Abstract: An apparatus for measuring pungency of red pepper powder includes a near infrared measuring unit; a reference spectrum measuring unit; a red pepper powder injecting unit; a red pepper powder height equalizing unit; a red pepper powder transferring unit; a red pepper powder ejecting unit; a display unit; a button unit; and a measurement controller for, if a reference spectrum measurement opening signal is detected, operating a reference spectrum measurement opening and closing unit, injecting the reference material, measuring the spectrum of the reference material, if the reference spectrum measurement closing signal is detected, operating the opening and closing unit, removing the reference material, closing the opening and closing unit, injecting the red pepper powder, and measuring the near infrared spectrum of red pepper powder, correcting near infrared spectrum data to the spectrum of the reference material, calculating a degree of pungency, and displaying the degree of pungency.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for processing image information using a more computationally efficient version of a previously developed HSEG (Hierarchical Segmentation) algorithm. The HSEG algorithm includes iterations intertwining two forms of region growing to produce a set of hierarchically related image segmentations. The first form is a commonly used approach in which regions are grown by merging the most similar spatially adjacent regions. The second form is a unique approach in which regions are grown by also merging spatially non-adjacent regions that are at least as similar as the spatially adjacent regions merged by the first form in the same iteration. The improved HSEG algorithm limits the regions considered for non-adjacent region merging in the second form of operation to regions having at least a minimum number of pixels. This minimum is dynamically controlled to optimize processing efficiency and image segmentation quality.

Abstract: Disclosed is a noise suppression device capable of better noise suppression by means of a simpler structure and with a lighter computational load. A noise suppression device (100) has a noise suppression processor (150) to estimate the required information only from the observed information, which is the required information corrupted by noise. A correlator (154) calculates the correlation of the estimation error when the state quantity, which contains the required information, of the system at time n+1 was estimated from the information until time n or time n+1 for the observed information at only time n.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to an apparatus that provides four simultaneous ion and neutral measurements as a function of altitude with variable sensitivity for neutral atmospheric species. The variable sensitivity makes it possible to extend the measurements over the altitude range of 100 to more than 700 kilometers. The four instruments included in the apparatus are a neutral wind-temperature spectrometer, an ion-drift ion-temperature spectrometer, a neutral mass spectrometer, and an ion mass spectrometer. The neutral wind-temperature spectrometer and ion-drift ion-temperature spectrometer are configured to separate O and N2 and O+ from H+ while the neutral mass spectrometer and the ion mass spectrometer are configured to separate mass with a resolution of one in sixty-four to enable metallic ion identification in the lower thermosphere.

Abstract: An SEA architecture for controlling the torque applied by an SEA that has particular application for controlling the position of a robot link. The SEA architecture includes a motor coupled to one end of an elastic spring and a load coupled to an opposite end of the elastic spring, where the motor drives the load through the spring. The orientation of the shaft of the motor and the load are measured by position sensors. Position signals from the position sensors are sent to an embedded processor that determines the orientation of the load relative to the motor shaft to determine the torque on the spring. The embedded processor receives reference torque signals from a remote controller, and the embedded processor operates a high-speed servo loop about the desired joint torque. The remote controller determines the desired joint torque based on higher order objectives by their impedance or positioning objectives.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake system includes a piston that separates a first pressure chamber from a second pressure chamber of a cylinder bore. A valve within a piston bore is movable between three positions. In the first position, the first and second pressure chambers are in fluid communication with a low-pressure fluid supply; in the second position, the second pressure chamber is isolated from the first pressure chamber and the low-pressure fluid supply; in the third position, a high-pressure fluid supply is in fluid communication with the second pressure chamber, allowing high-pressure fluid to flow into the second pressure chamber. High pressure in the second pressure chamber moves the boost piston, applying boosted braking pressure to a vehicle brake. Pressure in the second chamber against a surface of the valve biases the valve toward the first position.

Abstract: Radiation-oxidative exposure treatment compositions may include a mixture of micronutrient multivitamin and trace elements, a mixture of antioxidants and chemopreventative agents, and optionally a mixture of fatty acids. Methods of treatment of a subject exposed to a radiation source or an oxidative stress with the radiation-oxidative exposure treatment composition may include the step of administering to the subject a daily dose of the radiation-oxidative exposure treatment composition such that the life shortening effects induced by the radiation source or the oxidative stress are ameliorated.

Abstract: A grasp assist system includes a glove, actuator assembly, and controller. The glove includes a digit, i.e., a finger or thumb, and a force sensor. The sensor measures a grasping force applied to an object by an operator wearing the glove. Phalange rings are positioned with respect to the digit. A flexible tendon is connected at one end to one of the rings and is routed through the remaining rings. An exoskeleton positioned with respect to the digit includes hinged interconnecting members each connected to a corresponding ring, and/or a single piece of slotted material. The actuator assembly is connected to another end of the tendon. The controller calculates a tensile force in response to the measured grasping force, and commands the tensile force from the actuator assembly to thereby pull on the tendon. The exoskeleton offloads some of the tensile force from the operator's finger to the glove.

Abstract: A grasp assist system includes a glove and sleeve. The glove includes a digit, i.e., a finger or thumb, and a force sensor. The sensor measures a grasping force applied to an object by an operator wearing the glove. The glove contains a tendon connected at a first end to the digit. The sleeve has an actuator assembly connected to a second end of the tendon and a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller includes a configuration module having selectable operating modes and a processor that calculates a tensile force to apply to the tendon for each of the selectable operating modes to assist the grasping force in a manner that differs for each of the operating modes. A method includes measuring the grasping force, selecting the mode, calculating the tensile force, and applying the tensile force to the tendon using the actuator assembly.

Abstract: A grasp assist system includes a glove and a flexible sleeve. The glove includes a digit such as a finger or thumb, a force sensor configured to measure a grasping force applied to an object by an operator wearing the glove, and adjustable phalange rings positioned with respect to the digit. A saddle is positioned with respect to the finger. A flexible tendon is looped at one end around the saddle. A conduit contains the tendon. A conduit anchor secured within a palm of the glove receives the conduit. The sleeve has pockets containing an actuator assembly connected to another end of the tendon and a controller. The controller is in communication with the force sensor, and calculates a tensile force in response to the measured grasping force. The controller commands the tensile force from the actuator assembly to tension the tendon and thereby move the finger.

Abstract: Piezoelectric ceramics that can be used in high temperature actuators. The piezoelectric ceramics have various desirable properties, for example the materials do not depole up to about 400° C. and have large piezoelectric coefficients >400 pm/V. In addition the thickness mode electromechanical coupling coefficient is large, increasing from 0.5 to 0.65 with temperature. The planar electromechanical coefficient is around 0.40 and does not show a significant dependence on temperature. These materials are highly polarizable with remnant polarization around 50 ?C/cm2 and are electrically hard with coercive field above 20 kV/cm. They exhibit single crystal like ferroelectric behavior with square hysteresis loops. Such properties make these materials a piezoelectric ceramic that can be used in stack actuators at high temperatures. Methods for preparing the piezoelectric ceramics are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite marine bacterial liquid for the synergic degradation of high-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HMW PAHs) and the preparation method thereof. The composite marine bacterial liquid is generated by mixing the fermented culture liquid of a stain of Cycloclasticus sp. PY97M and a stain of Marinobacter sp. D15-8W, the cell concentration of each is 107-109 CFU/mL. The preparation method includes: inoculating the seed liquid of Cycloclasticus strains and Marinobacter strains individually into the sodium acetate medium or M8 medium, fermenting under the condition of defoaming by flowing addition of defoamer, and mixing the fermented cultures to obtain the composite marine bacterial liquid, then preparing a 5-fold concentrated liquid by centrifuging and storing at 4° C.

Abstract: A humanoid robot includes a torso, a pair of arms, two hands, a neck, and a head. The torso extends along a primary axis and presents a pair of shoulders. The pair of arms movably extend from a respective one of the pair of shoulders. Each of the arms has a plurality of arm joints. The neck movably extends from the torso along the primary axis. The neck has at least one neck joint. The head movably extends from the neck along the primary axis. The head has at least one head joint. The shoulders are canted toward one another at a shrug angle that is defined between each of the shoulders such that a workspace is defined between the shoulders.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a transponder holder for controlling the readability of a transponder by an interrogator. Embodiments of the transponder holder can be removable mounted to a support structure, such as a windshield of a motor vehicle. The transponder can be supported by a plate of the transponder holder, which can be moved to position the transponder in a readable position and an unreadable position to allow a user to select whether the transponder is readable by an interrogator.

Abstract: Aqueous droplets encapsulated in a flame retardant polymer are useful in suppressing combustion. Upon exposure to a flame, the encapsulated aqueous droplets rupture and vaporize, removing heat and displacing oxygen to retard the combustion process. The polymer encapsulant, through decomposition, may further add free radicals to the combustion atmosphere, thereby further retarding the combustion process. The encapsulated aqueous droplets may be used as a replacement to halon, water mist and dry powder flame suppression systems.

Abstract: Provided is a disdrometer system having a three-dimensional laser array unit, including: a plurality of laser transmitting parts which are arranged on an inner side of a cylindrical body to generate a laser beam; a plurality of laser receiving parts which are arranged on the inner side of the cylindrical body to correspond to the laser transmitting parts; and a laser control part which converts a cut-off signal of the laser beam, which is cut-off by precipitation drops flowing into the inner side of the cylindrical body, into an electrical signal, and records the converted electrical signal. Thus, the disdrometer system has an effect that the shape, volume, number, falling velocity of precipitation drops, and the intensity, density and weight of rainfall can be integrally measured.

Abstract: An antenna includes a ground plane, a dielectric disposed on the ground plane, and an electrically-conductive radiator disposed on the dielectric. The dielectric includes at least one layer of a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material that collectively define a dielectric geometric pattern, which may comprise a fractal geometry. The radiator defines a radiator geometric pattern, and the dielectric geometric pattern is geometrically identical, or substantially geometrically identical, to the radiator geometric pattern.

Abstract: Provided is an artificial eardrum using silk protein and a method of fabricating the same. The artificial eardrum is fabricated in the form of a silk membrane by desalinating and drying silk protein (or silk fibroin) or a silk protein complex solution obtained after removal of sericin from a silkworm cocoon or silk fiber. Thus, regeneration of an eardrum perforated due to disease or a sudden accident is stimulated, a boundary of the regenerated eardrum is clean and biocompatibility and transparency are increased. In addition, the artificial eardrum may be fabricated using the silk protein or silk protein complex solution obtained from a silkworm cocoon alone or mixed with collagen, alginic acid, PEG or pluronic 127.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments a non-pyrotechnic valve includes an inlet piece, an actuator comprising a shape-memory metal, and an outlet attached to the inlet piece. In some examples, the shape-memory metal includes Nitinol.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of determining the near angle scattering of a sample reflective surface comprising the steps of: a) splitting a beam of light having a coherence length of greater than or equal to about 2 meters into a sample beam and a reference beam; b) frequency shifting both the sample beam and the reference beam to produce a fixed beat frequency between the sample beam and the reference beam; c) directing the sample beam through a focusing lens and onto the sample reflective surface, d) reflecting the sample beam from the sample reflective surface through a detection restriction disposed on a movable stage; e) recombining the sample beam with the reference beam to form a recombined beam, followed by f) directing the recombined beam to a detector and performing heterodyne analysis on the recombined beam to measure the near-angle scattering of the sample reflective surface, wherein the position of the detection restriction relative to the sample beam is varied to occlude at least a portion of t