Abstract: An energy facility that generates energy using ballistic optimized hydro-electricity. The facility sends a plurality of specialized balls from a lower storage reservoir to an upper storage reservoir. The balls fall through a drop-down system and into a power generation system with a generator and a turbine. Ballistic impacts of the balls on the turbine generate electricity before the balls are returned to the lower storage reservoir.

Abstract: A method comprising: receiving a hyperspectral image of a scene; selecting one or more bands from the hyperspectral image; and processing the selected bands to produce a color image, wherein processing the selected bands to produce a color image includes: generating an LMS image by performing an RGB-to-LMS conversion on the selected bands; replacing a V-channel of an HSV image with an enhanced L-channel of the LMS image to produce a resultant HSV image, the HSV image being an image of the same scene as the hyperspectral image; and performing an HSV-to-RGB conversion on the resultant HSV image produces the color image.

Abstract: A method for redacting a private blockchain comprises applying a hash function to a prefix and new content to compute a hash for a block of the blockchain; performing a modulo operation to convert the hash to an integer modulo; determining an inverse of the integer modulo; computing a redactable suffix from the prefix and the inverse of the integer modulo; replacing current content of the blockchain with the new content; and applying the redactable suffix to the block having the new content.

Abstract: A method of controlled production of luminescent diamond particles exhibiting luminescence in selected specific spectral ranges is provided. The method comprises taking diamond particles containing dopant atoms in the diamond core, irradiating the particles with high energy radiation, and annealing the irradiated diamond particles at a target temperature in the temperature range of about 1400° C.-2200° C. to form luminescent diamond particles where the specific spectral range of luminescence is controlled by the target temperature of the annealing process, the irradiation dose, and the type of dopant atoms. Duration of the annealing and the temperature ramp up and ramp down times should be short enough to minimize or prevent significant graphitization of the particles. Duration of the temperature ramp up time should be short enough to minimize formation of color centers that might form at temperatures below the target temperature.

Abstract: Compounds with anti-viral properties are provided that are based on the following structures: A variety of heteroaromatic groups have been found to be biologically active against viral infections. In some embodiments, a dimeric compound is provided with each monomer linked by a repeating glycol linking group.

Abstract: A method for Parametric resynthesis (PR) producing an audible signal. A degraded audio signal is received which includes a distorted target audio signal. A prediction model predicts parameters of the audible signal from the degraded signal. The prediction model was trained to minimize a loss function between the target audio signal and the predicted audible signal. The predicted parameters are provided to a waveform generator which synthesizes the audible signal.

Abstract: A thin film that has a flexible polymer layer and a peptide layer. The peptide layer is disposed on the flexible polymer layer and has a peptide selected from HYF, DYF and YFD. The thin film reversibly curves with changes in humidity.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a secondary Zn—MnO2 battery comprises a battery housing, a MnO2 cathode, a Zn anode, and an electrolyte solution. The MnO2 cathode, the Zn anode, and the electrolyte solution are disposed within the battery housing, and the MnO2 cathode comprises a MnO2 cathode mixture and a current collector. The MnO2 cathode mixture is in electrical contact with at least a portion of an outer surface of the current collector, and the MnO2 cathode has a porosity of from about 5 vol. % to about 90 vol. %, based on the total volume of the MnO2 cathode mixture of the MnO2 cathode.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for treating spasticity, hypertonia or dystonia are disclosed. Treatment involves applying a source of direct current to one or more locations in a subject (animal, human, or other sentient being). Locations for application of direct current include the spinal column, peripheral nerves, and the cranium. The delivery of direct current is adjusted to change biological activity of or level of gene expression and/or protein expression of target molecule NKCC1.

Abstract: A device for storage and transport of biological samples. Multiple trays are assembled into a stack with sample tubes constrained between adjacent trays. The surface of each tray has radial grooves sized to hold the sample tubes. Each tray is secured to an adjacent tray with a bolt or snap-fit connector.

Abstract: A device for generating singlet oxygen is provided. The device has a sensitizer that converts triplet oxygen to single oxygen upon exposure to light. The device is configured to keep the sensitizer from contacting external fluids.

Abstract: A method for producing customized object is provided. A resin (e.g. plastic or cellulose) is heated and a quaternary salt is added. The resulting admixture is used in forming a material that embodies customized characteristics. In another embodiment, a halogen-containing polymer has a quaternary molecule covalently bonded to it that results in customized properties.

Abstract: A system for training a neural network includes a neural network configured to receive a training input in an image space and produce an enhanced image. The system further includes an error signal generator configured to compare the enhanced image to a ground truth and generate an error signal that is communicated back to the neural network to train the neural network. Additionally, the system includes a neural input enhancer configured to modify the training input in response to receiving at least one of an output from the neural network or the error signal. Modifying the training input improves one of an efficiency or a training result of the neural network beyond the communication of the error signal to only the neural network.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to the artificial intelligence (AI) automatic methods, computer program product, and systems and methodology for dietary and medical treatment planning, food waste estimation, analyzing three-dimensional food image construction, measurement, nutrient estimation, nutritional assessment, evaluation, prediction and management. More particularly, the embodiments described herein relate to utilizing an AI-based algorithm that can automatically, detect food items from images acquired by cameras for dietary assessment, dietary planning, and for estimating food waste. In one aspect, the method may include food calorie estimation techniques using machine learning and computer vision techniques for dietary assessment. In another aspect, the tools may apply to personalized nutrition. The method may also include the automation of nutrition planning.

Abstract: A method comprising: obtaining a plurality of data sets, each of the plurality of data sets being generated, at least in part, by using by a different one of a plurality of sensors, each of a plurality of sensors including a wearable sensor that is worn by a user or a sensor that is positioned at a same location as the user; combining the plurality of data sets to produce a fused data set; processing the fused data set to identify at least one of a performance of the user in completing a task, a cognitive load of the user, and/or one or more objects that are positioned at the same location as the user; and outputting an indication of a state of the user based on an outcome of the processing.

Abstract: An electro-optical converter that converts an electric signal to an optical signal. An optical signal is dragged from one optical channel to another optical channel using exciton polaritons that are generated in a layer that is adjacent the optical channels. The exciton polaritons are generated in response to an electrical signal which thereby results in the selective production of the optical signal.

Abstract: An indoor navigation system comprises a modeling subsystem that processes multimodal data regarding a location, individually generates a model of each of a plurality of overlapping local regions subdivided from the location, and maps the model of each region and a coordinate system of the model aligned with a floor plan of the location, and a navigation subsystem that processes the model to plot a path at the location for navigating a user along the path in real-time.

Abstract: A computer security system comprises at least one authorized node constructed and arranged to execute a consensus protocol for validating and verifying a blockchain transaction and to extract at least one of a signature or feature of a detected cyberattack for the blockchain transaction and mining the transaction to a blockchain network; at least one unauthorized node prohibited from executing the consensus protocol and from validating and verifying a blockchain transaction but authorized to retrieve the at least one of the signature or feature from the blockchain network; and a special-purpose processor of the blockchain network that facilitates a distribution of the at least one of signature or feature for cooperative intrusion detection between the at least one authorized node and the at least one unauthorized node.

Abstract: A Ligand-guided-Selection (LIGS) method for identifying highly specific aptamers against a predetermined antigen of a target is provided. LIGS uses a stronger and highly specific bivalent binder (e.g. an antibody) interacting with its cognate antigen to displace specific aptamers from an enriched SELEX pool. Elution of the displaced aptamers provides aptamers that are specific to the predetermined antigen.

Abstract: An ultra-hard carbon film is formed by the uniaxial compression of thin films of graphene. The graphene films are two or three layers thick (2-L or 3-L). High pressure compression forms a diamond-like film and provides improved properties to the coated substrates.