Abstract: Target assemblies are provided that can include a uranium-comprising annulus. The assemblies can include target material consisting essentially of non-uranium material within the volume of the annulus. Reactors are disclosed that can include one or more discrete zones configured to receive target material. At least one uranium-comprising annulus can be within one or more of the zones. Methods for producing isotopes within target material are also disclosed, with the methods including providing neutrons to target material within a uranium-comprising annulus. Methods for modifying materials within target material are disclosed as well as are methods for characterizing material within a target material.

Abstract: Lipid multilayer structures are formed by evaporating a solvent from each of a plurality of lipid solutions thereby form the lipid multilayer structures. Each lipid solution comprises the solvent and one or more lipids. Each lipid multilayer structure is a microstructure comprising one or more lipids.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for forming 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) from aldaric acids. The aldaric acids are dehydrating and cyclizing via acid catalysis to form the FDCA product. Aldaric acids such as galactaric acid, gularic acid, mannaric acid, and glucaric acid can be used in the disclosed method, and the aldaric acids can be obtained from form renewable biomass sources which contain pectin, alginate, and/or other biomass carbohydrates. The FDCA can be used as a renewable feedstock for consumer product polymeric materials such as polyalkylene furoate polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant methanotroph having an ability to produce isoprene and a method for producing isoprene using the same, and more particularly to a recombinant methanotroph having an ability to produce isoprene wherein a gene encoding an isoprene synthase having a homology of at least 70% to the amino acid sequence of Ipomoea batatas isoprene synthase is introduced into the recombinant methanotroph, and a method for producing isoprene using the recombinant methanotroph. The use of a recombinant methanotroph according to the present invention enables isoprene to be produced in high yield by using methane gas or methanol which is obtained from waste such as natural gas, biomass, municipal waste or the like as a carbon source.

Abstract: A method and system for reading a security seal having a unique far-field pattern are described. Periodic nano-structure is generated on the surface of a substrate having spacings of hundreds of nanometers, or smaller, and affixed on a product, or generated directly onto the product. A laser beam having a wavelength longer than the periodic spacings directed onto at least a portion of the surface of the substrate at a chosen angle of incidence and a selected azimuthal angle relative to a chosen direction produces a unique far-field pattern that may be imaged by a digital image detector disposed at a chosen distance from the illuminated region, compared with a stored reference, and validated. The nanoscale sub-wavelength patterns can be printed using extreme ultraviolet light and read with readily available visible or ultraviolet light. The security seal contains a pattern that is invisible to the eye and to an optical microscope.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for preventing or delaying a chill injury response of a plant or plant part that exhibits a chill injury response. The methods comprise exposing the plant or plant part to one or more bacteria, one or more enzymes, and/or an enzymatic extract isolated from one or more bacteria. The one or more bacteria, one or more enzymes, and/or the enzymatic extract isolated from one or more bacteria are exposed to the plant or plant part in a quantity sufficient to prevent or delay the chill injury response of the plant or plant part.

Abstract: Methods for assessing the integrity of an RNA sample from a given tissue or blood type are disclosed.

Abstract: Example devices and methods of tongue stimulation for communication of information to a user are disclosed herein. In an example, a tongue stimulation device may include a body configured to be placed entirely within a mouth of the user and atop the tongue of the user. An array of electro-tactile elements may be distributed on the body, wherein each of the electro-tactile elements is configured to stimulate an area of the tongue adjacent the electro-tactile element. A wireless receiver coupled to the body may be configured to receive stimulation information wirelessly from outside the mouth of the user. At least one processing unit coupled to the body may be configured to transform the received stimulation information into a stimulation signal for each of the electro-tactile elements, and to provide the stimulation signals to the electro-tactile elements.

Abstract: A differential sense flip flop (DSFF) that is named the Kulkarni Vrudhula flip flop (KVFF) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the DSFF includes a differential sense amplifier and an SR latch. The differential sense amplifier includes a first amplifier branch having a first output node, a second amplifier branch having a second, a first switchable discharge path, and a second switchable discharge path. The first switchable discharge path is closed to discharge the first output node when first output node is being discharged by the first amplifier branch and the second switchable discharge path is closed to discharge the second output node when second output node is being discharged by the second amplifier branch. This prevents the output nodes from floating and increases the reliability and robustness of the DSFF.

Abstract: A method for impulse noise detection and removal in color images based on Moran's/statistic using Moran's/vector median filter (MIVMF) which comprises detection and removal components. The detection module determines if a pixel is noise or is noise-free. If it is a noise pixel, the vector median filter (VMF) will be used to remove the noise. This detection capability meets the so-called “switching” mechanism, which only selects noisy pixels for suppression. The inventive filter expedites processing time with the reduced number of vector calculations due to this new detection function, achieved with Moran's/index and the indication of 1-D Laplacian kernels. Compared to other vector-type median filters, the inventive MIVMF was faster in the filtering process and efficient in removing random impulse noise with different noise levels in color images. The MIVMF demonstrated a promising de-noising result based on the criteria of Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) and Structural Similarity Index Metric (SSIM).

Abstract: A system for analyzing a content of a sample material is presented. The system includes a fiber sensitized to a first substance, and at least one electrode configured to expose the fiber to an electric field. The system includes an optical sensor configured to detect a displacement of the fiber when the fiber is exposed to the electric field, and a processor configured to use the displacement of the fiber to characterize a content of the sample material.

Abstract: A fiber-based thermal property probe is disclosed. In embodiments, the thermal property probe is a modulated optical reflectance system and includes a pump beam source configured to transmit a pump beam through a pump fiber, the pump beam configured to heat a sample and the pump fiber having a pump fiber sample end. The fiber-based thermal property probe further includes a probe beam source configured to transmit a probe beam through a probe fiber, the probe beam configured to measure the temperature of the sample and the probe fiber having a probe fiber sample end. Additionally, the system includes a ferrule configured to hold the pump fiber sample end and the probe fiber sample end at a fixed, known separation distance from each other.

Abstract: Shear waves are generated and measured in viscoelastic phantoms by a single push beam. Using numerical simulations or an analytical function to describe the diffraction of the shear wave, the resulting shear wave motion induced by the applied push beam is calculated with different shear elasticity values and then convolved with a separate expression that describes the effects of viscosity value for the medium. The optimization algorithm chooses the tissue parameters which provide the smallest difference between the measured shear waveform and the simulated shear waveform. A shear viscosity image is generated by applying such optimization procedure at all of the observation points.

Abstract: A microfluidic intravital window includes an intravital imaging window adapted for implantation adjacent target tissue of a live animal, and a microfluidic fluid source and delivery system physically integrated into the window for controlled delivery of fluids to target tissue via the window. The microfluidic fluid source and delivery system is self-contained and completely located within the intravital imaging window, and includes at least one preloaded fluid reservoir, at least one fluid port in fluidic communication with both the at least one preloaded fluid reservoir and the target tissue, and at least one light activated fluid flow control device situated between the at least one preloaded fluid reservoir and at least one fluid port, to facilitate simultaneous in vivo viewing and remotely controlled fluid delivery to the target tissue.

Abstract: Antimicrobial compounds are provided that are polymerizable. The compounds include monomers with antimicrobial properties. The compounds have cross-linking properties. The compounds may be utilized in dental and/or medical applications, including dental composites, dentures, bonding agents, sealants, resins and medical devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for modulating or inhibiting modulation of the root architecture of a plant employing a new class of root architecture regulator (RAR) peptides, nucleotides encoding same, receptors therefor, binding agents thereof or agonists or antagonists thereof. Such methods encompass methods for increasing nutrient uptake by plants, increasing root nodule formation, promoting lateral root growth and development of plants, as well as methods for inhibiting root architecture modification resulting from root knot nematode action on plant roots. Also provided are RAR peptides, polynucleotides encoding RAR peptides and vectors and host cells comprising same, and plants obtained by methods of the invention or comprising RAR-encoding trans genes.

Abstract: A metal matrix has a biocompatible solid lubricant in at least a portion of its surface and the solid lubricant functions to protect the interior of the metal matrix and minimize the friction coefficient and related wear induced damage at the articulating surface of the metal device. The lubricated biocompatible metal device is made of materials compatible for in vivo and ex vivo applications in order to minimize wear induced degradation as well as metal ion release. The lubricated biocompatible metal device is suited for use as medical implants.

Abstract: A metal air flow battery includes an electrochemical reaction unit and an oxygen exchange unit. The electrochemical reaction unit includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and an ionic conductive membrane between the anode and the cathode, an anode electrolyte, and a cathode electrolyte. The oxygen exchange unit contacts the cathode electrolyte with oxygen separate from the electrochemical reaction unit. At least one pump is provided for pumping cathode electrolyte between the electrochemical reaction unit and the oxygen exchange unit. A method for producing an electrical current is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-hop ad hoc communications network may allow optical communications between underwater nodes. Each node may be fitted with environmental sensors. Each node may collect data from the sensors and transmit the data to other nodes in the network according to a time division multiple access (TDMA) scheme. The data may propagate through a series of child and parent nodes to reach a master node. The master node may have a wired connection for power and data transfer.

Abstract: ‘NCORNSP-021SHJB’ is a moderately compact, to compact, non-twining, slightly upright variety producing many short shoots. It is distinguishable from other cultivars by its purple heart shaped leaves that are entire with a cordate base; a moderately compact to compact habit and semi-erect mounding plant architecture. The purple leaves of this plant, short internodes, and the plant architecture are what make ‘NCORNSP-021SHJB’ unique amongst the current ornamental sweetpotatoes in the marketplace. ‘NCORNSP-021SHJB’ also exhibits very good vigor and is very well branched. In greenhouse and field trials conducted since 2013, ‘NCORNSP-021SHJB’ has been shown to be much less vigorous than Ipomoea batatas ‘Margarita’ and ‘Blackie’ and is suitable for use as a landscape or containerized plant. The production of flowers by ‘NCORNSP-021SHJB’ is sporadic under short day conditions.