Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting release of a virus from a cell, comprising contacting the cell with a compound that binds an ubiquitin E2 variant (UEV) domain of a cellular polypeptide, or fragment thereof, with an affinity sufficient to inhibit or disrupt the binding of the cellular polypeptide, or fragment thereof, to ubiquitin.

Abstract: A doped ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal includes a chirality-induced stabilization of the polar nematic order, improved relaxation time for electro-optical switching, and selective reflection in the visible wavelength that is reversibly tunable. The ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal is doped with a chiral dopant selected from benzoic acid, 4-hexyl-,4-[[(1-methylheptyl)oxy]carbonyl]phenyl ester (ZLI811) and BDH1281.

Abstract: A computer system is disclosed that is configured to perform a method that includes receiving one or more radar data frames from one or more antennas of a base station or a user equipment device in an environment; processing the one or more radar data frames to identify one or more attributes of one or more static objects and one or more dynamic objects in the environment; and estimating one or more channels for the user equipment device and the base station based on the one or more attributes of the one or more static objects and the one or more dynamic objects.

Abstract: Provided herein are binding polypeptides, such as binding peptides and antibodies, against a SARS CoV-2. The binding polypeptides relate to or are based on bovine antibodies, particularly those containing an ultralong CDR3. Also provided herein are methods of treating a virus infection, such as a coronavirus infection, by delivering to a subject in need a provided binding polypeptide.

Abstract: The harmonic tag includes a ring resonator circuit and may include a first ring microstrip disposed on a first side of a first dielectric substrate, a microstrip feedline spaced apart from and adjacent to the first ring microstrip and a ground plane disposed opposite the first ring microstrip and the microstrip feedline on a second side of the first dielectric substrate. The ring resonator circuit is tuned to resonate at an interrogation frequency. A dipole antenna circuit may include a dipole microstrip electrically coupled to the microstrip feedline through a first diode. The first diode causes the dipole microstrip to transmit a harmonic signal having a harmonic frequency twice the interrogation frequency.

Abstract: A marker transfer tape includes a transfer material layer that extends along a length and width of the marker transfer tape and an adhesive layer along a bottom side of the transfer material layer. The marker transfer tape includes a marker separation cut that defines a first removable portion, a second removable portion, and a plurality of markers between the first and second removable portions such that the markers are centrally located along the width of the marker transfer tape and spaced apart along the length of the marker transfer tape. The markers are applied to the surface by: adhering the marker transfer tape to the surface; peeling off the first removable portion; and peeling off the second removable portion.

Abstract: High-temperature thermochemical energy storage materials using doped magnesium-transition metal spinel oxides are provided. -transition metal spinel oxides, such as magnesium manganese oxide (MgMn)3O4, are promising candidates for high-temperature thermochemical energy storage applications. However, the use of these materials has been constrained by the limited extent of their endothermic reaction. Embodiments described herein provide for doping magnesium-transition metal spinel oxides to produce a material of low material costs and with high energy densities, creating an avenue for plausibly sized modules with high energy storing capacities.

Abstract: A solid-state photomultiplier with a high-k dielectric hole blocking layer (HBL) is provided. The HBL may include a n-type material. The photomultiplier may comprise an amorphous selenium (a-Se) bulk layer. The HBL may be a non-insulating layer. The photomultiplier may also comprise an electron blocking layer (EBL). The EBL may comprise a p-type material. The p-type material may also have a high k dielectric. The a-Se layer may be sandwiched between the HBL and the EBL. Methods for manufacturing a solid-state photomultiplier are also provided.

Abstract: A computer that includes a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions executable by the processor to generate radar data by projecting radar returns of objects within a scene onto an image plane of camera data of the scene based on extrinsic and intrinsic parameters of a camera and extrinsic parameters of a radar sensor to generate the radar data. The image data can be received at an image channel of an image/radar convolutional neural network (CNN) and receive the radar data at a radar channel of the image/radar CNN, wherein features are transferred from the image channel to the radar channel at multiple stages Image object features and image confidence scores can be determined by the image channel, and radar object features and radar confidences by the radar channel. The image object features can be combined with the radar object features using a weighted sum.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating/inhibiting/reducing a non-immunogenic cancer in a subject or inducing blockade inhibitor susceptibility (such as, for example, PD-1/PDLI, CTLA-4/B7-1/2, and/or CD47/SIRPa inhibitor susceptibility) in a tumor in a subject with a cancer, said methods comprising administering to the subject a hydrogel matrix comprising a chemotherapeutic agent (including, but not limited to gemcitabine) and a blockade inhibitor (including, but not limited to a PD-1/PD-LI blockade inhibitor, such as, for example nivolumab, pembrolizumab, pidilizumab, atezolizumab, avelumab, durvalumab, and BMS-936559; a CTLA-4/B7-1/2 inhibitor such as, for example, Ipilimumab; and/or a CD47/SIRPa inhibitor such as, for example Hu5F9-G4, CVI, B6H12, 2D3, CC-90002, and TTI-621).

Abstract: Materials and methods for detecting and treating Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) are provided herein. For example, materials and methods for enriching and detecting biomarker antigens (e.g., polypeptides and/or glycans) from Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii, the fungi that cause Valley Fever, are described herein, as are methods for treating an individual for Valley Fever based on the results of the described detection methods.

Abstract: Described herein are RSV polynucleotide sequences that make use of multiple codons that are containing silent nucleotide substitutions engineered in multiple locations in the genome, wherein the substitutions introduce a numerous synonymous codons into the genome. Due to the large number of defects involved, the attenuated viruses disclosed herein provide a means of producing attenuated, live vaccines against RSV.

Abstract: A reflector apparatus is provided. A further aspect employs at least one antenna or radar operably emitting signals, and a moving object-mounted reflector which operably reflects at least some of the signals back to the at least one antenna or radar, the reflector including trihedral walls with metallic reflective surfaces. In another aspect, a programmable controller in an automotive vehicle determines a moving object-characteristic based on at least reflected signals received by a horn antenna using a Doppler or micro-Doppler effect. Still another aspect includes a trihedral reflector which moves with a movable object including handlebars, a straddled user seat and being one of: a bicycle, a motorcycle, or an all-terrain vehicle. A further aspect includes multiple spaced apart trihedral reflectors attached to a user-wearable, flexible and nonconductive substrate.

Abstract: In this disclosure, a method or kit for using the method of extracting, concentrating, and detecting microbes from a sample is disclosed. The method disclosed herein use transition or rare earth metal-based magnetic ionic liquids (MILs) to extract viable microbes from a sample and to detect them via an amplification-based method and/or a non-amplification-based methods. The method and kit can be used in-field and on-site for detection of viable microbes in a sample within about an hour, without using any powered heat source or powered tool.

Abstract: Threshold logic gates using flash transistors are provided. In an exemplary aspect, flash threshold logic (FTL) provides a novel circuit topology for realizing complex threshold functions. FTL cells use floating gate (flash) transistors to realize all threshold functions of a given number of variables. The use of flash transistors in the FTL cell allows a fine-grained selection of weights, which is not possible in traditional complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-based threshold logic cells. Further examples include a novel approach for programming the weights of an FTL cell for a specified threshold function using a modified perceptron learning algorithm.

Abstract: A portable sampler, the sampler including a sampler assembly having a housing that includes a receiver defined therein for interchangeably receiving a number of removable inlet assemblies, the removable inlet assemblies including a respirable inlet assembly and a thoracic inlet assembly. The respirable inlet assembly includes a hybrid cyclone assembly, the hybrid cyclone assembly including an impaction stage and a cyclone in series. The thoracic inlet assembly includes an inlet slot configured to function as a size-selective inlet. Another thoracic inlet assembly includes a housing having a number of openings configured to receive a sample airflow; an inlet insert through which an inlet aperture is defined; a prequalification chamber defined between a lower surface of the housing and an upper surface of the inlet insert; and a protrusion extending downward from the lower surface of the housing into the inlet aperture of the inlet insert to from an inlet slot.

Abstract: A flexible sensor is provided. A further aspect employs a sensor apparatus including pressure or force sensing layers or sheets in addition to location sensing layers or sheets. In another aspect, an electrical sensing circuit and flexible films are used to sense pressure and/or location of a contacting object. In another aspect, a compressible polymer includes conductive particles therein such that the compressible polymer changes electrical resistance when compressed to indicate a force or location. Still another aspect has stacked sandwiches of pressure and/or location sensing films, layers or sheets.

Abstract: A system for reducing total dissolved solids in wastewater can include a vertical reactor that can include a flexible sheet material, where the flexible sheet material can be configured to facilitate the growth and attachment of an algal biofilm. The vertical reactor can include a shaft, where the shaft can be associated with and can support the flexible sheet material, and a drive motor, where the drive motor can be coupled with the shaft such that the flexible sheet material can be selectively actuated. The system can include a fluid reservoir containing a portion of wastewater through which the flexible sheet material is configured to pass as well as a stressor operably configured to stimulate the algae to produce an extracellular polymeric substance. A method of reducing total dissolved solids in wastewater includes moving an algal biofilm through the wastewater and moving the algal biofilm through a gas.

Abstract: Described herein are constructs, compositions and methods for precise in vivo imaging of the structures and dynamics of protein-based scaffolds with and without their designated cargos.

Abstract: There are approximately 35,000 abandoned and unplugged oil and gas wells in New York with no known location. Unplugged wells emit methane, a strong greenhouse gas, which has the potential to significantly contribute to global climate change and act as a pollutant chemical. A long-range UAV equipped with methane sensors, MagPike (atomic magnetometer), and LiDAR sensors successfully detected unmarked well sites using characteristic magnetic signals generated by vertical metal piping preserved in the ground. The optimal flight altitude and transect spacing was determined for detection driven by the total field strength of the Earth's magnetic field and the height of tree canopies determined by LiDAR. Traditional methods of identifying oil and gas wells are costly and less powerful in acquisition of data such as using large magnetometers attached to helicopters.