Abstract: An electronic switch apparatus, a capacitive strain gauge apparatus and a nozzle apparatus, as well as methods for making electrodes such as liquid metal pipes are provided. A nozzle apparatus includes (a) a nozzle housing defining a cavity, where the nozzle housing defines an inlet at a first end and defines an outlet at a second end and (b) a first tube defining an inlet at a first end and defining an outlet at a second end, wherein the first tube is at least partially disposed in and is co-axially arranged with the nozzle housing, where the first tube defines a first flow channel, wherein a second flow channel is defined between an exterior surface of the first tube and an interior surface of the nozzle housing.

Abstract: A metal organic framework includes metal-containing secondary building units and perfluorinated linkers (e.g., pefluorinated arene linkers, perfluorinated heteroarene linkers, etc.). The metal may be copper, zinc, hafnium, zirconium, aluminum, gallium, or indium. A method for removing contaminants from wastewater may utilize the metal organic framework. The contaminants may include arenes.

Abstract: A new species of circovirus, porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3), was identified from sows with clinical symptoms normally associated with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection and in aborted fetuses. Molecular and serological analysis suggest PCV3 commonly circulates in U.S. swine. The present disclosure provides immunological compositions and methods related to the production and administration of such compositions.

Abstract: A device and method is described for electronic human prosthetics, and specifically a skull- and/or spine implantable bi-directional neural-communication/brain-machine interface (BBMI) device where the input, output and on-board computing are combined into a single unit to form a compact neuro-prosthetics device. This invention is also directed to a fully implantable wireless spinal electronic recording and stimulation system using the BBMI in a human. The bi-directional devices (BBMIs) communicate with other bi-directional brain-machine interface devices (BBMI) and/or with external controllers wirelessly. The compact implantable stimulator has ultrasonic secondary battery charging system. One or more BBMI can be wirelessly connected so that a closed loop of BBMIs, or a BBMI and an external controller, can wirelessly send trigger pulses to this fully implanted stimulator over the spinal cord.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for modulating the activity of an orthosteric or allosteric drug on a group I metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) by increasing or decreasing the levels of extracellular Ca2+.

Abstract: Methods of pre-densifying a metal wire containing superconductor materials are provided. Superconductor materials containing the pre-densified wires also are provided. The wires may be pre-densified by subjecting a metal wire that includes one or more filament cavities in which a superconductor precursor powder is disposed to a temperature and a first pressure for a time sufficient to densify the superconductor precursor powder to form a pre-densified metal wire, wherein the temperature is less than the melting point of the superconductor precursor powder, and the first pressure is sufficient, at the temperature, to compress at least a portion of the metal wire.

Abstract: A fiber fluidic system may be used to produce particles (e.g., NPs and/or microparticles). The fiber fluidic system may include a cylinder with a plurality of elongated fibers oriented along a length of the cylinder. The cylinder may have a first opening at or near a first end of the cylinder and a second opening downstream of the first opening. A constrained phase fluid may be provided through the first opening and a free phase fluid may be provided through the second opening to produce particles (e.g., NPs and/or microparticles) through a second end of the cylinder. The fiber fluidic system may be used to continuously produce the particles at high throughput.

Abstract: An example non-destructive method for estimating a length of a member, which may be embedded, is described herein. The method can include impacting the member, recording a respective signal at each of a plurality of sensors attached to the member, and transforming the respective signals into a frequency domain. The respective signals can include dispersive waves generated by the impact. The method can also include determining an effective wavenumber of dispersive wave propagation based on the respective frequency-domain signals, determining theoretical wavenumber of dispersive wave propagation using a dispersion relation for the member, and estimating the length of the member based on the relationship between the effective wavenumber of dispersive wave propagation and theoretical wavenumber of dispersive wave propagation.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods that can inhibit the biosynthesis of mycotoxins.

Abstract: A method of forming metallic particles, comprising: providing precursor particles comprising a transition metal alloy; supplying carbon monoxide (CO) under reaction conditions which differentially remove a first alloy metal from the precursor particles at a faster rate than a second alloy metal; and, maintaining the reaction conditions until the precursor particles are converted to the particles. The precursor particles may comprise PtNi4, and the particles may be Pt3Ni, formed as hollow nanoframes on a carbon support.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds that are inhibitors of bacterial RNA polymerase. The invention also provides compositions comprising such compounds, methods of making such compounds, and methods of using said compounds. The invention has applications in control of bacterial gene expression, control of bacterial growth, antibacterial chemistry, and antibacterial therapy.

Abstract: An amorphous thin metal film can include a combination of metals or metalloids including: 5 at % to 74 at % of a metalloid selected from the group of carbon, silicon, and boron; 5 at % to 74 at % of a first metal; 5 at % to 74 at % of a second metal; and 5 at % to 70 at % of a dopant. The first and second metals can be independently selected from the group of titanium, vanadium, chromium, iron, cobalt, nickel, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, osmium, iridium, or platinum, wherein the first metal and the second metal can be different metals. The dopant can be selected from the group of oxygen, nitrogen, or combinations thereof. The metalloid, first metal, second metal, and dopant can account for at least 70 at % of the amorphous thin metal film.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and implementations of an ultra-compact RF (30 GHz-10 THz) imaging sensor topology that provides a new insight into the human skin are disclosed. The skin tissue is the largest organ in the body—both in weight and surface area—and stores valuable information that can revolutionize security biometrics and mobile health monitoring. The proposed compact sensor enables, for the first time, portable and wearable devices to perform superior biometric authentication compared to current fingerprint methods. Additionally, these devices could probe into the skin to monitor vital signs in real-time and enable mobile health monitoring.

Abstract: A replicating in vitro cell culture of human placental mesenchymal stem cells comprising; cells which maintain a potential to differentiate to derivatives of multiple progenitor cell types throughout the culture. The progenitor cell types may include neuronal cells, oligodendrocytes and beta-cells. A method of treating a disease, disorder, or condition in a human comprising administering a pharmacologically effective dose of human placental mesenchymal stem cells to the human. A method for producing human placental mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract: An system for recognition of a translocating polymeric target molecule includes a device having at least one constriction that is sized to permit translocation of only a single copy of the molecule. A pair of spaced apart sensing electrodes border the constriction, which may be a nanopore. The first electrode is connected to a first affinity element and the second electrode is connected to a second affinity element. Each affinity element may be connected to its corresponding electrode via one or more intermediary compounds, such as a linker molecule and/or an electrode attachment molecule. The first and second affinity elements are configured to temporarily form hydrogen bonds with first and second portions of the target molecule as the latter passes through the constriction. During translocation, the electrodes, affinity elements and first and second portions of the target molecule complete an electrical circuit and allow a measurable electrical current to pass between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: Various embodiments for system and methods for cyber-enabled structure elucidation are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing laboratory equipment in a hybrid reality environment or augmented virtual reality environment, are contemplated herein and include: at least one piece of laboratory equipment having at least one feature, wherein the at least one piece of laboratory equipment is tracked; a tracking module for tracking a position and an orientation of the at least one piece of tracked laboratory equipment; a virtual model, stored in a memory, comprising at least one 3-D virtual representation of the at least one feature of the at least one piece of laboratory equipment; and an experimentation module.

Abstract: Nucleic acids for the treatment of diseases are described, as are cells including such nucleic acids and methods of using both nucleic acids and cells. The nucleic acids include a thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) promoter and a gene that encodes a therapeutic protein or an interfering nucleic acid sequence (e.g., interfering RNA (iRNA sequence)).

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneous transmit and receive is provided. The apparatus is capable of rejecting or passing transmitter and receiver signals. The apparatus includes: a transmitter; an antenna (e.g., a shared antenna); a receiver including switches controllable by time varying signals; and a quadrature coupler including first, second, third, and fourth ports, wherein the first port is coupled to the transmitter, wherein the second port is coupled to the antenna, and wherein the third and fourth ports are coupled to the receiver.

Abstract: ‘NCSX2’ is a new cultivar of hybrid Spiraea that is a triploid, with red-purple new foliage color, red-purple flowers, and continuous blooming throughout the growing season from May to October. The new variety is a Spiraea normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.