Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-mode radiation hardened multi-core microprocessors are disclosed. In some embodiments, a triplicated circuit includes a first core logic, a second core logic, a third core logic, and bus arbitration and control circuitry. The triplicated circuit is configurable to operate in both a Triple-Modular Redundant (TMR) mode of operation and a multi-threaded mode of operation. In some embodiments, there is essentially no overhead in soft mode and low overhead (power only) in hard mode. In most applications, it is expected that portions of missions require very hard systems (e.g., landing) where a failure is catastrophic. However, other portions require essentially no hardening (digital signal processor and signal processing activities) but much better throughput. Consequently, there is a huge opportunity to develop computer processors with low overhead in soft mode and unprecedented hardness in hard mode.

Abstract: Methods to improve drought tolerance and increasing yield by the application limited transpiration trait in maize plants are provided. Expression of the limited transpiration trait in maize under increasing vapor pressure deficit conditions provide positive impact on overall crop yield, depending on environmental conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a composition for use in forming films or coatings that prevent damage in foodstuffs, including plants, fruits, and vegetables. The disclosed compositions comprise a cellulose nanomaterial and can further comprise a nanoscale mineral compound and one or more additional components. Also disclosed are films or coatings made using the disclosed compositions, as well as methods for making the disclosed compositions and methods for using the disclosed compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for tandem alkene dehydrogenation/alkene dimerization using an iridium pincer complex catalyst on a support comprising magnesium silicates (e.g., Florisil®). The reaction process comprises providing an iridium pincer complex bound to a solid support comprising magnesium silicates; providing a gaseous alkane feedstock comprising at least one alkane; and contacting the gaseous alkane feedstock with the iridium pincer complex bound to the solid support in the presence of a hydrogen acceptor to form dimerized alkenes. The processes disclosed herein can accomplish facile, low-temperature tandem transfer dehydrogenation of alkanes and dimerization of alkenes with unprecedented TONs at a reasonable rate of conversion.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a location of a nanoparticle within a material is described herein. The method includes the steps of providing at least one nanoclay particle, attaching a fluorescent tag to the at least one nanoclay particle, and determining a fluorescence of the fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle. The method also includes forming the material including the at least one fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle, depositing the material in an aqueous solution, and detecting a movement of the fluorescent-labeled nanoclay particle from the material to the aqueous solution.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure, device, or N-polar III-nitride vertical field effect transistor. The structure, device, or transistor includes a current blocking layer and an aperture region. The current blocking layer and aperture region are comprised of the same material. The current blocking layer and aperture region are formed by polarization engineering and not doping or implantation. A method of making a semiconductor structure, device, or III-nitride vertical transistor. The method includes obtaining, growing, or forming a functional bilayer comprising a barrier layer and a two-dimensional electron gas-containing layer. The functional bilayer is not formed via a regrowth step.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a novel rice cultivar, designated LSUAC Hi Protein Rice. ‘LSUAC Hi Protein Rice’ has up to an average 53% improvement in protein content with levels averaging 11%. The variety is described as semi-dwarf, and very early maturing. The invention relates to the seeds of rice cultivar LSUAC Hi Protein Rice, to the plants of rice cultivar LSUAC Hi Protein Rice, to plant parts of rice cultivar LSUAC Hi Protein Rice, to methods for producing a rice cultivar by crossing the rice cultivar LSUAC Hi Protein Rice with another rice cultivar, and to methods for producing a rice cultivar containing in its genetic material one or more backcross conversion traits or transgenes and to the backcross conversion rice plants and plant parts produced by those methods.

Abstract: In a corpus of scientific articles such as a digital library, documents are connected by citations and one document plays two different roles in the corpus: document itself and a citation of other documents. A Bernoulli Process Topic (BPT) model is provided which models the corpus at two levels: document level and citation level. In the BPT model, each document has two different representations in the latent topic space associated with its roles. Moreover, the multi-level hierarchical structure of the citation network is captured by a generative process involving a Bernoulli process. The distribution parameters of the BPT model are estimated by a variational approximation approach.

Abstract: A waveguide sensor capable of direct, real-time detection and monitoring of analytes in the vicinity of the waveguide surface without requiring the tagging or labeling of the analyte, is described. Analytic and numerical calculations have predicted that by locally detecting either changes in the evanescent field or changes in the light coupled out of the waveguide as a result of the presence of the analyte, high detection sensitivity will be able to be achieved.

Abstract: Compression molding of metals is used to make microchannel heat exchangers. Heat transfer can be improved by employing controlled microchannel surface roughness. Flux-free bonding is achieved using a eutectic thin-film intermediate layer. Seals are leak-tight, mechanically strong, and uniform across multiple contact areas. The metal heat exchangers may be mass-produced inexpensively, and are useful for applications including the cooling of computer chips and other high-power electronic devices, air conditioning, refrigeration, condenser plates, radiators, fuel cell heat management, and instant water heating.

Abstract: Microwave plasma assisted reactors, for example chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD) reactors, are disclosed. The disclosed reactors operate at high pressures (>180-320 Torr) and high power densities (>150 W/cm3), and thereby enable high deposition rate CVD processes that rapidly deposit materials. In particular, reactor design examples are described that, when operating in the 180-320 Torr pressure regime, rapidly CVD synthesize high quality polycrystalline (PCD) and single crystal diamond (SCD). The improved reactors include a radial contraction in the vicinity of the plasma chamber (and optionally a combined expansion in the vicinity of the electromagnetic wave source, followed by the contraction) in the main microwave chamber as electromagnetic energy propagates from an electromagnetic wave source to a plasma/deposition chamber.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a current-fed modular multilevel dual active-bridge DC-DC converter suitable for medium voltage direct current (MVDC) grid or high voltage direct current (HVDC) grid integration is described. The DAB modular converter and the current-fed DAB converter are soft-switched modular multilevel dual-active-bridge (DAB) converters having DC fault ride-through capability. In an additional embodiment a voltage-fed isolated modular dual active-bridge DC-DC converter for medium voltage direct current (MVDC) or high voltage direct current (HVDC) grids or systems is described. In specific embodiments, the converters may be coupled to a battery energy storage system (BESS), wherein the BESS comprises split-battery units and the interface of the isolated DC-DC converter connects the split-battery units to the MVDC or HVDC system.

Abstract: Equol (7-hydroxy-3(4?hydroxyphenyl)-chroman), the major metabolite of the phytoestrogen daidzein, specifically binds and blocks the hormonal action of 5?-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in vitro and in vivo. Equol can bind circulating free DHT and sequester it from the androgen receptor, thus altering growth and physiological hormone responses that are regulated by androgens. These data suggest a novel model to explain equol's biological properties. The significance of equol's ability to specifically bind and sequester DHT from the androgen receptor have important ramifications in health and disease and may indicate a broad and important usage for equol in the treatment and prevention of androgen-mediated pathologies. Thus, equol can specifically bind DHT and prevent DHT's biological actions in physiological and pathophysiological processes.

Abstract: Various embodiments of microscopy systems, devices, and associated methods of analysis are described herein. In one embodiment, a method of operating a microscope includes acquiring a profile of a light signal from a sample with a photo detector without passing the light signal through a physical pinhole. The method also includes determining a parameter of the sample based on generally the entire acquired profile of the light signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to infectious DNA clones, infectious chimeric DNA clones of porcine circovirus (PCV), vaccines and means of protecting pigs against viral infection or postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) caused by PCV2. The new chimeric infectious DNA clone and its derived, avirulent chimeric virus are constructed from the nonpathogenic PCV1 in which the immunogenic ORF gene of the pathogenic PCV2 replaces a gene of the nonpathogenic PCV1, preferably in the same position. The chimeric virus advantageously retains the nonpathogenic phenotype of PCV1 but elicits specific immune responses against the pathogenic PCV2. The invention further embraces the immunogenic polypeptide expression products. In addition, the invention encompasses two mutations in the PCV2 immunogenic capsid gene and protein, and the introduction of the ORF2 mutations in the chimeric clones.

Abstract: Disclosed are universal influenza A vaccines capable of providing broader crossprotection. The vaccine contains a fusion protein comprising tandem repeats of heterologous M2e epitope sequences that have been molecularly and genetically designed to provide broad cross-protection. The fusion protein may be incorporated into virus-like particles (VLPs) or a replicating live attenuated influenza virus vaccine, and administered alone or in combination with other influenza vaccines.

Abstract: A method of tracking a service queue using a single-point signal monitor in which at least one customer carries a wireless device may include: receiving a received signal strength from the wireless device as a trace; identify first segments of the trace containing mostly positive sloped received signal strength; identify second segments of the trace containing mostly negative sloped received signal; extract attributes from the first and second segments as child variables for two parent nodes in a Bayesian Network in which the two parent nodes respectively model a beginning of service and a leaving period for a service queue; and inputting the extracted attributes into Bayesian Network; and determining a beginning of service and leaving period using the Bayesian Network. The method may also include determining critical time points in a trace using a K-L divergence technique.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting Alzheimer's disease in a subject. This method involves providing a sample from the subject, subjecting the sample to a spectroscopic analysis to produce a spectroscopic signature for the sample, determining whether the spectroscopic signature for the sample corresponds to an Alzheimer's disease spectroscopic signature, and identifying a subject as having Alzheimer's disease where the spectroscopic signature for the sample from that subject corresponds to the spectroscopic signature for Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: A method for one of preventing and minimizing diabetes pathology in a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of N-acetylcysteine (NAC).

Abstract: A method of increasing production of one or more lipoxins in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject an amount of a compound having the structure: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, so as to thereby increase production of the one or more lipoxins in the subject.