Abstract: The present disclosure provides a biosensor for detecting the presence of and/or the amount of at least one fungal plant pathogen in a sample, comprising: a support structure; at least two interdigitated electrodes coupled to the support structure, wherein at least one of the interdigitated electrodes is functionalized with a linker coupled to at least one biological component that recognizes the at least one fungal plant pathogen; and an impedance measurement circuit coupled to the at least two interdigitated electrodes. The present disclosure also provides methods of detecting the presence of and/or the amount of at least one fungal plant pathogen in a sample, methods of making the biosensor described herein, as well as methods and uses of using the herein described biosensor for detecting the presence of and/or amount of at least one fungal plant pathogen.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides recombinant T cells that include a vector encoding one or more of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1?), mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam), GA binding protein transcription factor alpha subunit (GABPA), and estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERR?). Such recombinant T cells can also include a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) or a recombinant T cell receptor (TCR). Methods of using these recombinant T cells in cancer immunotherapy are provided. Also provided are kits and compositions that can be used with such methods.

Abstract: An optical property evaluation apparatus evaluates an optical property of an evaluation object, and includes a light source, a polarization beam splitter, a polarization adjuster, a first detector, a second detector, and an analyzer. The analyzer obtains a reflectance when linearly polarized light in a specific direction is incident on the evaluation object based on the detection result by the first detector when the light with which the evaluation object is irradiated is set to be the linearly polarized light in the specific direction. The analyzer obtains a phase property at the reflection of the evaluation object based on the detection result by the first detector or the second detector when the light with which the evaluation object is irradiated is set to have a polarization state different from the linearly polarized light in the specific direction, and a Jones matrix.

Abstract: An optical fiber has corrugations on an outer surface to dissipate a portion of an input light beam, allowing the remaining portion of the light beam to be coupled to the optical fiber. By dissipating the portion of input light, damage to the optical fiber by uncoupled light is reduced.

Abstract: A method for producing mesoporous magnesium hydroxide nanoplates involving solvothermal treatment of a solution of a magnesium salt, a base, a glycol, and water is disclosed. The method does not use a surfactant or template in the solvothermal treatment. The method yields mesoporous nanoparticles of magnesium hydroxide having a plate-like morphology with a diameter of 20 nm to 100 nm, a mean pore diameter of 2 to 10 nm, a surface area of 50 to 70 m2/g, and a type-III nitrogen adsorption-desorption BET isotherm with a H3 hysteresis loop. An antibacterial composition containing the mesoporous magnesium hydroxide nanoplates is also disclosed. A method for reducing nitroaromatic compounds with a reducing agent and the mesoporous magnesium hydroxide nanoplates as a catalyst is also disclosed.

Abstract: A diffusive memristor device and an electronic device for emulating a biological neuron is disclosed. The diffusive memristor device includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode formed opposite the bottom electrode, and a dielectric layer disposed between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. The dielectric layer comprises an oxide doped with a metal.

Abstract: A store (1) for thermal energy, the store comprising: a housing (5) defining an internal chamber having an inlet and an outlet; and a plurality of receptacles (7) provided within the internal chamber and spaced from one another so that heat transfer fluid can flow over and around the receptacles (7) as the fluid moves from the inlet to the outlet; wherein each said receptacle (7) defines an internal cavity (9) for the storage of phase change material (PCM) so that thermal energy can transfer between the stored PCM material and the heat transfer fluid as the fluid passes over and between the receptacles.

Abstract: A system and method for data acquisition in a wireless sensor network include receiving measurements made by a plurality of sensor nodes in the wireless sensor network during a given time period, the measurements being carried in data packets that are routed from the plurality of sensor nodes to a base node. The system and method also include determining a plurality of routing paths for the data packets based on routing topology tomography. The system and method further include determining a measurement matrix and a representation basis, and acquiring sensor signals in the wireless sensor network based on the measurement matrix and the representation basis.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a composition comprising a pigment, wherein the composition is suitable for coating a surface that is, or is expected to be, exposed to the sun. The pigment comprises particles that fluoresce in sunlight, thereby remaining cooler in the sun than coatings pigmented with non-fluorescent particles. The particles comprise solids that fluoresce or glow in the visible or near infrared (NIR) spectra, or that fluoresce when doped. Suitable dopants include, but are not limited to, ions of rare earths and transition metals. A coating composition includes: (i) a film-forming resin; (ii) an infrared reflective pigment; and (iii) an infrared fluorescent pigment different from the infrared reflective pigment.

Abstract: The present embodiments generally relate to enabling participants in an online gathering with networked audio to use a cancelling auralizer at their respective locations to create a common acoustic space or set of acoustic spaces shared among subgroups of participants. For example, there are a set of network connected nodes, and the nodes can contain speakers and microphones, as well as participants and node mixing-processing blocks. The node mixing-processing blocks generate and manipulate signals for playback over the node loudspeakers and for distribution to and from the network. This processing can include cancellation of loudspeaker signals from the microphone signals and auralization of signals according to control parameters that are developed locally and from the network.

Abstract: Various embodiments for systems and methods of evaluating perception systems for autonomous vehicles using a quality temporal logic are disclosed herein.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and systems for searching. It is particularly applicable to methods of searching which enable efficient identification of compatible portfolios. Embodiments of the invention propose methods of searching which address the huge search space issue associated with identifying compatible portfolios. In particular, embodiments of the invention start their search operations simultaneously from both sides by both trying to form valid portfolios from candidate products until a valid solution is found and trying to find conflicts from the defined compatibility rules until a conflict is found which leads to the conclusion that no valid solution exists. A conclusion from either process will stop the whole searching process which can significantly reduce blind and unnecessary searching in the whole search space.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved control and performance of cochlear implants are disclosed. In an embodiment, the audio environment is sampled, and a neural network determines suggested filter setting for the cochlear implant. The process is repeated such that, as the user moves through various audio environments having differing noise levels, satisfactory performance of the cochlear implant is maintained for the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a high-frequency magnetoimpedance testing apparatus and method. A testing platform in the apparatus is arranged within a Helmholtz coil and connected to a modulating electric current source and a high-frequency impedance analyzer, respectively; the Helmholtz coil is connected to a DC power source; a processor is connected to the high-frequency impedance analyzer and the DC power source separately; the testing platform includes a first double-sided copper-clad plate, and mode transition switches and connection terminals that are arranged on the first double-sided copper-clad plate; one end of the first double-sided copper-clad plate is connected to the high-frequency impedance analyzer, while the other end of the same is connected to a load; the mode transition switches are connected to the modulating electric current source.

Abstract: A carousel ride system includes a first rotatable platform and multiple second rotatable platforms. Each second rotatable platform of the multiple second rotatable platforms is positioned within a respective opening in the first rotatable platform. A first drive system is configured to drive rotation of the first rotatable platform and multiple second drive assemblies are configured to drive rotation of the multiple second rotatable platforms. Multiple figures extend over the multiple second rotatable platforms and multiple figure drive assemblies are configured to independently lift and rotate the multiple figures relative to the multiple second rotatable platforms. One or more processors are configured to coordinate operation of the first drive system, the multiple second drive assemblies, and the multiple figure drive assemblies to maintain the multiple figures in a forward-facing orientation relative to a direction of travel of the first rotatable platform during operation of the carousel ride system.

Abstract: A piston pressure device includes a gas concentration-regulating piston pressure device and a high temperature autoclave. In the gas concentration-regulating piston pressure device, the proportion and concentration of corrosive gases can be accurately adjusted, intermediate gases can be stored and filled into the high temperature autoclave according to experimental needs, and an actual corrosion process in oilfield is accurately simulated. Meanwhile, the corrosive gases can be supplemented in real time during the experiment, and dynamic gas distribution in a high-temperature high-pressure corrosion experiment process is realized.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are broadly drawn to methods for determining an optimum dose of an antiarrhythmic drug, for example sotalol. In particular, the method involves titrating the dose of the drug gradually to determine the optimum plasma concentration for a patient, whether the patient has normal or abnormal renal function.

Abstract: An optical filter includes a light absorbing layer and a conductive nanodisk. The light absorbing layer includes a near-infrared absorbing material configured to absorb light of a first wavelength spectrum within a near-infrared wavelength spectrum. The conductive nanodisk is configured to absorb or reflect light of a second wavelength spectrum within the first wavelength spectrum. An image sensor includes the optical filter, a camera module includes the optical filter, and an electronic device includes the optical filter.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to a resin having a structure of at least one of Formula I and Formula II: In Formula I or Formula II R1, R3, R4, R5, and R6 can each be independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and substituted or unsubstituted (C1-C10)alkyl. R2 is (C1-C10) alkylene. L is a substituted or unsubstituted (C1-C10)alkylene or (C3-C10)cycloalkylene. In Formula I or Formula II, n or m is greater than or equal to 0, and wherein the resin has an average molecular weight of less than 10,000 g/mol.

Abstract: A magnetic crawler configured to navigate on and inspect a ferromagnetic cylindrical surface is provided. The crawler includes a chassis, a controller configured to control the crawler, a probe configured to inspect the cylindrical surface under the control of the controller, and only three articulated magnetic wheels configured to tangentially contact and magnetically adhere to the cylindrical surface. The wheels include two drive wheels respectively coupled to the chassis by two articulation joints and configured to drive the crawler in a desired direction on the cylindrical surface by actively rotating the two drive wheels independently about respective drive axes of rotation by respective drive motors under the control of the controller; and a rear wheel coupled to the chassis by a rear articulation joint and configured to passively rotate about a rear drive axis of rotation in response to the active rotations of the two drive wheels.