Abstract: A first-dimension-guided differential scaling algorithm of the contour plot in comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (2D GC) system is developed by incorporating both 1D and 2D chromatograms obtained by first and second detectors. This differential scaling method is shown to significantly improve 2D GC results in terms of retention time accuracy and consistency, peak width and hence peak capacity, and analyte quantification accuracy, which are inevitably affected by the modulation period and phase shift in modulation when the conventional contour plot reconstruction methods. Furthermore, the differential scaling method is shown to better handle the coelution and missing peak issues often encountered in the conventional methods. Finally, the differential scaling method exhibits high versatility in detector selection, which greatly broadens the 2D GC utility and can be easily adapted to other 2D chromatography systems.

Abstract: A durable solid and liquid repellant material is provided having an elastomeric matrix with a plurality of lubricating domains distributed therein formed by a partial crosslinking reaction between an elastomeric precursor having a first reactive functional group and a polyol having a second reactive functional group. The polyol has a limited solubility circle. The first reactive functional group is selected from the group consisting of: alkene, amine, carboxylic acid, hydroxyl, isocyanate, and combinations thereof and the second reactive group is selected from the group consisting of: amine, carboxylic acid, hydroxyl group, and combinations thereof. The partially crosslinked elastomeric matrix has a crosslink density of greater than or equal to about 200 mol/m3 and less than or equal to about 2,000 mol/m3. Methods for forming the durable solid and liquid repellant material are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for learning Mahalanobis distance similarity metrics from data for individually fair machine learning models. In one aspect, a method for learning a fair Mahalanobis distance similarity metric includes: obtaining data with similarity annotations; selecting, based on the data obtained, a model for learning a Mahalanobis covariance matrix ?; and learning the Mahalanobis covariance matrix ? from the data using the model selected, wherein the Mahalanobis covariance matrix ? fully defines the fair Mahalanobis distance similarity metric.

Abstract: Provided herein are small molecules comprising a first domain that binds to ASH1L and a second domain that facilitates ASH1L degradation. In particular, ASH1L-targeting proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and methods of use thereof for the treatment of disease (e.g., acute leukemia, solid cancers and other diseases dependent on activity of ASH1L) are provided.

Abstract: A motion sensing system uses high-voltage biasing to achieve high resolution with ultra-low power. The motion sensing system consists of a motion sensor, a readout circuit, and a high-voltage bias circuit to generate the optimized bias voltage for the motion sensor. By using the high-voltage bias, the signal from the motion sensor is raised above the readout circuit's noise floor, eliminating the power-hungry amplifier and signal-chopping used in conventional motion sensing systems. The bias circuit, while producing the programmable bias voltages for the motion sensor, also compensates for the process mismatch raised by the high voltage biases.

Abstract: Protein-based nanoparticles for treating cancer, such as those characterized by intracranial tumors, and methods of forming such protein-based nanoparticles via electrohydrodynamic jetting methods are provided. The nanoparticle may comprise a water-soluble protein having an average molecular weight of ?about 8 kDa and ?about 700 kDa. In certain variations, the water-soluble protein is cross-linked (e.g., with an optional crosslinking agent) and defines a mesh structure having an average linear mesh size of ?about 1 nm to ?about 4 nm. The nanoparticle may have a transcription factor such as a therapeutic nucleic acid in the mesh structure. Methods of making such nanoparticles may include jetting a liquid comprising the water-soluble protein through a nozzle, followed by exposing the liquid to an electric field sufficient to solidify the liquid and form the protein-based nanoparticles described above.

Abstract: Systems and methods for object and material recognition are provided and include a hyperspectral infrared camera that captures a three-dimensional image of an object and black-body emissions data indicating a polarization of black-body radiation emitted from the object. An image processing device accesses a database of expected polarization signatures of black-body emissions from materials at different temperatures and determines a material of the object based on (i) the black-body emissions data indicating the polarization of the black-body radiation emitted from the object, (ii) an ambient temperature of the environment of the system, and (iii) the database of expected polarization signatures of black-body emissions from a plurality of materials for different temperatures.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for a supercapacitor. One form of the supercapacitor has a first electrode comprising a first active material, a second electrode comprising a second active material, and an electrolyte comprising a protic ionic liquid. The protic ionic liquid may be capable of undergoing a faradaic charge transfer with an electrode of a supercapacitor.

Abstract: A stochastic Model Predictive Control approach is developed to efficiently optimize the thermal management of electric vehicles and accommodate scenarios with multiple routes. To account for the uncertainties, the cost function is constructed to minimize the expected cost across all possible routes over the prediction horizon. Thermal constraints are treated as soft constraints using slack variables. This approach allows for flexibility in satisfying the constraints while optimizing the performance. Through simulations, the performance of the proposed method is evaluated using a fleet of vehicles. In this way, the proposed method achieves a good trade-off between multiple competing performance metrics. Furthermore, an adaptation strategy is introduced, which dynamically adjusts the penalty weight value. This adaptive approach eliminates the need for offline calibration and further enhances performance.

Abstract: Traveling-wave modulation is a form of space-time modulation which has been shown to enable unique electromagnetic phenomena such as non-reciprocity, beam-steering, frequency conversion, and amplification. The capability to accurately simulate spatially-discrete traveling-wave modulated structures is critical to design. However, simulating these structures is challenging due to the complex space-time dependence of the constituent unit cells. Thus, an interpath relation is derived for spatially-discrete traveling-wave modulated structures. The interpath relation reveals that the field within a single time-modulated unit cell (rather than an entire spatial period) is sufficient to determine the field solution throughout space. It is shown that the interpath relation can be incorporated into existing periodic method of moments solvers simply by modifying the source basis functions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nanoparticles associated with (e.g., complexed, conjugated, encapsulated, absorbed, adsorbed, admixed) biomacromolecule agents configured for treating, preventing or ameliorating various types of disorders, and methods of synthesizing the same. In particular, the present invention is directed to compositions comprising nanoparticles (e.g., synthetic high density lipoprotein (sHDL)) associated with (e.g., complexed, conjugated, encapsulated, absorbed, adsorbed, admixed) biomacromolecule agents (e.g., nucleic acid, peptides, glycolipids, etc.), methods for synthesizing such nanoparticles, as well as systems and methods utilizing such nanoparticles (e.g., in diagnostic and/or therapeutic settings).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing and assembling a sandwich flexure mechanism assembly is set forth herein. The method involves manufacture of a monolithic sandwich flexure module having a multitude of out of plane rigid inter-stage connections between at least some sets of twin stages of the monolithic sandwich flexure module. The method further involves assembling an interconnect subassembly to intermediate bodies of the monolithic sandwich flexure module. The interconnect subassembly furnishing in-plane rigid inter-stage connections between pairs of the intermediate bodies that constitute sister stages of the monolithic sandwich flexure module. The method can further involve assembling a motion body, actuators, and displacement sensors at the monolithic sandwich flexure module.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) structural biology and signaling. In particular, the present disclosure relates to binding domains directed against and/or specifically binding to GPCR:G protein complexes. Also provided are nucleic acid sequences encoding such binding domains and cells expressing or capable of expressing such binding domains. The binding domains of the present disclosure can be used as universal tools for the structural and functional characterization of G-protein coupled receptors in complex with downstream heterotrimeric G proteins and bound to various natural or synthetic ligands, for investigating the dynamic features of G protein activation, as well as for screening and drug discovery efforts that make use of GPCR:G protein complexes.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for generation of cysteine in microbial systems. Further provided herein are compositions and methods for reducing and eliminating biofilms.

Abstract: Touchscreen devices, designed with an assumed range of user abilities and interaction patterns, often present challenges for individuals with diverse abilities to operate independently. Prior efforts to improve accessibility through tools or algorithms necessitated alterations to touchscreen hardware or software, making them inapplicable for the large number of existing legacy devices. This disclosure introduces a hardware interaction proxy that performs physical interactions on behalf of users while allowing them to continue utilizing accessible interfaces, such as screen readers and assistive touch on smartphones, for interface exploration and command input. The proxy maintains an interface model for accurate target localization and utilizes exchangeable actuators for physical actuation across a variety of device types, effectively reducing user workload and minimizing the risk of mistouch.

Abstract: An engineered cementitious composite (ECC) has a tensile strain capacity ranging from 8.6 to 12.5% and includes a cement precursor, unprocessed desert sand, and polymer fibers. The polymer fibers may be ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, polypropylene fibers, or a combination thereof. A method of preparing an ECC structure includes providing a cementitious precursor mixture including a cement precursor and unprocessed desert sand, introducing water into the cementitious precursor mixture to form a cement slurry, and adding polymer fibers to the cement slurry. The polymer fibers may be ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, polypropylene fibers, or a combination thereof. Then, the method includes forming a structure with the cement slurry and curing the cement slurry.

Abstract: A system includes a body comprising a conduction path, and first and second modules disposed along, and movable relative to, the body, each of the first and second modules including an energy storage device, a terminal, and a power management unit coupling the energy storage device and the terminal. The terminal of each of the first and second modules is capacitively coupled with the conduction path for bidirectional power transfer between the first and second modules via the conduction path.

Abstract: Compositions suitable for reversibly storing heat in thermal energy systems (TES) include a salt hydrate represented by the formula: MXq·nH2O. M is a cation selected from Groups 1 to 14 of the IUPAC Periodic Table, X is a halide of Group 17, q ranges from 1 to 4, and n ranges from 1 to 12. The cation (M) may have an electronegativity of ? about 1.8 and a molar mass ? about 28 g/mol. The anion (X) may have an electronegativity of ?about 2.9 to ? about 3.2. A distance between a cation (M) and coordinating water molecules (H2O) is ? about 2.1 ?. Thermal energy systems (TES) incorporating such compositions are also provided that are configured to reversibly store heat in the thermal energy system (TES) via an endothermic dehydration reaction and to release heat in in the thermal energy system (TES) via an exothermic hydration reaction.

Abstract: An artificial lung system for a patient having a membrane lung system having an gas inlet, a blood inlet, a blood outlet, and an exhaust; a gas system operably coupled to the gas inlet of the membrane lung system; a gas phase CO2 sensor disposed downstream of the exhaust of the membrane lung system and monitoring an exhaust gas CO2 (EGCO2) level and/or an blood oxygen saturation sensor disposed upstream of the blood inlet of the membrane lung system and monitoring a blood oxygen saturation level; and a feedback controller receiving the CO2 signal and/or blood oxygen saturation signal and outputting a control signal to control gas flow and/or blood flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in some embodiments, methods, compositions, systems, and kits comprising nano-satellite complexes comprising: a core nanoparticle complex comprising a biocompatible coating surrounding a nanoparticle core; 3-25 satellite particles attached to, or absorbed to, said biocompatible coating; a plurality of antigenic peptides conjugated to, or absorbed to, said satellite particles; and at least one additional property. In other embodiments, provided herein are nano-satellite complexes comprising: a core nanoparticle complex comprising a biocompatible coating surrounding a nanoparticle core; a plurality of satellite particles attached to, or absorbed to, said biocompatible coating; a plurality of antigenic peptides conjugated to, or absorbed to, said satellite particles; and a plurality of LIGHT (TNFSF14) peptides conjugated to, or absorbed to, said satellite particles.