Abstract: A self-powered voltage ramp for photovoltaic module testing provides a robust circuit for the measurement of current-voltage curves. A resistor and capacitor form a timer circuit to control a gate of a power transistor and give a linear voltage sweep from a short circuit (e.g., zero volts) to an open circuit voltage VOC. The sweep rate can be varied by adjusting the resistor value. Additional enhancements prevent oscillations within the circuit, maintain a voltage of the power transistor within its design specifications, and allow for the measurement of single cell mini-modules. Additional circuitry can characterize the photovoltaic module based on the measurement data. Measurement accuracy is within 1% of a laboratory supply for measurements of maximum power, short circuit current, and open circuit voltage.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and associated method for a thrust-vector controlled unmanned aerial and ground vehicle are disclosed herein.

Abstract: An injectable formulation for a sustained-release of a local anesthetic is provided. The formulation comprises a pharmaceutically effective amount of a local anesthetic encapsulated into polymeric particles having a diameter from about 1 ?m to about 4 ?m. Such formulation prolongs analgesic effect, decreases toxicity, and allows loading larger doses, and at the same time is injectable directly at a patient's body site of the interest without generating a surgical wound. Methods of use and preparation are also provided.

Abstract: A neuroprotective compositions containing caffeine or a caffeine analogue and a long chain fatty acyl tryptamide with an aliphatic chain having 16 to 22 carbons linked to a tryptamine, wherein the composition contains from at least 1.5 mg to 600 mg of caffeine per serving or unit dosage of the composition; from at least 0.5 mg to 300 mg of the long chain fatty acyl tryptamide per serving or unit dosage of the composition; and the ratio of long chain fatty acyl tryptamide to caffeine is from 1:1200 to 200:1. Methods are also disclosed for treating or preventing cognitive and movement deficits of a disease, condition or disorder or neurological deterioration that use the disclosed neuroprotective compositions.

Abstract: A method for forming a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composite by distributing carbon fibers or nanotubes into a molten polymer phase comprising one or more molten polymers; and applying a succession of shear strain events to the molten polymer phase so that the molten polymer phase breaks the carbon fibers successively with each event, producing reactive edges on the broken carbon fibers that react with and cross-link the one or more polymers. The composite shows improvements in mechanical properties, such as stiffness, strength and impact energy absorption.

Abstract: A vehicle including a power receiving pad for wirelessly receiving power, a plurality of magnetic sensors for measuring a magnetic field of a power transmitting pad and obtaining magnetic field data, one or more processors, and one or more memory modules are provided. The one or more memory modules include a computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to receive the magnetic field data from the plurality of magnetic sensors, and estimate a lateral misalignment of the power receiving pad with respect to a magnetic axis of the power transmitting pad. The magnetic sensors are arranged to detect at least an X-component and a Y-component of a magnetic field produced by a power transmitting pad.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for palpation training. In one implementation, a system for medical procedure simulation includes an examination model, a sensor network, and a computing device. The examination model has a plurality of anatomical structure models, and the sensor network has a plurality of sensors. Each of the sensors is associated with one of the plurality of anatomical structure models and configured to capture examination data. The computing device is in communication with the sensor network and configured to generate feedback for an accuracy of a medical examination using the examination data.

Abstract: Systems and methods to assess the health of various microbiomes and to identity species therein are disclosed. Described assessments and identifications can inform treatment decisions if a microbiome is determined to have a less than optimal balance of bacterial species within it; the presence of one or more negative species; and/or the absence of one or more positive species.

Abstract: Micro-architecture designs and methods are provided. A computer processing architecture may include an instruction cache for storing producer instructions, a half-instruction cache for storing half instructions, and eager shelves for storing a result of a first producer instruction. The computer processing architecture may fetch the first producer instruction and a first half instruction; send the first half instruction to the eager shelves; based on execution of the first producer instruction, send a second half instruction to the eager shelves; assemble the first producer instruction in the eager shelves based on the first half instruction and the second half instruction; and dispatch the first producer instruction for execution.

Abstract: An MRI contrast composition includes a liposome and a europium metal complex disposed within the liposome. The europium metal complex includes a europium metal ion and a multi-dentate ligand selected from the group consisting of cryptands and thiacryptands and one or more counter-ions that balances a charge of the europium metal ion and the multi-dentate ligand, the europium metal ion being switchable between a 2÷ and 3÷ oxidation state. The contrast composition advantageously provides an oxidation-responsive dual-mode contrast agent because it would enhance either T1-weighted images or CEST images depending on the oxidation state of Eu.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an end-to-end visual analytics system and related method thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: Simple ?-hairpin peptides in linear and cyclic form that specifically bind to HIV-1 Trans-Activation Response element (HIV-1 TAR), as well as compositions and use thereof are described.

Abstract: A particle deposition system can have a particle source providing a nanomaterial at a controlled rate and a gas distribution system coupled with the particle source and operable to receive the nanomaterial aerosol. A high pressure chamber can be coupled with the gas distribution system, and a nozzle can be disposed between the high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber. The nozzle can have a nozzle opening allowing fluidic communication of a nanomaterial aerosol between the high pressure chamber and the low pressure chamber and the opening can have a length exceeding a width.

Abstract: There is a continuing need for methods and compositions relating to hormone-receptor-dependent cancers, including pharmaceutical compositions including one or more compounds having activity against steroid hormone-receptor-dependent cancer and methods of treatment of a steroid hormone-receptor-dependent cancer in a subject using said pharmaceutical compositions. ELK1 is a steroid hormone receptor tethering, protein that is implicated in hormone receptor dependent cancers. Compositions and methods according to aspects of the present invention inhibit the association of steroid hormone receptors with ELK1 providing activity against steroid hormone-receptor-dependent cancer.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes soft-robotic wearable devices to treat and/or relieve Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, for example during typing assist applications. Soft actuators within the device adjust the angle of the wearer's wrist angle dynamically to achieve a neutral angle, alleviating the pressure on the median nerve and relieving Carpal Tunnel Syndrome strain.

Abstract: A steep-slope (SS) field effect transistor (FET) including a FET having a source region and a drain region, and a threshold switching device in direct contact with the source region or the drain region of the FET. Fabricating the steep-slope (SS) field effect transistor (FET) includes fabricating an AlGaN/GaN metal-insulator-semiconductor high electron mobility transistor (MIS-HEMT) having a source region and a drain region, depositing a first electrode layer directly on the source region or the drain region, depositing a threshold switching layer directly on the first electrode layer, and depositing a second electrode layer directly on the threshold switching layer.

Abstract: A diesel engine employs a turbulent jet ignition system and method. In another aspect, diesel fuel and air are premixed prior to introduction of the mixture into a main engine combustion chamber. A further aspect employs a turbocharger compressor to boost air pressure into a main piston combustion chamber and/or an ignition pre-chamber for missing with a heavy fuel, such as diesel.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some embodiments, are artificial ribosomes that synthesize nonribosomal peptides, polyketides, and fatty acids with full control over peptide sequence. Also provided herein are methods for programmed synthesis of nonribosomal peptides, polyketides, and fatty acids. In particular, provided herein are methods for scalable synthesis of a wide range of antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer compounds.

Abstract: Certain embodiments involve processes or systems for creating various high-temperature superconductive structures or materials. For example, a method can involve depositing a first layer of boron and a second layer of un-doped amorphous carbon on a substrate. The un-doped amorphous carbon is ferromagnetic. The first layer of boron and the second layer of un-doped amorphous carbon are melted by a laser pulse to form a melted boron-doped amorphous carbon. The melted boron-doped amorphous carbon is quenched to create a quenched boron-doped amorphous carbon that is diamagnetic and superconducting. The quenched melted boron-doped amorphous carbon includes a mixture of sp3 bonded carbon atoms and sp2 bonded carbon atoms and a superconducting transition temperature of the quenched boron-doped amorphous carbon is much higher than diamond and increases based on a boron concentration. Undoped Q-carbon is ferromagnetic with Curie temperature above 500K.

Abstract: A technique is presented for quantizing pixels of an image using Sigma Delta quantization. In one aspect, pixel values for an image are segmented into columns of pixel values; and for each column in the matrix, pixel values of a given column are quantized using sigma delta modulation. The pixel values in a given column are preferably quantized as a whole, thereby minimizing accumulated quantization error from a starting pixel value in the given column to a current pixel value in the given column. In another aspect, the pixels of an image are quantized using a 2D generalization of Sigma Delta modulation.