Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for data collection using fiber-optic cable in a well, and analysis of the data to determine instantaneous frequency, instantaneous phase, instantaneous amplitude, and/or dominant frequency. These measures can be used to determine parameters associated with the operation of the well. The parameters can be used to control the operation of the well and/or the fracturing process.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for improved surgical devices and methods of using the same in connection with bariatric and gastroesophageal surgery. The present disclosure includes a lighted bougie device that can include an elongate member and a light source. The light source can be configured to emit near-infrared light. The light source can also be positioned about the bougie such that light emitted from the light source illuminates along a portion of the bougie.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for improved surgical devices and methods of using the same in connection with bariatric and gastroesophageal surgery. The present disclosure includes a lighted bougie device that can include an elongate member and a light source. The light source can be configured to emit near-infrared light. The light source can also be positioned about the bougie such that light emitted from the light source illuminates along a portion of the bougie.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of forming an electrocatalyst structure on an electrode, comprising depositing a first layer on the electrode using atomic layer deposition (ALD), wherein the first layer comprises a plurality of discrete nanoparticles of a first electrocatalyst, and depositing one or more of a second layer on the first layer and the electrode using ALD, wherein the one or more second layer comprises a second electrocatalyst, wherein the first layer and the one or more second layers, collectively, form a multi-layer electrocatalyst structure on the electrode. Also described are electrodes having a multi-layer electrocatalyst structure. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: An apparatus containing at least one electrochemical cell with an electrode structure. The electrode structure contains at least one carbide chemical compound. The carbide chemical compound may be a salt-like carbide. The electrode may contain at least one electronically conductive element different from the carbide. Carbon compositions of various forms may be formed by the methods and apparatus using the electrode structure. Large pieces of pure carbon may be produced. Post-reaction processing of the carbon may be carried out such as exfoliation.

Abstract: A wind turbine is disclosed. The wind turbine includes a shaft rotatable about an axis, a plurality of hubs fixedly attached to the shaft, and a plurality of vanes. The vanes are releasably engaged with each of the plurality of hubs. The vanes disengage from the hubs once the shaft rotates about the axis at a cut-out speed of the wind turbine. In another embodiment, the vanes are releasably engaged with the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating depression disease in a patient comprising administering to a mucosal membrane of a patient an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising an effective amount of ketamine or dextromethorphan, or both ketamine and dextromethorphan, wherein the mucosal administration of the ketamine or dextromethorphan containing composition allows for the mucosal absorption of the composition eliminating the digestive tract of the patient for effecting a rapid acting antidepressant treatment of the patient. Preferably, this method includes administering the composition to the oral cavity, and more preferably to the buccal cavity, of the patient. A pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising ketamine or dextromethorphan and a vehicle is disclosed. A biomarker for identifying a depressive disease is set forth. A method of treating depressive illness in a patient using dextromethorphan via the oral route is provided.

Abstract: A stage apparatus is disclosed for supporting and positioning a body tissue sample in a microscope. The stage apparatus has (a) an elongated base mount having a longitudinal body extending between a first end and a second end, (b) means for attaching the first end of the base to a mount or platform associated with the microscope, (c) a tissue mount having a tissue well attached to an elongated mount stem, the tissue well of sufficient size and shape to store the body tissue sample, and (d) means for attaching the second end of the base mount and the tissue mount, the tissue mount being removable and separable from the base mount.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a device, such as a virtual reality (VR) and/or a prosthetic limb are provided. A biomimetic controller of the system comprises a signal processor and a musculoskeletal model. The signal processor processes M biological signals received from a residual limb to transform the M biological signals into N activation signals, where M and N are integers and M is less than N. The musculoskeletal model transforms the N activation signals into intended motion signals. A prosthesis controller transforms the intended motion signals into three or more control signals that are outputted from an output port of the prosthesis controller. A controlled device receives the control signals and performs one or more tasks in accordance with the control signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a device to image and characterize human tumors, and to classify the tumors as either malignant or benign. The method includes using a multi-compression technique upon the tissue or organ combined with a 3D ultrasound strain imaging of the compressed tissue or organ for acquiring raw data and analyzing the raw data using a computer processing unit equipped with a nonlinear biomechanical tissue model for tumor classification. A device is provided having a compression stage for delivering multi-compression with continuous force measurements, and a 3D ultrasound transducer strain imaging probe, wherein the imaging probe and the compression stage are in communication with a computer processing unit.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods related to facial recognition. An image of a subject can be captured via a camera on a mobile device. The image can be classified according to a device type, whether the image is captured indoors or outdoors, and a standoff distance. Facial features can be extracted from the image based on the image category. The facial features can be compared with a predefined set of facial features in a database. An identification of the subject can be made in response to the comparison.

Abstract: In various aspects, the present disclosure is directed to methods and compositions for the simultaneous production of carbon nanotubes and hydrogen gas from lower hydrocarbon comprises methane, ethane, propane, butane, or a combination thereof utilizing the disclosed catalysts. In various aspects, the disclosure relates to methods for COx-free production of hydrogen with concomitant production of carbon nanotubes. Also disclosed are methods and compostions for selective base grown carbon nanotubes over a disclosed catalyst composition. In a further aspect, the disclosure relates to mono, bimetallic, and trimetallic catalysts comprising a 3d transition metal (e.g., Ni, Fe, Co, Mn, Cr, Mo, and combinations thereof) over a support material selected from a silica, an alumina, a zeolite, titatnium dioxide, and combinations thereof. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for methods of oxidizing carbide anions, or negative ions, from salt like carbides at temperatures from about 150° C. to about 750° C. In another aspect, the disclosure provides for reactions with intermediate transition metal carbides. In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides for a system of reactions where salt-like carbide anions and intermediate carbide anions are oxidized to produce pure carbon of various allotropes.

Abstract: An inorganic solid electrolyte glass phase composite is provided comprising a substance of the general formula La2/3-xLi3xTiO3 wherein x ranges from about 0.04 to about 0.17, and a glass material. The glass material is one or more compounds selected from Li2O, Li2S, Li2SO4, Li3PO4, P2O5, P2O3, Al2O3, SiO2, CaO, MgO, BaO, TiO2, GeO2, SiS2, Sb2O3, SnS, TaS2, P2S5, B2S3, and a combination of two or more thereof. A lithium-ion conducting solid electrolyte composite is disclosed comprising a lithium-ion conductive substance of the general formula La2/3-xLi3xTiO3—Z wherein x ranges form about 0.04 to 0.17, and wherein “Z” is the glass material identified above. A battery is disclosed having at least one cathode and anode and an inorganic solid electrolyte glass phase composite as described above disposed on or between at least one of the cathode and the anode.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a coaxial cavity resonator; a radio frequency power source coupled to the coaxial cavity resonator; a direct current power source coupled to the coaxial cavity resonator; a combustion process feedback module configured to sense a condition in a combustion environment by measuring a characteristic of the coaxial cavity resonator; and a controller configured to modulate operation of the coaxial cavity resonator based at least in part on combustion process feedback information from the combustion process feedback module.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to thermoelectric ceramic oxide compositions comprising a CaMnO3 ceramic. In a further aspect, the disclosed thermoelectric ceramic oxide compositions can dramatically increase the energy conversion efficiency of thermoelectric through a combination of modifying the chemistry of precursor materials, and simultaneously introducing a metal oxide liquid phase during sintering. In a further aspect, the present disclosure pertains to thermoelectric ceramic oxide compositions comprising a metal doped CaMnO3 having with a metal oxide grain boundary phase; wherein the metal is selected from group 13, group 14, group 15, group 16, or a rare earth element. In a still further aspect, the disclosure relates to methods for making the thermoelectric ceramic oxide materials. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a continuous process for treating acid mine drainage while simultaneously recovering a high-grade rare earth preconcentrate suitable for extraction of commercially valuable rare earth oxides. In a further aspect, the preconcentrate is from about 0.1% to 5% rare earth elements on a dry weight basis. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method for processing the preconcentrate to generate a pregnant leach solution that does not form gels or emulsions and is suitable for processing via solvent extraction. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a system and plant for carrying out the disclosed process. In still another aspect, the disclosure relates to a composition containing rare earth elements produced by the process disclosed herein. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to processes for preparation of a carbon foam material, the process comprising heating in a microwave heating apparatus a mixture comprising a coal material and a flux agent. In other aspects, relates to processes for preparation of a carbon foam material, the process comprising heating in a microwave heating apparatus a mixture comprising a coal material, a foaming pitch material and a flux agent. In a further aspect, the mixture comprising a coal material, a foaming pitch material and a flux agent after heating in the microwave heating apparatus can form a pseudo-fluid material. In a still further aspect, the pseudo-fluid material can be arranged in mold, and then further heated to form a carbon foam. The disclosure, in further aspects, relates to processes further providing carbon materials such as carbon composite materials, graphite, graphite flakes, and graphene.

Abstract: A method for producing elemental carbon and hydrogen gas directly from a hydrocarbon (for example, natural gas or methane) using a chemical reaction or series of reactions. In an aspect, other materials involved such as, for example, elemental magnesium, remain unchanged and function as a catalyst.

Abstract: Described herein are phospholipid nanogels that can contain a low concentration (less than about 250 ?Units/?L) of an exoglycosidase enzyme. Also described herein are systems and devices that can contain a phospholipid nanogel that can contain a low concentration (less than about 250 ?Units/?L) of an exoglycosidase enzyme. Also described herein are methods of using the phospholipid nanogels described herein and devices and systems that can contain a phospholipid nanogel described herein.