Abstract: The present disclosure teaches the generation of drought tolerant plants. The present disclosure enables manipulation of a phenotypic characteristic referred to as “stay-green” to facilitate drought adaptation in plants by recombinant, mutagenic and/or breeding and selection methods. Plant management practice systems to increase crop yield and harvest efficiency in water-limited environments are also taught herein.

Abstract: An engineered ribosome that includes a tethered subunit arrangement is disclosed, in which the engineered ribosome supports translation of a sequence defined polymer. Methods for making and using the engineered ribosome are also disclosed, including a method for preparing a sequence defined polymer using the engineered ribosome and a method for preparing a sequence defined polymer using the engineered ribosome in a two-protein translation system. The engineered ribosomes may be utilized in methods for incorporating unnatural amino acids into a sequence defined polymer. Also disclosed are optimized polynucleotide sequences for use as tethers and Shine-Dalgarno/anti-Shine-Dalgarno sequences.

Abstract: A system and method for emotional interaction. The system includes a robot that uses behavioral analysis automation to provide treatment and assessment of emotional communication and social skills for children with autism. The system generates a dataset including speech signals of one or more speakers, and assigns at least one of a set of labels to each of the speech signals for the one or more speakers. The set of labels includes at least three levels of emotional dimensions, the emotional dimensions include at least activation, valence, and dominance, and the at least three levels of emotional dimensions include a high state, a neutral state, and a low state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a culture method of cells and/or tissues including culturing cells and/or tissues in a suspended state by using a medium composition wherein indeterminate structures are formed in a liquid medium, the structures are uniformly dispersed in the solution and substantially retain the cells and/or tissues without substantially increasing the viscosity of the solution, thus affording an effect of preventing sedimentation thereof, and the like.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device and a photoelectronic device, both including a transition-metal dichalcogenide thin-film, and to a method for producing a transition-metal dichalcogenide thin-film. The transition-metal dichalcogenide thin-film includes: a first region including a stack of N+M transition-metal dichalcogenide molecular layers; and a second region including a stack of N transition-metal dichalcogenide molecular layers, wherein the second region is horizontally adjacent to the first region, wherein the N transition-metal dichalcogenide molecular layers of the second region respectively horizontally extend from the N transition-metal dichalcogenide molecular layers of the first region.

Abstract: Perishable products, such as food products, can be preserved by cooling to temperatures below their freezing point without ice crystallization. In some embodiments, the perishable product is cooled to temperatures below the freezing point of water while a pulsed electric field and oscillating magnetic field are applied to the product. Apparatus for supercooling perishable products are also provided and include a pulsed electric field generator and an oscillating magnetic field generator.

Abstract: A method of calculating an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rate using combustion pressure of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine includes: detecting, by a pressure sensor, the combustion pressure of the cylinder in real time; calculating, by a processor, a data characteristic of a combustion pressure waveform per cycle through principal component analysis based on the detected combustion pressure of the cylinder; calculating, by the processor, a moment of the combustion pressure waveform per cycle by calculating a probability distribution based on the detected combustion pressure of the cylinder; calculating, by the processor, the EGR rate using the calculated data characteristic, the calculated moment, and engine operating conditions; and controlling, by the processor, the EGR rate based on the calculated EGR rate and a target EGR rate.

Abstract: System and method for processing, non-concurrently collected, electroencephalogram (EEG) data and resting station functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) data, non-invasively, to create a patient-specific three-dimensional (3D) mapping of the patient's functional brain network. The mapping can be used to more precisely identify candidates of resective neurosurgery and to help create a targeted surgical plan for those patients. The methodology automatically maps the patient's unique brain network using non-concurrent EEG and resting state functional MRI (rsfMRI). Generally, the current invention merges non-concurrent EEG data and rsfMRI data to map the patient's epilepsy/seizure network.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards methods for treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a patient and determining prognosis of NAFLD in a patient.

Abstract: Described herein are assays for identifying piericidins and piericidin compositions.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling the temperature of a Li-ion battery cell are provided. A method can included combining the electrolyte and electrode components of a Li-ion battery with nanoparticles comprising of a phase change material with a melting point of 80° C. or greater, encapsulating the phase change material in an encapsulating material that has a melting point of 120° C. or greater.

Abstract: This invention relates to a touch sensor having a layered structure, the layers including: a substrate; and a touch-sensitive layer formed of single-layer graphene and having a plurality of coplanar electrodes formed therein. Embodiments of the touch sensor are flexible and stretchable, making them suitable for use as an artificial skin. Further embodiments of the touch sensor are also capable of sensing pressure as well as touch. Further embodiments are substantially transparent and can therefore include a photovoltaic layer under the touch-sensitive layer which can provide a degree of energy autonomy. Further aspects of the invention provide prosthetic devices having such touch sensors forming a sensitive skin, and a method of manufacturing a touch sensor wherein interdigitated electrodes are cut in single-layer graphene by a blade-cutting process.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the design and use of specific drug-nanoparticle constructs where the loading of the drugs onto nanoparticle are through noncovalent interactions. The obtained nanoconstructs are smaller than 10 nm in hydrodynamic diameter in the physiological environment, are highly resistant to serum protein adsorption, can penetrate the tumor core deeply via passive diffusion, can be retained in the tumor cores through enhancement permeability and retention effect, can rapidly diffuse across interendothelial junctions but can also be rapidly eliminated from the background tissues and normal organs. In addition, “off-target” drug-particle nanoconstructs have very low accumulation in the liver and can be eliminated through the urinary system. Through the use of these nanoparticles, the toxicity and side effect of chemodrugs is significantly reduced and the therapeutic index greatly improved.

Abstract: Disclosed is a class of organic salts and electrolytes, generally for use with electrochemical devices. Some of these salts enable the transport of magnesium ions without the presence of any additives, such as halide ions. Precursors are generated using simple fluorinated alcohols as well as abundant reagents. These precursors, often dissolved in ethereal solvents, may be combined with an appropriate Lewis acid to result in solutions that are able to conduct ions and allow for reversible electrodeposition.

Abstract: The inventor of the present disclosure has advantageously elucidated the role of senescent processes in the development of Type 1 diabetes. Genotoxic stress responses, senescence, and acquisition of a SASP condition in beta cells are drivers that progress at-risk individuals to overt Type 1 diabetes. The administration of senolytic agents to at risk individuals selectively removes senescent cells and relieves beta cells from the factors which drive the development of overt Type 1 diabetes. Accordingly, Type 1 diabetes can be prevented in at-risk individuals by the administration of senolytic compositions. Additionally, given the major role of SASP in the development of Type 1 diabetes, the inhibition of SASP factors may be used to prevent Type 1 diabetes.

Abstract: Various methods for detecting moisture in briefs compatible with high volume manufacturing are disclosed. The embodiments herein facilitate protection of the method of adding moisture sensing to a diaper, but could also be used to add sensing to pads and bandages. The primary design intent is optimal moisture detection and low per unit cost. Electrodes within a garment measure electrical properties of the electrodes to determine if the item has contacted moisture. The target moisture is urine, however, other sources and types of moisture can also be sensed. Additional analysis capabilities can be added by selecting particular electrodes or add materials that may react with chemical components of the moisture. Applications of the research Include monitor of incontinence using smart brief (e.g. diaper); monitor perspiration, bleeding, or failure of the protective garment; and monitoring exposure of an item to moisture, including but not limited to inanimate items.

Abstract: Polymeric systems useful for theranostic applications are disclosed. The polymeric systems comprise a fluorescent or fluorogenic moiety and a therapeutically active agent, each attached to the same or different polymeric moiety. The polymeric systems are designed such that a fluorescent signal is generated in response to a chemical event, preferably upon contacting an analyte (e.g., an enzyme) that is over-expressed in a diseased tissue or organ. Probes useful for inclusion in such polymeric systems, processes of preparing such probes and the polymeric systems, and uses thereof in diagnostic and/or theranostic applications are also disclosed.

Abstract: Products, compositions, systems, and methods for modifying a target structure which mediates or is associated with a biological activity, including treatment of conditions, disorders, or diseases mediated by or associated with a target structure, such as a virus, cell, subcellular structure or extracellular structure. The methods may be performed in situ in a non-invasive manner by placing a nanoparticle having a metallic shell on at least a fraction of a surface in a vicinity of a target structure in a subject and applying an initiation energy to a subject thus producing an effect on or change to the target structure directly or via a modulation agent. The nanoparticle is configured, upon exposure to a first wavelength ?1, to generate a second wavelength ?2 of radiation having a higher energy than the first wavelength ?1.

Abstract: A variety of particles forming microencapsulated thermochromic materials are provided. The particles can include a thermochromic core and a metal oxide shell encapsulating the thermochromic core. The thermochromic core can include one or both of an organic thermochromic material and an inorganic salt thermochromic material. In some aspects, the particles include a dye selected from a crystal violet lactone dye, a fluoran dye, and a combination thereof. In still further aspects, the particles include a color developer selected from a hydroxybenzoate, a 4, 4?-dihydroxydiphenyl propane, a hydroxycoumarin derivative, a lauryl gallate, and a combination thereof. In some aspects, the metal oxide shell is a TiO2 shell. The particles can be used in cements and paints and for a variety of building materials. Methods of making the particles and building materials and methods of use, for example, for removing a volatile organic carbon from a building material, are also provided.

Abstract: A multichannel microphone-based reverberation time estimation method and device which use a deep neural network (DNN) are disclosed. A multichannel microphone-based reverberation time estimation method using a DNN, according to one embodiment, comprises the steps of: receiving a voice signal through a multichannel microphone; deriving a feature vector including spatial information by using the inputted voice signal; and estimating the degree of reverberation by applying the feature vector to the DNN.