Abstract: A method of forming a polyolefin-perovskite nanomaterial composite which contains oriented electrically and thermally conductive pathways. The method involves milling a polyolefin with particles of a perovskite nanomaterial, molding to forma composite plate, and subjecting the composite plate to an AC voltage. The AC voltage forms oriented electrically and thermally conductive pathways by partial dielectric breakdown of the composite. The presence of the oriented electrically and thermally conductive pathways gives the polyolefin-perovskite nanomaterial electrical and thermal conductivity and dielectric permittivity higher than the polyolefin alone.

Abstract: A Static Electrostatic Generator (SEG) is disclosed which produces static charges at high voltage and low current. The SEG is capable of generating positive or negative charges on a metal sphere by reversing the polarity of a DC source. The conversion efficiency of the system is about 47% and its design is simple, lightweight, and easy to manufacture. The SEG is a static device and no mechanical movement is required to produce charges. Also, the design is easily scalable.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a paper-based vertical flow test platform including: a detection portion; a movable conjugation portion having an enzyme-labelled protein; and an absorbent portion. The present disclosure further provides a detection method by using the same. With the folding and sliding design, the present disclosure can reduce the volume of specimen fluids used, and prevent the interference problem. Also, a portable diagnostic test platform is provided with ease of use, lower cost, higher sensitivity and longer storage period to meet requirements of point-of-care for the fast, simple and stable detection.

Abstract: A method for extracting gas by fracturing a coal seam through a combination of hydraulic slotting and multi-stage combustion impact wave comprises cutting slots in an impact borehole using a hydraulic slotting equipment to perform pressure relief and permeability enhancement on a coal seam and enlarge a N2 (nitrogen gas) or CO2 (carbon dioxide gas) storage space, injecting a large amount of N2 or CO2 into the borehole by means of a high pressure gas cylinder and a pressure reducing valve through a gas injection and extraction pipe, then injecting a certain amount of methane and dry air into a high-temperature and high-pressure combustion chamber by means of the high pressure gas cylinder and the pressure reducing valve, so that the gases are mixed and combusted to form high-temperature and high-pressure impact wave to push a piston to compress the N2 or CO2, thereby generating a large number of factures on the coal seam around the impact borehole under guiding action of the slots.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, program product, and method are disclosed for determining the microstructure and properties of materials using acoustic signal processing. An apparatus includes a one or more sensors for sensing information describing a multiphase material using sound waves. The apparatus includes a processor operably coupled to the one or more sensors and a memory that stores code executable by the processor. The code is executable by the processor to receive sound-wave input from the one or more sensors, perform one or more quantitative analyses on the received sound-wave input in the frequency domain, and determine a microstructure of the multiphase material based on results from the one or more quantitative analyses.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions directed to a promising class of nanomaterials called organic nanoparticles, or carbon nanodots. The present disclosure provides a facile method for the conversion of biomolecule-based carbon nanodots into high surface area three-dimensional graphene networks with excellent electrochemical properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cellulose-containing polypropylene composite resin which is environmentally friendly, and can reduce emission of carbon dioxide and contribute to improvement in fuel efficiency, based on reduced vehicle weight, and a vehicle thin film pillar trim including the same.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to compounds that are useful for inhibiting one or more of hepatocyte growth factor activator, matriptase, hepsin, Factor Xa, or thrombin. The present invention also relates to various methods of using the inhibitor compounds including treating a malignancy, a pre-malignant condition, or cancer by administering an effective amount of the inhibitor to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Provided are a method and an apparatus for generating a keyword. The method for generating a keyword in a target document includes: extracting primitive single words from the target document; generating a candidate keyword by a combination of the primitive single words; calculating cohesion score between a first word and a second word included in the candidate keyword; calculating a context score of the first word and the second word based on similarity between two contexts by determining a periphery of a word where the first word and the second word simultaneously occur in a neighboring document as one context and determining the target document as a remaining one context; and selecting a final keyword based on the cohesion score between the first word and the second word and the context score of the first word and the second word.

Abstract: An otologic surgical skills training method and system include a housing that receives a removably attachable simulated ear canal working port for practicing transcanal surgery skills, and a second larger working port for practicing otologic surgery skills with lower spatial constraints. The training system may be 3D printed. Dimensions of the system provide an appropriate working distance for otologic surgery simulation. Surgical instruments such as endoscopic and microscopic instruments are received via the working port to reach an otologic surgery skill exercise module. The exercise module may be attached to a platform fixed in the housing or is configured within a self-contained working port. Exercises include placing rings on pegs, stacking nuts, placing beads onto a wire, and navigating a maze with a bead, and allow for practicing with minimal depth perception, placing prostheses at a variety of angles, prostheses soft release, and instrument feel and control.

Abstract: Disclosed a precursor compound for producing a photoactive layer of a thin film solar cell that may be used as a precursor of a CIS, CGS or CIGS thin film that may be used as a photoactive layer of a solar cell, and a production method thereof. The precursor compound is represented by a following Chemical Formula 1: wherein, in the Chemical Formula 1, X represents indium (In) or gallium (Ga), Y represents chlorine (Cl) or iodine (I), each of R1, R2, R3 and R4 independently represents a methyl group, a propyl group or an alkyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A conjugate containing a fluorescent chromophore, which has any structure selected from C1 to C3. The conjugate containing the fluorescent chromophore provided by the described embodiments includes one fluorescent chromophore and two highly reactive groups R1 and R2 linked to the fluorescent chromophore by a covalent bond. The fluorescent chromophore in the conjugate initially has no or only weak fluorescence emission capability, and only after the two highly reactive groups react together with the corresponding molecule, the fluorescent chromophore has strong fluorescence emission. Therefore, the efficiency of conjugation of drug molecules to targeting molecules can be monitored in situ by the infrared fluorescence emission intensity and applied to the target-mediated drug delivery.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system for facilitating echocardiographic image analysis is disclosed. The system includes at least one processor configured to receive signals representing a first at least one echocardiographic image, associate the image with a first view category of a plurality of predetermined view categories, determine, based on the first at least one echocardiographic image and the first view category, a first quality assessment value representing a view category specific quality assessment of the first at least one echocardiographic image, and produce signals representing the first quality assessment value for causing the first quality assessment value to be associated with the first at least one echocardiographic image. The at least one processor may also be configured to do the above steps for a second at least one echocardiographic and a second view category that is different from the first view category image. Other systems, methods, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a cyber-physical system for providing cloud prediction for photovoltaic array control are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide improved techniques for creating SMA materials and SMA powders. SMA materials and powders formed may be used to form porous structures suitable for applications such as biomaterials, damping applications, actuators, and/or sensors. Embodiments for performing hydriding and dehydriding of SMA wires at low pressure and low temperature are provided. Methods may be used to produce a shape memory alloy (SMA) powder. Such methods may include hydriding a length SMA wire under low pressure for a period of time to produce a length of hydrided SMA wire, crushing the length of hydrided SMA wire to form a hydrided SMA powder, and dehydriding the hydrided SMA powder to form a dehydrided SMA powder.

Abstract: A gyroscope includes a first optical resonator in optical communication with at least one optical waveguide and a second optical resonator in optical communication with the first optical resonator. One of the first optical resonator and the second optical resonator has a power loss rate L greater than zero and the other of the first optical resonator and the second optical resonator has a power gain rate G greater than zero. The at least one optical waveguide, the first optical resonator, and the second optical resonator are configured to be below lasing threshold. The gyroscope further includes at least one optical detector in optical communication with the at least one optical waveguide, and the at least one optical waveguide is configured to receive, from at least one light source, light having an input power Pin at a frequency ?p and to transmit at least a portion of the light having an output power Pout to the at least one optical detector.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a tunneling field effect transistor having an overlapping structure between the source and drain regions providing a greater tunneling area. The source or drain region may be a doped region in a semi-conductive substrate. The other source or drain region may be formed by epitaxial deposition over the doped region. The gate is formed over the epitaxial region where the doped and epitaxial regions overlap. The doped region may be formed in a fin structure with the epitaxial region and gate being formed on the top and sides of the fin.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a source, a drain, and a channel electrically connected to the source and the drain. The channel has a channel length from the drain to the source which is less than or equal to an electron mean free path of the channel material. A first gate has two arms, each extending between the drain and the source (i.e., at least a portion of the distance between the source and the drain). Each arm of the first gate is disposed proximate to a corresponding first and second edge of the channel. Each arm of the first gate has a periodic profile along an inner boundary, wherein the periodic profiles of each arm are offset from each other such that a distance between the arms is constant. A Bloch voltage applied to the first gate will reduce the effective channel with such that Bloch resonance conditions are met.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process of forming an inorganic water barrier layer on top of a porous substrate by means of microbially induced calcium carbonate or calcite precipitation (MICP), the process comprising the steps of: providing a porous substrate having a surface; depositing a urease-active slurry onto the surface of the porous substrate to form a bioslurry layer; and subjecting the bioslurry layer to one or more treatments with an aqueous solution comprising urea and a water barrier source material to convert the bioslurry layer into an inorganic water barrier layer. The process further comprises a step of covering the bioslurry layer with a layer of a porous material that has a surface, where the one or more treatments with an aqueous solution comprising urea and a water barrier source material are initially applied to the surface of the porous material.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating corticosteroid-resistant asthma in a patient, comprising decreasing Interferon Regulatory Factor 5 (IRF5) activity in the patient. Antisense or RNA interference reagents and methods can be used to decrease IRF5 activity in the patient.