Abstract: In some examples, an electronic device comprising an input ferroelectric (FE) capacitor, an output FE capacitor, and a channel positioned beneath the input FE capacitor and positioned beneath the output FE capacitor. In some examples, the channel is configured to carry a magnetic signal from the input FE capacitor to the output FE capacitor to cause a voltage change at the output FE capacitor. In some examples, the electronic device further comprises a transistor-based drive circuit electrically connected to an output node of the output FE capacitor. In some examples, the transistor-based drive circuit is configured to deliver, based on the voltage change at the output FE capacitor, an output signal to an input node of a second device.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for treating diseases or disorders associated with pathological calcification or pathological ossification. In certain embodiments, the diseases or disorders are selected from the group consisting of Generalized Arterial Calcification of Infancy (GACI), Idiopathic Infantile Arterial Calcification (IIAC), Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (OPLL), hypophosphatemic rickets, osteoarthritis, calcification of atherosclerotic plaques, PXE, hereditary and non-hereditary forms of osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, hardening of the arteries occurring with aging, calciphylaxis resulting from end stage renal disease and progeria.

Abstract: A method for making a culture medium for culturing neural cells is provided. An original carbon nanotube structure is provided. The original carbon nanotube structure includes a drawn carbon nanotube film including a number of carbon nanotubes joined end to end by van der Waals force. The carbon nanotubes are substantially oriented along the same direction. A carbon nanotube structure including a number of carbon nanotube wires spaced from each other is formed by treating the original carbon nanotube structure. The carbon nanotube structure is fixed on a substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed, in part, to methods of synthesizing a poly(ethylene carbonate) polymer from the reaction of ethylene oxide (EO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in the presence of a metal complex. The present disclosure also provides novel metal complexes. In one aspect, the metal complex is of the formula (I), wherein R1, R2, R3, M, X and Ring A are as defined herein.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include inventive polypeptides (e.g., mutant VP2 proteins) and virus-like particles made from the inventive polypeptides. Other embodiments of the invention include compositions for treating (e.g., preventing) parvovirus (e.g., erythrovirus or parvovirus B19) infection and other diseases. Further embodiments include methods for administering compositions to an animal. Other embodiments include treating (e.g., preventing) parvovirus (e.g., erythrovirus or parvovirus B19) infection and other diseases. Still other embodiments include nucleic acid sequences that encode the inventive polypeptides. Additional embodiments of the invention are also discussed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to substituted benzoxazolone derivatives as acid ceramidase inhibitors, pharmaceutical compositions containing these inhibitors and methods of inhibiting acid ceramidase for the treatment of disorders in which modulation of the levels of ceramide is clinically relevant. The invention also provides substituted benzoxazolone derivatives for use in the treatment of cancer, inflammation, pain, inflammatory pain or pulmonary diseases.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) linearization system including a DAC, a summing buffer structure, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a calculation system, an error look-up table, and an adder. A combination of the DAC, the summing buffer structure, and the ADC sequentially provide first and second ADC output signals, both of which include DAC integral nonlinearity (INL). The calculation system calculates the DAC INL based on the first and second ADC output signals, the error look-up table provides a correction signal mapping to the calculated DAC INL, and the adder provides a calibrated digital input signal to the DAC based on the correction signal. The calibrated digital input signal ensures the DAC to generate an updated output signal with less nonlinearity and improved purity.

Abstract: The invention provides an alginate oligosaccharide and its derivatives with the degree of polymerization ranging from 2 to 22. The alginate oligosaccharide is composed of ?-D-mannuronic acid linked by 1,4 glycosidic bonds. The derivatives with the reduced terminal in position 1 of carboxyl radical can be prepared by oxidative degradation. The invention also provides a process for preparing the alginate oligosaccharide and its derivatives, which includes the procedure that an alginate solution is reacted for 2 to 6 h in an autoclave at pH 2˜6 and the temperature of 100˜120° C., and adjusted pH to 7 after the reaction is stopped, after which the resultant oligosaccharide is oxidized in the presence of an oxidant to obtain an oxidative product. The alginate oligosaccharide and its derivatives of the invention can be used in the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylaxis and treatment of AD and diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating pulmonary hypertension. In one aspect, a method is included for increasing myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) activity in an endothelial cell comprising exposing the cell to a class IIa histone deacetylase inhibitor. In another aspect, a method is included for treating pulmonary hypertension, such as restoring MEF2 activity, in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising a class IIa histone deacetylase inhibitor. Pharmaceutical compositions for treating pulmonary hypertension in a subject in need thereof and a kit for diagnosing, detecting and/or monitoring pulmonary hypertension are also included.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cascade thresholding system to find an optimal threshold for binarization of a gray scale image. The cascade system can perform different levels of quantization on an input image. The cascade system can process each quantized image across multiple threshold levels. SSIM scores can be calculated for the quantized images to determine a best image for binarization. A best binary image can be generated.

Abstract: A method of constructing and assembling a floating wind turbine platform includes constructing pre-stressed concrete sections of a floating wind turbine platform base, assembling the floating wind turbine platform base sections to form the base at a first location in a floating wind turbine platform assembly area, and moving the base to a second location in the floating wind turbine platform assembly area. Pre-stressed concrete sections of floating wind turbine platform columns are constructed, and the column sections are assembled to form a center column and a plurality of outer columns on the base to define a hull at the second location in the floating wind turbine platform assembly area. The hull is then moved to a third location in the floating wind turbine platform assembly area. Secondary structures are mounted on and within the hull, and the hull is moved to a fourth location in the floating wind turbine platform assembly area.

Abstract: Vibration assisted rotary drilling (VARD) tools that provide axial compliance and low amplitude axial displacements at the drill bit while transmitting the full rotary speed and torque of the drill string to increase drilling penetration rate. The VARD tools consist essentially of: i) an axially compliant section which transfers axial load across the tool; ii) a mechanism for opposing ends of the tool to displace axially relative to each other; iii) an energy absorbing section which dampens axial bit displacements; iv) a rotation transfer section which allows any rotation and torque applied to the drill string above the tool to be applied to the bit; and v) an optional axial force generating section.

Abstract: The method of tracking and navigation for a dental instrument uses feature extraction, a feature space transformation and a fusion procedure to detect the location of a target, such as a marker placed on a patient's jaw, as well as detecting the location of a dental instrument with respect to the target for guiding a dental practitioner during a procedure. Detection is performed by identifying potential locations for the target and then refining the potential locations based on information from previous detection frames. Given an initial estimate of the target's three-dimensional location, the estimate is improved through iteratively updated information.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards wireless power transfer using one or more rotating magnets in a receiver. An exemplary embodiment provides for a system comprising a transmitter that generates a dynamic magnetic field and a receiver comprising a magnet and a coil. In operation, the magnet rotates in response to the dynamic magnetic field and induces a voltage across the coil.

Abstract: Methods for forming two-dimensional (2D) zeolite nanosheets include exposing a multi-lamellar (ML) zeolite material including an organic structure directing agent (OSDA) to a mixture including sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide under conditions sufficient to remove substantially all of the OSDA from the ML zeolite material; and after exposing the ML zeolite material, treating a solution containing the ML zeolite material to sonication and/or mixing under conditions sufficient to substantially exfoliate layers of the ML zeolite to obtain porous two-dimensional zeolite nanosheets that are substantially free of the OSDA. In some cases, without further treatment such as secondary growth of the zeolite coating layer, a deposit of the OSDA-free nanosheets on polymer support exhibits hydrocarbon isomer selectivity.

Abstract: Methods and devices are described for using a controlled extensional strain to organize prefibrillar collagen and/or elastin solutions into an organized array of fibrils. The organized array of collagen fibrils produced by the disclosed methods and devices can be used for tissue engineering applications.

Abstract: An optical attenuator (104) includes a substrate (116), an attenuation layer (120), and a pair of electrodes (124). The substrate (116) is transparent with respect to a range of light wavelengths. The attenuation layer (120) is formed on the substrate (116) and includes a strongly-correlated material. An optical transmissivity of the strongly-correlated material is strongly correlated with a resistance of the strongly-correlated material, and the optical transmissivity as applied to the light wavelengths is variable. The pair of electrodes (124) is at least one of formed on and embedded within the attenuation layer (120). The pair of electrodes (124) is configured to provide an indication of the resistance of the attenuation layer (120).

Abstract: A device and related method that provides a two-phase heat transfer device with a combination of enhanced evaporation and increase cooling capacity. A recess topology is used to increase suction of working fluid toward a heat source. A non-wetting coating or structure may be used to keep working fluid away from the spaces between elongated members of an evaporator and a wetting coating or structure may be used to form thin films of working fluid around the distal regions of elongated members. The devices and method described herein may be used to cool computer chips, the skin of a hypersonic flying object, a parabolic solar collector, a turbine engine blade, or other heat sources that require high heat flux.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and uses for screening anti-hepadnaviral substances, wherein the substances are screened for the capacity to inhibit covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA of a hepadnavirus, like hepatitis B virus. The methods and uses take advantage of cells comprising a nucleic sequence encoding a tagged hepadnavirus e antigen, like Hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg). Furthermore, the present invention provides nucleic acid sequences encoding a tagged hepadnavirus e antigen and proteins encoded thereby. Also kits for use in the screening methods are provided.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of flowering quince shrub plant named ‘NCCS4’ is disclosed, characterized by double-flowers with peach-colored (reddish orange) petals, and thornless stems. Plants are medium-sized, spreading, multi-stemmed and fruitless. The new variety is a Chaenomeles, typically produced as an outdoor ornamental plant.