Abstract: Enhanced Coulomb repulsion screening around light element nuclei is achieved by way of utilizing electromagnetic (EM) radiation to induce plasmon oscillations in target structures (e.g., nanoparticles) in a way that produces high density electron clouds in localized regions of the target structures, thereby generating charge density variations around light element atoms located in the localized regions. Each target structure includes an electrically conductive body including light elements (e.g., a metal hydride/deuteride/tritide) that is configured to undergo plasmon oscillations in response to the applied EM radiation. The induced oscillations causes free electrons to converge in the localized region, thereby producing transient high electron charge density levels that enhance Coulomb repulsion screening around light element (e.g., deuterium) atoms located in the localized regions.

Abstract: A pest surveillance system comprising at least one pest monitoring apparatus and a main server is provided. The pest monitoring apparatus comprises an image capturing device, an environmental status sensing device, a controller and a network transmitter. The at least one pest monitoring apparatus is disposed in at least one space. The image capturing device is used for capturing an image of a pest catcher and generating an original image. The environmental status sensing device is used for detecting environmental status and generating an environmental parameter. The network transmitter is coupled to a network. The main server is connected to the network and receives the at least one original image and the at least one environmental parameter. An image processor of the main server calculates each original image according to each environmental parameter and generates a pest status data.

Abstract: An air sampling system configured to detect an air quality metric for a plurality of volumetric regions is disclosed. The system comprises an air sample return unit, an air flow controller, and at least one sensor. The air sample return unit is configured to independently transfer air from the plurality of regions as a plurality of air samples. The air flow controller is configured to receive each of the plurality of air samples and selectively direct a selected sample to a sensor supply line and the remainder of the samples to a sample purge line. The at least one sensor is configured to measure an air quality metric of the selected sample and communicate the air quality metric to a controller. The remainder of the air samples are directed to the air sample return unit throughout operation.

Abstract: A universal quantum computer may be emulated by a classical computing system that uses an electronic signal of bounded duration and amplitude to represent an arbitrary initial quantum state. The initial quantum state may be specified by inputs provided to the system and may be encoded in the signal, which is derived from a collection of phase-coherent coherent basis signals. Unitary quantum computing gate operations, including logical operations on qubits or operations that change the phase of a qubit, may be performed using analog electronic circuits within the quantum computing emulation device. These circuits, which may apply a matrix transformation to the signals representing the initial quantum state, may include four-quadrant multipliers, operational amplifiers, and analog filters. A measurement component within the quantum computing emulation device may produce a digital signal output representing the transformed quantum state.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in various embodiments, immunogenic mutants of cholesterol-dependent cytolysins, such as pneumolysin, which have reduced hemolytic activity and reduced pore-forming activity in comparison to their wild type protein. The present disclosure also provides, in various embodiments, nucleic acids which encode such mutants, and methods of the use of such mutants.

Abstract: A series of solid solutions AlFe2_xMnxB2 have been synthesized by arc-melting and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, and magnetic measurements. All the compounds adopt the parent AlFe2B2-type structure, in which infinite zigzag chains of B atoms are connected by Fe atoms into [Fe2B2] slabs that alternate with layers of Al atoms along the b axis. The parent AlFe2B2 is a ferromagnet with Tc=282 K. A systematic investigation of solid solutions AlFe2_xMnx.B2 showed a non-linear change in the structural and magnetic behavior. The ferromagnetic ordering temperature is gradually decreased as the Mn content (x) increases. The substitution of Mn for Fe offers a convenient method for the adjustment of the ferromagnetic ordering temperature of AlFe2B2.

Abstract: Using processes disclosed herein, materials and structures are created and used. For example, processes can include melting boron nitride or amorphous carbon into an undercooled state followed by quenching. Exemplary new materials disclosed herein can be ferromagnetic and/or harder than diamond. Materials disclosed herein may include dopants in concentrations exceeding thermodynamic solubility limits. A novel phase of solid carbon has structure different than diamond and graphite.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes a first graphene layer, a second graphene layer over the first graphene layer, the second graphene layer oriented at a first interlayer twist angle with respect to the first graphene layer and bonded by interlayer covalent bonds to the first graphene layer, and a third graphene layer over the second graphene layer, the third graphene layer oriented at a second interlayer twist angle with respect to the second graphene layer and bonded by interlayer covalent bonds to the second graphene layer. A multi-layer graphene article includes at least three graphene layers, each graphene layer being oriented at an interlayer twist angle with respect to an adjacent graphene layer and bonded by interlayer covalent bonds to the adjacent graphene layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a glycopolypeptide that includes one or more modified amino acid residues having a sidechain comprising a monosaccharide or an oligosaccharide, wherein the glycopolypeptide binds specifically to a carbohydrate-binding monoclonal antibody with an affinity of less than 100 nM. Immunogenic conjugates that include the glycopolypeptide, and pharmaceutical compositions that include the glycopolypeptide or the immunogenic conjugate are also disclosed. Various method of using the glycopolypeptides, immunogenic conjugates, and pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed, including inducing an immune response, inhibiting viral or bacterial infection, treating a cancerous condition, and detecting a neutralizing antibody.

Abstract: A three-dimensional porous composite structure comprises a porous structure and at least one carbon nanotube structure. The porous structure has a plurality of metal ligaments and a plurality of pores. The at least one carbon nanotube structure is embedded in the porous structure and comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes joined end to end by van der Waals attractive force, wherein the plurality of carbon nanotubes are arranged along a same direction.

Abstract: Comestible products, for example beverage products, are disclosed containing encapsulated probiotic bacteria having resistance to subjection to at least thermal and acidic conditions. Beverage products include at least one aqueous liquid and capsules comprising a gelled mixture of alginate and denatured protein, and probiotic bacteria entrapped within the gelled mixture. The average particle size of the capsules is optionally less than 1000 microns (?m) in diameter, such as less than 500 ?m in diameter. Methods are provided for making such encapsulated probiotics by providing a mixture comprising sodium alginate, denatured protein and active probiotic cells, and combining the mixture with a divalent cation to initiate cold gelation of the sodium alginate and denatured protein to form a second mixture. The second mixture is passed through an opening having a diameter of less than 1000 ?m to form capsules. The weight ratio of protein to alginate is from 1:1 to 9:1.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.

Abstract: A method of processing an image is disclosed. The method comprises decomposing the image into a plurality of channels, each being characterized by a different depth-of-field, and accessing a computer readable medium storing an in-focus dictionary defined over a plurality of dictionary atoms, and an out-of-focus dictionary defined over a plurality of sets of dictionary atoms, each set corresponding to a different out-of-focus condition. The method also comprises computing one or more sparse representations of the decomposed image over the dictionaries.

Abstract: A fluorine-containing boric acid PVB composite comprising a condensate of a fluorine-containing alcohol, boric acid and polyvinyl butyral, wherein the fluorine-containing alcohol is represented by the general formula: Rf(A-OH)k wherein k is 1 or 2; when k is 1, Rf is a perfluoroalkyl group having 6 or less carbon atoms, a polyfluoroalkyl group in which some of the fluorine atom or atoms of the perfluoroalkyl group are replaced by hydrogen atom or atoms, a polyfluoroalkyl group containing a terminal perfluoroalkyl group having 6 or less carbon atoms and a perfluoroalkylene group having 6 or less carbon atoms, or a linear or branched, perfluoroalkyl group containing a terminal perfluoroalkyl group having 6 or less carbon atoms, a perfluoroalkylene group having 6 or less carbon atoms and ether bonds; when k is 2, Rf is a linear or branched, perfluoroalkylene group or polyfluoroalkylene group, containing a perfluoroalkylene group having 6 or less carbon atoms and ether bonds; and A is an alkylene group having

Abstract: A method for generating a magnetic resonance image includes applying a radio frequency (RF) pulse to a specimen. The method includes modulating a spatially varying magnetic field to impart an angular velocity to a trajectory of a region of resonance relative to the specimen. The method includes acquiring data corresponding to the region of resonance and reconstructing a representation of the specimen based on the data.

Abstract: Compositions and method of delivering a molecule to a plant are provided. In an embodiment, an avenic acid transporter is introduced into a plant. The plant may be a non-graminacious or dicotyledonous plant which does not comprise the transporter in the wild type form. The transporter may be modified to increase uptake of avenic acid along with iron chelated by the avenic acid and/or a molecule conjugated with the avenic acid. Further embodiments provide for conjugating the avenic acid with a molecule for uptake and delivery to the plant. In this manner plant health may be improved by uptake of iron where it would otherwise not occur and/or uptake of the conjugated molecule. The molecule may be a molecule that improves health of the plant. Still further embodiments provide for analogs of avenic acid. Embodiments provide for interplanting Avena sativa which natively produces avenic acid with another plant. Additional embodiments provide for time release of avenic acid provided to a plant.

Abstract: Methods and techniques for fabricating layered structures using surface micromachining are described. A sacrificial layer is deposited on a substrate assembly that functions as a bottom electrode. The sacrificial layer is patterned into a first shape. A first polymer-based layer is deposited on the sacrificial layer. A top electrode is patterned on the first polymer-based layer above the sacrificial layer. A second polymer-based layer is deposited on the top electrode such that the top electrode is between the first and second polymer-based layers. The sacrificial layer is etched away to form a cavity under the top electrode.

Abstract: An onboard charger for both single-phase (level-1 and level-2, up to 19.2 kW) and three-phase (level-3, above 20 kW) charging of a battery in Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs) is integrated with the Propulsion machine-Inverter Group residing in the PEV, and is controlled to operate in propulsion and battery charging modes. The subject integrated onboard charger provides battery charging at the rated power of the Propulsion machine, does not need motor/inverter rearrangement, does not require additional bulk add-on passive components, provides an effective input current ripple cancellation, and operates without rotation of the Propulsion machine during the steady state charging.

Abstract: A method of forming a sulfur-based cathode material includes: 1) providing a sulfur-based nanostructure; 2) coating the nanostructure with an encapsulating material to form a shell surrounding the nanostructure; and 3) removing a portion of the nanostructure through the shell to form a void within the shell, with a remaining portion of the nanostructure disposed within the shell.

Abstract: Genetically modified non-human animals expressing human SIRP? and human IL-15 from the non-human animal genome are provided. Also provided are methods for making non-human animals expressing human SIRP? and human IL-15 from the non-human animal genome, and methods for using non-human animals expressing human SIRP? and human IL-15 from the non-human animal genome. These animals and methods find many uses in the art, including, for example, in modeling human T cell and/or natural killer (NK) cell development and function, in modeling human pathogen infection of human T cells and/or NK cells, and in various in vivo screens.