Abstract: A metal hydride storage system (MHSS) and a method for refueling the MHSS includes obtaining a parameter vector comprising a first state of a metal hydride storage system (MHSS), and a measurable output of the MHSS; sending the parameter vector to a control algorithm, wherein the control algorithm includes a first data structure and a second data structure, wherein the first data structure corresponds to a plurality of critical regions, wherein the second data structure corresponds to a plurality of piecewise affine functions, wherein the affine functions corresponds to a control action; searching the first data structure with the parameter vector; selecting a critical region based on searching the first data structure; selecting, from the second data structure, a piecewise affine function corresponding to the selected critical region; and calculating a control action based on the affine function, where the control action comprises controlling at least one controlled parameter.

Abstract: The present invention describes compositions and methods for priming protective immunity in the presence of pre-existing maternal antibody. In some embodiments, the invention contemplates simultaneously masking vaccines to avoid antibody neutralization while targeting those vaccines to specific cell types in order to elicit an enhanced immune response. In other embodiments, vectors that recruit and activate specific antigen-presenting cells may further enhance the efficacy of those immune responses.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to biomarkers for identifying a subject as having high risk of the development PE. The biomarkers presented herein include miRNAs, post-translational modification of histone proteins, amount, expression and/or activity of histone or DNA modifying enzymes and methylation of sites in the genomic DNA. In certain embodiments, increased miR-17, increased acetylation of H4 histone protein, decreased amount, expression and/or activity of HDACS mRNA or protein or increased methylation of DNA at the genomic site CYP19A1 in the blood, serum or plasma of a subject compared to that of a control subject is used to predict the development of PE in the subject. The invention also provides kits and reagents to conduct assays to quantify biomarkers described herein. The invention further provides the methods of treating and/or managing PE in a subject identified as having a high risk of the development of PE.

Abstract: A heat shield bladder includes first and second sheets of insulating material that form a bladder between the first and second sheets. At least one reflective foil is disposed within the bladder and a plurality of spacers are disposed within the bladder and positioned to space the at least one reflective foil from the first and second sheets of insulating material. Multiple reflective foils may be disposed within the bladder with spacers between each reflective foil. The heat shield bladder may be rolled into a tube shaped and used inside a pipe or formed into panels that may be used to line a vessel.

Abstract: Polymeric based closed cell foams, such as shape memory polymer foams, contain bubbles. Making these bubbles continuous is called reticulation. Disclosed are embodiments of a device and method to controllably reticulate polymer-based closed cell foams by puncturing the membranes of these polymer-based closed cell foams.

Abstract: Architectures of millimeter-wave (mm-wave) fully-integrated frequency-division duplex (FDD) transmitting-receiving (T/R) front-end (FE) modules include a duplexer (DUX), power amplifier (PA), and low noise amplifier (LNA) on a single semiconductor substrate to facilitate the development of system on a chip (SoC) for mm-wave 5th Generation (5G) wireless communications applications. The first FE module adopts a passive DUX consisting of Wilkinson power divider and ground-center-tap transformer to achieve high isolation between PA output and LNA inputs. Another FE module combines the advantages of passive DUX and power-efficient cancellation circuits to accomplish high TX-RX isolation and low noise performance at the same time. The DUX can stand alone as a single unit in a system and is used together with external PA and LNA provided in the system, or it can include its own internal PA and LNA to form a DUX FE module.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting defects in pipelines are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for detecting defects in pipelines includes: generating an electrical signal in a first pipeline by a signal generator electrically connected with the first pipeline and a second pipeline. A reflected signal is acquired by data acquisition equipment electrically connected with the first pipeline and the second pipeline. The reflected signal at least partially reflects from a defect in the first pipeline or the second pipeline. The method also includes analyzing the reflected signal to determine at least one of a location of the defect and a severity of the defect. In some embodiments, the first pipeline and a second pipeline are connected with a shunt cable.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a process for treating an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) endoleak with a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam device. First, a bifurcated stent graft is placed within the aneurysm while a micro guidewire is positioned within the aneurysm for future catheter access. Second, after placing the iliac graft extension, a catheter is introduced over wire to deliver embolic foams. Third, embolic foams expand and conform to the aneurysm wall. Fourth, embolic foams create a stable thrombus to prevent endoleak formation by isolating peripheral vessels from the aneurysm volume.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for creating or fabricating nanopore(s) on a membrane. The membrane is bombarded by ions, for example, C60 ions through at least one nanotunnel through a mask that is positioned on the membrane. Also provided is a two dimensional membrane with at least one nanopore thereon fabricated via these methods.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing the concentration of selenocyanate in water. In the methods and systems, water containing selenocyanate is treated an oxidant to provide oxidant-treated water, which is then contacted with a zero-valent iron treatment system comprising (a) a reactive solid comprising zero-valent iron and one or more iron oxide minerals in contact therewith and (b) ferrous iron.

Abstract: A cable anchor deflector bracket includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is coupled to a guardrail at a location adjacent to a cable anchor bracket, which is an attachment point where a cable couples to the guardrail. The second portion slopes outwardly away from the guardrail and is proximate to an end of the cable anchor bracket and the end of the cable anchor assembly.

Abstract: Provided herein are fiber reinforced cementitious materials and mixtures with increased crack resistance. The cementitious materials and mixtures include a cement and at least one carbon fiber. Also provide is a fiber reinforced cementitious mortar that includes the fiber reinforced cementitious material to which at least one of water, an aggregate material or a chemical admixture is added.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of altering a tooth by applying an object to the tooth, where the object includes a composition that is released from the object onto the tooth, and where the composition has an altering effect on the tooth, such as tooth whitening, tooth repair, tooth maintenance, or combinations thereof. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the objects of the present disclosure. The objects of the present disclosure may be in a chewable form, such as in the form of a chew toy or a chewing gum. The objects of the present disclosure may also be in a form that is capable of being applied topically by rubbing or brushing. The objects of the present disclosure may also include a second composition that has effects other than tooth altering effects, such as enticing a chewing of the object.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a microfluidic device composed of a substrate having an inlet region and a first storage region, a fluid transporting channel in fluid communication with the inlet region, an expandable component in fluid communication with the fluid transporting channel and coupled to a movable arm, and a fluid transporting region coupled to the movable arm and operable to be moved in a horizontal direction to the fluid transporting channel to thereby form fluidic contact between the inlet region and the first storage region upon expansion of the expandable component. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of fluid flow utilizing a microfluidic device of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a poly(aryl ether ketone) (PAEK) having a carbon-based nanomaterial dispersed therein, wherein the composition includes at least 1 weight percent carbon-based nanomaterial based on the total weight of the composition, products that include the compositions, and methods for making the compositions and products.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of preventing or inhibiting fibrosis using small molecule sialidase inhibitors. The present disclosure also relates to methods treating obesity, liver inflammation, steatosis, and cancer. These methods can involve administering the compounds to a patent at risk of developing fibrosis inflammation, obesity, steatosis, or cancer, in a manner that inhibits NEU3.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for manufacturing a Micro-ElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) scanning mirror. In an embodiment, one method includes depositing a hinge material on a substrate and removing first and second portions of the substrate to form an outer frame, an inner frame, and a mirror plate in the substrate. First and second portions of the hinge material rotationally couple the outer frame to the inner frame and the inner frame to the mirror plate for rotation about first and second orthogonal axes of rotation. In another embodiment, a third portion of the substrate rotationally couples the inner frame to the mirror plate. In still another embodiment, an elastomer material is configured as a bending hinge that rotationally couples the outer frame to the inner frame.

Abstract: Phase change material compositions and methods for using the compositions to prepare substrate coatings or bulk blended polymers that advantageously lower friction between interacting substrate surfaces and lower substrate surface wear.

Abstract: Provided herein is an electrodialysis metathesis (EDM) system that has at least one stack or quad of compartments arranged so each compartment is in fluid communication with its adjacent compartment via alternating cation- and anion-exchange membranes. The compartments in a stack are a feed compartment, a substitution salt solution compartment, a first concentrated compartment and a second concentrated compartment. Also provided are processes and methods for separating or recovering a metal, for example, a rare earth element, or a salt or a combination thereof from a salt-containing water. Simultaneous metathesis reactions and electrodialysis across the stack recovers one or more metal or salts from the salt-containing water which desalinates the salt-containing water.

Abstract: ‘TAES 5701’ is an F1 hybrid bluegrass with exceptional turfgrass quality, establishment rate, seasonal color, shoot density, fine leaf texture, and ability to persist under a range of environmental stresses typically encountered in the southern United States.