Abstract: Imaging agents that can bind to ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT) without binding to the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a). The imaging agents comprise a base structure for selective binding to GOAT that is coupled via an amino acid linker to a chemical group to enable imaging such as a fluorescent label, radioactive tracer, or metal chelator. For example, the imaging agent may comprise a ghrelin substrate mimetic inhibitor incorporating an unmodified 2,3-diaminopropanoic acid (Dap) group at the site analogous to serine 3. These agents enable specific detection and imaging of GOAT versus the GHS-R1a receptor in a variety of biological contexts.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating the state of charge, i.e., the amount of cooling remaining, in a latent heat thermal storage module of a local environmental control system. The local environmental control system stores cooling energy at night by freezing a latent heat phase change material (PCM), and then releasing the stored cooling energy by removing heat from room air flowing through the PCM during the day. Differential temperature sensors are used measure the air temperature drop across the latent thermals storage unit and the fan voltage, which is directly related to fan air flow rate, is sampled. A controller is programmed to determine the charging state from these measurements.

Abstract: A low-cost, low-power, stand-alone sensor platform having a visible-range camera sensor, a thermopile array, a microphone, a motion sensor, and a microprocessor that is configured to perform occupancy detection and counting while preserving the privacy of occupants. The platform is programmed to extract shape/texture from images in spatial domain; motion from video in time domain; and audio features in frequency domain. Embedded binarized neural networks are used for efficient object of interest detection. The platform is also programmed with advanced fusion algorithms for multiple sensor modalities addressing dependent sensor observations. The platform may be deployed for (i) residential use in detecting occupants for autonomously controlling building systems, such as HVAC and lighting systems, to provide energy savings, (ii) security and surveillance, such as to detect loitering and surveil places of interest, (iii) analyzing customer behavior and flows, (iv) identifying high performing stores by retailers.

Abstract: A system of topographic patterns for the prevention of bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. The patterns may be provided on the surfaces of certain devices that are prone to bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, such as urinary catheters. To reduce bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, and to remove existing biofilms, the patterns are induced to transform from a first topography to a second topography. For example, the surface patterns may be formed from a shape memory polymer and then heated to transform the patterns from the first topography to the second topography to dislodge bacteria and prevent fouling.

Abstract: An onboard robust and stable vision-inertial navigation system that makes an unmanned vehicle autonomous in its navigation capabilities in the absence of external navigation aids like a global positioning system (GPS). The system is robust to the sensor noise properties of the onboard vision and inertial sensors, as well as errors in initial estimates of the position and orientation of the vehicle. The system enables any unmanned vehicle to autonomously navigate an unfamiliar or unknown environment. The system is also stable and robust to uncertainties in the measurement noise and dynamics of the unmanned vehicle, and does not exhibit any instability when sensors are changed or when sensor noise properties change over time.

Abstract: Two peptides that can selectively bind to SEVI and block the enhanced infectivity that results from the interaction of SEVI with HIV. The two peptides comprise the amino acid sequences FEEIVQEIEDFLENLV (SEQ. ID NO: 1) and GIGAVLEVLTTGLPALISWIEEEEQQ (SEQ. ID. NO: 2). The peptides may be administered topically, either alone or in combination with other prophylactics, agents, etc.

Abstract: A dual chamber solid oxide fuel cell integrated into the exhaust stream of an internal combustion engine, in which engine exhaust gases are routed to the anode of a tubular solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and heated secondary air is supplied to the cathode of the SOFC. The secondary air supply is heated using the existing engine temperature and exhaust gas temperature through a heat exchanger formed by a modified cylinder head and exhaust manifold. The dual chamber solid oxide fuel provides the necessary hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide scrubbing to achieve mandatory catalytic conversion for vehicle operation. In addition, the dual chamber solid oxide fuel cell is capable of generating sufficient electrical power for the vehicle. Omission of conventional catalytic convertors and alternators allows for improved efficiency and fuel economy of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A system and method for the conversion of a levulinate ester to maleic anhydride using a reducible oxide catalyst. Levulinic acid oxidation delivers maleic anhydride in good yields without viscosity and stability issues that make continuous production problematic. Due to the fact that levulinate esters are more amenable to processing, the conversion of levulinate esters to maleic anhydride represents an appropriate for the commercial production of maleic anhydride from renewable resources.

Abstract: A combined power and refrigeration cascade system that includes an electric power system (PS) that produces both electric power and medium-to-high-grade waste heat. To reduce energy consumption by a load having a computer chip, the load is powered by a power source and thermally coupled to a refrigeration system, which is also powered by the power source. The refrigeration system is thermally coupled to an absorption system, which is configured to remove heat rejected by the refrigeration system. The refrigeration system and the absorption system are in a cascaded arrangement such that the refrigeration system condensing temperature is less than twenty degrees Celsius. In particular, absorption chillers of the absorption system and vapor-compressors of the refrigeration system are in a cascading arrangement that produces subzero cooling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for incorporating dye and/or nanoparticles into polymer films and into electrospun polymeric nanofibers, and, more specifically, to a method for electrospinning a molecularly homogenous solution of dye (and/or nanoparticles) and polymer dissolved in a mutual solvent leading to uniform distribution of dye across the cross-section of each constituent fiber and to resulting nanofibers with the dye/nanoparticles incorporated therein.

Abstract: Two peptides that can selectively bind to SEVI and block the enhanced infectivity that results from the interaction of SEVI with HIV. The two peptides comprise the amino acid sequences FEEIVQEIEDFLENLV (SEQ. ID NO: 1) and GIGAVLEVLTTGLPALISWIEEEEQQ (SEQ. ID. NO: 2). The peptides may be administered topically, either alone or in combination with other prophylactics, agents, etc.

Abstract: A system of topographic patterns for the prevention of bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. The patterns may be provided on the surfaces of certain devices that are prone to bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, such as urinary catheters. To reduce bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, and to remove existing biofilms, the patterns are induced to transform from a first topography to a second topography. For example, the surface patterns may be formed from a shape memory polymer and then heated to transform the patterns from the first topography to the second topography to dislodge bacteria and prevent fouling.

Abstract: A communication system that minimizes the transmission of pilot symbols while ensuring real-time channel tracking and symbol detection. The system employs a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmitter-receiver pair where there are many more receive antennas than transmit antennas. Communication occurs over a wide band RF channel via orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) that employs a large number of sub-carriers.

Abstract: An effective dried attractive toxic bait station that acts as a lure and kill device for Ae. aegypti and other mosquitoes. The bait station is a simulated refuge at least part of which is coated with a dried mixture of poison and sugar forming a dried toxic sugar-containing bait. The simulated refuge attracts Ae. aegypti and other mosquitoes to bait station and encourages them to land on the coated portion. Once a mosquito has landed, it detects the sugar in the dried mixture of sugar and poison and ingests some of it. Once ingested, the dried mixture of poison and sugar will eventually kill the mosquito.

Abstract: A functionally graded shape memory polymer (SMP) that has a range of transition temperatures that are spatially distributed in a gradient fashion within one single article. The SMP is formed by post-curing a pre-cured glassy SMP in a linear temperature gradient that imposes different vitrification temperature limits at different positions along the gradient. Utilizing indentation-based surface shape memory coupled with optical measurements of photoelastic response, the capability of this material to respond over a wide range of thermal triggers is correlated with the graded glass transition behavior. This new class of SMP offers great potential for such applications as passive temperature sensing and precise control of shape evolution during a thermally triggered shape recovery.

Abstract: A new technique for sensing optical cavity mode mismatch using a mode converter formed from a cylindrical lens mode converting telescope, radio frequency quadrant photodiodes (RFQPDs), and a heterodyne detection scheme. The telescope allows the conversion of the Laguerre-Gauss basis to the Hermite-Gauss (HG) basis, which can be measured with quadrant photodiodes. Conversion to the HG basis is performed optically, measurement of mode mismatched signals is performed with the RFQPDs, and a feedback error signal is obtained with heterodyne detection.

Abstract: An enzyme responsive shape memory polymer formed from a glassy, cross-linked shape memory polymer that incorporates ester bonds that are responsive to the present of an enzyme. PCL-based polyurethanes (featuring simple alternation of PCL diol and lysine-based diisocyanate) are degradable by Amano lipase PS. A non-degradable thermoplastic elastomer may be dual electrospun with a polycaprolactone based TPU with the fixing phase compressed so that the composite is ready for enzymatically triggered contraction. Alternatively, the elastomer may be a PCL copolymer-based polyurethane amorphous elastomer that is both degradable and elastomeric and put into compression so that upon enzymatic degradation of the elastomeric phase the scaffold expands.

Abstract: Synthetic disaccharide hydrocarbons (DSHs) that reactive bacterials swarming motility and inhibit bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. A library of DSHs were tested in several experiment for the impact on various Pseudomonas aeruginosa populations and compared against existing compounds to determine efficacy and utility. Certain DSHs were also to determine the ability to clear bacteria in a mouse pneumonia model.

Abstract: A communication system that minimizes the transmission of pilot symbols while ensuring real-time channel tracking and symbol detection. The system employs a multiple-input multiple-output (MTMO) transmitter-receiver pair where there are many more receive antennas than transmit antennas. Communication occurs over a wide band RF channel via orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) that employs a large number of sub-carriers.

Abstract: An effective dried attractive toxic bait station that acts as a lure and kill device for Ae. aegypti and other mosquitoes. The bait station is a simulated refuge at least part of which is coated with a dried mixture of poison and sugar forming a dried toxic sugar-containing bait. The simulated refuge attracts Ae. aegypti and other mosquitoes to bait station and encourages them to land on the coated portion. Once a mosquito has landed, it detects the sugar in the dried mixture of sugar and poison and ingests some of it. Once ingested, the dried mixture of poison and sugar will eventually kill the mosquito.