Abstract: The present application can provide a preparation method that can effectively produce a polymer having desired molecular weight characteristics and solubility in a solvent, and having a monomer composition, which is designed freely and variously according to the purpose, without unnecessary components with excellent polymerization efficiency and conversion rates, and a dispersion comprising the polymer formed by the preparation method.

Abstract: An avalanche diode including a gain region and a readout structure including an n-type (p-type) region having electrically isolated segments each including implanted regions; a p-type (n-type) region; and a first electrode on each of the segments. The gain region includes a p-n junction buried between the n-type region and the p-type region: an n+-type region having a higher n-type dopant density than the n-type region; a p+-type region having a higher p-type dopant density than the p-type region; and the p-n junction between the n+-type region and the p+-type region. A bias between the first electrodes and a second electrode (ohmically contacting the p-type (n-type) region) reverse biases the p-n junction. Electrons generated in response to electromagnetic radiation or charged particles generate additional electrons m the gain region through impact ionization but the segmented region comprises a low field region isolating the gain region from the first electrodes.

Abstract: Functionalized zeolites, including a zeolite substrate and a self-assembled monolayer of a phosphonic acid on a surface of the zeolite substrate, are disclosed, as are methods of making and using the functionalized zeolites. The disclosed methods and compositions have various applications, including in the use of molecular sieves to separate small-molecule gases from mixtures thereof. Gas adsorption selectivities and diffusion rates of the functionalized zeolites may be tuned or selected according to the disclosed methods.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a flexible, narrow medical device (such as a micro-catheter or a guidewire) that is controllably moved and steered through lumens of a body. The medical device may include an electrically-actuatable bendable portion at a distal end, which may be provided by a polymer electrolyte layer, electrodes distributed about the polymer electrolyte layer, and electrical conduits coupled to the electrodes, such that the polymer electrolyte layer deforms asymmetrically in response to an electrical signal through one or more conduits. The disclosure further includes a controller for moving the device into and out of bodily lumens and for applying the electrical signal for steering the device. The device further includes methods of preparing the polymer electrolyte layer in tubular shape.

Abstract: Provided herein is an implant for delivering a hydrophobic active agent to a target tissue. The implant may include a scaffold defining a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the scaffold is substantially impermeable to a hydrophobic active agent, and a silicone tubing having a wall permeable to the active agent, wherein a first length of the silicone tubing is affixed to the first surface of the scaffold, wherein the two ends of the silicone tubing extend from the first surface, and wherein a path outlined by a second length of the tubing within the first length is circuitous. Also provided is a method of using the implant to locally deliver a hydrophobic active agent to a target tissue, and kits that find use in performing the present method.

Abstract: An electrical emulator system includes an emulator assembly comprising an emulator circuit board for emulating a component forming part of a modeled electrical system. The emulator circuit board includes an inverter mounted to the emulator circuit board, a set of input terminals electrically connected to the inverter, a set of output terminals electrically connected to the inverter and a processor electrically connected to the inverter and configured to control the inverter so as to provide emulation of a component of the modeled electrical system. A docking station includes a set of docking terminals for emulated line power. The docking station comprises guides to receive the emulator circuit board and align the set of input terminals and the set of output terminals to selected docking terminals of the set of docking terminals.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, are composite materials, methods, tools and abrasive materials comprising a tungsten-based metal composition, a tungsten carbide, and an alloy. In some cases, the composite materials or matrix are resistant to oxidation.

Abstract: Provided are T cell receptors (TCR) and TCR variable regions that can selectively bind the T-cell leukemia/lymphoma 1 (TCL1) oncoprotein. The TCR may be utilized in various therapies, such as autologous TCL1-TCR adoptive T cell therapy, to treat a cancer, such as a B-cell malignancy or a solid tumor expressing TCL1. Methods for expanding a population of T cells that target TCL1 are also provided.

Abstract: A submicron structure comprising a silica body defining a plurality of pores that are suitable to receive molecules therein, and having a surface, and a phospholipid bilayer coating the surface, wherein said submicron structure has a maximum dimension of less than one micron, and wherein the phospholipid bilayer stably seals the plurality of pores; and wherein the submicron structure is a member of a monodisperse population of submicron structures.

Abstract: A magneto-inductive DC magnetometer is provided that is operable to output fluxgate quality measurements in a low mass, volume, power and cost package. The magnetometer enables constellation-class missions not only due to its low-resource requirements, but also due to its potential for commercial integrated circuit fabrication. In addition, the magnetometer will be part of a ground-based Space Weather Underground Citizen Science instrument package that enables dense arrays of space weather-relevant observations at mid-latitudes. The magneto-inductive operating principle is based on a simple resistance-inductor (RL) circuit and involves measurement of the time it takes to charge and discharge the inductor between an upper and lower threshold by means of a Schmitt trigger oscillator. This time is proportional to the inductance that in turn is proportional to the field strength.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for preparing graphene by mixing graphite and carbon nanofibrils. The prepared graphene can be used to form nanopaper. The present invention also provides a method of preparing nanopaper by suspending cellulose nanofibrils and graphene, followed by vacuum filtering of the suspension.

Abstract: Chemical sensors, devices and systems including the same, and related methods are disclosed. In an embodiment, a medical device is included having a graphene varactor including a graphene layer and a self-assembled monolayer disposed on an outer surface of the graphene layer through non-covalent interactions between the self-assembled monolayer and a ?-electron system of graphene. The self-assembled monolayer includes one or more pillarenes, substituted pillarenes, calixarenes, substituted calixarenes, peralkylated cyclodextrins, substituted peralkylated cyclodextrins, pyrenes, or substituted pyrenes, or derivatives of each. Other embodiments are also included.

Abstract: Provided herein are engineered hMPV F proteins. In some aspects, the engineered F proteins exhibit enhanced conformational stability and/or antigenicity. Methods are also provided for use of the engineered F proteins as diagnostics, in screening platforms, and/or in vaccine compositions.

Abstract: A method for producing one or more hydroxide solids includes providing a catholyte comprising an electrolyte solution; contacting the catholyte with an electroactive mesh cathode to electrolytically generate hydroxide ions, thereby precipitating the one or more hydroxide solid(s); and removing the one or more hydroxide solids from the surface of the mesh where they may deposit.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to sub-meter level navigation accuracy for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) using broadband communication signals, such as cellular long-term evolution (LTE) signals. A framework and methods are provided using a receiver and controller to produce at least one of carrier phase, code phase, and Doppler frequency measurements from received LTE signals. Single difference measurements may be used to remove clock bias. LTE ENodeB clock biases are initialized using the known initial position of the UAV. The measurements are fused via an extended Kalman filter (EKF) to estimate the UAV position and integer ambiguities of the carrier phase single difference measurements. LTE signals can have different carrier frequencies and conventional algorithms do not estimate the integer ambiguities. Processes are described to detect cycle slip, where the carrier phase measurements from the LTE eNodeB multiple antenna ports are used to detect cycle slip.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an exceptional points of degeneracy (EPD) system with a resonator by introducing a linear time-periodic variation. In contrast, prior art systems with EPD require two coupled resonators with precise values of gain and loss and a precise symmetry of inductances and capacitances. The disclosed EPD system only requires the tuning of the modulation frequency or modulation depth, which can be easily achieved in electronic systems. The EPD is a point in a system parameters' space at which two or more eigenstates coalesce, and this leads to unique properties not occurring at other non-degenerate operating points. Also disclosed are experimental data showing the existence of a second order EPD in a time-varying single resonator and the expected sensitivity of its resonances to circuit perturbations. The disclosed EPD system exhibits structural degenerate and non-degenerate resonances whose dynamics dramatically boosts its sensitivity performance to very small perturbations.

Abstract: An apparatus for a heart of a patient having a cardiac assist device adapted to be implanted into the patient to assist the heart with pumping blood. The apparatus has a sensor adapted to be implanted into the patient. The sensor in communication with the cardiac assist device and the heart which measures native volume of the heart. Alternatively, the sensor monitors the heart based on admittance while the cardiac assist device. Alternatively, the sensor monitors the heart based on impedance.

Abstract: A pyramid-type multilevel converter for converting DC voltage to AC voltage waveforms, and vice versa. An example device can use modular building blocks to form a selector stage, a converter stage, and at least one intermediate stage if the number of converters within the converter stage is greater than or equal to 3, with the converter stage switching at high-frequency PWM to chop the DC voltages. The modular building blocks are connected in a symmetric or asymmetric pyramid configuration having a base of using the converter stage and an apex of the selector stage.

Abstract: Effluent water is combined with carbon dioxide sourced from a carbon dioxide-containing emission stream to produce a reaction solution. The pH of the reaction solution is controlled to induce precipitation of a carbonate salt from the reaction solution.

Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a human pathogen with high morbidity. The HCV NS3/4A protease is essential for viral replication and is one of top three drug targets. A number of drugs have been developed but drug resistant mutant strains emerged. Here we screened and synthesized of novel class of small molecules of Formula I or Formula IA based on tryptophan derivative scaffold as HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitors that is active against both wild type and mutant form of the protease. Only the docking hits with a binding pose that is not affected by the most frequent mutations in the active site were selected for experimental validation. The antiviral activities were evaluated by replicon and enzymatic assays. Twenty-two compounds in this series were found to inhibit HCV with EC50 values ranging between 0.64 to 63 ?M with compound 22 being the most active of this series. In protease assays, 22 had a comparable inhibition profile for the common mutant HCV GT1b D168A and the wild type enzyme.