Abstract: A method of sample preparation for streamlined multi-step assays is provided. The method includes the step of providing a microfluidic device including a reservoir defined by a surface configured to repel an aqueous solution. A dried reagent is provided on a portion of the surface and the reservoir is filled with an oil. A first droplet formed from the aqueous solution is positioned on the dried reagent so to pick-up and re-dissolve the dried reagent therein so as to expose the portion of the surface. In addition, a second droplet of an aqueous solution may be deposited on a hydrophilic spot patterned on the surface. A magnetic force may be configured to interact magnetically with the paramagnetic beads within the first droplet to move the droplet through the oil in the reservoir or to move the paramagnetic beads from the first droplet, through the oil, into the second droplet.

Abstract: A rotor for a bearingless induction motor is provided. A rotor core defines rotor slots. A rotor winding includes a common connector plate, a plurality of rotor connector plates, and a slot conductor mounted within each rotor slot. The common connector plate is mounted adjacent a first end of the rotor core. The plurality of rotor connector plates is mounted adjacent a second end of the rotor core. Each slot conductor is electrically connected to the common connector plate and to one rotor connector plate of the plurality of rotor connector plates. Each rotor connector plate of the plurality of rotor connector plates is configured to connect a group of slot conductors that includes at least two slot conductors. A number of slot conductors included in the group of slot conductors is defined based on a predefined number of suspension pole pairs selected to provide a radial suspension force.

Abstract: The present technology provides an isolated compound of Formula I, compositions including such compounds, methods of inhibiting TGF-? signaling and/or TGF-? induced epithelial mesenchymal transitions (EMT), and treating certain cancers involving TGF-? signaling and/or EMT.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the controlled release of a guest composition that is sequestered within a host composition made up of an anisotropic fluid are disclosed. The guest composition is immiscible in the host composition, thus forming an interface between the compositions upon which elastic repulsion forces act to prevent the release of the guest composition from the host composition. The disclosed systems and methods work by changing the elastic repulsion forces and/or introducing one or more counter forces such that the elastic repulsion forces are no longer sufficient to prevent release of the guest composition. Exemplary methods include mechanically changing the host material (e.g., changing its temperature) or inducing a chemical (e.g., electrostatic) attraction sufficient to overcome the elastic repulsion forces. The disclosed systems and methods can be used for a variety of applications requiring “on-demand” delivery of a chemical composition.

Abstract: Systems for monitoring metabolites may include a sample collection system and a urinalysis system of or for a toilet. The sample collection system may be automated to collect sample urine from a toilet or toilet area, transport the sample to the urinalysis system, and/or the sample urine for analysis at a later time or after analysis by the urinalysis system. The urinalysis system may be automated by proactively providing test material on which a subject may provide a urine sample. Once the urine sample has been provided the urinalysis system may provide the test material to an analyzer for analysis. Results of the analysis of the test material and sample urine may be provided to a mobile device of the subject and/or a remote server. The urinalysis system may provide a urine sample to a mass spectrometry unit for analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a set of novel isobaric chemical tags, also referred herein as SUGAR (Isobaric Multiplex Reagents for Carbonyl Containing Compound). These labeling tags are compact and easy to synthesize at high yield and purity in just a few steps using commercially available starting materials. The tagging reagents of the present invention comprise: a) a reporter group, having at least one atom that is optionally isotopically labeled; b) a balancing group, also having at least one atom that is optionally isotopically labeled, and c) an aldehyde, ketone, or carboxylic acid reactive group. The multiplex SUGAR tags are able to react with an aldehyde, ketone, or carboxylic acid group of the molecule to be tagged, which offers the capability for labeling and quantitation of glycans, proteins/peptides, and fatty acids.

Abstract: Patterning methods for forming patterned device substrates are provided. Also provided are devices made using the methods. The methods utilize photoresist features have re-entrant profiles to form a secondary metal hard mask that can be used to pattern an underlying device substrate.

Abstract: A compression ignition engine system allows use of hydrous fuels, in particular hydrous biofuels, with high water content (e.g., 20-85% water). The hydrous fuel is pressurized, and also preferably heated via the engine's exhaust gas, to increase its enthalpy, and is then directly injected into the engine cylinder(s) near top dead center. The system provides brake thermal efficiency increases of 20% or more versus a comparable system using conventional diesel fuel, while allowing the use of inexpensive undistilled or lightly distilled biofuels.

Abstract: Methods of analyzing cells, including interactions among different populations of cells. Methods include cell-containing liquid droplets with oligonucleotide-containing liquid droplets, hybridizing oligonucleotides to target nucleic acids from cells, extending the hybridized oligonucleotides on the target nucleic acids into cell identifier sequences on the target nucleic acids, and thereby identifying the type of cells initially present. The methods can be implemented in a high-throughput manner in a microfluidic system.

Abstract: Insect-repellent compositions containing compounds of Formula I: wherein R is a 5-membered or 6-membered carbon-containing ring, having zero, one, two, or three double bonds, and having zero, one, two, or three heteroatoms, wherein the one, two, or three heteroatoms, if present, are selected from nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; “x” is an integer from 0 to 5; and “y” is an integer from 1 to 10.

Abstract: A computer architecture for graph processing employs a high-bandwidth memory closely coupled to independent processing elements for searching through a graph using a first set of processing elements operating simultaneously to determine neighbors to a current frontier and second processing elements operating simultaneously to determine a next frontier, this process being repeated to search through graph nodes.

Abstract: Methods for additive manufacturing are provided. In embodiments, such a method comprises illuminating a photothermal base with light, the photothermal base comprising a photothermal material and mounted in an additive manufacturing system to form a first interface between a surface of the photothermal base and a curable composition comprising thermally curable components, wherein the light induces light-to-energy conversion in the photothermal base to generate heat at the first interface, thereby inducing curing of the thermally curable components to form a first cured region. Additive manufacturing systems and photothermal bases are also provided.

Abstract: A method of reducing sulfur concentration in fly ash, flue gas desulfurization (FGD) ash, and mixtures thereof by contacting the fly ash, FGD ash, or mixtures thereof with an aqueous acidic solution, for a time, at a temperature, and at a liquid-to-solid ratio wherein the sulfur concentration within the fly ash, FGD ash, or mixture thereof is reduced to no more than 5 wt % SO3 based on the total weight of dry fly ash, FGD ash, or mixture thereof so treated.

Abstract: Self-assembling compounds for the formation of ion channels in biological membranes include monoacylated benzo(crown-ether) (MAcBCE) compounds and monoalkylated benzo(crown-ether) (MAkBCE) compounds. Methods of preparing the MAcBCE and MAkBCE compounds and methods of forming an ion channel in a biological membrane are also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, systems, and compositions of matter for studying solvent accessibility and three-dimensional structure of biological molecules. A plasma can be used to generate marker radicals, which can interact with a biological molecule and mark the solvent-accessible portions of the biological molecule.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for generating ClO2 gas are disclosed. A composition that includes a chlorite salt is activated by exposure to ultraviolet light. After an optional storage period, the composition is then exposed to moisture, resulting in the generation of ClO2 gas. Exemplary compositions include polymers in which the chlorite salt is dispersed. The polymers may be used to form films that can be used to package, e.g., food products, pharmaceutical products, medical devices, and/or laboratory devices. Upon exposure to ultraviolet light and moisture, the packaging releases controlled quantities of ClO2 gas, which may disinfect and/or deodorize the packaged device or product.

Abstract: A residue management system or method can be implemented for an agricultural harvester that includes a residue processing system. A sensor arrangement can be in communication with one or more components of the residue processing system. The sensor arrangement can be configured to measure indicators of a mass flow rate of the crop residue through the crop residue system across a width of a stream of the crop residue.

Abstract: Methods for generating high-yield, high-purity epicardial cells are described. Wnt/?-catenin signaling is first activated in human cardiac progenitor cells, by, for example, inhibiting Gsk-3 to induce differentiation into epicardial cells. Methods for long-term in vitro maintenance of human cardiac progenitor cell-derived epicardial cells and method comprising chemically defined, xeno-free, and albumin-free culture conditions are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for characterizing the interaction of free radicals with various materials and the use of known interactions to isolate free radical generation from free radical interaction with a target molecule.

Abstract: A DNA expression construct comprising a polynucleotide encoding an unnatural UstD enzyme, the unnatural enzyme itself, and a method of making gamma-hydroxy amino acids by contacting an aldehyde-containing substrate, an amino acid, and the unnatural, purified UstD enzyme under conditions and for a time sufficient to react at least a portion of the aldehyde-containing substrate with at least a portion of the amino acid, to yield a gamma-hydroxy amino acid product.