Abstract: A synthetic jet for a stationary vane for a turbo-machine is disclosed. The synthetic jet includes a backside cavity and a jet cavity. The jet cavity includes a frontside cavity adjoining the backside cavity and a jet passage extending from a fluid stream interfacing surface of the airfoil towards the frontside cavity. The jet passage is in flow communication with the frontside cavity. The synthetic jet also includes a disk located between the backside cavity and the frontside cavity. The disk includes a cylindrical disk and a coating on each side of the cylindrical disk. The coating is a piezo electric ceramic material.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for monitoring of subjects suffering from, or being evaluated for, heart failure. A filtered Natriuretic peptide time-series, alone or in combination with other clinical indicia such as weight gain, can be used to estimate a patient's hazard (risk of decompensation). The cumulative integral of Natriuretic peptide concentration can be used to estimate cumulative hazard (risk times exposure) over longer periods of exposure, e.g., 14 day periods, or 30 day periods.

Abstract: This disclosure describes kits, reagents and methods for Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) of a target DNA that exploit the properties of recombinase and related proteins, to invade double-stranded DNA with single stranded homologous DNA permitting sequence specific priming of DNA polymerase reactions. The disclosed kits, reagents and methods have the advantage of not requiring thermocycling or thermophilic enzymes, thus offering easy and affordable implementation and portability relative to other amplification methods.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in certain instances, is a novel photovoltaic cell that uses unique micro-architectural and multi-layer functional designs. Further disclosed herein, in certain instances, is a 3-dimensional electrode. Disclosed herein, in certain instances, is a novel electroluminescent cell that uses unique micro-architectural and multi-layer functional designs. Further disclosed herein, in certain instances, is a 3-dimensional diode.

Abstract: In this application, a set of orthogonal functions is introduced whose power spectral densities are all rectangular shape. To find the orthogonal function set, it was considered that their spectrums (Fourier transforms of the functions) are either real-valued or imaginary-valued, which are corresponding to even and odd real-valued time domain signals, respectively. The time domain functions are all considered real-valued because they are actually physical signals. The shape of the power spectral densities of the signals are rectangular thus, the Haar orthogonal function set can be employed in the frequency domain to decompose them to several orthogonal functions. Based on the inverse Fourier transform of the Haar orthogonal functions, the time domain functions with rectangular power spectral densities can be determined. This is equivalent to finding the time-domain functions by taking the inverse Fourier transform of the frequency domain Walsh functions.

Abstract: Non-conductive films for constructing lighter than air balloons are provided. A non-conductive film may comprise multiple layers of gas barrier polymers. An outer surface printable layer and an interior heat or ultrasonically sealable layer may also be included. Each gas barrier film may comprise multiple (e.g., from 3 to approximately 75) barrier layers. A gas barrier core has a nano-layer structure. A gas barrier core may also comprise a biodegradable film or a bio-based film. A non-conductive film may comprise a metal layer for enhancing gas barrier properties. The metal layer may be discontinuous. The metal layer may be conductive and coated with an insulating top coat.

Abstract: Non-conductive films for constructing lighter than air balloons are provided. A non-conductive film may comprise multiple layers of gas barrier polymers. An outer surface printable layer and an interior heat or ultrasonically sealable layer may also be included. Each gas barrier film may comprise multiple (e.g., from 3 to approximately 75) barrier layers. A gas barrier core has a nano-layer structure. A gas barrier core may also comprise a biodegradable film or a bio-based film. A non-conductive film may comprise a metal layer for enhancing gas barrier properties. The metal layer may be discontinuous. The metal layer may be conductive and coated with an insulating top coat.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and computer program product for implementing a smart transformer, comprising a processor, and a balancing algorithm residing on the processor, wherein the balancing algorithm is stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium having computer executable program code embodied thereon, the computer executable program code configured to cause the system to monitor and control an electric customer load and generation in order to optimize the performance of a distribution transformer, wherein the processor receives a plurality of system inputs and uses the balancing algorithm to determine a rating of the transformer and an amount of customer load.

Abstract: Provided herein is a prosthetic device in patients with ventricular assist device (VAD) support and a closed off aortic valve orifice, which reestablishes the formation of normal fluid flow patterns in the aortic root. The prosthesis includes a circular body having a first surface and a second surface and a projection disposed on the first surface of the body, wherein the projection includes a plurality of walls extending away from the first surface of the body, each wall being positioned such that a first side edge contacts a center of the body, thereby forming a plurality of intercepted arcs, each located between adjacent walls; and a plurality of concave parabolic surfaces, each disposed within an intercepted arc. Also provided are methods of using the prosthetic device to reduce thrombosis formation in patients with VAD support.

Abstract: Seismic displacement demands for design of a bridge frame structure are typically determined from linear-elastic analysis (LEA), which are often incorrect, and compared to displacement capacity from a nonlinear pushover analysis. Nonlinear time-history analysis (NTHA) provides the most realistic assessment of displacement demands because it properly models the physics of the dynamic problem, wherein stiffness of the bridge varies over time. However, using NTHA to determine a bridge response from multiple earthquake motions based on the stiffness method requires excessive time. A unique approach for determining the nonlinear time-history response of a bridge frame is disclosed that is thousands of times faster than the stiffness method while providing the same results. Computational efficiency allows bridge design engineers to use NTHA for the seismic design of bridge structures by producing multiple determinations in less than one second.

Abstract: Rigid non-conducting safety covers for the conductive components on an electrical utility pole are disclosed. The safety covers prevent arcing or current flowing to a user working on a utility pole. The safety covers extend over portions of the utility pole, cross arm and bracket mounting the cross arm to the utility pole.

Abstract: A modular warning light system for warning aerial vehicles of an obstacle such as a steel lattice tower includes a support, a light structure adjustably mounted onto the support, a warning light coupled to the light structure, and a power system coupled to the light structure. The power system comprises a solar panel and a rechargeable battery. The solar panel is configured for charging the rechargeable battery, and the rechargeable battery is configured for powering the warning light.

Abstract: Interconnection meter socket adapters are provided. An interconnection meter socket adapter comprises a housing enclosing a set of electrical connections. The interconnection meter socket adapter may be configured to be coupled to a standard distribution panel and a standard electrical meter, thereby establishing connections between a distribution panel and a user such that electrical power may be delivered to the user while an electrical meter measures the power consumption of the user. An interconnection meter socket adapter may be configured to be coupled to a DC-AC converter, which may be coupled to various energy sources. As such, the energy sources are coupled to an electrical power system. In addition, a connector such as a flexible cable or flexible conduit containing insulated wires can be provided for connecting various energy sources and/or sinks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for monitoring, diagnosis, prognosis, and determination of treatment regimens in subjects. In particular, the invention relates to methods and compositions selected to monitor cardiorenal syndrome using assays that detect NGAL, preferably together with assays that detect natriuretic peptides such as BNP. Such methods and compositions can provide early indications of a deterioration in cardiorenal syndrome status, including prognosis regarding mortality and worsening renal function.

Abstract: This disclosure describes related novel methods for Recombinase-Polymerase Amplification (RPA) of a target DNA that exploit the properties of recombinase and related proteins, to invade double-stranded DNA with single stranded homologous DNA permitting sequence specific priming of DNA polymerase reactions. The disclosed methods have the advantage of not requiring thermocycling or thermophilic enzymes. Further, the improved processivity of the disclosed methods may allow amplification of DNA up to hundreds of megabases in length.

Abstract: This disclosure describes related novel methods for Recombinase-Polymerase Amplification (RPA) of a target DNA that exploit the properties of recombinase and related proteins, to invade double-stranded DNA with single stranded homologous DNA permitting sequence specific priming of DNA polymerase reactions. The disclosed methods have the advantage of not requiring thermocycling or thermophilic enzymes, thus offering easy and affordable implementation and portability relative to other amplification methods. Further disclosed are conditions to enable real-time monitoring of RPA reactions, methods to regulate RPA reactions using light and otherwise, methods to determine the nature of amplified species without a need for gel electrophoresis, methods to improve and optimize signal to noise ratios in RPA reactions, methods to optimize oligonucleotide primer function, methods to control carry-over contamination, and methods to employ sequence-specific third ‘specificity’ probes.

Abstract: An electrical waveform is received over an electrical power line. A plurality of nominal electrical parameters are determined for the electrical power network and the plurality of nominal electrical parameters are associated with a state of the electrical power network in the absence of at least one transitory electrical fault in the network. Subsequently, a plurality of electrical parameters of the electrical waveform are sampled when the at least one transitory electrical fault exists in the network. A plurality of inductances are determined based at least in part upon a comparison of the nominal electrical parameters and the plurality of sampled electrical parameters. The plurality of inductances are representative of inductances present in the network when the at least one transitory electrical fault exists in the network. The plurality of inductances are analyzed to determine a distance and/or direction to the at least one electrical fault.

Abstract: Ground Potential Rise (GPR) systems and methods with depth sensing measure the GPR between the ground grid and the remote earth. Methods and systems described herein may provide a GPR measurement to an existing distance protection. A GPR system may comprise a set of potential transformers. The set of potential transformers may be coupled to different ground rods driven into the earth at different depths, respectively. One wire of the high voltage side of the potential transformer may be coupled to the ground grid of a substation, and the second wire of the potential transformer may be coupled to an insulated wire that is coupled to a ground rod or multiple of ground rods bonded together. The low voltage side of the potential transformer is used to connect Distance Relays, Voltage Relays, DFR or Alarms.

Abstract: Various dulling processes for dulling metallic surfaces are disclosed to produce or render galvanized metallic surfaces less shiny. Particular embodiments of dulling galvanized metallic surfaces, such as galvanized steel, iron, and aluminum surfaces, and processes are disclosed to treat galvanized objects for color variation or enhancement while still maintaining protection provided by the galvanized layer. The present disclosure is also directed to apparatus, product and system having dulled surfaces formed by the disclosed dulling processes.

Abstract: A process includes providing a mixture that includes a recombinase, a single-strand binding protein, and one or more oligonucleotides; and detecting particles in the reaction mixture.