Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for consolidating hydraulic reclamation silt by combined flocculation and deep boosted vacuum preloading, comprising an agitation tank, wherein the agitation tank is connected to a flocculant preparation tank and a slurry delivery device; a tank bottom valve and a filter plate mechanism are successively arranged at a lower delivery port of a precipitation zone of a dehydration tank; weep holes are formed on filter plates; there is a discharge zone below the precipitation zone of the dehydration tank; a drainage plate is provided on an upper side wall of the precipitation zone; a water storage coaming is provided outside the drainage plate; the water storage coaming and the drainage plate are enclosed to form a water storage zone; the water storage zone is connected to a reservoir via a second delivery pipe with a second delivery pump provided thereon; a water pumping port is provided within the discharge zone; the water pumping port is connected to the reservoir via a

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of sensing are described herein. In some embodiments, a method of sensing comprises disposing a fluorophore in a biological environment, wherein the fluorophore comprises a dioxo-pyridine ring (DPR) or a thiazolopyridine acid (TPA). The method further comprises exposing the biological environment to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength corresponding to an excitation wavelength of the fluorophore, detecting light emitted by the fluorophore, and correlating the light emitted by the fluorophore to a presence or absence of an analyte within the biological environment in an amount above a minimum detection threshold. The presence of the analyte can increase or decrease the amount of light emitted by the fluorophore. The presence of the analyte may also shift the peak emission wavelength or alter the fluorescence lifetime of the fluorophore. The analyte, in some embodiments, comprises hydrogen ions, halide ions, and/or halogens.

Abstract: In one aspect, block copolymers are described herein. A block copolymer described herein, in some embodiments, comprises a first block comprising a polymer or oligomer formed from the reaction product of (i) a polycarboxylic acid or a polycarboxylic acid equivalent, (ii) a polyol, and (iii) an amino acid; and a second block comprising a polymer or oligomer that differs from the polymer or oligomer of the first block. In some cases, the polycarboxylic acid or polycarboxylic acid equivalent comprises citric acid, a citrate, or an ester of citric acid. The polyol can comprise an ?,?-n-alkane diol, poly(ethylene glycol), or poly(propylene glycol). In some embodiments, the amino acid forms a pendant group of the polymer or oligomer of the first block and/or forms a luminescent 6-membered ring with the polycarboxylic acid or polycarboxylic acid equivalent. The second block of a block copolymer described herein, in some embodiments, comprises a polylactone.

Abstract: In one aspect, block copolymers are described herein. A block copolymer described herein, in some embodiments, comprises a first block comprising a polymer or oligomer formed from the reaction product of (i) a polycarboxylic acid or a polycarboxylic acid equivalent, (ii) a polyol, and (iii) an amino acid; and a second block comprising a polymer or oligomer that differs from the polymer or oligomer of the first block. In some cases, the polycarboxylic acid or polycarboxylic acid equivalent comprises citric acid, a citrate, or an ester of citric acid. The polyol can comprise an ?,?-n-alkane diol, poly(ethylene glycol), or poly(propylene glycol). In some embodiments, the amino acid forms a pendant group of the polymer or oligomer of the first block and/or forms a luminescent 6-membered ring with the polycarboxylic acid or polycarboxylic acid equivalent. The second block of a block copolymer described herein, in some embodiments, comprises a polylactone.

Abstract: In one aspect, compositions and wound dressings are described herein. In some embodiments, a composition or wound dressing described herein comprises a mesh formed from a plurality of biodegradable polymer fibers; a first active agent dispersed in the biodegradable polymer fibers; a plurality of biodegradable polymer particles disposed in the mesh; and a second active agent dispersed in the biodegradable polymer particles. The particles can be disposed within the interiors of the fibers of the mesh or between the fibers of the mesh. In another aspect, a composition or wound dressing described herein comprises a first perforated mesh formed from a first plurality of biodegradable polymer fibers; and a second perforated mesh formed from a second plurality of biodegradable polymer fibers, wherein the second perforated mesh is disposed on the first perforated mesh in a stacked configuration and the first and second perforated meshes have different degrees of perforation.