocol for wireless transmissions. The multiscale networking protocol controls at least a first factor at a first timescale and at least a second factor at a second timescale, distinct from the first timescale. The at least a first factor includes an instantiated physical-ratio-K (PRK) interference model for wireless transmissions. The at least a second factor includes at least one of a channel assignment, a node transmission signal power control, a node transmission rate control, a real-time scheduling control, and a local signal map stored in the local memory.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to GaAs1?xSbx nanowires (NW) grown on a graphitic substrate, to methods of growing such nanowires, and to use of such nanowires in applications such as flexible near infrared photodetector.

Abstract: High-strength concrete-like FG blends and methods for producing them are described. The blend includes FG, hydraulic cement, additional alkali material, and pozzolanic material. The blend further includes an admixture used in the formulation of concrete. The blend further includes an aggregate. The aggregate is a coarse aggregate or a fine aggregate.

Abstract: Microwave annealing (MWA) is used in-situ within an atomic layer deposition (ALD) chamber so that deposited material can be directly exposed to microwave heating without removing the material from the ALD chamber. A microwave source is integrated in-situ within an ALD chamber to provide direct microwave interaction with defects and impurities in layer(s) deposited on a substrate. As such, the need to remove the substrate and film between cycles for annealing is eliminated. In-situ MWAs allow for improved ALD film properties at lower temperature, without negatively impacting throughput.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods related to modulating the gastrointestinal tract. In particular, the present disclosure provides a novel therapeutic strategy for selective modulation of the gut microbiota bile acid pool using bile acid hydrolases (BSHs) for the prevention and treatment of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), liver and colon cancer, and Clostridioides difficile infections, among others.

Abstract: One aspect of the present technology relates to a device. The device includes a sensor having an anode and a cathode. An operational amplifier (op-amp) having a single-ended output terminal, a non-inverting input, and an inverting input, is operatively coupled to one of the anode or the cathode of the sensor by the inverting input. A feedback resistor having a resistance of at least approximately one giga-ohm (1 G?) is operatively coupled between the single-ended output terminal and the inverting input of the op-amp. A grounded field shunt is positioned adjacent to the feedback resistor. The op-amp, grounded field shunt, and feedback resistor are disposed within an electrical shield enclosure. The single-ended output terminal of the op-amp terminates outside of the electrical shield enclosure.

Abstract: A system for characterization of a brain tissue sample includes a laser having an excitation fiber and a probe coupled to the excitation fiber for irradiating the brain tissue sample with light at an excitation wavelength. The probe further includes a plurality of return fibers for receiving light scattered from the brain tissue sample, wherein each return fiber includes a microfilter that permits light to pass for a different, spaced apart marker region. A Raman spectrometer is in communication with the plurality of return fibers, and a processor is in communication with the Raman spectrometer for analyzing Raman spectra within the marker regions to identify a tissue type of the brain tissue sample as one of normal white matter brain tissue, normal grey matter brain tissue, brain tumor tissue, infiltrating tumor tissue, and necrotic tissue.

Abstract: Compositions and heterodissemination methods for controlling unwanted target insect populations are disclosed. In preferred embodiments, the target insects are mosquitos or house flies and the heterospecific insects are non-biting midges and soldier flies respectively.

Abstract: The present disclosure is in the field of processes for the generation of thin inorganic films on substrates, in particular atomic layer deposition processes. Described herein is a process for preparing metal-containing films including: (a) depositing a metal-containing compound from the gaseous state onto a solid substrate, and (b) bringing the solid substrate with the deposited metal-containing compound in contact with a compound of general formula (I) wherein Z is a C2-C4 alkylene group, and R is hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, or a silyl group.

Abstract: An automated, fieldable ion-selective sensor system for frequent detection of nutrients in soils or water is set forth. In one aspect, an integrated small form-factor housing includes a battery, processor, a fluid manipulation unit and reservoirs, and a chemical species detection cell. A flow-through sampling head can be connected to the detection cell and a waste reservoir by flexible tubing sealingly connected at opposite ends of the tube. In one aspect, improved performance of the ion-selective sensor includes adding an ion-to-electron transfer interlayer between an ion-selective membrane and its working electrode. In one aspect, the sensor is solid-state and uses printed polymeric composite of POT-MoS2. The use of a porous tube for a sampling head and fluid connection at opposite ends allows not only fluid to be removed from the head to the detection cell for measurement but also flow in an opposite direction and out to a waste reservoir to clean and reset for a next sample measurement.