Abstract: In one aspect, field effect transistors are described herein employing channels formed of hybrid halide perovskite materials. For example, a field effect transistor comprises a source terminal, a drain terminal and a gate terminal wherein a dielectric layer is positioned between the gate terminal and the source and drain terminals. A channel layer is in electrical communication with the source terminal and the drain terminal, the channel layer comprising an organic-inorganic perovskite in contact with a polymeric surface of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: An intra prediction mode encoding and decoding method, an image decoding device, and an image encoding device operate by deriving most probable modes (MPMs) from surrounding prediction units adjacent to a current prediction unit and deriving an intra prediction mode of the current prediction unit on the basis of an MPM flag indicating whether an MPM having the same prediction mode as the intra prediction mode of the current prediction unit exists among the derived MPMs.

Abstract: Methods of determining a spatial distribution of an injected tracer material within a subterranean formation are disclosed, including flowing the tracer material, which includes a tracer electrical capacitance that differs from a formation electrical capacitance of a region of the subterranean formation, into the region of the subterranean formation via a wellbore. Subsequent to the flowing, the methods also include providing an input electromagnetic signal to the region of the subterranean formation. Responsive to the providing, the methods further include receiving an output electromagnetic signal from the subterranean formation. The methods further include determining the spatial distribution of the tracer material within the subterranean formation based, at least in part, on the output electromagnetic signal.

Abstract: A method for simulating and optimizing a digital to analog converter is disclosed. The method may include receiving a plurality of digital words. The method may also include determining an effective number of bits, a respective amplitude and a first amplitude correction amount for each digital word. Further, the first amplitude correction amount may be applied to each respective amplitude to generate respective first corrected amplitudes. A timing uncertainty may be determined which may be used to determine a second amplitude correction for each digital word. The second amplitude correction may be applied to each of the respective first corrected amplitudes to generate respective second corrected amplitudes. Next, a representation of an analog signal may be generated based in part on the second corrected amplitudes. Finally, a filter may be applied to the representation of the analog signal and then the representation of the analog signal is outputted.

Abstract: A high frequency radio frequency (RF) generator that generates a high frequency RF signal is described. There is no need for another low frequency RF generator that generates a low frequency RF signal. A low frequency RF signal is pre-amplified within the high frequency RF generator to output a pre-amplified low frequency RF signal. Similarly, a high frequency RF signal is pre-amplified within the high frequency RF generator to output a pre-amplified high frequency RF signal. The high frequency RF generator combines the pre-amplified low frequency RF with the pre-amplified high frequency RF signal to provide a combined RF signal. The combined RF signal is amplified within the high frequency RF generator to supply an amplified signal to a match. There is also no need for another match for the low frequency RF generator.

Abstract: The present invention is generally related to the analysis of chemical compositions of hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon blends. This method applies specifically to the problem of analyzing extremely complex hydrocarbon-containing mixtures when the number and diversity of molecules makes it impossible to realistically identify and quantify them individually in a reasonable timeframe and cost. The advantage to this method over prior art is the ability to separate and identify chemical constituents and solvent fractions based on their solvent-solubility characteristics, their high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) adsorption and desorption behaviors, and their interactions with stationary phases; and subsequently identify and quantify them at least partially using various combinations of non-destructive HPLC, destructive HPLC, and stand-alone detectors presently not routinely used for HPLC but reconfigured to obtain spectra on the fly.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel peptides and homologues thereof. The peptides of the invention comprise (i) a T-cell epitope of an antigen (self or non-self) with a potential to trigger an immune reaction presented by a class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) determinant and recognised by CD4+ T cell more specifically of an allergen or auto-antigen, coupled, optionally through the use of a linker to (ii) an amino acid sequence having a reducing activity, such as a thioreductase sequence. The peptides of the invention have been shown to be useful a medicine, more in particular for the prevention or treatment of immune disorders, more specifically of allergic disorders or autoimmune diseases. The present invention thus provides for the use of said peptides for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or treatment of an immune disorder and further provides for methods of treatment or preventing immune disorders by using said peptides.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite catalyst, comprising carbon in a continuous phase and Raney alloy particles in a dispersed phase. The Raney alloy particles are dispersed evenly or unevenly in the carbon in a continuous phase, and the carbon in a continuous phase is obtained by carbonizing at least one carbonizable organic substance. The catalyst has good particle strength, high catalytic activity, and good selectivity.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a dual voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) circuit includes a first VCO and a second VCO. The first VCO includes: a first variable capacitor having an input node, a first output node, and a second output node, a second variable capacitor coupled in parallel with the first variable capacitor, a first transistor, and a second transistor, where the first transistor has a first drain coupled to the first output node, a first gate coupled to the second output node, and a first source coupled to a ground, where the second transistor has a second drain coupled to the second output node and a second gate coupled to the first output node, and a second source coupled to the ground. The dual VCO circuit includes a second VCO mirroring the first VCO, a first and a second inductors coupled to the first and the second VCO respectively.

Abstract: A substrate processing system for depositing film on a substrate includes a processing chamber defining a reaction volume. A showerhead includes a stem portion having one end connected adjacent to an upper surface of the processing chamber. A base portion is connected to an opposite end of the stem portion and extends radially outwardly from the stem portion. The showerhead is configured to introduce at least one of process gas and purge gas into the reaction volume. A plasma generator is configured to selectively generate RF plasma in the reaction volume. An edge tuning system includes a collar and a parasitic plasma reducing element that is located around the stem portion between the collar and an upper surface of the showerhead. The parasitic plasma reducing element is configured to reduce parasitic plasma between the showerhead and the upper surface of the processing chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and a method for voice prompt of a third-party call. The system includes a contact identification module, a hands-free control module and a voice broadcast module. The contact identification module is for identifying whether a third-party incoming call number exists in an address book of a communication device. The hands-free control module is for extracting a current call status when a third-party call dials in to help judge whether the current call is in hands-free mode. The voice broadcast module is for voice broadcasting information of the incoming call according to the identification result of the contact identification module when the current call is in hands-free mode. The present system could broadcast the information of the third-party incoming call without breaking off the current call so that prevents missing important content of the current call as well as an important incoming call.

Abstract: Provided is an ordered step-wise method for the chlorination and photodestruction of MC-LR contamination of an aqueous liquid such as a potable water supply infested with blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). It has been found possible to usefully chlorinate the water at lower chlorine:MC-LR ratios as compared to known methods and then to irradiate the water with ultraviolet radiation to photolyze the chlorinated MC-LR. The methods incorporate the prechlorination of a cyanotoxin, more advantageously a microcystin, and most advantageously MC-LR, to enhance UV-induced photodegradation of this compound.

Abstract: A matching module includes an input terminal connected to an input node, a variable load capacitor, and a plurality of RF signal delivery branches. The input terminal is connected to receive RF signals from one or more RF generators. The load capacitor is connected between the input node and a reference ground potential. Each of the plurality of RF signal delivery branches has a respective ingress terminal connected to the input node and a respective egress terminal connected to a respective one of a plurality of output terminals. Each of the plurality of output terminals of the matching module is connected to deliver RF signals to a different one of a plurality of plasma processing stations/chambers. Each of the plurality of RF signal delivery branches includes a corresponding inductor and a corresponding variable tuning capacitor electrically connected in a serial manner between its ingress terminal and its egress terminal.

Abstract: Tissue holders that can be used for gripping natural or synthetic heart valves are described. The tissue holder can include a clamping mechanism and a spring and can be self-adjusting with regard to pressure applied to the tissue gripped in the holder. The tissue holder can be removably attached to systems for processing the tissues and can provide completely hands-free processing of a tissue from development or excisement to implantation and/or completion of testing.

Abstract: The accuracy of photovoltaic simulation modeling is predicated upon the selection of a type of solar resource data appropriate to the form of simulation desired. Photovoltaic power simulation requires irradiance data. Photovoltaic energy simulation requires normalized irradiation data. Normalized irradiation is not always available, such as in photovoltaic plant installations where only point measurements of irradiance are sporadically collected or even entirely absent. Normalized irradiation can be estimated through several methodologies, including assuming that normalized irradiation simply equals irradiance, directly estimating normalized irradiation, applying linear interpolation to irradiance, applying linear interpolation to clearness index values, and empirically deriving irradiance weights. The normalized irradiation can then be used to forecast photovoltaic fleet energy production.

Abstract: A high-speed low-power-consumption dynamic comparator includes a latch, an AND gate, a delay unit, and an XNOR gate. According to the high-speed low-power-consumption dynamic comparator, the output signal is generated through the XNOR gate from the comparator output signals Dp and Dn. The output signal and the control signal clk1 generate the control signal of the NMOS transistor P10 through the AND gate, so that the problem of static power consumption in a conventional comparator is solved.

Abstract: The novel synergistic combination of immune checkpoint blockade and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and/or hematopoietic stem cell mobilization yield synergistic effects in disease therapy.

Abstract: A method is provided, including the following operations: simultaneously applying an organosilyl chloride inhibitor and a Lewis base to a surface of a substrate, the organosilyl chloride inhibitor being configured to adsorb onto dielectric regions of the surface of the substrate; performing a plurality of cycles of an ALD process to deposit a metal oxide onto the surface of the substrate; wherein the applying of the organosilyl chloride inhibitor and the Lewis base prevents the ALD process from depositing the metal oxide onto the dielectric regions of the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A system for controlling a motion of a vehicle includes a memory to store a set of analytical functions corresponding to a set of patterns of elementary paths. Each pattern represents a continuous path and each analytical function is determined for a corresponding pattern to provide an analytical solution for input states of the vehicle defining a continuous path connecting the input states by a sequential compositions of the elementary paths following the corresponding pattern. The system includes a path planner to select from the memory, in response to receiving an initial state and a target state of the vehicle, an analytical function corresponding to a minimum cost of the continuous curvature path connecting the initial state with the target state and to analytically determine parameters of the continuous curvature path using the selected analytical function and a controller to control the motion of the vehicle according to the parameters of the continuous curvature path.

Abstract: Self-immolative polymers and compositions comprising such polymers are described. The polymers are copolymers of phthalaldehyde and one or more additional aldehydes and can degrade/decompose upon exposure to a desired stimulus, like light, heat, sound, or chemical trigger. The copolymers can be linear or cyclic, and can be crosslinked or uncrosslinked. Polymer compositions, including multilayered and multiregioned compositions, containing the copolymers are disclosed. These compositions can contain agents such as crosslinking agents, crosslinking catalysts, photocatalysts, thermocatalyst, sensitizers, chemical amplifiers, freezing point depressing agent, photo-response delaying agents, and the like. Methods of making and using the copolymers are also described.