Abstract: A variable stiffness treadmill system having a variable stiffness mechanism, a split-belt treadmill, a counterweight system, and a body weight support for supporting an individual and varying the stiffness below the individual on the treadmill for research and rehabilitation.

Abstract: A compound that is useful for forming a metal by reaction with a reducing agent is described by formula (I): wherein M is a metal selected from Groups 2 through 12 of the Periodic Table; and R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently H or C1-C8 alkyl.

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

Abstract: Improved peptide compositions and synbody compositions are disclosed that show improved stability and antibiotic activity. The new antibacterial peptides for S. aureus have particular D-amino acid substitutions in order to increase protease stability while also preserving marked antibiotic activity. Thus, compositions and methods for treating infections related to S. aureus also are disclosed.

Abstract: A biodegradable hydrogel has been made based on high concentrations of whey protein isolate (WPI). WPI gels of different compositions were fabricated by thermally inducing gelation of high-concentration suspensions of protein, and characterized for compressive strength and modulus, hydration swelling and drying properties, mechanical behavior change due to polysaccharide additives, and intrinsic pore network structure. The gels were shown to be compatible with bone cells and could be used as bone tissue scaffolds. In addition, WPI fibers were produced by electrospinning. Several additives could be incorporated into the WPI gels, including structural additives, growth factors, amino acids, etc. The WPI hydrogels can be made with glycerol to increase flexibility and stability.

Abstract: A novel Rh(I)-catalyzed approach to synthesizing functionalized (E,Z) dienal compounds has been developed via tandem transformation where a stereoselective hydrogen transfer follows a propargyl Claisen rearrangement. Z-Stereochemistry of the first double bond suggests the involvement of a six-membered cyclic intermediate whereas the E-stereochemistry of the second double bond stems from the subsequent protodemetallation step giving an (E,Z)-dienal. The reaction may be represented by the following sequence.

Abstract: A reaction method comprising combining a carbonyl-substituted arylboronic acid or ester and an ?-effect amine in aqueous solution at a temperature between about ?5 C to 55 C, and a pH between 2 and 8 to produce an adduct. A process is also provided comprising: contacting a composition having a boron atom bonded to a sp2 hybridized carbon, the boron having at least one labile substituent, conjugated with a cis-carbonyl, with an ?-effect amine, in an aqueous medium for a time sufficient to form an adduct, which may proceed to further products.

Abstract: A method of separating a lignin-rich solid phase from a solution suspension, by pretreating a lignocellulosic biomass with a pretreatment fluid having remove soluble components, colloidal material and primarily lignin containing particles; separating the pretreated lignocellulosic biomass from the pretreatment fluid with soluble components, colloidal material and primarily lignin containing particles; flocculating the separated pretreatment fluid with soluble components, colloidal material and primarily lignin containing particles using polyethylene oxide (i.e., PEO) or cationic Poly acrylamide (i.e., CPAM) as a flocculating agent; and filtering the flocculated separated pretreatment fluid with soluble components, colloidal material and primarily lignin containing particles to remove agglomerates.

Abstract: A water treatment system including: a flow regulation control system configured to combine oxo-anion-contaminated water with a reduction-promoting agent, a hole scavenger, or both; a reactor fluidically coupled to the flow regulation control system; a first set of system control probes configured to monitor the concentration of oxygen and oxo-anion in the contaminated water; a second set of system control probes configured to monitor concentration of the oxo-anion and reduction products of the oxo-anion in treated effluent from the reactor; and a controller configured to control the flow regulation control system, thereby controlling the flow rate of the contaminated water and the at least one of the reduction-promoting agent and the hole scavenger to the reactor based at least in part on the concentration of oxo-anion and the reduction products of the oxo-anion in the treated effluent.

Abstract: A method for controlling a data center, comprising a plurality of server systems, each associated with a cooling system and a thermal constraint, comprising: a concurrent physical condition of a first server system; predicting a future physical condition based on a set of future states of the first server system; dynamically controlling the cooling system in response to at least the input and the predicted future physical condition, to selectively cool the first server system sufficient to meet the predetermined thermal constraint; and controlling an allocation of tasks between the plurality of server systems to selectively load the first server system within the predetermined thermal constraint and selectively idle a second server system, wherein the idle second server system can be recruited to accept tasks when allocated to it, and wherein the cooling system associated with the idle second server system is selectively operated in a low power consumption state.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods of use thereof that modulate C/EBP homologous stress-related protein (Chop) activity in Myeloid-derived Suppressor Cells (MDSCs). Chop is a key point in the response of MDSCs to tumor-generated stress factors. In turn, the MDSCs release cytokines and other factors that function as immune suppressors, thereby allowing the tumors to thrive and expand. By inhibiting the level of Chop activity, the immunosuppressive function of MDSCs is disrupted. It has also been unexpectedly found that there is a concomitant increase in the ability of MDSCs to act as antigen-presenting and cytokine producing cells so as to act in increasing the efficacy of anti-tumor immune-based therapies.

Abstract: Mutations located within the gene encoding the homeobox transcription factor, ENGRAILED 2 (EN2), have now been identified as molecular markers associated with susceptibility for autism and related disorders. Thus, the present invention relates to compositions in the form of diagnostic kits, primers and target sequences, for use in methods for determining the predisposition, the onset or the presence of autism spectrum disorder in a mammal. Moreover, therapeutic methods for treating a person inflicted with, or predisposed to, an autism spectrum disorder based upon modulating the level or activity of EN2 are also provided.

Abstract: A method for using plasma to activate biochar is disclosed where reactive gas(es) are excited by external power; biochar set on a sample holder is electrically biased or set at a floating potential so that charged particles of a certain type are attracted to the biochar, leading to intensive chemical reactions.

Abstract: This application relates to techniques for obtaining wide area intermittent video (WAIV). Some embodiments disclosed herein include a method of obtaining WAIV. The method can include, for example, capturing images at a series of sensor stations having pre-determined locations along a flightline. The flightline can be repeated one or more times, where images are captured at the same sensor stations with each pass of the flightline. The captured images from the same sensor station may have replicated view geometry and may be co-registered and precisely aligned with pixel-level precision. The captured images from multiple sensor stations through time may also be displayed together based upon absolute or relative sensor station locations to create a temporal sequence of wide area intermittent video. The approach provides efficient methods for creating wide area video with reduced temporal imaging frame rates. Systems and devices for forming wide area intermittent video are also disclosed.

Abstract: Processes are described for making methacrylic acid via methacrolein from a biobased isobutene, wherein the biobased isobutene is prepared from ethanol or from acetic acid in the presence of a ZnxZryOz mixed oxide catalyst, the biobased isobutene is oxidized to methacrolein and the methacrolein is further oxidized to methacrylic acid.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to digital synchronous circuits that introduce clock skew without requiring clock buffers in a clock network. In one embodiment, the digital synchronous circuit includes a first flip flop and a second flip flop. The first flip flop is synchronized to be transparent and to be opaque in accordance with a first clock signal while the second flip flop is configured such that the second flip flop is synchronized to be transparent and to be opaque in accordance with a second clock signal. However, the second flip flop is configured to generate the first clock signal such that the second flip flop provides the first clock signal in a first clock state in response the second flip flop becoming transparent and provides the first clock signal in a second clock state in response the second flip flop becoming opaque thereby providing a clock skew without clock buffers.

Abstract: The disclosed technology concerns methods, apparatus, and systems for designing and generating networks-on-chip (“NoCs”), as well as to hardware architectures for implementing such NoCs. The disclosed NoCs can be used, for instance, to interconnect cores of a chip multiprocessor (aka a “multi-core processor”). In one example implementation, a wire-based routerless NoC design is disclosed that uses deterministically specified wire loops to connect the cores of the chip multiprocessor. The disclosed technology also comprises network interface architectures for use in an NoC. For example, a core can be equipped with a low-area-cost interface that is deadlock-free, uses buffering sharing, and provides low latency.

Abstract: A polymeric valve which may include a heart valve, and also may include a trileaflet heart valve includes a stent having a base and a plurality of outwardly extending posts from the base and equidistant from each other. A plurality of leaflets each connected to a corresponding one of the posts at one end, and each of the leaflets connected to the base. Each of the leaflets having an operative end opposite the end connected to the post, and the operative ends of the leaflets being biased in a closed position such that the operative ends abut each other. The operative ends are configured to rhythmically open and close in relation to each other, and the leaflets include multiple cross sectional thicknesses at different portions of the leaflets.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments concern a composition comprising a diatom frustule and two or more photocatalytic nanoparticles dispersed on the surface of the frustule. Also disclosed are embodiments of a method for making the composition. The nanoparticles are dispersed such that they are separate and not in physical contact with each other. An average distance between the nanoparticles may be from greater than 0 nm to 100 nm. The nanoparticles may comprise a dopant material. Paint compositions comprising the diatom frustule compositions are also contemplated. The diatom frustule composition may be useful for removing and/or degrading volatile organic compounds, such as those present in the atmosphere.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of energy storage devices, and especially electrochemical energy storage devices including electrolytes comprising an ionic liquid, one or more solvents, and one or more salts of a Group 2 element. Effects on electrochemical performance of the electrolyte of each of the components of the electrolyte were systematically determined. In addition, interactions between the electrolytes and separator films were dissected to optimize electrochemical performance of coin cell batteries.