Abstract: A soft continuum robotic module comprises a plurality of inflatable actuators disposed between plates. Via inflation or deflation of one or more of the actuators, the module may extend, contract, twist, bend, and/or exert a grasping force. One or more modules may be combined to form a robotic arm with multiple degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making palatable methionine-restricted foods, to deliver a methionine-restricted diet to human or veterinary patients. A protein or a food product containing protein is partially oxidized, preferably with ozone, to oxidize nearly all of the methionine and cysteine. After oxidation, tryptophan and lysine are optionally added back since they tend to be oxidized also. Optionally, a small amount of methionine is also added back so that the final methionine is within a preferred range of about 0.85 to about 1.8 gram methionine per 100 gram total protein, preferably about 1.2 gram per 100 gram total protein.

Abstract: Solar array fault detection, classification, and localization using deep neural nets is provided. A fault-identifying neural network uses a cyber-physical system (CPS) approach to fault detection in photovoltaic (PV) arrays. Customized neural network algorithms are deployed in feedforward neural networks for fault detection and identification from monitoring devices that sense data and actuate each individual module in a PV array. This approach improves efficiency by detecting and classifying a wide variety of faults and commonly occurring conditions (e.g., eight faults/conditions concurrently) that affect power output in utility scale PV arrays.

Abstract: Provided herein are unsymmetrical bis(azolium) salts, unsymmetrical CCC-NHC metal complexes, and methods of forming the same. The unsymmetrical bis(azolium) salts include a central aryl ring that is substituted with two heterocyclic rings in an ortho, meta, or para fashion. The unsymmetrical CCC-NHC metal complexes include metalated unsymmetrical bis(azolium) salts. The method of forming the unsymmetrical CCC-NHC metal complexes includes reacting a dihalogenated benzene with a first azole to form a mono(azole)benzene, reacting the mono(azole)benzene with a second azole to form an unsymmetrical bis(azole)benzene, alkylating the unsymmetrical bis(azole)benzene to form an unsymmetrical bis(azolium) salt, and metalating the unsymmetrical bis(azolium) salt to form the unsymmetrical CCC-NHC metal complex. Also provided are a bis-ligated CCC-NHC metal complex and an unsymmetrical bimetallic complex.

Abstract: Viral promoters and compositions and methods of use thereof are provided. Compositions include viruses with impaired ability to reactivate from latency, and pharmaceutical compositions and method of use thereof. The genome of the viruses include one or more mutations that reduce expression from one or more promoters that regulate expression of viral genes during reactivation from latency. The mutation(s) are typically in a region of the viral genome that includes (i) promoter elements of the iP1 promoter of human cytomegalovirus, or the sequence of another virus corresponding thereto (e.g., an iP1 promoter homolog); (ii) promoter elements of the iP2 promoter of human cytomegalovirus, or sequence of another virus corresponding thereto (e.g., an iP2 promoter homolog); or (iii) a combination thereof. In some embodiments the virus encodes one or more heterologous antigens. The viruses can be used as vaccines to induce prophylactic and therapeutic immune responses in subjects in need thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for continuous flow polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are provided. The system comprises an injector, a mixer, a coalescer, a droplet generator, a detector, a digital PCR system, and a controller. The injector takes in a sample, partitions the sample into sample aliquots with the help of an immiscible oil phase, dispenses waste, and sends the sample aliquot to the mixer. The mixer mixes the sample aliquot with a PCR master mix and diluting water, dispenses waste, and sends the sample mixture (separated by an immiscible oil) to the coalescer. The coalescer coalesces the sample mixture with primers dispensed from a cassette, dispenses waste, and sends the reaction mixture (separated by an immiscible oil) to the droplet generator. The droplet generator converts the sample mixture into an emulsion where aqueous droplets of the reaction mixture are maintained inside of an immiscible oil phase and dispenses droplets to the digital PCR system.

Abstract: Provided is a method for inhibiting the growth of Gram-positive bacteria, including contacting said bacteria with a first compound and a second compound, wherein the first compound is a compound of Formula I: and the second compound is an antibiotic other than a compound of Formula I. Also provided is a composition including the first compound and the second compound.

Abstract: A method of making a catalyst layer of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell includes the step of preparing a porous buckypaper layer comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of carbon nanofibers and carbon nanotubes. Platinum group metal nanoparticles are deposited in a liquid solution on an outer surface of the buckypaper to create a platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper. A proton conducting electrolyte is deposited on the platinum group metal nanoparticles by electrophoretic deposition to create a proton-conducting layer on the an outer surface of the platinum nanoparticles. An additional proton-conducting layer is deposited by contacting the platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper with a liquid proton-conducting composition in a solvent. The platinum group metal nanoparticle buckypaper is dried to remove the solvent. A membrane electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: Herein reported are new tricyclic cytidine compounds, such as 8-diethylamino-tC (8-DEA-tC), that respond to DNA and/or RNA duplex formation with up to a 20-fold increase in fluorescent quantum yield as compared with the free nucleoside, depending on neighboring bases. This turn-on response to duplex formation is by far the greatest of any reported nucleoside analogue that can participate in Watson-Crick base pairing. Measurements of the quantum yield of 8-DEA-tC mispaired with adenosine and, separately, opposite an abasic site show that there is almost no fluorescence increase without the formation of correct Watson-Crick hydrogen bonds. Kinetic isotope effects from the use of deuterated buffer show that the duplex protects 8-DEA-tC against quenching by excited state proton transfer. DFT calculations provide a rationale for the observed photophysical properties that is dependent on duplex integrity and the electronic structure of the analogue.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing a MXene material is provided. A starting MAX phase material can be selected, a reaction time and/or reaction temperature can be determined, and subsequently a MXene material can be generated through etching the MAX phase material in an etching solution based on at least one of the determined reaction time and/or reaction temperature. In some instances, the etching solution is an LiF/HCl solution.

Abstract: A dielectric coated plasmonic photoemitter is provided. An aspect of the present photonic apparatus includes a conductive photoemitter including a dielectric material coating or layered on a metallic core. The dielectric material being configured to enhance a local optical field strength and current density of the photoemitter as compared to a bare photoemitter without the dielectric layer. The dielectric layered photoemitter being tunable to transmit photoemissions from corners thereof with different photonic characteristics depending on a laser wavelength pulse received.

Abstract: Anti-heparanase compounds for the treatment of diabetes are described. The anti-heparanase compounds are high affinity, synthetic glycopolymers that result in minimal anticoagulant activity. Stereoselective fluorinated forms of these compounds are also provided.

Abstract: A system examines components of gestures of a gesture-based language for evaluating proper execution of the gesture, and also examines components of new gestures for evaluating lexical similarity with existing gestures of similar meaning or theme.

Abstract: Methods for inducing reversible or permanent conductivity in wide band gap metal oxides such as Ga2O3, using light without doping, as well as related compositions and devices, are described.

Abstract: Amphiphilic oligonucleotide conjugates that enhance adjuvant function are disclosed. The conjugates typically include: a lipophilic component, and conjugated thereto (directly or indirectly) an immunomodulating oligonucleotide that, if it were not conjugated to the lipophilic component, would suppress TLR7 and/or TLR8 stimulation. In the presence of albumin, these conjugates significantly enhance adjuvant function, in particular the function of TLR7/8-mediated adjuvants such as an imidazoquinolinamine. The conjugates can be administered, along with an adjuvant compound, to a subject in order to cause and/or enhance an immune response (for instance, to an infectious agent or a cancer antigen) in the subject.

Abstract: A computer implemented scheme for a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system where point cloud feature extraction and segmentation by efficiently is achieved by: (1) data structuring; (2) edge detection; and (3) region growing.

Abstract: This invention concerns compositions and methods of treating or diagnosing inflammatory disorders and other disorders, as well as compositions and methods of treating HIV.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a device that includes an upper container configured to receive a fluid sample collected from a mammal into a first opening, the first opening opposite a second opening and a membrane covering at least a portion of the second opening, the membrane configured to allow transmission of a portion of the fluid sample through the membrane.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a composition comprising amphiphilic Janus particles and a waterborne binder, wherein the particles are self-stratified, and methods of making and using the same. The disclosure also relates to the synthesis of amphiphilic Janus particles.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Cercis plant, referred to by its cultivar name, ‘NC2014-5’, is disclosed. The new variety is characterized by its profusion of light-purplish-pink-colored flowers. Small, green colored foliage which aligns in an attractive overlapping pattern along the stem is formed and moderately slow growing, upright, dwarf growth habit is displayed.