Abstract: Embodiments of surface-hardened aluminum-rare earth alloys and methods of making the alloys are disclosed. In some embodiments, the alloy comprises aluminum and 4 wt % to 60 wt % of a rare earth component X having a maximum solid solubility of ?0.5 wt % in aluminum. The surface-hardened alloy component has an alloy bulk portion and a hardened alloy surface portion. At least a portion of the hardened alloy surface portion has a Vickers hardness that is at least 30% greater than a Vickers hardness of the alloy bulk portion.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, ambient RF backscatter transceivers, and methods for communicating using MIMO and spread spectrum coding of backscattered ambient RF signals are described. An example system may include an ambient RF backscatter transceiver that include an antenna configured to receive a backscattered ambient radio frequency (RF) signal, and a receiver coupled to the antenna. The receiver may be configured to demodulate the backscattered ambient RF signal using one of multiple input, multiple output multiplexing demodulation or spread spectrum code demodulation to retrieve the first data. The backscattered ambient RF signal may be generated by backscattering an ambient RF signal at a first frequency. The ambient RF signal may be configured to provide other data at a second frequency.

Abstract: A magnetic field effect transconductor device (M-FET) capable of carrying a modulated current when receiving an external magnetic field includes at least a ferromagnetic layer and a non-ferromagnetic layer disposed on the ferromagnetic layer; the non-ferromagnetic layer has a first skin depth of the current and a first thickness smaller than the first skin depth; and the ferromagnetic layer has a second skin depth of the current and a second thickness smaller than the second skin depth. Applying an external DC magnetic field along the longitudinal axis of the device and an AC EM wave propagating in the same direction as the DC field, the M-FET demonstrates frequency dependent current switching device. A method for making the transconductor includes depositing a photoresist over transconductors and patterning the photoresist, or depositing transconductors over a patterned photoresist and performing a lift off process.

Abstract: Embodiments of processes for producing propylene utilize a dual catalyst system comprising a mesoporous silica catalyst impregnated with metal oxide and a mordenite framework inverted (MFI) structured silica catalyst downstream of the mesoporous silica catalyst, where the mesoporous silica catalyst includes a pore size distribution of at least 2.5 nm to 40 nm and a total pore volume of at least 0.600 cm3/g, and the MFI structured silica catalyst has a total acidity of 0.001 mmol/g to 0.1 mmol/g. The propylene is produced from the butene stream via metathesis by contacting the mesoporous silica catalyst and subsequent cracking by contacting the MFI structured silica catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying components present in a preparation of virus particles, comprising: a) analyzing the preparation of virus particles with single molecule mass spectrometry to obtain a mass histogram; and b) interpreting the mass histogram of (a) to identify different components present in the preparation.

Abstract: A luminaire otherwise lacking connectivity is provided hereby with an isolated method for connecting to a lighting control system. The luminaire comprises an NFC-equipped LED driver having a first antenna. A digital control device with a second antenna is permanently or semi-permanently mounted in or on the luminaire wherein the second antenna is positioned in operable proximity with the first antenna. The digital control device includes a first transceiver in communication with the external device and a first controller to receive and store device configuration data from the external device in volatile memory associated with a second transceiver linked to the first antenna. A controller associated with the LED driver selectively obtains the device configuration data from the volatile memory via the NFC field, and generates output current reference signals for regulating the output current from the LED driver, said reference signals corresponding to the device configuration data.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a polymerase activity assay that produces a strong optical signal when a primer-template complex is extended to full-length product. The assay uses Cy3 as the molecular beacon and Iowa Black® RQ as the quencher. The signal-to-noise-ratio (STNR) of this donor-quencher pairing is ˜200-fold over background, which is considerably better than other donor-quencher pairs (STNRs ˜10-20-fold). The STNR allows for solution-based monitoring of polymerase activity. Because the sensor functions via Watson-Crick base pairing, the polymerase activity assay may also be used to evolve polymerases to accept xeno nucleic acids as substrates.

Abstract: The invention relates, in part, to methods and compositions that are useful to modulate metabolic function of cells in vivo or in vitro. In some aspects the invention includes methods and/or compositions that increase metabolism in cells, tissues, organs, and/or subjects. In certain aspects the invention includes methods and/or compositions useful to decrease metabolism in cells, tissues, organs, and/or in subjects.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for therapeutic delivery are disclosed. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to nanoparticle compositions that sequester the activity of a target molecule while leaving other domains accessible to bind targeted tissues of interest. Methods for thrombus dissolution include administering a nanoparticle reversibly coupled to a target molecule that can dissolve a blood clot. Compositions and methods for inducing blood clotting are also disclosed. Methods for inducing blood clotting include administering a nanoparticle reversibly coupled to a target molecule that can induce the formation of a blood clot. Methods for sequestering a target molecule are also disclosed. The method includes reversibly coupling a target molecule to a nanoparticle having an affinity ligand that reversibly couples the target molecule, and thus, sequesters the target molecule activity until the target molecule interacts with its substrate resulting in the release of the target molecule.

Abstract: Described herein are intra-oral prostheses that can help replace or augment the function of the native tongue, such as to assist with swallowing. Disclosed prostheses can provide mechanical force, based on the power of mastication, to propel a food bolus into the pharyngeal phase of swallowing. Disclosed prostheses can be used to enhance swallowing rehabilitation as a temporary aid and/or can be used to permanently replace lost tongue functionality. Also disclosed are other anatomical prostheses, such as to provide power for the articulation of dysfunctional extremities, by transforming mechanical force from another nearby functioning muscle group.

Abstract: Provided is a photoelectrochemical electrode for carbon dioxide conversion. The photoelectrochemical electrode includes a conducting substrate and CuFeO2/CuO as a p-type copper-iron composite oxide electrodeposited on the conducting substrate. Upon irradiation, the photoelectrochemical electrode generates electrons and converts carbon dioxide to formate with a selectivity of 90 to 99%. Also disclosed is a photoelectrochemical device including the photoelectrochemical electrode.

Abstract: A system and method for an electrochemical detector includes a plurality of receptors disposed on a semiconductor layer, wherein the plurality of receptors are arranged to interact with a target substance so as to alter an electrical characteristic of the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising urolithin A, urolithin B, urolithin C, urolithin D, or a combination thereof, for the stimulation of insulin secretion, and to the use of a compound chosen among urolithin A, urolithin B, urolithin C, urolithin D, or a combination thereof, intended for the stimulation of insulin secretion. The present invention also relates to a composition comprising an effective amount of urolithin B, urolithin C, urolithin D, or a combination thereof, for the treatment or the prevention of diabetes mellitus, and in particular for the treatment or the prevention of type 2 diabetes, and to the use of a compound chosen among urolithin B, urolithin C, urolithin D, and a combination thereof, intended for the treatment or the prevention of diabetes mellitus, and in particular of type 2 diabetes.

Abstract: A technique is provided for processing thread groups, each thread group having associated program code comprising a plurality of regions that each require access to an associated plurality of registers providing operand values for the instructions of that region. Capacity management circuitry is arranged, for a thread group having a region of the associated program code that is ready to be executed, to perform an operand setup process to reserve sufficient storage elements within an operand staging unit to provide the associated plurality of registers, and to cause the operand value for any input register to be preloaded into a reserved storage element allocated for that input register, an input register being a register whose operand value is required before the region can be executed. Scheduling circuitry selects for processing a thread group for which the operand setup process has been performed in respect of the region to be executed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to modulators of 14-3-3 functionality and their use in methods and compositions for preventing and/or treating various diseases, conditions and states, such as cancer and healing of wounds. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of preventing and/or treating a disease, condition or state in a subject associated with altered 14-3-3 protein functionality and/or which would benefit from altering 14-3-3 functionality, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an agent which inhibits dimerization of the 14-3-3 protein, thereby preventing and/or treating the disease, condition or state in the subject.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of treating, preventing, and/or ameliorating fibrosis syndrome, and in particular cardiac fibrosis, by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of ifetroban, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A filtering antenna element and a dual-band filtering antenna array using filtering antenna elements for mutual coupling suppression have been disclosed. The filtering antenna element comprises a feeding element, a sub-substrate, a sup-substrate and an air gap between the sub-substrate and the sup-substrate. A stacked patch is fabricated on a top surface of the sub-substrate, a driven patch and a ground plane are fabricated on a top surface and a bottom surface of the sub-substrate. An asymmetric E-slot is arranged on the driven patch and a shorting pin is inserted into the sub-substrate for generating radiation nulls in stopbands. The dual-band filtering antenna array is compact and needs no feeding network with an isolation of 35 dB, and is suitable for potential base station applications.

Abstract: A linear compressor and methods of operation, for example, to detect polarity for the linear compressor are provided herein. The method may include supplying an initial time varying voltage to the motor of the linear compressor at an assumed polarity; estimating a first acceleration of the motor of the linear compressor when the motor is at a bottom dead center position; estimating a second acceleration of the motor of the linear compressor when the motor is at a top dead center position; comparing the first acceleration to the second acceleration; and determining whether the assumed polarity is correct based on the comparison.

Abstract: A surgical drain system includes a drain tube and an obturator configured for insertion in a wound. The obturator can be either solid or hollow, and be positioned inside the drain tube. Alternatively, the obturator can surround the drain tube. The obturator can prevent or limit penetration of a needle through the drain tube as the wound is closed around the drain tube with a suture. In addition, the obturator provides a support that holds the shape of the drain tube during wound closure so that the drain tube is not deformed or crimped by the suture. The obturator can include one or more cutting elements for severing sutures that pierce the drain tube. The one or more cutting elements can also sever or loosen sutures that constrict or otherwise impinge upon the drain tube.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an image encoding apparatus comprises: a motion prediction unit which derives motion information on a current block in the form of the motion information including L0 motion information and L1 motion information; a motion compensation unit which performs a motion compensation for the current block on the basis of at least one of the L0 motion information and L1 motion information so as to generate a prediction block corresponding to the current block; and a restoration block generating unit which generates a restoration block corresponding to the current block based on the prediction block. According to the present invention, image encoding efficiency can be improved.