Abstract: A system includes one or more processors configured to detect perimeter edges of one or more rotor blades of a turbine assembly as depicted in a series of image frames using boundary analysis performed on the image frames. The one or more processors are configured to identify a set of the image frames as key frames based on positional offsets between the perimeter edges that are detected in the image frames and a reference blade pose such that the key frames are able to be inspected for objects-of-interest without inspecting the image frames that are not the key frames.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a system having: at least one computing device configured to tune a set of gas turbines (GTs) by performing actions including: commanding each GT in the set of GTs to a base load level, based upon a measured ambient condition for each GT; commanding each GT in the set of GTs to adjust a respective output to match a nominal mega-watt power output value, and subsequently measuring an actual emissions value for each GT; adjusting an operating condition of each GT in the set of GTs based upon a difference between the respective measured actual emissions value and a nominal emissions value at the ambient condition; and further adjusting an operating condition of each GT in the set of GTs based upon a determined emissions measurement error.

Abstract: Aligning an optical fiber with an optical device, component or package such as an optical transducer or sensor is disclosed, A housing for an optical device is provided having a tapered surface to receive a correspondingly tapered portion of a ferrule in which a fiber is mounted. The tapered surfaces, which may for example be frusta-conical or conical, enable the optical device and ferrule to be quickly and precisely aligned. An optical device may be provided in a cavity which may be sealed by the mating tapered surfaces. The optical device may also be provided on a mounting bracket with flexible supports connected to the housing to accommodate thermal expansion of the housing and maintain alignment.

Abstract: Methods and kits for generating circular nucleic acids in a cell-free system, and uses for the generated circular nucleic acids are provided. The methods comprise in vitro amplification of a nucleic acid template comprising a recombination site to produce tandem repeat nucleic acid sequence, and employ a recombination protein to generate the circular nucleic acids from the tandem repeat nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: A method includes determining a state of operational devices in a second group coupled with a second router onboard a second vehicular unit of a vehicle consist, registering an operational device in the second group based on the determined state, and transmitting a data message from an operational device in a first group of operational devices to the second router via a first router and a communication pathway of the vehicle consist. The first group is coupled with the first router onboard a first vehicular unit. The operational devices in the first and second groups perform functions of the respective first vehicular unit and second vehicular unit. The first and second routers are connected with each other by the communication pathway. The method also includes communicating the data message to the at least one of the operational devices in the second group that are registered with the second router.

Abstract: A luminescent material includes an aluminate phosphor of formula I A1+xMg1+yAl10+zO17+x+y+1.5z:Eu2+, R3+, where 0?x?0.4, 0?y?1 and 0?z?0.2. A is selected from Ca, Ba, and Sr and combinations thereof. The aluminate phosphor is doped with a rare earth ion (R3+), which exists in stable multi-valence states in the luminescent material. R3+ is selected from the group consisting of Sm3+, Yb3+, Tm3+, Ce3+, Tb3+, Pr3+ and combinations thereof. Phosphors of formula I may be blended with other blue, yellow, orange, green, and red phosphors to yield white light phosphor blends. A lighting apparatus including such a luminescent material is also presented. The light apparatus includes a light source in addition to the luminescent material.

Abstract: A mobile dual-energy X-ray imaging system is presented. The mobile dual-energy X-ray imaging system is a digital X-ray system that is designed both to acquire original image data and to process the image data to produce an image for viewing. The system has an X-ray source and a portable flat-panel digital X-ray detector. The system is operable to produce a high energy image and low energy image, which may be decomposed to produce a soft tissue image and a bone image for further analysis of the desired anatomy. The system is disposed on a carrier to facilitate transport. The imaging system has an alignment system for facilitating alignment of the flat-panel digital detector with the X-ray source. The imaging system also comprises an anti-scatter grid and an anti-scatter grid registration system for removing artifacts of the anti-scatter grid from images.

Abstract: The manipulation of RF irradiation to a subject in which a CEST agent has been administered is employed to determine a biological parameter in vivo in conjunction with an MRI imaging process. The exchange rate of the CEST agent is determined through RF manipulation which in turn enables the determination of a biological parameter through standard calibration techniques. The exchange rate of CEST agents is modulated as a function of many biological parameters, such as pH. MRI apparatuses and computer program products configured for determining exchanges rates of CEST agents in vivo are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for microstructural evaluation and degradation evaluation of an object are provided. The method comprises insonifying at least one subvolume of the object with ultrasonic energy at a fundamental frequency and acquiring receive energy from the object at the fundamental frequency and at least one harmonic frequency thereof. A nonlinearity parameter is determined using the receive energy. The nonlinearity parameter is then used to determine a grain size for the subvolume of the object and a variation of the grain size within the object. The nonlinearity parameter is also used to determine fatigue damage or a residual stress.

Abstract: A method of pre-scan data acquisition includes the application of a pre-scan pulse sequence to acquire MR signals from a region-of-interest to be imaged with an imaging pulse sequence. The pre-scan pulse sequence applies a pre-scan readout gradient pulse and a pre-scan readout gradient rewinder pulse. MR signals are acquired from a region of interest during application of the pre-scan readout gradient pulse and after application of the pre-scan readout gradient rewinder pulse.

Abstract: A local environmental cell for a welding spray gun includes an annular ring having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the annular ring is adapted for attachment to an outer perimeter of the spray gun; and a plurality of fluid passageways radially disposed about the annular ring having a plurality of openings in the bottom surface of the ring in fluid communication with a vacuum source for providing a vacuum thereto. The use of the local environmental cell permits deposition of local bond coats as well as minimizes the number of steps associated with welding repair processes. For example, the use of the local environmental cell permits welding and formation of a low oxide bond coat during the welding process, thereby eliminating the need for placing the substrate subsequent to a welding process in a separate spray cell to deposit the bond coating.

Abstract: A method for planning minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) for a patient includes obtaining acquisition data from a medical imaging system, and generating a 3D model of the coronary arteries and one or more cardiac chambers of interest. One or more anatomical landmarks are identified on the 3D model, and saved views of the 3D model are registered on an interventional system. One or more of the registered saved views are visualized with the interventional system.

Abstract: A tip cap hole is loaded with a first composition comprising particles of a first alloy having a solidus temperature above the brazing temperature. The first composition is covered with a second composition comprising particles of a second alloy having a liquidus temperature below the brazing temperature. The second composition is heated to the brazing temperature to cause particles of the second alloy to melt to form a liquid of the second alloy which is carried into spaces between the particles of the first alloy by capillarity. The liquid of the second alloy is cooled to form a solid securely bonding the particles of the first alloy. By weight, the second alloy has no more than 1% B and from 3% to 11% Si. The first alloy has Cr and at least about 5% Al, at least about 0.5% Hf, no more than 0.5% Ti.

Abstract: A gas turbine blade includes an airfoil, platform, and dovetail. The blade is cast with a chamfer along one edge of the platform thereof. The platform edge is then machined to truncate the chamfer in a simple and precise method.