Abstract: Novel compositions and methods for engineering wireframe architectures and scaffolds of increasing complexity by creating gridiron-like DNA structures (FIG. 1). A series of four-arm junctions are used as vertices within a network of double-helical DNA fragments. Deliberate distortion of the junctions from their most relaxed conformations ensures that a scaffold strand can traverse through individual vertices in multiple directions. DNA gridirons, ranging from two-dimensional arrays with reconfigurability to multilayer and three-dimensional structures and curved objects, can be assembled according the methods presented herein.

Abstract: Assessing an interaction between solid particles and a thermoplastic material in which the solid particles are dispersed includes combining a thermoplastic material with a multiplicity of solid particles to yield a heterogeneous mixture, processing the heterogeneous mixture to yield an unconditioned sample, conditioning the unconditioned sample to yield a conditioned sample, subjecting the conditioned sample to a ramping shear rate from an initial shear rate to a final shear rate, assessing a viscosity of the conditioned sample at a plurality of shear rates between the initial shear rate and the final shear rate, and assessing a value of a slope of a shear-thinning region for the unconditioned sample using a power-law equation.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a nano-graphitic sponge (NGS) and methods for preparing the nano-graphitic sponge. The disclosed nano-graphitic sponge possesses many excellent properties, including large surface areas and pore volumes, low-mass densities, good electrical conductivities and mechanical properties. These excellent properties make the nano-graphitic sponge an ideal material for many applications, such as electrodes for batteries and supercapacitors, fuel cells and solar cells, catalysts and catalyst supports, and sensors.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a computer-implemented system which learns textual representations while filtering out potentially personally identifying data and retaining semantic meaning within the textual representations are disclosed herein.

Abstract: For model predictive control for a spacecraft formation, a method calculates a virtual point that represents a plurality of spacecraft orbiting in a spacecraft formation. The method calculates an outer polytope boundary and an inner polytope boundary relative to the virtual point for a given spacecraft of the plurality of spacecraft. The method maneuvers the given spacecraft to within the inner polytope boundary using model predictive control (MPC) to minimize fuel consumption.

Abstract: A system reconfigures a photovoltaic array used in solar energy based on observed shading conditions to determine an optimal topology of the photovoltaic array to maximize power output. Specifically, the system is designed to reconfigure a photovoltaic array when the photovoltaic array is partially shaded. The system uses a neural network model to determine a topology that maximizes power output of the photovoltaic array based on irradiance data obtained from the photovoltaic array.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a dry-type lubricant for use in a dry product hopper to help improve dry product flow and to improve anti-jamming properties of the dry product. The example lubricant can comprise a hydrophilic fiber, such as cellulose, having a width to length aspect ratio that provides a thin fiber. A plurality of hydrophobic particles are deposited on the surface of the fiber, resulting in a fiber surface exhibiting amphiphobic properties. Further, the fiber can operably absorb water, and then releases the absorbed water to the surface of the fiber under mechanical stress, such as when mixed with a product in a hopper. This can result in the water being disposed on the surface of the fiber, to provide lubrication to a product in a hopper to improve flow and anti-jamming characteristics of the product in the hopper.

Abstract: For model predictive control for a spacecraft formation, a method calculates a virtual point that represents a plurality of spacecraft orbiting in a spacecraft formation. The method calculates an outer polytope boundary and an inner polytope boundary relative to the virtual point for a given spacecraft of the plurality of spacecraft. The method maneuvers the given spacecraft to within the inner polytope boundary using model predictive control (MPC) to minimize fuel consumption.

Abstract: This disclosure provides improved method, kits, and systems and for isolating and enriching spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) from livestock animal testicular tissue. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a method for enriching SSCs from a population of testis-derived cells containing at least one SSC, where the method comprises contacting the population of testis-derived cells to a culture media comprising, or that is preconditioned with, endothelial feeder cells, and maintaining culture conditions suitable for SSC cell maintenance and enrichment. In some embodiments, the media and culture conditions comprise one or more growth factors selected from GDNF, FGF2, SDF-1a, CSF-1, FDGF, NGF, and TGF-?, in any combination. In exemplary embodiments, the SSCs are porcine or bovine SSCs.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus is provided. Another aspect pertains to a self-leveling polishing apparatus for smoothing diamonds. Yet another aspect of the present system uses a ball and swivel joint in a diamond polishing machine. A further aspect employs a polishing apparatus including a diamond-holder, an elongated arm using gravity to apply downward polishing pressure of the diamond workpiece against a polishing wheel, and a sweeping transmission to cause the holder to radially move across the rotating polishing wheel.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of determining molecular binding kinetics on particles, such as magnetic nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the methods include introducing an incident light from a light source toward a sample container that comprises a particle-bound biomolecule-ligand composition comprising a plurality of particle-bound biomolecules and a plurality of ligands that binds, or is capable of binding, to biomolecules of the plurality of particle-bound biomolecules, detecting light scattered from particle-bound biomolecule-ligand complexes in the particle-bound biomolecule-ligand composition over a duration to produce a set of imaging data using the detector, and determining size or volume changes of one or more of the particle-bound biomolecule-ligand complexes during at least a portion of the duration from the set of imaging data to thereby determine the molecular binding kinetics on the particles. Related systems and computer readable media are also provided.

Abstract: A therapeutic hydrogel material is disclosed for the delivery of CAR-T cells that allows their distribution in the tumor resection recess, cavity, or void in combination with platelets decorated with the anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (PDL1) blocking antibody (aPDL1). The delivered hydrogel material acts as a reservoir for both CAR-T cells and platelet-bound aPDL1. Furthermore, inflammation occurring during the surgical wound healing triggers the release of platelet-derived microparticles containing the aPDL1. Cells delivered by the engineered hydrogel show significant control of local and distant tumor recurrence without causing toxic effects. In some embodiments, nanoparticles containing cytokines are also loaded in the therapeutic hydrogel material to maintain the activity and proliferation ability of CAR-T cells.

Abstract: A method of preparing a piezoelectric single crystal with high piezoelectricity and near- perfect transparency. The method includes depositing electrodes on two opposition surfaces of a piezoelectric single crystal which is a ferroelectric crystal; AC-poling the piezoelectric single crystal through the electrodes by repeatedly changing polarity of an AC electric field; and after polarization, removing the electrodes on the two opposition surfaces of the piezoelectric single crystal and then depositing Ag nanowire or indium tin oxide (ITO) as electrodes on the two opposition surfaces of the piezoelectric single crystal. Repeatedly changing the polarity of the polarized electric field can increase the domain size of the ferroelectric crystal, or reduce the domain wall density of the domain structure, thereby improving the transparency of the piezoelectric single crystal having high piezoelectric.

Abstract: A binuclear Fe(III) fused porphyrin. Synthesizing the binuclear fused porphyrin includes combining free-base fused-porphyrin and a solvent to yield a solution, refluxing the solution, combining a metal salt with the solution, and removing the solvent from the solution.

Abstract: A two-dimensional metal-organic framework (2D MOF) includes a first transition metal M1 and a second transition metal M2. The first transition metal and the second transition metal are different and are coupled by a linker group L to yield a two-dimensional metal-organic framework alloy having a formula M1xM21-xL, where 0<x<1. Each transition metal is dispersed uniformly throughout the 2D MOF. The 2D MOF is synthesized by combining a first transition metal precursor, a second transition metal precursor, and a linker; agitating the solution; and heating the solution to yield a crystalline two-dimensional metal-organic framework alloy.

Abstract: A photoreactor including a reservoir configured to hold water, the reservoir defining an inlet and an outlet, and a multiplicity of optical fiber assemblies positioned in the reservoir. Each optical fiber assembly includes one or more optical fibers coated with a composition comprising a photoresponsive polymer and a light source optically coupled to the one or more optical fibers. The photoresponsive polymer undergoes a change from an initial state to an irradiated state when irradiated with light from the light source, and photoresponsive polymer in the irradiated state is adapted to bind an ion from the water.

Abstract: Coated irregular surfaces, replicas made therefrom, and methods of making the same. A particle-coated substrate includes a coating including undercooled liquid metallic particles. The particles include a solid shell comprising a metal oxide, and a liquid metallic core that is below the melting point of the liquid metallic core. The particle-coated substrate also includes a substrate including an irregular surface, wherein the coating is on the irregular surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for energy storage and energy recovery are provided. An electrical-to-electrical energy storage system includes a thermochemical energy storage device, a blower, a compressor, a turbine, and an electrical generator. The TCES device includes a vessel, a porous bed, and a heater. The porous bed is disposed within an interior volume of the vessel. The porous bed comprises a reactive material. The reactive material is configured to release oxygen upon being heated to a reduction temperature, and generate heat when exposed to oxygen. The heater is in thermal contact with the reactive material. The blower is configured to remove oxygen from the interior volume. The compressor is configured to flow oxygen into the interior volume. The turbine is configured to receive a heated, oxygen-depleted gas from the interior volume. The generator is configured to be powered by the turbine to generate electricity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for stormwater utility management that aids stormwater utilities in establishing fees, abatements, and tradeable stormwater credits using publicly available parcel database information. A stormwater support services computer in communication with publicly available data stores of parcel information rapidly assesses and generates a per-parcel stormwater utility fee based on estimated size of impervious surfaces on a parcel. Through use of publicly available parcel information to generate an estimated size of impervious surfaces on a parcel, a stormwater utility fee based on level of service is implemented.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions comprising novel CRISPR polypeptides and polynucleotides for site-specific cleavage and nicking of nucleic acids, transcriptional control and genome editing.