Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for producing high-performance materials. These materials utilize layers of stacked tapes wherein the tapes in any given layer are offset by between 0.1 degrees and 45 degrees from tapes of adjacent layers. At least three roughly parallel tapes are included within each layer of tapes, and the tapes have an aspect ratio of at least 20. The maximum thickness of a tape within a given layer is 5 mm. The resulting materials have significantly improved strength and/or toughness. The compositions can be used as stand-alone materials or combined with other materials to form tape-reinforced composites.

Abstract: Herein we describe purified boron nitride nanotube compositions substantially free from hexagonal boron nitride. The compositions have a mass ratio of boron nitride nanotubes to hexagonal boron nitride of at least 100. Methods are provided for producing purified boron nitride nanotube compositions wherein impure compositions are subjected to heating with a C5 to C11 hydrocarbon solvent under specified conditions.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes pan-SUMO trapping proteins and fusion proteins comprising the pan-SUMO trapping proteins that are stable and bind SUMO-modified proteins with high avidity. The proteins described herein can be used to detect the localization of SUMO-modified proteins cells. The proteins described herein can be used to identify biomarkers for diseases associated with oxidative stress. They can also be used to diagnose and monitor diseases associated with genotoxic and/or proteotoxic stress conditions.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring relative positions of two objects sharing a common joint during motion between the two objects. An electromagnet is positioned on a first object and a magnetic sensor is positioned on a second object. The electromagnet's power or polarity is cycled during a monitoring session in accordance with a periodic schedule of alternating power-on/power-off periods or alternating-polarity periods, respectively. The magnetic sensor's output during one or more of the power-off periods or the alternating-polarity periods is used to remove environmental magnetic interference to dynamically determine the distance between the electromagnet and the magnetic sensor where the determined distance and the north pole orientation of the electromagnet are indicative of relative positions of the first object and the second object.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring relative positions of two objects sharing a common joint during motion between the two objects. An electromagnet is positioned on a first object and a magnetic sensor is positioned on a second object. The electromagnet's power or polarity is cycled during a monitoring session in accordance with a periodic schedule of alternating power-on/power-off periods or alternating-polarity periods, respectively. The magnetic sensor's output during one or more of the power-off periods or the alternating-polarity periods is used to remove environmental magnetic interference to dynamically determine the distance between the electromagnet and the magnetic sensor where the determined distance and the north pole orientation of the electromagnet are indicative of relative positions of the first object and the second object.

Abstract: A combination of a visual warning cue and a conspicuous auditory warning cue acts synergistically to reduce bird strike frequency against a man-made structure. Methods and systems are described for providing said combination of warning cues when a bird is within a warning zone. The auditory warning cue entails at least two separate sonic pulses within one second when the bird is within the warning zone, and is defined by an intensity-weighted frequency average of between 6 kHz and 18 kHz, and an intensity at a location within the warning zone of at least 70 decibels.

Abstract: Herein we describe purified boron nitride nanotube compositions substantially free from hexagonal boron nitride. The compositions have a mass ratio of boron nitride nanotubes to hexagonal boron nitride of at least 100. Methods are provided for producing said purified boron nitride nanotube compositions wherein impure compositions are subjected to heating with a C5 to C11 hydrocarbon solvent under specified conditions.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes pan-SUMO trapping proteins and fusion proteins comprising the pan-SUMO trapping proteins that are stable and bind SUMO-modified proteins with high avidity. The proteins described herein can be used to detect the localization of SUMO-modified proteins cells. The proteins described herein can be used to identify biomarkers for diseases associated with oxidative stress. They can also be used to diagnose and monitor diseases associated with genotoxic and/or proteotoxic stress conditions.

Abstract: Herein we describe embodiments of shotgun shells, methods for loading such shotgun shells, and methods for using them. In some embodiments, the shotgun shells utilize a multi-component wad system with a biodegradable powder wad that stays intact through the firing process, and a separate and chemically distinct biodegradable shot wad that breaks apart within one meter after being shot out of the barrel of a shotgun. A clean release of the shot can be obtained, providing both high performance and biodegradability. The biodegradable shot wad can be a biodegradable polyester.

Abstract: Herein we describe embodiments of a biodegradable wad having a gas sealing function, as well as methods for their use. In some embodiments, the biodegradable wad comprises at least 50% by weight of a poly(butylene succinate co-adipate) polymer. In some embodiments, the biodegradable wad comprises at least two biodegradable polymers, wherein a first biodegradable polymer comprises a polybutylene succinate adipate polymer and a second biodegradable polymer comprises a polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer. Plastic debris has a negative economic and ecological impact, and thus it is advantageous to use implements that will degrade into environmentally benign compounds. Incorporating a biodegradable wad into shotgun shells provides an effective, economical solution, provided cost is acceptable and performance is not compromised. Suitable shotgun shells utilizing biodegradable shotgun wads and methods are described herein.

Abstract: Herein we describe embodiments of shotgun shells, methods for loading such shotgun shells, and methods for using them. In some embodiments, the shotgun shells utilize a multi-component wad system with a biodegradable powder wad that stays intact through the firing process, and a separate and chemically distinct biodegradable shot wad that breaks apart within one meter after being shot out of the barrel of a shotgun. A clean release of the shot can be obtained, providing both high performance and biodegradability. The biodegradable shot wad can be a biodegradable polyester.

Abstract: A computer aided bug reporting system for GUI-based apps extracts and stores static and dynamic data from an app's source code. Using the extracted/stored data, a sequence of prompts is generated on a bug reporter's display device. The prompts are ordered in accordance with one of the app's execution paths associated with an encountered bug wherein each of the prompts is associated with one of the path's execution steps. Each prompt presents the GUI components and attributes of the GUI components associated with the one of the execution steps wherein selected ones of the GUI components and selected ones of the attributes of the GUI components are defined. The selected ones of the GUI components and the selected ones of the attributes of the GUI components for the execution steps associated with the one of the execution paths are presented for review by a software developer.

Abstract: Novel compositions of vertically oriented graphene nanosheets on aluminum electrodes are provided. These compositions are particularly useful for advanced electrolytic capacitors and fast response electric double layer capacitors. These compositions include a polycrystalline carbon layer, and an adjacent aluminum oxide layer that does not preclude ohmic contact between the carbon layer and an aluminum substrate.

Abstract: A fiber composition, along with a method for toughening fiber compositions, are described. A fiber composition contains at least three loops along the length of said fiber, wherein the loops are bonded using sacrificial junctions comprising a bonding material that is chemically distinct from the fiber material. In some preferred embodiments, the loops have a circumference of at least one centimeter, and the bonding material is an ultraviolet light-cured adhesive. When a suitable force is applied, one or more sacrificial junctions can break without breaking the continuous fiber. The fiber compositions described herein have a toughness that is many times greater than the toughness of otherwise equivalent compositions of the fiber material which lack any such loops.

Abstract: A system for generating infrared light includes a sealed housing and a noble gas filling the housing. A window disposed in a wall of the housing is transparent to infrared radiation. Two electrodes, disposed in the housing, are aligned along a common longitudinal axis adapted to be approximately perpendicular to a local force of gravity. A gap is defined between the electrodes along the longitudinal axis. Obstruction(s), disposed in the housing adjacent to the gap between the electrodes, extend along the length of the gap. The obstruction(s) define a convection space between the electrodes. The convection space has a dimension, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, in the range of 2 to 10 times the length of the gap. An electric current source is coupled to the electrodes.

Abstract: Systems, methods and techniques are provided for interacting with mobile devices using a camera-based keyboard. The system comprises a processor system including at last one processor. The processor system is configured to at least capture a plurality of images in connection with the keyboard and at least one hand typing on the keyboard via the camera. Based on the plurality of captured images, the processor system is further configured to locate the keyboard, extract at least a portion of the keys on the keyboard, extract a hand, and detect a fingertip of the extracted hand. After that, a keystroke may be detected and localized through tracking the detected fingertip in at least one of the plurality of captured images, and a character corresponding to the localized keystroke may be determined.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating dementia, including mild cognitive impairment, via administration of D-cycloserine, or a prodrug thereof, on a tolerance-inhibiting basis. Specifically, by administering D-cycloserine on a tolerance-inhibiting basis, tolerance to D-cycloserine is less likely than would occur via daily administration, enhancing benefits and reducing costs and side effects. Pharmaceutical compositions useful for the treatment of dementia are additionally disclosed.

Abstract: Novel compositions of vertically oriented graphene nanosheets on aluminum electrodes are provided. These compositions are particularly useful for advanced electrolytic capacitors and fast response electric double layer capacitors. These compositions include a polycrystalline carbon layer, and an adjacent aluminum oxide layer that does not preclude ohmic contact between the carbon layer and an aluminum substrate.

Abstract: One or more sound producers disrupt auditory communications among animals in a defined locale. The sound is defined by (i) a frequency range commensurate with a communication frequency range used by at least one species to carry out auditory communications, (ii) colored noise in the frequency range, and (iii) a sound level of the colored noise in the frequency range at a perimeter region of the defined locale not to exceed approximately a peak sound level associated with auditory communications of one or more species.

Abstract: Systems, methods and techniques are provided for interacting with mobile devices using a camera-based keyboard. The system comprises a processor system including at last one processor. The processor system is configured to at least capture a plurality of images in connection with the keyboard and at least one hand typing on the keyboard via the camera. Based on the plurality of captured images, the processor system is further configured to locate the keyboard, extract at least a portion of the keys on the keyboard, extract a hand, and detect a fingertip of the extracted hand. After that, a keystroke may be detected and localized through tracking the detected fingertip in at least one of the plurality of captured images, and a character corresponding to the localized keystroke may be determined.