Abstract: A method for creating a space-filling solid model includes (a) defining a three-dimensional (3D) domain, (b) defining a Voronoi site geometry for each of a plurality of Voronoi sites, (c) defining a spatial arrangement of the plurality of Voronoi sites, (d) arranging the plurality of Voronoi sites within the 3D domain according to the defined spatial arrangement, and (e) partitioning the 3D domain based on the Voronoi site geometry of each the plurality of Voronoi sites defined in (b) and the spatial arrangement of the plurality of Voronoi sites defined in (c) using a distance function to create the space-filling solid model.

Abstract: A nanoscale positioning system for positioning a positionable component includes a motion platform including a first end, a second end, a shuttle positioned between the first end and the second end and configured to support the positionable component, a flexure member, and a fluid passage extending through the flexure member from the first end to the second end of the motion platform, and a pressure controller coupled to the motion platform and fluidically connected to the fluid passage, wherein the pressure controller is configured to selectably provide a fluid pressure in the fluid passage to flex the flexure member whereby the shuttle is displaced along a motion axis of the motion platform.

Abstract: In some examples, a method performed by a drilling rig control center, includes receiving raw data for a first time segment, the raw data related to a drilling operation. In addition, the method includes deriving first drilling state measurements based on the raw data of the first time segment. Further, the method includes deriving first formation state measurements based on the raw data of the first time segment. The method also includes correlating the first derived drilling and formation state measurements of the first time segment with a second derived drilling and formation state measurements of a second time segment. Still further, the method includes generating a control response based on the correlation.

Abstract: Described herein is the chemical structure of neurosteroid derivative compounds, methods of synthesizing the derivatives, and their uses in treating disorders, including those of the central nervous system. These compounds are readily synthesized and have improved pharmaceutical properties, including water solubility, compared to known neurosteroids.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating a depressive disorder or an anxiety disorder in a subject in need of such treatment are described herein. A therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a melanocortin 5 receptor (MC5R) peptide ligand according to the following: in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is administered to the subject. Xaa can be Cha or Pro. The MC5R peptide is a selective MC5R antagonist, and administration thereof to the subject can treat the depressive or anxiety disorder with clinical improvement observed in a relatively short time.

Abstract: Embodiments of the claimed invention are directed to a device, comprising: an anode that includes a lithiated silicon-based or lithiated carbon-based material or pure lithium metal or metal oxides and a sandwich-type sulfur-based cathode, wherein the anode and the cathode are designed to have porous structures. An additional embodiment of the invention is directed to a scalable method of manufacturing sandwich-type Li—S batteries at a significantly reduced cost compared to traditional methods. An additional embodiment is directed to the use of exfoliated CNT sponges for enlarging the percentage of sulfur in the cathode to have large energy density.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to synthesis of porous polymer networks and applications of such materials. The present disclosure relates to a method of fabricating of a porous polymer network comprising: (a) providing: (i) a first reactant comprising a plurality of compounds comprising at least one acetyl group, said plurality of compounds comprising at least one compound type, and (ii) a second reactant comprising an alkylsulfonic acid, and (b) creating a solution of said reactants, (c) casting said solution in a form, and (d) treating said solution under such conditions so as to produce a porous polymer network.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of a method and system that uses a vertical or upward facing imaging sensor to compute vehicle attitude, orientation, or heading and combines the computed vehicle attitude, orientation, or heading with range bearing measurements from an imaging sensor, LiDAR, sonar, etc., to features in the vicinity of the vehicle to compute accurate position and map estimates.

Abstract: A system for generating a dynamic tree trimming schedule, comprising a network vegetation model system operating on a first processor and configured to receive a network vegetation model and weather forecast data and to generate a real-time tree trimming schedule as a function of the network vegetation model and weather forecast data and a remote user interface operating on a second processor and configured to receive the real-time tree trimming schedule and to generate one or more user interface controls as a function of the real-time tree trimming schedule.

Abstract: Methods for disinfecting a surface are provided which include contacting a surface with a solution comprising Fe(VI)O42?, thereby disinfecting the surfaces. In some cases, the surface to be contacted with the solution is in a space suitable for human occupancy and the surface is arranged in the ambient of the space. In addition, solutions comprising Fe(VI)O42? are provided. The solutions may additionally include a hypohalite salt and a surfactant.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical or nutraceutical formulations are provided for treating inflammation in a subject in need thereof, as well as methods of treating inflammation in a subject in need thereof by administering one of the formulations. In some aspects, the pharmaceutical or nutraceutical formulation includes an effective amount of (i) palmitoylethanolamide or a derivative thereof, and (ii) one, two, three or more different small-molecule polyphenols or derivatives thereof to alleviate one or more causes or symptoms of the inflammation in the subject. In some aspects, the formulations include all three, e.g. the formulations includes (i) palmitoylethanolamide or a derivative thereof, (ii) quercetin or a derivative thereof, and (iii) curcumin or a derivative thereof. In some instances, the components (i)-(iii) discussed above are present at a mass ratio of about (i) 4 mg to 6 mg of palmitoylethanolamide or a derivative thereof to (ii) about 0.5 to 2.5 mg curcumin or a derivative thereof, and (iii) about 0.5 mg to 1.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for optimized sensor deployment and fault detection in the context of agricultural irrigation and similar applications. For instance, a computing device may execute a genetic algorithm (GA) routine to determine an optimal sensor deployment scheme such that a mean-time-to-failure (MTTF) for the system is maximized, thereby improving communication of sensor measurements. Moreover, in various embodiments, a centralized fault detection scheme may be employed and a soil moisture of a field can be determined by statistically inferring soil moistures at locations of faulty nodes using spatial and temporal correlations.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for increasing lignin degradation to produce a biological product. Also provided are methods for increasing expression of laccase in a bacterial species to produce increased lignin degradation. Also provided are bacterial cells and commodities or commodity produces produced from such methods.

Abstract: A method of applying a gas-impermeable coating includes forming a polyelectrolyte complex suspension. The polyelectrolyte complex suspension is applied to a substrate. The substrate having the polyelectrolyte complex applied thereon is treated. The treating reduces salt content of the polyelectrolyte complex. The treating results in a gas-impermeable coating being formed on the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for reinforcement learning-based irrigation control to maintain or increase a crop yield or reduce water use. A computing device may be configured to determine an optimal irrigation schedule for a crop planted in a field by applying reinforcement learning (RL), where, for a given state of a total soil moisture, the computing device performs an action, the action comprising waiting or irrigating crop. An immediate reward may be assigned to a state-action pair, the state-action pair comprising the given state of the total soil moisture and the action performed. The computing device may instruct an irrigation system to apply irrigation to at least one crop in accordance with the optimal irrigation schedule determined, where the optimal irrigation schedule includes an amount of water to be applied at a predetermined time.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, kits, and cardiac compression devices that have both passive chambers and active chambers to improve heart function.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides nanoparticle compositions comprising i) a polymeric nanoparticle, ii) one or more ligands conjugated to the polymeric nanoparticle, and iii) urolithin A. The disclosure also provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nanoparticle compositions for use in treating patients with various disease states.

Abstract: A method for predicting a hypoglycemic event or a hyperglycemic event includes (a) collecting one or more data streams, wherein at least one of the one or more data streams includes a glucose (GL) data stream corresponding to a user, (b) determining one or more features based on the one or more collected data streams, wherein at least one of the one or more features is distinct from each of the one or more data streams, (c) generating a prediction of whether or not a hypoglycemic event or a hyperglycemic event will occur by a prediction model based on the one or more features determined at (b), and (d) issuing an alert to the user in response to the prediction generated at (c) including a prediction that a hypoglycemic event or a hyperglycemic event will occur.

Abstract: An apparatus for predicting a deformed shape of a structure, and method of operating and forming the same. In an embodiment, the apparatus is formed with a riser with ends coupled respectively to an upper location and a lower location. The apparatus includes sensors configured to sense an inclination of the riser at riser nodes positioned on the riser between the upper location and the lower location. The apparatus further includes a data processing system configured to produce an estimate of a deformed shape of the riser employing deformed shaped functions to represent, respectively, the estimate of the deformed shape of the riser above and below the riser nodes.

Abstract: A hybrid bearing assembly includes a bushing. A sleeve is rotationally disposed within the bushing and a support layer is disposed around an outer perimeter of the bushing. A protective sleeve is disposed abutting the sleeve. A protective bushing is disposed abutting the bushing.