Abstract: A radiation detector is provided. In a further aspect, a detector employs a Parallel Plate Avalanche Counter (“OPPAC”) which includes an anode film, a parallel cathode film and multiple optical photo-detectors, such as photo-sensors and/or photo-multipliers. A method of using a radiation detector is also provided.

Abstract: Described herein are liquid crystalline elastomer compositions comprising aromatic epoxy units crosslinked with alkylene diacid units having alkylene segments containing at least one methylene unit, and/or aromatic epoxy units crosslinked with polyphenolic units, wherein the aromatic epoxy units and alkylene diacid units and/or polyphenolic units are in a molar ratio that results in the liquid crystalline elastomer composition exhibiting a glass transition temperature (Tg) and a thermal stability of the liquid crystalline phase (Tlc) that make them particularly suitable as shape memory materials and for use in methods of additive manufacturing. Methods for producing these compositions and their use in additive manufacturing processes are also described.

Abstract: A polymeric composition includes an organic polymeric substrate and metal-organic frameworks on the surface of the polymeric substrate. The metal-organic frameworks cover at least 90% of the surface area of the polymeric substrate.

Abstract: Occidiofungin is a cyclic nonribosomally synthesized antifungal peptide with submicromolar activity. This invention is directed to compositions enriched for particular occidiofungin diastereomers/conformers, methods of making compositions enriched for particular diastereomers/conformers and microorganisms suitable for producing enriched compositions of particular diastereomers/conformers. Methods of treating fungal infections or plants infected by fungi are also provided.

Abstract: Principles of the present disclosure present a new concept for solar photovoltaic systems wherein the load to the photovoltaic system is digitally managed. This allows for much higher system efficiency along with a much lower system cost as compared to traditional solar photovoltaic systems in specific applications. By eliminating storage and power electronics typically present in traditional solar photovoltaic systems, exemplary systems achieve a cost reduction of over 50%, while the system efficiency is improved to over 95%.

Abstract: This invention provides an attenuated virus comprising a modified viral genome engineered to containing multiple nucleotide substitutions that reduce the codon pair bias of a virus protein encoding sequence relative to a first host while the codon pair bias relative to a second host is not substantially reduced. In another embodiment, the invention provides an attenuated virus comprising modified viral genome engineered to containing multiple nucleotide substitutions that reduce the codon pair bias of a virus protein-encoding sequence relative to a first host and a second host. The attenuated virus may be used in a vaccine composition for inducing a protective immune response in a subject. The invention also provides a method of synthesizing the attenuated virus.

Abstract: Reusable nanostructured substrates for forming semiconductor thin films, such as those used in solar cells, are configured with nanopillars to permit improved lift-off of thin films.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for cuff-less blood pressure measurement in a mobile device. A key aspect of this disclosure is the discovery of a new location for blood pressure measurement at the fingertip of a subject and that reflectance-mode photoplethysmography can be used to help make this measurement. Through experiments in human subjects, it was discovered that it is indeed possible to measure systemic blood pressure by having a subject press the fingertip against a reflectance-mode photo-plethysmography-force sensor unit under visual guidance and then compute blood pressure from the resulting variable-amplitude blood volume oscillations and applied pressure via an oscillometric algorithm.

Abstract: A hybrid fastener is provided in combination with a structural insert. The insert is disposed about a shank of the fastener at an unthreaded section. In another aspect, a sleeve surrounds the shank of the fastener and has apertures for receiving the insert therethrough. Methods of using the above-described hybrid fastener for securing workpieces are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining pulse transit time of a subject as a function of blood pressure. The method includes: measuring a proximal waveform indicative of the arterial pulse at a proximal site of the subject; measuring a distal waveform indicative of the arterial pulse at a distal site of the subject; defining a relationship between the proximal waveform and the distal waveform in terms of unknown parameters of a nonlinear model; determining the unknown parameters of the nonlinear model from the measured proximal waveform and the measured distal waveform; and determining pulse transit time for the subject as a function of blood pressure from the parameters of the nonlinear model. The nonlinear model can account for arterial compliance and peripheral wave reflection, where the arterial compliance depends on blood pressure.

Abstract: A space efficient photo-bioreactor. The bioreactor grows microalgae in a tall array of transparent flooded tubes. A nutrient media is circulated through the tubes. The array is configured to maximize the amount of sunlight falling upon each tube so that growth of the microalgae is as uniform as possible. A vertically-oriented gasser tube is provided. Gas is injected into this gasser tube along with the liquid nutrient medium. A bubble-size limiter is employed in the gas injector. The flow rates are configured so that the liquid nutrient medium and injected gas remain within the vertical gasser tube for 30 seconds or more.

Abstract: Extruded starch foams are well known as biodegradable alternatives to foamed polystyrene packaging materials. Extruded foams of unmodified starch replacing 1% to 20% of the starch with kraft lignin were prepared. At 10% lignin, there are no deleterious effects on foam density, morphology, compressive strength, or resiliency as compared to a starch extruded foam, yet the foam retains its integrity after immersion for 24 hours in water. At 20% lignin there is a decrease in compressive strength and resiliency. Addition of cellulose fibers restore the mechanical properties but with an increase in density.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a composition comprising at least one cellulose material (such as a cellulose nanomaterial) and an optional inorganic salt component. Some embodiments of the composition can further comprise additional components, with some embodiments further comprising a non-starch polysaccharide (e.g., methyl cellulose carboxymethyl cellulose or other cellulose derivative, chitosan, or the like), a surfactant, a plasticizer, an antimicrobial component, or any combination thereof. The disclosed compositions are useful for forming edible coatings/films on plants, plant parts, and other objects. The disclosed compositions and coatings/films made using the compositions are effective at protecting fresh and processed produce and other substances and products, from various different types of food processing damage (and the deleterious effects associated therewith).

Abstract: Materials and methods related to gene targeting (e.g., gene targeting with transcription activator-like effector nucleases; “TALENS”) are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating battery life are provided. A method of estimating battery life may involve estimating first status information of a battery based on battery information acquired from the battery, estimating second status information of the battery using a partial cycle model corresponding to a battery degradation pattern for a partial cycle, and calculating the battery life based on a comparison between the first status information and the second status information.

Abstract: A system of generating a progressive representation associated with virtual and physical reality image data is disclosed. The system receives virtual image data associated with a virtual scene map of a virtual scene, and receives physical image data from the image capturing device, associated with a physical environment of a real scene. Perimeter information of the physical environment is determined. Boundary information of an obstacle associated with the physical environment is determined. A real scene map associated with the physical environment including an obstacle and one or more free space areas is generated. A corresponding virtual barrier is generated in the real scene map, the virtual barrier associated with the boundary information of the obstacle in the real scene map. A folding of the virtual scene map into the one or more free space areas of the real scene map is implemented, the free space areas surround or are adjacent the generated virtual barrier.

Abstract: A method includes estimating a parametric model for a round-trip time sequence for an electronic transmission over a network. Optimization calculations may be performed to dynamically determine a bound (for example, a lower bound) on re-transmission timeout for an electronic transmission to be conducted over the network.

Abstract: A novel method for freeze-related separations, involving the combination of water with a selected concentration of biogenic ice nucleation proteins, freezing the combination, and separating the ice, potentially via centrifugation or sublimation. In some instances, the freezing conditions and the concentration of the at least one biogenic ice nucleation protein are selected such that the aqueous solution, upon freezing, forms a lamellar ice crystal structure having at least one property selected from the group consisting of a solute inclusion volume at least 30% smaller than in the first material alone, a hydraulic diameter at least 30% larger than in the first material alone, an inclusion width that is less than 10% of a crystal dimension, a hydraulic diameter that is less more than 1.

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: Biomarkers associated with neuroimmunological disease are described. The disclosed biomarkers are secreted proteins identified in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) samples of patients with neurological disease. The disclosed biomarkers identify patients with intrathecal inflammation, distinguish multiple sclerosis (MS) patients from patients with other types of inflammatory neurological diseases and from subjects without MS, distinguish progressive MS patients from patients with relapsing-remitting MS, identify subjects with non-MS inflammatory neurological diseases, differentiate healthy subjects from patients with any type of neurological disease, and/or identify subjects with increased disability, CNS tissue damage and/or neurodegeneration. Process-specific biomarkers that can be used in place of a brain biopsy to identify immune cell infiltration and/or activation in the CNS are also described.