Abstract: The present disclosure relates to consortia of bacteria strains and composition comprising one or more bacterial strains disclosed herein. These consortia of isolated bacteria cultures and compositions comprising said cultures, having greater activity than would be observed for the individual bacteria cultures and compositions. A composition of the disclosure may advantageously be used for enhancing the availability of soil phosphorus and other macronutrients and/or micronutrients to plants, and thereby enhancing their growth and yield.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for the use of the ion current signal characteristics for onboard cycle-by-cycle, cylinder-by-cylinder measurement. The system may also control the engine operating parameters based on a predicted NOx emission level, CO emission level, CO2 emission level, O2 emission level, unburned hydrocarbon (HC) emission level, cylinder pressure, or a cylinder temperature measurement according to characteristics of the ion current signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for treating an organic material, including the steps of transporting the organic material into a first vessel; heating the organic material in the first vessel and applying a negative pressure to the organic material in the first vessel to a boiling point of the organic material, wherein the heat and negative pressure separates a portion of an ammonia from the organic material; removing the portion of the ammonia from the first vessel; transporting the removed portion of the ammonia from the first vessel to an acid solution in a second vessel; and separating a portion of the ammonia from the acid solution.

Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to electrocaloric devices, methods of making electrocaloric integrated circuits, and methods of thermally cycling integrated circuits. The electrocaloric device can include an electrocaloric material having a solid solution of two or more components of BNT, BKT, BZT, BMgT, or BNiT. The electrocaloric material can have an ergodic transition temperature within a range of 50 C to 300 C. The device can also include electrodes associated with the electrocaloric material, as well as an electrical source to add or reduce electrical field between the electrodes across the electrocaloric material to generate heating or cooling relative to the ergodic transition temperature of the electrocaloric material.

Abstract: For runtime detection of a bandwidth denial attack from a rogue NoC. The apparatus includes a processor and a memory storing code executable by the processor. The processor generates a plurality of proximal analogous packets each corresponding to a given packet traversing a multiprocessor system-on-chips (MPSoC). Each proximal analogous packet includes one or more of a proximal source modified from a given packet source and a proximal destination modified from a given packet destination. The processor further compares traversal latencies between each proximal analogous packet/given packet pair. In addition, the processor detects a rogue interconnect in response to aggregate variations in the traversal latencies.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a central aortic pressure waveform. The method includes: measuring two or more peripheral artery pressure waveforms; analyzing the signals so as to extract common features in the measured waveforms; and determining an absolute central aortic pressure waveform based on the common features.

Abstract: A composite coating and method for preparing the composite coating on titanium implants for tissue culture and tissue engineering is provided. The implants are characterized in that the titanium component to be coated is placed in a aqueous solution containing calcium cations, phosphate anions, and dispersed carbon nanoparticles (such as single layer graphene oxide or graphene oxide) in an amount of about 0.05%-1.50% by weight relative to the total weight of aqueous solution. The dimensions of the dispersed graphene oxide should be around, but not limited to, 300-800 nm (X-Y), while their thickness is about 0.7-1.2 nm. The aqueous solution with carbon nanoparticles is prepared by mixing for at least 72 h in temperature in range 20-35° C. and sonicated before electrodeposition process. In the prepared solution is further placed titanium which acts as cathode element (may be the implant), and anode which can be, for example, a platinum rod. Between the cathode and anode is set a potential from ?1.3V to ?1.

Abstract: A system and methods for polyp detection using optical colonoscopy images are provided. In some aspects, the system includes an input configured to receive a series of optical images, and a processor configured to process the series of optical images with steps comprising of receiving an optical image from the input, constructing an edge map corresponding to the optical image, the edge map comprising a plurality of edge pixel, and generating a refined edge map by applying a classification scheme based on patterns of intensity variation to the plurality of edge pixels in the edge map. The processor may also process the series with steps of identifying polyp candidates using the refined edge map, computing probabilities that identified polyp candidates are polyps, and generating a report, using the computed probabilities, indicating detected polyps. The system also includes an output for displaying the report.

Abstract: A present invention describes unique wind turbine assembly in a shape of closed hollow cylinder formed by two sets of three adjustable to positive and negative pitch horizontal blades supported instead of central shaft by three vertical cylindrical blades, which makes this turbine responsive to omni-directional wind. Proposed design concept provides with: Significant increase of turbine efficiency exceeding 60%, which after coupling this rotor with a generator of 60% efficiency leads to overall wind generator efficiency exceeding 40%. Low turbine inertia requiring moderate start up winds and reducing turbine vibrations. Noiseless turbine operation due to its rotation around vertical axis. Environmental friendliness as low operating speed does not generate strong turbulent air flow capable to challenge birds and bugs existence. No electronic control of blades angle of attack. Ease of manufacturing and maintaining together with their reduced cost.

Abstract: Thermoelectric materials based on tetrahedrite structures for thermoelectric devices and methods for producing thermoelectric materials and devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for aligning molecular orientations of liquid crystals and/or polymeric materials into spatially variant patterns uses metamasks. When non-polarized or circularly polarized light is transmitted through or reflected by the metamasks, spatially varied polarization direction and intensity patterns of light can be generated. By projecting the optical patterns of the metamasks onto substrates coated with photoalignment materials, spatially variant molecular orientations encoded in the polarization and intensity patterns are induced in the photoalignment materials, and transfer into the liquid crystals. Possible designs for the metamask use nanostructures of metallic materials.

Abstract: The high thermal conduction resistances of a lithium-ion battery (LIB) severely limit the effectiveness of a conventional external thermal management system (TMS). A method for a new thermal management system for lithium-ion batteries that utilizes a multi-functional electrolyte (MFE) to remove heat locally inside the cell by evaporating a volatile component of the MFE is disclosed. These new electrolyte mixtures comprise a high vapor pressure co-solvent. The characteristics of a previously unstudied high vapor pressure co-solvent HFE-7000 (65 kPa at 25° C.) in an MFE (1 M LiTFSI in 1:1 HFE-7000/EMC), and other possible MFE compositions that can be utilized in a custom electrolyte boiling facility, are disclosed.

Abstract: A hydration sensor is provided that includes a circulator having a plurality of ports, an amplitude-modulated coherent source connected to a first port of the circulator, a rectifier or other power sensor connected to a second port of the circulator followed by an RF baseband low-noise amplifier, a coupling structure connected to the third port of the circulator, and a demodulator connected to the output of the rectifier. The hydration sensor can include an RF low noise amplifier between the circulator and rectifier, and/or a second amplitude modulator between the circulator and the coupling structure. The coupling structure can be either a guided-wave near-field structure or an interfacial capacitive or inductive element. In the former case, the hydration is determined by measuring the reflectivity of the guided-wave radiation, and in the latter case it is determined by measuring the change of reflectivity (through change of impedance) of the interfacial element.

Abstract: The invention provides a series of conformationally stable kinase inhibitors, and methods of using the kinase inhibitors. The effect of atropisomerism on kinase selectivity was assessed, finding improved selectivity compared to rapidly interconverting parent compounds.

Abstract: A method for reducing an atom to a reduced oxidation state includes a step of providing a vapor of a first compound having an atom in an oxidized state. A vapor of a reducing agent is provided. The reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of compounds described by formulae I, II, and III: where R1, R2 R3, R4 are each independently H, C1-10 alkyl, C6-14 aryl, or C4-14 heteroaryl. The vapor of the first compound is reacted with the vapor of the reducing agent to form a second compound having the atom in a reduced state relative to the first compound.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer system including a transmitting antenna with a first conductive helix wound about a first helical axis, and a first ground plane positioned adjacent to and angled orthogonally with the first helical axis. The wireless power transfer system additionally includes a receiving antenna with a second conductive helix wound about a second helical axis, and a second ground plane positioned adjacent to and angled orthogonally with the second helical axis. Furthermore, the wireless power transfer system further includes a conductive material connecting the first ground plane to the second ground plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to amino nitrile compounds. Such compounds can increase glucose uptake by cells and preferably do not substantially increase adipogenesis.

Abstract: A method and device for transmitting data between wireless devices includes: generating and transmitting, by a first device, a data cluster signal having a signal identifier, a completion marker, and at least one silence interval provided between the signal identifier and the completion marker; receiving, by a second device, the data cluster signal; identifying, by the second device, a signal type and a transmission completion of the signal received; and decoding, by the second device, the silence interval into the data based on the signal type and a duration of the silence interval.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds comprising a saccharide conjugated to an imaging agent or a reporter group, compositions comprising them and methods of using them. Specifically BLM-disaccharide and BLM-monosaccharide conjugates containing different linker groups and an imaging agent or a reporter group are provided for the targeting and imaging of tumors.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids encoding a feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase and the feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase enzyme that enables incorporation of monolignol ferulates, for example, including p-coumaryl ferulate, coniferyl ferulate, and sinapyl ferulate, into the lignin of plants.