Abstract: Provided herein are one-step methods for fabricating an asymmetric mixed-matrix membrane and the asymmetric mixed matrix membrane so fabricated. In the one step method an asymmetric polymer film is formed from a liquid polymer solution and a ligand precursor simultaneously with the formation of metal-organic framework filler particles therein. Also provided is a method for separating a mixture of gases or of liquids by flowing the mixture through the asymmetric mixed matrix membrane.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: a monolithic shape memory polymer (SMP) foam having first and second states; wherein the SMP foam includes: (a) polyurethane, (b) an inner half portion having inner reticulated cells defined by inner struts, (c) an outer half portion, having outer reticulated cells defined by outer struts, surrounding the inner portion in a plane that provides a cross-section of the SMP foam, (d) hydroxyl groups chemically bound to outer surfaces of both the inner and outer struts. Other embodiments are discussed herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions to reduce binding of fibrinogen to the ClfA in a gram positive bacterial infections using monoclonal antibody, a polyclonal antibody, an antigen-binding antibody fragment or a composition that specifically binds to a portion of ClfA with the sequence of SEQ ID No: 15, SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO: 17, and SEQ ID NO: 18.

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: The present disclosure provides a recombinant viral vector comprising at least one transgene inserted into a Marek's disease viral genome for treatment of diseases in poultry. Also provided are immunogenic compositions comprising such recombinant viral vectors and methods for preventing or inhibiting Marek's disease in combination with at least a second disease in poultry.

Abstract: The restretchable stencil frame according to the present invention consists of a metallic stencil foil mounted on a rectangular frame fabricated of tubular material or C-channel. Each corner of the frame is provided with one screw-actuated conical expander and one counterplate serving to biaxially tension the stencil foil. To ensure uniform stretching of the stencil foil, areas of increased elasticity are provided to the corners of the frame and to the foil itself in the form of oriented slots, cuts, holes and combination thereof.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device for modulating intracellular gene expression, the device having a calcium actuator component and a transcription reprogramming component. In another embodiment, a method for modulating intracellular gene expression, where the method includes inducing a system having a calcium actuator component and a transcription reprogramming component with at least one of light and a chemical, causing an increase in Ca2+, and translocating the transcription reprogramming component from cytosol to the nucleus.

Abstract: An instrument for energizing molecules contained in a sample solution may include a droplet generator configured to generate droplets of the sample solution. The droplet generator illustratively has an elongated nozzle defining an orifice at one end thereof from which the droplets exit the droplet generator, and the orifice illustratively defines a first longitudinal axis centrally therethrough. A molecule energizing source is configured to produce a molecule energizing field, and is positioned relative to the nozzle orifice such that the molecule energizing field extends into at least some of the generated droplets along a direction non-parallel with the first longitudinal axis. The molecule energizing field illustratively carries energy which heats at least one of the generated droplets sufficiently to induce structural changes in at least one molecule contained in the at least one of the generated droplets.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of constructing a phage display library where at least 90% of combinatorial regions in the phage display library include at least one in-frame amber codon. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the formed phage display libraries. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of selecting peptides or proteins that bind to a desired target (e.g., a ligand binding site of a desired target) by utilizing the phage display libraries of the present disclosure. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to peptides that have been screened from the phage display libraries and methods of the present disclosure, such as inhibitors of sirtuin 2, or inhibitors of ENL.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon conversion and transportation methods and apparatuses are provided. An apparatus may apply electron beam irradiation to hydrocarbons (i.e., natural gas) to convert the hydrocarbons to liquid fuel. Lower-weight hydrocarbons may be converted into medium-weight organics through a gas to liquid process (GTL). The electrons may generate radicals that facilitate desired reactions. The hydrocarbons may be temperature and pressure controlled. For example, the hydrocarbons may be at lower temperatures (e.g., cryogenic or otherwise below ambient) and/or at higher pressures (e.g., greater than standard atmospheric pressures). Temperature suppression may reduce decomposition reactions. A high energy electron beam (e.g., 500 keV or higher, such as 10 MeV) could be used for the conversion process. The hydrocarbon may be liquefied. The liquid-like, higher density lower-weight hydrocarbons may lead to radical-neutral interactions.

Abstract: A passive infrared (PIR) sensor system, includes a PIR sensor configured to produce an output signal in response to receiving infrared (IR) radiation, an electronic shutter positionable in a field of view (FOV) of the PIR sensor, wherein the electronic shutter includes a liquid crystal (LC) material, wherein the electronic shutter includes a first state providing a first transmissivity of IR radiation through the electronic shutter and a second state providing a second transmissivity of IR radiation through the electronic shutter that is less than the first transmissivity, and a shutter actuator configured to apply an actuation signal to the electronic shutter to actuate the electronic shutter between the first state and the second state.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for deep reinforcement learning-based irrigation control to maintain or increase crop yield and/or other desired crop status, and/or reduce water use. One or more computing devices can be configured to determine an amount of water to be applied to at least one crop in at least one of a plurality of irrigation management zones through execution of a deep reinforcement learning routine. Further, the computing devices can determine a start time and an end time to be applied to the at least one of the plurality of irrigation management zones based at least in part on the amount of water determined by the deep reinforcement learning module. Finally, the computing devices can instruct an irrigation system to apply irrigation to the at least one of the plurality of irrigation management zones in accordance with the start time and the end time.

Abstract: A method of electrochemical exfoliation, may include: electrochemically exfoliating a parent material comprising coke, wherein the electrochemically exfoliating comprises introducing the parent material into a porous chamber, applying pressure to the porous chamber to thereby compress the parent material in the porous chamber, and applying a potential bias to the parent material while at least a portion of the parent material is in contact with an electrolyte solution to produce a mixture of exfoliated material and unexfoliated parent material, wherein the exfoliated material comprises exfoliated graphene; and separating at least a portion of the exfoliated material from the unexfoliated parent material.

Abstract: An embolectomy device comprised of an expansion unit and a support unit is disclosed. The expansion unit can be actuated in response to one or more external stimuli, and the support unit, located proximately to the expansion unit, provides a force to hold the expansion unit in place and to further induce the expansion unit's radial expansion. The radial expansion of the expansion unit causes the expansion unit to physically contact a blood clot, enabling the blood clot to be removed. In some embodiments, the expansion unit can be fabricated from a shape memory polymer foam. In some embodiments the support unit can be fabricated from any elastic material including, without limitation, shape memory alloys.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: an iodine containing thermoset open-cell shape memory polymer (SMP) foam that is x-ray visible; wherein (a) the SMP foam is configured to expand from a compressed secondary state to an expanded primary state in response to thermal stimulus, (b) the SMP foam is a poly(urethane-urea-amide). Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and composition including vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, chimeric molecule of an extracellular fibrinogen binding protein (Efb) and targeted agent delivery pharmaceutical composition comprising at least a portion of a modified N-terminus region, at least a portion of a modified C-terminus region, or both, wherein the modified extracellular fibrinogen binding protein results in inhibiting the fibrinogen binding, C3 binding, or both or administering to a subject a pharmacologically effective amount of a vaccine in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, comprising a modified extracellular fibrinogen binding protein comprising at least a portion of a modified N-terminus region, at least a portion of a modified C-terminus region, or both, wherein the modified extracellular fibrinogen binding protein results in not shielding the staphylococcus bacterium from recognition by a phagocytic receptor.

Abstract: A system for monitoring one or more physiological parameters includes a plurality of patches positionable at a plurality of locations on a surface of a body, wherein the plurality of patches are electrically isolated from each other, wherein a first patch of the plurality of patches includes a transmitter configured to inject an electrical signal into the body at a first location on the surface of the body, and wherein a second patch of the plurality of patches includes a sensor configured to detect a bio-impedance signal at a second location on the surface of the body that is spaced from the first location, and wherein the bio-impedance signal is induced within the body by the electrical signal injected from the first patch which is electrically isolated from the second patch.

Abstract: A surgical device for identification of a surgical site of interest, such as a craniofacial or dental site (root apex of an identified tooth), and a method for using the device is provided. The device includes a perimeter bar and a plurality of intermediate cross bars arranged in a grid structure. The device can be used during a surgical procedure requiring enhanced precision, such as during an endodontic surgical procedure, by positioning the device next to a patient's tooth and capturing a CBCT image, the CBCT image being used to identify a drilling location. The device can be repositioned alongside the patient's tooth, and used to identify an accurate drilling position.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for cracking liquid hydrocarbon materials into light hydrocarbon fractions using a carrier gas including methane and hydrogen.

Abstract: A method for performing object occlusion is disclosed. The method includes capturing an image of a physical item, determining a location and an orientation of a first virtual item with an augmented reality registration function; generating an augmented reality image, wherein the augmented reality image comprises a rendering of the first virtual item in the image using a first rendering function to depict the location and orientation of the first virtual item in the image and a rendering of a second virtual item in the image with a second rendering function; displaying the augmented reality image, wherein occlusion of the first virtual item by the physical item is shown in the augmented reality image based on occlusion of the first virtual item by the second virtual item wherein the first virtual item depicts a next step in the step-by-step instructions for the assembly.