Abstract: In various aspects and embodiments the invention provides a method of preparing a cyclopentaoxasilinone, the method comprising contacting a siloxy-tethered 1,7-enyne with a thioether promoter. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of preparing a cyclopentaoxaborininone, the method comprising contacting a boronic ester-tethered 1,7-enyne with a thioether promoter.

Abstract: A dye-doped laser protective film is disclosed, comprising a polymer layer A and a polymer layer B. The polymer molecules in the polymer layer A are arranged in a left-handed helical structure which can reflect a left-handed polarized laser. The polymer molecules in the polymer layer B are arranged in a right-handed helical structure which can reflect a right-handed polarized laser. The combination of the polymer layer having the left-handed helical structure and the polymer layer having the right-handed helical structure can completely reflect circularly polarized light. In addition, the dye can absorb incident laser, so as to expand the protection angle of the laser protective film. The dye-doped laser protective film of the present disclosure has a simple manufacturing process, large protection angle and good flexibility, and can refit existing devices.

Abstract: An elastomeric polymer, comprising (1) a hard segment in the amount of 10% to 60% by weight of the elastomeric polymer, wherein the hard segment includes a urethane, urea or urethaneurea; and (2) a soft segment in the amount of 40% to 90% by weight of the elastomeric polymer. The soft segment comprises (a) at least 2% by weight of the soft segment of at least one polyether macrodiol, and/or at least one polycarbonate macrodiol; and (b) at least 2% by weight of the soft segment of at least one polyisobutylene macrodiol and/or diamine.

Abstract: A method of isotope-labelling a microbiota sample. It involves providing a first microbiota sample that was obtained from a given source; exposing the first microbiota sample to an isotope enriched medium; and culturing the exposed first microbiota sample in the isotope enriched medium to obtain an isotope-labelled microbiota sample, wherein the isotope labelled metaproteome of the isotope-labelled microbiota sample is taxon specific for taxa present in the first microbiota sample when initially obtained from the given source.

Abstract: Provided herein are small-molecules for use in modulating chloride ion channel (CLC) activity, particularly the activity of CLC-2, to elucidate the role of CLC-2 in disorders associated with CLC-2 malfunction, and to identify therapeutic leads for their treatment. Compositions and methods for modulating CLC activity are also provided. In certain aspects, the subject compounds and compositions are useful for imaging or channel pull-down studies.

Abstract: A synchrophasor measurement-based disturbance identification method is described considering different penetration levels of renewable energy. A differential Teager-Kaiser energy operator (dTKEO)-based algorithm is first utilized to improve multiple-disturbances detection accuracy. Then, feature extractions via the integrated additive angular margin (AAM) loss and the long short-term memory (LSTM) network is described. This enables one to deal with intra-class similarity and inter-class variance of disturbances when high penetration renewable energy occurs. With the extracted features, a multi-stage weighted summing (MSWS) loss-based criterion is described for adaptive data window determination and fast disturbance pre-classification. Finally, the re-identification model based on feature similarity is established to identify unknown disturbances, a challenge for existing machine learning algorithms.

Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a lower limb device having at least a powered joint are provided. A method includes configuring the device to a first state in a finite state model for a current activity mode including a stair ascent mode or a stair descent mode. The method also includes, based on real-time sensor information, transitioning the device between different states in the finite state model when pre-defined criteria for transitioning among the different states are met. In the method, the finite state model for stair ascent includes lifting and swing phases, where the lifting phase includes a powered knee extension and a powered ankle push-off. The finite state model for stair descent includes yielding and swing states, where the swing states include providing a powered plantarflexion of the powered ankle joint and the yielding states include providing a resistive and passive plantarflexion of the powered ankle joint.

Abstract: A strong cooling direct air-cooled condenser radiating unit and an air-cooled island are provided, comprises a cooling wall, an air supply device and a flow guide device located in the cooling wall. The air supply device comprises a unit air supply channel, an air supply ring, and an air collecting cavity. The air supply ring is located at the lower part of the cooling wall and is an annular body with a cavity. An annular slit outlet is formed in the lower part of the air supply ring. The upper part of the air collecting cavity communicates with the air supply ring. A separating plate is provided in the unit air supply channel and divides the unit air supply channel into upper and lower air flues. The upper air flue communicates with the cavity of the air supply ring. The lower air flue communicates with the air collecting cavity.

Abstract: A hierarchical porous honeycombed nickel oxide microsphere and a preparation method thereof are disclosed. The method includes mixing nickel sulfate hexahydrate, urea, water and glycerol, to obtain a mixed solution; subjecting the mixed solution to a hydrothermal reaction, to obtain a precursor; and calcining the precursor, to obtain the hierarchical porous honeycombed nickel oxide microspheres.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a way to supplement the tidal volume delivered to the patient by a leaking re-breather when the delivered volume becomes less than that set by the ventilator (in either pressure-regulated or volume modes). This may be accomplished with a shunt—a gas conduit joining the non-patient side of the re-breather to the patient side. A low-resistance, plenum or a draw-over vaporizer may also be incorporated into the gas pathway. Such a device may include a housing with a movable partition separating an actuating side from a patient side. The housing includes a ventilator orifice for pneumatic communication between a ventilator and the actuating side and a patient orifice for pneumatic communication between the patient side and a patient. A shunt defines a bypass flow path from the actuating side and to the patient side when the moveable partition is at a maximal displacement towards the patient side.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel microfluidic platform for use in electro-crystallization and electro-crystallography experiments. The manufacturing and use of graphene as X-ray compatible electrodes allows the application of electric fields on-chip, during X-ray analysis. The presence of such electric fields can be used to modulate the structure of protein (or other) molecules in crystalline (for X-ray diffraction) or solution form (for X-ray scattering). Additionally, the presence of an electric field can be used to extend the lifetime of fragile samples by expediting the removal of reactive secondary radiation damage species.

Abstract: A method for displaying proteins and peptides is disclosed in which individual proteins or peptides remain associated with the DNA encoding them. Proteins or peptides can be generated by in vitro translation of DNA templates, either free in solution or arrayed on a solid support, such that the proteins or peptides remain immobilized on their DNA templates. In particular, high throughput sequencing can be combined with high throughput functional characterization of encoded proteins and peptides, wherein the identity of each protein or peptide is determined by DNA sequencing, and functional studies are carried out directly on each protein or peptide while immobilized on the DNA template encoding it. The methods of the invention should find numerous applications, for example, in high throughput genetic or pharmacological screening, epitope mapping, and protein engineering and directed evolution.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to polymers and polymer compositions having monomer units of polyoxometalates and monomer units comprising hydroxy-terminated molecules such as branched molecules or dendrimers and uses in degradation, decontamination, and deodorization. In certain embodiments, the hydroxy-terminated branched molecules or dendrimers comprise terminal 1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl or 1,1,1-tris(hydroxyalkyl)methyl groups. In certain embodiments, the hydroxy-terminated molecule is N,N?,N?-tris[tris(hydroxymethyl) methyl]-1,3,5-benzenetricarboxamide.

Abstract: An antibacterial composite material comprising at least 10% of a hemp oil, said hemp oil comprising CBD at a concentration of at least 10 mg/ml and a polymer formed by a process wherein said hemp oil and said polymer are dissolved into a solvent and said solvent is expressed through a spinneret, wherein a voltage is applied at up to 100 kV, wherein the solvent is pressed through the spinneret and forming the antibacterial composite material on a collector.

Abstract: Methods and uses for molecular tags are disclosed. Molecular tags may be attached to nucleic acid molecules. The attachment of the nucleic acid molecules prior to PCR amplification and sequencing improves the accuracy of genetic analysis and detection of genetic variations and diversity. Molecular tags may also be used for detection of drug-resistant variants. Methods for using molecular tags for determining and correcting PCR errors and/or sequencing error are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement all-microwave stabilized microresonator-based optical frequency comb. In one embodiment, an all-microwave stabilized microresonator-based optical frequency comb includes: an optical pump configured to generate pulses of light; a microresonator including an input configured to receive pulses generated by an optical pump and an output configured to generate an optical frequency comb signal characterized by frep and ?; where frep describes spacing of frequency components in the optical frequency comb; where the optical frequency comb includes a primary comb and a plurality of subcombs and ? is a frequency offset between subcombs; and two phase locked loops that phase lock frep and ? to low noise microwave oscillators by modulating output power and pump frequency of the optical pump.

Abstract: A multilayer protective covering can protect a surface from lightning strikes. The covering includes a bottom conductive layer affixed to the surface and having a first opening that is aligned with a grounding connection so that the grounding connection is exposed through first opening and not in contact with the bottom conductive layer. The covering also includes a dielectric layer affixed to the bottom conductive layer and having second opening aligned with the grounding connection so that the grounding connection is exposed through second opening and not in contact with the dielectric layer. The covering additionally includes a top conductive layer affixed to the dielectric layer and covering the grounding connection. The top conductive layer directs electrical current from a lightning strike on the surface to the grounding connection.

Abstract: A rotating shadowband for shading a pyranometer includes a cylindrical ring and a semicircular shadowband held within the cylindrical ring, a motor configured for rotating the shadowband, at least one solar panel, a rechargeable battery, and a controller having circuitry configured to power the first motor to rotate the semicircular shadowband. The semicircular shadowband may include a window opening, wherein the window opening substantially extends from a center of the band to a first end. The controller rotates the shadowband 0 to 360 degrees about the central axis of the cylindrical ring to alternately shade the pyranometer for making diffuse radiation measurements and expose the pyranometer to direct solar radiation for making global radiation measurements. Alternatively, the shadowband may be solid and rotate pivotally 0 to 180 degrees or 0 to 360 degrees within the cylindrical ring to alternately shade and expose a pyranometer head to and from direct sunlight respectively.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods of using near infra-red radiation, such as from a near infra-red spectroscopy device, to monitor physical activity in a person. In one aspect, a method of measuring physiological parameters is provided. The method further includes determining a NIRS-derived measure of a tissue of a person using near infra-red spectroscopy over a time period, associating the NIRS-derived measure to the time period to determine a function-related change, and associating the function-related change to a biomechanical function.

Abstract: An alternative polyurethane composition is provided comprising a reaction product of an azidated polyol and a poly(alkynyl carbamate) allophanate prepolymer, wherein the poly(alkynyl carbamate) allophanate prepolymer comprises a reaction product of a first alkynol and a poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymer, in the presence of a metallo-organic compound of the formula: M(acac)n, wherein, M=a metal, acac=an acetylacetonate residue, and n=2 or 3, wherein the poly(alkynyl carbamate) prepolymer comprises a reaction product of a polyisocyanate and a stoichiometric equivalent of a second alkynol, and wherein the polyisocyanate comprises isocyanate groups and uretdione groups. The inventive alternative polyurethane compositions may be used to provide solventborne or waterborne coatings, adhesives, sealants, films, elastomers, castings, foams, and composites.