Abstract: A system and method for use in controlling traffic signaling devices located along public roadways. The method carried out by the system includes: receiving, at one or more computers, time-location (TL) data from a plurality of wirelessly connected devices traveling through an intersection of a public roadway; determining, by the one or more computers using the received TL data, a traffic volume estimation value representative of a volume of traffic at the intersection; and sending the traffic volume estimation value to a traffic signaling control system configured to control a traffic signaling device at the intersection based on the traffic volume estimation value.

Abstract: A device for manipulating liquid droplets comprises a structured surface including an array of larger pillars and a number of smaller pillars distributed among the larger pillars, where each of the larger pillars comprises a shape memory polymer having a glass transition temperature Tg. The structured surface has an undeformed initial configuration, and, upon compression of the larger pillars, the structured surface comprises a deformed configuration. The undeformed initial configuration is recoverable from the deformed configuration by heating the shape memory polymer at or above the Tg. When exposed to a liquid droplet, the structured surface comprises a first wettability in the deformed configuration and a second wettability in the undeformed initial configuration. Thus, the structured surface exhibits a dynamic wettability for manipulating liquid droplets.

Abstract: The sulfonamide corrosion inhibitors are compounds of formula A or formula B, as follows: A method of synthesizing the sulfonamide corrosion inhibitors includes functionalizing a polyamine precursor with a sulfonyl chloride derivative by dehydrochlorination. The polyamine precursor may be bis(3-aminopropyl)amine and the sulfonyl chloride derivative may be methanesulfonyl chloride. The sulfonamide corrosion inhibitors may be applied alone or in any combination as corrosion inhibitors of a metal and are shown to be effective inhibitors of corrosion of iron or iron alloys in acidic conditions.

Abstract: A mirror is comprised of a reflective film including a flexible polymer with a reflective coating, at least one magnet attached to the reflective film, a motor configured to rotate the reflective film wherein the reflective film is secured to the motor, and at least one electromagnet configured to receive an applied voltage. The mirror further comprises a first flexible support layer to increase the rigidity of the reflective film during curvature change and a second rigid support layer to prevent the reflective film, first support layer, and at least one magnet from contacting the at least one electromagnet.

Abstract: The invention provides the art with a powerful diagnostic method of distinguishing relapse-remitting MS subjects from progressive MS subjects, based on the measurement of serum concentrations of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc,), for the first time enabling rapid diagnosis of the progressive form of MS. GlcNAc serum concentration can also be used to assess neurodegenerative status and MS progression in subjects suffering from MS or other neurological conditions. The methods of the invention also allow for the identification of new therapeutics for MS and other neurological conditions and also enables the personalized efficacy assessment of a potential therapy for an MS subject.

Abstract: A method utilizing a humic acid substance for renovating and afforsesting slag is provided. A humic acid substance may be utilized for passivation, adsorption, reduction, chelation and immobilization of harmful heavy metal elements in slag, for example, Cr, As, Cd, Ni, Pb, Ba, Hg, Co, Se, Ag and Be, and aggregating the slag, thereby detoxifying the slag and producing artificial earth. The artificial earth may be used in combination with a carrier bacterial fertilizer to continuously produce the active humic acid substance, achieving an effect similar to the combination of blood transfusion and blood production, thereby forming a high-quality artificial soil.

Abstract: A hemostatic putty for treatment of a variety of wounds topographies, including but not limited to highly three dimensional wounds, for example gunshot wounds and impalements, is disclosed. The putty is comprised of a matrix polymer weakly crosslinked or not crosslinked such that a viscoelastic matrix is formed. The viscoelastic nature of the putty is tunable by the composition and enables the putty to conform to a variety of wound topographies. Likewise, a hemostatic polymer, for example chitosan or hydrophobically modified chitosan, is included in this matrix to impart hemostatic properties and tissue adhesive on the putty. The hemostatic polymers disclosed prevent microbial infection and are suitable for oxygen transfer required during normal wound metabolism.

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: The present disclosure involves a preparation method of bio-based silica/poly (itaconate-ter-isoprene-ter-glycidyl methacrylate) nanocomposite. Bio-based silica/poly (itaconate-ter-isoprene-ter-glycidyl methacrylate) nanocomposite is environment-friendly, and silica and poly (itaconate-ter-isoprene-ter-glycidyl methacrylate) are derived from non-petroleum base materials, which do not rely on fossil fuel. Compared with nanocomposite without nanocomposite, nanocomposites with glycidyl methacrylate have better silica diffusion, mechanical properties and wet-skid resistance of rubber product are improved while consuming the same time. Further, rolling resistance is decreased so that using silane coupling agent is avoided. Therefore, the processing technology is simplified, and VOC emission is avoided. It is a kind of “green tire” rubber product.

Abstract: The present invention includes a live attenuated virus and methods of making the same comprising an isolated virus comprising a viral genome that expresses one or more viral antigens; and one or more exogenous species-specific microRNAs inserted into the viral genome and expressed thereby, wherein the species-specific microRNAs are ubiquitously expressed in a viral target species cell but not in a viral propagation cell.

Abstract: Embodiments of fiber surface finish enhanced flocked surface impact force absorbing structure include a plurality of flock fibers disposed on a substrate, a surface coating applied to the plurality of flock fibers, and in another embodiment, a divider fabric bonded to the tops of flock fibers.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for controlling a scanning tunneling microscope system are provided. In some embodiments, the methods, devices, and systems of the present disclosure utilize a control system included in or added to a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) to receive data characterizing a tunneling current between a tip of the scanning tunneling microscope system and a sample, to estimate, in real-time, a work function associated with the scanning tunneling microscope system, and to adjust, by a control system, a position of the tip based on an estimated work function. Associated systems are described herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless communication are provided. The systems and methods employ a backscatter tag that is configured to shift an incident carrier signal received by the tag to a different frequency band and then transmitting the frequency-shifted carrier signal to a receiver. The frequency band to which the carrier signal is shifted is a band in which interference is minimal or non-existent. Further, the backscatter tag is able to operate in an ultra-low power manner, thereby allowing the tag to be incorporated into components like on-body sensors so that the tag can embed additional information into the carrier signal for transmission and processing by the receiver. Exemplary electronic circuits and systems that utilize a frequency-shifted Backscatter, as well as methods for implementing a frequency-shifted Backscatter, are also provided.

Abstract: A system for converting digital data into a modulated optical signal, comprises an electrically controllable device having M actuating electrodes. The device provides an optical signal that is modulated in response to binary voltages applied to the actuating electrodes. The system also comprises a digital-to-digital converter that provides a mapping of input data words to binary actuation vectors of M bits and supplies the binary actuation vectors as M bits of binary actuation voltages to the M actuating electrodes, where M is larger than the number of bits in each input data word. The digital-to-digital converter is enabled to map each digital input data word to a binary actuation vector by selecting a binary actuation vector from a subset of binary actuation vectors available to represent each of the input data words.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium for charging management for electric vehicles performing vehicle-to-grid regulation are presented. The system includes an aggregator that communicates with the electric vehicles according to a dispatch strategy to switch charging with electric power from the electric grid. The aggregator that aggregates and manages charging of a set of electric vehicles associated with an electric grid. A dispatch controller controls switching of at least a subset of electric vehicles of the set of electric vehicles between an ON state and an OFF state at a given time by sending binary charge commands to the subset of batteries, in a manner that change of charging rate of individual batteries is minimized while maintaining charging fairness among the respective electric vehicles.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling a vehicle that includes using velocity vectors of obstacles in the vehicle's environment to determining boundaries of the one or more obstacles and thereby generate a velocity space that may include velocity vectors for the vehicle and which are represented as collision cones. The using an identified velocity vector in combination with the velocity vectors of the one or more obstacles to produce a maximum motion in of the vehicle towards a target location while avoiding all determined collision cones.

Abstract: Monopole rectenna arrays distributed over a curved surface for multi-directional, multi-polarization, and multi-band ambient RF energy harvesting in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a rectenna array includes a curved grounding surface, a plurality of multi-band antennas distributed across the surface of the curved grounding surface and configured to harvest RF energy in multiple spectral bands, from multiple directions, and with multiple polarizations, a multi-band rectifier connected to an output of each of the plurality of multi-band antennas, and a direct current (DC) combiner including a plurality of inputs connected to outputs of the multi-band rectifiers and an output configured to provide DC power to a load.

Abstract: An automated warehouse storage and retrieval system may comprise at least an aisle, and each of two sides of the aisle has a shelf. A rail is laid along the aisle to enable at least an automated vehicle to move thereon. The automated vehicle has a platform, and a top surface thereof comprises at least a working station and at least a pick-and-place unit. Each of two lateral sides of the platform has two openings separated by a desired distance, and each of the openings has a climbing unit installed therein. The climbing units are configured to synchronously protrude from or move back in the openings. A side of the shelf faced to the rail has a plurality of vertical supporting members arranged in parallel, and each two adjacent supporting members are separated by the distance same as the two climbing units on the same lateral side of the platform.

Abstract: A new solvent-based method is presented for making low-cost composite graphite electrodes containing a thermoplastic binder. The electrodes, termed thermoplastic electrodes (TPEs), are easy to fabricate and pattern, give excellent electrochemical performance, and have high conductivity (1500 S m?1). The thermoplastic binder enables the electrodes to be hot embossed, molded, templated, and/or cut with a CO2 laser into a variety of intricate patterns. These electrodes show a marked improvement in peak current, peak separation, and resistance to charge transfer over traditional carbon electrodes. The impact of electrode composition, surface treatment (sanding, polishing, plasma treatment), and graphite source were found to impact fabrication, patterning, conductivity, and electrochemical performance. Under optimized conditions, electrodes generated responses similar to more expensive and difficult to fabricate graphene and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite electrodes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel motuporamine compounds that act as anti-metastatic agents with low toxicity and high anti-migration activity. The non-toxic, anti-metastatic agents may be given to patients with potential or actual metastatic cancers, such as pancreatic cancers, alone in combination with known and/or new therapies to help block the growth and spread of tumor(s).