Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system and method for the identification and characterization of a transglutaminase. Further, the present disclosure provides transglutaminase enzymes for forming isopeptide bonds, methods of forming isopeptide bonds in the presence of transglutaminases, and substrate tags for use with transglutaminases. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides glutamine-containing substrates (or Q-tag substrates) that are more resistant to proteases/clipping and therefore, more stable, than other Q-tag substrates, and their uses in substrate tags for cross-linking to an amine-donor tag via an isopeptide bond mediated by a microbial transglutaminase.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting, positioning, and tracking objects, including drones, is provided. One provided method includes calculating first estimated location parameters of an object based on a first image from a first image sensor. The method also includes calculating second estimated location parameters of the object based on a second image from a second image sensor. Certain embodiments may also combine the first and second estimated location to determine first physical location parameters of the object.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system and method for the identification and characterization of a transglutaminase. Further, the present disclosure provides transglutaminase enzymes for forming isopeptide bonds, methods of forming isopeptide bonds in the presence of transglutaminases, and substrate tags for use with transglutaminases. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides glutamine-containing substrates (or Q-tag substrates) that are more resistant to proteases/clipping and therefore, more stable, than other Q-tag substrates, and their uses in substrate tags for cross-linking to an amine-donor tag via an isopeptide bond mediated by a microbial transglutaminase.

Abstract: System and method for Ultrafast Electron Diffraction (UED) and Microscopy (UEM) configured to image atomic motion in real time with sub-femtosecond temporal resolution. Presented methodology utilizes the interaction of the pump optical pulse with the initial electron pulse that has been gated with the gating optical pulse. The initial electron pulse is generated in the electron microscope by the pulse of auxiliary light. In one case, the pump and gating pulses have attosecond duration and are duplicates of one another. The use of attosecond optical pulse (with frequency spectrum extending over two octaves in the visible and flanking spectral ranges) for optical gating of a pulse of electrons.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tampon applicator package assembly having a tampon applicator and a cap having a closed end and an open end. The tampon applicator has a barrel for housing a pledget and a plunger. The plunger has an end portion that is a cap cover that connects to a remainder of the plunger and mates with the cap at the open end to provide a seal with the cap that completely encloses the tampon applicator in the cap. Also disclosed is an assembly having a tampon applicator, a cap having both a closed end and open end, and a cap cover for covering the open end of the cap. When the cap cover is placed on the open end, the open end is sealed and the tampon applicator is completely enclosed in the cap.

Abstract: A gold nanoparticle-based assay for the detection of a target molecule, such as Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA in serum samples, that uses positively charged gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in solution based format. The assay has been tested on 74 serum clinical samples suspected of containing HCV RNA, with 48 and 38 positive and negative samples respectively. The developed assay has a specificity and sensitivity of 96.5% and 92.6% respectively. The results obtained were confirmed by Real-Time PCR, and a concordance of 100% for the negative samples and 89% for the positive samples has been obtained between the Real-Time PCR and the developed AuNPs based assay. Also, a purification method for the HCV RNA has been developed using HCV RNA specific probe conjugated to homemade silica nanoparticles. These silica nanoparticles have been synthesized by modified Stober method. This purification method enhanced the specificity of the developed AuNPs assay.

Abstract: System and method for Ultrafast Electron Diffraction (UED) and Microscopy (UEM) configured to image atomic motion in real time with sub-femtosecond temporal resolution. Presented methodology utilizes the interaction of the pump optical pulse with the initial electron pulse that has been gated with the gating optical pulse. The initial electron pulse is generated in the electron microscope by the pulse of auxiliary light. In one case, the pump and gating pulses have attosecond duration and are duplicates of one another. The use of attosecond optical pulse (with frequency spectrum extending over two octaves in the visible and flanking spectral ranges) for optical gating of a pulse of electrons.

Abstract: The geo-security method and system uses spatio-temporal radio channel information during authentication to grant permission to access, use and/or operate the intended device. The geo-security method and system uses a wideband radio channel impulse response (or transfer function of radio channel) from antenna of RF source to antenna of a RF receiver at the device position to determine the legitimacy of the intended device's location.

Abstract: A gold nanoparticle-based assay for the detection of a target molecule, such as Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA in serum samples, that uses positively charged gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in solution based format. The assay has been tested on 74 serum clinical samples suspected of containing HCV RNA, with 48 and 38 positive and negative samples respectively. The developed assay has a specificity and sensitivity of 96.5% and 92.6% respectively. The results obtained were confirmed by Real-Time PCR, and a concordance of 100% for the negative samples and 89% for the positive samples has been obtained between the Real-Time PCR and the developed AuNPs based assay. Also, a purification method for the HCV RNA has been developed using HCV RNA specific probe conjugated to homemade silica nanoparticles. These silica nanoparticles have been synthesized by modified Stober method. This purification method enhanced the specificity of the developed AuNPs assay.

Abstract: A menstrual device having a storage volume. The menstrual device has a frame and a fluid barrier seal layer attached to the exterior surface of the frame. The menstrual device has an expanded configuration that includes an at rest configuration and a deployed configuration. The menstrual device has a compact configuration where the menstrual device is confined to a size, shape and/or geometry smaller than an expanded configuration such that it can be more easily inserted into the body. The menstrual device in a compact configuration is contained within an applicator, where the applicator assists in ejecting the menstrual device into the body.

Abstract: A bottle feeding device, including a bottom piece of a bottle body having a first perimeter wall and a top piece of a bottle body having a second perimeter wall. The top piece is pivotally affixed to the bottom piece and is rotatable with respect to the bottom piece about an axis extending generally orthogonally through the first perimeter wall and the second perimeter wall. A pair of detent features is provided to restrain the bottom piece and the top piece into either a first relative rotational position or a second relative rotational position. A nipple is operatively affixed to the top piece of the bottle by a nipple ring threaded onto the top piece of the bottle. A method of feeding an infant and of manufacturing the bottle are also provided.

Abstract: A bottle feeding device, including a bottom piece of a bottle body having a first perimeter wall and a top piece of a bottle body having a second perimeter wall. The top piece is pivotally affixed to the bottom piece and is rotatable with respect to the bottom piece about an axis extending generally orthogonally through the first perimeter wall and the second perimeter wall. A pair of detent feature is provided to restrain the bottom piece and the top piece into either a first relative rotational position or a second relative rotational position. A nipple is operatively affixed to the top piece of the bottle by a nipple ring threaded onto the top piece of the bottle. A method of feeding an infant and of manufacturing the bottle are also provided.

Abstract: A compact applicator has a two-piece telescoping plunger. The compact applicator, with such telescoping plunger has a full-size barrel region while maintaining an overall applicator length that is the same and/or slightly shorter than current known compact applicators. In a non-deployed configuration, the inner sleeve of the plunger is generally telescoped within the outer sleeve of the plunger, and the outer sleeve of the plunger is generally telescoped within the applicator barrel.

Abstract: A gold nanoparticle-based colorimetric assay kit for nucleic acids from viral, bacterial and other microorganisms that detects unamplified or amplified polynucleotides in clinical specimens using unmodified AuNPs and oligotargeter polynucleotides that bind to a pathogen's nucleic acids. A method for detecting a pathogen comprising contacting a sample suspected of containing microbes with a polynucleotide that binds to pathogen nucleic acid and with gold nanoparticles, detecting the aggregation of nanoparticles, and detecting pathogen polynucleotides in the sample when the nanoparticles aggregate (solution color becomes blue) in comparison with a control or a negative sample not containing the virus when nanoparticles do not aggregate (solution color remains red).

Abstract: A temperature sensing device comprising a plurality of thermocouples in a hollow tube, where the thermocouples sensing tips contact the outer wall of the tube, and a heat flux source that heats the hollow tube. The hollow tube is inserted through a cross section of a pipe perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The apparatus measures a void fraction in a two-phase flow of a liquid-gas mixture flowing through the pipe. A process of measuring void fraction whereby the hollow tube is heated to an initial temperature, and in the presence of a liquid-gas mixture flow through the pipe the difference is calculated between the initial temperature of the tube and the temperature during liquid-gas mixture flow, to determine the void fraction in the two-phase flow of liquid-gas mixture through the pipe.

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 temperature sensing device comprising a plurality of thermocouples in a hollow tube, where the thermocouples sensing tips contact the outer wall of the tube, and a heat flux source that heats the hollow tube. The hollow tube is inserted through a cross section of a pipe perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The apparatus measures a void fraction in a two-phase flow of a liquid-gas mixture flowing through the pipe. A process of measuring void fraction whereby the hollow tube is heated to an initial temperature, and in the presence of a liquid-gas mixture flow through the pipe the difference is calculated between the initial temperature of the tube and the temperature during liquid-gas mixture flow, to determine the void fraction in the two-phase flow of liquid-gas mixture through the pipe.

Abstract: A technique for estimating the location of a wireless terminal at an unknown location in a geographic region is disclosed. The technique is based on the recognition that there are location-dependent traits of electromagnetic signals. In environments where multiple antennas are radiating the same signal, as in the case of distributed antennas or host-repeater configurations, one or more possible locations of the wireless terminal can be designated as improbable based on i) a measure of the propagation delay of a signal traveling between a) a base station and b) the wireless terminal or an infrastructure antenna, or ii) the maximum distance at which a signal is detectable by the wireless terminal. Additionally, the applicable set of values for the location-dependent traits is selected based on similar criteria.