Abstract: Synthetic compositions comprising a plant element and at least one fungal endophyte are described. The fungal endophyte is capable of improving plant tolerance to biotic stress as compared to a reference plant element not further comprising the endophyte. Examples of biotic stress include the biotic stress caused by a nematode, an aphid, a fleahopper, a lygus bug, a stink bug, a soy looper, a cabbage looper, or a fungus.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of treating COVID-19 by administering a pharmaceutical composition providing inhibition of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) main protease (MPro) in a patient. The disclosure also provides other methods as well as pharmaceutical formulations for use in treating COVID-19 patients.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to surgical cannulas and methods relating thereto. In some embodiments, a method includes cutting one or more lines in a tubular member to form a tubular body and a hinge of a surgical cannula. In some embodiments, a surgical cannula includes a fiber brag grating (FBG) reflector mounted to a tendon for deflecting a distal tip of the surgical cannula. A controller is coupled to the FBG reflector and is configured to determine a tension in the tendon based on reflected light from the FBG reflector. In some embodiments, a surgical cannula includes a tubular body including a plurality of apertures extending therethrough.

Abstract: A vehicle platooning system includes a lead vehicle including a lead powertrain system, a lead steering system, and a lead breaking system, a follower vehicle including a follower powertrain, a follower steering system, a follower braking system, and a follower vehicle control unit wherein the follower powertrain system, the follower steering system, and the follower braking system are each controllable by the vehicle control unit, and a hard connect including a mechanical linkage physically connected between the lead vehicle and the follower vehicle, a sensor unit, and a hard connect control unit configured to control the operation of the follower powertrain system, the follower steering system, and the follower braking system of the follower vehicle based on sensor data provided to the hard connect control unit by the sensor unit.

Abstract: A process for continuously upgrading heavy oil to produce light hydrocarbon gases which are recycled in the process as a carrier gas used in spark-discharge hydrocarbon cracking within the process. The process also produces light hydrocarbon liquids which are used to upgrade the heavy oil. An apparatus for continuously upgrading heavy oil to produce light hydrocarbon gases which are recycled in the as a carrier gas used in spark-discharge hydrocarbon cracking within the apparatus. The apparatus also produces light hydrocarbon liquids which are used to upgrade the heavy oil.

Abstract: A combination micro/macro-fluidic analysis system with one or more of a droplet transition unit, a droplet cleaving unit, a droplet synchronization, and a merging unit to enable highly efficient complex droplet microfluidic assays.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes depositing an amorphous layer on a substrate, masking a portion of the amorphous layer, removing a portion of the amorphous layer to form a first channel into the amorphous layer, depositing a semiconductor layer onto the substrate layer, and removing at least a portion of a defect region of the semiconductor layer to form a second channel.

Abstract: The present invention concerns non-human animals with cells having a genome that is lacking the entire E3 ubiquitin ligase (Ube3a) gene (including all isoforms and alternative promoters). These animals are useful for modeling Angelman Syndrome. The invention also includes methods for assessing the effect of an agent, such as potential therapeutics, on an animal model by exposing the animal or cells, tissues, or organs isolated therefrom, to an agent of interest.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for generating broadly neutralizing bovine anti-HIV Env antibodies, compositions comprising the broadly neutralizing bovine antibodies, and methods of treatment or prevention of HIV using the broadly neutralizing bovine antibodies. In certain embodiments, a broadly neutralizing bovine antibody comprises a polyclonal F(ab) or F(ab?)2 fragment. In certain embodiments, a broadly neutralizing bovine antibody comprises a humanized bovine monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: A method and system for decoding low density parity check (LDPC) codes. An LDPC code decoder includes LDPC decoding circuitry comprising a Q message generator and a P sum adder array. The Q message generator combines an R message from a previous iteration with a P message to produce a Q message. The P sum adder array adds the P message to a difference of an R message from a current iteration and the R message from the previous iteration to produce an updated P message.

Abstract: An embodiment includes an apparatus comprising: a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam having an outside surface; and a membrane that encapsulates at least 50% of the outside surface of the SMP foam; wherein (a) the SMP foam includes a thermoset SMP, and (b) the membrane includes a thermoplastic polymer. Other embodiments are addressed herein.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for preventing or reducing symptoms or disease associated with Xylella fastidiosa or Xanthomonas axonopodis in a plant. The invention provides novel bacteriophages virulent to Xylella fastidiosa or Xanthomonas axonopodis, including XfaMija and XfaMijo, and further provides methods for treating or preventing Pierce's Disease or Citrus Canker in plants.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for long-term storage, shipping, and stable production of black soldier flies, capable of use in waste remediation or protein production. The invention overcomes drawbacks associated with current methods of using black soldier flies, significantly increasing the period during which black soldier fly neonates can be stored and the time in which larvae mature.

Abstract: A system for anchoring an offshore vessel to a seabed includes a foundation including a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end along the longitudinal axis of the foundation, a keying-flap assembly including a plurality of flaps coupled to the foundation whereby the plurality of flaps are configured to pivot relative to the foundation about a plurality of rotational axes associated with the plurality of flaps, the keying-flap assembly having a run-in configuration in which each of the plurality of flaps occupies a first position, and a set configuration in which the plurality of flaps are pivoted from their first to occupy a plurality of second positions, and a follower configured to apply an extraction force to the foundation to transition the keying-flap assembly from the run-in configuration to the set configuration.

Abstract: A turbomachine includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet. A shaft is rotationally disposed in the housing. The shaft is rotatable about a longitudinal axis. An impeller is coupled to the shaft between the inlet and the outlet and rotates with the shaft. The impeller includes a single impeller inlet and an impeller outlet, a first set of vanes disposed on a first side of the impeller, and a second set of vanes disposed on a second side of the impeller. A passage is formed through a thickness of the impeller. The passage facilitates transmission of fluid from the first side of the impeller to the second side of the impeller such that fluid is supplied to the first set of vanes and the second set of vanes via the single impeller inlet. Transmission of fluid through the impeller reduces net axial thrust imparted to at least one of the impeller and the shaft.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes an expandable implant to endovascularly embolize an anatomical void or malformation, such as an aneurysm. An embodiment is comprised of a chain or linked sequence of expandable polymer foam elements. Another embodiment includes an elongated length of expandable polymer foam coupled to a backbone. Another embodiment includes a system for endovascular delivery of an expandable implant (e.g., shape memory polymer) to embolize an aneurysm. The system may include a microcatheter, a lumen-reducing collar coupled to the distal tip of the microcatheter, a flexible pushing element detachably coupled to an expandable implant, and a flexible tubular sheath inside of which the compressed implant and pushing element are pre-loaded. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: Technologies for multifunction sensor devices include a multifunction sensor having a pair of electrodes separated by a thin film polymer. The multifunction sensor is coupled to a nano-amplifier that receives a sensor signal and amplifies the sensor signal to generate an amplified sensor signal. A controller coupled to the nano-amplifier processes the amplified sensor signal based on the type of the multifunction sensor device to generate sensor data. The type of the multifunction sensor device may be a static charge sensor, a high-energy particle sensor, a microwave sensor, or an ultraviolet/X-ray sensor. The sensor data may be output, for example, to an external computing device via a serial link.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for thermal load management of a collection of power consumers managed by an electric power aggregator. In some examples, a system includes a scheduling subsystem, implemented on one or more processors, configured for determining a plurality of cooling or heating control schedules for the collection of power consumers by forecasting one or more wholesale electricity price peaks. The system includes a control system implemented on one or more processors. The control system is configured for carrying out the cooling or heating control schedules at the individual consumer-level. The control system is configured for guaranteeing, for each power consumer of the collection of power consumers, a comfort constraint specified by a bilevel thermostat for the power consumer, wherein the comfort constraint comprises a lower level bound temperature and an upper bound temperature that the power consumer is willing to tolerate.

Abstract: A composition including a medium and surfactant-free nanoparticles (SFNPs) at different dispersion state or aggregation form. The composition includes: (a) a composition of a medium and surfactant-free nanoparticles in primary form, wherein the dielectric constant value (DE value) of the medium is equal to or larger than the intrinsic dielectric constant value (IDE) of the SFNPs and smaller than about 1.

Abstract: A new and distinct Hibiscus plant having ruby-red colored flowers and a compact growth habit.