Abstract: Light is projected through a grid (e.g., a Ronchi ruling) and onto a background, where it forms an image of the ruling. The light from this projected image is then reflected back onto the same grid, with a polarizing refractor (e.g., a Rochon polarizing prism) imparting a small offset between the projected and reflected light, and then on to an imaging camera. Thus, a separate source and cutoff grid is not needed, resulting in a focusing schlieren system that is compact and easy to construct and align. In some embodiments, translation of the polarizing refractor along the instrument axis provides a sensitivity adjustment of the resulting schlieren images. Manipulation of the polarization state of the light through the system allows the projected and reflected light to be coincident, maintaining a small footprint for the system, which can be mounted to the front of the imaging camera.

Abstract: Outer membrane vesicles from bacteria of the Burkholderia pseudomallei complex can be used as adjuvants in compositions and methods to potentiate the immune response to immunogens.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel calibrants containing between 1 and 5 iodine atoms and methods of making them using linear polymers, hyperbranched polymers, and biological polymers (including but not limited to proteins and peptides.) Methods of using the calibrants are also disclosed, such as mass spectrometry. The novel calibrants disclosed herein have a more cost- and time-efficient synthesis than other calibrants.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing an exchange for physicals (EFP) may comprise receiving, with a matching engine module in communication with a processor, EFP data comprising an amount of securities to be traded and a price. The matching engine module may calculate a first delta percentage between the EFP data and an index based on the amount, the price, and an index value. The matching engine module may calculate a residual delta based on the first delta percentage and an index notional value. The matching engine module may attribute the residual delta to the securities.

Abstract: A motion damper for structures includes a housing coupled to a structure such that the housing moves in correspondence with the structure. The housing includes a wall with a vent, and has an air chamber therein in fluid communication with the vent. A piston is sealed within the housing for one-dimensional motion therein. A rigid plate is disposed within the housing's air chamber. The plate is disposed between the piston and the vent, and is spaced apart from and fixedly coupled to the piston such that the plate moves in correspondence with the one-dimensional motion of the piston. At least one spring is mounted in the housing and is coupled to the plate for applying a force thereto that is in opposition to the one-dimensional motion of the piston.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions, methods, kits, and devices for detecting the number and locations of polymorphic LINE-1 (pL1s) elements present in the genome of an individual and for detecting previously unknown pL1s. The inventive compositions, methods, kits, and devices permit the identification of numbers and patterns of pL1 insertions that render a person with such numbers and patterns at higher risk of developing cancer or cognitive disorders compared to persons without such numbers and patterns.

Abstract: A frequency-tunable vibration damper includes a first container having rigid wall regions and compliant wall regions. A second container is coupled to the first container such that a wall region of the second container includes one of the compliant wall regions. A fluid fills the first container and a gas fills the second container. A flow restrictor is included in the second container and is spaced-apart from the one of the compliant wall regions included with the second container.

Abstract: A motion damping system includes a tank compartmentalized to have a first compartment having a first opening, a second compartment having a second opening, and a third compartment disposed between the first and second compartments. The third compartment is in fluid communication with the first and second openings. A first piston is movably sealed within the first compartment and is in fluid communication with its first opening. A second piston is movably sealed within the second compartment and is in fluid communication with its second opening. A liquid fills the third compartment, a portion of the first compartment up to the first piston, and a portion of the second compartment up to the second piston. A coupling fixedly attached to the first and second pistons moves in correspondence with the first and second pistons. Motion damper(s) coupled to the coupling resist movements of the first and second pistons.

Abstract: A ruggedized miniaturized infrared camera system for harsh environments has an infrared camera module that is connected to a ruggedized camera mount. The camera mount has a body and a lens clamp that clamps the camera lens to the body. The camera mount and military-spec fasteners cooperate to mechanically secure the camera module from vibrations. An interface bracket is attached to the camera mount and has a central opening. A signal connector is attached to the exterior side of the bracket and configured to carry USB2 signals. Conductive pins of the signal connector extend through the central opening and are electrically coupled to a circuit board that is adjacent to the interior side of the bracket. An electrically non-conductive spacer is within the central opening and interposed between the signal connector and circuit board. Heat-conductive epoxy secures the circuit board from vibrations and creates thermal bonds that passively remove heat.

Abstract: A sensor device for conducting electronic transactions from a vehicle including a housing including an RFID circuit operably connected to an RFID antenna, a short range communication device, the RFID circuit and short range communication device operably connected to a processor, and a power supply. The sensor device is wirelessly connectable to a mobile communication device via the Bluetooth chip and the mobile communication device runs a software application. The RFID antenna is adapted to receive a wireless signal from a transmitter. Responsive to the wireless signal, the processor causes the short range communication device to wirelessly communicate with the mobile communication device to initiate a transaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular architecture for a resilient extensible SmallSat (MARES) command and data handling (C&DH) device used in a spacecraft, the modular architecture which conforms to a 1U CubeSat board area form factor, including: a C&DH processor card disposed on a backplane of the form factor; a C&DH processor card disposed on a backplane of the form factor; a fault tolerant field programmable gate array (FPGA) disposed on the C&DH processor card, the FPGA including an embedded fault tolerant memory controller, and a soft-core processor which runs core flight software on a real-time executive for a multiprocessor operating system; and a C&DH auxiliary card disposed on the backplane and used in conjunction with the C&DH processor card, to provide processing capability for the spacecraft, the auxiliary card which contains peripheral interface drivers and read electronics for monitoring a health and safety of the spacecraft.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for removing noise for observation information of a weather radar, and more particularly, an apparatus and a method for removing noise for observation information of a weather radar capable of separating and removing second trip echoes corresponding to noise from precipitation echoes by simulating the reflectivity of the second trip echoes caused by a distance folding phenomenon shown in weather observation information generated using a weather radar. According to the present invention, in order to remove the second trip echo that occurs in the observation information measured in the volume observation radius during weather observation by setting the weather radar as the volume observation radius where the second trip echo occurs, the weather radar is set as a long-range observation radius in which a second trip echo exceeding the volume viewing radius does not occur.

Abstract: A pneumatically adjustable lifting apparatus utilizes inflatable spring devices for lifting and precisely positioning a load at a desired location. Variations in the forces produced by the load cause the inflatable spring devices to expand or compress thereby allowing soft mating between components that need to be connected together, such as assembling or disassembling large threaded connections. Pneumatic pressure in the inflatable spring devices may be adjusted depending upon the particular load. The pneumatically adjustable lifting apparatus provides lightly damped vertical travel with a substantially linear force profile over a relatively wide displacement range. Recirculating linear ball bearings cooperate with the linear loading characteristics of the inflatable spring devices to minimize the vertical motion damping of the pneumatically adjustable lifting apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel rotator for a standardized coarse azimuth-pointing system for a balloon-borne platform—either zero pressure or Super Pressure Balloons (SPB)—with a maximum suspended payload of 5,500 lbs. The 5.5K Rotator novel shaft design, bearings, motor, and housing, result in a weight of the rotator being decreased by 33% from existing legacy rotators. The present invention achieved a 24% parts reduction from existing legacy rotators, and has the advantages of lighter weight, reusability, cost-effectiveness, machinability, and ease of assembly.

Abstract: A dark mirror optical stack, particularly a low emittance, high absorbance dark mirror optical stack is provided. The dark mirror optical stack includes a polyimide substrate containing carbon filler, an aluminum layer on the polyimide substrate, a first silicon oxide layer on the aluminum layer, a chromium layer on the first silicon oxide layer, and a second silicon oxide layer on the chromium layer. In a particularly exemplary embodiment, the aluminum layer has an average thickness of 600 to 2000 Angstroms, the first and second silicon oxide layers have average thicknesses of 500 to 1000 Angstroms, and the chromium layer has an average thickness of 40 to 100 Angstroms.

Abstract: A disclosed system, method and computer readable storage medium includes mechanism for controlling cascade price movements in an electronic trading system. Price limits control the prices at which traders can place orders. An upper price limit prevents traders from placing orders above the upper limit and a lower price limit prevents traders from placing orders below the lower limit. The gap between the upper limit and the indicative marked price as well as the gap between lower limit and the indicative market price is controlled so as to cause a breaking effect on very rapidly changing market price.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a single-board processor card configured for use in a 1U CubeSat payload form-factor multi-purpose architecture, including: a field-programmable-gate-array (FPGA) which is reconfigurable in flight; wherein a configuration memory of the FPGA can be scrubbed in flight to correct errors or upsets; and a radiation-hardened monitor (RHM) which provides radiation mitigation and system monitoring of the single-board processor card, and which reconfigures said FPGA during flight, scrubs the configuration memory, and monitors a health of the FPGA. The 1U CubeSat payload form-factor multi-purpose architecture includes a backplane having a plurality of slots, one of the plurality of slots which accommodates the single-board processor card, wherein the backplane routes signals to a plurality of standard-sized processor cards, interchangeably disposed in any of the plurality of slots.

Abstract: A space and wave division multiplexing and demultiplexing system and method for quantum key distribution (QKD) using free space laser communications. The system operates to transmit a quantum channel, including a key of QKD, included in a combined laser transmission with a classical channel, including an encrypted message of QKD. The laser transmission can be transmitted through free space to a lens, wherein it is diffracted into two separate diffraction patterns and captured by a double clad optical receiver fiber having an inner core and a concentric outer core. The diffraction pattern of the classical channel is captured by the outer core, while the diffraction pattern of the quantum channel is captured by the inner core, thus allowing separate treatment of each channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for space and terrestrial communication applications includes a Ka-band horn combined with a S-band cross-polarization cup. The S-band cross-polarization cup is placed around a neck of the Ka-band horn in a form of a collar.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for the flameless premixed combustion of the pyrolysis gases of a milligram-sized sample of solid material in a microscale fire calorimeter (MFC) at high temperatures of combustion and under precisely controlled fuel-to-oxygen ratios. The microscale fire calorimeter (MFC) device and techniques set out herein provide for the generation of fuel gases from solids and the mixing of those fuel gases with oxygen under controlled conditions to obtain precise fuel/oxygen ratios during combustion. Combustion is conducted under flameless, premixed conditions in a rapid test that can generate soot and other products of incomplete combustion, which may then be analyzed to determine their type and nature. This allows for microscale, accurate, and convenient techniques for the generation and determination of the type and nature of combustion species produced over the full range of fire stages from early stage (over-ventilated) fires to late-stage (under-ventilated/high-toxicity) fires.