Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for providing a restartable ignition system for a hybrid rocket system. In one embodiment, an ignition device includes a housing and at least two electrodes. The housing includes a first side and a second side and defines a bore with an axis extending therethrough between the first and second sides, the bore defining an internal surface of the housing. The at least two electrodes extend through the housing to the internal surface. The at least two electrodes are configured to be spaced apart so as to provide an electrical potential field along the internal surface between the at least two electrodes. Such housing is formed with and includes multiple flat layers such that the multiple flat layers provide ridges along the internal surface. With this arrangement, the internal surface with the ridges are configured to concentrate an electrical charge upon being subjected to the electrical potential field.

Abstract: Air filters formed from mats of protein-containing nanowires are provided. The nanowires are formed into a mat with pores that allow air to pass through while physically filtering particulate matter. The protein in the protein-containing nanowires also serves to chemically filter polluted air passed through the filter. Specifically, chemical functional groups from the many amino acids that comprise the protein of the protein-containing nanowire react with certain chemical pollutants (e.g., carbon monoxide and formaldehyde) in order to capture or otherwise neutralize the pollutant. Accordingly, the single nanofiber mat performs two filtering functions. Methods of filtering air using the provided air filters are also disclosed, as well as methods for making the air filters from protein-containing nanofibers.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for automated liquid droplet manipulation include an open droplet supporting surface. An actuator can translate the surface in space with at least one degree freedom of movement to influence movement of one or more droplets on the surface. In one embodiment, the surface is patterned with areas that attract the droplets and interstitial areas that repel the droplets to enhance transport of droplets. For example, for water-based droplets the attracting areas can be hydrophilic and the repelling hydrophobic. In one embodiment, the repelling areas are superhydrophobic. Electromechanical movement of the surface avoids expensive and complex microfluidic fabrication and components, and avoids electrowetting requirements.

Abstract: A new and distinct Corylus plant named ‘PollyO’ is characterized by high nut yield, early nut maturity, small round nuts and kernels, high kernel percentage, good kernel blanching and excellent flavor. The tree is vigorous and has a desirable growth habit. ‘PollyO’ is resistant to bud mite (primarily Phytoptus avellanae Nal.). DNA markers and field exposure indicate that it is highly resistant to eastern filbert blight (EFB) caused by Anisogramma anomala (Peck) E. Müller.

Abstract: An insect control composition and related methods of preparation and use are disclosed. The composition includes a mixture of non-cannabis flour and an amount of cannabis seed flour effective to mitigate a population of insecta treated with the mixture.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes compositions and methods to promote wound healing. The compositions and methods include an interleukin-1 beta (IL-1?) receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), such as anakinra. The IL-1Ra can be administered topically to a chronic wound including a diabetic ulcer.

Abstract: A method of supervised machine learning-based spectrum analysis information, using a neural network trained with spectrum information, to identify a specified feature of a given material, a system for supervised machine learning-based spectrum analysis, and a method of training a neural network to analyze spectrum data. The method of supervised machine learning-base spectrum analysis comprises inputting into the neural network spectrum data obtained from a sample of the given material; and the neural network processing the spectrum data, in accordance with the training of the neural network, and outputting one or more values for the specified feature of the sample of the material. In an embodiment, the training set of data includes x-ray absorption spectroscopy data for the given material. In an embodiment, the training set of data includes electron energy loss spectra (EELS) data.

Abstract: A dental treatment method is provided. In this method, a tooth of a patient is extracted and prepared to provide a root part. A root canal in the extracted tooth is prepared and treated. A post of an abutment is fitted into the root canal to attach the root part to the abutment. The abutment having the root part is attached to a dental implant. With the root part attached to the abutment, periodontal connective tissue maintains the jaw bone associated with the extracted tooth, without significant hard tissue loss.

Abstract: An augmented reality (AR) authentication method and system provides an AR environment that is presented on a display. The AR environment combines real-world object images captured by a camera with computer generated virtual icons. The virtual icons may be “mapped” to the real-world objects, whereupon the real-world objects take on the characteristics of the mapped images. During an authentication process, a user interacts with the AR environment by a variety of techniques to enter their passcode. Such interaction may include physically moving objects in the real-world so that such movement is reflected in the AR environment; controlling the “mapped” real-world objects through user interaction with the AR environment via an input device; and controlling the virtual icons through user interaction with the AR environment via the input device. Accordingly, if the user interacts with the AR environment in a manner that matches their previously “set” passcode the user is authenticated.

Abstract: Precipitation of a carbohydrate, such as trehalose, in a solution is prevented by mixing an effective amount of at least one antifreeze protein with the carbohydrate in the solution, wherein the antifreeze protein is in whole or in part one of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, and SEQ ID NO: 4, and the antifreeze protein mass to the carbohydrate mass is between about 1:8000 and 1:30. The method is especially useful for improving the applications of a carbohydrate, such as trehalose, and the quality of the carbohydrate-containing products in industries by preventing crystallization of the carbohydrate in formulations and products.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for converting natural gas, and specifically methane, into higher-value oxycarbon products, such as methanol, methyl formate, and formic acid. The natural gas is introduced into an aqueous solution with hydroxyl radicals and reacted in ambient conditions to form the desired products in the presence of a metal catalyst. The methods described herein overcome the “over-activation” dilemma of prior art methods that lead to the formation of undesirable carbon oxide compounds. Methods and apparatus for forming hydrogen peroxide via electrolysis and for forming hydroxyl radicals from the hydrogen peroxide via reaction with ferrous ions are also provided.

Abstract: Thermally stable piezoelectric polymer foams (ferroelectrets) with high piezoelectric activity for sensing and actuation. The invention further includes a method of fabricating such foams in an environmentally friendly manner.

Abstract: Uronate-containing polysaccharide hydrogels that can be photo-patterned are described. The method involves forming a hydrogel and imetal-coordinating it with a reducible metallic cation and exposing the hydrogel to light in a desired pattern. The exposure to light reduces the metallic cation and results in an irreversible change in the elastic moduli and pore size of the irradiated portions of the patterned hydrogel. The method aha the benefit of allowing the user to produce such a hydrogel in any pattern desired. Patterned hydrogels and cell substrates formed by this method are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions and methods for producing sorghum crop plants that are resistant to herbicides. In particular, the present invention provides for sorghum plants, plant tissues and plant seeds that contain altered acetolactate synthase (ALS) genes and proteins that are resistant to inhibition by herbicides that normally inhibit the activity of the ALS protein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for causing a zero-current crossing in an electrical circuit. The circuit can be a DC circuit in which case a switch is caused to open at or nearly at the zero crossing. Alternatively, the circuit can be an AC circuit.

Abstract: A video analytics algorithm, system, and method for use in real time allowing accurate, reliable, and timely warnings that facilitate traffic safety and efficiency. The system and method are readily implemented with minimal computational resources, providing broad applicability. In an embodiment, a video analytics method may include (a) obtaining a sequence of real-time images as input from a traffic monitoring system; (b) identifying a plurality of vehicles within a pre-defined region of interest; (c) tracking vehicles within the predefined region of interest; and (d) detecting a conflict event when the vehicles are located within a pre-determined maximum separation threshold based on each vehicles coordinates in a spatial-temporal domain.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of treating morphine tolerance and/or symptoms associated therewith by administration to a subject in need thereof a DN-TNF polypeptide that inhibits the activity of soluble TNF- but not transmembrane TNF-?.

Abstract: A hybrid radiation imaging sensor includes a low x-ray attenuating substrate, a photoconductor disposed over the substrate, and a scintillator disposed over the photoconductor. By combining direct x-ray conversion to electron-hole pairs in the photo-conductor with indirect conversion of x-rays downstream of the photoconductor within the scintillator, improved x-ray imaging can be attained through an electronic readout located upstream of both the photoconductor and the scintillator without the need for excessive x-ray dosing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are peptide inhibitors of AniA. Pharmaceutical compositions are also disclosed that include one or more peptide inhibitors of AniA and/or nucleic acids encoding the same. The pharmacological inhibition of AniA should disable anaerobic respiration and augment the ability of existing antimicrobials to clear the pathogen. Thus, also disclosed are methods of inhibiting and/or treating infection from N. gonorrhoeae.

Abstract: Accurate measurements of the sound pressure level require regular calibration of the microphone. Closed-coupler calibration devices are designed to work with laboratory and working standard microphones, but there are numerous microphones with dimensions that do not fit a standard coupler. For example, micro-electro-mechanical system microphones are very small and widely used due to their size, performance, and cost. Described herein is an acoustical coupler that can accommodate microphones of arbitrary cross-sectional shape. The coupler utilizes a flexible membrane that adapts to the shape of the microphone. In contrast to a rigid enclosure, the permeability of the membrane creates an open system that reduces the sensitivity to fit. The precision and accuracy of the device is demonstrated by calibrating a small, oddly shaped microphone using the substitution method.