Abstract: A method and system for generating music uses artificial intelligence to analyze existing musical compositions and then creates a musical composition that deviates from the learned styles. Known musical compositions created by humans are presented in digitized form along with a style designator to a computer for analysis, including recognition of musical elements and association of particular styles. A music generator generates a draft musical composition for similar analysis by the computer. The computer ranks such draft musical composition for correlation with known musical elements and known styles. The music generator modifies the draft musical composition using an iterative process until the resulting musical composition is recognizable as music but is distinctive in style.

Abstract: The invention relates to a battery-based system for powering refrigerated transport and other industrial applications. It includes a battery-based system for supplying power comprising a housing encasing a battery unit, a battery management system connected to the battery unit and operable to manage battery unit, and a power management unit connected to the battery unit and operable to convert battery power from the battery unit to 3 phase power of between 380 and 480 Vac. One exemplary application of the invention is to replace diesel gen-sets in refrigerated transport with more reliable and reduced emission battery power.

Abstract: A resistive random-access memory (RRAM) system includes an RRAM cell. The RRAM cell includes a first select line and a second select line, a word line, a bit line, a first resistive memory device, a first switching device, a second resistive memory device, a second switching device, and a comparator. The first resistive memory device is coupled between a first access node and the bit line. The first switching device is coupled between the first select line and the first access node. The second resistive memory device is coupled between a second access node and the bit line. The second switching device is coupled between the second select line and the second access node. The comparator includes a first input coupled to the bit line, a second input, and an output.

Abstract: Described herein is a process including bringing a solid substrate in contact with a compound of general formula (I), (II), (III), or (IV) in the gaseous state where A is NR2 or OR with R being an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, or a silyl group, E is NR or O, n is 0, 1 or 2, m is 0, 1 or 2, and R? is hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, or a silyl group.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a process for dehydrogenating a first dehydrogenation reactant into its unsaturated counterparts. The disclosed process comprises introducing a dehydrogenation reactant to a metal oxide catalyst having dehydrogenation activity, and dehydrogenating the dehydrogenation reactant to provide its unsaturated counterpart and hydrogen; selectively combusting the hydrogen released during dehydrogenation using a lattice oxygen from the metal oxide catalyst, resulting in a reduced metal oxide catalyst and steam; re-oxidizing the reduced metal oxide catalyst by introducing a gaseous oxidant to the reduced metal oxide catalyst; and optionally re-using the re-oxidized metal oxide catalyst for catalytic conversion and combustion. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a glucose-responsive insulin delivery system based on the interaction between the glucose-modified insulin and glucose transporters (GLUTs) on erythrocytes (or red blood cells, RBCs). After being conjugated with glucose, insulin can efficiently bind to RBC membranes. The binding is reversible in the setting of hyperglycemia, resulting in fast release of insulin and subsequent drop of blood glucose (BG) level in vivo. In some embodiments, the delivery vehicle can include: 1) intravenously injectable polymeric nanoparticles (˜100 nm in diameter) coated with RBC membrane and loaded with glucose-modified insulin and/or 2) painless microneedle (MN) patches loaded with the complex of GLUT and glucose-modified insulin.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and kits including at least one nucleic acid or polypeptide molecule encoding for a mutant ChR2 protein. Methods of the invention include administering a composition comprising a mutant ChR2 to a subject to preserve, improve, or restore phototransduction. Preferably, the compositions and methods of the invention are provided to a subject having impaired vision, thereby restoring vision to normal levels.

Abstract: Provided are organic metal halide crystals having a 1D nanotube structure. The metal halide crystals may have a unit cell that includes two or more face-sharing metal halide dimers. The metal halide crystals also may include organic cations. Methods of forming metal halide crystals having a 1D nanotube structure also are provided.

Abstract: RNAi compositions and methods are provided which inhibit soybean nematode cyst infestation. Also disclosed are plants comprising said RNAi.

Abstract: A smart patch including multi-component strands integrated into clothing or other textiles where the strands of the smart patch include sensory elements that can simultaneously measure tactile forces, moisture/wetness, and other signals, such as biopotentials. A sensing system comprising: a first set of strands including a plurality of first multi-component strands, each of the first multi-component strands including a conductive portion and a non-conductive portion; and a second set of strands including a plurality of second multi-component strands, each of the second multicomponent strands including a conductive portion and a non-conductive portion, and a plurality of third multi-component strands, each of the third multicomponent strands including a conductive portion and a non-conductive portion, the third multi-component strands being different than the first multi-component strands and the second multi-component strands.

Abstract: Provided herein are passive microfluidic pumps. The pumps can comprise a fluid inlet, an absorbent region, a resistive region fluidly connecting the fluid inlet and the absorbent region, and an evaporation barrier enclosing the resistive region, the absorbent region, or a combination thereof. The resistive region can comprise a first porous medium, and a fluidly non-conducting boundary defining a path for fluid flow through the first porous medium from the fluid inlet to the absorbent region. The absorbent region can comprise a fluidly non-conducting boundary defining a volume of a second porous medium sized to absorb a predetermined volume of fluid imbibed from the resistive region. The resistive region and the absorbent region can be configured to establish a capillary-driven fluid front advancing from the fluid inlet through the resistive region to the absorbent region when the fluid inlet is contacted with fluid.

Abstract: The synthesis of layered freestanding papers composed of acid-functionalized, few-layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) flakes for use as a binder-free conducting electrode in NIB applications are described. The mechanical and electrochemical performance of the layered freestanding papers is also described. Synthesis was achieved through vacuum filtration of highly homogenous dispersions comprising varying weight percentages of exfoliated MoS2 flakes in graphene oxide in DI water, followed by thermal reduction. The electrochemical behavior of the composite paper was evaluated as a counter electrode against pure Na foil in a half-cell configuration. In addition, the uniaxial tensile testing of the composite papers demonstrated their exceptionally high fracture strength.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treatment for an intraocular pressure (IOP)-associated condition in a subject, that include administering to the subject an effective amount of a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) therapeutic agent. In one embodiment, the IOP-associated condition is glaucoma. The administration of a tPA therapeutic agent can be an extended administration intended to cause a reduction in IOP in the subject for a period of at least one day to a year or more, relative to IOP levels in the subject prior to administration of the tPA therapeutic agent. The tPA therapeutic agent can be, for example, tPA, a tPA derivative, a small molecule direct or indirect tPA agonist, or a gene therapy vector.

Abstract: A method may include predicting an acceleration event of a vehicle. The method may further include predicting a maximum speed of the predicted acceleration event. The method may also include determining an engine start time based on the predicted maximum speed. The method may still further include starting an engine of the vehicle at the engine start time.

Abstract: The invention provides adeno-associated virus (AAV) replication (Rep) sequences. In one embodiment, the invention provides nucleotide sequences encoding a chimeric protein, wherein the encoded chimeric protein contains a wild type AAV Rep inhibitory amino acid sequence, and wherein the nucleotide sequences contain a scrambled and/or deoptimized polynucleotide sequence encoding the wild type AAV Rep inhibitory amino acid sequence. The invention provides vectors, cells, and viruses containing the invention's sequences. Also provided are methods for detecting portions of the AAV Rep inhibitory amino acid sequence, which reduce replication and/or infection and/or productive infection by viruses. The invention's compositions and methods are useful for site-specific integration and/or expression of heterologous sequences by recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors and by rAAV virus particles, such as hybrid viruses (e.g., Ad-AAV) comprising such vectors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining authenticity of objects using synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS). The fluorescent security feature of a flat object Q is identified under illumination with ultraviolet light. Then the security feature is illuminated by a beam of light at continuously varied excitation wavelength, while the intensity of emitted light (fluorescence) is recorded at the continuously varied, yet different emission wavelength. The difference between the wavelengths of emission and excitation is held constant, and the spectrum SFS(Q) is obtained. The same procedure is conducted with a known authentic (A) object, resulting in its synchronous fluorescence spectrum SFS(A). A comparison of SFS(Q) and SFS(A) is conducted. If SFS(Q) and SFS(A) are the same, the Q object is concluded to be authentic.

Abstract: Methods for immobilizing a protein or functional protein fragment on a surface in a controlled orientation, for immobilizing a protein or functional protein fragment on a surface with efficient immobilization loading of the protein or protein fragment, and for immobilizing a protein or functional protein fragment on a surface with retention of the activity of the protein or protein fragment. In the methods, a tetrazine-modified protein or a tetrazine-modified functional protein fragment is contacted with a trans-cyclooctene-modified surface to provide a surface having the protein or functional protein fragment immobilized thereon. Surfaces having a protein or functional protein fragment immobilized thereon obtainable by the method and methods for using the surfaces for measuring the binding of a ligand to a protein or functional protein fragment.

Abstract: A composition and method for killing feral hogs: a bait that is attractive to hogs is mixed with a lethal amount of sodium nitrite, along with sufficient base to inhibit decomposition of the sodium nitrite. At sufficiently high pH, encapsulation of the sodium nitrite is not required to inhibit decomposition. In the absence of substantial decomposition, the sodium nitrite itself is not aversive to the pigs, and may even enhance acceptance of the baits by the pigs. Optionally, an anti-emetic compound is added to the mixture to reduce the likelihood the bait will be vomited. Optionally, an additional toxicant such as luteolin is added to the mixture.

Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments concern systems and methods of preparing dialysate for use in a home dialysis system that is compact and light-weight relative to existing systems and consumes relatively low amounts of energy. The method includes coupling a household water stream to a dialysis system; filtering the water stream; heating the water stream to at least about 138 degrees Celsius in a non-batch process to produce a heated water stream; maintaining the heated water stream at or above at least about 138 degrees Celsius for at least about two seconds; cooling the heated water stream to produce a cooled water stream; ultrafiltering the cooled water stream; and mixing dialysate components into the cooled water stream in a non-batch process.

Abstract: A new cranberry variety distinguished by midseason ripening and high productivity, especially in peat soils and moderate oceanic climate. Fruit are moderate to large in size, with variable shape, from widely ovate to oblong to pyriform.