Abstract: Provided herein are nucleic acid constructs that comprise an inducible promoter. Dual expression systems are provided comprising two nucleic acid constructs or a single nucleic acid construct with two inducible promoters. Also provided are methods of expressing transcripts by transforming a nucleic acid construct described herein into a prokaryotic cell and contacting the prokaryotic cell with an inducer. Methods of producing a carotenoid are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Methods, compositions, and kits are provided for synthesizing bioactive chromane, the method including: constructing a tertiary ether stereocenter enantioselectively by catalyzed alkynylation of a substituted chromenone to obtain a chromanone; reducing alkyne and ketone in the chromanone to obtain a chroman; and converting ester to methyl group thereby obtaining chromane.

Abstract: A surgical system for use with a surgical robot may include an endoscope including a handle and an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle, an attachment mechanism including a fixture configured to receive the handle of the endoscope and a mounting structure configured to attach the fixture to the surgical robot, a motorized introducer apparatus spaced apart from the surgical robot and configured to translate the elongate shaft of the endoscope relative to a patient, and an input device configured to be operated using one hand only. The input device may include a plurality of tactile buttons operable using the one hand, and a joystick configured for operation by a thumb of the one hand. The input device may include a plurality of motion sensors configured to determine position and orientation of the input device in space.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods of the present application relate to the diagnostic measurement of condition for pressure ulcers. Preferred embodiments utilize pressure measurements at body locations to determine a diagnostic pressure ulcer value. A pressure sensor device generates patient pressure data that is processed by a data processor which utilizes a diagnostic function to determine the diagnostic value that indicates whether corrective action is needed to prevent pressure ulcer formation. One or more sensor devices can be attached to a patient to measure to transmit data for further processing.

Abstract: An impact dissipating material comprises a matrix material defining a plurality of cells and an interpenetrating material carried by the matrix material. The interpenetrating material is disposed in a first position relative to the plurality of cells of the matrix material under a first loading condition and in a second position relative to the plurality of cells under a second loading condition. The combination of the matrix material and the interpenetrating material defines the overall impact response of the impact dissipating material.

Abstract: A steerable medical device includes a handle and an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle to a distal tip. A motor control assembly including a motor control housing is configured to detachably interface with the handle. The motor control assembly includes a first drive assembly and a second drive assembly disposed within the motor control housing. The motor control assembly includes an input device and a controller that is operably coupled with the first drive assembly, the second drive assembly and the input device. The controller is configured to control operation of the first drive assembly and/or the second drive assembly in order to move the distal tip, receive one or more user inputs from a user via the input device, and to modify operation of the first drive assembly and/or the second drive assembly in accordance with the received one or more inputs.

Abstract: Methods of detecting a target analyte in subsurface soil can providing a bacterial consortium embodying a genetic circuit. Such a consortium can include a sensor bacterium, a signal propagation bacterium, and a display bacterium, which are provided at a soil surface. The sensor bacterium and signal propagation can be allowed to migrate into subsurface soil below the soil surface. The sensor bacterium can be exposed to the target analyte in the subsurface soil. The sensor bacterium can produce a signal molecule in response to the presence of the target analyte. The signal propagation bacterium can amplify the signal molecule by producing additional signal molecules in response to the presence of the signal molecule. The display bacterium can produce an observable signal in response to presence of the signal molecule.

Abstract: A prosthetic device and approach for amputee remediation addresses partial or complete replacement of digits, and leverages the use of the remaining functional digits for directing operation of the prosthetic digits. A complete prosthetic digit replaces an amputated digit from actuated movement driven by an adjacent functional digit. A partial amputation leverages residual movement from the remaining digit portion as input to an actuator for amplifying the intent of the input through a motorized actuator to impart movement to the prosthetic digit. A wrist harness supports the apparatus of partial and complete prosthetic digits as a single appliance. A variable compression feature augments tension on the wrist harness to tightly engage the prosthetic appliance to the wrist to offset a gripping load on the prosthetic digits.

Abstract: A waste stream of organic matter such as sewage, plant and plastic matter is received for recycling and treated with high temperature and pressure to generate useful organic products such as bio-oil and gas. Byproducts such as char and an aqueous phase including water can be selectively recycled or beingly discarded. An oxidant added to a reactor containing waste from the waste stream facilitates an autothermal reaction under the temperature and pressure applied to the reactor, boosting the temperature slightly from the reactions therein. The reactor generates useful hydrocarbons such as bio-oil resulting from disruption of organic bonds. A combination of oxidation and radical initiation results from the oxidant, and provides an increased yield of bio-oil while decreasing char when compared to temperature and pressure alone. A stoichiometric quantity of the oxidant limits complete conversion of carbon into carbon dioxide by limiting available oxygen and therefore favoring hydrocarbon formation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the innovation relate to a serious game and evaluation apparatus configured to execute a rubric management model for evaluation of changes to critical thinking of game participants of a serious game to inform and measure learning objectives. When executing the rubric management model, the serious game and evaluation apparatus can measure changes to dimensions of systems thinking of game participants while exploring a complex system and messy problem of interest. As such, the serious game and evaluation apparatus provides a measurement tool to inform and evaluate learning objectives for serious gaming. In one arrangement, the serious game and evaluation apparatus is configured to generate, as the serious game, a dynamic simulation model which integrates both system dynamics modeling and wargaming to provide simulation of a complex system and messy problems.

Abstract: Bauxite residue recovery includes mixing a solution of hydrochloric acid (HCL) according to a predetermined concentration, and adding the HCL solution to a quantity of raw red mud recovered from industrial operations as waste material. The highly alkaline property of the bauxite residue, commonly known as red mud is at least partially neutralized from the HCL, and makes the resulting washed red mud more amenable to subsequent uses in various applications in fields such as construction, wastewater treatment, and metal recovery processes. The process recovers washed red mud from the red mud and HCL solution by filtering the raw red mud and HCL solution for generating a stream of leach liquor from the filtrate and the recovered washed red mud from the residue. The neutralized red mud is further treated to extract metals such as calcium, iron, aluminum, silicon, and titanium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of electrolyzer recycling, including inserting an electrolyzer in a solution to loosen a bond between a first plate and a membrane electrode assembly and a second plate and the membrane electrode assembly of the electrolyzer, separating the membrane electrode assembly from the first plate and the second plate, acid leaching the membrane electrode assembly to obtain a first precious metal, and dispersing the membrane electrode assembly to obtain a second precious metal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of fuel cell recycling, including inserting a fuel cell in a solution to loosen a bond between a first plate and a membrane electrode assembly and a second plate and the membrane electrode assembly of the fuel cell, separating the membrane electrode assembly from the first plate and the second plate, and acid leaching the membrane electrode assembly to obtain a precious metal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging configuration rendering an image based on a reflected beam aligned with a needle insertion axis provides enhanced images and guidance. A percutaneous insertion guidance device for ultrasonic (US) imaging includes an US transducer and a reflector for redirecting imaging signals between the transducer and an imaged region. An enclosure or bracket is adapted to support the reflector at a predetermined angle based on a surgical target in the imaged region such that a forward beam direction from the transducer reflects in a direction of the needle insertion as the needle passes through a discontinuity or slot in the reflector. The resulting return signal is based on an axial alignment of the US signals with the needle travel towards the surgical target.

Abstract: A passive vortex formed or induced from a temperature difference across a cavity or void aggregates and supports a horizontal flow over the top of the cavity. A cavity of a suitable depth and width exhibits a small difference in temperature, or heat source, along the sides or bottom of cavity. A resulting convective flow tends to form a rising current along a warmer side, and a complementary downward current on an opposed side of the cavity. The formed vortex tends to draw the cooler downward flow across the warmer, heated surface, enhancing the vortex flow. The vortex aligns with a horizontal flow across the top of the cavity as the upward current complements the downward current on an opposed side of the cavity. A plurality of adjacent cavities tend to align with an aggregate horizontal flow contributed from each cavity.

Abstract: An in vitro meat having non-decellularized leaf scaffold and a method for producing an in vitro meat using non-decellularized leaf scaffold are described herein. The method includes preparing a non-decellularized plant leaf and incubating the leaf in a cell culture media to obtain a non-decellularized leaf scaffold; seeding the leaf scaffold with a population of muscle cells to obtain a leaf scaffold adhered population of muscle cells; and growing the leaf scaffold adhered population of muscle cells in cell culture media thereby obtaining the in vitro meat.

Abstract: Provided herein are nucleic acid constructs that comprise an inducible promoter. Dual expression systems are provided comprising two nucleic acid constructs or a single nucleic acid construct with two inducible promoters. Also provided are methods of expressing transcripts by transforming a nucleic acid construct described herein into a prokaryotic cell and contacting the prokaryotic cell with an inducer. Methods of producing a carotenoid are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A robotic cutting device includes a cutting tool responsive to a mobile actuator adapted to apply a cutting force in a 3-dimensional (3D) space, and scanning logic configured to identify a cutting path denoted on an article for cutting. Using the cutting path, a mobile actuator is responsive to positioning logic for disposing the cutting tool along the cutting path for performing a prescribed cut on the article. The mobile actuator is a robotic arm responsive to an independent coordinate frame based on a position and orientation of a mobility vehicle supporting the mobile actuator. The mobility vehicle is typically a tracked or all-terrain capable chassis adapted to be disposed adjacent to the article such that the article is within range of the actuator. The mobility vehicle transports the robotic cutting device adjacent to the article to be cut, such that the cutting path is within reach.

Abstract: An endoscopic system may include an endoscope including a handle and an elongate shaft extending distally therefrom. The handle may include a non-motorized and non-ratcheting actuation mechanism configured to articulate a distal tip portion of the elongate shaft. The distal tip portion may be articulatable in response to a manually applied force exerted upon the actuation mechanism. Removal of the manually applied force may lock the distal tip portion in its then-current configuration. The non-motorized and non-ratcheting actuation mechanism may include a clutch mechanism actuatable in response to an electrical signal generated in response to sensing a user-applied force to the actuating mechanism by a strain gauge.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip is provided for self-sorting highly motile, morphologically normal sperm cell with high DNA integrity from a fresh semen sample. The sperm self-sorting microfluidic chip has one or more inlet chambers, and sperm collection outlet chamber(s), and the middle of the channel features various micro-fabricated structures in different geometrical shapes and orientations, with varying periodicities and patterns, such as an array of micro-fabricated pillars that facilitate the transport of the active and healthy sperm into the outlet chamber.