Abstract: Some variations provide a device for assembling a plurality of particles into particle assemblies, comprising: (a) a microfluidic droplet-generating region; (b) a first inlet to the droplet-generating region, configured to feed a first fluid containing particles and a solvent for the particles; (c) a second inlet to the droplet-generating region, configured to feed a second fluid that is not fully miscible with the first fluid; (d) a droplet outlet from the droplet-generating region, configured to withdraw droplets of the first fluid dispersed in the second fluid; and (e) a droplet-dissolving region configured to remove solvent from the droplets, thereby forming particle assemblies. Some variations also provide an assembly of nanoparticles, wherein the assembly has a volume from 1 ?m3 to 1 mm3, a packing fraction from 20% to 100%, and/or an average relative surface roughness less than 1%, wherein the assembly is not disposed on a substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using video/still images captured by continuously recording optical sensors mounted on waste collection vehicles used in in the waste collection, disposal and recycling industry for operational and customer service related purposes. Optical sensors are integrated into the in-cab monitor as well as the onboard computer, digital video recorder and other external devices.

Abstract: A method for a data capturing and exchange system. The data capturing and exchange system has a plurality of devices in a sub-network and a network server connected to the sub-network. The method includes capturing an unstructured data record of a document on a device, collecting metadata associated with the unstructured data record; determining a recipient for the unstructured data record in a health information exchange, and composing a data message containing the unstructured data record. The method also includes obtaining the composed data message containing the unstructured data record, packing the composed data message into a packed message containing a structured data record corresponding to the unstructured data record, and sending the packed message to the recipient in the HIE can receive and recognize the document.

Abstract: A calibration system calibrates inertial sensor readings on a vehicle. The calibration system estimates an attitude of the ground from a series of height and position measurements and reads an attitude from an inertial sensor subsystem attached to the vehicle. The calibration system then calculates an attitude offset between the vehicle and inertial sensor subsystem based on a difference between the estimated attitude of the ground and the attitude reading of the inertial sensor subsystem. The calibration system may estimate a slope of the ground from a 3-dimensional terrain map. The slope of the ground is converted into an estimated roll and/or pitch of the vehicle which is then compared with the roll and pitch readings from the inertial sensor subsystem to determine the attitude offset.

Abstract: High quality, catalyst-free boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) that are long, flexible, have few wall molecules and few defects in the crystalline structure, can be efficiently produced by a process driven primarily by Direct Induction. Secondary Direct Induction coils, Direct Current heaters, lasers, and electric arcs can provide additional heating to tailor the processes and enhance the quality of the BNNTs while reducing impurities. Heating the initial boron feed stock to temperatures causing it to act as an electrical conductor can be achieved by including refractory metals in the initial boron feed stock, and providing additional heat via lasers or electric arcs. Direct Induction processes may be energy efficient and sustainable for indefinite period of time. Careful heat and gas flow profile management may be used to enhance production of high quality BNNT at significant production rates.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating ulcerative colitis (UC) in a subject in need thereof. In particular, the compositions described here comprise or are designed based on fecal bacteria associated with FMT-based UC treatment success or failure. Also provided are methods for screening patients for their suitability for a fecal bacteria-based UC treatment. Further provided are methods for screening fecal donors for optimized source materials for producing a fecal bacteria-based pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: A method of making and operating a heat exchanger that includes introducing a first fluid into a fluid chamber of a membrane heat exchanger to change the membrane heat exchanger from a flat configuration to a non-flat configuration while the membrane heat exchanger is disposed within a chamber with the membrane heat exchanger extending from a first end to a second end of the chamber and generating a fluid flow of the first fluid within the fluid chamber of the membrane heat exchanger between first and second ends of the membrane heat exchanger, the first fluid generating heat exchange with a second fluid disposed within the chamber. The membrane heat exchanger includes sheets that form a fluid chamber.

Abstract: An on-chip wavelength locker may include an optical waveguide splitter to split an input optical signal received from a laser. The on-chip wavelength locker may include a plurality of integrated periodic optical elements, each to receive a respective portion of the input optical signal after splitting of the input optical signal by the optical waveguide splitter, and provide, based on the respective portion of the input optical signal, a respective periodic output optical signal of a plurality of periodic output optical signals. Each periodic output optical signal, of the plurality of periodic output optical signals, may be phase shifted with respect to other periodic output optical signals of the plurality of periodic output optical signals. The on-chip wavelength locker may include a plurality of integrated photodiodes to receive the plurality of periodic output optical signals in association with wavelength locking the laser.

Abstract: An electrical passenger car, the electrical passenger car including: at least two electrically driven motors; motor control electronics; sensors; and wheels, where the wheels include a first front wheel and a first back wheel, where the first back wheel has a radius at least 20% greater than a radius of the first front wheel, and where during acceleration of the electrical passenger car, the motor control electronics receive signals from the sensors and provide traction control delivering more power to one of the at least two electrically driven motors accordingly.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining a network parameter associated with a first network device. The first network device transmits a first portion of a first group of wireless signals associated with the first network device to a first group of communication devices located in a first geographical area. Further embodiments can include detecting a second group of communication devices in a second geographical area, and determining the network parameter does not exceed a network parameter threshold resulting in a first determination. Additional embodiments can include amplifying a second portion of the first group of wireless signals associated with the first network device based on the first determination resulting in a first group of amplified wireless signals, and transmitting the first group of amplified wireless signals to a first portion of the second group of communication devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes multiple stacked individual cells each having an anode and a cathode, a common fuel inlet duct, a common fuel outlet duct, a common oxidizing agent inlet duct, a common oxidizing agent outlet duct, and at least one microwave source configured to selectively generate microwave radiation into the common fuel outlet duct and/or into the common oxidizing agent outlet duct to manage water contained therein to melt ice and/or expedite evaporation.

Abstract: An electrochromic device comprising: an active electrochromic layer having optical properties that vary based on an electrical voltage applied to the active electrochromic layer; an integrated energy source integrated within the electrochromic device for generating or storing electrical energy; and a controller operatively coupled to the energy source and the active electrochromic layer for applying the electrical energy generated or stored by the integrated energy source to the active electrochromic layer to achieve the optical properties desired by a user. The described electrochromic device is entirely self-contained and internally produces all the electrical energy necessary for its operation and specifically for the operation of the controller and for controlling the optical properties of the electrochromic layer. In other words, there no external wiring or any kind is required for supplying electric energy to the electrochromic device.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a tip that moves with respect to the housing based on applied contact force and a pressure sensor that detects the force applied on the tip. The pressure sensor includes a first element integrated or fixed to the tip and a second element that is stationary with respect to the housing and positioned to face the first element. The first element is formed from a rigid material that is conductive. The second element is conductive and has elastic properties. In addition, one of the first element or the second element is coated with a non-conductive layer. The first element moves toward the second element based on force applied on the tip and deforms the second element based on the force. The sensor additionally includes a circuit to detect capacitance between the first element and the second element.

Abstract: A method for mitigating interference at a receiver may include receiving a communication signal at a first Circular Polarization (CP) antenna as a first received signal, receiving the communication signal at a second CP antenna as a second received signal, phase shifting the second received signal that was received by the second CP antenna to produce a phase shifted signal, and mixing the first received signal that was received by the first CP antenna and the phase shifted signal to produce a resulting received CP signal. Related systems, devices and computer program products are also described.

Abstract: Infectious diseases may be acquired in public areas such as transportation terminals, shopping centers, schools, hospitals, restaurants and hotels. Large surface areas may be disinfected using a spray system to distribute a suitable fluid such as a disinfectant. Many existing spray systems are large and unwieldy causing operator fatigue. Some spray systems have large, heavy external tanks that provide fluid to the spray system using an external fluid hose. Disclosed is an improved portable spraying system that may be carried by a system operator. The improved system has a tank, a pump, a valve, a nozzle, and a fan all powered by a battery. The tank, the pump, and the battery are arranged to minimize operator fatigue. With the valve set to the priming position, fluid recirculates to prime the pump. Once the pump is primed, the valve is turned to the spray position to begin spraying.

Abstract: A feeding bottle assembly having a flexible bottle defining a main chamber having a flexible peripheral and a divider member cooperating with the flexible bottle open top and having an opening extending therethrough. A raised lid attached to the open top retaining the divider member therebetween, the raised lid defining an auxiliary chamber with an having an outlet. An elongate liquid pickup tube having a proximate end passes through and sealingly connected to the divider member opening and extending above the divider member to define an auxiliary chamber, and extending below the divider into the main chamber. A nipple is mounted in a raised lid outlet, so that a liquid placed in the main chamber can be transferred to the auxiliary chamber through the pickup tube by squeezing the flexible bottle peripheral wall. The liquid is subsequently consumed by a user drinking from the nipple through a nipple outlet.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the motion of a wristband is used to control games.

Abstract: A protective textile sleeve and method of construction thereof is provided. The sleeve includes a circumferentially continuous wall extending lengthwise along a longitudinal axis between opposite ends. The wall has a first section formed from a non-heat-shrinkable, non-elastic yarn and a second section formed from one of a heat-shrinkable or elastic yarn. The first section extends lengthwise between the opposite ends and spans (X) degrees about the circumference of the wall between opposite lengthwise extending edges while in an unshrunken or stretch. The second section extends lengthwise between the opposite ends and spans (360-X) degrees about the circumference of the wall. The heat-shrikable or elastic yarn of the second section extends continuously as an uninterupted yarn between the opposite edges of the first section.

Abstract: Techniques for ensuring differential privacy in top-K selection are provided. In one technique, multiple items and multiple counts are identified in response to a query. For each count, which corresponds to a different item, a noise value is generated and added to the count to generate a noisy value, and the noisy value is added to a set of noisy values that is initially empty. A particular noise value is generated for a particular count and added to the particular count to generate a noisy threshold. The particular noise value is generated using a different technique than the technique used to generate each noise value in the set. Based on the noisy threshold, a subset of the noisy values is identified, where each noisy value in the subset is less than the noisy threshold. A response to the query is generated that excludes items that correspond to the subset.

Abstract: A media system may include a processor configured to match between a first media and one or more second media, and a widget configured to display a progress of the matching. The widget may include a first display area configured to display a first visual representation of the first media, and a second display configured to concurrently display a second visual representation of a selected one of a second media being matched to the first media while the matching is being performed. A visual representation may include a spring map comprising a time axis and a frequency axis, where a height at each coordinate of the spring map is determined based on a frequency output of an audio waveform associated with the video. The widget may include a virtual hallway presentation having a first wall and a second wall to display the progress of the matching.