Abstract: Electrical switch contact sets are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a movable platform having first and second contacts, where the first and second contacts electrically coupled via the movable platform, and a stationary portion having third and fourth contacts, where the movable platform is movable to bring the first and second contacts in contact with the third and fourth contacts, respectively, to simultaneously close a current path of an electrical circuit associated with the first, second, third and fourth contacts.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for producing a 4-vinylphenol (4VP) and/or 4-vinylguaiacol (4VG), the method comprising: (a) providing a host cell capable of expressing a polypeptide having a phenolic acid decarboxylase (PAD) enzymatic activity wherein the polypeptide is capable of converting p-coumaric (CA) and/or ferulic acid (FA) into 4-vinylphenol (4VP) and/or 4-vinylguaiacol (4VG), respectively; and (b) culturing the host cell in a culture medium to express the polypeptide such that the polypeptide converts CA and/or FA into 4VP and/or 4VG, respectively; wherein the culture medium comprises an organic overlay or phase.

Abstract: A method of converting a switch assembly from a non-contact switch assembly to a contact switch assembly to detect an event. The method includes securing an adapter body outside of an enclosed housing of the switch assembly, with an actuation body connected to the adapter body, so that a target connected to the actuation body is supported outside of the enclosed housing by the adapter body and so that the actuation body is disposed to be moved relative to the adapter body from a first orientation to second orientation, upon occurrence of the event, to activate the switch assembly by moving the target between a first location outside of the enclosed housing and a second location outside of the enclosed housing. In one example, the target may be one or more of a magnetic target or a ferrous target.

Abstract: A reduced-pressure system for treating a tissue site on a patient includes a distribution manifold that adheres to a tissue site to allow retention without external support. The distribution manifold includes a porous member and a tissue-fixation element. The tissue-fixation element maintains the porous member substantially adjacent to the tissue site while a sealing member is applied. In one instance, the tissue-fixation element is a soluble adhesive that partially covers either the tissue-facing side of the porous member or a tissue-facing side of a fluid-permeable substrate layer that is on the tissue-facing side of the porous member. Other systems, distributions manifolds, and methods are presented.

Abstract: A switch assembly for adapting a non-contact switch into a contact triggered switch, such that the internal electrical state of the non-contact switch can be triggered by mechanical contact with an object or surface. The switch assembly can include an adapter body coupled to the non-contact switch and an actuation body coupled to the adapter body. The actuation body can be movable relative to the adapter body to selectively position a target supported by the actuation body within a sensing region of the non-contact switch. The actuation body can be moved by an external object making contact with a portion of the actuation body.

Abstract: An adaptive user authentication system is disclosed that executes user authentication by verifying user identity using different authentication steps based on a risk score. The risk score enables determining if the requesting user's identity is to be verified. If it is determined that the user identity is to be verified, a sequence of authentication steps is implemented wherein more and more data is collected regarding the user as the user fails to be authenticated at each of the authentication steps. A first authentication step includes a numerical-based authentication step followed by a second authentication step including a live image authentication. If the user fails to be authenticated at either the first or the second authentication steps then a third authentication step to verify the user's passport is implemented.

Abstract: A flooring assembly (10) comprising at least one vertically lapped fibrous material layer (14), at least one pressure sensitive adhesive layer (12a) including a flexible substrate (12b), a mesh (12c) and an adhesive (12d) located along the flexible substrate, and at least one moisture impermeable membrane layer (16).

Abstract: High temperature switch apparatus are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first plunger housing having a first cavity and a second plunger housing having a second cavity. The first plunger housing and the second plunger housing to couple to enclose a plunger assembly of a proximity switch. A first contact housing defines a third cavity and a second contact housing defines a fourth cavity. At least a portion of the third cavity and at least a portion of the fourth cavity are complementary to a shape of an outer surface of the first plunger housing and the second plunger housing.

Abstract: Electrical switch contact sets are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a movable platform having first and second contacts, where the first and second contacts electrically coupled via the movable platform, and a stationary portion having third and fourth contacts, where the movable platform is movable to bring the first and second contacts in contact with the third and fourth contacts, respectively, to simultaneously close a current path of an electrical circuit associated with the first, second, third and fourth contacts.

Abstract: A switch assembly for adapting a non-contact switch into a contact triggered switch, such that the internal electrical state of the non-contact switch can be triggered by mechanical contact with an object or surface. The switch assembly can include an adapter body coupled to the non-contact switch and an actuation body coupled to the adapter body. The actuation body can be movable relative to the adapter body to selectively position a target supported by the actuation body within a sensing region of the non-contact switch. The actuation body can be moved by an external object making contact with a portion of the actuation body.

Abstract: High temperature switch apparatus are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a ceramic contact base having an opening therein configured to removably receive a contact, a first ceramic plunger housing portion and a second ceramic plunger housing portion, the first ceramic plunger housing portion including a first protrusion, the second ceramic plunger housing portion including a first recess, the first recess to receive the first protrusion, and a first ceramic contact housing portion and a second ceramic contact housing portion, the first ceramic contact housing portion including a second protrusion and a first cavity, the second ceramic contact housing portion including a second recess and a second cavity, the first ceramic plunger housing portion, the second ceramic plunger housing portion, and the ceramic contact base configured to be coupled in between the first and second cavities when the second recess receives the second protrusion.

Abstract: Electrical switch contact sets are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a movable platform having first and second contacts, where the first and second contacts electrically coupled via the movable platform, and a stationary portion having third and fourth contacts, where the movable platform is movable to bring the first and second contacts in contact with the third and fourth contacts, respectively, to simultaneously close a current path of an electrical circuit associated with the first, second, third and fourth contacts.

Abstract: A network of microfibers are fabricated with a core-shell construction from sustainable materials, where the core includes a phase-change material, such as coconut oil, and the shell includes a biomass, such as cellulose. The microfibers are made via a wet-wet electrospinning process utilizing a coaxial spinneret with an inner conduit and an outer conduit. The biomass and the phase-change material are coaxially extruded into a coagulation bath including a mixture of ethanol and water. The collected microfibers exhibit a beaded structure of PCM aggregates and biomass connecting regions between the aggregates and are effective to aid in the thermoregulation of the immediate environment surrounding the network. The microfibers are suitable for use in a variety of sustainable products such as wearable thermoregulating textiles, wall/ceiling panels, insulation, packaging material, and more.

Abstract: A network of microfibers are fabricated with a core-shell construction from sustainable materials, where the core includes a phase-change material, such as coconut oil, and the shell includes a biomass, such as cellulose. The microfibers are made via a wet-wet electrospinning process utilizing a coaxial spinneret with an inner conduit and an outer conduit. The biomass and the phase-change material are coaxially extruded into a coagulation bath including a mixture of ethanol and water. The collected microfibers exhibit a beaded structure of PCM aggregates and biomass connecting regions between the aggregates and are effective to aid in the thermoregulation of the immediate environment surrounding the network. The microfibers are suitable for use in a variety of sustainable products such as wearable thermoregulating textiles, wall/ceiling panels, insulation, packaging material, and more.

Abstract: A method of making a cellulose-nanoclay hemostatic nanocomposite fiber, including the steps of preparing a homogenous cellulose solution including cellulose and a room temperature ionic liquid, preparing a nanoclay suspension including halloysite and distilled water, electrospinning the cellulose solution into a first bath including the nanoclay suspension, transferring solidified cellulose-halloysite fibers from the first bath to a second bath including ethanol and distilled water, removing the solidified cellulose-halloysite fibers from the second bath, and freeze-drying the solidified cellulose-halloysite fibers.

Abstract: Described herein is an aqueous aluminum ion battery featuring an aluminum or aluminum alloy/composite anode, an aqueous electrolyte, and a manganese oxide, aluminosilicate or polymer-based cathode. The battery operates via an electrochemical reaction that entails an actual transport of aluminum ions between the anode and cathode. The compositions and structures described herein allow the aqueous aluminum ion battery described herein to achieve: (1) improved charge storage capacity; (2) improved gravimetric and/or volumetric energy density; (3) increased rate capability and power density (ability to charge and discharge in shorter times); (4) increased cycle life; (5) increased mechanical strength of the electrode; (6) improved electrochemical stability of the electrodes; (7) increased electrical conductivity of the electrodes, and (8) improved ion diffusion kinetics in the electrodes as well as the electrolyte.

Abstract: A location-based risk alerting system is disclosed. When information regarding a risk assessment situation is received, the location and time attributes of the risk assessment situation are extracted, a risk score is calculated and a risk alert is generated to include the attributes and the risk score upon validating the received information for risk. The risk alert is transmitted to client devices of subscribers where a user-specific risk score is calculated at each client device based on a comparison of the distance of the client device from the location attribute and the time at which the risk alert is received with the time attribute. The risk alert is displayed at the client device based on the user-specific risk score and information regarding the user is shared with trusted authorities upon receiving user consent.

Abstract: Described herein is an aqueous aluminum ion battery featuring an aluminum or aluminum alloy/composite anode, an aqueous electrolyte, and a manganese oxide, aluminosilicate or polymer-based cathode. The battery operates via an electrochemical reaction that entails an actual transport of aluminum ions between the anode and cathode. The compositions and structures described herein allow the aqueous aluminum ion battery described herein to achieve: (1) improved charge storage capacity; (2) improved gravimetric and/or volumetric energy density; (3) increased rate capability and power density (ability to charge and discharge in shorter times); (4) increased cycle life; (5) increased mechanical strength of the electrode; (6) improved electrochemical stability of the electrodes; (7) increased electrical conductivity of the electrodes, and (8) improved ion diffusion kinetics in the electrodes as well as the electrolyte.

Abstract: Methods for treating a tumor, such as a benign or malignant tumor, are disclosed herein. The methods include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a small molecule that selectively binds to and stabilizes G-quadruplex DNA in the promoter of the c-MYC gene to the subject. The methods are also of use to decrease the size and/or number of metastases. Compounds for use in the disclosed methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to nanoparticles comprising an endo-lysosomal escape agent, a nucleic acid, and a polymer. Other aspects include methods of making and using such nanoparticles.