Abstract: Spin labeled ice binding compounds (IBCs) including ice binding proteins (IBPs), also called antifreeze proteins (AFPs) and their analogs are exploited to carry the paramagnetic centers for dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), for enhancing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal intensities. Use of spin labeled IBCs to perform DNP exploits the IBCs' ability to homogeneously distribute the paramagnetic centers in frozen water solution at low temperature, leading to high DNP efficiency. Other advantages of using spin labeled IBCs include: (1) ability to cryo-protect biological samples; (2) the relative positions and orientations of the spin labeling groups in an IBC may also be cryo-preserved; (3) positions and orientations of spin labeling groups to an IBC can be selected with great freedom and without technical barrier to making multiple spin labels in an IBC; and (4) water solubilities of spin labeled IBCs are potentially high, enabling use of a solvent that is primarily water for DNP at low temperatures.

Abstract: The invention is a method of increasing hydrocarbon recovery through the biomineralization sealing of fractured geological formations followed by refracturing, including preparing a composition with biochemical components that is delivered into a geological subsurface through a cased well bore. Nutrient solutions are delivered into the geological subsurface through the well bore, thereby metabolizing the nutrient solutions with the biochemical components to create a mineralizing byproduct. Mineralizing solutions are delivered into the geological subsurface, delivering the composition, nutrient solutions and mineralizing solutions to targeted geological formations having existing formation fractures, through casing openings. Mineralizing solutions react with the mineralizing byproduct to produce minerals, which crystallize in the existing formation fractures, sealing and strengthening the existing formation fractures and resulting in sealed fractures.

Abstract: Forming multifunctional materials and composites thereof includes contacting a first material having a plurality of oxygen-containing functional groups with a chalcogenide compound, and initiating a chemical reaction between the first material and the chalcogenide compound, thereby replacing oxygen in some of the oxygen-containing functional groups with chalcogen from the chalcogen-containing compound to yield a second material having chalcogen-containing functional groups and oxygen-containing functional groups. The first material is a carbonaceous material or a macromolecular material. A product including the second material is collected and may be processed further to yield a modified product or a composite.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of providing an electronic device. The method includes: (i) providing a carrier substrate, (ii) providing a device substrate comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the device substrate having a flexible substrate, (iii) coupling the first side of the device substrate to the carrier substrate; and (iv) after coupling the first side of the device substrate to the carrier substrate, providing two or more active sections over the second side of the device substrate, each active section of the two or more active sections being spatially separate from each other and having at least one semiconductor device. Other embodiments of related methods and devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Instruction issue circuits are disclosed that are configured to issue multiple instructions within a superscalar pipeline of a microprocessor. The instruction issue circuit includes an instruction queue that stores instructions. A ready generation circuit is operably associated with the instruction queue and generates ready signals that indicate which instructions in the instruction queue are ready for execution. To simplify the instruction issue circuit, the instruction issue circuit has group blocks. Each group block receives a different group of the ready signals corresponding to a different group of the instructions. Each group block generates a group output indicating a group set within the corresponding group of the instructions that has a highest instruction execution priority and are ready for execution. By splitting the ready signals into groups, the groups of ready signals can be processed in parallel thereby reducing both the resulting delay and complexity of the instruction issue circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting data over a wireless communication network. The method broadly includes generating a frequency hopping pattern spanning a plurality of time hops and a plurality of signal frequencies; generating a signal including a number of data symbols, the signal incorporating the frequency hopping pattern such that the symbols are distributed across the signal frequencies according to the frequency hopping pattern; transmitting the signal from a transmitting unit to a receiving unit over the wireless communication network; and generating an exact symbol error rate for the signal as received by the receiving unit.

Abstract: A structurally reinforced optically transparent panel that may be utilized as a bulletproof window or shield. The panel includes a plurality of angled reinforcement members having a reflective top and bottom surfaces. Optical lenses are disposed between the reinforcement members directing a light ray in a predetermined direction. The geometry and spacing of the reinforcement members is such that the light rays enter and exit the bulletproof panel at substantially the same angle allowing an observer to view optical images of objects behind the bulletproof panel, thus creating optical transparency. The reinforcement members are of a high strength material capable of being impenetrable by a projectile fired from a ballistic weapon or an explosion debris.

Abstract: Generation of standardized noise signals that provide mathematically correct noise with no errors and no loss of data, and can generate the noise of specific environments based on the transfer function of that environment are discussed. Various embodiments can generate synthetic data sets based on natural data sets that have similar scaling behavior. Fractional scaling digital filters, containing the fractional scaling characteristics of one or more of the eleven fundamental forms of basic building block transfer functions which incorporate the scaling exponent, can be encoded on FPGA devices or DSP chips for use in digital signal processing. Fractional Scaling Digital Filters allow fractional calculus, and thus fractional filtering (e.g.

Abstract: Methods, structures, and systems are disclosed for biosensing and drug delivery techniques. In one aspect, a^ device for detecting an analyte and/or releasing a biochemical into a biological fluid can include an array of hollowed needles, in which each needle includes a protruded needle structure including an exterior wall forming a hollow interior and an opening at a terminal end of the protruded needle structure that exposes the hollow interior, and a probe inside the exterior wall to interact with one or more chemical or biological substances that come in contact with the probe via the opening to produce a probe sensing signal, and an array of wires that are coupled to probes of the array of hollowed needles, respectively, each wire being electrically conductive to transmit the probe sensing signal produced by a respective probe.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery having an anode including an array of nanowires electrochemically coated with a polymer electrolyte, and surrounded by a cathode matrix, forming thereby interpenetrating electrodes, wherein the diffusion length of the Li+ ions is significantly decreased, leading to faster charging/discharging, greater reversibility, and longer battery lifetime, is described. The battery design is applicable to a variety of battery materials. Methods for directly electrodepositing Cu2Sb from aqueous solutions at room temperature using citric acid as a complexing agent to form an array of nanowires for the anode, are also described. Conformal coating of poly-[Zn(4-vinyl-4?methyl-2,2?-bipyridine)3](PF6)2 by electroreductive polymerization onto films and high-aspect ratio nanowire arrays for a solid-state electrolyte is also described, as is reductive electropolymerization of a variety of vinyl monomers, such as those containing the acrylate functional group.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for automated polyp detection in optical colonoscopy images. The system includes an input configured to acquire a series of optical images, and a processor configured to process the optical images. Processing steps include performing a boundary classification with steps comprising locating a series of edge pixels using at least one acquired optical image, selecting an image patch around each said edge pixel, performing a classification threshold analysis on each image patch of said edge pixels using a set of determined boundary classifiers, and identifying, based on the classification threshold analysis, polyp edge pixels consistent with a polyp edge. Processing steps for the processor also include performing a vote accumulation, using the identified polyp edge pixels, to determine a polyp location. The system also includes an output configured to indicate potential polyps using the determined polyp location.

Abstract: A chip-scale, reusable sensor can detect aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX), rapidly in water without sample preparation. The device is capable of real-time, continuous monitoring for BTEX solutes, which diffuse into a film, such as a polymer, on the sensors surface. In operation, BTEX analytes concentrate in the film, causing an increase in refractive index, which modulates evanescent coupling into the chips integrated photodetector array. Integration of the photodetector array simplifies system instrumentation and permits incorporation of an on-chip photocurrent reference region in the immediate vicinity of the sensing region, reducing drift due to temperature fluctuations. In some examples, the chip responds linearly for BTEX concentrations between 1 ppm and 30 ppm, with a limit of detection of 359 ppb, 249 ppb, and 103 ppb for benzene, toluene, and xylene in water, respectively.

Abstract: Provided herein are heterocyclic near infrared compounds, including near IR compounds defined by Formulae I-V described herein. The near infrared compounds can include a cyanine group, a phthalocyanine group, a naphthalocyanine group, a squaraine group, a carbocyanine group, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the near infrared compound can be charged. In some embodiments, the near infrared compound can comprise a cationic group. Compositions comprising the near infrared compounds are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the composition can contain the near infrared compound, a polymer, and an acceptable carrier. In some embodiments, the polymer can include an anionic group. The compositions can be used as a coating for marking a surface, such as an ink. The compositions can also be used on articles for detecting, identifying, or authenticating the article. Methods of making the compositions described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: The document provides nutritional supplement compositions. For example, nutritional supplement compositions containing a potato polysaccharide preparation, methods for obtaining potato polysaccharide preparations, methods for making nutritional supplement compositions containing a potato polysaccharide preparation, and methods for increasing or decreasing expression of polypeptides involved with mitochondria activity or function are provided.

Abstract: A physiology monitoring system is provided for reducing the risk of sudden unexpected infant death in infants and to monitor physiological parameters in both infants and adults. An embodiment of the monitoring system includes a belt dimensioned to encircle a patient's chest; an accelerometer configured to detect inhale/exhale motions of the patient's chest; a gyroscopic sensor configured to detect supine/prone orientation of the patient; a controller configured for receiving signals from the accelerometer and gyroscopic sensor and determining a risk to the patient based on the received signals; and an e-paper display. The e-paper display being coupled to the control circuit and configured to display instructional messages to a caregiver. Additionally, a power source provides energizing power to the accelerometer, gyroscopic sensor, controller and e-paper display for a minimum period of one year.

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: Electrochemical impedance-based label-free and rapid biosensor for select bodily fluid biomolecule levels. Monoclonal antibodies to of biomolecule such as Cortisol were covalently attached to a 16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid functionalized gold working electrode using zero-length crosslinkers N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N-ethylcarbodiimide and 10 mM N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide. Cortisol was detected in phosphate buffered saline (simulated tear fluid) using a simple ferrocyanide reagent with a lower limit of detection of 18.73 pM and less than 10% relative standard deviation.

Abstract: A new Cornus kousa cultivar that is clearly distinguished by its floriferous display of showy, dark-pink floral bracts, attractive dark-green foliage, high level of winter hardiness, and tolerance of the incitants of powdery mildew.

Abstract: ‘NCSX1’ is a new cultivar of hybrid spiraea that is a triploid selection with a compact habit and multicolored, yellow-orange foliage throughout the growing season with red-purple flowers.

Abstract: ‘NCORNSP-019SCSHLM’ is a moderately-compact to compact, non-twining, upright variety producing many short shoots. It is distinguishable from other cultivars by its yellow green heart shaped leaves that are entire with a cordate base; a compact habit and semi-erect mounding plant architecture. The lime green leaves of this plant, short internodes, and the plant architecture are what makes ‘NCORNSP-019SCSHLM’ unique amongst the current ornamental sweetpotatoes in the marketplace. ‘NCORNSP-019SCSHLM’ also exhibits very good vigor and is very well branched. In greenhouse and field trials, ‘NCORNSP-019SCSHLM’ 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-019SCSHLM’ is sporadic under short day conditions.