Abstract: A munition includes a munition body containing explosive material. An electronic subsystem is active between release and detonation of the explosive material. One or more batteries are electrically connected to the electronic subsystem to provide power to the electronic subsystem prior to detonation. The one or more batteries are positioned adjacent to the explosive material to be accelerated outward as corresponding munition projectiles after detonation, increasing the effective payload of the munition by performing dual functions. In one or more embodiments, the explosive material is cylindrically shaped and longitudinally aligned in a warhead section of the munition body. The one or more batteries are annularly positioned on lateral surface of the explosive surface to form a cellular fragmenting structure. In a particular embodiments, the munition body is a missile body containing a rocket propulsion system and the electronic subsystem comprises a missile guidance system.

Abstract: The discrimination ability of a chemical sensing cross-reactive arrays is enhanced by constructing sensing elements in two dimensions, first in the x-y plane of the substrate, second in the z dimension so that the sensors are vertically stacked on top of one another. Stacking sensing elements on top of one another adds to the discrimination ability by enabling the characteristic measurement of how fast target chemicals are passing through the stack of sensors. The new invention also allows the ability to discriminate components in a sample mixture by separating them using their innate difference in diffusional rates. Multi-sensor response patterns at each z level of sensors and time delay information from the sample passing from one level to the next are used to generate the response vector. The response vector is used to identify individual component samples and components in a mixture sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for modifying or amplifying explosive devices through electromagnetic radiation (EMR). Exemplary embodiments provide increased energy density to an explosive reaction zone to allow increased blast overpressures, detonation velocity, and energy release without changing the explosive materials or quantity of explosives. An exemplary embodiment irradiates a reaction zone immediately before an explosive detonates to modify the explosive properties of an explosive device. Exemplary embodiments utilize automated targeting of EMR sources for precise modification of explosions with standardized and predictable effects.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining the presence, species, and/or quantity of Leishmania in a sample.

Abstract: Disclosed are inhibitors of the plasmodial surface anion channel (PSAC) inhibitors and the use thereof in treating or preventing malaria in an animal such as a human, comprising administering an effective amount of an inhibitor or a combination of inhibitors. An example of such an inhibitor is a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 to R7 are as described herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of trapping a pest, said method comprising providing ferromagnetic particles for ingestion by the pest, and trapping the pest using one or more magnets, wherein a trapped pest has ingested and internally accumulated an amount of the ferromagnetic particles sufficient to permit immobilization of the pest using said one or more magnets. Devices for use with the methods of the instant invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lubricating system includes a machine configured to operate in a first operating state and a second operating state; and a heat activated polymer material applied to at least a part of the machine and to remain solid during the first operating state and to soften upon being heated in the second operating state to lubricate the machine. The heat activated polymer material may soften due to increased friction incurred by the machine in the second operating state. A heating element may be operatively connected to any of the machine and the heat activated polymer material. The heat activated polymer material may soften due to being heated by the heating element in the second operating state. An injector may apply the heat activated polymer material to the machine. A channel may direct a flow of the heat activated polymer material as it softens in the second operating state.

Abstract: A high power radiofrequency (RF) capacitor, integrated circuit board/capacitor and methods for manufacture therefor can include a dielectric substrate, and a first metallic layer and a second metallic layer that can be deposited on opposite sides of the dielectric substrate, and a ground plane that can be co-planar with one of the metallic layers. This can establish a broadside coupling capacitance effect between the first metallic layer and the second metallic layer. The first metallic layer and the second metallic layer can have a circular profile when viewed in plan view; alternatively, the first metallic layer and second metallic layer can have a T-shaped profile when viewed in plan view. The desired profile and the desired profile geometry can depend on the design power and operating frequency for the capacitor can depend on whether the capacitor must operate as a series capacitor or a shunt capacitor.

Abstract: A method for collecting samples of one or more substrate can include the steps of: A) providing a sample collection tube having a first end and a second end, B) providing a cap pivotable about the first end and a footplate pivotable about the second end, C) biasing the cap and the footplate closed so that a watertight compartment can be established inside the tube; D) forcing the cap and the footplate open by attaching the cap and footplate to a releasable fastener, E) positioning the sample collection tube into the one or more substrate to collect the sample, followed by F) releasing the cap and footplate from the releasable fastener so that a watertight compartment is established inside the tube when the cap and the footplate are closed.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system are disclosed for improving uniformity of RF magnetic field in an MRI system, and thereby improving both signal-to-noise ratio and uniformity of imaging sensitivity across a sampling volume, to provide more uniform MRI images. A passive LC resonator develops induced EMF and induced currents in a primary RF magnetic field; the secondary magnetic field produced thereby can counteract magnetic field amplitude gradients to produce a more homogeneous RF magnetic field. In systems with separate transmit and receive coils, a shunt detuning circuit is pulsed ON to prevent interference during the transmit period. In a dual-frequency MRI machine (e.g. 19F and 1H), the RF magnetic field at the lower operating frequency can be homogenized by tuning the resonance of the passive resonator between the two operating frequencies. Another resonator can improve RF field uniformity at the higher operating frequency. Variants and experimental results are disclosed.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the invention provides a method of diagnosing infection in a subject. In an embodiment, the invention provides a method of determining the latency of infection in a subject. In an embodiment, the invention provides a method of determining the effectiveness of a vaccine against infection in a subject. In an embodiment, the invention provides a method of determining the severity of infection in a subject. In an embodiment, the invention provides a method of preventing or treating infection in a subject.

Abstract: Provided here are immunoglobulins and compositions containing one or more of said immunoglobulins reactive to a strain of Marburg virus. The immunoglobulins and compositions comprising said immunoglobulins can be used prophylactically to prevent a Marburg virus infection or to treat a patient that has been exposed to a Marburg virus in order to reduce a symptom.

Abstract: A method of achieving higher polar anchoring strength of liquid crystal (LC) using monolayer graphene flakes in an LC device and attaining faster electro-optic switching in an LC device comprising the steps of providing graphene in an ethanol solvent, adding a liquid crystal to the graphene and ethanol solution, forming a liquid crystal graphene ethanol solution, evaporating the ethanol, and forming a pure liquid crystal graphene mixture. A liquid crystal device with faster electro-optic switching and higher polar anchoring strength comprising an LC cell having a polyimide (PI) alignment layer, the liquid crystal graphene mixture, wherein the graphene flakes preferentially attach to the PI alignment layer; wherein the effective polar anchoring energy in the LC cell is enhanced by an order of magnitude and wherein the electro-optic response of the LC is accelerated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically optimizing pairs of stereo images are presented. Pixels in an image pair are reprojected from their raw format to a common pixel-space coordinate system. The image pair is masked to remove pixels that do not appear in both images. Each image undergoes a local enhancement process. The local enhancements are processed into a global enhancement for each image of the image pair. A factor is calculated to balance the left and right images with each other. A brightness factor for the image pair is calculated. The enhancements, including the balancing and brightness factors, are then mapped to their respective images.

Abstract: A head up display system includes first and second optical waveguides. A bracket holds the optical waveguides in a spaced-apart fixed relationship to one another such that their optical axes are separated by a distance of 63.5-65 millimeters. The optical waveguides are angularly disposed with respect to one another to produce a binocular image whose focal plane is located out at a distance of 2-4 meters. The bracket also specifically positions the optical waveguides adjacent to a transparent face plate of a dive helmet or dive mask.

Abstract: A material that facilitates dissipation of heat is provided and includes hexagonal boron nitride and alumina.

Abstract: A high-sensitivity and ultra-low power consumption magnetic sensor using a magnetoelectric (ME) composite comprising of magnetostrictive and piezoelectric layers. This sensor exploits the magnetically driven resonance shift of a free-standing magnetoelectric micro-beam resonator. Also disclosed is the related method for making the magnetic sensor.

Abstract: A new and improved cable tie includes a core cable tie having a multi-slot head and a set of attachments that are not integrally formed with the core cable tie. A user can combine one or more attachments with a core cable tie to form a cable tie assembly. As such, a core cable tie can be modified with one or more attachments that are specific to a desired capability or configuration. This results in improved strength and cost savings in that the same core cable tie can be used for multiple applications. The user only adds attachments, such as finger or hand pulls, based on the needs of a specific situation.

Abstract: A system and method for clock-skew-based covert communication in which a message formed of message bits is mapped to corresponding symbols having predetermined clock skew values. For each corresponding symbol, an offset value is calculated and added to each timestamp in a predetermined quantity of outgoing TCP segments to generated altered TCP segments, such that an artificial clock skew is induced as measured by a receiver. A clock skew value is determined from each predetermined quantity of TCP segments and mapped to corresponding symbol. The symbols are then mapped to corresponding message bits, and the message is determined from the bits. In this way a message can be sent from a transmitter to a receiver in a way that is covert during transmission and deciphered at the receiver.

Abstract: An antenna is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart interdigital back plates covered by a slotted plate having a longitudinal slot of varying rectangular parameters. A plurality of spacers are positioned between the interdigital back plates and the slotted plate. A support stiffener connects the interdigital back plates at a trough of each back plate with three rectangular stanchions extending perpendicular from the support stiffener to attach to the slotted plate. A feed point is positioned on a central rectangular stanchion and beneath a central slot of the slotted plate. A feed cowl protects the feed point. The sizing of a slot in the slotted plate depends on an operating wavelength.