Abstract: A nuclear power plant includes a nuclear structure, a frontline support equipment, and a support structure. The nuclear structure includes, and is configured to protect from incurring damage due to a damaging event, at least one of a nuclear reactor or a nuclear fuel storage. The frontline support equipment is configured to perform a fundamental safety function. The support structure is spatially separate from the nuclear structure and includes an initiating support equipment configured to trigger the frontline support equipment to perform the fundamental safety function such that the fundamental safety function is performed independently of the initiating support equipment subsequent to the triggering. The support structure may be a non-protected structure that is not configured to protect the initiating support equipment from incurring damage due to the damaging event.

Abstract: Disclosed are cable types, including a type THHN cable, the cable types having a reduced surface coefficient of friction, and the method of manufacture thereof, in which the central conductor core and insulating layer are surrounded by a material containing nylon or thermosetting resin. A silicone based pulling lubricant for said cable, or alternatively, erucamide or stearyl erucamide for small cable gauge wire, is incorporated, by alternate methods, with the resin material from which the outer sheath is extruded, and is effective to reduce the required pulling force between the formed cable and a conduit during installation.

Abstract: A cell site maintenance system. The system comprises a plurality of data stores, a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and a part replacement prediction application stored in memory. When executed by the processor the application extracts features based on data read from the data stores, executes a plurality of part machine learning models, where each part machine learning model analyses some of the extracted features by a multi-label classification model trained for a specific part associated with that part machine learning model and each part machine learning model outputs a probability that the associated part can fix the cell site associated with the trouble ticket, and, based on a probability output by a part machine learning model associated with a first part exceeding a predefined threshold, determining that the first part is to be pulled from a part inventory to make ready for a service truck.

Abstract: A device for supporting a person's extremities includes a first arm, a second arm pivotably coupled to the first arm, and an appendage support coupled to the first and second arms. The device is configurable in a use position, in which the appendage support is not parallel to at least one of the first and second arms while remaining coupled to the first and second arms. The device is also configurable in a collapsed position, in which the first and second arms and the appendage support are generally parallel to one another while remaining coupled to one another.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a human joint which includes two or more bones and ligaments, wherein the ligaments are under anatomical tension to connect the bones together, creating a load-bearing articulating joint. The method includes: defining locations of one or more sockets, each socket representing a ligament attachment point to bone; interconnecting the one or more sockets with mathematical relationships that describe the kinematic physics of the one or more sockets relative to one another; providing spatial information to describe the movement of the sockets relative to one another; defining an initial kinematic state of the joint; defining a final kinematic state of the joint; using computer-based system to compute a difference between the initial and final kinematic states; and using a computer-based system to compute modifications to the mathematical relationships of the sockets to achieve a final kinematic state.

Abstract: An apparatus (300) for suspending air bubbles in a fluid path of a fluid injector system includes an internal chamber (320) having a curved interior wall (322) defined within the housing (310), an inlet fluid pathway in fluid communication with the internal chamber, and an outlet fluid pathway in fluid communication with the internal chamber. The inlet fluid pathway extending into the chamber at a tangent to the curved interior wall, and the outlet fluid pathway spaced from the inlet fluid pathway such that fluid flowing into the internal chamber via the inlet fluid pathway is directed away from the outlet fluid pathway. The internal chamber is configured to create an internal fluid vortex in an injection fluid entering the internal chamber from the inlet fluid pathway, and wherein the internal fluid vortex at least temporarily suspends air bubbles in the fluid in the internal vortex and delays the passage of the air bubbles to the outlet fluid pathway.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a method comprising a single-stage conversion of an atmospheric pollutant, such as NO, NO2 and/or SOx in a first stream to one or more mineral acids and/or salts thereof by reacting with nonionic gas phase chlorine dioxide (ClO20), wherein the reaction is carried out in the gas phase. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method comprising first adjusting the atmospheric pollutant concentrations in a first stream to a molar ratio of about 1:1, and then reacting with an aqueous metal hydroxide solution (MOH). Another aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus that can be used to carry out the methods disclosed herein. The methods disclosed herein are unexpectedly efficient and cost effective, and can be applied to a stream comprising high concentration and large volume of atmospheric pollutants.

Abstract: A method and system for managing transcoding of data in a stream that includes identifying an input source change for the stream with a new input source type, and adding a decoder for the new input source type, the decoder configured to output for a respective encoder in a transcoder pipeline.

Abstract: Systems and methods for power and thermal management of autonomous vehicles are provided. In one example embodiment, a computing system includes processor(s) and one or more tangible, non-transitory, computer readable media that collectively store instructions that when executed by the processor(s) cause the computing system to perform operations. The operations include obtaining data associated with an autonomous vehicle. The operations include identifying one or more vehicle parameters associated with the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the data associated with the autonomous vehicle. The operations include determining a modification to one or more operating characteristics of one or more systems onboard the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the one or more vehicle parameters.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to variable composition ceramics. Zr(2?x)Hf(x)WP2O12 and Hf2WP2O12 exhibit large negative thermal expansion that is linear over a large temperature range up to at least 900° C., These new ceramic material particles may be mixed with polymers to make a composite suitable for use in backsheets for photovoltaic modules or in other applications. The thermal expansion coefficient of the composite can be tailored to match that of the solar cell in order to reduce stress resulting from daily thermal cycling.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and devices for providing an orthopedic walking brace having a housing and a sole with a curved distal surface. The housing is configured to encompass and immobilize a patient's ankle against flexion. The distal surface of the sole has a posterior region, a mid region, and an anterior region. The posterior region is configured to lie under a heel portion of the patient's foot and has a first anterior-posterior (AP) curvature that increases from a posterior side of the posterior region toward a middle portion of the posterior region and decreases from the middle portion of the posterior region toward the mid region. The mid region is configured to lie under a center portion of the patient's foot. The anterior region is configured to lie under an anterior metatarsal and toe portion of the patient's foot and has a second AP curvature.

Abstract: A vehicle head restraint includes a head restraint support, a first head restraint member fixedly coupled to the head restraint support, and a second head restraint member attached to the first head restraint member. The second head restraint member is selectively moveable relative to the first head restraint member.

Abstract: Materials, kits, and methods are directed to controlling reactability of activated aluminum to produce hydrogen when exposed to water. For example, a moisture-stabilized material may be treatable with one or more additives to form a water-reactive source of hydrogen. The moisture-stabilized material may include a bulk volume including aluminum, at least one activation metal disposed along the aluminum within the bulk volume, the at least one activation metal more noble than the aluminum, and a salt along at least an outer surface of the bulk volume, the salt dissolvable in water to form an ion-containing solution at a rate faster than a reaction rate of water with the aluminum of the bulk volume.

Abstract: A selectively locking rotational bearing element includes at least one bearing element supporting an outer race for rotational movement and a plurality of locking elements disposed circumferentially about an inner surface of the outer race. An actuator selectively moves the plurality of locking elements into engagement with the outer race to restrict rotational movement of the outer race and selectively move the plurality of locking elements away from engagement with the outer race such that the outer race is free to rotate relative to the locking elements.

Abstract: A battery separator has performance enhancing additives or coatings, fillers with increased friability, increased ionic diffusion, decreased tortuosity, increased wettability, reduced oil content, reduced thickness, decreased electrical resistance, and/or increased porosity. The separator in a battery reduces the water loss, lowers acid stratification, lowers the voltage drop, and/or increases the CCA.

Abstract: A check valve can include a valve body defining a valve bore, the valve body comprising an annular body and a cross member secured to and extending in a radial direction across the valve bore from the annular body on one side of the valve body to the annular body on an opposite side of the valve body, the valve bore at the cross member divided into more than one portion by the cross member; a position block extending from the cross member; a pair of valve members, each valve member of the pair of valve members positioned within the valve body and configured to rotate between open and closed positions; and a pivot pin positioned within the valve body and extending through the position block and each valve member of the pair of valve members, the pivot pin being supported only by the position block.

Abstract: Multiple calibration results for calibrating a barometric pressure sensor based on data received from a device containing the sensor are determined and stored in a table. The table is updated based on rules regarding a relationship between each calibration result and a current calibration value. The calibration results are weighted and combined to determine a combined calibration result. The calibration value for calibrating the sensor is selected from the calibration results, the combined calibration results, or the current calibration value based on a selection criteria.

Abstract: Provided herein are technologies relating to detecting x-rays and particularly, but not exclusively, to compositions, devices, systems, and methods for x-ray imaging using a direct-conversion x-ray sensor comprising a perovskite composition that minimizes and/or eliminates in-sensor k-fluorescence in photon energy channels used for medical imaging. Exemplary perovskite compositions described are those that comprise a structure of ABX3, in which A represents an inorganic and/or organic cation, B represents a heavy metal cation, and X represents a halide.