Abstract: An engine control system includes first and second control modules. The first control module determines a fuel combustion parameter. The second control module determines a fuel delivery parameter based on the fuel combustion parameter. The fuel combustion parameter includes at least one of (i) a total amount of heat released by a volume of fuel during a combustion cycle and (ii) a rate at which heat is released during the combustion cycle. The fuel delivery parameter includes at least one of (i) a duration of time over which the volume of fuel is delivered to a cylinder, (ii) a time at which a fuel injector starts delivering the volume of fuel to the cylinder, and (iii) a fuel pressure in a fuel rail.

Abstract: A method of performing a localized post weld heat treatment on a weld seam in a thin wall metallic body may include attaching thermocouples to the outside surface of the weld seam and covering the weld seam with a thermal insulating blanket. Cooling bands are attached to the outside of the body on both sides of the weld seam. An inert atmosphere enclosure with inlet and exhaust ports is fitted over the weld seam, thermal insulating blanket, and cooling bands. A power supply and control system for an induction coil or coils situated in close proximity to the weld seam are actuated and the weld seam is subjected to a heat treatment without thermally affecting regions of the metallic body adjacent to the weld seam and external to the cooling bands.

Abstract: A dynamic DNA model and DNA model kit that is based on the atomic coordinates of double-stranded DNA, but can be easily untwisted to form a flattened 2-D ladder structure. Once untwisted, the two strands of DNA can be easily “unzipped” to create single-stranded DNA templates that can be used to demonstrate the processes of DNA replication and transcription. The model and kit include two joints that allow the DNA model to be dynamically transformed from its helical arrangement into a straight ladder-like arrangement, with parallel base pairs and anti-parallel “backbones.” One joint is a pin joint, having rotation about one axis, and translation along that axis. The second joint can be a “compound” joint having multiple degrees of freedom at different points; or, it can be simplified to a single rotation axis with a separate translation axis.

Abstract: A firefighting aircraft adapted for use in an unmanned aircraft system includes a storage tank for firefighting fluid, having a plurality of filling ports spaced from one another. A probe carries a conduit that is in fluid communication with the storage tank. The conduit receives water from a body of water overflown by the aircraft. A filling system for controls the flow of water to and from the storage tank, and includes a remotely and automatically operable valve respectively associated with each filling port. A control system is in communication with each valve, and is operative to command the position of each valve to regulate the flow of fluid through each filling port. A baffle may be further provided internal to the storage tank at least partially defining a first chamber within the tank.

Abstract: Solar and steam hybrid power generation system including a solar steam generator, an external steam regulator, a turboset, and a power generator. A steam outlet end of the solar steam generator is connected to a steam inlet of the turboset. A steam outlet end of the external steam regulator is connected to the steam inlet of the turboset. A steam outlet of the turboset is connected to the input end of a condenser, and the output end of the condenser is connected to the input end of a deaerator. The output end of the deaerator is connected to the input end of a water feed pump. The output end of the water feed pump is connected to a circulating water input end of the solar steam generator. The output end of the water feed pump is connected to a water-return bypass of the external steam.

Abstract: A printed circuit assembly (PCA) that provides for a method of rebuilding an electrically operated automatic transmission solenoid module. The PCA allows for a repairable yet rugged interconnection of several solenoids that reside within the span of the module assembly.

Abstract: Provided are: a system for predicting the residual lifespan of a fire-damaged concrete structure and a method therefor, the system being capable of acquiring sample data by performing a chemical analysis on a sample obtained from the fire-damaged concrete structure, comparing the obtained sample data with data pre-stored in a standardization DB so as to quickly predict the residual lifespan of the fire-damaged concrete structure, and accurately and scientifically assessing the level of fire damage of the fire-damaged concrete structure so as to perform appropriate repair and reinforcement of the fire-damaged concrete structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for dissolving and/or depolymerizing lignin comprising: (a) providing a composition comprising lignin, (b) contacting the composition with a strong hydrogen donor, such as a polyol, to form a first solution, (c) incubating the first solution at a temperature equal to or less than 100° C., whereby at least 20% by weight of the lignin is dissolved, (d) optionally introducing an oxidation agent to the first solution to form a second solution, wherein the temperature of the second solution is equal to or less than 100° C., whereby lignin is depolymerized, and (e) optionally introducing an anti-solvent to the second solution to precipitate the depolymerized lignin.

Abstract: To efficiently and appropriately shape a 3D object. There is provided a shaping device that shapes a three-dimensional (3D) object through a layering shaping method, the shaping device including an inkjet head, which is a discharging head, that discharges a material liquid droplet, a liquid droplet of a material for the 3D object; and a circling driving section that relatively circles at least a region to be discharged, which is a region to which the material liquid droplet is discharged in the 3D object being shaped, along a circling path set in advance with respect to the inkjet head; where the circling driving section causes the region to be discharged to circle the circling path plural times; and inkjet head discharges the material liquid droplet onto the region to be discharged circling on the circling path.

Abstract: Methods, structures, and systems are disclosed for biosensing and drug delivery techniques. In one aspect, a device for detecting an analyte and/or releasing a biochemical into a biological fluid can include an array of hollowed needles, in which each needle includes a protruded needle structure including an exterior wall forming a hollow interior and an opening at a terminal end of the protruded needle structure that exposes the hollow interior, and a probe inside the exterior wall to interact with one or more chemical or biological substances that come in contact with the probe via the opening to produce a probe sensing signal, and an array of wires that are coupled to probes of the array of hollowed needles, respectively, each wire being electrically conductive to transmit the probe sensing signal produced by a respective probe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing molded articles consisting of at least one molded article layer, said method comprising the steps of a) putting a layer support in place for accommodating at least one molded article layer; b) applying a molded article layer to a printing plate using a shaping tool; c) positioning the printing plate and the layer support or a previously produced molded article layer relative to one another; d) curing the molded article layer such that said layer becomes a previously molded article layer, and transferring the molded article layer; e) if necessary, putting the printing plate in place for accommodating additional molded article layers and repeating steps b) to d). The invention further relates to an apparatus for carrying out the disclosed method as well as to the use of molded articles obtained thereby.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting the failure of a precision time source using an independent time source are disclosed. Additionally, detecting the failure of a GNSS based precision time source based on a calculated location of a GNSS receiver is disclosed. Moreover, the system may be further configured to distribute a time derived from the precision time source as a precision time reference to time dependent devices. In the event of a failure of the precision time source, the system may be configured to distribute a time derived from a second precision time source as the precision time signal during a holdover period.

Abstract: Provided are: an aromatic polycarbonate resin composition which has excellent hue and is suitable as a molding material for light guide members; and a molded article which is obtained by molding this aromatic polycarbonate resin composition. An aromatic polycarbonate resin composition which contains: an aromatic polycarbonate resin (A); and 0.01-0.1 part by mass of a phosphite-based stabilizer (B-I) represented by general formula (I), which serves as a phosphorus-based stabilizer (B), and 0.05-2 parts by mass of a polyalkylene glycol compound (C), per 100 parts by mass of the aromatic polycarbonate resin (A). In the formula, each of R11-R18 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; each of R29-R22 represents an alkyl group, an aryl group or an aralkyl group; and each of a-d represents an integer of 0-3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gantry tower crane for inspecting a cargo hold, comprising: two running rails which are installed to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the cargo hold; two prefabricated towers, each of which are installed to be able to move along respective running rails; and a basket which is installed to be able to move up and down along the prefabricated towers. Thus, as the basket installed in the prefabricated towers is installed to have a variable length and to be rotatable, it is possible to inspect both wall surfaces and a ceiling of the cargo hold, and to inspect the wall surfaces while moving along an overpass. Also, it is possible to obtain an effect of being able to perform inspection more precisely in a state where an operator comes closer to the wall surfaces by extending an auxiliary foothold of the overpass.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and vehicles for disabling a function of one or more mobile devices within a passenger cabin of a vehicle. A method of disabling a function of one or more mobile devices within a passenger cabin of a vehicle according to the present disclosure includes determining a number of occupants within the passenger cabin based on one or more occupant sensor output signals output by one or more occupant sensors. A disable message is sent to disable a function of the one or more mobile devices in the passenger cabin when the number of occupants present in the passenger cabin is determined to be one. A disable message is sent to disable a function of only the one or more mobile devices associated with a driver of the vehicle when the number of occupants present in the passenger cabin is determined to be greater than one.

Abstract: A tool for manufacturing hot formed structural components having locally different microstructures and mechanical properties, the tool comprising upper and lower mating dies, each die being formed by two or more die blocks (10) comprising one or more working surfaces (34) that in use face the structural component to be formed and one or more supporting blocks, the upper and lower dies comprising die blocks are adapted to operate at different temperatures corresponding to zones of the structural component to be formed having locally different microstructures and mechanical properties, the die blocks including one or more warm die blocks adapted to operate at a higher temperature, and one or more cold die blocks adapted to operate at a lower temperature, and wherein at least one of the warm die blocks is an electrically conductive die block which is electrically connected to a current source configured to provide a DC current through the die block to control the temperature of the die block.

Abstract: A bearing system including a wheel assembly transmitting load to a damping assembly, wherein the wheel assembly is configured to rotate angularly relative to the damping assembly.

Abstract: A testing device for real-time testing of at least a part of a virtual electronic control unit with an electronic control unit code is provided. The testing device has a computing unit of a first type, and a computing unit of a second type. The testing of a virtual electronic control unit with electronic control unit code, which is executable on the computing unit of the second type with a second instruction set, is made possible in that a computing unit of the first type executes an emulator for emulating the computing unit of the second type and the emulator executes the electronic control unit code. The emulator also has a simulation environment interface for exchanging data and/or events with the simulation environment.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for an automotive radiator, a vehicle including such a mounting and a method of mitigating an impact between a vehicle and a pedestrian. The assembly includes a radiator support and one or more brackets. Each bracket is made up of a first end portion that is secured to the radiator support and a second end portion extending forward of the radiator support such that it can be attached to a load-bearing structure within a vehicle. The brackets each include at least one enhanced collapsible zone in order to promote energy absorption relative to energy transmission in situations where a vehicle experiences a front-end impact with a pedestrian or other object. In this way, the added energy absorption by the brackets reduces the amount of impact energy being transmitted to more rigid vehicular structures such as the radiator and its support; this increase in impact energy absorption in turn results in less energy being delivered to the pedestrian.

Abstract: An inflating device includes a bottle for containing a pressurized air, a housing is secured to the bottle and includes an orifice communicating with an inner chamber of the bottle, a valve piece is engaged in the housing and includes a shank engaged in the orifice of the housing, and a spring biasing member is engaged with the valve piece for biasing the valve piece to engage with the housing and to make an air tight seal between the housing and the valve piece. The pressurized air and a fluid contained in the bottle are allowed to flow out through the orifice of the housing when the pressurized air includes a pressure greater than a spring biasing force of the spring biasing member.