Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of opening a lipid bilayer by associating the lipid bilayer with a molecule that includes a moving component capable of moving (e.g., rotating) in response to an external stimulus; and exposing the molecule to an external stimulus before, during or after associating the molecule with the lipid bilayer. The exposing causes the moving component of the molecule to move and thereby open the lipid bilayer (e.g., by pore formation). The external stimuli may include an energy source, such as ultraviolet light. The opened lipid bilayer may be a component of cell membranes in vitro or in vivo. The opening of the lipid bilayer may allow for the passage of various materials (e.g., active agents, such as peptide-based drugs) through the lipid bilayer and into cells. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the aforementioned molecules for opening lipid bilayers.

Abstract: A reverse electrodialysis device using a precipitation reaction, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises a first cell stack alternately forming solid salt chambers and precipitation chambers through cation-exchange membranes and anion-exchange membranes which are alternately provided, and a first water-soluble solid salt and a second water-soluble solid salt which are filled in the solid salt chambers, wherein the first water-soluble solid salt and the second water-soluble solid salt are alternately filled in the solid salt chambers, and can react with each other so as to generate a precipitate in neighboring precipitation chambers when water is supplied.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) task cooperation method based on an overlapping coalition formation (OCF) game includes: constructing a sequential OCF game model for a UAV multi-task cooperation problem; using a bilateral mutual benefit transfer (BMBT) order that is biased toward the utility of a whole coalition to evaluate a preference of a UAV for a coalitional structure; optimizing task resource allocation of the UAV under an overlapping coalitional structure by using a preference gravity-guided Tabu Search algorithm to form a stable coalitional structure; and optimizing a transmission strategy based on the current coalitional structure, an updated status of a task resource allocation scheme of the UAV, and a current fading environment, so as to maximize task execution utility of a UAV network. The method quantifies characteristics of resource properties of the UAV and a task, and optimizes the task resource allocation of the UAV under the overlapping coalitional structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various types of batteries, including lithium-ion batteries having an anode assembly comprising: an anode comprising a first porous ceramic matrix having pores; and a ceramic separator layer affixed directly or indirectly to the anode; a cathode; an anode-side current collector contacting the anode; and anode active material comprising lithium located within the pores or cathode active material located within the cathode; wherein, the ceramic separator layer is located between the anode and the cathode, no electrically conductive coating on the pores contacts the separator layer, and in a fully charged state, lithium active material in the anode does not contact the separator layer. Also disclosed are methods of making and methods of using such batteries.

Abstract: Methods for treating coronavirus infection, such as an infection caused by SARS-Cov-2 or MERS-Cov, in a subject in need thereof include administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising cnicin. Compositions comprising cnicin include an extract of C. benedictus or purified cnicin.

Abstract: Methods for the in-film polymerization of a second polymer in a film of a first polymer are provided. The methods integrate polymer synthesis with simultaneous block copolymer selfassembly, providing a route for on-demand nanopattern manipulation in polymeric films.

Abstract: This application provides fluidic devices, such as microfluidic devices, which can be used for the creation and/or manipulation of droplets in droplet-based microfluidic systems, as well as systems and methods for using the same. The microfluidic devices can be used to generate droplets, extract or inject volume to droplets, and/or split droplets. Also provided are methods for generating nucleosomes, and isolated DNA from nucleosomes (or from non-nucleosomes), for example using the disclosed devices.

Abstract: A heating system for drill steel pipe billet includes a feedback device configured to control distances d1 and d2 of three flamethrowers, a propulsion device, a positioning device, a heating device, a temperature measuring device and a conveying device. Heating temperature of the flamethrowers is controlled by an oxygen distribution box and a gas distribution box. A heating method for the drill steel pipe billet is also provided, in which a rolling forming method of gradient flame heating is adopted to control density of the rolled pieces and avoid internal defects of the drill steel caused by the same deformation of the traditional uniformly heated pipe billets. A radial temperature of the drill steel pipe billet is accurately controlled through the feedback device. Only one set of flamethrowers corresponding to drill steel pipe billets of different dimensions is required, and other devices are universal components, which will not be replaced.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are modified zeolites and methods for making modified zeolites. In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, a modified zeolite may include a microporous framework including a plurality of micropores having diameters of less than or equal to 2 nm. The microporous framework may include at least silicon atoms and oxygen atoms. The modified zeolite may further include organometallic moieties each bonded to bridging oxygen atoms. The organometallic moieties may include a platinum atom. The platinum atom may be bonded to a bridging oxygen atom, and the bridging oxygen atom may bridge the platinum atom of the organometallic moiety and a silicon atom of the microporous framework.

Abstract: A PV device comprises a first mirror comprising a reflectance of higher than 50%; a second mirror interface; and an optical cavity positioned between the first mirror and the second mirror interface and comprising at least one IC stage. Each of the at least one IC stage comprises a conduction band; a valence band; a hole barrier comprising a first band gap; an absorption region coupled to the hole barrier, comprising a second band gap that is less than the first band gap, and configured to absorb photons; and an electron barrier coupled to the absorption region so that the absorption region is positioned between the hole barrier and the electron barrier. The electron barrier comprises a third band gap that is greater than the second band gap. The PV device is configured to operate at a forward bias voltage with a net photon absorption for generating an electric output.

Abstract: Colloidal synthesis of narrowly disperse, near IR emitting Group IV alloy quantum dots with wide range of Sn compositions via reduction of precursor halides is provided, allowing for less-toxic, earth abundant, and silicon-compatible Group IV alloy quantum dots for application in a broad range of electronic and photonic technologies.

Abstract: A method of removing calcium-containing water-based filter cake from a wellbore involving contacting the calcium-containing filter cake with a biodegradable acid solution of water, hydrochloric acid, formic acid, citric acid, and a surfactant. The method is performed at a pressure of 200 to 400 psi and a temperature of 50 to 125° C. The method removes calcium-containing filter cake made of water, calcium carbonate, a polymer or starch and a clay. The method meets industry standard steel corrosion rates of less than 0.049 lb/ft2 per day. Also disclosed is a biodegradable acid solution of water, hydrochloric acid, formic acid, citric acid, and a surfactant that meets OECD 301B thresholds for ready biodegradability.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a gastrointestinal delivery device of a dressing, where the delivery device is capable of fitting through a narrow channel before expanding and applying the dressing. The gastrointestinal delivery device may be used in all gastrointestinal bleeding applications and can be used with a biocompatible, foldable, thin profile, chitosan dressing. Various aspects of the device and its uses are provided herein.

Abstract: An exemplary method for generating a test vector to activate a Trojan triggering condition includes the operations of obtaining a design graph representation of an electronic circuit; constructing a satisfiability graph from the design graph representation, wherein the satisfiability graph includes a set of vertices representing rare signals of the electronic circuit and satisfiability connections between the vertices; finding a plurality of maximal satisfiable cliques in the satisfiability graph, wherein a maximal satisfiable clique corresponds to a triggering condition for a payload of the electronic circuit; generating a test vector for each of the maximal satisfiable cliques; and performing a test for the presence of a hardware Trojan circuit in the electronic circuit using the generated test vectors as input signals.

Abstract: A wheelchair system includes a wheelchair including a plurality of force sensors including at least three force sensors. A rigid seat pan is placed in contact with each the plurality of force sensors at a different position on the rigid seat pan so that the rigid seat pan does not contact the frame and forces on the rigid seat pan are transferred to the plurality of force sensors. Each of the plurality of force sensors is in communicative connection with a processor system. A memory system is in communicative connection and an interface system is in connection with the processor system and a user interface system in communicative connection with the processor system. Instructions stored on the memory system are executable by the processor system to determine a value of a variable related to a distribution of force on the rigid seat pan over time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved complexes of amorphous calcium phosphate and/or amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate stabilised by phosphopeptides/phosphoproteins by addition of stannous ions. These complexes have anticariogenic properties useful to protect tooth structures as they remineralize (repair) early stages of dental caries and have other dental/medical applications (including anti-calculus, anti-erosion/corrosion and anti-dentinal hypersensitivity). Methods of making the complexes of the invention and of treatment or prevention of various dental conditions including dental caries, dental calculus, dental erosion/corrosion and dental hypersensitivity are also provided.

Abstract: A hammer refresh row address detector includes a control logic unit that receives a row address applied along with an active command, to increase a hit count stored in a corresponding entry when the row address is present in candidate aggressor row addresses stored in n entries. The control logic determines a candidate aggressor row address stored in an entry in which the hit count equals a threshold value to be a target aggressor row address. The control logic generates a victim row address adjacent to the target aggressor row address as a hammer refresh row address to accompany a hammer refresh command. The control logic increases the miss count value when the row address is not present in the candidate aggressor row addresses stored in the n entries and no hit count within the n entries is identical to the miss count value.

Abstract: An electrolyte for use in an energy storage device, an energy storage device and a method of forming such electrolyte. The electrolyte includes a polymer matrix of at least two crosslinked structures, including a first polymeric material and a second polymeric material; and an electrolytic solution retained by the polymer matrix; wherein the electrolyte is arranged to physically deform when subjected to an external mechanical load applied to the polymer matrix.

Abstract: A valve system for driving fluid and a method for using the same are provided. The valve system includes a fluid unit far away from the rotation center, a fluid unit close to the rotation center, a fluid transferring unit and a gas path pipeline for communicating the fluid unit close to the rotation center with the fluid unit far away from the rotation center. A rotation radius of a fluid outlet of the fluid unit far away from the rotation center is greater than that of a fluid inlet of the fluid unit close to the rotation center. The fluid outlet of the fluid unit far away from the rotation center is located at an end thereof away from the rotation center, and the fluid inlet of the fluid unit close to the rotation center is located at an end thereof close to the rotation center.

Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with 2-pyrimidone compounds that are capable of inhibiting a viral infection and methods of treating alphavirus viral infections such as, for example, chikungunya, Eastern equine encephalitis (EEEV), Western equine encephalitis (WEEV), and Venezuelan equine encephalitis using these compounds. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.