Abstract: Graphene photodetectors capable of operating in the sub-bandgap region relative to the bandgap of semiconductor nanoparticles, as well as methods of manufacturing the same, are provided. A photodetector can include a layer of graphene, a layer of semiconductor nanoparticles, a dielectric layer, a supporting medium, and a packaging layer. The semiconductor nanoparticles can be semiconductors with bandgaps larger than the energy of photons meant to be detected.

Abstract: A method of digital forensics based on blockchain technology and a fine-grained access control scheme, using a finite state machine (FSM) based on smart contracts to manage a digital certificate, where a law enforcement agency ends the warrant request to a court and upon approval of the request collects the forensics data by obtaining the master secret key for accessing the forensic data from a plurality of authorities. The forensics data are encrypted by D-KP-ABE (Distributed Key Police Attribute-based Encryption) with privacy-preserved access policy. The secret sharings are required to form the decryption key for accessing the forensics data. The secret sharings are distributed among the plurality of authorized authorities so that no individual authority has a complete master key by itself. Each state of the FSM requires digital signature(s) of at least one specific authorized authority for transitioning to a next state.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes a photovoltaic cell including a sun tracker, a top surface configured to generate electrical energy from the incident sunlight, and a bottom surface configured to thermally dispel heat generated by the photovoltaic cell; at least one mirror including a reflective surface; a plurality of actuators securing the at least one mirror the photovoltaic cell; at least one actuator pump connected to the plurality of actuators and configured to extend or retract the plurality of actuators and adjust the distance of the at least one mirror from the top surface; a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the bottom surface of the photovoltaic cell; and a fluid pump connected to the heat exchanger and configured to circulate the fluid through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a carbon quantum dot from soybean dregs by hydrothermal synthesis, including: mixing the soybean dregs with water, and subjecting the reaction mixture under heating at 100-500° C. in an autoclave for reaction; cooling the reaction mixture when the reaction is completed, and removing insoluble substances from the reaction mixture; and dialyzing the reaction mixture, and lyophilizing the dialyzed product to produce the carbon quantum dot. The invention further provides the carbon quantum dot prepared by the above method and a use thereof in the detection of Fe3+ and Hg2+ in water, where the lowest detection limit can reach 30 nmol/L and the detection range is 0.1-50 ?mol/L.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a vehicle. The methods comprise: receiving, by a computing device from at least one sensor, first sensor information specifying actions taken by a person while driving the vehicle or another vehicle; performing machine learning operations to learn first driving habits of the person based on at least one of the first sensor information; determining at least one autonomous driving rule for a particular driving style setting of a plurality of driving style setting options based on the machine-learned driving habits of the person; programming the particular driving style setting using the at least one autonomous driving rule; and causing the vehicle to enforce the at least one autonomous driving rule when the particular driving style setting is selected.

Abstract: The E-MoG, i.e. Extended Mobile Grid, invention is herein described as a decentralized and distributed “Cyber-physical and/or Mobile Cyber-physical System,” which may operate in connection with or semi-autonomous from or autonomously from the Internet, comprising a distributed homogeneous or heterogeneous plurality of wired and/or wirelessly interconnected stationary, portable, mobile, or self-mobile hosts, or devices, i.e. generically referred to as nodes, where the nodes' individual computation, communications, sensing, and/or actuation resources are collectivized for collaborative and/or collaborative-distributed computation and/or collaborative missions, i.e. mission processing, and/or collaborative-distributed missions, through the coordinating action of the E-MoG's distributed/decentralized software or middleware running onboard each node.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for ischemic muscle training or recovery provides coordinated blood flow restriction and electrical muscle stimulation. The apparatus includes a blood flow occluding element for restricting blood flow to a target muscle or muscle group in a user, and measuring resting systolic blood pressure (SBP). The apparatus also includes an electrical muscle stimulator including at least one electrode and a control unit which, upon activation, sends low amplitude electric pulses through the target muscle or muscle group forcing the targeted muscle to contract while the blood flow is restricted.

Abstract: There is provided a therapeutic method and system for utilizing full spectrum of natural solar radiations with an optimum balance of ultra-violet (UV), visible and infrared (IR) radiations. The disclosed therapeutic method comprising collecting and concentrating the natural solar radiations using a natural solar radiations concentrator; transporting the concentrated natural solar radiations using a transporting medium to an indoor device; optimizing a spot size, an intensity and an ultra-violet range of the natural solar radiations; and directing the optimized natural solar radiations to a desired body part using the indoor device; wherein the full spectrum of natural solar radiations has an optimum balance of ultra-violet, visible and infrared radiations.

Abstract: The present disclosure provide a method for recognizing a space frequency block code (SFBC), including: obtaining a cross-correlation function of a reception signal, and obtaining a Fourier transformation of the cross-correlation function; obtaining data containing labels by labeling a sample containing a real part and an imaginary part of the Fourier transformation, and inputting the data containing labels into an initial CNN-LSTM network for training until convergence is reached, to obtain a final CNN-LSTM network; and obtaining unlabeled data to be recognized, and inputting the data to be recognized into the final CNN-LSTM network to obtain a SFBC recognition result.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing lipids and amino acids from a gaseous substrate comprising methane and oxygen. The process uses a culture of a methanotrophic microorganism in a liquid nutrient medium. The methanotrophic microorganism can be a Methylomicrobium bacterium and more specifically Methylomicrobium buryatense 5GB1. The lipid products can be in the cellular membrane of the methanotroph and can be extracted in a separate extraction zone.

Abstract: A variety of homogeneous or layered hybrid nanostructures are fabricated by electric field-directed assembly of nanoelements. The nanoelements and the fabricated nanostructures can be conducting, semi-conducting, or insulating, or any combination thereof. Factors for enhancing the assembly process are identified, including optimization of the electric field and combined dielectrophoretic and electrophoretic forces to drive assembly. The fabrication methods are rapid and scalable. The resulting nanostructures have electrical and optical properties that render them highly useful in nanoscale electronics, optics, and biosensors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is cellulose acetate fibers that have an excellent affinity for resins and is capable of reinforcing resins. The cellulose acetate fibers have a cellulose triacetate I crystal structure and a number-average fiber diameter of 2 nm or more but 400 nm or less.

Abstract: A flash memory device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept includes a selection transistor for selecting a cell string; and a plurality of memory cells connected in series to the selection transistor, and the selection transistor is programmed such that a threshold voltage of the selection transistor is higher than a non-selection read voltage Vread, for protecting data stored in at least one of the plurality of memory cells. The flash memory according to an embodiment of the inventive concept adjusts the threshold value of the selection transistor or a dummy memory, thus protecting data permanently or temporarily within a short time and recovering original data easily without data loss if necessary.

Abstract: Liquid crystal lenses of different apertures with suppressed chromatic aberration utilizing twisted vertical alignment configuration are demonstrated. A plurality of substrates are provided with electrodes, including a patterned electrode to generate a lens effect. The liquid crystal material is homeotropically aligned, such as via alignment layers. Setting the ratio between cell thickness and chiral pitch of the cholesteric liquid crystals provides correction of axial chromatic aberrations of electrically-tunable focal lengths in the device.

Abstract: Compounds and compositions are provided that can inhibit microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1). The compounds and compositions can reduce inflammation in a subject, such as inflammation caused by an inflammation disorder or symptoms thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compound are also provided. Furthermore, methods are provided for reducing inflammation and/or inhibiting mPGES-1. The methods can comprise administering an effective amount of the composition to a subject.

Abstract: A scalpel that safely and efficiently removes excess dental composite from the surfaces of teeth. A method for removing excess dental composite from a dental surface using this dental scalpel.

Abstract: Devices, systems and apparatuses for the discretization and manipulation of sample volumes are provided. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring lung water content of a patient. The system may include microwave sensors and a processor. The system may transmit microwave signals into, and receive microwave signals from, the thorax of a patient using the microwave sensors. The received microwave signals may each have at least one frequency component with a magnitude and a phase. The system may analyze the phase of the received microwave signal corresponding to a first pair of the microwave signals to monitor changes in the lung water content. The system may analyze the magnitude of the received microwave signal corresponding to a second, different pair of the microwave sensors to determine whether the lung water content is increasing or decreasing. The system may also analyze the received microwave signals to determine a blood pressure indicator and to determine lung water content.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a sustained drug release system useful for treating eye diseases. There is provided a device for sustained release of an ophthalmic drug, comprising a drug enclosing part and an intraocular retention gas enclosing part adjacent to the drug enclosing part, the enclosing parts being provided in a hollow container having at least one opening part, wherein the drug enclosing part is isolated from the opening part by the intervention of the intraocular retention gas enclosing part.

Abstract: A practical method for short-term operations of large-scale hydropower plants divides all hydropower plants into three categories using operation characteristics such as system hierarchy, space attributes, task requirements, and schedule particularity. A strategy for adjusting spillage based on peak-shaving response and a strategy for equal load reduction in off-peak hours check and adjust power generation of hydropower plants with specified dispatching modes. For medium- and small-sized cascaded hydropower plants, the load distribution among plants is optimized with an objective of minimizing total power release subject to control condition of total generation profile. For large-size cascaded hydropower plants, an optimization model for peak-shaving operations and a method for balancing power plants with equal load rate are combined to respond to system peak demands and guarantee power balance in all periods.