Abstract: A device for passive collection of atmospheric carbon dioxide is disclosed. The device includes a release chamber having an opening and a sorbent regeneration system. The device also includes a capture structure coupled to the release chamber, having at least one collapsible support and a plurality of tiles spaced along the collapsible support. Each tile has a sorbent material. The capture structure is movable between a collection configuration and a release configuration. The collection configuration includes the capture structure extending upward from the release chamber to expose the capture structure to an airflow and allow the sorbent material to capture atmospheric carbon dioxide. The release configuration includes the collapsible support being collapsed and the plurality of tiles being sufficiently enclosed inside the release chamber that the sorbent regeneration system may operate on the plurality of tiles to release captured carbon dioxide from the sorbent material and form an enriched gas.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a method of extracting bioactive agents from biomass using continuous microwave-assisted extraction. The disclosed method includes contacting the biomass with a solvent and optionally homogenizing the biomass. Then blending the biomass and the solvent and continuously passing the biomass though one more microwave assisted extraction units, thereby exposing the biomass to microwave energy. The solvent is separated from the biomass, where the separated solvent is the bioactive agent.

Abstract: A mobile phone-based dark field microscope (MDFM) apparatus suitable for quantifying nanoparticle signals is provided. The MDFM apparatus includes an electrically operated light source, a dark-field condenser, a slide housing configured to receive an analytical slide, and an adapter housing configured to receive an objective lens and receive a portable electronic communication device. The slide housing positions the analytical slide between the objective lens and the dark-field condenser. The adapter housing registers the objective lens with a camera lens of the portable electronic communication device. A method for performing a biological quantitative study using the dark-field microscope apparatus is further provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an electromagnet alignment system for AM or 3D printing technology providing improved in-situ alignment of the magnetic particulate material as it is dispensed during deposition to form a 3D shape. In-situ alignment of the magnetic particulate material can be controlled to be unidirectional or multi-directional.

Abstract: Systems and methods for continuous flow polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are provided. The system comprises an injector, a mixer, a coalescer, a droplet generator, a detector, a digital PCR system, and a controller. The injector takes in a sample, partitions the sample into sample aliquots with the help of an immiscible oil phase, dispenses waste, and sends the sample aliquot to the mixer. The mixer mixes the sample aliquot with a PCR master mix and diluting water, dispenses waste, and sends the sample mixture (separated by an immiscible oil) to the coalescer. The coalescer coalesces the sample mixture with primers dispensed from a cassette, dispenses waste, and sends the reaction mixture (separated by an immiscible oil) to the droplet generator. The droplet generator converts the sample mixture into an emulsion where aqueous droplets of the reaction mixture are maintained inside of an immiscible oil phase and dispenses droplets to the digital PCR system.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to a continuous impregnating process of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) onto porous carriers, a continuous impregnation process for making impregnated porous carrier particles and pharmaceutical dosage forms comprising impregnated porous carrier particles, impregnated porous carrier particles and pharmaceutical dosage forms comprising impregnated porous carrier particles prepared by the continuous impregnation process.

Abstract: A lithium-metal battery electrode-supported separator includes an electrically conductive substrate and a separator coated on the substrate. The separator includes plate-shaped zeolite particles, and the zeolite particles define intra-particle pores. A lithium-metal battery includes a first electrode, a separator coated on first electrode, a second electrode that includes lithium metal and is in direct contact with the separator, and an electrolyte in contact with the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: Mixed-phase TiO2 nanofibers prepared via a sol-gel technique followed by electrospinning and calcination are provided as photocatalysts. The calcination temperature is adjusted to control the rutile phase fraction in TiO2 nanofibers relative to the anatase phase. Post-calcined TiO2 nanofibers composed of 38 wt % rutile and 62 wt % anatase exhibited the highest initial rate constant of UV photocatalysis. This can be attributed to the combined influences of the fibers' specific surface areas and their phase compositions.

Abstract: Transgenic silkworms stably expressing hagfish thread keratin genes or composite silkworm/hagfish thread keratin genes are disclosed. The exogenous hagfish thread keratin genes are stably integrated into a defined site of the fibroin heavy chain intron or a fibroin light chain intron of silkworms. Synthetic hagfish thread keratin proteins and composite hagfish thread keratin-silkworm genes and proteins are provided. The expression of exogenous hagfish thread keratin genes is driven by the endogenous fibroin heavy chain promoter, improving the genetic stability of transgenic silkworms. The composite silkworm/hagfish thread keratin fibers exhibit exceptional mechanical performance, compared to normal silkworm silk fibers and other transgenic silkworm fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for controlling hybridization in plants and producing hybrid plants. The present invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding amino acid sequences for self-incompatibility (SI) proteins in plants, and the use thereof for the manipulation of SI, including seed production, in plants, particularly of the Solanaceae family. The present invention also relates to kits, compositions, constructs and vectors including such nucleic acids, and related polypeptides, regulatory elements and methods as well as resultant plant varieties developed through the use of self-pollination.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions comprising a lyn kinase activator and TRPM8 agonist, and to methods of: reducing blood glucose levels, weight gain, or fat depot levels; treating metabolic syndrome, Syndrome X, obesity, prediabetes, type II diabetes, type I diabetes; treating hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetic neuropathy, lipodystrophy, diabetic retinopathy, erectile dysfunction, kidney disease, dyslipidemia, dyslipoproteinemia, a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-associated disorder, septicemia, a thrombotic disorder, or pancreatitis; inducing the beiging of adipocytes; and preventing pancreatic beta cell degeneration.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for expression of functional bacterial type I fatty acid synthase in photosynthetic hosts for production of activated acyl-CoAs and for use in biofuel production.

Abstract: Down-regulating autoimmune regulator (AIRE) function in B cells to produce antibodies is described. The antibodies can be class-switched, high affinity, and neutralizing, and have a high degree of somatic hypermutations, even in the framework region, as compared to antibodies produced in the absence of AIRE downregulation.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating a disorder of cardiac muscle and/or skeletal muscle in a subject according to aspects of the present disclosure. Treatment methods include administering a therapeutically effective dose of a C-terminal portion of troponin I capable of reducing sensitivity of cardiac muscle and/or skeletal muscle to Ca2+ without decreasing maximum force production. Assays for identification of compounds capable of reducing sensitivity of cardiac muscle and/or skeletal muscle to Ca2+ without decreasing maximum force production are further provided.

Abstract: A communications network system is disclosed. The system may include a central processing unit (CPU) in data communication with a first access point (AP) configured to enable a data communication between the CPU and a first user equipment (UE). The CPU may include a processor configured to select a first group of APs including the first AP, establish a first data communications link over a first frequency band between the CPU- and the first AP, cause the first AP to establish a second data communications link over a second frequency band between the first AP and the first UE, and transmit a portion of data to the first AP over the first data communications link. The first data communications link may be a wireless data communications link. The first frequency band may include higher frequency levels than those of the second frequency band.

Abstract: A system is described that exhibits the functionality of a beam-splitter, typically an optical device that splits a beam of light in two. In this case, the beams are acoustic pulses and can lead to the creation of a Wannier-Mott exciton: a bound state of an electron and an electron hole whose attraction to each other is maintained by the electrostatic Coulomb force. This exciton beam-splitter is lossy (i.e., involves the dissipation of electrical or electromagnetic energy). Half of the time the exciton is radiated away. Nevertheless, if the exciton is not lost, the exciton is now in a superposition of two states that can be well separated in position. Four such beam-splitters can be used to make an exciton interferometer that uses the interference patterns from the interacting acoustic pulses to extract information.

Abstract: The present invention discloses systems for targeted gene editing and related uses.

Abstract: A three-dimensional stereo vision camera communicates the location of a targeted fruit (preferably an apple) to a controller. The controller directs a vacuum selection tube to the location of the targeted apple. The selection tube has a gripping orifice that has a smaller diameter than the apple so that the vacuum suction from the selection tube grips the apple. The selected fruit is then rotated and pulled away from the tree canopy by the selection tube until the apple detaches from the canopy. The detached apple is then gently placed in a collection bin for later sorting and processing.

Abstract: A method of making thin films of sodium fluorides and their derivatives by atomic layer deposition (“ALD”). A sodium precursor is exposed to a substrate in an ALD reactor. The sodium precursor is purged, leaving the substrate with a sodium intermediate bound thereon. A fluorine precursor is exposed to the bound sodium intermediate in the ALD reactor. The fluorine precursor is purged and a sodium fluoride film is formed on the substrate.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some embodiments, are engineered cells and use of the same for increased hydrogen production. In particular, provided herein are genetically engineered cells comprising a polynucleotide encoding a fusion protein comprising a photosystem I (PSI) protein and an algal hydrogenase, as well as methods for producing such genetically engineered cells. Also provided herein are methods for increasing hydrogen (H2) production in cells.