Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for electroplating which employ seed layer detection. Such methods may operate by selecting a wafer, illuminating one or more points within an interior region of the wafer surface, measuring a first set of one or more in-process color signals from the one or more points within the interior region, illuminating one or more points within an edge region of the wafer surface, measuring a second set of one or more in-process color signals from the one or more points within the edge region, each color signal having one or more color components, calculating a metric indicative of a difference between the color signals in the first and second sets of in-process color signals, determining whether an acceptable seed layer is present on the wafer based on whether the metric is within a predetermined range, and repeating the foregoing for one or more additional wafers.

Abstract: Malicious processes may be tracked by obtaining process history information of a computing device and obtaining an identification of a malicious software on the computing device. An associated process of the malicious software and actions of the associated process may be identified based on the process history information. Related processes of the associated process and actions of the related processes may be iteratively identified based on the process history information. Tracking information for the malicious software may be generated based on the associated process, the actions of the associated process, the related processes, and the actions of the related processes.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes techniques for improving efficiency of heat transfer devices, specifically condensers. An exemplary embodiment provides a device for condensing vapor bubbles comprising a quantity of liquid, a vapor source, and an acoustic transducer. The vapor source can be configured to introduce a plurality of vapor bubbles in the quantity of liquid. The acoustic transducer can be configured to provide acoustic energy to the quantity of liquid such that at least a portion of the acoustic energy is transferred to the plurality of vapor bubbles causing at least a portion of the plurality of vapor bubbles to condense in the quantity of liquid.

Abstract: Provided is a plasma generation apparatus including: a housing in which a window is defined at one side in a first direction; a stick type plasma source provided in the housing to generate plasma toward the window; and a driving unit coupled to the plasma source to allow one end of the plasma source to perform a reciprocating movement in a second direction that is a longitudinal direction of the window.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting pose and force against an object are provided. A method includes receiving a signal from a deformable sensor comprising data from a deformation region in a deformable membrane resulting from contact with the object utilizing an internal sensor disposed within an enclosure and having a field of view directed through a medium and toward a bottom surface of the deformable membrane. The method also determines a pose of the object based on the deformation region of the deformable membrane. The method also determines an amount of force applied between the deformable membrane and the object is determined based on the deformation region of the deformable membrane.

Abstract: A method of assessing the legitimacy of a subject pharmacy website includes the steps of, from a network-enabled computing device, generating a prediction model comprising a list of pharmacy websites of known legitimacy and a first set of websites which contain at least one referring link to at least one of the list of pharmacy websites of known legitimacy, from the network-enabled computing device, collecting a second set of websites which contain at least one referring link to a subject pharmacy website whose legitimacy is unknown, isolating a subset of websites from the second set of websites based on the prediction model, comparing the subset of websites to the first set of websites linked to the list of pharmacy websites whose legitimacy is known, and determining the legitimacy of the subject pharmacy website based on the comparison to the first set of known legitimate pharmacy websites.

Abstract: Frequency tuning for a matchless plasma source is described. To perform the frequency tuning, current is measured at an output of an amplification circuit of the matchless plasma source after a change in a frequency of operation of the matchless plasma source. Upon determining that the current has increased with the change in the frequency of operation, the frequency of operation is further changed until the current has decreased. When the current has decreased, the changed frequency of operation is further modified to be an operational frequency. When the matchless plasma source operates at the operational frequency, the current at the output of the amplification circuit is maximized.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention involve a technique and process for coating fine diameter, single strand wire of long continuous lengths with Parylene. The special fixture design and process allows for ultra thin (as thin as 0.2 micron), pore free, coatings. The advantages of this technology allow for wire products that offer minimal intrusion, superior routing and winding characteristics, and high heat and chemical resistance. The coating process can also be used for other types of material.

Abstract: Methods for regenerating and/or rejuvenating catalysts, particularly dewaxing catalysts, as well as methods for performing dewaxing of diesel or distillate boiling range feeds with the regenerated and/or rejuvenated catalyst are provided herein. The regeneration and/or rejuvenation methods can include calcining spent catalyst followed by contacting the calcined catalyst with a solution comprising a complexing agent, which can restore hydrotreatment (HDT) activity and dewaxing activity of the spent catalyst such that it may be reused during hydroprocessing.

Abstract: An optical repeater performs an electrical-to-optical conversion based on a power level of an optical signal or an optical modulation index (OMI) required by a radio unit or a host unit connected to the optical repeater. Further, the optical repeater performs an optical-to-electrical conversion based on a power level of a radio frequency (RF) signal required by the radio unit or the host unit connected to the optical repeater.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells for the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural are provided. Also provided are methods of using the cells to carry out the oxidation reactions. The electrochemical cells and methods use catalytic copper-based anodes to carry out the electrochemical oxidation reactions.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing chabazite zeolites with controlled aluminum distribution. The method utilizes a source of an organic structure-directing agent, a source of an inorganic structure-directing agent, a source of aluminum and a source of silicon to form a synthesis gel which is subjected to a crystallization process to crystallize a chabazite zeolite with controlled aluminum distribution. A chabazite zeolite structure with controlled aluminum distribution. The structure contains zeolite crystal lattice framework containing silicon, aluminum, and oxygen; and extra-framework positions containing non-divalent chemical species such that each aluminum atom in the zeolite crystal lattice framework is in an isolated configuration.

Abstract: A method for full-stack verification of autonomous agents includes training a neural network to learn a noise model associated with an object detection module of an autonomous agent system of an autonomous vehicle. The method also includes replacing the object detection module of the autonomous agent system with the neural network and a sensory input of the object detection module with ground truth information to apply a surrogate function to the ground truth information. The method further includes verifying the autonomous agent system including the trained neural network to apply the surrogate function in response to the ground truth information to simulate sensor information data to at least a planner module of the autonomous agent system. The method also includes controlling a behavior of the autonomous vehicle using the verified autonomous agent system including the object detection module.

Abstract: Hierarchically porous ZSM-5 zeolites, having macropores, mesopores, and micropores are formed using a solid-state crystallization process. An aluminosilicate nanogel prepared with precursors, solvent, and a structure-directing agent is provided. The solvent is evaporated from the aluminosilicate nanogel at room temperature. The dried aluminosilicate nanogel is then heated to promote crystallization. The crystallized zeolites are calcined to remove the structure-directing agent.

Abstract: A controller is configured to control a system by generating a control input to an actuator changing a state of the system in accordance with the control input. The controller includes an interface configured to receive data indicative of dynamic response of the actuator and a tuner configured to determine the maximum rate of change of the control input during a control cycle using the received data indicative of dynamic response of the actuator. The controller also includes a receiver configured to receive measurements of the state of the system and a solver configured to determine a current value of the control input for controlling the controlled system based on the state of the controlled system subject to constraints on operation of the system and a constraint on the maximum rate of change of the control input, and to cause the actuator to change the state of the system according to the current value of the control input.

Abstract: A method for managing a multi-user animation platform is disclosed. A three-dimensional space within a computer memory is modeled. An avatar of a client is located within the three-dimensional space, the avatar being graphically represented by a three-dimensional figure within the three-dimensional space. The avatar is responsive to client input commands, and the three-dimensional figure includes a graphical representation of client activity. The client input commands are monitored to determine client activity. The graphical representation of client activity is then altered according to an inactivity scheme when client input commands are not detected. Following a predetermined period of client inactivity, the inactivity scheme varies non-repetitively with time.

Abstract: An electrolyte composition and an energy storage device employing the same are provided. The electrolyte composition includes a solid and a solution. The solid includes a core and a metal layer encapsulating the core, where the metal layer is selected from a group consisting of Zn, Al, Mg, Li, Na and the metal oxides thereof. In particular, the solid has a first density and the solution has a second density, and the ratio between the first density and the second density is from about 0.97 to 1.03.

Abstract: A method of in vivo mutagenesis of a preselected target region (PTR) of an intracellular DNA within a cell culture, which PTR comprises at least one sequence of interest (SOI) which is at least 60 nucleobases long, the method comprising: a) providing a pool of partially overlapping single stranded DNA (ssDNA) oligonucleotides which upon alignment form a continuous sequence that is complementary to the SOI, wherein the pool contains a diversity of mutagenizing oligonucleotides covering nucleobase mismatches at every position of said SOI and combination of said nucleobase mismatches, wherein each mutagenizing oligonucleotide is hybridizing with the PTR and comprises at least one mismatching nucleobase up to 20% mismatching nucleobases, compared to the SOI; b) integrating the pool into said intracellular DNA by homologous recombination and inducing in vivo mutagenesis of the intracellular DNA through hybridizing the oligonucleotides to the PTR, thereby producing a cell library comprising a repertoire of variant

Abstract: The present technology provide compositions that are drug delivery systems for the sustained release of anti-stenotic drugs for the treatment and prevention of occlusion of blood vessels, particularly after perivascular surgery. The compositions include a hydrogel, unimolecular micelles dispersed within the hydrogel, and an effective amount of anti-stenotic drug dispersed within the unimolecular micelle. The hydrogel may be a di-or tri-block copolymer comprising one block of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and one or two blocks of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). The unimolecular micelle may include three domains: a dendritic polymer core, hydrophobic block polymers (e.g., PVL, PVCL, and/or PCL) attached to the core and PEG attached to the hydrophobic block polymers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for detecting early Lyme disease. The present disclosure provides a biosignature indicative of the presence or absence of Borrelia burgdorferi infection.