Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising poorly water-soluble drugs (PSDs) and sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB). The compositions are amorphous solid solutions or amorphous solid dispersions where the PSDs are present in the molecular or the amorphous state in the SAIB. The PSDs in amorphous form in the amorphous solid solutions can be stable against crystallization on exposure to elevated temperature and humidity conditions. Oral dosage forms containing the compositions are characterized by a higher dissolution rate in water, a higher serum maximum concentration (Cmax), and/or a greater area under the curve (AUG) than an equivalent oral dosage form without the SAIB.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method for evaluation of sterility in a solution using impedance sensing. In another embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method for evaluation of bioburden in a solution. In a further embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to various devices for evaluation of sterility or bioburden.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to the synthesis and characterization of V2O5/CdE NW/QD heterostructures. The V2O5/CdE heterostructures are versatile new materials constructs for light harvesting, charge separation, and the photocatalytic production of solar fuels; polymorphism of V2O5 and compositional alloying of both components provides for a substantial design space for tuning of interfacial energy offsets. Also provided are a new class of type-II heterostructures composed of cadmium chalcogenide QDs (CdE where E=S, Se, or Te) and ?-V2O5 nanowires (NWs). The synthesis and characterization of V2O5/CdE NW/QD heterostructures, prepared via successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) and linker-assisted assembly (LAA), the characterization of their photoinduced charge-transfer reactivity using transient absorption spectroscopy, and their performance in the photocatalytic reduction of protons to hydrogen are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fabrication processing a pre-preg material includes applying electromagnetic heating to a composition including a fiber and a resin. The electromagnetic heating is conducted with at least one fringing field capacitor utilizing radio frequency (RF) alternating current (AC) and controlling cross-linking of the resin in the composition via the electromagnetic heating.

Abstract: A system for measurement of light scattering from a test article includes a light emitting device, configured to emit a light beam onto the test article along light axis, a collection assembly configured to collect scattered light from the test article along a measurement axis that is oriented at a non-zero angle from the light axis, wherein the collection assembly includes a first angular spectral filter, and a second angular spectral filter spaced from the first angular spectral filter along the measurement axis, wherein a position or orientation of at least one of the first angular spectral filter and the second angular spectral is adjustable relative to the measurement axis.

Abstract: A yarn tensioning device capable of delivering yarn under tension from a spool to a braiding, weaving or knitting machine consisting of a base and a center rod mounted perpendicular to the said base serving to locates the spool while allowing it to pivotally rotate. The device further includes a pawl jointed to the base either via a pin joint or via a flexural hinge and operates in conjunction with a ratchet solidly attached to the spool. The device further includes a compliant yarn guiding means which ensure that yarn reels off at an essentially constant tension. The yarn reel-off tension can be adjusted by modifying the operating length of a stiffening spring using a screw and jam-nut pair, and by limiting the maximum deflection of the compliant yarn guiding means.

Abstract: A process for continuously upgrading heavy oil to produce light hydrocarbon gases which are recycled in the process as a carrier gas used in spark-discharge hydrocarbon cracking within the process. The process also produces light hydrocarbon liquids which are used to upgrade the heavy oil. An apparatus for continuously upgrading heavy oil to produce light hydrocarbon gases which are recycled in the as a carrier gas used in spark-discharge hydrocarbon cracking within the apparatus. The apparatus also produces light hydrocarbon liquids which are used to upgrade the heavy oil.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to an oleaginous bacterium. In some embodiments, the oleaginous bacterium includes lipids and at least one exogenous and inducible gene. In some embodiments, the exogenous and inducible gene encodes at least one protein capable of inducing lysis in the oleaginous bacterium to release the lipids. In an addition embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of releasing lipids into an environment. In general, the method includes one or more of the following steps of: (1) introducing at least one oleaginous bacterium of the present disclosure to the environment; and (2) inducing expression of at least one exogenous gene in the oleaginous bacterium to thereby induce the expression of at least one protein. In some embodiments, the protein facilitates the lysis of the oleaginous bacterium and release of the lipids into the environment.

Abstract: A venous valve model includes a first layer having a central axis and a fluid channel extending between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet formed in the first layer, wherein the fluid channel is defined by a pair of channel walls, a first venous valve formed in the first layer and positioned along the fluid channel, and a pair of first actuation chambers positioned adjacent the channel walls of the fluid channel, wherein the pair of first actuation chambers are configured to decrease a width of the fluid channel in response to pressurization of the pair of first actuation chambers.

Abstract: Carbon-carbon bond forming reactions are the cornerstone of organic chemistry. A new class of ligands was developed for transition metal catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. These phosphine-urea ligands incorporate a urea subunit into the backbone of the ligand, which is designed to bind to the organometallic coupling partner and simultaneously facilitate and direct transmetalation of the nucleophile. Synthetic routes were designed and executed to synthesize phosphine-urea ligands. These ligands catalyze a wide variety of cross-coupling reactions including Suzuki, Negishi, and Buchwald-Hartwig cross-couplings. Aryl-aryl, alkyl-aryl, and alkyl-alkyl C—C cross-couplings are performed successfully with these ligands. In addition, specific chiral phosphine-urea ligands catalyze Negishi cross-couplings enantioselectively from a racemic alkylzinc nucleophile.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a nanocarrier having a shell and a core disposed within the shell. In some embodiments, the shell includes a functionalized surface. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of drug delivery. In general, the method includes administering a nanocarrier to a subject, targeting, by the nanocarrier, an area in the subject, and releasing a composition having the drug to the area. In some embodiments, the nanocarrier has a shell and a core disposed within the shell. In some embodiments, the shell includes a functionalized surface.

Abstract: The present invention includes a synthetic collagen that facilitates adhesion prevention and methods of use thereof. The present invention includes a prokaryotic collagen that facilitates adhesion prevention and treatment and methods of use thereof. The prokaryotic collagen includes an isolated and purified triple helical backbone protein that facilitates adhesion prevention: one or more alteration in a triple helical backbone protein sequence, and one or more binding motifs, wherein the isolated and purified triple helical backbone protein facilitates adhesion prevention.

Abstract: A system for providing tactile feedback to a user includes a device comprising a touch surface to be touched by the user, one or more thermal elements distributed across the touch surface of the device and configured to heat the touch surface and thereby modulate the friction between the user's skin and the touch surface, and a controller connected to the one or more thermal elements and configured to control the operation of the one or more thermal elements to provide a plurality of predefined temperature distributions across the touch surface.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a flame-retardant composite composed of a polymer, an intumescent flame retardant (IFR), and a metal-organic framework (MOF). In some embodiments, the MOF is a zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF). In some embodiments, the MOF is a bimetallic MOF. In some embodiments, the bimetallic MOF is a bimetal ZIF. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a flame-retardant composite composed of a polymer that can include, without limitation, polypropylene, polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, poly(methyl methacrylate), a polyolefin, and combinations thereof, an IFR, and a ZIF.

Abstract: The present disclosure an improved apparatus for fast pyrolysis and methods associated with the apparatus. For instance, the present disclosure provides methods for analyzing intermediate products formed via a fast pyrolysis reaction utilizing one or more pulses of pyrolysis vapor through a valve in the apparatus. The described methods provide improved identification of products formed in the fast pyrolysis reaction by using millisecond time resolution for qualitative and/or quantitative analysis.

Abstract: Occidiofungin is a cyclic nonribosomally synthesized antifungal peptide with submicromolar activity. This invention is directed to compositions enriched for particular occidiofungin diastereomers/conformers, methods of making compositions enriched for particular diastereomers/conformers and microorganisms suitable for producing enriched compositions of particular diastereomers/conformers. Methods of treating fungal infections or plants infected by fungi are also provided.

Abstract: A system for automatically checking seat dimension accuracy for a vehicle may include a storage unit configured to store therein seat design data at a time of designing an actually produced seat and seat scan data obtained by scanning the actually produced seat, a controller configured to determine whether the actually produced seat has been produced to match predesigned dimensions using the seat design data and the seat scan data stored in the storage unit, and an output unit configured to automatically output a result of determination by the controller in a specific form. The system and a method for checking seat dimension accuracy for a vehicle can automatically check whether an actually produced seat has been accurately produced to match designed seat dimensions through automatic comparison of scan data of the actually produced seat with seat design data, and automatically generate a checking result report.

Abstract: The Li-ion paradigm of battery technology is fundamentally constrained by the monovalency of the Li-ion. A straightforward solution is to transition to multivalent ion chemistries, with Mg2+ the most obvious candidate due to considerations of size and mass. Despite early interest, the realization of Mg batteries has faced myriad obstacles, including a sparse selection of cathode materials demonstrating the ability to reversibly insert divalent ions. Disclosed herein is evidence of reversible topochemical and electrochemical insertion of Mg2+ into a metastable one-dimensional polymorph of V2O5. Not only does ?-V2O5 represent a rare addition to the pantheon of functional Mg battery cathode materials, but is also distinctive in exhibiting a combination of high stability, high specific capacity due to ion insertion, and moderately high operating voltage.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing the concentration of selenocyanate in water. In the methods and systems, water containing selenocyanate is treated an oxidant to provide oxidant-treated water, which is then contacted with a zero-valent iron treatment system comprising (a) a reactive solid comprising zero-valent iron and one or more iron oxide minerals in contact therewith and (b) ferrous iron.

Abstract: A therapeutic device comprises a sensor positioned proximate to a user and configured to receive a plurality of signals, and a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to determine a biomarker describing a biological characteristic of the user based on the plurality of signals, and determine whether the user is likely to experience an impending sleep disorder episode within a predetermined period of time based on the biomarker.