Abstract: Transgenic strains of Neurospora crassa engineered to comprise a synthetic positive feedback loop for a transcriptional activator of cellulase expression such that cellulase production is amplified are disclosed, along with compositions thereof. The transgenic strains are particularly useful in methods for generating purified cellulases, fermentable sugars, and cellulosic ethanol for the efficient production of biofuel from cellulose-containing biomass and waste.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to recombinant proteins comprising a GM-CSF sequence and an interleukin sequence and nucleic acids related thereto. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to recombinant proteins comprises N-terminal sequences that are the result of improved production techniques and uses for treating or preventing autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and cancer.

Abstract: An energy conversion device includes a container body configured to hold a liquid; a housing affixed above the container body by a handler connected to a surface of the container body, wherein a primary roller is configured to rotate at a first end of the housing and a free roller is configured to rotate at a second end of the housing; a piston attached at a first end to an outer perimeter of the primary roller; an inflatable balloon attached to a second end of the piston within the container body, wherein vertical movement of the piston causes the primary roller to rotate; an air chamber configured to supply air to a lower opening in the inflatable balloon via a balloon valve; and an interconnect located on a side of the free roller configured for connection to one of an energy-driven device or a turbine generator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a logic gate, comprising a metamaterial surface enhanced Raman scattering (MetaSERS) sensor, comprising (a) alphabetical metamaterials in the form of split ring resonators operating in the wavelength range of from 560 to 2200 nm; and (b) a guanine (G) and thymine (T)-rich oligonucleotide that can, upon presence of potassium cations (K+), fold into a G-quadruplex structure, and in presence of Hg2+, form a T-Hg2+-T hairpin complex that inhibits or disrupts the G-quadruplex structure formed in presence of K+, as well as methods of operating and using such a logic gate.

Abstract: Provided is a method for catalytically reducing selenium. Hydrogen peroxide is used as a catalyst, and a reducer is added to a hexavalent-selenium-containing solution for reaction so as to reduce the selenium to elemental selenium, wherein the standard oxidation-reduction potential of the reducer is lower than the standard oxidation-reduction potential of the conversion of the hexavalent selenium to elemental selenium. The present method can further reduce a hexavalent-selenium element-containing selenic acid or selenate solution to an elemental selenium product in one step.

Abstract: A method of predicting a disease or condition of a cornea or an anterior segment of an eye includes inputting input data into an AI model, processing the input data, and generating a set of scores and outputting a prediction. The input data may be representative of a cornea or anterior segment of an eye. Processing the input data may include processing the data through the plurality of convolutional layers, the fully connected layer, and the output layer. Each score of the set of scores may be generated by a corresponding node in the output layer. The output prediction may be related to the cornea or anterior segment of the eye represented by the input data processed through the AI model. The prediction may be determined by at least one score of the set of scores.

Abstract: Combining the functionality of sleep transistors with logic devices in power-gating circuits by utilizing fully depleted silicon-on-insulator (FDSOI) transistors. In an embodiment, a back gate of a FDSOI transistor controls the threshold voltage to eliminate the need for standalone sleep transistors.

Abstract: An imager utilizes a division of focal plane polarization and color camera to measure motion, depth and orientation of objects in a scene in real-time. In various examples, structured light, polarization-controlled discrete reflectors, and/or spatially varying discrete light sources are used to provide light of controlled polarization and color from an object in a scene to a camera. The camera utilizes a pixelated optical filter with a pattern of varying polarization filters across the pixel array, and optionally an integrated color filter pattern. Light measurements are processed to determine polarization state of light received from the object, whence orientation, position, and/or other properties of the object are determined. Systems are operable with a single camera. Applications include virtual reality, gaming, robotics, autonomous vehicles, tele-surgery, industrial automation, 3-D scanning, surveillance, and remote interaction.

Abstract: A system and method for noninvasively determining the oxygenation of a tissue, for example, a muscle, in vivo uses optical methods to optically interrogate the tissue in both a visible wavelength range and a near infrared (NIR) wavelength range. The illuminating light is sculpted in intensity to approximately match the absorbance spectrum, for example, with the visible light having an intensity an order of magnitude greater than the NIR light. Training data is obtained from healthy patients in both the visible and NIR ranges simultaneously and used to calculate muscle oxygenation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and device for cloaking an acoustic wave. A method for cloaking an acoustic wave according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: obtaining a target characteristic of a meta-material based on a correlation between an acoustic propagation mathematical model predetermined for the propagation of an acoustic wave and an electromagnetic wave mathematical model predetermined for an electromagnetic wave; arranging scattering media having a predetermined media density to have spatial periodicity so that the obtained target characteristic is achieved; and blocking a region including a target object from an acoustic wave by disposing the meta-material including the scattering media arranged to have spatial periodicity, to surround the region.

Abstract: A novel Self-Locking Optoelectronic Tweezers (SLOT) for single microparticle manipulation across a large area is provided. DEP forces generated from ring-shape lateral phototransistors are utilized for locking single microparticles or cells in the dark state. The locked microparticles or cells can be selectively released by optically deactivating these locking sites.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating irradiation dose for patient application based on a radiation field model and a patient anatomy model are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes providing a database of patient anatomy models. The method also includes providing a radiation field model of an X-ray system. Further, the method includes receiving a measure of an anatomy of a patient. The method also includes determining a patient anatomy model among the patient anatomy models that matches or is similar to the anatomy of the patient based on the measure of the patient and a corresponding measure of each of the patient anatomy models. The method also includes estimating an irradiation dose for application to the patient by the X-ray system based on the radiation field model and the determined patient anatomy model.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pre-5th-generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates beyond 4th-generation (4G) communication system such as long term evolution (LTE). A method of operating a remote node in a wireless communication system includes: determining each of instantaneous channel states between host nodes and the remote node based on reference signals received from the host nodes during some of time intervals for a channel estimation; determining a host node for random access among the host nodes based on the determined instantaneous channel states; and when a value indicating a state of a channel between the determined host node and the remote node is larger than a threshold value, transmitting a signal for the random access to the host node.

Abstract: Novel microlens array architectures for enhanced light outcoupling from light emission are provided. Organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) that include an outcoupling layer including these novel microlens array architectures and method for fabricating such OLEDs are provided. These devices may be used to provide OLEDs with optimized light extraction.

Abstract: An identifier for a conduit includes a first tag having a body with a first aperture formed therein for receiving the conduit and a first identifying feature, and a second tag having a body with a second aperture formed therein for receiving the conduit and a second identifying feature that matches the first identifying feature. The first tag is attached to the conduit adjacent one end, the second tag is attached to the conduit adjacent another end, and the ends are identified as ends of the same conduit by the matching first and second identifying features.

Abstract: A wearable device includes: at least one compliant region adapted and configured to be placed over a joint of a subject and at least two flexible but less compliant regions coupled to opposite ends of the compliant region. The device provides a wearable robotic device including a wearable and at least one actuator adapted and configured to move the flexible but less compliant regions relative to each other.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes selecting, by a virtual problem-based learning (PBL) system, information indicative of a medical profile of a patient; accessing, by the virtual PBL system, information indicative of a team of students using the virtual PBL system; generating, by the virtual PBL system and based on the medical profile, an medical PBL schema comprising a medical problem to be solved by the team of students; generating a plurality of sections in the medical PBL schema, with each section promoting solving of the medical problem, and with each section associated with (i) a private work environment for a student to privately analyze the medical problem, and (ii) a shared, anonymous work environment for the students to view analysis performed by other students in solving the medical problem; and transmitting, to one or more client systems used by the students participating in the virtual problem-based learning system, the medical PBL schema.

Abstract: An electromagnetic induction type Hopkinson pressure/tension bar loading device and experiment method therefor. The device not only can generate compression stress waves but also can generate tension stress waves through the electromagnetic induction principle, and is applied to the loading of a Hopkinson tension bar and a pressure bar. Thus, the loading systems for a Hopkinson tension bar and a pressure bar can simultaneously achieve the strain rate and strain range, which the traditional split Hopkinson bar experiment cannot reach, on the same device, so that the Hopkinson bar experiment technology is standardized, and the experiment devices for a tension bar and a pressure bar are integrated, thereby reducing complexity and floor space of equipment.

Abstract: Disclosed are multi-stage multilevel DC-DC step-down converters. Stages may include three or four switches, and switches of each stage are operated at selected duty cycles such that each stage reduces an input voltage by one-half and voltage stress on switches is reduced. In some embodiments only a single output inductor is used in an LC filter, and the inductor may be very small as compared with a conventional Buck converter. Thus, embodiments provide DC-DC step-down converters with high power density and efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nickel-based catalyst for oxidizing carbon monoxide, which is prepared by forming nickel oxide on the surface of a mesoporous support by one or more cycles of atomic layer deposition, and a use thereof. The nickel-based catalyst for oxidizing carbon monoxide according to the present invention is stable at high temperatures because the size of the nickel oxide particles can be restricted to nanometer scales even at high-temperature conditions. In addition, the nickel-based catalyst exhibits catalytic reactivity for oxidation of carbon monoxide even at room temperatures. Additionally, the catalytic activity, which has been deactivated after conducting the catalytic reaction, can be regenerated through annealing and increased gradually through repeated annealing.