Abstract: A novel method for real-time small-signal stability analysis for power electronic-based components in a power system. The method may be used to monitor a power system in real-time by perturbing the source side of an electronic-based component of the power system using a shunt current injection of about 0.5 to 1 percent of a nominal current of the power system at the source side, and perturbing the load side of the power electronic-based component by varying the voltage at the load side. Time-domain results of the perturbations may be transferred to frequency-domain results and the stability of the power system may be monitored by obtaining a Nyquist contour and employing Generalized Nyquist Criterion or unit circle criterion.

Abstract: For lingual transformation-based encryption, a method parses a secure message into lingual units. The method further generates a validation nonce from the lingual units. In addition, the method generates a transform unit for each lingual unit by applying a lingual message transformation to each lingual unit as an encryption function of a selection rule.

Abstract: The embodiments are directed to a fruit harvesting system that includes at least one end-effector coupled to a distal end of the manipulating arm and configured using at least one of a jaw and a clamp to couple to one or more branches of a fruit tree or a trellis wire that is coupled to the fruit tree residing in a trained orchard. The embodiments also include a pair of dual motor actuators eccentrically coupled to the at least one end-effector and directed to manipulate the at least one end-effector with a same or different frequency, and amplitude, and with same or counter-propagating motions, wherein the directed same or different frequency and amplitude, and same or counter-propagating motions provide one or more eccentric shaking patterns to the coupled branches or the trellis wire so as to enable fruit to be removed and collected by catch frames.

Abstract: A mortar board display holder comprises a board clip portion, a display supporter portion, and a connecting portion joining the board clip portion and the display supporter portion. The board clip portion has a flat upper prong having a first plane, a flat lower prong having a second plane, and a spacing member that holds the upper prong fixably spaced from the lower prong such that the second plane is substantially parallel to the first plane. The display supporter portion has a flat first leg having a third plane, a flat second leg having a fourth plane, and a holding member that holds the first leg and the second leg such that the third plane is substantially parallel to the fourth plane. The display supporter portion may further comprise a neck adjacent to and connected to the holding member, and an elongated arm adjacent to and connected to the neck. The neck may be straight or curved.

Abstract: The invention provides new methods for the direct umpolung self-condensation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) by organocatalysis, thereby upgrading the readily available substrate into 5,5?-di(hydroxymethyl)furoin (DHMF). While many efficient catalyst systems have been developed for conversion of plant biomass resources into HMF, the invention now provides methods to convert such nonfood biomass directly into DHMF by a simple process as described herein. The invention also provides highly effective new methods for upgrading other biomass furaldehydes and related compound to liquid fuels. The methods include the organocatalytic self-condensation (umpolung) of biomass furaldehydes into (C8-C12)furoin intermediates, followed by hydrogenation, etherification or esterification into oxygenated biodiesel, or hydrodeoxygenation by metal-acid tandem catalysis into premium hydrocarbon fuels.

Abstract: This document describes a process/strategy for age hardening nickel based alloys to create desirable properties with reduced energy expenditure. The inventive process introduces isolated atom nucleation sites to accelerate the nucleation rate by approximately 36 times, thereby permitting age hardening to occur in significantly less time and with significantly less energy expenditure.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a separator and/or a discharger. A separator may include a separator channel, an influent portion configured to allow the passage of a first fluid into a separator channel, an effluent portion disposed above an influent portion and/or a fluid-lift portion between an influent portion and an effluent portion. A discharger may be disposed below a fluid-lift portion and/or may include a portion external to a separator channel, which may include a downward angle relative to an effluent portion and/or may be configured to minimize the passage of a second fluid into a discharger as the second fluid buoyantly travels in a separator channel from an influent portion to an effluent portion. A second fluid may have a density that is less than the density of a first and/or may be configured to lift a first fluid to a fluid-lift portion.

Abstract: Synthetic fiber blends and methods for preparing such fibers with spider silk proteins and synthetic and polymers are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved device provides a cost-effective, time-effective way to stably and reliably affix soft tissues (e.g., tendon or ligament) to the surface of anatomical structures with comparable or greater strength and stiffness (e.g., bone). The device does not require specialized procedures or tools. A single device applies both incremental tensioning and compression to the soft tissue being affixed. The device allows the user, typically a physician or veterinarian, to reliably manipulate, control, and maintain tissue tension. The device is versatile, and can accommodate attachment of soft tissues of different sizes and mechanical properties to bone or to other soft tissues. These features provide flexibility to human and veterinary health practitioners in a variety of specialized areas including orthopedics, joint stabilization, soft tissue repair, spinal surgery, and plastic surgery.

Abstract: A method to measure all relevant biologic hydrogen sulfide pools, namely free hydrogen sulfide, acid-labile sulfide, and bound sulfane sulfur, has been developed. This new method involves selective liberation, trapping and derivatization of labile hydrogen sulfide. The total labile sulfide, including the contribution of the bound sulfane sulfur pool, the acid-labile pool, and free H2S, was measured by incubating the sample with a reducing agent, TCEP (Tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine hydrochloride), to reduce disulfide bonds in an acid solution. This method was used to measure the three sulfide pools in blood samples from mice and from humans. This method can be used for research, environmental, and clinical diagnostic purposes in determining hydrogen sulfide bioavailability in biological or other samples.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to radiation hardened digital circuits. In one embodiment, a radiation hardened digital circuit includes a delay network and a first Muller C element. The delay network is configured to generate a first delayed clock signal from a global clock signal such that that the first delayed clock signal is delayed with respect to the global clock signal. The first Muller C element is configured to generate a first clock input signal and set the first clock input signal to one of a set of clock states in response to the first delayed clock signal and the global clock signal each being provided in a same one of the set of clock states and is configured to hold the first clock input signal otherwise. Thus, a radiation strike is prevented from causing a soft error in the first clock input signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed toward attenuation correction of radar data. Atmospheric attenuation is a function of atmospheric water drop size and temperature. A number of different theoretical models are available to mathematically describe the particle drop shape that influences attenuation estimation. Each of these models has proven effective in different scenarios. It can be difficult, however, to predict which theoretical model to use. The total differential phase gives an idea of the attenuation, but it depends on the model. Moreover, the total attenuation along a rain path must be apportioned to different parts of the radar path in order to correct for attenuation along a radar path. Embodiments of this invention allows for a system to apportion the attenuation to different parts of the radar beam. Embodiments of the invention also allow for optimization of a number of different theoretical models for both drop size and temperature.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to resistive memory systems. The resistive memory systems may be utilized to implement neuro-inspired learning algorithms with full parallelism. In one embodiment, a resistive memory system includes a cross point resistive network and switchable paths. The cross point resistive network includes variable resistive elements and conductive lines. The conductive lines are coupled to the variable resistive elements such that the conductive lines and the variable resistive elements form the cross point resistive network. The switchable paths are connected to the conductive lines so that the switchable paths are operable to selectively interconnect groups of the conductive lines such that subsets of the variable resistive elements each provide a combined variable conductance. With multiple resistive elements in the subsets, process variations in the conductances of the resistive elements average out.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for delaying a plant development process comprising exposing a plant or plant part to one or more bacteria or enzymes. In specific embodiments, the one or more bacteria are selected from the group consisting of Rhodococcus spp., Pseudomonas chloroaphis, Brevibacterium ketoglutamicum, and a mixture comprising any combination of these bacteria. Apparatuses for delaying a plant development process comprising a catalyst that comprises one or more of the above bacteria.

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: Various embodiments relate to a method comprising forming a template forming a template from a template precursor, wherein the template contains an entrapped ceramic precursor, which can be further processed to form a ceramic solid, such as an oxide ceramic solid. In one embodiment, the template precursor is a hydrogel precursor and the template is a hydrogel template. The hydrogel template can include, for example, agarose, chitosan, alginate or a photo-initiating receptive hydrogel template such as a functionalized poly(ethylene glycol). Various devices, including electrolyte interfaces and energy storage devices, as well as thermoelectric devices are also provided. In one embodiment, the oxide ceramic solid is a cubic garnet having a nominal formula of Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO).

Abstract: Methods of reducing spontaneous mutation rate of a cell in a subject in need thereof by reducing endogenous levels of miR-155 are described.

Abstract: For multi-node encryption, a method communicates communication data from a first upstream node to a first downstream node in response to the first upstream node initiating secure communication with the first downstream node. The method further generates a downstream node nonce from communication data exchanged with the first downstream node. The method generates a first downstream message transformation as a function of the downstream node nonce. The method receives a request encrypted with the first downstream message transformation through the first downstream node. The method communicates the upstream message transformation encrypted with the first downstream message transformation through the first downstream node to the destination node in response to the request. In addition, the method generates a tunnel transformation at the destination node as a function of one or more upstream message transformations and the first downstream message transformation.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods of diagnosing and determining treatment strategies for Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of energy storage devices, and especially electrochemical energy storage devices where an electroactive moiety is chemically attached to a conductive polymer In particular, the invention relates to the design and fabrication of electrodes for the use in electrochemical storage devices having an electrochemically active conjugate. The electrochemically active conjugate preferably has an electroactive moiety selected from electroactive metal center, an electroactive organic species, or an electroactive non-metal species. Depending on the selected electroactive moiety, it can be attached either directly or through an appropriate linker to the conductive polymer.