Abstract: The present disclosure provides, among other things, scale-coated surfaces, vessels with controlled deposits of scale, and associated methods for enhanced boiling heat transfer. It is presently found that creating and/or maintaining a scale deposit at a controlled thickness actually enhances a type of boiling called nucleate boiling, which improves heat transfer.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for capturing carbonylic or phenolic toxicants, or converting these toxicants into less volatile compounds. The toxicants, which may be a component of cigarette smoke, may be captured by physical or chemical adsorption, absorption, or entrapment.

Abstract: Methods to enhance the quality of grain boundary networks are described. The process can result in the production of a metal including a relatively large fraction of special grain boundaries (e.g., a fraction of special grain boundaries of at least about 55%).

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to porous materials that may be employed in various filtration, purification, and/or separation applications. In some cases, the porous materials may be thin, flexible, and fabricated with control over average pore size and/or the spatial distribution of pores. Such porous materials may be useful in, for example, desalination.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, novel compounds and methods for metathesis reactions. In some embodiments, a provided compound has the structure of formula I or II. In some embodiments, the present invention provides compounds and methods for Z-selective olefin metathesis.

Abstract: Presented herein are articles and methods featuring substrates with thin, uniform polymeric films grafted (e.g., covalently bonded) thereupon. The resulting coating provides significant reductions in thermal resistance, drop shedding size, and degradation rate during dropwise condensation of steam compared to existing coatings. Surfaces that promote dropwise shedding of low-surface tension condensates, such as liquid hydrocarbons, are also demonstrated herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and systems for delivery of nanocarriers to cells of the immune system. The invention provides vaccine nanocarriers capable of stimulating an immune response in T cells and/or B cells, in some embodiments, comprising at least one immunomodulatory agent, and optionally comprising at last one targeting moiety and optionally at least one immunostimulatory agent. The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising inventive vaccine nanocarriers. The present invention provides methods of designing, manufacturing, and using inventive vaccine nanocarriers and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The invention provides methods of prophylaxis and/or treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions comprising administering at least one inventive vaccine nanocarrier to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a shape controller controls the shape of a bladder as the bladder inflates. The shape controller includes a first set of regions and a second set of regions. The second set of regions is more flexible than the first set of regions. The shape controller is embedded within, or adjacent to, a wall of the bladder. When the bladder is inflated, the overall shape of the bladder bends in areas adjacent to the more flexible regions of the shape controller. For example, the shape controller may comprise paper and the more flexible regions may comprise creases in the paper. Or, for example, the more flexible regions may comprise notches or indentations. In some implementations of this invention, a multi-state shape display changes shape as it inflates, with additional bumps forming as pressure in the display increases.

Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, recombinase-based systems that provide for integrated logic and memory in living cells.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of measuring a position of a particle in a flow are disclosed. An embodiment of the method comprises temporally modulating and spatially pattering an illumination beam propagating along a first dimension, passing a particle across the modulated illumination beam, detecting a temporal profile of scattered light produced by the particle's passing through the modulated illumination beam, and determining the position of the particle based, in part, on the temporal profile of the detected scattered light.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance apparatus and operating method therefor, and in a processor that is programmed to design RF pulses for operating such a magnetic resonance apparatus, the RF pulses are designed to mitigate off-resonance effects caused by inhomogeneity of the basic (B0) magnetic field in the magnetic resonance apparatus. The RF pulses of a parallel transmit array are designed with different spatial phase distributions, that deviate from a constant phase from pulse-to-pulse, with the absolute value of the difference between respective spatial phase distributions of any two successively radiated RF pulses corresponding to the off-resonance that is caused by B0-inhomogeneity during the time between the radiation of the successive pulses.

Abstract: A medical prosthesis for use within the body which is formed of radiation treated ultra high molecular weight polyethylene having substantially no detectable free radicals, is described. Preferred prostheses exhibit reduced production of particles from the prosthesis during wear of the prosthesis, and are substantially oxidation resistant. Methods of manufacture of such devices and material used therein are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides for engineering and optimization of systems, methods, and compositions for manipulation of sequences and/or activities of target sequences. Provided are compositions and methods related to components of a CRISPR complex particularly comprising a Cas ortholog enzyme.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a radio signal is transmitted between a transmitter and a receiver. Either the transmitter, or receiver, or both, have a directional antenna. When organic tissue passes between (or is stationary between) the transmitter and receiver, the tissue causes a reduction of the received signal strength (RSS) of the signal, as compared to a baseline RSS. The larger the amount of tissue, the greater is the reduction of the RSS. By analyzing the degradation of the signal, information about organic tissue between the transmitter and receiver may be determined. For example, the number of persons passing through a physical threshold may be determined. Or the fact that one person is walking faster than, and catching up with, a second person as they pass between the transmitter and receiver may be determined.

Abstract: Condensation can be an important process in both emerging and traditional power generation and water desalination technologies. Superhydrophobic nanostructures can promise enhanced condensation heat transfer by reducing the characteristic size of departing droplets via a surface-tension-driven mechanism. A superhydrophobic surface can include a heterogeneous surface.

Abstract: High throughput system for in vivo screens on vertebrate larvae. The system includes a source of vertebrate larvae in a liquid medium and loading tube means for aspirating a larva. A detector assembly is provided to differentiate passage of a larva from bubbles and/or debris. An imaging means is provided for both confocal imaging and wide-field fluorescence imaging of the larva. A laser is provided for optical manipulation of the larva.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting patient outcome from a physiological segmentable signal of a patient. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of obtaining the physiological segmentable signal of the patient; segmenting the physiological segmentable signal into a plurality of separate segmentable components; calculating a time series of the morphological distance between adjacent separate segmentable components of the plurality of separate segmentable components; and predicting patient outcome in response to the time series of the morphological distance.

Abstract: The invention provides techniques for drawing fibers that include conducting, semiconducting, and insulating materials in intimate contact and prescribed geometries. The resulting fiber exhibits engineered electrical and optical functionalities along extended fiber lengths. The invention provides corresponding processes for producing such fibers, including assembling a fiber preform of a plurality of distinct materials, e.g., of conducting, semiconducting, and insulating materials, and drawing the preform into a fiber.

Abstract: A model-based neuromechanical controller for a robotic limb having at least one joint includes a finite state machine configured to receive feedback data relating to the state of the robotic limb and to determine the state of the robotic limb, a muscle model processor configured to receive state information from the finite state machine and, using muscle tendon lever arm and muscle tendon length equations and reflex control equations in a neuromuscular model, to determine at least one desired joint torque or stiffness command to be sent to the robotic limb, and a joint command processor configured to command the biomimetic torques and stiffnesses determined by the muscle model processor at the robotic limb joint. The feedback data is preferably provided by at least one sensor mounted at each joint of the robotic limb. In a preferred embodiment, the robotic limb is a leg and the finite state machine is synchronized to the leg gait cycle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the formation of carbon-based nanostructures are generally described. In some embodiments, the nanostructures may be formed on a nanopositor. The nanopositor can comprise, in some embodiments, at least one of metal atoms in a non-zero oxidation state and metalloid atoms in a non-zero oxidation state. For example, the nanopositor may comprise a metal oxide, a metalloid oxide, a metal chalcogenide, a metalloid chalcogenide, and the like. The carbon-based nanostructures may be grown by exposing the nanopositor, in the presence or absence of a growth substrate, to a set of conditions selected to cause formation of carbon-based nanostructures on the nanopositor. In some embodiments, metal or metalloid atoms in a non-zero oxidation state are not reduced to a zero oxidation state during the formation of the carbon-based nanostructures. In some cases, metal or metalloid atoms in a non-zero oxidation state do not form a carbide during the formation of the carbon-based nanostructures.