Abstract: The disclosure relates to enhancing alkalinity of brine, e.g. seawater, using bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BPMED) without removing divalent cations that otherwise cause scaling. In one embodiment, a BPMED is employed wherein the brine volumetric flow rate through a basification compartment is greater at a given current density than that through a brine compartment which increases the pH of the brine output while keeping it below the precipitation pH. In one embodiment, the spacer located in the basification compartment is thicker than spacers elsewhere in the BPMED so as resist membrane distortion due to the increased hydrostatic pressure in the basification compartment given the greater volumetric flow. The brine output having increased alkalinity can be returned to the ocean to mitigate acidification and enable capture of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus is provided. Multiple opposite and self-powered sensors are provided in another aspect of the present apparatus. A further aspect employs a sensor apparatus including a first pair of flexible piezoelectric sensors attached to opposite sides of an exterior surface of a workpiece and at least a second pair of flexible piezoelectric sensors attached to opposite sides of the exterior surface of the workpiece. Another aspect of the present apparatus uses pairs of thin film piezoelectric sensors which are configured to detect bending curvature of a workpiece in at least two dimensions by sending voltage output signals from both of the sensors of a first pair and/or both of the sensors of at least a second pair to a controller and/or electrical circuit.

Abstract: The epsilon polymorph of vanadyl phosphate, ?-VOPO4, made from the solvothermally synthesized H2VOPO4, is a high density cathode material for lithium-ion batteries optimized to reversibly intercalate two Li-ions to reach the full theoretical capacity at least 50 cycles with a coulombic efficiency of 98%. This material adopts a stable 3D tunnel structure and can extract two Li-ions per vanadium ion, giving a theoretical capacity of 305 mAh/g, with an upper charge/discharge plateau at around 4.0 V, and one lower at around 2.5 V.

Abstract: Field effect transistors (FET) including quantum layers. A FET may include a substrate, and an oxide layer disposed over the substrate. The oxide layer may include a first section and a second section positioned adjacent the first section. The FET may also include a first quantum layer disposed over the first section of the oxide layer, and a second quantum layer disposed over the second section of the oxide layer, and a first segment of the first quantum layer. Additionally, the FET may include a drain region disposed directly over a second segment the first quantum layer. The second segment of the first quantum layer may be positioned adjacent the first segment of the first quantum layer. The FET may further include a source region disposed over the second quantum layer, and a channel region formed over the second quantum layer, between the drain region and the source region.

Abstract: Using lung tissues as a source, mammalian lung progenitor cells lung spheroids and lung spheroid cells (LSCs) were prepared. In one embodiment mammalian LSCs were prepared by (i) culturing mammalian lung tissue explant cells under adherent culture conditions to form a first lung cell outgrowth culture; (ii) culturing the first lung cell outgrowth culture under low-adherence conditions to form lung spheroids; and (iii) culturing the lung spheroids under adherent culture conditions so as to form LSCs. The low-adherence conditions may be a cell culture or suspension. The lung spheroids or LSCs may be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions. Uses such as treatment of lung diseases or diagnostics are also provided. Lung spheroids and LSCs represents a simple and highly reproducible method to generate therapeutic lung cells.

Abstract: Provided are a thermoplastic polymer and a method of forming a thermoplastic polymer. The thermoplastic polymer includes a thermoplastic polymer including one or more fatty acids derived from a plant-based oil. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer includes a structure according to the formula (C18HxO2)y, wherein each x is individually selected from the group consisting of 32 and 33, and wherein y is between 1 and 300. The method of forming a thermoplastic polymer including epoxidizing a plant-based oil to form an epoxidized plant-based oil; saponifying the epoxidized plant-based oil to separate the fatty acids from the glycerol; and then polymerizing the separated fatty acids to form the thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides the ABI1-based seven-gene prognostic signature that predicts survival of metastatic breast cancer patients. The present disclosure reveals that ABI1 is a prognostic metastatic biomarker in breast cancer. The present disclosure further provides that lung metastasis is associated with an ABI1 gene dose and specific gene expression aberration in primary breast cancer tumors and indicates that targeting ABI1 may provide a therapeutic advantage in breast cancer patients.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems and methods for an at-risk system identification via analysis of discussions from various online hacker communities are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A system can apply a Global Reduced Order Modeling (ROM), a Zonal ROM, or a Layer-By-Layer analysis method to accelerate computations of a static displacement field of a substrate during modeling of thermo-compression bonding. The system fully takes into account a glass transition of dielectric substrates as well as nonhomogeneity of the various layers.

Abstract: According to aspects of embodiments described herein, an optical computing device (100) comprises a plurality of input waveguides (101), a photonic meta-surface (103) in contact with the plurality of input waveguides, and a plurality of output waveguides (105) in contact with the transformational meta-surface. The optical computing device may be configured to perform a mathematical operation may be a matrix multiplication. A computer-implemented method (300) of designing an optical computing device includes a plurality of input waveguides, a photonic meta-surface, and a plurality of output waveguides, the method includes exciting each input waveguide one-by-one (303) and measuring the energy at the input region and the output region (305) to determine a contribution of the current input waveguide. The sum of contributions (307) of all input waveguides are compared to a target transformation (315) to determine a loss value used to update a set of design parameters (317).

Abstract: A MOSFET is turned On and Off by applying an acoustic signal to a material having a piezoelectric effect to generate a charge creating a conducting path at the silicon/gate oxide interface. In an acoustic transistor, instead of the gate voltage, the accumulation of the charge under the oxide region is created by a piezoelectric material stimulated by an acoustic (sound) wave from an acoustic generator. A piezoelectric thin film, such as Aluminum Nitride or HfSiO, can be deposited near the transistor to stimulate the signal and another piezo film also on top of the silicon oxide/aluminum gate. The acoustic waves from a signal generator on the silicon surface bounce within the substrate and stimulate the piezo film on top of the gate oxide. This results in electric charge across the oxide film, induced by the piezo film on top of the gate and turns on and off the transistor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds of formula (I): and salts thereof. Also disclosed are compositions comprising compounds of formula I and compounds of formula I for use in treating or preventing bacterial infections.

Abstract: Various implementations include an anchoring device including a tubular body and at least one anchor. The at least one anchor extends along an opening between a first axial end and a second axial end of the opening. The at least one anchor includes a shape memory material. The at least one anchor is movable from a retracted position to an extended position by either increasing the temperature of the anchor above an austenite finishing temperature or decreasing the temperature of the anchor below a martensite finishing temperature. The anchor has a smaller radius of curvature in a plane that includes the longitudinal axis in the extended position than in the retracted position. When used as a coupler for medical implants, the device can be easily removed and reimplanted during re-surgery without damaging the bone of a patient by increasing or decreasing the temperature of the shape memory material anchors.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compounds which are useful for a number of catalytic transformations of organic molecules, non-limiting examples including dehydrogenation of alkanes. The present disclosure further relates to methods of preparing the compounds of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system that receives sensor information from each of a plurality of sensors. Each sensor in the plurality is associated with a vehicle. The sensor information includes location coordinates of each vehicle in the plurality. The sensor information associated with each vehicle in the plurality then is translated to parking statistics information. In one embodiment, the translation is based on an aggregate of sensor information corresponding to the plurality of vehicles. The system then communicates parking statistics information to the vehicle.

Abstract: A multi-camera vision system is utilized onboard a work vehicle having an operator cabin and an apparatus associated with performance of a work task. The system includes: one or more display devices defining a plurality of display areas and a plurality of cameras carried by the work vehicle and coupled to display feeds at the display areas. A first camera of the cameras is oriented to selectively provide a first selected feed of at least a portion of the apparatus during performance of the work task. A controller is configured to display the first selected feed of the selected feeds with an insert, overlay, or icon that indicates the origin and orientation of the first camera as the first selected feed depicts performance of the work task by the apparatus.

Abstract: A composition and method for killing feral hogs: a bait that is attractive to hogs is mixed with a lethal amount of sodium nitrite, along with sufficient base to inhibit decomposition of the sodium nitrite. At sufficiently high pH, encapsulation of the sodium nitrite is not required to inhibit decomposition. In the absence of substantial decomposition, the sodium nitrite itself is not aversive to the pigs, and may even enhance acceptance of the baits by the pigs. Optionally, an anti-emetic compound is added to the mixture to reduce the likelihood the bait will be vomited. Optionally, an additional toxicant such as luteolin is added to the mixture.

Abstract: A hybrid kiln system and method for drying material, such as lumber, logs, and timber. A solar air heater uses solar radiation to heat air. The heated air is pushed into a kiln using one or more solar air heater fans. A dehumidifier is also provided to dehumidify and heat the air within the kiln. A method for determining when the solar air heater fans and the dehumidifier should be activated is also provided, and is based upon the temperature difference between the solar air heater's interior and exterior, as well as the relative humidity within the kiln.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for small scale CO2 extraction is disclosed. The device includes a sorbent bed having a sorbent resin. The device also includes a blower in fluid communication with the sorbent bed through at least one duct, as well as a collection tray beneath the sorbent bed and having a drain. The device also includes a capture configuration and a regeneration configuration. The capture configuration includes an air flow driven by the blower passing through the sorbent resin. The regeneration configuration includes the flooding of at least the sorbent resin with regeneration fluid. The regeneration fluid has a higher dissolve inorganic carbon concentration after flooding the sorbent resin. Multiple devices may be employed together as a system capable of providing a continuous product stream having an upgraded concentration of CO2.

Abstract: Various implementations include a method of printing and curing of thermoset resin. The method includes outputting a thermoset resin from an outlet of a feeder and directing a stimulus from a stimulation source toward a portion of the output thermoset resin that is downstream from the outlet of the feeder. The stimulus is configured to heat the portion of the output thermoset resin to fully cure the portion of the output thermoset resin.