Abstract: Various examples are provided for adapters for virtual reality (VR) hand controllers. The adapters can be coupled to hold the VR controllers in temporal axial alignment. In one example, an adapter includes a first end, a second end and one or more cross members connecting the first and second ends. The first end can include a controller recess configured to secure a VR hand controller in a fixed alignment with a longitudinal axis of the adapter. The first and second ends can include first and second alignment recesses configured to receive a coupling assembly that can be used to couple adapters together in a fixed alignment. For example, the coupling assembly can magnetically couple adapters together. In another example, a system including two adapters can be coupled together to hold VR hand controllers in a fixed orientation with each other, e.g., in temporal axial alignment.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of treating a pathogen-induced lung inflammation in a subject are provided in which an anti-S100A9 antibody is administered to a subject. Methods of treating a respiratory virus infection by administering an anti-S100A9 antibody are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing prescribed unit size poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA) polymers and copolymers are provided. The methods and systems can employ recombinant bacteria that are not native producers of PHA or lack enzymes to degrade PHA once synthesized, metabolize short to long chain fatty acids without induction, and express an (R)-specific enoyl-CoA hydratase and a PHA synthase, the (R)-specific enoyl-CoA hydratase and PHA synthase having wide substrate specificities. The recombinant bacteria are fed at least one fatty acid substrate that is equal in carbon length to the prescribed or desired unit size of the PHA polymer to be produced. The prescribed unit size PHA that is produced is then isolated and/or purified.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting deceptive intent of a subject include observing eye movements of the subject and correlating the observed movements to known baseline neurophysiological indicators of deception. A detection system may record eye movement data from the subject, compare the eye movement data to a data model comprising threshold eye movement data samples, and from the comparison make a determination whether or not the subject is lying. The detection system may create an alert if deception is detected. The eye movements detected include saccadic and intersaccadic parameters such as intersaccadic drift velocity. Measurements may be collected in situ with a field testing device, such as a non-invasive, non-contact device attached to the subject's computing device and configured to non-obtrusively record the eye movement data.

Abstract: Plants described herein have increased biomass and are more readily digested into fermentable sugars when the plants express increased levels of one or more types of CGR2 and/or CGR3 enzymes.

Abstract: Described herein are oral care compositions comprising amphiphilic macromolecules, along with methods of making and using same.

Abstract: A hyper-precise positioning and communications (HPPC) system and network are provided. The HPPC system is a next-generation positioning technology that promises a low-cost, high-performance solution to the need for more sophisticated positioning technologies in increasingly cluttered environments. The HPPC system is a joint positioning-communications radio technology that simultaneously performs relative positioning and secure communications. Both of these tasks are performed with a single, co-use waveform, which efficiently utilizes limited resources and supports higher user densities. Aspects of this disclosure include an HPPC system for a network which includes an arbitrary number of network nodes (e.g., radio frequency (RF) devices communicating over a joint positions-communications waveform). As such, networking protocols and design of data link and physical layers are described herein.

Abstract: The poor water solubility of high molecular weight chitosan has limited its use in areas such as food and beverage products, post-harvest treatments, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, medical treatments, and environmental pollution treatments. Disclosed is a high-molecular-weight, solid-state chitosan powder that is completely water-soluble.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system that may be configured to operate a power grid, including generation participants, consumers, and a controller that administers a market for the power generation participants and the consumers on the power grid. The operation of the power grid may include: performing power grid coordination calculations based upon, at least in part, constraints that pertain to the flow and/or congestion of power on the grid; and managing the coordination calculations by reducing a number of constraints used in the coordination calculations, the managing including a first step of coarse screening of the constraints, a second step of deterministic fine screening of the constraints, and a third step of statistical fine screening of the constraints. This second step may cause identification of constraints that are redundant and/or dominated by other constraints.

Abstract: An apparatus includes power blocks. Each power block includes converter modules. Each converter module includes a positive and a negative bidirectional converter and a battery module. The bidirectional converters are connected to the battery module and outputs are connected in parallel. Paralleled positive bidirectional converters are connected in series between a positive connection and a neutral connection and the paralleled negative bidirectional converters of each power block are connected in series between the neutral connection and a negative connection. A DC-link controller controls a positive output voltage between the positive and neutral connections to follow a positive voltage reference and controls a negative output voltage between the neutral and negative connections to follow a negative voltage reference.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking and analysis physical activity is disclosed. In some aspects, a provided method includes receiving a time sequence of images captured while with an individual is performing the physical activity, and generating, using the time sequence of images, at least one map indicating a movement of the individual. The method also includes identifying at least one body portion using the at least one map, and computing at least one index associated with the identified body portions to characterize the physical activity of the individual. The method further includes generating a report using the at least one index.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed that reduces traffic network delays by identifying optimal sensor locations for one or more time periods and by controlling traffic signals through optimized sensor deployment.

Abstract: A composition comprising a polypeptide ligated to an oligonucleotide through a sterol linker. A method of ligating a polypeptide to an oligonucleotide, comprising a polypeptide having a hedgehog steroyl transferse catalytic domain at the C-terminal of the polypeptide with an electrophilic residue, e.g., glycine, between polypeptide and the hedgehog steroyl transferse catalytic domain, and a steroylated oligonucleotide in solution, and permitting a reaction to cleave the hedgehog steroyl transferse catalytic domain from the polypeptide while ligating the steroylated oligonucleotide to the glycine at the C-terminal of the polypeptide. The oligonucleotide may be, for example, a therapeutic, diagnostic, or affinity ligand.

Abstract: A chemical reaction is catalyzed in an organic solvent using a water soluble N-heterocyclic carbene homogeneous catalyst to form a reaction mixture. An aqueous phase in the reaction mixture. A solvent in which the catalyst is insoluble is added to the reaction mixture, causing the catalyst to migrate to the aqueous phase to form a catalyst-laden aqueous phase. The catalyst is extracted from the catalyst-laden aqueous phase.

Abstract: An algal growth system includes a first flexible sheet material mounted on a first frame in a first mounted geometry having a first height and a first width, the first height being greater than the first width, and a second flexible sheet material mounted on a second frame in a second mounted geometry having a second height and a second width, the second height being greater than the second width. The first flexible sheet and the second flexible sheet material are noncontiguous. The algal growth system also includes a motor, the motor being coupled with an actuator system, where the motor actuates the actuator system, and a reservoir.

Abstract: A device and methodology for concomitant ejection and suction of a perfusate (CESOP) within a region of interest without spillover of the perfusate to a juxtaposed anatomical region. An inflow line, connected to a perfusate cistern, is coupled to an outflow line, connected to outflow control mechanisms, via an elongate rigid support. Perfusate can flow through the inflow line to the region of interest, and nearly simultaneously, the outflow line can suction the perfusate out of the region of interest. The amount of time that the perfusate remains in the region of interest is sufficient to take effect in the region of interest. The rigid support helps control the inflow and outflow lines. A micromanipulator can also be used to control the lines and application tip thereof. Either or both lines may also have adjustable flow rates therethrough and may include stoppers/regulators.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein relates to methods and systems for fast imprinting of nanometer scale features in a workpiece. According to one aspect, a system for producing nanometer scale features in a workpiece is disclosed. The system includes a die having a surface with at least one nanometer scale feature located thereon. A first actuator moves the die with respect to the workpiece such that the at least one nanometer scale feature impacts the workpiece and imprints a corresponding at least one nanometer scale feature in the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of assessing the possibility of an iris print-attack includes measurement of the eye movement of a person. One or more values (e.g., a feature vector) are determined based on the measured eye movements. Based on the determined values, an assessment is made of whether or not the person is engaging in an iris print-attack.

Abstract: Methods of treating patients with dyskinesias, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a dual-action ?-opioid receptor antagonist/?-opioid receptor agonists or prodrug thereof to a subject in need thereof, sufficient to mitigate the dyskinesia. Alternatively, a combination of both a ?-opioid receptor antagonist or prodrug thereof, and a ?-opioid receptor agonist or prodrug thereof can be administered, either together or separately.

Abstract: A composition comprising thermoset polymer, shape memory polymer to facilitate macro scale damage closure, and a means for molecular scale healing is disclosed; the composition has the ability to resolve structural defects by a bio-mimetic close-then heal process. In use, the shape memory polymer serves to bring surfaces of a structural defect into approximation, whereafter use of the means for molecular scale healing allowed for movement of the healing means into the defect and thus obtain molecular scale healing. The means for molecular scale healing can be a thermoplastic such as fibers, particles or spheres which are used by heating to a level at or above the thermoplastic's melting point, then cooling of the composition below the melting temperature of the thermoplastic. Compositions of the invention have the ability to not only close macroscopic defects, but also to do so repeatedly even if another wound/damage occurs in a previously healed/repaired area.