Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a visual language processing modeling framework via an attention-on-attention mechanism, which may be employed for object identification, classification, and the like. In association with a display of a user interface, an eye tracking via images captured by an imaging device is performed to programmatically detect eye movement and fixation relative to sub-regions of the user interface. Eye fixations on at least one of the sub-regions from the eye tracking. Visual cues are extracted from the user interface based at least in part on the eye fixations, the visual cues being in a sequence of identification. A visual language sentence is generated based at least in part on the visual cues as extracted. The visual language sentence of the visual cues in the sequence of identification is correlated to at least one decision using a visual language understanding routine.

Abstract: Described herein are engineered polynucleotides and vectors capable of encoding one or more engineered southern green stink bug pheromone synthesis enzymes. Also described herein are engineered southern green stink bug pheromone synthesis enzymes. Also described herein are methods of making modified plants capable of expressing one or more southern green stink bug pheromone synthesis enzymes.

Abstract: A diode includes a semiconductor region having at least one two-dimensional carrier channel of a first conductivity type, the first conductivity type being one of a n-type and a p-type conductivity, the at least one two-dimensional channel having a net charge; a material of a second conductivity type, the second conductivity type being the other of the n-type and the p-type conductivity, disposed on the semiconductor region, the material of the second conductivity type having a net-charge in a depletion region that is substantially equal to the net-charge of the at least one two-dimensional channel in the semiconductor region when the diode is under reverse bias; an anode material in contact with at least a portion of the at least one two-dimensional channel and at least a portion of the material of the second conductivity type; and a cathode material in contact with the at least one two-dimensional carrier channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods, and devices for electroporation-based therapies (EBTs). Embodiments provide patient-specific treatment protocols derived by the numerical modeling of 3D reconstructions of target tissue from images taken of the tissue, and optionally accounting for one or more of physical constraints or dynamic tissue properties. The present invention further relates to systems, methods, and devices for delivering bipolar electric pulses for irreversible electroporation exhibiting reduced or no damage to tissue typically associated with an EBT-induced excessive charge delivered to the tissue.

Abstract: Gate control of power semiconductor devices using reduced gate drivers is disclosed. A circuit breaker may include a multitude of transistors, such as insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), connected in series with one another. Each transistor may be connected to a respective gate resistor. Diodes may be connected between various gate resistors. One or more resistor-capacitor (RC) snubber circuits may be provided in parallel with one or more of the transistors. Likewise, one or more metal-oxide varistors (MOVs) may be connected in parallel to one or more of the transistors. A gate driver (e.g., a single gate drive) may be connected to the one or more diodes and an emitter of at least one of transistors.

Abstract: Various examples of simultaneous ocean wave and current energy harvesting are described, using a hybrid ocean energy converter and a mechanical transfer system therefor. In one example, a hybrid ocean energy converter includes a two-body point absorber comprising a first body and a second body. The two-body point absorber can be configured to transfer a linear relative motion between the first body and the second body to bi-directional rotation of a first input shaft. A turbine can be configured rotate a second input shaft. The converter further includes a hybrid power takeoff including a mechanical transfer system configured to mechanically couple the first input shaft, the second input shaft, an output shaft, and an output shaft.

Abstract: A method for the synthesis of alkyl ?-carboxy(hydroxyethyl) polysaccharides is described. The method includes methylating or ethylating a polysaccharide or providing a methylated or ethylated polysaccharide, hydroxyethylating the methylated or ethylated polysaccharide, and oxidizing the hydroxyethylated polysaccharide to form the ?-carboxy(hydroxyethyl) polysaccharide. A method for the synthesis of oxidized polysaccharides is also described. The method includes hydroxypropylating a polysaccharide and oxidizing the hydroxypropylated polysaccharides. A method for the production of a solid capable of forming a hydrogel is also described. The method includes combining a first solution comprising an oxidized oligo(hydroxypropyl) polysaccharide bearing one or more ketone groups with a second solution comprising an amine substituted polysaccharide to form a third solution, and removing solvent from the third solution to form the solid, or adding an additional solvent to the third solution to precipitate the solid.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy complex probe capable of effectively detecting a catecholamine compound even at extremely low concentrations. The complex probe includes a nanolaminate including a nanogap and metal nanoparticles. In this case, the nanolaminate and the metal nanoparticles are modified to a compound that may be bound to each functional group included in catecholamine, and thus, catecholamine included in an analyte is doubly recognized by the complex probe. In addition, since a hotspot emitting a strong SERS signal is formed by a nanogap included in a nanolaminate, it is possible to effectively detect a catecholamine compound even at extremely low concentrations.

Abstract: Methods are provided for making a membrane or textile having a mechanically robust surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate by in a first step adhesively bonding a micropatch array to a substrate, the micropatch array having a plurality of micron-scale pillars, each of the micron-scale pillars in the plurality of micron-scale pillars containing a plurality of plasmonic nanoparticles dispersed within a polymer matrix; and in a subsequent step etching a portion of the polymer matrix to expose at least a portion of the plasmonic nanoparticles at or near a surface of the micron-scale pillars. Membranes and textiles containing the mechanically robust surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates are also provided.

Abstract: Power converters including electronic-embedded transformers for current sharing and load-independent voltage gain are described. In one example, a power converter system includes an input, an output, a power converter between the input and output, and a controller. The converter includes a first bridge, a second bridge, and an electronic-embedded transformer (EET) between the first and second bridge. The EET includes a capacitor and a capacitance coupling switch bridge. The controller generates switching control signals for the first and second bridges and phasing drive control signals for the capacitance coupling switch bridge in the EET. The controller applies a phase shift to the phasing drive control signals for the EET as compared to the switching control signals for the first and second bridges, so that the voltage across the capacitor in the EET cancels the leakage inductance of the transformer windings in the EET, at any switching frequency.

Abstract: An articulated multi-link robotic tail (MLRT) system is provided comprising a rigid housing, an actuation unit coupled to the rigid housing, and an MLRT having a proximal end that is coupled to the rigid housing and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The MLRT comprises N segments, where N is a positive integer that is greater than or equal to one. Each segment comprises i links, where i is a positive integer that is greater than or equal to two. Each link is mechanically coupled to an actuator of the actuation unit and capable of being actuated by the actuator to which it is mechanically coupled to adjust a pitch, yaw and roll of the MLRT. The articulated MLRT system is well suited for being integrated with a mobile robot to assist in stabilizing and maneuvering the mobile robot.

Abstract: An inductor having a coaxial structure is described. In one example, the structure of the single-turn inductor can include a conductor, an insulation layer, a shielding layer, and a magnetic core. An air duct can be located between the shielding layer and the magnetic core. The shielding layer and the magnetic core can both be connected to a ground. In one example, the single-turn inductor can include a single-layer termination structure formed on terminations of the shielding layer. In another example, the single-turn inductor can include a double-layer termination structure formed on terminations of the shielding layer. Displacement current in the single-turn inductor can be reduced using, for example, lumped equivalent circuit models, a semi-conductive shielding layer model, or a resistive layer and conductive shielding layer model.

Abstract: The present invention relates to relates to a polymer formulation for three-dimensionally (3D) printing an article by stereolithography, the formulation comprising a functionalized polymer. The invention further relates to lithographic methods to form 3D objects that incorporate the aforementioned polymer formulation.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a merge vehicle travelling along a highway having a merge lane and a main lane. The method includes receiving merge data about the merge vehicle and a surrounding environment of the merge vehicle. The method includes detecting an intent to perform a merge maneuver by the merge vehicle from the merge lane to the main lane based on the merge data. Further, the method includes generating a graph having a plurality of nodes connected by edges. The plurality of nodes includes a start node set to a current position of the merge vehicle and a goal node located in the main lane after the merge lane has ended. The method includes calculating a three-dimensional (3D) trajectory based on the graph by optimizing edge costs from the start node to the goal node, and controlling the merge vehicle based on the 3D trajectory.

Abstract: Described herein are block copolymers that can be used as compatibilizers. The block copolymers can be graft block or triblock copolymers. The block copolymers can include a polysaccharide or a polyester and a polyolefin. Also described herein are polymer blends that can include and be made using the block copolymers described herein.

Abstract: A kinetic energy harvesting device implementing a half-wave mechanical motion rectification (HMMR) mechanism is described. The energy harvesting device may include an energy harvesting railroad tie, where the tie includes a tie housing configured to be coupled to at least one rail. The tie housing includes at least one spring and at least one energy harvester. The at least one energy harvester includes a generator having an output shaft, a gearhead, a ball screw or other motion transmission, and a one-way clutch. Under a force of a passing wheel on the at least one rail, the at least one energy harvester is compressed, which causes a rotation of the ball screw or other motion transmission, a rotation of the output shaft, and a transmission of torque to a shaft of the gearhead, driving the generator in a unidirectional rotation to generate electrical power via the one-way clutch.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of electroporation that can include the steps of contacting a cell that is responsive to an EphA2 receptor ligand with an amount of an EphA2 receptor ligand and applying high-frequency irreversible electroporation to the cell. Also described herein are methods of treating cancer in a subject in need thereof, wherein the methods can include the steps of administering an amount of an EphA2 receptor ligand and applying high-frequency irreversible electroporation to a location on or within the subject.

Abstract: Described herein are aspects of a microfluidic separation and assay system that can include a microfluidic contactless dielectrophoretic (cDEP) device, a microfluidic concentrator, and a microfluidic assay chamber. In some aspects, microfluidic separation and assay system can be included on a single microfluidic chip. Also described herein are methods of using the microfluidic separation and assay system described herein.

Abstract: Various examples of a high-speed omnidirectional fully-actuated underwater propulsion mechanism are described. In one example, a propulsion system includes two decoupled counter-rotating rotors centered on a main axis, with each rotor comprising a plurality of pivotable blades projecting radially from the main axis, a servo-swashplate actuation mechanism comprising a plurality of servos and a linkage assembly connected from the servos to the pivotable blades, a blade-axis re-enforcing flap adapter comprising a plurality of stationary flaps, with the blade-axis re-enforcing flap adapter being positioned in a region between the two decoupled counter-rotating rotors centered on the main axis, and a controller.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage medium, for processing radio signals. In once aspect, a system is disclosed that includes a processor and a storage device storing computer code that includes operations. The operations may include obtaining first output data generated by a first neural network based on the first neural network processing a received radio signal, receiving, by a signal transformer, a second set of input data that includes (i) the received radio signal and (ii) the first output data, generating, by the signal transformer, data representing a transformed radio signal by applying one or more transforms to the received radio signal, providing the data representing the transformed radio signal to a second neural network, obtaining second output data generated by the second neural network, and determining based on the second output data a set of information describing the received radio signal.