Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymeric hollow fiber membrane and a carbon molecular sieve hollow fiber membrane, both of which have excellent gas separation performance, and processes for preparing the same. Specifically, the present invention relates to a hybrid polymeric hollow fiber membrane that comprises a glassy polymer containing fluorine and a ladder-structured polysilsesquioxane, a hybrid carbon molecular sieve hollow fiber membrane prepared by pyrolysis thereof, and processes for preparing the same. The hybrid polymeric hollow fiber membrane and the hybrid carbon molecular sieve hollow fiber membrane according to the embodiments of the present invention are excellent in gas flux and selectivity and can have a large surface area per unit volume. Thus, they can be advantageously used for separating gases with a high energy efficiency on a large scale.

Abstract: An optical microtoroid resonator including one or more nanoparticles attached to a surface of the resonator and capable of receiving an input signal from a far-field source (via free-space transmission) and outputting light propagating within the optical apparatus. A method for coupling light into and out of an optical resonator using a nanoparticle or nanoparticles to interface with spatially separated far-field optical elements.

Abstract: An electrode with a conductive substrate and an electrocatalyst comprising zinc oxide and copper oxide supported on a carbon nanomaterial, a method of fabricating the electrode, an electrochemical cell that utilizes the electrode as a working electrode, and a process for producing propanol from CO2 with the electrochemical cell. Various combinations of embodiments of the electrode and the method of fabricating thereof, the electrochemical cell, and the process for producing propanol from CO2 is provided.

Abstract: Cutin-based devices, coatings and methods of producing such devices and coatings are presented herein. Cutin-like materials (CLMs) are presented which mimic and adapt coatings found in nature for the next generation of functional coatings. Cutin has several advantages including excellent UV resistance, natural resistance to bacteria and viruses, noncorrosive, and stability under abrupt changes in temperature and environment. CLMs can be engineered at the nanoscale and readily impregnated with metals and metal oxides materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surface modification method based on the polymerization and cross-linking solidification of dopamine and/or its derivatives, which belongs to the technical field about composite material fabrication. The principle of dopamine polymerization and the formation process of polydopamine coating layer are the foundation of the present invention. This innovative method is established after deeply analyzing the failure mechanism of polydopamine coating layer in severe environments, such as organic solvents and acidic/alkalic environments. The critical work is finding out an eligible cross-linking agent which could react with the active functional groups in polydopamine. After cross-linking reaction, the soluble low-molecular-weight dopamine oligomers could be transformed into the insoluble three-dimensional stereographic networks.

Abstract: The present application is directed to methods of performing chemical reactions, including multi-step chemical reactions in which two or more of the reagents in the chemical reaction are incorporated or entrapped in a solid polymeric structure comprising pullulan. In certain embodiments, the chemical reaction or multi-step reaction serves as a sensor. Accordingly the present application is also directed to sensors for performing the methods of the application. In certain embodiments, at least one of the reagents is a biomolecule and the sensor is a biosensor. In certain other embodiments, the solid polymeric structure comprising pullulan and the reagents for performing a chemical reaction form a convenient device for performing a chemical reaction.

Abstract: The invention disclosed an error modeling method for six degree-of-freedom robot end effector space-curve trajectory. More specifically, the invention is focused on end effector continuous space-curve trajectory tasks, and provides an error model taking into account of the influence of interpolation algorithm and joint linkage parameter error. This method selects key trajectory points on the ideal trajectory and by inverse solution converts them to the joint space, and performs interpolation; meanwhile the linkage parameter error taken into account to obtain the actual end effector position. The distance from the planned trajectory point to the ideal trajectory curve is used as the comprehensive error to reflect the deviation from the planned trajectory to the ideal trajectory. A simple and practical error model is obtained, which provides a theoretical basis for controlling the end effector-tracking accuracy.

Abstract: A tester for evaluating pullout load capacity and bond quality of anchor bolts embedded in concrete includes a Schmidt hammer for measuring a rebound number and an ultrasonic pulse velocity tester for measuring the transit time of a pulse transmitted through concrete surrounding an anchor bolt. The rebound number and the transit time are combined and matched against a database record which identifies the pullout load capacity and the bond quality. The transit time is matched to thresholds of transit times associated with porosity, internal cracking, air voids, and water pockets located around the embedded anchor bolt. The Schmidt hammer is further modified by the incorporation of a digital level for measuring the vertical and horizontal angles of inclination of the plunger with the concrete surface, a guide tube for supporting the plunger, and by using a convex plunger tip for improved registration with anchor bolt head.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a probiotic composition for enhancing a subject's, such as an insect's, resistance to a pesticide comprising: (a) a microorganism capable of expressing one or more enzymes for metabolizing the pesticide, and (b) at least one feed ingredient for a subject. The present invention also provides for a method for enhancing a subject's, such as an insect's, resistance to a pesticide comprising administering to a subject the probiotic composition.

Abstract: An electronic intravascular device is placed in tight contact with vessel walls and is used for electrical stimulation and/or electrical recording of the vessel wall and surrounding target tissue. The electrodes may operate via connectors interfacing them to external hardware or may incorporate electronics to allow wireless power, information transfer, and control. The device includes an internal skeleton, a flexible substrate attached to the exterior of the skeleton, at least one pair of electrodes located on the substrate, and power and control circuitry connected to the electrodes. The power and control circuitry may include connectors for direct powering of the electrodes or circuit elements for wireless powering of the device by RF-based, optical-based, ultrasound-based, piezoelectric, or vibrational energy harvesting methods.

Abstract: The described BPE-enabled device includes two separated chambers which perform detection and reporting independently. Analytical reaction of a target molecule in the analytical cell is coupled to and monitored by an electrochromic reaction in the reporting cell. The color change in the reporting cell can be determined spectrophotometrically by RGB analysis of a CCD image acquired via smartphone. This detection method provides a linear response and a low limit of detection due to the redox cycling behavior in both chambers. The BPE based electrochromic detector can be modified for sensing of multiple analytes by integrating three or more sets of detection chemistries into one single device. Multiple analytes with different concentrations can be detected within this device simultaneously.

Abstract: A swallowing action measurement device includes a holder, a sound detector and a posture detector. The holder is fitted to a neck region of a person being measured from behind. The sound detector is held in the holder in contact with the outer side surface of the neck region close to the epiglottis, and detects sound associated with at least a swallowing action of the person being measured and outputs a measured sound signal. The posture detector detects a posture of the person being measured.

Abstract: Methods for detecting single nucleotide polymorphisms in nucleotide sequences using LAMP reactions are provided herein. Generally, two sets of LAMP primers, a wild-type primer that matches expected DNA sequences and an SNP primer that matches the expected SNP DNA are provided. One method includes providing the wild-type primer and the SNP primer in separate wells of a multi-well microfluidic array device, adding the sample nucleotide sequence into the wells seeded with the primers, and initiating LAMP reactions within the wells. The method includes observing the reaction differential between the primers and determining the status of the DNA with regard to that particular SNP. A second method includes providing the primers with tags in a mixture, adding the sample nucleotide sequence to the mixture, and initiating LAMP reactions.

Abstract: We describe a bis-benzylidine piperidone, RA190, which covalently binds to the ubiquitin receptor RPN13 (ADRM1) in the 19S regulatory particle and inhibits proteasome function, triggering rapid accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins. Multiple myeloma lines, even those resistant to bortezomib, were sensitive to RA190 via ER stress-related apoptosis. RA190 stabilized targets of human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 oncoprotein, and preferentially killed HPV-transformed cells. After p.o. or i.p. dosing of mice, RA190 distributed to plasma and major organs excepting brain, and potently inhibited proteasome function in skin and muscle. RA190 administration i.p. profoundly reduced growth of multiple myeloma and ovarian cancer xenografts, and oral RA190 treatment retarded HPV+ syngeneic mouse tumor growth, without impacting spontaneous HPV-specific CD8+ T cell responses, suggesting its therapeutic potential. The bis-benzylidine piperidone RA190 is a new orally-available proteasome inhibitor.

Abstract: An ankle prosthesis comprises a foot prosthesis. A lower ankle is pivotably secured to the foot prosthesis at an ankle joint. An upper ankle is connected to the lower ankle in a manner that permits vertical movement of the upper ankle relative to the lower ankle. A coupling spring is biased in an extended condition. The coupling spring is connected at a first end to the upper ankle. A second end of the coupling spring is movable in a first condition which is engaged to the lower ankle and in a second condition engaged to the foot prosthesis. Energy is stored in compression of the coupling spring when the coupling spring is in the first condition and energy is released from the coupling spring when the coupling spring is in the second condition.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating ultra-fast programmable networks in microgrid are disclosed to provide flexible and easy-to-manage communication solutions, thus enabling resilient microgrid operations in face of various cyber and physical disturbances. The system is configured to establish a novel software-defined networking (SDN) based communication architecture which abstracts the network infrastructure from the upper-level applications to significantly expedite the development of microgrid applications, develop three functions of the SDN controller for microgrid emergency operations, including time delay guarantee, failover reconfiguration and rate limit and create a hardware-in-the-loop cyber-physical platform for evaluating and validating the performance of the presented architecture and control techniques.

Abstract: For example, the present techniques may provide an energy-efficient multipurpose encryption engine capable of processing both AES and CRC algorithms using a shared Galois Field Computation Unit (GFCU). In an embodiment, an apparatus may comprise computation circuitry adapted to perform Galois Field computations and control circuitry adapted to control the computation circuitry so as to selectively compute either an Advanced Encryption Standard cipher or a Cyclic Redundancy Check.

Abstract: A composition comprises: a base oil; an additive; and a drug. The additive has segments which are conjugated, e.g. covalently linked, together. A first segment facilitates solubility in the base oil, whereas a second segment facilitates drug solubility and/or modifies drug release or other behaviour. The first segment may for example comprise a poly(dimethylsiloxane)-containing moiety. The second segment may for example resemble a drug molecule. The composition may for example be used as a tamponade or as a component for a tamponade administered to the eye.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods related to treating repeat expansion diseases that feature the sequestration of Muscleblind-like (MBNL) proteins by the toxic repeat RNA transcripts within distinct nuclear foci that are expressed from the expanded repeat tracts. Certain compositions of synthetic MBLN proteins can be used to displace endogenous MBNL from the toxic RNAs or replace endogenous MBNL within the cell for normal function.

Abstract: The inventors have unexpectedly discovered that shock and/or potential multi-organ failure due to shock can be effectively treated by administration of liquid high-dose protease inhibitor formulations to a location upstream of where pancreatic proteases are introduced into the gastrointestinal tract. Most preferably, administration is directly to the stomach, for example, via nasogastric tube under a protocol effective to treat shock by such administration without the need of providing significant quantities of the protease inhibitor to the jejunum and/or ileum.