Abstract: A system and method for optical sectioning in bright field microscopy (OSBM). The system includes a bright field optical microscope having automated change of focus, a substage condenser fitted with an adjustable aperture iris diaphragm, a digital camera that records the microscope image of samples, and one or more digital computers to perform digital image processing. The OSBM method comprises operating the microscope to Kohler illumination, using the iris diaphragm of the condenser to generate contrast in images, acquiring a Z-stack of images of the unstained sample, and applying a sequence of digital image processing filters to the Z-stack, resulting in optical sections from where the final three-dimensional (3D) image of the sample can be reconstructed by computational device. The final 3D images produced by this invention present quality comparable to that of available optical sectioning techniques that require sample labeling, such as light sheet fluorescence microscopy.

Abstract: A system and method for optical sectioning in bright field microscopy (OSBM). The system includes a bright field optical microscope having automated change of focus, a substage condenser fitted with an adjustable aperture iris diaphragm, a digital camera that records the microscope image of samples, and one or more digital computers to perform digital image processing. The OSBM method comprises operating the microscope to Kohler illumination, using the iris diaphragm of the condenser to generate contrast in images, acquiring a Z-stack of images of the unstained sample, and applying a sequence of digital image processing filters to the Z-stack, resulting in optical sections from where the final three-dimensional (3D) image of the sample can be reconstructed by computational device. The final 3D images produced by this invention present quality comparable to that of available optical sectioning techniques that require sample labeling, such as light sheet fluorescence microscopy.

Abstract: A device and method based on an active anti-islanding technique for Distributed Power Generator Systems. The present invention is based on the Sandia Voltage Shift (SVS) technique, which includes a small Non-Detection Zone (NDZ) and by an acceptable solution to the tradeoff between the output power quality and the effectiveness of islanding detection. The present invention has the advantage to improve the NDZ and to reduce the anti-islanding detection times. This is due to the exponential-product modification made in the positive feedback to inject current, thereby making the response faster than SVS. Additionally, a self-adaptive gain is considered to achieve a low Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) at different power levels.

Abstract: A polycrystalline magnetocaloric material based on thermally annealed Fe100-xRhx melt-spun ribbons with chemical composition x in the interval 48?x?52 at. % and the bcc CsCl-type crystal structure (B2) and method for manufacturing the same. The material has improved magnetocaloric properties associated to first-order magneto-elastic phase transition compared to bulk alloys of similar chemical composition manufactured by conventional melting techniques; exhibiting both low-magnetic field induced giant magnetocaloric effects and enhanced refrigeration capacity close to the room temperature range, due to the fast increase of a magnetic entropy change at low fields that is followed by a broad table-like magnetic entropy change as function in the temperature curve.

Abstract: The present invention presents a real-time synchronization system for power converters interconnected with the electrical network, whose operation is based on a structurally stable limit cycle oscillator and which develops pure sinusoidal trajectories, creating references free of harmonics and disturbances in network. The proposed invention has the advantage that it has a high degree of immunity and robustness within highly contaminated networks, either due to the presence of harmonics or other types of contamination that may exist in the network, with a better performance than the systems previously reported. Another advantage of the present invention is that regardless of the initial conditions that are established, the system always synchronizes with the signal of the network, guaranteeing a smooth transient from any initial condition to the limit cycle, so it does not require prior tuning.

Abstract: The herein invention discloses and claims a quantitative image restoration in bright field (QRBF) method that faithfully recovers shape and enables quantify size of individual unstained samples. The QRBF method restores out-of-focus BF images of unstained samples by applying deconvolution, which enhances contrast and allows for quantitative analysis. To perform deconvolution our procedure uses a point spread function modeled from theory. Image deconvolution can be performed even from a single input image in two dimensions (2D-QRBF), and quantitative information such as size and shape of samples can be determined from restored 2D-QRBF images. Application of 2D-QRBF in a high-throughput screening process to assess shape changes in cells during hyperosmotic shock shows that the described digital restoration approach is suitable for quantitative analysis of unstained BF images in high-throughput image cytometry.

Abstract: The herein invention discloses and claims a quantitative image restoration in bright field (QRBF) method that faithfully recovers shape and enables quantify size of individual unstained samples. The QRBF method restores out-of-focus BF images of unstained samples by applying deconvolution, which enhances contrast and allows for quantitative analysis. To perform deconvolution our procedure uses a point spread function modeled from theory. Image deconvolution can be performed even from a single input image in two dimensions (2D-QRBF), and quantitative information such as size and shape of samples can be determined from restored 2D-QRBF images. Application of 2D-QRBF in a high-throughput screening process to assess shape changes in cells during hyperosmotic shock shows that the described digital restoration approach is suitable for quantitative analysis of unstained BF images in high-throughput image cytometry.

Abstract: The present invention is related with a computer-implemented method for generating a pseudo-random bit generator including the steps: a. Defining a multi-modal map by the equation: ƒ?=?(dr+1?x)(x?dr), x??r; b. Set the value of k?+, and obtaining the values of ?j, for j=from at least 1, to the final value k by the following equations: ?1=4k; ?j=(j)(?1); for 2?j?k; and taking the values of ?j and split the space into 2j regions ?1j, to ?2jj which are determined by values ?1j to k(2j)?1j.

Abstract: The present invention presents a real-time synchronization system for power converters interconnected with the electrical network, whose operation is based on a structurally stable limit cycle oscillator and which develops pure sinusoidal trajectories, creating references free of harmonics and disturbances in network. The proposed invention has the advantage that it has a high degree of immunity and robustness within highly contaminated networks, either due to the presence of harmonics or other types of contamination that may exist in the network, with a better performance than the systems previously reported. Another advantage of the present invention is that regardless of the initial conditions that are established, the system always synchronizes with the signal of the network, guaranteeing a smooth transient from any initial condition to the limit cycle, so it does not require prior tuning.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a magnetocaloric material based on NdPrFe17 melt-spun ribbons. This material has improved properties when compared with other similar magnetocaloric (MC) materials since it has an enhanced refrigeration capacity in the room temperature range due to its broader magnetic entropy change as function of the temperature curve. This material is useful as magnetic refrigerant as a part of magnetocaloric refrigerators.

Abstract: A compatibilizer including a thermoplastic elastomer and an acrylic polymer. The thermoplastic elastomer and the acrylic polymer form an interpenetrating polymeric network.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packing material for biofilters, having a polyurethane polymer and starch. The packing material is resistant to compaction, can sorb pollutant organic compounds and reduces the start-up time of the biofilter. The packing material can be used as a substrate in the biofiltration of volatile and/or semi-volatile organic compounds present in gaseous or liquid effluents.

Abstract: The present invention is related with a computer-implemented method for generating a pseudo-random bit generator including the steps: a. Defining a multi-modal map by the equation: f?=?(dr+1?x)(x?dr), x ? ?r; b. Set the value of k ? +, and obtaining the values of ?j, for j=from at least 1, to the final value k by the following equations: ?1=4k; ?j=(j)(?1); for 2?j?k and taking the values of ?j and split the space into 2j regions ?1j, to ?2jj which are determined by values k1j to k(2j)?1j.

Abstract: The instant invention is related with new perimidine derivatives synthesized via direct condensation between naphthalene-1,8-diamine and itaconic or citraconic anhydrides at low temperature. The targeting itaco-perinone (IP) molecule formed via double low temperature cyclization has fluorescence properties emitting white light intensively. Besides, 9-methylene-8H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]perimidin-10(9H)-one is copolymerizable with several kind of organic monomer compounds via free radical mechanism maintaining the ability to emit white light even within the polymer film.

Abstract: A reconfigurable element based on nonlinear (chaotic) dynamics is adapted to implement the three different multivibrator configurations. A nonlinear dynamical system, under parameter modulating control, operates as a tunable oscillator with different dynamical regimes which in turn provide the different multivibrator configurations (monostable, astable, and bistable). The reconfigurable multivibrator is realized as a tunable circuit which includes an input stage for receiving at least one input voltage signal and an output stage that produces a digital two-level electric output signal. The all-in-one reconfigurable multivibrator device consisting of a nonlinear oscillator circuit electrically coupled to the input/output circuitry is used in at least, but not limited to three basic applications, namely, an irregular width pulse generator, a rising flank trigger and a full RS flip-flop device.

Abstract: A dynamically reconfigurable linear core logic gate is a device that allows logical outputs dependent upon configurable parameters set within device. The device is comprised of three blocks: The first block receives at least one input signal and determines whether the signal or signals are low or high in comparison with a threshold reference signal. The second block sums the logic signals of the first block with an offset signal. The third block determines if the sum realized in the second block is a low or high by checking whether the sum falls within a predetermined interval.

Abstract: A reconfigurable element based on nonlinear (chaotic) dynamics is adapted to implement the three different multivibrator configurations. A nonlinear dynamical system, under parameter modulating control, operates as a tunable oscillator with different dynamical regimes which in turn provide the different multivibrator configurations (monostable, astable, and bistable). The reconfigurable multivibrator is realized as a tunable circuit which includes an input stage for receiving at least one input voltage signal and an output stage that produces a digital two-level electric output signal. The all-in-one reconfigurable multivibrator device consisting of a nonlinear oscillator circuit electrically coupled to the input/output circuitry is used in at least, but not limited to three basic applications, namely, an irregular width pulse generator, a rising flank trigger and a full RS flip-flop device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a treatment process applicable to degrade or transform organic and inorganic pollutants, commonly found in industrial wastewaters, contaminated aquifers and gas emissions, in which reduction or oxidation reactions (e.g. redox reactions) are involved. The treatment concept comprises reactors in which catalysts, with redox mediating properties, have been immobilized on ion exchange resins in order to improve and accelerate the transformation of priority pollutants by chemical or biological means.

Abstract: A repetitive controller scheme with negative feedback and feedforward introduces infinitely many poles on the imaginary axis located at the resonant peaks. The feedforward introduces zeros, which produce notches located in between two consecutive resonant peaks. The latter has the advantage of making the controllers more selective, in the sense that the original overlapping (appearing at the valleys) or interaction between consecutive resonant peaks is removed by the notches. This would allow, in principle, peaks of higher gains and slightly wider bandwidth, avoiding, at the same time, the excitation of harmonics located in between two consecutive peaks. A negative feedback compensator with feedforward is especially useful when only the compensation of odd harmonics is required, but not the even harmonics, like in many power electronic systems. In contrast, the positive feedback controller would try to reinject, and indeed amplify, any small noise, which has components on the even frequencies.

Abstract: A repetitive controller scheme with positive feedback and feedforward introduces infinitely many poles on the imaginary axis located at the resonant peaks. The feedforward introduces zeros, which produce notches located in between two consecutive resonant peaks. The latter has the advantage of making the controller more selective, in the sense that; the original overlapping (appearing at the valleys in a simple positive feedback repetitive controller) or interaction between consecutive resonant peaks is removed by the notches. This would allow, in principle, peaks of higher gains and slightly wider bandwidth, avoiding, at the same time, the excitation of harmonics located in between two consecutive peaks. The repetitive controller includes a simple Low Pass Filter (LPF). This modification restricts the bandwidth of the controller and at the same time reinforces stability when the controller is inserted in the closed-loop system.