Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for quantitative detection of mercury vapor in gas samples using a film of nanoparticles. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of an amalgam nanoparticle is sensitive to adsorbed mercury mass. The equilibrium mass of mercury on a gold nanoparticle is a function of the surrounding vapor concentration and the temperature of the gold. A device that introduces a temperature-controlled gold nanoparticle film to a controlled flow of sample gas responds predictably to a given mercury vapor concentration when optically probed in situ. Controlling the temperature of the film allows for control of adsorption and desorption rates. Equilibrium plasmonic mercury detection, described herein, removes the cycling necessary for many gold-based mercury analyses. Methods are given for the operation and analysis of the temperature-stabilized gold nanoparticle mercury sensor.

Abstract: Securely loading digital blocks into memory for consumption by a processor. A method includes, at a memory protection shim, receiving a digital block and a manifest for the digital block. The manifest includes a transformation key for the digital block. The transformation key is configured to be used for at least one of validating the digital block or decrypting the digital block. The manifest is encrypted. The method further includes decrypting the manifest to obtain the transformation keys. The method further includes using the transformation keys to perform at least one of validating or decrypting the digital block. The method further includes retransforming the digital block using a memory protection shim ephemeral key to perform at least one of creating an authentication tag or encrypting the digital block. The method further includes storing the retransformed digital block in memory.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for generating images. In one aspect, a method includes: receiving an input text prompt including a sequence of text tokens in a natural language; processing the input text prompt using a text encoder neural network to generate a set of contextual embeddings of the input text prompt; and processing the contextual embeddings through a sequence of generative neural networks to generate a final output image that depicts a scene that is described by the input text prompt.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a CPU core configured to execute instructions and consume data. The apparatus includes a memory configured to store the instructions and the data. A memory protection shim is coupled to the CPU core and the memory. The memory protection shim is configured to perform transformations over digital blocks to perform at least one of authentication or decryption of the digital blocks received from the memory. The memory protection shim is coupled to the CPU core in a fashion that prevents egress of the digital blocks or ingress of other external digital blocks between the memory protection shim and the CPU core.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method is provided of effecting secure communications for a movable barrier operator and a trainable transmitter. The method includes, at the movable barrier operator, transmitting to a remote control a first radio frequency communication via a first communication protocol wherein the first radio frequency communication includes an access code. The method further includes receiving from the trainable transmitter a second radio frequency communication via a second communication protocol. The second radio frequency communication includes a derived access code based at least in part upon the access code. The method further includes learning the trainable transmitter in response to the derived access code corresponding to the access code.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a CPU core configured to execute instructions and consume data. The apparatus includes a memory configured to store the instructions and the data. A memory protection shim is coupled to the CPU core and the memory. The memory protection shim is configured to perform transformations over digital blocks to perform at least one of authentication or decryption of the digital blocks received from the memory. The memory protection shim is coupled to the CPU core in a fashion that prevents egress of the digital blocks or ingress of other external digital blocks between the memory protection shim and the CPU core.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a CPU core configured to execute instructions and consume data. The apparatus includes a memory configured to store the instructions and the data. A memory protection shim is coupled to the CPU core and the memory. The memory protection shim is configured to perform transformations over digital blocks to perform at least one of authentication or decryption of the digital blocks received from the memory. The memory protection shim is coupled to the CPU core in a fashion that prevents egress of the digital blocks or ingress of other external digital blocks between the memory protection shim and the CPU core.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a CPU core configured to execute instructions and consume data. The apparatus includes a memory configured to store the instructions and the data. A memory protection shim is coupled to the CPU core and the memory. The memory protection shim is configured to perform transformations over digital blocks to perform at least one of authentication or decryption of the digital blocks received from the memory. The memory protection shim is coupled to the CPU core in a fashion that prevents egress of the digital blocks or ingress of other external digital blocks between the memory protection shim and the CPU core.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for quantitative detection of mercury vapor in gas samples using a film of nanoparticles. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of an amalgam nanoparticle is sensitive to adsorbed mercury mass. The equilibrium mass of mercury on a gold nanoparticle is a function of the surrounding vapor concentration and the temperature of the gold. A device that introduces a temperature-controlled gold nanoparticle film to a controlled flow of sample gas responds predictably to a given mercury vapor concentration when optically probed in situ. Controlling the temperature of the film allows for control of adsorption and desorption rates. Equilibrium plasmonic mercury detection, described herein, removes the cycling necessary for many gold-based mercury analyses. Methods are given for the operation and analysis of the temperature-stabilized gold nanoparticle mercury sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed of an analyte detection system configured as an attachment to a smartwatch. The detection-system hardware can comprise, for example, a plasmonic sensor configured to attach to, and align with the smartwatch's optics (e.g., LED and detector).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for quantitative detection of mercury vapor in gas samples using a film of nanoparticles. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of an amalgam nanoparticle is sensitive to adsorbed mercury mass. The equilibrium mass of mercury on a gold nanoparticle is a function of the surrounding vapor concentration and the temperature of the gold. A device that introduces a temperature-controlled gold nanoparticle film to a controlled flow of sample gas responds predictably to a given mercury vapor concentration when optically probed in situ. Controlling the temperature of the film allows for control of adsorption and desorption rates. Equilibrium plasmonic mercury detection, described herein, removes the cycling necessary for many gold-based mercury analyses. Methods are given for the operation and analysis of the temperature-stabilized gold nanoparticle mercury sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for quantitative detection of mercury vapor in gas samples using a film of nanoparticles. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of an amalgam nanoparticle is sensitive to adsorbed mercury mass. The equilibrium mass of mercury on a gold nanoparticle is a function of the surrounding vapor concentration and the temperature of the gold. A device that introduces a temperature-controlled gold nanoparticle film to a controlled flow of sample gas responds predictably to a given mercury vapor concentration when optically probed in situ. Controlling the temperature of the film allows for control of adsorption and desorption rates. Equilibrium plasmonic mercury detection, described herein, removes the cycling necessary for many gold-based mercury analyses. Methods are given for the operation and analysis of the temperature-stabilized gold nanoparticle mercury sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for quantitative detection of mercury vapor in gas samples using a film of nanoparticles. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of an amalgam nanoparticle is sensitive to adsorbed mercury mass. The equilibrium mass of mercury on a gold nanoparticle is a function of the surrounding vapor concentration and the temperature of the gold. A device that introduces a temperature-controlled gold nanoparticle film to a controlled flow of sample gas responds predictably to a given mercury vapor concentration when optically probed in situ. Controlling the temperature of the film allows for control of adsorption and desorption rates. Equilibrium plasmonic mercury detection, described herein, removes the cycling necessary for many gold-based mercury analyses. Methods are given for the operation and analysis of the temperature-stabilized gold nanoparticle mercury sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for quantitative detection of mercury vapor in gas samples using a film of nanoparticles. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of an amalgam nanoparticle is sensitive to adsorbed mercury mass. The equilibrium mass of mercury on a gold nanoparticle is a function of the surrounding vapor concentration and the temperature of the gold. A device that introduces a temperature-controlled gold nanoparticle film to a controlled flow of sample gas responds predictably to a given mercury vapor concentration when optically probed in situ. Controlling the temperature of the film allows for control of adsorption and desorption rates. Equilibrium plasmonic mercury detection, described herein, removes the cycling necessary for many gold-based mercury analyses. Methods are given for the operation and analysis of the temperature-stabilized gold nanoparticle mercury sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for quantitative detection of mercury vapor in gas samples using a film of nanoparticles. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of an amalgam nanoparticle is sensitive to adsorbed mercury mass. The equilibrium mass of mercury on a gold nanoparticle is a function of the surrounding vapor concentration and the temperature of the gold. A device that introduces a temperature-controlled gold nanoparticle film to a controlled flow of sample gas responds predictably to a given mercury vapor concentration when optically probed in situ. Controlling the temperature of the film allows for control of adsorption and desorption rates. Equilibrium plasmonic mercury detection, described herein, removes the cycling necessary for many gold-based mercury analyses. Methods are given for the operation and analysis of the temperature-stabilized gold nanoparticle mercury sensor.

Abstract: The exposed metal tip of the strike end of an SMAW welding electrode is covered with a protective coating formed from a binder and metal particles. Because metal particles rather than graphite particles are used to provide electrical conductivity to this protective coating, flare-up of the arc when initially struck is eliminated substantially completely. In addition, the potential for weld porosity problems is also eliminated, because the metal particles of the inventive electrode do not produce CO2 as a reaction by-product which can ultimately lead to improper welding technique.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved insect bait composition comprising a boric compound, a non-sugar low molecular weight compound having a plurality of hydroxyl groups, and a foodstuff comprising a substantial amount of a soluble or semi-soluble high molecular weight polysaccharide, wherein the high molecular weight polysaccharide is in a gelled form, the composition is a sustainably soft dough, and the foodstuff contains no more than 20 weight percent of a fat or oil. The composition is suitable for extrusion, is attractive and highly toxic to insects, and has excellent resistance to hardening and spoilage during its shelf life and after pesticidal application.

Abstract: A mercury detection system that includes a flow cell having a mercury sensor, a light source and a light detector is provided. The mercury sensor includes a transparent substrate and a submonolayer of mercury absorbing nanoparticles, e.g., gold nanoparticles, on a surface of the substrate. Methods of determining whether mercury is present in a sample using the mercury sensors are also provided. The subject mercury detection systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including mercury detecting applications.

Abstract: The exposed metal tip of the strike end of an SMAW welding electrode is covered with a protective coating formed from a binder and metal particles. Because metal particles rather than graphite particles are used to provide electrical conductivity to this protective coating, flare-up of the arc when initially struck is eliminated substantially completely. In addition, the potential for weld porosity problems is also eliminated, because the metal particles of the inventive electrode do not produce CO2 as a reaction by-product which can ultimately lead to improper welding technique.

Abstract: A mercury detection system that includes a flow cell having a mercury sensor, a light source and a light detector is provided. The mercury sensor includes a transparent substrate and a submonolayer of mercury absorbing nanoparticles, e.g., gold nanoparticles, on a surface of the substrate. Methods of determining whether mercury is present in a sample using the mercury sensors are also provided. The subject mercury detection systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including mercury detecting applications.