Abstract: An air treatment unit may include an air inlet to receive a flow of input air for treatment and a reaction reservoir configured to hold an aqueous air treatment solution. The air treatment unit may also include an air dispersing element flow connected with the air inlet, wherein the air dispersing element is configured to convert at least a portion of the flow of input air into a plurality of microbubbles for introduction into the aqueous air treatment solution, such that an amount of one or more target gas species contained within the plurality of microbubbles is reduced through reaction with the aqueous air treatment solution. The unit may include an air outlet configured to output treated air from the reaction reservoir.

Abstract: A medical image modeling system and a medical image modeling method are provided. The medical image modeling system includes an input device, a processing device, and a storage device. The input device obtains medical image data. The processing device is coupled to the input device. The processing device converts the medical image data into a bone model in response to a first operational command. The storage device is coupled to the processing device. The storage device stores a model database. The processing device reads the model database in response to a second operational command to obtain a bone reconstruction block corresponding to a defect block of the bone model. The processing device integrates a bone reconstruction model depicted corresponding to the bone reconstruction block into the defect block of the bone model to generate an integrated bone model.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for domesticating Saccharomyces cerevisiae which is resistant to fermentation inhibitors, high temperature and high concentration of ethanol. The method comprises a primary domestication and a secondary domestication of the S. cerevisiae, wherein the primary domestication comprises the steps of replacing the fermented mash with fresh liquefied mash and continuing fermentation when the ethanol content in the fermented mash reaches a higher concentration (>12% (v/v)), the replacement is performed for at least 20 times, and the time interval of replacements is 20-30 hours; the secondary domestication comprises the steps of performing high-temperature domestication on the primary domesticated strain by a temperature gradient and replacing the fermented mash for multiple times, wherein the temperature is raised by 0.5° C.-2° C. every 18-24 times of replacement. The domesticated S.

Abstract: An optical waveguide structure including a bottom layer, a middle waveguide layer, and a top cladding layer is provided. The middle waveguide layer is disposed on the bottom layer. The top cladding layer is disposed on the middle waveguide layer and covers the middle waveguide layer. The refractive index of the middle waveguide layer is greater than that of the bottom layer, and is greater than that of the top cladding layer. The optical waveguide structure has a first end region and a second end region. The middle waveguide layer in the first end region has a first end having a width gradually decreased toward the second end region. The top cladding layer in the second end region has a second end having a width gradually decreased away from the first end region.

Abstract: Methods are provided for promoting cartilage growth and/or repair. The methods include, administering locally to a site in a subject in need thereof, bone marrow stromal cells attached to fibrin microbeads comprising crosslinked hyaluronic acid and thereby producing stable cartilage locally at the site in the subject.

Abstract: Provided are a system and method for multi-mode integrated management for a multi-radio communication environment. The system includes a receiver configured to receive radio channel state information, a memory in which a program for operating an access point division in consideration of the radio channel state information is stored, and a processor configured to execute the program, wherein the processor manages an interface between a cellular base station and a radio access control device.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method comprising sending context information from a mobile wireless device through a control channel to a network server; receiving a policy at the mobile wireless device from the network server, wherein the policy assigns a video streaming bit rate to the mobile wireless device based on the context information; and implementing the policy to control a video streaming session between the mobile wireless device and a media server over a data channel. The context information may include information about the mobile wireless device and/or a user of the mobile wireless device. The policy may be different for each mobile wireless device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is an autonomous driving method. The autonomous driving method includes a global driving planning operation in which global guidance information for global node points are acquired, a host vehicle location determination operation, an information acquisition operation in which information regarding an obstacle and a road surface marking within a preset distance ahead is acquired, a local precise map generation operation in which a local precise map for a corresponding range is generated using the information acquired within the preset distance ahead, a local route planning operation in which a local route plan for autonomous driving within at least the preset distance is established using the local precise map, and an operation of controlling a host vehicle according to the local route plan to perform autonomous driving.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to methods for treating muscle atrophy by providing to an animal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound. The compound can modulate the expression levels of multiple mRNA of a muscle atrophy signature. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: Bio-derived glycerides formed from a reaction between waste glycerol and biodegradable or bio-derived fatty acid esters such as crude biodiesel or soybean oil triglycerides are useful as dust suppressants, binders, and stabilizing agents.

Abstract: An optical sensor system, comprising refractory plasmonic elements that can withstand temperatures exceeding 2500° C. in chemically aggressive and harsh environments that impose stress, strain and vibrations. A plasmonic metamaterial or metasurface, engineered to have a specific spectral and angular response, exhibits optical reflection characteristics that are altered by varying physical environmental conditions including but not limited to temperature, surface chemistry or elastic stress, strain and other types of mechanical load. The metamaterial or metasurface comprises a set of ultra-thin structured layers with a total thickness of less than tens of microns that can be deployed onto surfaces of devices operating in harsh environmental conditions. The top interface of the metamaterial or metasurface is illuminated with a light source, either through free space or via an optical fiber, and the reflected signal is detected employing remote detectors.

Abstract: A multi-stage FWI workflow uses multiple-contaminated FWI models to predict surface-related multiples. A method embodying the present technological advancement, can include: using data with free surface multiples as input into FWI; generating a subsurface model by performing FWI with the free-surface boundary condition imposed on top of the subsurface model; using inverted model from FWI to predict multiples; removing predicted multiples from the measured data; using the multiple-free data as input into FWI with absorbing boundary conditions imposed on top of the subsurface model; and preparing a multiple free data set for use in conventional seismic data processing.

Abstract: One embodiment provides an azimuthal pointing system for scientific ballooning. An apparatus, method and/or system are configured to drive a motor to twist a torsion member of a torsion pendulum and to utilize a restoring force of the torsion member to adjust a pointing direction (i.e., pointing angle) of a payload. The torsion pendulum includes the torsion member, the payload and the motor. The payload is coupled to the torsion member by the motor.

Abstract: The overall thermal performance of a building UATotal can be empirically estimated through a short-duration controlled test. Preferably, the controlled test is performed at night during the winter. A heating source, such as a furnace, is turned off after the indoor temperature has stabilized. After an extended period, such as 12 hours, the heating source is briefly turned back on, such as for an hour, then turned off. The indoor temperature is allowed to stabilize. The energy consumed within the building during the test period is assumed to equal internal heat gains. Overall thermal performance is estimated by balancing the heat gained with the heat lost during the test period.

Abstract: A speech recognition system includes an input device to receive voice sounds, one or more processors, and one or more storage devices storing parameters and program modules including instructions which cause the one or more processors to perform operations.

Abstract: The surface hydrophobization of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) by carboxylic acids, biodiesel, or plant oils was conducted via there herein disclosed green process using an one-pot synthetic method. In the process, an aqueous lactic acid syrup served as a solvent to provide a stable and well-dispersed water suspension of CNCs and participated in esterification reactions to produce an intermediate product of polylactic acid (PLA) oligomer grafted CNCs (CNC-g-PLA). This solvent and intermediate product system allows for an in situ solvent exchange from water to lactic acid without prior drying of the CNCs and a subsequent efficient esterification reaction of CNCs with carboxylic acids or esters having a long hydrocarbon chain (FAs). Another advantage of the disclosed process is the ability to reuse the reagents in the subsequent reaction in order to reduce the production cost.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a penile tumescence diagnosis device and method. The penile tumescence diagnosis device includes: a plurality of ring sensors configured to measure a body part of a user and generate sensor-sensed information; and a processor configured to generate diagnostic information about the body part of the user based on the sensor-sensed information generated by the plurality of ring sensors. The plurality of ring sensors includes: a first ring sensor configured to have a first threshold length and be disposed on the body part to surround the body part in a ring shape; and a second ring sensor configured to have a second threshold length larger than the first threshold length and be disposed on the body part to surround the body part in a ring shape.

Abstract: A full bridge LLC resonant converter can include: a full bridge circuit including a first input node and a second input node; a LLC resonant tank circuit connected to the first input node and the second input node; a transformer winding part connected to the LLC resonant tank circuit; a rectifier circuit connected to the transformer through a first output node and a second output node; and a capacitor connected between the first input node and the first output node. The LLC resonant tank circuit can include a resonant capacitor connected to the first input node, a resonant inductor connected to the resonant capacitor, and a magnetizing inductance connected between the resonant inductor and the second input node.

Abstract: The ink of the present invention is an oil dispersion of pigment particles. The pigment particles are designed to have no or insignificant response to applied electric fields. The ink comprises a carrier liquid having a concentration of pigment particles disposed in the carrier liquid. A surfactant is included in the carrier liquid, wherein the surfactant is adsorbed on the pigment particles only when activated. The pigment particles having adsorbed the surfactant do not generate a reactive level of particle charge so that the pigment particles move with and not independently from the carrier liquid under an applied electrical field. The surfactant is activated by the application of at least one of heat and solvent to the carrier liquid so that the surfactant molecules adsorb onto the pigment particles.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced energetic composite is provided. The fiber reinforced energetic composite includes reinforcing fiber embedded in a cured polymer matrix and energetic polymer nanocomposite disposed in the reinforcing fiber. The energetic polymer nanocomposite including core-shell nanoparticles entrained in a polymer matrix. The core-shell nanoparticles include a core made of a metal and at least one shell layer made of a metal oxide disposed on the core or a core made a metal oxide and at least one shell layer made of a metal disposed on the core. The method of making a fiber reinforced energetic composite is also provided. Further, a composite container made of fiber reinforced energetic composite is further provided.