Abstract: Embodiments of the present application are directed toward a focusing Schlieren technique that is capable of adding color-coded directional information to the visualization of density gradients. Other advantages of the technique can include that it does not require manual calibration, has a simple design and is sensitive enough to be used in compact experimental setups. Certain embodiments include the use of a color-coded source image that replaces the conventional source grid. The technique may benefit from a computer-controlled digital background, which is used for both illumination and display of color-coded source images.

Abstract: The invention provides American chestnut leaf compositions comprising oxalate oxidase. The compositions reduce oxalate levels in dietary sources of oxalate and are useful in reducing oxalate levels and reducing stone disease in patients. The invention provides methods of extracting and purifying oxalate oxidase from American chestnut leaf. The invention provides methods of extracting oxalate from biological samples.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for solid phase transfer of a reagent to a substrate. In some embodiments, the method comprises providing at least a first composition comprising a solid phase, wherein the solid phase comprises a reagent; and dispensing a first sample from the first composition onto a first coordinate on a substrate, whereby the first reagent is transferred to the substrate from the solid phase.

Abstract: A high-performance computing (HPC) framework for accelerating sparse Cholesky factorization on field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) is provided. The proposed framework includes an FPGA kernel implementing a throughput-optimized hardware architecture for accelerating a supernodal multifrontal algorithm for sparse Cholesky factorization. The proposed framework further includes a host program implementing a novel scheduling algorithm for finding the optimal execution order of supernode computations for an elimination tree on the FPGA to eliminate the need for off-chip memory access for storing intermediate results. Moreover, the proposed scheduling algorithm minimizes on-chip memory requirements for buffering intermediate results by resolving the dependency of parent nodes in an elimination tree through temporal parallelism.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.

Abstract: SphericRTC provides real-time 360-degree video communication, which allows the viewer to observe the environment in any direction from the camera location. This more allows users to more-efficiently exchange information and can be beneficial in the real-time setting. The system selects representations of 360-degree frames to allow efficient, content-adaptive delivery. The system performs joint content and bitrate adaptation in real-time by offloading expensive transformation operations to a GPU. The system demonstrates that the multiple sub-components: viewport feedback, representation selection, and joint content and bitrate adaptation, can be effectively integrated within a single framework. Compared to a baseline implementation, views in SphericRTC have consistently higher visual quality. The median Viewport-PSNR of such views is 2.25 dB higher than views in the baseline system.

Abstract: A electronic device and a fabrication method is provided. The electronic device having a first electrode and a second electrode. A nano-gap is formed between first and second electrode. The first electrode, the second electrode and the gap may be located in the same layer of the device.

Abstract: Current oscillometric devices for monitoring central blood pressure (BP) maintain the cuff pressure at a constant level to acquire a pulse volume plethysmography (PVP) waveform and calibrate it to brachial BP levels estimated with population average methods. A physiologic method was developed to further advance central BP measurement. A patient-specific method was applied to estimate brachial BP levels from a cuff pressure waveform obtained during conventional deflation via a nonlinear arterial compliance model. A physiologically-inspired method was then employed to extract the PVP waveform from the same waveform via ensemble averaging and calibrate it to the brachial BP levels. A method based on a wave reflection model was thereafter employed to define a variable transfer function, which was applied to the calibrated waveform to derive central BP.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to supercascode power switches that can be used in, e.g., HV and MV applications. This disclosure introduces a cascaded supercascode (CSC) power switch which can include a series of unit supercascode (USC) circuits; a control switch coupled in series with the series of USC circuits; and an external balancing network coupled to each of the n USC circuits. The series has a plurality of USC circuits, with each of the USC circuits including first and second switches coupled in series and an internal balancing network coupled across the first and second switches. A source of each of the USC circuits is a source of the first switch. The internal balancing network can include a capacitor connected between a gate of the second switch and the source of the first switch and a diode connected in parallel with the capacitor.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of compounds and compositions for the treatment or prevention of Flavivirus infections, such as dengue virus infections and Zika virus infections. Aspects of the invention include methods for treating or preventing Flavivirus virus infection, such as dengue virus and Zika virus infection, by administering a compound or composition of the invention, to a subject in need thereof; methods for inhibiting Flavivirus infections, such as dengue virus and Zika virus infections, in a cell in vitro or in vivo; pharmaceutical compositions; packaged dosage formulations; and kits useful for treating or preventing Flavivirus infections, such as dengue virus and Zika virus infections.

Abstract: A system and associated methods/processes includes a sensor operable to capture sensor data indicative of a gesture; and a processor in communication with a memory and the sensor. The processor is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory, which, when executed, cause the processor to access the sensor data and decompose the gesture into a canonical gesture form defining a string of gesture components arranged in a spatio-temporal order.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for sensing a target substance of interest in the environment and inducing gene expression in response thereto, useful for detection of biological and chemical agents and environmental pollutants.

Abstract: The embodiments herein are directed to dry wall waste mixtures, formed under pressure into example embodiments referred to herein as dry wall waste blocks (DWBs) and/or gypsum wallboard waste blocks (GWWBs) and tile structures. DWBs/GWWBs mixtures in particular, often incorporate a higher percentage in the composite mixtures from about 60% up to 85% of dry wall waste than other mixtures and beneficially often incorporates substantially all of the wallboard facing paper as part of the composite mixture. That is, waste processing is simplified by comingling core and paper layers in the final product. DWBs/GWWBs mixtures utilize demolition and construction waste, replacing a high percentage of Portland cement with waste-derived binder.

Abstract: An electrochemical biosensor includes a working electrode modified with a redox polymer and amine-terminated capture aptamer specific for a particular detection target. The binding sequence of the capture aptamer is also complementary to part of a second ssDNA which is labeled with HRP (horseradish peroxidase). The capture aptamer will form dsDNA with the HRP-labeled ssDNA and bring HRP into electrical contact with the redox polymer and the electrode. Prior to capturing the detection target, addition of H2O2 will lead to the highest reduction current due to the redox polymer-mediated, enzyme-amplified electroreduction of H2O2.

Abstract: Detecting abnormalities in vital signs of subjects of videos is provided. Aspects of the present disclosure include methods, apparatuses, and systems to detect and measure vital sign information of one or more human subjects of a video and detect abnormalities in the vital sign information. In some examples, such abnormalities can be used to indicate video data is likely altered or fraudulent. In this regard, imaging photophlethysmography (IPPG) and advanced signal processing techniques, including adaptive color beamforming, can be used to extract the vital signs of the video subjects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and tracking molecular digital signatures to ensure authenticity and integrity of NA molecules are disclosed. In some embodiments, a NA authentication system includes a NA authentication device coupled to one or more user devices. Methods for generating a signed NA sequence, validating a signed NA sequence, and detecting/correcting potential errors within a user allowable limit using a NA authentication system are disclosed. Methods for associating a signed NA sequence with a digital representation of the NA sequence, using a NA authentication system, are disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and associated method for audio source separation based on generative priors trained on individual sources. Through the use of projected gradient descent optimization, the present approach simultaneously searches in the source-specific latent spaces to effectively recover the constituent sources. Though the generative priors can be defined in the time domain directly, it was found that using spectral domain loss functions leads to good-quality source estimates.

Abstract: Organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) are described, the OLEDs comprising an anode; a cathode; and an organic region, disposed between the anode and the cathode, comprising a first complex and a second complex; wherein when a voltage is applied across the anode and cathode at room temperature, the OLED emits a luminescent radiation that comprises one or more luminescent radiation components resulting from the formation of at least one exciplex; wherein the exciplex is formed by at least one of the following aggregate types: 1) at least one aggregate within the first complex, and at least one aggregate within the second complex; 2) at least one aggregate between the first and the second complex; and 3) both 1 and 2.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns materials and methods for expansion of stem cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), that improve translational success of the cells in the treatment of various conditions. The subject invention utilizes cell self-aggregation as a non-genetic means to enhance their therapeutic potency in a microcarrier bioreactor. In one embodiment of the method cells are cultured in a container or vessel in the presence of thermally responsive microcarriers (TRMs) wherein cells adhere to the surface of the TRMs. After a period of time the cell culture temperature is reduced so that the cells detach from the TRMs. The detached cells are allowed to form 3D aggregates. The 3D aggregates can be collected and treated to dissociate the cells. Dissociated cells can then be used for transplantation in methods of treatment or for in vitro characterization and study.

Abstract: Quantum network devices, systems, and methods are provided to enable long-distance transmission of quantum bits (qubits) for applications such as Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), entanglement distribution, and other quantum communication applications. Such systems and methods provide for separately storing first, second, third, and fourth photons, wherein the first and second photons and the third and fourth photons are respective first and second entangled photon pairs, triggering a synchronized retrieval of the stored first, second, third, and fourth photons such that the first photon is propagated to a first node, the second and third photons are propagated to a second node, and the fourth photon is propagated to a third node, and creating a new entangled pair comprising the first and fourth photons at the first and third nodes to transmit quantum information.