Abstract: This application relates to the polymorphism and microstructure of certain triacylglycerols and fatty acid methyl esters, and how the properties of these individual components in a biodiesel fuel, as well as their combined mixtures, helps understand the fundamental mechanisms of their crystallization so as to design biodiesel fuels with improved low temperature characteristics.

Abstract: Methods of synthesizing a DOPA-melanin (DM) polymer are disclosed, as well as compositions comprising the DM polymer and uses thereof. The method comprises contacting a reactant such as 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) with a high concentration aqueous salt solution under oxidative conditions. The resulting DM polymer may form as insoluble particles or as a coating on a substrate surface. Exemplary uses for the DM polymers include removing heavy metal ions from contaminated solutions or capturing and delivering cationic drugs such as gentamicin.

Abstract: Provided is a method for detecting the expression of SMN protein, said method comprises: a step for labeling SMN protein in a sample, said sample containing nucleated cells derived from blood; a step for labeling the nuclei of the nucleated cells in the sample; a step for selecting a cell population of the nucleated cells in which nuclei and SMN protein are labeled; and a step for detecting the expression of the SMN protein on the basis of the label for the SMN protein in the selected cell population.

Abstract: Techniques and systems are disclosed for addressing the challenges in interference and mobility management in broadband, UAV-assisted heterogeneous network (BAHN) scenarios. Implementations include BAHN control components, for example, at a controlling network node of a BAHN. Generally, a component implementing techniques for managing interference and handover in a BAHN gathers state data from network nodes or devices in the BAHN, determines a candidate BAHN model that optimizes interference and handover metrics, and determines and performs model adjustments to the network parameters, BS parameters, and UAV-assisted base station (UABS) device locations and velocities to conform to the optimized candidate BAHN model. Also described is a UABS apparatus having a UAV, communications interface for communicating with a HetNet in accordance with wireless air interface standards, and a computing device suitable for implementing BAHN control or reinforcement learning components.

Abstract: A nanocomposite membrane including an ?-Al2O3 membrane support, a ?-Al2O3 intermediate layer that is 300-1200 nm thick and coats a surface of the membrane support, and a nanocomposite layer including SiO2 and Y2O3 that is 25-150 nm thick and coats a surface of the intermediate layer, wherein the nanocomposite layer is porous with an average largest radius micropore of 0.2-0.6 nm. A method of manufacturing the nanocomposite membrane, whereby the membrane support is coated with the ?-Al2O3, a silica source is hydrolyzed with a mixture of water, an alcohol solvent, and a Y source with a sol-gel technique to yield a Si/Y sol-gel, the membrane support is dip coated with the Si/Y sol-gel, and the nanocomposite membrane is calcined. A method of separating a mixture of gas, whereby the mixture of gas is introduced into a permeance cell and fed through the nanocomposite membrane.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a method and system for power amplifier characterization and digital predistortion. The method includes receiving a test signal including K samples with a sampling rate fS, generating a synthetic test signal including the test signal and a sequence of (N-1) delayed versions of the test signal, generating an under-sampled signal including M samples by sampling, at a sampling rate fS/N, an output signal of a device-under-test (DUT) with the synthetic test signal as an input of the DUT, the M samples of the under-sampled signal including N segments each including K/N samples, and generating a reconstructed signal including the M samples of the under-sampled signal.

Abstract: Novel methods for the production of enantiomerically pure (EP) ?-lactams by decomposition of ?-diazo-?-ketoamides.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for effectuating the localized expression of anti-CTLA-4 antibody proximal to a target tissue in a patient.

Abstract: A process for making a modified, mesoporous activated carbon material from waste oil fly ash. The process involves a physicochemical treatment of a raw waste oil fly ash sample, where the sample is initially refluxed in an acid solution, then activated at about 1000° C. and in the presence of carbon dioxide. The activated carbon may be further functionalized with carboxylic and/or amine groups by refluxing the activated carbon in a second acid solution and/or an ammonia solution. The activated carbon, as prepared, has a BET surface area of 30-400 m2/g, a total pore volume of 0.25-0.50 cm3/g and an average pore size of 40-100 ?. A method for removing hydrogen sulfide from natural gas with the modified activated carbon is also provided.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, cationic polymers may be produced which include one or more monomers containing cations. Such cationic polymers may be utilized as structure directing agents to form mesoporous zeolites. The mesoporous zeolites may include micropores as well as mesopores, and may have a surface area of greater than 350 m2/g and a pore volume of greater than 0.3 cm3/g. Also described are core/shell zeolites, where at least the shell portion includes a mesoporous zeolite material.

Abstract: Photodetectors, methods of fabricating the same, and methods using the same to detect radiation are described. A photodetector can include a first electrode, a light sensitizing layer, an electron blocking/tunnelling layer, and a second electrode. Infrared-to-visible upconversion devices, methods of fabricating the same, and methods using the same to detect radiation are also described. An Infrared-to-visible upconversion device can include a photodetector and an OLDE coupled to the photodetector.

Abstract: Methods to form a novel aminoglycoside based hydrogel for high-throughput generation of 3D dormant, relapsed and micrometastatic tumor microenvironments are disclosed. In addition, methods of screening agents against tumor cells grown in the 3D environments disclosed herein that include, for example, screening of lead drugs and therapies for an effect on dormant, relapsed and/or micrometastatic tumor cells.

Abstract: Components, for example, nanoparticles for detecting and/or treating one or more active carious lesions or microcavities in teeth of a subject are provided. The component or nanoparticle may comprise a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer (e.g., a starch) bearing at least one cationic region and/or having a net positive charge and thereby capable of associating with one or more active and/or early carious lesions on a tooth in an oral cavity of a subject. The components or nanoparticles are optionally water soluble or dispersible. The components or nanoparticle also comprises an imaging agent (e.g., a fluorophore or dye) bonded to the biocompatible and biodegradable polymer. The component or nanoparticle is thus capable of indicating the presence of one or more active carious lesions when the component or nanoparticle is associated therewith. Oral care compositions comprising such compounds/nanoparticles and methods of making and using the same are also provided.

Abstract: A surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active nanoassembly comprising anisotropiccally assembled gold nanoparticles in a monolayer double row immobilized on a glass layer is disclosed. The discrete gold nanoparticles are separated by interparticle gaps of 0.5-10 nm that provide hotsites where appropriate excitation creates surface plasmon resonaces and regions of strong and localized electromagnetic fields that enhance Raman signal substantially, 104-1015 fold. An appropriate SERS apparatus comprising the nanoassembly for detecting an analyte is also disclosed. In addition, a method for producing the nanoassembly as well as the application of the nanoassembly or the apparatus comprising the nanoassembly in a method for measuring the SERS signal of an analyte is disclosed.

Abstract: Piezoelectric transducer arrays enhanced with flexoelectric effects and a method thereof is disclosed. The array can include an ultrathin piezoelectric ring that includes embedded rings. Adjacent ring transducers can be completely separated from each other on a supporting substrate. The supporting substrate can have cavities to support the transducer array. Additionally, such an array can include electrodes attached to the rings.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for extending the neck of a patient without manually lifting the patient. This apparatus has a gel pad assembly encapsulating an inflatable bag connected to two hoses for inflation and deflation purposes. The inflatable bag is positioned beneath the shoulders, thereby lifting the shoulders and hence extending the neck when the inflatable bag is inflated.

Abstract: A testing device for integrated irrigation and disinfection includes a centrifugal pump, pressure sensors, flow sensors, an ion concentration sensor, and a control system. The testing device has comprehensive functions of fertilization, spray and drip irrigation load simulation, water and fertilizer parameter detection, fertilizer absorbing channel parameter detection and backflow channel parameter detection. The detection of nutrient ion concentration in a nutrient solution is combined with the aspects of irrigation, dynamic preparation of a nutrient solution and disinfection of a nutrient solution, to realize a high-precision dynamic preparation of a nutrient solution and irrigation area load simulation, and satisfy the requirements on a test system during a research and development process of an irrigation and fertilization system.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods useful to treat cancers. In addition, the present invention provides screening assays, diagnostic assays, methods to prognose, methods to treat, and kits.

Abstract: An efficient supercapacitor charging scheme with low ambient energy sources is provided. In one embodiment, a charging apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a burst control module, and a boost converter configured to control a two-stage supercapacitor composition. The boost converter may be a pulse-frequency modulation (PFM) dc-dc boost converter and the apparatus may include a charge-strapping supercapacitor to control efficiency and the amount of burst charging time. Another embodiment is directed to a hysteretic charging scheme including controlling hysteresis, optimizing window size, and controlling a two-stage supercapacitor composition with a pulse-frequency modulation (PFM) dc-dc boost converter. The charging scheme is useful to extend the upper bound on the capacitance of supercapacitors.

Abstract: Phosphorescent materials and devices with high device efficiency, stability, and processability.