Abstract: A collaborative automation platform and associated method include a fault-tolerant control server hosting one or more virtual controllers, and a fault-tolerant input/output server hosting a virtual input/output system. The collaborative automation platform also includes a master autonomous process interface system connected to the virtual input/output system, via a local area input/output network. The collaborative automation platform also includes a plurality of distributed autonomous process interface systems connected to the master autonomous process interface system, wherein each distributed autonomous process interface system is hardwired to a plurality of field instruments. The collaborative automation platform also includes real-time DDS middleware configured for execution with the fault-tolerant control server, the fault-tolerant input/output server, the master autonomous process interface system, and the plurality of distributed autonomous process interface systems.

Abstract: Provided are a communication control device and a communication system capable of detecting message transmission in the case where an invalid device transmits a message to a common communication line. A monitoring device decides a reference time point t0 for periodical message transmission by an ECU, decides multiple scheduled transmission time points t1, t2, . . . obtained by adding a period corresponding to an integer multiple of a transmission cycle T of a message to the reference time point t0, and decides that a predetermined period including each of the scheduled transmission time points is a permission period for message transmission. The monitoring device determines whether or not a detected message on a CAN bus has been transmitted during the permission period. If determined that transmission of an invalid message is not permitted, the monitoring device performs processing of causing the ECU which receives the message to discard the message.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a carbon-silicon composite structure including a carbon particle layer having silicon nanoparticles dispersed therein, a method of preparing the carbon-silicon composite structure, a secondary battery anode material including the carbon-silicon composite structure, and a secondary battery including the secondary battery anode material.

Abstract: A method of processing nano- and micro-pores includes washing a substrate and cleaning a surface of the substrate; spin-coating photoresist, exposing the substrate and developing to form the substrate with a pattern; 3. depositing micro-nano metal particles on the surface of the substrate; wherein the micro-nano metal particles are centered on a magnetic core; and the surface of the magnetic core is plated with a metal nano-particle coating composed of a plurality of gold, silver or aluminum nanoparticles; removing the photoresist, and maintaining dot arrays of the micro-nano metal particles; applying laser irradiation and a strong uniform magnetic field on the substrate, so that the substrate is processed to form processed structures; and after the processed structures being formed into nano-/micro-pores with targeted pore size, shape and depth, stopping the laser irradiation and removing the strong uniform magnetic field.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the detection or diagnosis of post-traumatic stress states in a subject, and provides methods, reagents, and kits useful for this purpose. Provided herein are biomarkers that are indicative of and/or diagnostic of post-traumatic stress states including PTSD.

Abstract: A stacked composite material and a method of preparation, wherein the stacked composite materials comprises of glass fiber layers sandwiched between nanocomposite layers. The nanocomposite layers comprise a nanofiller dispersed in a cured epoxy matrix, wherein the nanofiller is at least one of silicon carbide nanoparticles or aluminum oxide nanoparticles. Adjacent and noncontiguous glass fiber layers are oriented in a unidirectional orientation or a quasi-isotropic orientation.

Abstract: A method of measuring soluble or insoluble cell or tissue-associated collagenase activity. The substrate includes native collagen fibrils that were stained with COOMASSIE Brilliant Blue R-250. Incubation with collagenase can be observed in real-time by the generation of digested smaller fragments. The degraded blue fragments are obtained by filtration through class fibers, onto which intact collagen fibrils are retained. The filtrate containing the blue collagen fragments is incubated with a detergent in order to extract the blue dye, and the mixture is centrifuged in order to separate the dye in the supernatant from the pellet, which contains de-stained collagen fragments and other insoluble materials contained in the test samples (such as bacterial cells or tissues). The amount of dye extracted is quantified by measuring the amount of dye extracted from these fragments, i.e., the absorbance at 600 nm using a spectrophotometer or an ELISA reader.

Abstract: A cross-linked polymeric resin which contains reacted monomer units of an aniline, a diaminoalkane, and an aldehyde, and which is functionalized with at least one dithiocarbamate moiety. A process for producing the cross-linked polymeric resin whereby an aniline and a diaminoalkane are linked together by Mannich-type polycondensation reactions with an aldehyde. The resulting Mannich-type polycondensation product is converted into the cross-linked polymeric resin through functionalization of one or more amine functional groups with dithiocarbamate moieties. A method for removing heavy metals, such as Hg(II), from an aqueous solution, whereby the cross-linked polymeric resin is contacted with the aqueous solution, and the heavy metal is thus adsorbed onto the cross-linked polymeric resin.

Abstract: A cementitious composite and cured masonry block made from the cementitious composite. The cementitious composite contains a cement, a non-rubber aggregate, a crumb rubber and at least one of cement kiln dust and limestone powder. The crumb rubber aggregate is extracted from scrap tires after being processed and then mixed in specified percentages with the aggregate, the cement and water, then cured in forms to make the masonry blocks. In the present disclosure sand, which is used in conventional masonry blocks, is at least partially replaced with crumb rubber to produce a sand-free or sand-reduced masonry block that contains crumb rubber. The crumb rubber masonry blocks satisfy the ASTM non-load bearing requirements. The use of crumb rubber decreases the unit weight and increases thermal resistance of the masonry blocks. The use of cement kiln dust or limestone as a partial replacement of cement will lead to decrease in the cost.

Abstract: A catalyst particle is composed of an inner particle and an outermost layer that includes platinum and covers the inner particle. The inner particle includes on at least a surface thereof a first oxide having an oxygen defect.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in certain aspects, a natural killer (NK) cell that expresses all or a functional portion of interleukin-15 (IL-15), and methods for producing such cells. The invention further provides methods of using a natural killer (NK) cell that expresses all or a functional portion of interleukin-15 (IL-15) to treat cancer in a subject or to enhance expansion and/or survival of NK cells.

Abstract: A desk includes a tabletop and at least one base member supporting the tabletop. A footrest is disposed on the at least one base member beneath the tabletop. The footrest is movable between a stowed position toward a back of the desk and a deployed position toward a front of the desk. At least one mechanism is disposed on the at least one base member and operatively coupled to the footrest. The at least one mechanism moving the footrest between the stowed and deployed positions. A floor mat is disposed with the footrest. The floor mat is movable with the footrest between a stowed mat position and a deployed mat position.

Abstract: The omnidirectional multiband antenna is a variant on a monocone antenna, particularly including a corrugated extending surface for lowering the low frequency cutoff of the monocone antenna. The omnidirectional multiband antenna includes an electrically conductive conical surface, having a vertex end and a base end, and at least one electrically conductive annular member mounted on the base end. The at least one electrically conductive annular member is formed from a plurality of stacked segments and has a corrugated exterior surface. The vertex end of the electrically conductive conical surface is positioned adjacent to, and spaced apart from, a first surface of a ground plane plate. A plurality of cylindrical rods is provided, a first end of each rod being secured to the at least one electrically conductive annular member, and a second end of each rod being mounted on the first surface of the ground plane plate.

Abstract: Antimicrobial agents, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and uses thereof. Compositions and methods of using dermaseptin-type and piscidin-type antimicrobial peptides that demonstrate activity and improved therapeutic indices against microbial pathogens. The peptide compositions demonstrate the ability to not only maintain or improve antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens including Gram-negative microorganisms Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but also significantly decrease hemolytic activity against human red blood cells. Specificity determinants within the AMPS change selectivity from broad spectrum antimicrobial activity to AMPS with gram-negative selectivity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are synthetic oligoribonucleotides that form hairpin loop structures. The oligoribonucleotides can be used in the treatment of viral infection including prophylactic treatments. The oligoribonucleotides can also be used as adjuvants.

Abstract: In vitro and in vivo methods of removing carbon monoxide from hemoglobin in blood or animal tissue are described. Methods of treating carboxyhemoglobinemia (carbon monoxide poisoning) in a subject are also described. The methods include administering natural or artificial oxygen carriers that are in their reduced form. Methods of producing a reduced oxygen carrier are further described. Methods of treating cyanide poisoning or hydrogen sulfide poisoning with oxygen carriers are also described.

Abstract: A mechanically robust flexible hybrid electrode comprises a polymeric substrate, one or more monolayers of a two-dimensional (2D) material on the polymeric substrate, and an electrically conductive film on the 2D material. The mechanically robust flexible hybrid electrode may exhibit a bending strain to failure of at least about 12%. A method of making a flexible hybrid electrode may comprise transferring a monolayer comprising a 2D material to a polymeric substrate. After transferring one or more of the monolayers to the polymeric substrate, an electrically conductive film may be formed on the one or more monolayers, thereby forming a mechanically robust flexible hybrid electrode.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and a system for terahertz ISAR imaging. In the method, a chirp signal is transmitted to an imaging target moving at a preset speed and a terahertz ISAR echo signal is received. The terahertz ISAR echo signal is matched filtered in a fast time domain, baseband transformed in a slow time domain, corrected to eliminate a time domain zero offset, baseband transformed, discretized, interpolated, and two-dimensional inverse Fourier transformed to obtain a two-dimensional image of the imaging target.

Abstract: Provided is a method, a device and a kit for detecting childhood cancer, predicting the risk of childhood cancer, determining the stage of the childhood cancer, determining the prognosis of the childhood cancer, and/or monitoring the effect of a treatment for the childhood cancer in a subject by measuring ae urinary metabolite of the subject.

Abstract: A ultrasound probe according to this invention is provided with: a first dry film resist having a plurality of first apertures formed in an array shape, and respectively supporting the piezoelectric elements in close contact with a rim part of each of the first apertures in a state of partly exposing the function elements; a second dry film resist laminated on the first dry film resist, and also having second apertures respectively enclosing each of the function elements, the second dry film resist being of a thickness equivalent to that of each of the function elements; and a third dry film resist laminated on the second dry film resist, and also having third apertures, and respectively sandwiching each of the piezoelectric elements with the first dry film resist in a state of partly exposing the piezoelectric elements in close contact with a rim part of each of the third apertures.