Abstract: An ocean-onto-land drought (OTLD) identification and propagation mechanism analysis method includes: identifying a new drought event in a global range with data of a historical data and data of a future test; extracting a 3D space-time cube (STC) of the drought event, quantifying spatiotemporal characteristics of the global OTLD, and searching a landfalling hotspot; projecting an OTLD in a future period in combination with different tests, and detecting an anthropogenic signal in an index change of the OTLD in the historical period and in the future period; and analyzing, with moisture transport during the OTLD as a reference, an occurrence mechanism of the OTLD in the historical period and an intensification mechanism of the OTLD in the future period; and clarifying a primary physical factor during the OTLD, and assessing a synthetic risk of a OTLD-affected region with a machine learning method.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for testing the effects of various morphogens and/or feeder cells on the differentiation of pluripotent cells. The assays described herein can be used for determining the optimum conditions that lead to differentiation of stem cells. Once the optimum conditions for stem cell differentiation are determined, such cells may be used it a variety of therapies.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for determination and analysis of an optical profile of a liquid-based material to implement real-time monitoring of a composition of the liquid-based material for quality control. An imaging sub-system may include a plurality of illumination sources configured to illuminate the liquid-based material with light, and one or more detectors. The detectors may be configured to detect light reflected from a first surface of the liquid-based material, light reflected from a second surface of the liquid-based material, and/or light transmitted through the first surface and the second surface of the liquid-based material in response to the illumination.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for testing the effects of various morphogens and/or feeder cells on the differentiation of pluripotent cells. The assays described herein can be used for determining the optimum conditions that lead to differentiation of stem cells. Once the optimum conditions for stem cell differentiation are determined, such cells may be used in a variety of therapies.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for spectroscopic determination of one or more optical properties of a gemstone. An imaging device may include one or more light sources configured to illuminate one or more portions of the gemstone, and one or more photo detectors configured to detect reflected light from the portions of the gemstone in response to the illumination. An analysis module may be communicatively coupled to the imaging device, and configured to analyze the reflected light to determine the optical properties of the portions of the gemstone. The optical properties may include at least one of a clarity, color, fluorescence, birefringence, dichroism, and brilliance of the portions of the gemstone. In some examples, an optical fingerprint of the gemstone may be created based on one or more determined optical characteristics of the portions of the gemstone, where the optical fingerprint may uniquely identify the gemstone.

Abstract: A method for the quality control of dairy products is disclosed. The method includes scanning the surface of a dairy product test sample using a chromatic scanner system to generate a spectral pattern of reflected light intensities, which pattern is unique to the test sample. The spectral pattern from the test sample is compared with spectral patterns from one or more reference dairy products to provide an indication of test sample identify, quality and/or nutritional content.

Abstract: Paint configured to provide a hydrophilic paint surface comprising a paint base and a texture imprinting additive (TIA) that provides sacrificial particles upon drying of the paint. Loss of the sacrificial particles increases roughness and reduces the contact angle with water, providing a hydrophilic surface that is wettable and hence self-cleaning. Also described are specific types of TIA, methods of making the paint, methods of making a hydrophilic surface, and kits.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for spectroscopic determination of one or more optical properties of a gemstone. An imaging device may include one or more light sources configured to illuminate one or more portions of the gemstone, and one or more photo detectors configured to detect reflected light from the portions of the gemstone in response to the illumination. An analysis module may be communicatively coupled to the imaging device, and configured to analyze the reflected light to determine the optical properties of the portions of the gemstone. The optical properties may include at least one of a clarity, color, fluorescence, birefringence, dichroism, and brilliance of the portions of the gemstone. In some examples, an optical fingerprint of the gemstone may be created based on one or more determined optical characteristics of the portions of the gemstone, where the optical fingerprint may uniquely identify the gemstone.

Abstract: A method for the quality control of dairy products is disclosed. The method includes scanning the surface of a dairy product test sample using a chromatic scanner system to generate a spectral pattern of reflected light intensities, which pattern is unique to the test sample. The spectral pattern from the test sample is compared with spectral patterns from one or more reference dairy products to provide an indication of test sample identify, quality and/or nutritional content.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for determination and analysis of an optical profile of a liquid-based material to implement real-time monitoring of a composition of the liquid-based material for quality control. An imaging sub-system may include a plurality of illumination sources configured to illuminate the liquid-based material with light, and one or more detectors. The detectors may be configured to detect light reflected from a first surface of the liquid-based material, light reflected from a second surface of the liquid-based material, and/or light transmitted through the first surface and the second surface of the liquid-based material in response to the illumination.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for testing the effects of various morphogens and/or feeder cells on the differentiation of pluripotent cells. The assays described herein can be used for determining the optimum conditions that lead to differentiation of stem cells. Once the optimum conditions for stem cell differentiation are determined, such cells may be used in a variety of therapies.

Abstract: Cell culturing and tracking systems using an array of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) to illuminate cells and/or other particles in a cell chamber are described. Compared to conventional light sources, the OLED array consumes very little energy and emits a small amount of waste heat, so it may be disposed near or on the cell chamber. For instance, it can be printed on one side of the cell chamber itself. In addition, the OLED array may be patterned into pixels or sub-pixels (individual OLEDs), each of which is as small as or smaller than an individual cell or particle. Because the pixels are so small, OLED illumination can be used to acquire images with a spatial resolution equal to or better than the cell or particle cell. As a result, the OLED array can be used to track, monitor, identify, and manipulate individual cells within the cell culture.

Abstract: Paint configured to provide a hydrophilic paint surface comprising a paint base and a texture imprinting additive (TIA) that provides sacrificial particles upon drying of the paint. Loss of the sacrificial particles increases roughness and reduces the contact angle with water, providing a hydrophilic surface that is wettable and hence self-cleaning. Also described are specific types of TIA, methods of making the paint, methods of making a hydrophilic surface, and kits.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first electrode and a second electrode positioned a distance from the first electrode. The second electrode is in electrical communication with the first electrode through at least a portion of a double strand deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The apparatus also includes a detector configured to detect a conductivity of the double strand DNA.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to reduce or inhibit weight gain by administering inhibitors of the SirT1 protein to a subject. Methods to identify such inhibitors are also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to methods, apparatuses, and cellular compositions and cellular products that use a unique trophoblast-containing 3D matrix as a compartmental chamber for growing embryoid bodies that can be induced to differentiate into organ-specific cell types.

Abstract: A lignin derivative including one or more polycations is provided and an article including such a lignin derivative is also provided. Methods of inhibiting microbial growth with an article including such a lignin derivative are further provided.

Abstract: Thermostatic packaging materials, and methods for making and using the materials are disclosed. The materials may include phase change materials that are covalently bound with the packaging material to avoid any leaching of liquefied phase change materials. The phase change materials may be copolymerized with hydrogels to provide an absorbent thermostatic material.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for receiving a first plurality of product identifiers associated with products purchased by a consumer to form a purchase record. Each of the first plurality of product identifiers are associated with a consumer identifier. A second plurality of product identifiers associated with products recycled by the consumer is received. The consumer identifier associated with the consumer is received. A record of recycled purchased products by the consumer is authenticated by querying the purchase record of the consumer for each of the second plurality of product identifiers. A record of recycling is authenticated when a product identifier in the second plurality of product identifiers matches a product identifier in the purchase record of the consumer.

Abstract: A system includes a first chamber configured to receive a hydrogel and a scaffold comprising a cell, wherein the hydrogel is in fluid communication with the scaffold, and wherein the hydrogel includes a plurality of unidirectional pores. The system also includes a second chamber configured to receive a first fluid and a second fluid, wherein the second chamber includes a wall that separates the first fluid from the second fluid. The system further includes a porous membrane configured to separate the first chamber from the second chamber. The wall is configured to move along the porous membrane as cellular extensions are projected into at least a portion of the plurality of unidirectional pores of the hydrogel.