Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Cercis plant, referred to by its cultivar name ‘NC2017-6’, is disclosed. The new cultivar originated in a controlled breeding program. Plants of the new variety produce small and purple-colored foliage. The new variety is moderately vigorous. Plants of the new variety exhibit a highly branched, and compact growth habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Cercis plant, referred to by its cultivar name ‘NC2017-8’, is disclosed. The new cultivar originated in a controlled breeding program. Plants of the new variety provide purple-colored flowers and exhibit small and purple colored foliage. The new variety displays a moderately slow growing, profuse branching, weeping and compact growth habit.

Abstract: A system employs Graph Prototypical Networks (GPN) for few-shot node classification on attributed networks, and a meta-learning framework trains the system by constructing a pool of semi-supervised node classification tasks to mimic the real test environment. The system is able to perform meta-learning on an attributed network and derive a highly generalizable model for handling the target classification task. The meta-learning framework addresses extraction of meta-knowledge from an attributed network for few-shot node classification, and identification of the informativeness of each labeled instance for building a robust and effective model.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a method for making substituted compounds with specific and selectable regiochemistry. Also disclosed are compounds made by the method.

Abstract: A device for passive collection of atmospheric carbon dioxide is disclosed, including a vessel having an opening and a sorbent regeneration system. The device also includes a helical sorbent structure rotatably coupled to the vessel. The sorbent structure has a helical framework coupled to a sorbent material. The sorbent structure is movable between collection and release configurations. The collection configuration includes the sorbent structure extending upward from the vessel to expose the sorbent structure to an airflow and allow the sorbent material to capture atmospheric CO2. The sorbent structure is free to rotate on an axis. The sorbent material is constrained to a helix rotating about and propagating along the axis. The release configuration includes a lid covering the opening, and the sorbent material being sufficiently enclosed inside the vessel that the regeneration system may operate to release captured CO2 from the sorbent material and form an enriched gas.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a masked fluorogenic compound comprising a small molecule protecting group that can be cleaved following a reaction with a biomarker. In some embodiments, cleavage of the small molecule protecting group provides a fluorogenic ligand that binds to an aptamer, leading to fluorescence emission. In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method of detecting a disease or a disorder in a subject and/or in a biological sample from the subject.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Cercis plant, referred to by its cultivar name ‘NC2014-10’, is disclosed. The new variety is characterized by its profusion of bright, purple-colored flowers. Plants of the new variety exhibit golden colored, semi-glossy foliage that transitions to green as it ages, and provide moderately vigorous, semi-upright, and semi-compact growth habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Cercis plant, referred to by its cultivar name ‘NC2017-9’, is disclosed. The new variety is characterized by its purple-colored flowers, small and green colored foliage which exhibits an attractive burgundy tint on newly emerging leaves, and moderately slow growing, profuse branching, weeping, and compact growth habit.

Abstract: A method for inspection for a photovoltaic module or cell is disclosed. The method includes acquiring one or more polarimetric images of the photovoltaic module or cell using a camera which may include a polarization sensor, analyzing the one or more polarimetric images, and identifying a presence of a defect in the photovoltaic module or cell. A device for inspection for a photovoltaic module or cell is also disclosed, wherein the device includes a camera having a polarimetric sensor and is configured to be positioned at one or more locations relative to a location of the photovoltaic module or cell.

Abstract: A cluster of nodes, comprising: a plurality of nodes, each having a security policy, and being associated task processing resources; a registration agent configured to register a node and issue a node certificate to the respective node; a communication network configured to communicate certificates to authorize access to computing resources, in accordance with the respective security policy; and a processor configured to automatically dynamically partition the plurality of nodes into subnets, based on at least a distance function of at least one node characteristic, each subnet designating a communication node for communicating control information and task data with other communication nodes, and to communicate control information between each node within the subnet and the communication node of the other subnets.

Abstract: Compositions for attracting and/or trapping male agricultural pests, particularly Spodoptera species (e.g., fall armyworm) are described. The compositions comprise two active components, one comprising a C7-C11 aldehyde and one comprising a C12-C16 aldehyde, acetate ester or primary alcohol. Also described are devices for attracting and/or trapping the agricultural pests and methods of controlling the population of the agricultural pests.

Abstract: Vision-aided wireless communications systems are provided. Embodiments disclosed herein leverage visual data sensors (such as red-blue-green (RGB)/depth cameras) to adapt communications (e.g., predict beamforming directions) in large-scale antenna arrays, such as used in millimeter wave (mmWave) and massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. These systems face two important challenges: (i) a large training overhead associated with selecting an optimal beam and (ii) a reliability challenge due to high sensitivity of mmWave and similar signals to link blockages. Interestingly, most devices that employ mmWave antenna arrays, such as 5G phones, self-driving vehicles, and virtual/augmented reality headsets, will likely also use cameras. Therefore, an efficient olution is presented which uses cameras at base stations and/or handsets to help overcome the beam selection and blockage prediction challenges.

Abstract: Biodegradable polymers with advantageous physical and chemical properties are described, as well as methods for making such polymers. In one embodiment, a new chemical synthesis route to technologically important biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB) with high isotacticity and molecular weight required for a practical use is described. The new route can utilize racemic eight-membered cyclic diolide (rac-DL), meso-DL, or a rac-DL and meso-DL mixture, derived from bio-sourced dimethyl succinate, and enantiomeric (R,R)-DL and (S,S)-DL, optically resolved by metal-based catalysts. With a stereoselective racemic molecular catalyst, the ROP of rac-DL under ambient conditions produces rapidly P3HB with essentially perfect isotacticity ([mm]>99%), high crystallinity and melting temperature (Tm=171° C.), as well as high molecular weight and low dispersity (Mn=1.54×105 g/mol, Ð=1.01).

Abstract: Disclosed are isolated single heavy chain variable (VHH) monoclonal antibodies, antigen binding fragments thereof, and bispecific antibodies include these VHH monoclonal antibodies, wherein the VHH monoclonal antibody or antigen binding fragment specifically binds a canine programmed death (PD)-1. Nucleic acid molecules encoding these VHH monoclonal antibodies and antigen binding fragments are also disclosed, as are expression vectors including these nucleic acid molecules and host cells including these expression vectors. Methods of detecting canine PD-1, and methods of increasing cytotoxic T cell activity and treating tumors are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a formulation comprising: 2-undecanone in an amount of about 5% to about 50%; at least one hydrophobic base in an amount of about 5% to about 65%; at least one alcohol in an amount of about 5% to about 50%; and at least one emulsifier in an amount of about 5% to about 15% and methods of repelling insects and ticks by applying to a subject or a substrate a formulation of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising chimeric polypeptides that bind to free ubiquitin proteins or free ubiquitin-like proteins with high affinity, as well as chimeric polypeptides that bind to both free and conjugated ubiquitin proteins or free and conjugated ubiquitin-like proteins, and methods of using the chimeric polypeptides to determine the amount of free or total ubiquitin or free or total ubiquitin-like proteins in various types of samples.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to Betulastatin compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising such compounds, and methods for using such compounds or pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, provided are compositions and methods for making a chimeric polypeptide comprising an S-layer polypeptide and a heterologous polypeptide or peptide. In alternative embodiments, the compositions and methods comprise recombinantly engineering a methylotrophic or methanotrophic bacteria to recombinantly express a chimeric polypeptide comprising an S-layer polypeptide and a heterologous polypeptide or peptide. Also provided are compositions and methods for displaying or immobilizing proteins on a methanotrophic S-layer. In alternative embodiments, provided are compositions and methods comprising recombinant methylotrophic or methanotrophic bacteria comprising assembled or self-assembled recombinant or isolated chimeric S-layer polypeptides. In alternative embodiments, provided are compositions and methods using recombinant methylotrophic or methanotrophic bacteria, optionally a Methylomicrobium alcaliphilum, optionally a M. alcaliphilum sp.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a series of target-selective chemotherapeutic ester prodrugs comprising PSA-cleavable peptides that promote the delivery of free doxorubicin and other chemotherapeutic agents into the prostate and/or prostate tumors with greater efficiency.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) includes a computed tomography scanner (“CT”) configured to generate tomographic images of a subject, or patient, the scanner including an imaging apparatus, a gantry with an opening for positioning the patient therein, an axis of rotation around which the gantry rotates, and an x-ray source mounted to and rotatable with the gantry. The system includes a bed for patient positioning within the gantry opening and a multi-slit collimator removably mounted downstream of the x-ray source for delivering an array of microbeams of MRT to a targeted portion of the patient. Switching between MRT and CT is provided, and MRT modes of operation include a stationary mode, and continuous and step-wise rotational modes.