Abstract: A structural lightweight concrete composition comprising cement, a fine aggregate such as sand, a natural coarse aggregates, such as limestone, scoria or perlite or mixtures thereof, a synthetic coarse aggregate comprising a polymeric material, such as polypropylene beads, an industrial waste byproduct in the form of fine particles, such as silica fume or heavy oil ash, a superplasticizer, such as a polycarboxylate ether and water demonstrating lower thermal conductivity and sufficient compressive strength. Concrete products made therefrom and methods for producing such products are also provided.

Abstract: A method of treating hypoxic tissue such as wound tissue comprises contacting a composition to the hypoxic tissue in a hypoxia-treatment effective amount, the composition comprising a biodegradable polymer and an inorganic peroxide incorporated into the polymer.

Abstract: A sulfur adsorbent comprising boric acid deposited on an activated carbon support, and a method of separating at least a portion of sulfur compounds from a sulfur-containing mixture with the sulfur adsorbent. Various combinations of embodiments of the sulfur adsorbent and the method are also provided.

Abstract: Crosslinked polydithiocarbamates based on 1,3,5-triazinane cores linked to pyrrole-dithiocarbamates via alkyl chains. A process for preparing these crosslinked polydithiocarbamates via a Mannich-type polycondensation of diaminoalkane, paraformaldehyde and a pyrrole compound, which is followed by additional modification of the pyrrole moiety to a pyrrole-dithiocarbamate. A method for removing heavy metals, such as Cd(II) from an aqueous solution or an industrial wastewater sample with these crosslinked polydithiocarbamates is also described.

Abstract: Processing techniques of volumetric anatomic and vector field data from volumetric phase-contrast MRI on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system are provided to evaluate the physiology of the heart and vessels. This method includes the steps of: (1) correcting for phase-error in the source data, (2) visualizing the vector field superimposed on the anatomic data, (3) using this visualization to select and view planes in the volume, and (4) using these planes to delineate the boundaries of the heart and vessels so that measurements of the heart and vessels can be accurately obtained.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a barrier device. The barrier device has a generally flat base with a width and a length. The base has a top portion and an opposite bottom portion. A surface of the bottom portion includes adhesive. A barrier extends upwardly from the base, the barrier having a generally flat first side and an opposite generally flat second side. A width between the first side of the barrier and the second side of the barrier is less than the width of the base.

Abstract: The present invention includes the efficient dispersion and high loading of fillers in a thermoplastic polymer matrix. In a first general embodiment, the present invention includes a method wherein fillers are first synthesized and dispersed in a liquid monomer. The liquid monomer is then polymerized to a solid. The nanofillers may be silver nanoparticle/nanowire fillers. Ethylene glycol may serve as a solvent, reducing agent as well as precursor monomer for polymerization. In a second general embodiment, the present invention includes a method wherein fillers may be separately synthesized (or obtained commercially) and then added and dispersed in a liquid monomer. The liquid monomer is then polymerized to a solid. In a third general embodiment, a composite is synthesized using interfacial polycondensation. This is accomplished by aggressive mixing of two solvents during the reaction. The aggressive mixing forms microdroplets (i.e.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides adeno-associated virus (AAV) virions with altered capsid protein, where the AAV virions exhibit greater infectivity of retinal cells compared to wild-type AAV. The present disclosure further provides methods of delivering a gene product to a retinal cell in an individual, and methods of treating ocular disease.

Abstract: This invention relates to mutant polypeptides comprising the IGF2 binding domain of the Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 Receptor (IGF2R) with residue P1597 is substituted for a different residue, for example H or K. Other residues which may be mutated include S1543, E1544, K1545, G1546, L1547, Q1569, S1602, G1603 and/or K1631. These IGF2 binding domains display dramatically increased binding affinity for IGF2 compared to both the wild-type and previously identified mutants and may be useful for example in cancer therapy.

Abstract: Equivalent exchange operation of exchanging a game medium for another type of game medium is performed in a shorter time. A game medium accommodation device includes: a tray mechanism configured to hold a plurality of accommodation cases stacked in an up-down direction along a reading surface continuing in the up-down direction, each of the accommodation cases accommodating a bundle of game media aligned in a horizontal direction; and an antenna board disposed on the reading surface. The game medium accommodation device reads electronic information relating to the game media and stored in the game media, by radio communication between the antenna board and the game media.

Abstract: An electrode that comprises a nanostructured material that comprises pyrolyzed date palm leaves that are obtained from a pyrolysis of an agro-waste containing date palm leaves in an inert gas and in a temperature range of 800 to 1600° C., an electrochemical cell thereof, and a method of determining a hydroquinone concentration in a hydroquinone-containing solution with the electrochemical cell. Various combinations of embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: An acoustically activatable particle of material includes a first substance that includes a component that is a gas 25° C. and atmospheric pressure. A second substance, different from the first substance, encapsulates the first substance to create a droplet or emulsion that is stable at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. At least some of the first substance exists in a gaseous phase at the time of encapsulation of the first substance within the second substance to form a bubble. After formation of the bubble, the bubble is condensed into a liquid phase, which causes the bubble to transform into the droplet or emulsion having a core consisting of a liquid. The droplet or emulsion is an activatable phase change agent having a core consisting of a liquid at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure. The first substance has a boiling point below 25° C. at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A sample procurement and retention tool designed for extraterrestrial use. The device is adapted to procure and retain multiple loosely adhered geological samples of various shapes, sizes, and weights. In addition, the device is sized for dexterity optimization, and designed to prevent cross contamination of samples. The device includes a chamber housing detachable from a handle assembly with a portion of the chamber housing being rotatable with respect to the handle assembly. The chamber housing includes a plurality of chambers with at least one chamber having a sample cartridge that can be triggered through the handle assembly. Each sample cartridge stored in the chambers can be triggered to retrieve samples and then the chamber housing can be detached to employ another chamber housing.

Abstract: A heavyweight concrete composition comprising cement, steel slag coarse particles, steel slag fine particles, and iron ore aggregate, a wet concrete slurry of water mixed with the heavyweight concrete composition, and a heavyweight concrete which is a cured form of the wet concrete slurry. In the present disclosure, sand, which is used in conventional concretes, is replaced with steel slag fine particles to produce a sand-free heavyweight concrete.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide secure queries with respect to encrypted datasets are described. Embodiments provide privacy-assured similarity join techniques operable with large-scale encrypted datasets. A privacy-assured similarity join technique of embodiments enables a storage system to answer similarity join queries without learning the content of the query dataset and the target dataset. One or more secure query schemes may be implemented in accordance with a privacy-assured similarity join technique herein. For example, embodiments may utilize an individual similarity query scheme, a frequency hiding query scheme, and/or a result sharing query scheme. A particular secure query scheme of the foregoing secure query schemes may be utilized to address different considerations with respect to security, efficiency, and deployability with respect to various applications and scenarios with different requirements.

Abstract: A method of treating hypoxic tissue such as wound tissue comprises contacting a composition to the hypoxic tissue in a hypoxia-treatment effective amount, the composition comprising a biodegradable polymer and an inorganic peroxide incorporated into the polymer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for detecting a single-stranded target RNA. The present disclosure provides methods of cleaving a precursor C2c2 guide RNA array into two or more C2c2 guide RNAs. The present disclosure provides a kit for detecting a target RNA in a sample.

Abstract: An aspirator syringe comprising a blood-detecting spectrometer. The syringe may accommodate a standard drug cartridge and may provide manual or automatic movement of a plunger for aspiration and injection. Indicator lights may signal the presence or absence of blood in an aspirate within a drug cartridge. The syringe may also include a detector to read a color of a band on a standard drug cartridge in order to identify a drug.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and distinctive variety of a Malus x domestica apple tree named ‘NY109’, particularly characterized by its overall superior horticultural performance and consistency, including excellent fruit quality at harvest by having firm, juicy, high sugar and high acid and flavorful fruit with great potential for marketing as both a fresh apple and as value-added processed apple products, such as for hard and sweet cider and for baking, is disclosed.

Abstract: A new variety of Pennisetum alopecuroides plant named ‘Tift PA19’ produces a reduced number of seeds, making it less invasive.