Abstract: Hydrocarbon wells and associated methods that utilize radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and flowable interrogators to interrogate the hydrocarbon wells are provided. The hydrocarbon wells include a wellbore, a downhole tubular that defines a tubular conduit and extends within the wellbore, and a plurality of RFID tags. The hydrocarbon wells also include a downhole interrogator storage structure that includes a plurality of flowable interrogators and a well-side communication device. Methods of operating the hydrocarbon wells are also provided.

Abstract: CNT foams and methods are provided. The methods may include forming, in a non-solvent liquid, a suspension of CNTs and particles of a pyrolytic polymer; removing the non-solvent liquid; and removing the particles of the pyrolytic polymer to produce a CNT foam having cells that at least substantially correspond to the dimensions of the particles of the pyrolytic polymer. CNT foams having porous structures also are provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for providing cryptographic authentication within a voice channel are disclosed. The methods and apparatuses can provide cryptographic authentication solely within a voice channel or can use a combination of a voice channel and another data channel. A method for providing cryptographic authentication within a voice channel can operate between telephonic systems and be suitable for operating over G.711/PCMu, AMR and SPEEX™ codecs, and suitable for operating over mobile, PSTN, and VOIP networks. The method can include providing a modem that is codec agnostic and suitable for executing a TLS-based authentication protocol. The method can include using frequency-shift modulation within a frequency range of 300-3400 Hz.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a device for transmitting and receiving a signal, the method including: identifying a downlink signal-only transmission section in which a first electronic device transmits a downlink signal to a second electronic device, and transmitting the signal in the downlink signal-only transmission section; detecting at least one symbol that has a power value relatively higher than a predetermined threshold value; estimating, on the basis of the detected at least one symbol, an interference channel in which a self-interference signal occurs; detecting the self-interference signal; and identifying an FDX transmission section in which an uplink signal is received from the second electronic device and the downlink signal is transmitted simultaneously, and processing transmission of the downlink signal and reception of the uplink signal in the FDX transmission section, wherein the reception of the uplink signal is processed by removing the self-interference signal occurring in the interference c

Abstract: Neonatal NET-inhibitory Factor (nNIF) and nNIF-Related Peptides (NRPs) are provided. Methods for the treatment of and prophylaxis against inflammatory disorders and cancer are also provided. Additionally, methods for the inhibition of metastasis in patients having cancer are provided. The methods can include administering nNIF and/or a NRP to patients having, or at risk of developing, an inflammatory disorder or a cancer.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle having incline-controllable wings, according to one embodiment, can comprise: a body; a thrust part connected to the body and having a propeller and a rotary shaft; and the wings respectively arranged at both sides of the body, and disposed to be spaced from the thrust part. The wings pitch and rotate around a horizontal axis of the body such that the angle of attack of the wings is controlled, and an angle between the rotary shaft of the thrust part and the wing can vary because of the pitching and rotation of the wings.

Abstract: A timepiece is provided with a mechanical movement which includes a mechanical resonator, a sensor detecting oscillations of the mechanical resonator, and a braking device arranged to generate braking pulses in response to a control signal provided by a control circuit associated with an auxiliary oscillator. The control circuit is arranged to be capable of detecting a negative or positive temporal drift in the oscillation of the mechanical resonator and to generate, in a correction period, in association with the braking device, when the temporal drift corresponds to at least a certain loss, a series of braking pulses which are applied to the mechanical resonator at a frequency FSUP in a given range of values which is preferably higher than a frequency FZ (N)=2·F0c/N, F0c being a set point frequency for the mechanical resonator and N a positive integer number.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer including a membrane film and a perforated baseplate. The baseplate can have a conductive surface with a plurality of perforations formed through the baseplate. The membrane film can have a conductive surface and be positioned under tension proximate to the perforations formed through the baseplate. The tension of the membrane film can be controlled to provide a restoring force to counteract the moving mass of the membrane film, and the moving mass of air in the perforations of the baseplate. By selecting the diameter(s) of the perforations of the baseplate, the thickness of the baseplate, the thickness of the membrane film, the tension of the membrane film, and/or the bending stiffness of the membrane film, a wide bandpass frequency response of the ultrasonic transducer centered at an ultrasonic frequency of interest can be obtained and tailored to a desired application.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter relates to an artificial RNA nanostructure molecule and method to treat brain tumor in a subject. More particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to a RNA nanostructure containing a multiple branched RNA nanoparticle, a brain tumor targeting module, and an effective amount of a therapeutic agent. Further, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to a method of using the RNA nanostructure composition to treat brain tumor in a subject having or at risk of having brain tumor.

Abstract: A transparent proxy for malware detection includes a monitor module, a protocol determination module, a challenge generation module, a response determination module, and a data control module. The monitor module examines data originating from an application towards a remote server. The protocol determination module identifies the protocol type used for the data. The challenge generation module produces a challenge for the application based upon the protocol type, sends the challenge to the application, and maintains a state related to the data and the challenge. The response determination module makes a determination if an automatic non-interactive application response is received in response to the challenge from the application. The data control module allows the first data to continue to the remote server when the determination is valid. The data control module reports malware detection and blocks the data to continue to the remote server when the determination is invalid.

Abstract: A particulate material for removing an acid gas and/or mercury contaminant from a hydrocarbon gas is disclosed. The particulate material comprises a superabsorbent hydrogel comprising a cross-linked hydrophilic polymer network having from 0.1 mol % to 50 mol % cross-linking agent. The superabsorbent hydrogel has one or more compounds capable of binding the acid gas and/or mercury contaminant incorporated into the hydrophilic polymer network by absorbing said one or more compounds as a liquid phase or an aqueous solution. Methods for preparing the particulate material and using the particulate material to remove one or more acid gas and/or mercury contaminants from a hydrocarbon gas, dehydrating the hydrocarbon gas, and mitigating corrosion in gas flowlines are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell based genomic Recorded Accumulative Memory (geRAM) system (also referred to herein as Genomically Encoded Memory (GEM)) for recoding data (i.e., changes in nucleic acid sequences in cellular DNA in response to physical and/or chemical signal(s)) from the cellular environment.

Abstract: The disclosure regards a method and a system for assisting a person in assessing an environment. The method includes selecting a set of one or more entities present in the environment, obtaining coordinates in the environment and extents of each entity of the set, estimating a location and shape of each entity of the set on the basis of the obtained coordinates and extends of the respective entity, determining an area of interest on the basis of the estimated location and shape of each entity of the set, evaluating the area of interest with respect to one or more variables of interest in order to evaluate a deviation between a current state of the area of interest and a target state, and communicating the deviation from the target state to the person using coherent stimuli for stimulating the person's body.

Abstract: Catalysts including at least one microporous material (e.g., zeolite), an organosilica material binder, and at least one catalyst metal are provided herein. Methods of making the catalysts, preferably without surfactants and processes of using the catalysts, e.g., for aromatic hydrogenation, are also provided herein.

Abstract: A fluid-cooled laser amplifier module (100) is disclosed which comprises: a casing; a plurality of slabs (110) of optical gain medium oriented in parallel in the casing for cooling by a fluid stream (154, 156); a polarisation rotator (120) disposed between a first group of one or more slabs (111) of the optical gain medium and a second group of one or more slabs (112) of the optical gain medium; optical windows (150, 152) for receiving an input beam or pulse (130) for amplifying by the slabs and for outputting the amplified beam or pulse (140); and fluid stream ports (155, 157) for receiving and discharging the fluid stream for cooling the slabs.

Abstract: A surface wettability determination system includes a sprayer, a light emission device and an optical detector. The sprayer is provided to spray a liquid on a detected surface of a detected object. The light emission device is provided to emit a light beam toward the detected surface. The light beam is reflected by the liquid on the detected surface to generate a reflected light. The optical detector is provided to receive the reflected light and output a determining signal, and the determining signal is related to a wettability of the detected surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a presence of a microorganism in a sample is provided. The method includes storing electrophysiological and/or impedance signatures of a plurality of microorganisms in a memory of a processor. The method also includes obtaining a sample and generating an electrophysiological and/or impedance signature of the sample. The electrophysiological and/or impedance signature of the sample is compared with the electrophysiological and/or impedance signatures in the memory. A presence of one of the plurality of microorganisms in the sample is then identified based on a correlation between the electrophysiological and/or impedance signature of the sample and the electrophysiological and/or impedance signature of the one of the plurality of microorganisms. A method is also provided for determining a growth stage of a microorganism in a sample.

Abstract: A catalyst-free synthesis method for the formation of a metalorganic compound comprising a desired (first) metal may include, for example, selecting another (second) metal and an organic solvent, with the second metal being selected to (i) be more reactive with respect to the organic solvent than the first metal and (ii) form, upon exposure of the second metal to the organic solvent, a reaction by-product that is more soluble in the organic solvent than the metalorganic compound. An alloy comprising the first metal and the second metal may be first produced (e.g., formed or otherwise obtained) and then treated with the organic solvent in a liquid phase or a vapor phase to form a mixture comprising (i) the reaction by-product comprising the second metal and (ii) the metalorganic compound comprising the first metal. The metalorganic compound may then be separated from the mixture in the form of a solid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst component for olefin polymerization. The catalyst component comprises magnesium, titanium, halogen and an internal electron donor. The internal electron donor includes an imine compound with a ketone group as shown in Formula I. Disclosed further is a method of preparing the catalyst component, and a catalyst for olefin polymerization containing the catalyst component. When the catalyst is used in olefin polymerization reaction especially propene polymerization reaction, the catalyst has a high activity and a long term activity and good hydrogen response, and the obtained polymer has characteristics of an adjustable isotactic index and a relatively wide molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: A prevention and safety management system utilizes a non-intrusive imaging sensor (e.g. surveillance cameras, smartphone cameras) and a computer vision system to record videos of workers not wearing sensors. The videos are analyzed using a deep machine learning algorithm to detect kinematic activities (set of predetermined body joint positions and angles) of the workers and recognizing various physical activities (walk/posture, lift, push, pull, reach, force, repetition, duration etc.). The measured kinematic variables are then parsed into metrics relevant to workplace ergonomics, such as number of repetitions, total distance travelled, range of motion, and the proportion of time in different posture categories. The information gathered by this system is fed into an ergonomic assessment system and is used to automatically populate exposure assessment tools and create risk assessments.