Abstract: A neutron detection apparatus includes a neutron detector and an analyzer. The neutron detector includes a plurality of neutron detector assemblies, where each of the neutron detector assemblies includes a plurality of neutron detection devices. The neutron detector also includes a moderating volume. The plurality of neutron detector assemblies are disposed within the moderating volume so as to form a three-dimensional array of neutron detection devices within the moderating volume. The analyzer is communicatively coupled to each of the neutron detection devices of the plurality of neutron detector assemblies. The analyzer configured to receive one or more measured response signals from each of the neutron detection devices, and perform one or more analysis procedures to determine one or more characteristics associated with the one or more neutron sources based at least on the received one or more measured response signals.

Abstract: Described herein are vectors, such as adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, and recombinant AAV expressing Smad7. The disclosed AAV vectors and rAAV can be used for therapeutic applications in the treatment and amelioration of muscle wasting, cardiac and/or skeletal muscle wasting associated with cancer cachexia.

Abstract: A new variety of sweetpotato, identified as ‘V12B.445’, is disclosed having disease resistance to both fusarium wilt and Streptomyces soil rot; an orange flesh and purple-red skin, and high yield characteristics.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate generally to software defined networking (SDN), and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to devices, systems, and methods for a security policy analysis framework for distributed SDN-based cloud computing environments. The ease of programmability in SDN makes it a great platform implementation of various initiatives that involve application deployment, dynamic topology changes, and decentralized network management in a multi-tenant data center environment. However, implementing security solutions in such an environment is fraught with policy conflicts and consistency issues with the hardness of this problem being affected by the distribution scheme for the SDN controllers.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell that includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a polyelectrolyte membrane and a solution of reduced graphene oxide and/or graphene oxide functionalized with metallized nanoparticles. The electrodes are coated with a polymer and the polyelectrolyte membrane has a hydrophobic exterior surface that is subjected to ultraviolet/ozone (UV/O3) exposure, which changes the hydrophobic, exterior surface to a hydrophilic exterior surface. The polyelectrolyte membrane is disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and can include a sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene based fluoropolymer-copolymer. The solution forms a coating on the hydrophilic exterior surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane and the positive and negative electrodes. The positive and negative electrodes can be coated with a polymer, preferably polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) that can be subjected to ultraviolet/ozone (UV/O3) exposure.

Abstract: A self-confining structural article includes a ceramic matrix with a reinforcement member disposed within the ceramic matrix. The reinforcement member is continuous, and has a mesh with holes not exceeding 4 mm in size.

Abstract: A method of making a 2-halonicotinonitrile comprises reacting an alkylidene nitrile with a C1-compound in an organic solvent and a dehydrating agent. The dehydrating agent substantially retards dimerization of the alkylidene nitrile during the reaction. The enamine intermediate that forms from the reaction is cyclized using a halide donor to make the 2-halonicotinonitrile.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are bactericidal compositions that are effective against pathogenic biofilms, especially against biofilms formed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The disclosed compositions comprise escapin intermediate products which can reduce the biofilm viability and biofilm matrix of P. aeruginosa.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating flowering, sugar metabolism and stress response in plants are provided.

Abstract: A process and related electrode composition are disclosed for the electrocatalytic hydrogenation and/or hydrodeoxygenation of organic substrates such as biomass-derived bio-oil components by the production of hydrogen atoms on a catalyst surface followed by the reaction of the hydrogen atoms with the organic reactants. Biomass fast pyrolysis-derived bio-oil is a liquid mixture containing hundreds of organic compounds with chemical functionalities that are corrosive to container materials and are prone to polymerization. A high surface area skeletal metal catalyst material such as Raney Nickel can be used as the cathode. Electrocatalytic hydrogenation and/or hydrodeoxygenation convert the organic substrates under mild conditions to reduce coke formation and catalyst deactivation. The process converts oxygen-containing functionalities and unsaturated bonds into chemically reduced forms with an increased hydrogen content.

Abstract: Systems and fixtures for mounting, under mechanical constraint, wire-like or fiber-like samples of a high aspect ratio and down to 100 micrometers in diameter are disclosed. A region of interest along the length of the sample resides between and beyond a mechanical constraint on either side, allowing access to the region of interest for a wide number of characterization probes. The fixture may provide electrical isolation between two retaining blocks by means of a dielectric support member. The design may achieve minimal thermal expansion along the length of the sample by the material selection for the dielectric support member. Electrical contact may be introduced to the sample through conductive constraints in the retaining blocks. The fixture may have a minimal size perpendicular to the length axis of the sample to facilitate high probe fluxes when a diverging probe is used. The fixture may provide high x-ray transparency between the retaining blocks.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing cycle to cycle variation of an engine is provided. The system may determine fuel injection characteristics and predict a gas burning rate or flame speed based on the fuel injection characteristics. The system may adjust an ignition timing in response to the predicted gas burning rate within the same engine cycle.

Abstract: Fully connected uplink and downlink fully connected relay network systems using pseudo-noise spreading and despreading sequences subjected to maximizing the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio. The relay network systems comprise one or more transmitting units, relays, and receiving units connected via a communication network. The transmitting units, relays, and receiving units each may include a computer for performing the methods and steps described herein and transceivers for transmitting and/or receiving signals. The computer encodes and/or decodes communication signals via optimum adaptive PN sequences found by employing Cholesky decompositions and singular value decompositions (SVD). The PN sequences employ channel state information (CSI) to more effectively and more securely computing the optimal sequences.

Abstract: This invention concerns compositions and methods of treating or diagnosing ocular disease.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds of formula I: and salts thereof. Also disclosed are compositions comprising of compounds of formula I and methods using compounds of formula I.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering neurostimulation therapies to patients for treating chronic heart failure. A computer-implemented control system is operated to automatically identify a neural fulcrum zone based on a monitored patient physiological response. Ongoing neurostimulation therapy is delivered within the neural fulcrum zone.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods, systems and devices, for analyzing the molecules. For example, in some embodiments, a system is provided which includes a first volume of conducting fluid, a second volume of conducting fluid, an orifice in communication with the first and second volumes of fluid, and means for applying an electric potential difference between the first and second volumes of fluid. In some embodiments, a conjugate product is provided which includes charged polymers each having attached thereto at least one first molecule for analysis, where the product carries a predetermined charge greater than the charge on the first molecule, and upon dissolving a product in the first volume of fluid, the product is directed into the orifice.

Abstract: Antigenic molecules and compositions described herein protect against infection by typhoidal and non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars. Methods of immunization comprise the use of the antigenic molecules.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method. The method can comprise: providing a carrier substrate; providing an adhesion modification layer over the carrier substrate; providing a device substrate; and coupling the device substrate and the carrier substrate together, the adhesion modification layer being located between the device substrate and the carrier substrate when the device substrate and the carrier substrate are coupled together. In these embodiments, the adhesion modification layer can be configured so that the device substrate couples indirectly with the carrier substrate by way of the adhesion modification layer with a first bonding force that is greater than a second bonding force by which the device substrate couples with the carrier substrate absent the adhesion modification layer. Other embodiments of related methods and devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A paper material is provided herein, wherein the paper material includes a fibrous material including at least 5 dry weight percent of fibers derived from a plant of the Nicotiana species; wherein the paper material has a basis weight ranging from about 5 g/m2 to about 450 g/m2; and wherein the paper material has a caliper ranging from about 0.01 mils to about 200 mils. The paper material can be suitable for use in a smoking article in the form of at least one of a tipping material, a plug wrap and a wrapping material. The paper material can be suitable for use in at least one of a soft carton container suitable to house smoking articles, a label, a paper substrate of a barrier layer, a hard carton suitable to house smoking articles and a container suitable to house smokeless tobacco products.