Abstract: The present invention relates to an aircraft. The aircraft includes a fuselage module for receiving a payload. The fuselage module includes a plurality of internal connections. The aircraft includes a wing module adjustably coupled to the fuselage module and a tail module coupled to the wing module. The wing module may be adjusted relative to the fuselage module to adjust a location of an aerodynamic center of the aircraft to maintain a pre-determined distance between the location of the aerodynamic center of the aircraft and the location of the center of gravity of the aircraft. A main landing gear may be adjusted relative to the fuselage module to adjust the location of the aerodynamic center of the aircraft to maintain a pre-determined distance between the location of the aerodynamic center of the aircraft and the location of the center of gravity of the aircraft.

Abstract: An irrigation mitigation runoff system that includes an irrigation system having at least one water outlet and a sensor that detects flow of water through a boundary. A controller is operatively coupled to the irrigation system and the sensor. Responsive to the sensor detecting flow of water through the boundary above a pre-defined threshold, the controller signals the irrigation system to pause irrigation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new variety of Prunus persica named ‘SMOOTH DELIGHT THREE’. This new variety, which requires approximately 500 chilling units of dormancy, is considered to be a nectarine tree of early season maturity, which ripens in late May to early June in the medium chill zone of Texas and produces white fleshed fruit that are very firm, attractively colored, and suitable for both local and long-distance shipping.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new variety of Prunus persica named ‘Fire Zest One’. This new variety, which requires approximately 500-550 chilling units of dormancy, is considered to be a peach tree of early season maturity, which ripens in early May in the medium chill zone of Texas and produces non-melting, yellow fleshed fruit that are very firm, attractively colored, and suitable for both local and long-distance shipping.

Abstract: Activated iron media and methods for generating and using the activated iron media. The method involves aqueous suspension comprising a zero-valent iron, ferrous iron, and an iron oxide to provide a settled solid and re-suspending the settled solid to provide an aqueous suspension containing an activated iron media.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monocrystalline metal organic frameworks comprising chromium ions and carboxylate ligands and the use of the same, for example their use for storing a gas. The invention also relates to methods for preparing metal organic frameworks comprising chromium, titanium or iron ions and carboxylate ligands. The methods of the invention allow such metal organic frameworks to be prepared in monocrystalline or polycrystalline forms.

Abstract: ?-Lactamase substrates and methods for using the substrates to detect ?-lactamase and to diagnose tuberculosis.

Abstract: A method of making a shape memory polymer (SMP) tissue scaffold includes forming a salt template and adding a macromer solution to the salt template. The macromer solution may include a photoinitiator solution. The method includes drying the SMP scaffold and leaching salt from the SMP scaffold. A coating is then applied to the SMP scaffold. The coating may be applied either before or after heating the SMP scaffold.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high reflectivity integrating cavity and device to amplify and detect luminescent emissions produced by small concentrations of materials to be analyzed. Femto or nano molar concentrations of a material can be placed within the high reflectivity integrating cavity. At least the interior surface of the high reflectivity integrating cavity can comprise a coating that, at a designated wavelength of electromagnetic radiation, is transparent and non-absorbing to such designated wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. In addition to the isotropic field induced by the interior surface of the high reflectivity integrating cavity, the high reflectivity of the interior surface of the high reflectivity integrating cavity leads to very large effective optical path lengths within the interior of the high reflectivity integrating cavity, thereby amplifying the luminescent emissions produced by the sample.

Abstract: Lubrication and friction reduction improves fuel efficiency and reduces energy consumption. Effective and controllable material removal results in superior surface finishing and planarization. Nanosheets are developed with specific functionalization that can be used to reduce friction and wear, improve the fluidic property, and rheological performance The nanosheets can be from the graphite family, transition metal dichalcogenides, transition metal trichalcogenides, semiconducting chalcogenides, metal oxides, layered hydroxides, clays, ternary transition metal carbides and nitrides, and zirconium phosphates and phosphonates, and their corresponding dopants. Tribological, rheological, and polishing applications include lubricants, viscosity modification, and chemical-mechanical planarization. The nanosheets are useful in improving efficiency and lifetime of machinery, saving energy for mechanical operations, and optimizing manufacturing processes in surface engineering.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an analyte, and method of operating and forming the same. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a pedestal formed on a semiconductor substrate and a mid-infrared (“IR”) transparent semiconductor waveguide formed on the pedestal. A refractive index of the pedestal is less than the mid-IR transparent semiconductor waveguide. The apparatus also includes a detector configured to detect an analyte couplable to the mid-IR transparent semiconductor waveguide.

Abstract: UV-Absorbing and fluorescent pI markers for isoelectric focusing separations and fluorescent labeling, and methods for making and using the markers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biomimetic matrix for providing structural support and scaffolding that allows for regeneration of dentin, pulp, and periodontal tissues. A method of making the biomimetic matrix provides the ability to select both a size of a pore or tubule formed in the biomimetic matrix and a density of pores or tubules disposed throughout the biomimetic matrix. The present invention discloses an approach of successful tubular dentin regeneration both in vitro and in vivo using the biomimetic matrix.

Abstract: A method includes coating a substrate to provide a flame resistant substrate. In an embodiment, the method includes exposing the substrate to a cationic solution to produce a cationic layer deposited on the substrate. The cationic solution comprises cationic materials. The cationic materials comprise a melamine. The method further includes exposing the cationic layer to an anionic solution to produce an anionic layer deposited on the cationic layer to produce a layer comprising the anionic layer and the cationic layer. The anionic solution comprises a phosphated molecule.

Abstract: A solid phase reagent and method for simultaneously capturing and fluorescently labeling an analyte with multiple reactive sites to provide a mono-labeled analyte are disclosed. The reagent can be used in the method and comprises a plurality of analyte-reactive groups tethered to a porous solid phase, wherein each analyte-reactive group is covalently attached to a fluorescent group either directly or indirectly, wherein the distance between adjacent analyte-reactive groups is greater than the gyration radius of a captured analyte; the fluorescent group is covalently attached to a cleavable anchor group either directly or through a first spacer; and the cleavable anchor group is covalently attached to the solid phase either directly or through a second spacer, wherein the solid phase is a porous solid or a porous gel.

Abstract: Vaccine, vectors and methods of using the vaccine vectors to enhance the immune response to an Apicomplexan parasite and reduce the morbidity or mortality associated with subsequent infection are provided herein. The vaccine vectors include a polynucleotide encoding a Rhomboid polypeptide and optionally include an immune-stimulatory polypeptide suitably expressed on the surface of the vaccine vector.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for cleaning an implanted medical device. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a medical device including a membrane; wherein the membrane comprises a thermoresponsive hydrogel including N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) or poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), and a volume phase transition temperature (VPTT). The method also includes implanting the medical device into a target area; wherein the membrane temperature is maintained at substantially the same temperature as the target area; wherein temperature fluctuations within the target area that approach, meet and/or exceed the volume phase transition temperature induce deswelling or relative deswelling in the membrane and temperature fluctuations within the target area that are relatively lower and/or approach and/or fall below the volume phase transition temperature induce swelling or relative swelling in the membrane.

Abstract: A method includes coating a substrate to provide a flame resistant substrate. In an embodiment, the method includes preparing an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution comprises a phosphate material, a cationic material, and a water. The method further includes exposing the substrate to the aqueous solution to produce a coating on the substrate. The coating includes the cationic material and the phosphate material. The method also includes exposing the coating on the substrate to a melamine solution.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for identifying a transportation infrastructure condition may comprise disposing a smart camera system on a vehicle and installing the smart camera system to the vehicle. The method may further comprise recording data from transportation infrastructure with the smart camera system, transmitting the data to a remote server with the transmitter, analyzing the data on the server, and accessing the data on the server with device. A system for identifying a transportation infrastructure condition may comprise a smart camera system disposed on a vehicle, wherein the smart camera system comprises a camera and transmitter, as well as a server capable to analyze data. A device may be configured to record and collect transportation infrastructure conditions. The camera system may comprise a camera, an electronic control module, a global positioning system, a single board computer, and a dashboard.

Abstract: The disclosure provides rifamycin and rifamycin derivative compositions, including rifabutin and rifabutin derivative compositions able to cause drug-sensitization in a cancer cell or inhibition of a cancer cell. The disclosure also provides methods of administering such compositions to cancer cells to sensitize them to drugs, such as chemotherapeutics, or directly inhibit them. The disclosure also provides methods of administering such compositions to increase reactive oxygen species (ROS), particularly superoxides, in cancer cells. The disclosure further provides methods of determining whether a cancer will respond to chemotherapeutics and whether to administer rifamycin or a rifamycin derivative based on ROS levels in cancer cells of a patient.