Abstract: The invention relates to biomimetic adhesive compositions emulating mussel adhesive proteins, wherein multiple chains of a copolymer are interlinked via specific hydrogen bonds and/or ligand-metal-ligand bonds, which serve as sacrificial breakable bonds upon mechanical stress and thereby effectively dissipate the mechanical energy. Accordingly, toughened adhesive compositions with improved ductility and strength may be obtained.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are drawn to apparatuses and methods for a rotating optical reflector. Optical systems may have a limited field of view, and so in order to expand the area that the optical system collects data from, the field of view of the optical system may be scanned across a target area. The present disclosure is directed to a rotating optical reflector, which includes a transmissive layer which refracts light onto a reflective layer, which has a normal which is not parallel to the axis about which the optical reflector is rotated. The optical reflector may be both statically and dynamically balanced, which may allow an increased size of the optical reflector, which in turn may increase the aperture of an optical system (e.g., a lidar system) using the rotating optical reflector.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed towards a clean drain system. The clean drain system includes drain stopper system, a seal, and a flange. The seal is coupled to the flange. The drain stopper system is positioned through the seal. The drain stopper system further includes a drain cover, a drain housing, and a basket. The drain cover along a vertical axis to allow or prevent the flow of water through the tailpipe. The basket includes a plurality of openings. The basket is configured to catch debris as it flows downward through the drain to prevent the drain from clogging. The clean drain system further includes an overflow cover, an overflow tube, and a collar. The collar is positioned around the drain housing. The overflow cover is coupled to the overflow tube. The collar is coupled to another end of the overflow tube.

Abstract: A polymer masonry unit (PMU) and methods and systems for forming PMUs are presented. In embodiments, a PMU may be made from a PMU mixture of a polymer, a quarry byproduct, such as a limestone aggregate, and water. The PMU may be ambient-dried to become a brick unit. The proportions of the PMU mixture may include 1-10% polymer, 80-90% quarry byproduct, and 1-10% water. The process for making a brick using the PMU of embodiments may avoid a kiln-firing process, which is costly, creates waste, and consumes significant energy. Furthermore, the PMU mixture may be formulated to enable the PMU mixture to be extruded from an extruder, enabling a system for making bricks to take advantage of the extrusion method, which can be very efficient and cost-effective for making bricks, and which is currently not possible with existing techniques and systems.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a nanowire structure. According to an exemplary process, a substrate is firstly provided. An intact buffer region is formed over the substrate, and a sacrificial top portion of the intact buffer region is eliminated to provide a buffer layer with a planarized top surface. Herein, the planarized top surface has a vertical roughness below 10 ?. Next, a patterned mask with an opening is formed over the buffer layer, such that a portion of the planarized top surface of the buffer layer is exposed. A nanowire is formed over the exposed portion of the planarized top surface of the buffer layer through the opening of the patterned mask. The buffer layer is configured to have a lattice constant that provides a transition between the lattice constant of the substrate and the lattice constant of the nanowire.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable and connector assembly including a fiber optic connector mounted at the end of a fiber optic cable. The fiber optic connector includes a ferrule assembly including a stub fiber supported within a ferrule. The stub fiber is fusion spliced to an optical fiber of the fiber optic cable at a location within the fiber optic connector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cardio-pulmonary health monitoring apparatus. The apparatus comprises a contactless motion sensor configured to generate one or more movement signals representing bodily movement of a patient during a monitoring session; a processor; and a memory storing program instructions configured to cause the processor to carry out a method of processing the one or more movement signals. The method comprises extracting one or more sleep disordered breathing features from the one or more movement signals, and predicting whether a clinical event is likely to occur during a predetermined prediction horizon based on the one or more sleep disordered breathing features.

Abstract: An operator node is configured to enable the management of nodes communicatively coupled to the operator node via a network. A selection of node objects is received by the operator node, the selected node objects including software components for inclusion within a node configuration. A configuration policy is generated based on the selected objects, the configuration policy including a set of tests (such as scripts or executables) that, when run, test for the presence of one or more of the selected node objects. A target node is scanned to determine the configuration of the target node, and the set of tests are applied to identify a set of objects identified by the policy but not installed at the target node. The target node is then re-configured to install the identified set of objects at the target node.

Abstract: Techniques of deploying fuel cells in a facility are described herein. In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a location of the receptacle at the facility that the fuel cell is connected upon detecting the fuel connector of the second side of the carrier being coupled to a fuel port at a receptacle at the facility. The method can then include generating and storing, in a database, a fuel cell record indicating that the fuel cell is physically connected to the receptacle at the identified location in the facility and instructing a control device in the facility corresponding to the identified location to provide fuel to the fuel cell via the fuel port, the fuel connector, the connection between the first side and the second side of the carrier, and the fuel inlet of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A passive modification device comprising an elongated body extending along a first axis made of a shape memory alloy with a threshold contraction along the first axis at a threshold temperature. The modification device further comprises a passageway extending along a second axis shaped to surround a conduit line extending along the second axis. The modification device further includes a first modifying structure on a first portion of the passageway and a second modifying structure on a second portion of the passageway opposite the first modifying structure. Contraction of the elongated body can cause the first modifying structure and the second modifying structure to move towards each other; where movement of at least one of the first modifying structure or the second modifying structures can be configured to modify the conduit line. The conduit line may comprise mechanical cables, electrical conductors, optical fibers, or brittle portions that readily shatter.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating single-stranded DNA circles from a biological sample. The method comprises the steps of: treating the biological sample with an extractant to release nucleic acids, thereby forming a sample mixture; neutralizing the extractant; denaturing the released nucleic acids to generate single-stranded nucleic acids; and contacting the single-stranded nucleic acids with a ligase that is capable of template-independent, intramolecular ligation of single-stranded DNA to generate the single-stranded DNA circles. All the steps of the method are performed without any intermediate nucleic acid isolation or nucleic acid purification. The single-stranded DNA circles may be amplified and further analyzed. Also provided is a kit which comprises compositions for carrying out the novel methods.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for receiving a request for a user to perform a plurality of activities with respect to a secure document, a given activity of the plurality activities being assigned based on a known parameter of the user. The system transmits the request to the user, and responsive to detecting an interaction with the request, determines that the known parameter has changed. The system responsively determines requirements for performing the plurality of activities based on a replacement parameter of the user, determines a replacement activity based on the requirements, and transmits a new request to the user, the new request replacing the given activity with the replacement activity.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an asset management distributed ledger system for capturing, storing, and providing access to asset information/data. For example, the distributed ledger system may capture and store asset information/data that provides a complete record of an asset and further provide access to the asset information/data via an IUI or search function of the distributed ledger system. The distributed ledger system may include a token-handling subsystem that enables token-based transactions with respect to the distributed ledger and/or implemented via the distributed ledger. A token value (e.g., units of digital currency) may be distributed to users as rewards for making contributions to the distributed ledger and may be redeemed by users as costs associated with accessing the asset information of the distributed ledger.

Abstract: A charging ecosystem may comprise: an interconnected battery module; a first battery system comprising a first plurality of the interconnected battery modules; and a second battery system comprising a second plurality of the interconnected battery module. The first battery system may be configured for charging the second battery system. The second battery system may be configured for powering an electric vehicle. The interconnected battery module is adaptable to various interfaces with the first system and the second system.

Abstract: A portable display unit 3000, 3500, 4000 for a breathing assistance apparatus, the portable display unit comprising: a display unit housing 3001, 3501, 4000; a screen 3051, 3551, 4051; and a tethering component for tethering the portable display unit 3000, 3500, 4000 with abase unit 50 of the breathing assistance apparatus.

Abstract: A combustion section includes a casing that defines a diffusion chamber. The combustion section further includes a combustion liner that is disposed within the diffusion chamber and that defines a combustion chamber. The combustion liner is spaced apart from the casing such that a passageway is defined between the combustion liner and the casing. The combustion section further includes a fuel cell assembly that is disposed in the passageway. The fuel cell assembly includes a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells. The plurality of fuel cells extend from an inlet end in fluid communication with the diffusion chamber to an outlet end extending through the combustion liner and in fluid communication with the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods for programming a lead are provided. A first image of an anatomical region depicting an anatomical element and at least a portion of an initial lead and an initial lead parameter associated with the initial lead are received. A second image of the anatomical region depicting at least a portion of the anatomical element and at least a portion of an implanted lead is also received. An implanted lead parameter may be generated for the implanted lead based on a combination of the initial lead parameter and a correlation of the first image with the second image.

Abstract: A system and a method for automation of agricultural treatments. The system receives a set of instructions for the agricultural treatment. The set of instructions may include a type of agricultural treatment, and a target location. Further, the system may determine chemical parameters including a composition, a dosage, and a quantity of a chemical required for the agricultural treatment. Further, the system may be configured to navigate the robot to the target location. Further, the system may detect a spraying section based on the type of agricultural treatment. Subsequently, the system may determine a speed of the robot, a proximity of the robot to the spraying section, and a rate of chemical flow. Further, the system may be configured to control the robot. Finally, the system may be configured to dispense the chemical using a spraying equipment.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a three-dimensional scaffold including at least one layer of highly-aligned fibers. The at least one layer of highly-aligned fibers is curved in a direction substantially perpendicular to a general direction of the fibers. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for fabricating a three-dimensional scaffold. The method includes: electro spinning a plurality of fibers to produce at least one layer of highly-aligned fibers and forming the at least one layer of highly-aligned fibers into a three-dimensional scaffold without disturbing the alignment of the highly-aligned polymer fibers. A further aspect of the invention provides methods for using a three-dimensional scaffold to treat nerve or spinal cord injury.

Abstract: Implantable stents that include strips that are each comprised of main struts connected by first connectors, and adjacent strips are connected by second connectors. The strut connectors have a structure, including areas of expanded or reduced width or thickness, to account for venous applications. When used for venous applications, the stents convey benefit from configurations that improve flexibility (due to the greater elasticity of venous applications) while maintaining enough stiffness to resist pressure on the venous structure in selected areas (such as for the May-Thurner syndrome). The stents include particular structural characteristics that are particularly advantageous for (although not limited to) venous applications.