Abstract: Zero-power system for remote monitoring of heat sources is provided. The systems detect failure indicators of remote equipment including power substations, oil rigs, large inaccessible machinery in a factory, and communications equipment. The systems also can be used to detect the presence of people in buildings or in other locations, so as to improve HVAC utilization in large buildings. When the zero-power monitoring systems detect heat sources, such as the presence of people, failure indicators, or a targeted environmental signal, a circuit is closed using the energy of the detected radiation, and activating an RFID tag, a radio transmitter, or an alarm. The monitoring systems can remain deployed and active for many years without the need for battery replacement.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods can be used for the automated production of dendritic cells (DC) from dendritic cell progenitors, such as monocytes obtained from peripheral blood. The invention makes it possible to obtain sufficient quantities of a subject's own DC for use in preparing and characterizing vaccines, for activating and characterizing the activation state of the subject's immune response, and to aid in preventing and/or treating cancer or infectious disease.

Abstract: A system and method for joint dynamic interest request forwarding and dynamic cache placement and eviction and provided within the context of the Named Data Networking (NDN) architecture. The system and method employ a virtual control plane that operates on the user demand rate for data objects in the network, and an actual plane that handles Interest Packets and Data Packets. Distributed algorithms within the virtual plane achieve network load balancing through dynamic forwarding and caching, thereby maximizing the user demand rate that the NDN network can satisfy. A method of congestion control is also provided to achieve optimal network fairness using the VIP framework.

Abstract: Disclosed are a borehole fracture-deformation-wave velocity integrated intelligent sensing apparatus and method for an engineering rock mass. The apparatus includes an in-hole monitoring execution unit and an out-hole monitoring unit which are connected by a cable; the in-hole monitoring execution unit includes a hole-diameter-adaptive crawling robot and a combined multifunctional probe assembly; the probe assembly includes a high-definition wide-angle camera, a laser radar probe, and an acoustic transceiver probe, and all the probes may be freely combined; the hole-diameter-adaptive crawling robot is of a waterproof sealed shell structure and is capable of charging a pressure inside to realize leakage detection, and the hole-diameter-adaptive crawling robot adopts lift-type electric crawler walking mechanisms capable of automatically adjusting a supporting force to avoid sliding. The apparatus can be used for intelligent long-term monitoring of borehole fracture, deformation and wave velocity.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for predicting an intra-aortic pressure of a patient receiving hemodynamic support from a transvalvular micro-axial heart pump. In some implementations, an intra-aortic pressure time series is derived from measurements of a pressure sensor of the transvalvular micro-axial heart pump and a motor speed time series is derived from a measured back electromotive force of a motor of the transvalvular micro-axial heart pump. Furthermore, in some implementations, machine learning algorithms, such as deep learning, are applied to the intra-aortic pressure and motor speed time series to accurately predict an intra-aortic pressure of the patient. In some implementations, the prediction is short-term (e.g., approximately 5 minutes in advance).

Abstract: A suspension roasting system includes a feeding bin, a Venturi dryer, a first cyclone preheater, a second cyclone preheater, a pre-oxidation suspension roasting furnace, a thermal separation cyclone cylinder, a suspension and reduction roasting furnace, a collecting bin, a grinding machine, a magnetic ore separator and a draught fan.

Abstract: A multi-modal robot capable of legged and aerial locomotion includes a body structure including a plurality of legs, each leg having at least one joint; a plurality of thrusters connected to the body structure; and a plurality of actuators for controlled movement of the legs and thrusters. The plurality of actuators are embedded within composite housing structures in the body structure. The composite housing structures are formed by additive printing of composite material over components of the actuators. The composite housing structures are reinforced by layers of continuous carbon fiber material. A method of constructing an actuator for use in a multi-modal robot is also disclosed. Additionally, a computer-implemented method is disclosed to identify particular locations and sizes of components in multi-modal robots providing the lowest total cost of transport.

Abstract: A method of delivering a therapeutic agent into the central nervous system through the blood-brain barrier includes implanting an implant within the submucosal space of the olfactory epithelium. The implant can provide sustained drug delivery to the brain. The implant can be placed using a minimally invasive surgical approach.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for allocating resources to users in a wireless network including a plurality of edge nodes that provide wireless network access and multi-access edge computing functions. Slice requests are received from the users for a type of resource, including one or more of networking resources, storage resources, and computation resources. A set of slice requests to be admitted is determined based on resource availability constraints among one or more of the networking resources, the storage resources, and the computation resources at each edge node.

Abstract: A quantitative, ultrashort time to echo, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging technique is provided. The technique can be used to accurately measure contrast agent concentration in the blood, to provide clear, high-definition angiograms, and to measure absolute quantities of cerebral blood volume on a voxel-by-voxel basis.

Abstract: A radio access network (RAN) intelligent controller (RIC) and corresponding method may be implemented within RAN and in next-generation cellular networks to improve performance. The RIC comprises an interface to a RAN and further comprises a data-driven logic unit. The data-driven logic unit (i) produces, based on data received from the RAN via the interface, a representation describing a state of the RAN and (ii) based on the representation describing the state, instructs an action associated with at least one network element. The interface transmits a message based on the action instructed. The message is to be routed to the at least one network element. The representation is based on a context of the RAN. The message transmitted enabling re-configuration of the at least one network element. The re-configuration improves performance of the at least one network element within the context.

Abstract: A high throughput microdroplet-based system for single cell assays in microdroplets is provided. The system integrates parallel devices and switches to enable simultaneous analysis of different cells or cell combinations, or different assay conditions, on a single microfluidic chip. Interconnections between the inlets of individual devices on a common chip enable simultaneous screening of the effect of different combinations of drugs on single cells. The use of an oil inlet and microchannels with matched total flow resistance allows the synchronous generation of droplets with the same dimensions and/or volumes.

Abstract: High capacity, low cost devices for use in growing monocultures of novel, previously unknown microbial species contain adhesive layers with wells covered by nanoporous membranes. The devices are placed in natural environments for cultivation of unknown microbial species.

Abstract: A steganographic communication system and method are provided. A covert packet generator can embed a stream of covert data as covert data symbols within primary I/Q symbols of a primary data stream in a covert packet. The covert packet has a data structure having a header, a payload, and a payload error detecting code. The header includes information on how to demodulate the covert packet by a receiver. The covert packet generator can also determine if a number of primary I/Q symbols is large enough to generate the header and can generate displacements in the primary I/Q symbols in a constellation diagram randomly in a plurality of transmissions to mimic channel noise. A transmitter and receiver can provide mutual authentication for covert transmissions.

Abstract: Provided is a use method of a gravity double-tube microwave-assisted grinding device capable of controlling ore thickness. The method comprises the following steps: step 1, estimating a metal mineral content of ores; step 2, calculating a penetration depth of the ores, step 3, determining a feeding size; step 4, determining a material thickness; step 5, determining a discharging speed Vp0; step 6, determining whether the gravity double-tube microwave-assisted grinding device capable of controlling ore thickness adopts a single-tube structure or a double-tube structure; and step 7, conveying the ores, performing heating, optimizing material parameters of the ores, and optimizing microwave parameters.

Abstract: Devices and methods of the present technology utilize wavelength-dependent transmittance of 2D materials to identify the wavelength of an electromagnetic radiation. A wide range of 2D materials can be used, making possible the use of the technology over a large portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, from gamma rays to the far infrared. When combined with appropriate algorithms and artificial intelligence, the technology can identify the wavelength of one or more monochromatic sources, or can identify color through the use of a training set. When applied in an array format, the technology can provide color imaging or spectral imaging using different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Abstract: A hybrid radiating element may comprise a dielectric substrate having a thickness, a top surface and a bottom surface, and an electrically conductive patch disposed on the top surface of the dielectric substrate. The hybrid radiating element may further comprise a graphene stub disposed on the top surface of the dielectric substrate. The graphene stub may be contiguous with, and electrically coupled to, the electrically conductive patch. The hybrid radiating element may further comprise an electrically conductive layer disposed on the bottom surface of the dielectric substrate. An array of hybrid radiating elements may be arranged in a grid pattern of M rows and N columns. A codebook set of biasing voltages may be arranged to drive the radiating elements in the array as a phase transformation matrix, thereby manipulating the reflection of an incoming electromagnetic wave.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds that are able to bind metal ions (e.g., free metal ions or metal ions bound to low affinity ligands) in a sample or subject. Also provided herein are methods of using the compounds for chelating metal ions and for the treatment of diseases associated with abnormal levels of metal ions. Methods of preparing the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Functionalized twin base linkers (TBLs) bind to and deactivate viruses by preventing their entry into cells. Functionalization of TBLs allows them to specifically bind to surface proteins of viruses, where they form structures that limit virus entry into cells and prevent viruses from replicating.

Abstract: An embodiment is a nozzle for use in additive manufacturing and other applications. The nozzle defines a flow path and is configured to generate a supersonic flow of particles or fluid during operation. The embodiment provides at least one auxiliary flow path port that is configured to introduce an auxiliary flow into the nozzle relative to the flow path that protects an internal surface of the nozzle from wear and corrosion, thereby extending the life of the nozzle for extended periods of continuous operation. An embodiment centralizes particle location along its continuous flow path to achieve small footprint material deposition, thereby increasing 3D print resolution for building more intricate components.