Abstract: Methods are provided for qualifying jet fuel fractions that are derived at least in part from pre-refined crude oil sources. The methods allow for determination of the stability of a jet fuel product over time by using an accelerated aging test. The methods are beneficial for verifying the stability of a jet fuel fraction that includes a portion derived from a pre-refined crude oil.

Abstract: In a process for separating dimethyl biphenyl isomers a mixture comprising one or more 3,3?, 3,4?- or 4,4?-dimethyl biphenyl isomers, one or more 2,X?-dimethyl biphenyl isomers (where X=2, 3, or 4) and one or more further hydrocarbon components is contacted with a first adsorbent, thereby selectively adsorbing one or more of the dimethyl biphenyl isomers within the first adsorbent. A first raffinate stream containing less selectively adsorbed components is withdrawn from the first adsorbent and a first extract stream containing selectively adsorbed dimethyl biphenyl isomers is withdraw. The selectively adsorbed dimethyl biphenyl isomers comprise one or more of 3,3?-, 3,4?- or 4,4?-dimethyl biphenyl isomers and one or more of 2,X?-dimethyl biphenyl isomers (where X?=2, 3, or 4).

Abstract: In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating a molten carbonate fuel cell, such as a fuel cell assembly, with increased production of syngas while also reducing or minimizing the amount of CO2 exiting the fuel cell in the cathode exhaust stream. This can allow for improved efficiency of syngas production while also generating electrical power.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions and methods for producing sorghum crop plants that are resistant to herbicides. In particular, the present invention provides for sorghum plants, plant tissues and plant seeds that contain altered acetolactate synthase (ALS) genes and proteins that are resistant to inhibition by herbicides that normally inhibit the activity of the ALS protein.

Abstract: A device for providing a realistic media content, includes: inward facing image acquisition unit configured to acquire multiple inward facing images that are taken by an inward method using multiple cameras arranged around an object; an outward facing image acquisition unit configured to acquire multiple outward facing images that are taken by an outward method using the multiple cameras arranged around a point; a background image generation unit configured to generate a 360° cylindrical image by stitching the multiple outward facing images and then convert the 360° cylindrical image into a 360° spherical image to generate a background image; a 3D object reconstruction unit configured to extract a region of the object from the multiple inward facing images to generate a 3D object; and a combined image transmission unit configured to combine the background image with the 3D object and transmit the combined image to a display device.

Abstract: Switchable adhesion devices, systems and methods are provided. A switchable adhesion component includes a switchable body. At least one portion of the body is adapted to carry an adhesive layer and another portion a load. At least a portion of the body is switchable between one or more varying states without imparting change to the surface chemistries or area at the adhesive joint.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly suitable for providing mesh connectivity includes a fiber shuffle region arranged between first and second cable assembly sections that each include multiple tubes each containing a group of optical fibers, with a jacket provided over one or both cable assembly sections. The fiber shuffle region may be compact in width and length, and integrated into a trunk cable. Optical fibers remain in sequential order in groups at ends of the cable assembly sections, where the fibers may be ribbonized and/or connectorized. A fabrication method for such a fiber optic cable assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A biometric device includes a substrate, an image sensor, at least one infrared light emitting diode (IR LED), a supporting structure and an optical layer. The image sensor is disposed on the substrate. The at least one IR LED is disposed on the substrate. The supporting structure is disposed on the substrate and located between the image sensor and the at least one infrared light emitting diode. The optical layer is disposed on the supporting structure, covers the image sensor, and includes a coded pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to video encoding/decoding methods and device, wherein the video encoding method according to the invention comprises the following steps: acquiring information of peripheral blocks; setting the information about a current block based on the information of the peripheral blocks; and encoding the current block based on the set information, wherein the current block and the peripheral blocks may be a CU (coding unit).

Abstract: Compounds are provided that antagonize the kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) and products containing such compounds, as well as to methods of their use and synthesis. Such compounds have the structure of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable isomer, racemate, hydrate, solvate, isotope or salt thereof: wherein X, Y, R1, R2, R4, R5 R6, R7, R8 and R11 are as defined herein.

Abstract: A hybrid Cascaded H-Bridge (CHB) converter includes a selective harmonic current mitigation pulse width modulation (SHCM-PWM) unit coupled to an input current and providing an output signal SWSHCM, a phase shift pulse width modulation (PSPWM) unit coupled to the input current and providing an output signal SWPS, a modulation selector coupled to the output signal SWSHCM of the SHCM-PWM unit and the output signal SWPS of the PSPWM unit and providing an output signal SW, and a CHB converter coupled to the output signal SW of the modulation selector. The modulation selector can select one of the output signals (SWSHCM and SWPS) as the output signal SW based on the input current. The hybrid technique is for cascaded multilevel converters which utilizes asymmetric SHCM to mitigate the harmonics generated from PS-PWM to meet harmonic limits with a smaller number of switching transitions and smaller inductance than the conventional PS-PWM technique.

Abstract: Among other aspects provided herein is a method describing the use of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) genotyping microarrays to resolve whether genetic material (such as genomic DNA) derived from a particular individual is present in a genetic material mixture (such as a complex genomic DNA mixture) is disclosed. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the identification of the presence of genetic material (such as genomic DNA) of specific individuals within a series of complex genomic mixtures is possible.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-positioning system of a deepwater underwater robot of an irregular dam surface of a reservoir, including cross reflection metal plates arranged on the irregular dam surface, and an underwater robot provided with a control motherboard, a water level indicator and a sonar system, wherein the water level indicator and the sonar system are respectively connected with the control motherboard, and the control motherboard is connected with a computer via a cable. The cross reflection metal plate has known coordinates and has four quadrants. A sonar signal emitted by the sonar system is reflected by the cross reflection metal plate to generate sonar reflection signals of four quadrants, and the sonar signals in the effective quadrants correspond to known coordinate parameters of the cross reflection metal plate so as to obtain the horizontal distance between the underwater robot and the irregular dam surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a curcumin derivative, a method for producing same, and a photo-acoustic imaging agent comprising the curcumin derivative for detecting beta-amyloid plaque. The curcumin derivative, expressed by chemical formula 1, according to the present invention exhibits superb selective bonding with beta-amyloid, thereby allowing beta-amyloid to be detected by means of an optical or photo-acoustic imaging methods, and, particularly, the curcumin derivative can highly effectively detect photo-acoustic signals with almost no noise by reacting to irradiation of light having a particular wavelength range, and thus can be useful as a composition for detecting beta-amyloid and for diagnosing diseases caused by excessive production of beta-amyloid.

Abstract: The disclosure relate generally to structures, forms, and monoliths, and methods of preparing the same. This disclosure can produce uniform structured passageways or channels of active material, including adsorbent or catalyst, by imprinting or molding features into a paste on a support that can be subsequently assembled into a gas or liquid treating structure, i.e. a monolith. The paste, which can include an active material, binder, and other potential additives, can be applied to the support or pushed through a support (as in a mesh) as a thin film. The paste can be imprinted, stamped, shaped or otherwise handled to give features of desired height, shape, width, and positioning. When stacked or rolled, the features of one layer contact a subsequent layer, which seal to form passageways. The resulting structure can have high cell-density (>1000 cells per square inch) and a large volume fraction of active material.

Abstract: Electrically conductive aerogel films, electrodes composed of the electrically conductive aerogel films, and supercapacitors incorporating the electrodes are provided. The aerogel films include reduced graphene oxide particles in combination with metal oxynitride fibers. By including cellulosic nanofibrils in the aerogels, the films can be made mechanically flexible and free-standing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated bacterium and composition comprising same having anti-pathogenic activity. The invention further relates to compounds derived from said bacterium or analogs thereof, and methods of using same for treating or reducing the symptoms of a pathogen including but not limited to a phytopathogen.

Abstract: A prognostic method and a prognostic apparatus for a processing apparatus are provided. In the steps of the prognostic method, multiple sensor data of a component of the processing apparatus and a heterogeneous data are obtained, multiple health indicators of the component are obtained by the multiple sensor data, a regressive characteristic function and an adjustment function are obtained according to the health indicators, the adjustment function corresponds to the heterogeneous data, a prediction function of health indicator is obtained according to the regressive characteristic function and the adjustment function, and a predictive value of health indicator is obtained according to the prediction function of health indicator to estimate a usage status of the component.

Abstract: Novel compositions of recombinant human CC10 protein have been generated by chemically modifying the pure protein in vitro. Several new synthetic preparations containing isoforms of chemically modified rhCC10 have been generated by processes that utilize reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species. These preparations contain novel isoforms of rhCC10 which have been characterized with enhanced or altered biological properties compared to the unmodified protein. Preparations containing novel isoforms may be used as standards to identify and characterize naturally occurring isoforms of native CC10 protein from blood or urine and ultimately to measure new CC10-based biomarkers to assess patient disease status. These preparations may also be used to treat respiratory, autoimmune, inflammatory, and other medical conditions that are not effectively treated with the unmodified protein.

Abstract: Grease compositions are provided that can have one or more unexpectedly beneficial low temperature properties even though the grease compositions are formed from lower value components that traditional low temperature greases. The unexpectedly beneficial low temperature properties can be achieved in part by grease compositions that include a naphthenic base stock having a viscosity index of roughly 120 or less and/or a pour point of ?20° C. or more while having a naphthenes content of 60 wt % or more. In some aspects, the naphthenic base stock can have an aromatics content of 20 wt % or less.