Abstract: A computing device may include a display, a memory to store electronic book data having a plurality of different content layers each associated with a different content difficultly level, and a processor coupled to the display and the memory.

Abstract: A method of forming composite materials includes mixing a first metal precursor with a chelating agent to form a first metal-chelate complex. The first metal-chelate complex is added to a polymer binder having terminating hydroxyl groups to form a polymer binder-first metal-chelate. The polymer binder first metal-chelate complex is mixed with an aluminum precursor. The aluminum precursor decomposes forming aluminum nanoparticles dispersed in a continuous phase material having metallic aluminum cores. At least one of the first metal-chelate complex and the first metal is dissolved in the continuous phase. The aluminum nanoparticles can have a passivating coating layer thereon provided by the polymer binder, or can have a passivating coating layer formed by including an epoxide, alcohol, carboxylic acid, or amine in the adding that forms passivating compound(s) which add further protection that can provide complete protection from oxidation of the metallic aluminum cores by air.

Abstract: An extremely non-degenerate two photon absorption (END-2PA) method and apparatus provide for irradiating a semiconductor material substrate simultaneously with two photons each of different energy less than a bandgap energy of the semiconductor material substrate but in an aggregate greater than the bandgap energy of the semiconductor material substrate. A ratio of a higher energy photon energy to a lower energy photon energy is at least about 3.0. Alternatively, or as an adjunct, the higher energy photon has an energy at least about 75% of the bandgap energy and the lower energy photon has an energy no greater than about 25% of the bandgap energy.

Abstract: A fluid mixing method using a micromixing apparatus which includes a mixing microchannel having a channel length and a continuously variable channel width defined by a first sidewall surface and an opposing second sidewall surface. The channel width varies from a minimum channel width h to a maximum channel width H in a ratio of H:h?1.1:1.0. A first inlet injects a first fluid and a second inlet a second fluid into the mixing microchannel which both flow in a flow direction in the mixing microchannel along the channel length. The first sidewall surface includes first curved surface portions and the second sidewall surface includes second curved surface portions. The first and second curved surface portions are non-overlapping to provide the variable channel width. The flow velocity profile is passively varied and exclusively controlled by the continuously variable channel width.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing image data are provided. A computer implemented method for processing image data, comprises gathering 4-D image data from a subject, extracting time series data, and spatial and degree data of each voxel of the subject, deriving at least one feature from the time series data, deriving at least one feature from the spatial and degree data, combining the at least one feature from the time series data, and the at least one feature from the spatial and degree data to generate combined data, and inputting the combined data to a classifier, wherein the classifier outputs a classification based on the combined data.

Abstract: A fiber is provided, including a cladding material that is disposed along a longitudinal-axis fiber length. A plurality of spherical particles are disposed as a sequence along a longitudinal line parallel to the longitudinal fiber axis in at least a portion of the fiber length, and include a spherical particle material that is interior to the fiber cladding material and different than the fiber cladding material. To produce particles, a drawn fiber, having a longitudinal-axis fiber length and including at least one fiber core that has a longitudinal core axis parallel to the longitudinal fiber axis and that is internally disposed to at least one outer fiber cladding layer along the fiber length, is heated for a time that is sufficient to cause a fiber core to break-up into droplets sequentially disposed along the fiber core axis. Fiber cooling solidifies droplets into spherical particles interior to fiber cladding.

Abstract: A photoacid includes a nucleophilic (NuH) moiety having a photodissociable proton, an electron accepting (EA) moiety, and a bridge structure (X) bonded to both the NuH moiety and EA moiety positioned between the NuH and EA moieties. The NuH and EA moieties each include respective structure so that the EA moiety bonds to a proton photodissociated form of the NuH moiety during a reversible photoinduced intramolecular reaction to form a ring, which has been found to significantly increase the lifetime of the proton dissociation state.

Abstract: Novel compositions and methods for the treatment and promotion of wound healing are disclosed herein. There is included a method for treating a wound including administering to a subject in need thereof a wound composition comprising an effective amount of ceria nanoparticles.

Abstract: A computing device may include a display, a memory to store electronic book data having a plurality of different content layers each associated with a different content difficultly level, and a processor coupled to the display and the memory.

Abstract: A computer system may include a plurality of computing devices each including a display, a memory to store electronic book data comprising at least one configurable problem to be solved, and a processor coupled to the display and the memory. The processor may display the electronic book data with the at least one configurable problem on the display, and apply a changeable seed value to the at least one configurable problem to change an answer associated with the at least one configurable problem.

Abstract: This disclosure relates in part to synthesizing a cleavable proinsulin construct in transgenic plants by chloroplast expression.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are materials useful for degrading plant biomass material. In exemplary embodiments, the plant material comprises one or more enzymes that are expressed in plants and/or bacteria. Specifically exemplified herein are plant degrading enzymes expressed in chloroplasts. The chloroplast expressed enzymes may be provided as cocktails for use in conjunction with conventional methods of converting biomass into biofuels, such as cellulosic ethanol. In other exemplary embodiments, methods and materials are disclosed for degrading mannans.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are polymer/fullerene nanoparticles that have selective uptake into cancer cells, and which, upon being taken into the cancer cells induce apoptosis. Induction of apoptosis can be controlled by activation of the nanoparticles. Activation can occur such as by photoactivation, or other means.

Abstract: An alkali metal-cathode solution storage battery includes an alkali metal anode including at least one alkali metal, a cathode including copper metal, and an alkali ion conducting electrolyte/separator separating the anode and cathode. An anode side electrolyte is between the anode and the separator, and a cathode side electrolyte is between the cathode and the separator. The cathode side electrolyte is selected to have capacity to dissolve metal ions from the alkali metal and electron conducting materials. An ion exchange reaction occurs during operation of the battery within the cathode side electrolyte. The battery can be operated at low temperature (i.e., <100° C.), and provide high specific energy density. The battery can be a planar battery arrangement.

Abstract: A stochastic computational model parameter synthesis system comprising at least one processor capable of executing processor executable code, and a non-transitory computer memory operably coupled with the at least one processor and storing processor executable code, which when executed by processor, causes processor to synthesize at least one parameter of a stochastic computational model to satisfy one or more behavioral specifications of properties observed in a modeled system. The processor generates and searches randomized projections of a first parameter space having n dimensions into one or more second abstract parameter space having d dimensions, where d is less than n, and outputs a signal indicative of a synthesized parameter value to the user.

Abstract: A branched optical isolator includes, located over a substrate, at least two branches connected to a trunk at a junction location. At least one branch comprises an optical absorber material and at least one branch comprises an optical transmitter material. The optical isolator may be incorporated into an optical chip carrier such that: (1) an optical emitting portion of an optical chip integral to or attached to the optical chip carrier; and (2) a connection to the optical isolator, are butt connected with a gap less than 10 nanometers, and otherwise materials matched. The optical isolator provides for attenuated backscattered optical radiation into the optical chip.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) includes an ion exchange membrane having a polymer, and a first porous layer on its cathode side including a first material different from the polymer having at least one electroactive species providing a reduction potential between 0V and 1V vs. a standard hydrogen electrode at 25° C. adsorbed thereto. A cathode catalyst is on the first porous layer, and an anode catalyst is on the anode side of the ion exchange membrane.

Abstract: A stress-sensing material containing a matrix material and a photo-luminescent particle is disclosed, together with adhesives and coatings containing the stress-sensing material. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the stress-sensing material and measuring the stress on an article using the stress-sensing material.

Abstract: A thermite composition includes at least one composite particle having a convoluted lamellar structure having alternating metal oxide layers including a metal oxide and metal layers including a metal capable of reducing the metal oxide. The metal oxide layers and metal layers both have an average thickness of between 10 nm and 1 ?m. Molar proportions of the metal oxide and metal is within 30% of being stoichiometric for a thermite reaction.

Abstract: A method for controlling a photovoltaic (PV) panel in a PV system including a computing device that provides motor control signals and implements an iterative adaptive control (IAC) algorithm for adjusting an angle of the PV panel. The IAC algorithm relates P at a current time k (P(k)), an elevation angle of the PV panel at k (?S (k)), P after a next step (P(k+1)) and an elevation angle of the PV panel at k+1 (?S (k+1)). The algorithm generates a perturbed power value P(k+1) to provide a power perturbation to P(k), and calculates ?S (k+1) using P(k+1). The motor control signals cause the motor to position the PV panel to achieve ?S (k+1). A change in P resulting from the positioning is compared to a predetermined change limit, and only if the change in P is ? the change limit, again sensing P, and repeating the generating, calculating and positioning.