Abstract: A computer system implementing transactional memory. The computing system includes a plurality of Single Instruction Multiple Thread (SIMT) cores and a conflicting address table (CAT) for each core. The CAT stores word addresses for reads and writes correlated with flags indicating whether a corresponding word is written or read by a committing transaction. The CATs for the different SIMT cores are coupled together by an interconnect. A commit unit (CU) is coupled to the SIMT cores and is configured to validate transactions. The cores access its CAT to access a first address of data affected by a first transaction to be committed at the CU. The first address is compared to a second address affected by a second transaction. When the first address matches the second address, the core delays or prevents committing the first transaction at the CU by pausing the first transaction or aborting the first transaction.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an energy input module that applies an amount of energy to a primary converter of a wireless power transfer (“WPT”) system. The WPT system includes secondary converter with a secondary receiver pad. The WPT system transfers energy from a primary transmitter pad to the secondary receiver pad and the secondary converter provides power to a load. The apparatus includes a coupling measurement module that measures a coupling coefficient between the primary transmitter pad and the secondary receiver pad when the primary transmitter pad and the secondary receiver pad are separated by a vertical distance and horizontally aligned at a horizontal position. The apparatus includes a coupling threshold module that determines if the coupling coefficient is above a coupling threshold, and an alignment alert module that sends an alignment alert in response to the coupling coefficient being above the coupling threshold.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel 2-pyridone compounds and 4-pyridone compounds and methods of treating a subject infected with a pathogen of Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Francisella tularensis, Burkholderia pseudomallei, Yersinia pestis, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilisone.

Abstract: Radiopaque bismuth particles and methods of making and using the radiopaque bismuth particles are disclosed. The radiopaque bismuth particles include an elemental bismuth core and an outer coating comprising one or more coating agents. Disclosed radiopaque bismuth particles are suitable for use in surgical sponges and plastic objects.

Abstract: Oral compositions and methods of use thereof are provided herein. The oral compositions comprise a first component comprising at least one Eh-raising compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and a second component comprising at least one zinc compound, an anti-microbial agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for droplet generation are suitable for use in connection with goniometers. Via preferential condensation, droplets of a variety of liquids may be formed at a variety of temperatures and pressures, eliminating the need for expensive and complex conventional droplet generation systems. Condensation and evaporation of a droplet may be controlled in order to evaluate advancing and receding contact angles in the goniometer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for electrorefining high-purity materials, for example, silicon. An exemplary system includes at least one cathode, an anode, and a reference electrode. At least one controller, for example a potentiostat, is used to control the potential difference between a reference electrode and a cathode or anode. The system can be operated in a single phase or multiple phase operation to produce high-purity materials, such as solar-grade silicon.

Abstract: Provided herein is a composite, comprising: a polymer host selected from the group consisting of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and polypropylene (PP), polyurethane, polycaprolactone (PCL), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), and polyoxymethylene (POM); and a guest molecule comprising hyaluronic acid; wherein the guest molecule is disposed within the polymer host, and wherein the guest molecule is covalently bonded to at least one other guest molecule. Also provided herein are methods for forming the composite, and blood-contracting devices made from the composite, such as heart valves and vascular grafts.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for automatically identifying a food item. A color image and a thermal image are received by an electronic processor with a first food item in the field of view of both the color image and the thermal image. The electronic processor identifies a region of pixels in the color image that corresponds to the first food item based at least in part on a temperature intensity of the pixels in the identified region of pixels relative to other pixels in the thermal image. At least one feature is extracted from the identified region of pixels in the color image corresponding to the first food item and the electronic processor automatically identifies a type of food corresponding to the first food item based at least in part on the at least extracted feature.

Abstract: An isolation and detection method for viruses from large quantities of water or other aqueous media. The technology employs charged resins to isolate viral particles from liquid sources such as water, milk, juices, and homogenized food. Anionic resin beads are added to a sample liquid and suspended within the liquid. While in suspension the anionic beads complex with negatively charged virus particles of other pathogens. The complexed beads are then removed from the liquid, effecting the isolation of the virus. Detection techniques can then be performed directly on the complexed beads without resorting to additional steps to elute the virus or other pathogen from the bead. The methodology can be employed for the detection of bacteriophage in an aqueous medium where the bacteriophage serves as a surrogate for the presence of a pathogen or other contaminant, such as an enteric virus.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acids encoding transcription factors and methods of using these nucleic acids to modulate nicotine production in plants and to produce plants having modulated nicotine production.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to determine the axial and/or lateral location of a particle using light modulated with temporal and/or spatial modulation pattern. The system, for example, may include a modulator configured to temporally modulate an intensity pattern of a line of light uniquely at each point along a lateral length of the line of light and produce an undiffracted modulated line of light, a first first-order diffracted line of light, and a second first-order diffracted line of light; and one or more optical elements configured to direct the undiffracted line of light and one of the first first-order diffracted line of light and the second first-order diffracted line of light toward at least one particle disposed at or near a sample region. The system may include a processor configured to determine an axial and/or a lateral position of the particle disposed at or near the sample region.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula (I): wherein R1-R3, n, and W have any of the values defined in the specification, and salts thereof. The compounds have good solubility and are useful for treating bacterial infections.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, provided are chimeric cells, which in alternative embodiments are the so-called “cardiochimeras”, and methods for making and using them. In alternative embodiments, exemplary chimeric cells as provided herein comprise a cardiac stem cell of cardiac origin or a cardiac progenitor cell fused to either a mesenchymal progenitor cell or mesenchymal stem cell, an endothelial progenitor cell or endothelial stem cell, or a cardiac stem cell or a cardiac progenitor cell. In alternative embodiments, the chimeric cells as provided herein comprise an endothelial progenitor cell, which may or may not be of cardiac origin, fused to either a mesenchymal progenitor cell or mesenchymal stem cell, an endothelial progenitor cell or endothelial stem cell, or a cardiac stem cell or a cardiac progenitor cell. In alternative embodiments, methods for making chimeric cells as provided herein further comprise selecting a cell fusion product comprising a viable chimera of the fused cells.

Abstract: A technique is provided to visualize microtubules in live cells that does not require genetic manipulation or microinjection. Moreover, this method also avoids perturbation of the endogenous microtubule network that occurs with taxol treatment. This technique exploits tyrosination and detyrosination of tubulin, a posttranslational modification cycle specific to the C-terminus of ?-tubulin. Specifically, cells are grown in medium supplemented with a tyrosine derivative possessing a reactive functional group. The cellular enzyme tubulin tyrosine ligase attaches the unnatural amino acid to a single site on tubulin. Addition of fresh medium containing a suitably derivatized fluorophore then yields fluorescent tubulin, which incorporate into cellular microtubules. Importantly, the tubulin labeling approach demonstrated here does not detrimentally affect microtubule network or cell morphology. Thus we present a simple, robust labeling technique that allows microscopic analysis of microtubules in live cells.

Abstract: Isolated non-naturally occurring, mutant-human islet amyloid polypeptides (hIAPP) are disclosed. These polypeptides can be formulated or co-formulated at physiological pH, which enable the polypeptides of the instant disclosure to be delivered to a subject having an amyloid-based disease in a single injection with an insulin agent. Methods and compositions for treating amyloid-based disease in a subject in need thereof, by administering an effective amount of an isolated, mutant-hIAPP polypeptide, including formulations or co-formulations thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: Bioelectrochemical systems comprising a microbial fuel cell (MFC) or a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) are provided. Either type of system is capable of fermenting insoluble or soluble biomass, with the MFC capable of using a consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) organism to also hydrolyze an insoluble biomass, and an electricigen to produce electricity. In contrast, the MEC relies on electricity input into the system, a fermentative organism and an electricigen to produce fermentative products such as ethanol and 1,3-propanediol from a polyol biomass (e.g., containing glycerol). Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a non-surgical method of treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome by administering an effective amount of purified collagenase I and II by injection onto a transverse carpal ligament, without penetrating the transverse carpal ligament. The purified collagenase I and II are obtained from Clostridium histolyticum, and the effective amount is a dose comprising a concentration of approximately 0.29 mg of the purified collagenase I and II to one ml diluent.

Abstract: The disclosure features dendritic tags, and methods and systems for fabricating and using such tags. The methods can include obtaining at least one image of a dendritic tag attached to an article, analyzing the at least one image to identify a set of features associated with the dendritic tag, and comparing the set of features to stored information to identify the article.

Abstract: A soil sensor includes a housing, an antenna disposed within the housing, a measurement circuit disposed within the housing and operatively connected to the antenna, the circuit configured to measure impedance of soil at a plurality of different frequencies using the antenna as a sensor electrode, and a wireless interface disposed within the housing and operatively connected to the antenna and configured for wireless communications over the antenna at its communications frequency.