Abstract: Flexural digital materials are discrete parts that can be assembled into a lattice structure to produce an actuatable structure capable of coordinated reversible spatially-distributed deformation. The structure comprises a set of discrete flexural digital material units assembled according to a lattice geometry, with a majority of the discrete units being connected, or adapted to be connected, to at least two other units according to the geometry. In response to certain types of loading of the structure, a coordinated reversible spatially-distributed deformation of at least part of the structure occurs. The deformation of the structure is due to the shape or material composition of the discrete units, the configuration of connections between the units, and/or the configuration of the lattice geometry. Exemplary types of such actuatable structures include airplane wing sections and robotic leg structures.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a processor and storage storing instructions causing the processor to store, at a node device of a grid of node devices, a data block of a data blob, receive data blob metadata indicative of an organization of data items within the data blob, receive a command to generate, from the data block, at least one row of a representation portion of a plurality of representation portions from which a 2D representation of the data blob is to be generated, use the data blob metadata and a node block map indicative of which data items of the data block are required to generate the representation portion to derive one or more transforms to be performed with the data block to generate the at least one row of the representation portion, and perform the one or more transforms with the data block to generate the at least one row.

Abstract: A local processing apparatus and a data transceiving method thereof are provided. The local processing apparatus includes a communication module configured to transceive the data with the one or more distributed storage units, a memory configured to store a program for transceiving the data and the one or more key-value data pairs, and a processor configured to execute the program, the processor confirms whether a first key-value data exists in the memory by executing the program, and determines whether to prefetch one or more key-value data corresponding to the first key-value data based on the confirmation result.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst component for olefin polymerization and a preparation method thereof, and a catalyst for olefin polymerization and an application thereof. The catalyst component for olefin polymerization comprises reaction products of the following components: (1) a solid component; (2) at least one titanium compound; and (3) at least two internal electron donors, wherein the solid component comprises a magnesium compound represented by formula (1) and an epoxide represented by formula (2), wherein R1 is a C1-C12 linear or branched alkyl; R2 and R3 are identical or different, and are independently hydrogen or unsubstituted or halogen-substituted C1-C5 linear or branched alkyl; X is halogen; m is in a range of from 0.1 to 1.9, n is in a range of from 0.1 to 1.9, and m+n=2.

Abstract: A dispensing device which disperses medicate through a needle across a zone within a body. The device includes a needle which is, during use, becomes encapsulated within a tubular needle-receiving member, a reservoir in fluid communication with the needle, positioned within the housing, and in communication with the needle, a second reservoir, a reservoir-connecting conduit in communication with the reservoir, a fluid drive in communication with the fluid in the second reservoir and in communication with the reservoir-connecting conduit, and a linear drive attached to the needle or to the needle-receiving member. The fluid drive impel fluids from the second reservoir to the reservoir-connecting conduit and thus drives the therapeutic agent from the reservoir during the linear displacement of the needle towards the housing. Fluid communication from the therapeutic agent reservoir to the needle is maintained by the tubing during operation of the linear drive.

Abstract: Communication bottlenecks, particularly in the downlink direction, are a common problem for many CubeSat developers. As described herein, a CubeSat module for a CubeSat comprises an optical transmitter to transmit data to a remote terminal, a receiver to acquire an optical beacon from a remote terminal, and a fine-pointing module operably and directly coupleable to a coarse-pointing module of the CubeSat. The fine-pointing module is configured to point the optical transmitter toward the remote terminal with an accuracy range that overlaps with an accuracy range of the coarse-pointing module of the CubeSat so as to establish a communications link between the CubeSat and the remote terminal over a low-Earth-orbit (LEO) distance.

Abstract: A wireless device of a communication system randomly selects a backoff counter at a contention window interval corresponding to a contention window size that is determined according to a backoff stage, attempts packet transmission, when the backoff counter becomes 0 while reducing the backoff counter, when a radio channel is in an idle status, and increases the contention window size while increasing the backoff stage by 1 according to a first predetermined condition. In this case, as the backoff stage increases, a contention window size has a concave down increasing form.

Abstract: A mixed salt composition adapted for use as a sorbent for carbon dioxide removal from a gaseous stream is provided, the composition being in solid form and including magnesium oxide, an alkali metal carbonate, and an alkali metal nitrate, wherein the composition has a molar excess of magnesium characterized by a Mg:X atomic ratio of at least about 3:1, wherein X is the alkali metal. A process for preparing the mixed salt is also provided, the process including mixing a magnesium salt with a solution comprising alkali metal ions, carbonate ions, and nitrate ions to form a slurry or colloid including a solid mixed salt including magnesium carbonate; separating the solid mixed salt from the slurry or colloid to form a wet cake; drying the wet cake to form a dry cake including the solid mixed salt; and calcining the dry cake to form a mixed salt sorbent.

Abstract: A process for forming a hollow member with A complicated cross-section wherein a section of a tube blank first undergoes a bending deformation due to its internal pressure and bend moment generated by the upsetting of an upper die, and is then compressed to be molded under the support of the internal pressure. The process of the invention does not require the reshaping step at an increased pressure. The process can make a hollow member with a complicated cross-section formed under a low pressure, and solves a technical bottleneck relating to a conventional process for forming this kind of members that is subject to an ultrahigh pressure generator.

Abstract: Bi-metal nanoadsorbents and methods for their preparation and use are provided. Methods of using bi-metal nanoadsorbents to remove contaminants from samples, such as water, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is a carbon nanotube aggregate having a three-dimensional shape. The carbon nanotube aggregate having a three-dimensional shape includes a first surface, a second surface and a side surface, wherein a carbon nanotube of the first surface has a Herman orientation coefficient greater than ?0.1 and smaller than 0.2, a carbon nanotube of the second surface has a Herman orientation coefficient greater than ?0.1 and smaller than 0.2, and a carbon nanotube of the side surface has degree of orientation in which a Herman orientation coefficient is 0.2 or more and 0.99 or less, and the first surface and second surface are mutually arranged in parallel and the side surface is perpendicular with respect to the first surface and second surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for screening a compound that inhibits secretion of toxins into host-cell cytoplasm by virulent bacteria using a needle type III secretion system. The compound of the invention is selected by screening for a compound which interacts with a loop region of the cytoplasmic domain of the membrane protein FlhB from Salmonella typhimurium or a paralog thereof. Compositions including the compound of the invention, use of the compound, and methods of treating disorders caused by virulent bacteria are also provided.

Abstract: A sensing structure includes a sensing unit, a periphery circuit, and a connecting circuit. The connecting circuit connecting the sensing unit and the periphery circuit includes a connecting pattern. In an embodiment, the connecting pattern has at least two line widths. The line width of a part of the connecting pattern connecting the periphery circuit is greater than the line width of a part of the connecting pattern connecting the sensing unit. In an embodiment, the connecting pattern includes a mesh pattern having at least two mesh densities. The mesh density of a part of the mesh pattern connecting the periphery circuit is greater than the mesh density of a part of the mesh pattern connecting the sensing unit. In an embodiment, the connecting circuit includes lines between and connecting a single sensing series of the sensing unit and a periphery wire of the periphery circuit.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus of discriminating reformulated fuel, which includes a fuel sensing unit including first and second electrode plates which are spaced and face each other, and a measuring part connected to the first and second electrode plates; a fuel control valve unit including a control valve part blocking the fuel passage and a second actuator driving the control valve part; and a control unit connected to the measuring part and the second actuator, and operating the second actuator based on a capacitance measured from the measuring part.

Abstract: Described are tubular silk fibroin compositions and methods for their manufacture and use. Tubular compositions as described herein can be produced in a range of high burst strengths, can easily be made in a range of inner diameters, can be derivatized with functional moieties, and can be produced in a range of permeabilities suitable for particularized uses. In one aspect, the tubular compositions can be used in the repair or replacement of damaged or diseased blood vessels, including, but not limited to vessels smaller than about 6 mm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing transgenic plants which are drought resistant, plants obtainable by the method and uses thereof.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of amplifying temporal variation in at least two images comprises examining pixel values of the at least two images. The temporal variation of the pixel values between the at least two images can be below a particular threshold. The method can further include applying signal processing to the pixel values.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of estimating an image optical flow are provided. The method includes receiving temporally-consecutive first and second images; calculating rates of change of brightness values of pixels in the received temporally-consecutive first and second images; calculating a first optical flow estimation result value of a first pixel within the first image and a second optical flow estimation result value of a second pixel within the second image by using the calculated rates of change; comparing the first optical flow estimation result value with the second optical flow estimation result value; and correcting the first optical flow estimation result value and the second optical flow estimation result value by using a result of the comparison.

Abstract: Fuel management system for efficient operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder of the engine. A fuel management microprocessor system controls injection of the anti-knock agent so as to control knock and minimize that amount of the anti-knock agent that is used in a drive cycle. It is preferred that the anti-knock agent is ethanol. The use of ethanol can be further minimized by injection in a non-uniform manner within a cylinder. The ethanol injection suppresses knock so that higher compression ratio and/or engine downsizing from increased turbocharging or supercharging can be used to increase the efficiency or the engine.

Abstract: A personal therapy compartment includes a base of size to receive a human patient. The compartment includes a bed in the base said bed being made of a light transmissive material. An array of lights mounted is below the bed to transmit light onto a body supported on the bed. A control panel controls at least the wavelength, intensity and pulsation of the light.