Abstract: A thermoelectric module includes a plurality of thermoelectric components, a first electrode and a second electrode. The thermoelectric components have the same type of semiconductor material. The first electrode includes a first parallel connection part and a first serial connection part. The plurality of thermoelectric components is electrically connected to the first parallel connection part and each of the plurality of thermoelectric components is separated from one another. The first serial connection part is configured for being electrically connected to other electrical components. The plurality of thermoelectric components is electrically connected to the second electrode and located between the first parallel connection part and the second electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides HIV-1 vaccine immunogens. Some of the immunogens contain a soluble gp140-derived protein that harbors a modified N-terminus of the HR1 region in gp41. Some of the immunogens contain an HIV-1 Env-derived trimer protein that is presented on a nanoparticle platform. The invention also provides methods of using the HIV-1 vaccine immunogens for eliciting an immune response or treating HIV infections.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply apparatus and method. The uninterruptible power supply apparatus includes a first generator, an energy storage, a first power converter connected to the energy storage, a second power converter connected to the energy storage, a first switch connected to the first power converter and a first load, a second switch connected to the second power converter, the first generator and a second load, and a third switch connected to a power grid, the first generator, the second power converter, the first switch and the second switch. In a normal state in which the first switch and the third switch are connected, the power grid supplies power to the first load or the second load. In an independent operating state in which the third switch is turned off, the first generator or the energy storage uninterruptibly supplies power to the first load or the second load.

Abstract: Provided are an engineering plastic composite and a method for producing the same. The engineering plastic composite includes a carbon fiber having a surface modified by a hydrogen plasma and including a functional group and an engineering plastic. The carbon fiber is mixed with the engineering plastic to constitute a composite.

Abstract: Various embodiments may provide an optical system for determining a refractive index of a sample. The optical system may include a laser source configured to emit a laser beam, and a non-linear crystal configured to generate, based on the laser beam, an infrared light beam which passes through the sample, and a visible signal light beam. The optical system may further include a first mirror configured to reflect the visible signal light beam, a second mirror configured to reflect the infrared light beam so that the reflected infrared light beam interacts with the reflected visible signal light beam in the non-linear crystal, and a photodetector configured to determine a property of the reflected visible signal light beam which has interacted with the reflected infrared light beam for determining the refractive index of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for carrying out phosphide in-situ injection synthesis by carrier gas, relating to a synthetic method of semiconductor crystal: step A, shielding inert gas is introduced into a furnace body through a carrier gas intake conduit; step B, a crucible is heated in the furnace body to melt a pre-synthesized raw material in the crucible; step C, the heated shielding inert gas is introduced into the furnace body through the carrier gas intake conduit; step D, a phosphorus source furnace loaded with red phosphorus is moved downwards until an injection conduit of the phosphorus source furnace is submerged in the melt; step E, the red phosphorus is heated by the phosphorus source furnace to produce phosphorus gas, and the phosphorus gas is mixed with the shielding inert gas and then injected into the melt through the injection conduit, and the phosphorus gas reacts with the melt to produce phosphide; and step F, each device is turned off after the synthesis is finished.

Abstract: The present disclosure, among other things, provides low-viscosity, high concentration therapeutic protein agent formulations.

Abstract: In one example, an electroplating system comprises a bath reservoir, a holding device, an anode, a direct current power supply, and a controller. The bath reservoir contains an electrolyte solution. The holding device holds a wafer submerged in the electrolyte solution. The wafer comprises features covered by a cobalt layer. The anode is opposite to the wafer and submerged in the electrolyte solution. The direct current power supply generates a direct current between the holding device and the anode. A combination of forward and reverse pulses is applied between the holding device and the anode to electroplate a copper layer on the cobalt layer of the wafer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for converting heavy oil by means of high dispersion of asphaltenes, comprising the steps of: preparing a mixture by mixing an amphiphilic additive and the heavy oil; and performing a hydrogenation reaction on the mixture, wherein the amphiphilic additive comprises both a polar group and a nonpolar group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plant fiber processes (e.g., washing, drying, and/or grinding) that utilize recycle and/or make-up streams to use water resources efficiently and/or produce intermediate and/or final products with desired properties.

Abstract: Described herein are prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) binding conjugates that are useful for delivering therapeutic, diagnostic and imaging agents. Also described herein are pharmaceutical composition containing them and methods of using the conjugates and compositions. Also described are processes for manufacture of the conjugates and the compositions containing them.

Abstract: The present research relates to controlling rendering of multi-object or multi-channel audio signals. The present research provides a method and apparatus for controlling rendering of multi-object or multi-channel audio signals based on spatial cues in a process of decoding the multi-object or multi-channel audio signals. To achieve the purpose, the method suggested in the research controls rendering in a spatial cue domain in the process of decoding the multi-object or multi-channel audio signals.

Abstract: Person support apparatuses with selectively coupled foot sections are disclosed. In one embodiment, the person support apparatus includes a base frame, a primary support frame supported on the base frame, and a foot section coupled to the primary support frame. The person support apparatus also includes a carriage that is freely translatable between a head end of the primary support frame and a foot end of the primary support frame, the carriage comprising a torso portion and a seat portion having a thigh segment and a gluteal segment. The person support apparatus further includes a selectable trunnion that selectively and severally couples the foot section to the primary support frame and the thigh segment of the seat portion.

Abstract: A medical device of a medical system is configured for communicating with an external programmer over a wireless communications link. The medical device comprises a wireless communications module configured for receiving a first unencrypted version of a random number and a first encrypted version of the random number from the external programmer over the wireless communications link. The medical device further comprises control circuitry configured for performing an authentication procedure on the external programmer based on the first unencrypted version of the random number and the first encrypted version of the random number, and preventing the external programmer from commanding the medical device to perform an action unless the authentication procedure is successful.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a terahertz wave concentrating module can comprise: a first lens for changing a terahertz wave, which is emitted while a terahertz Bessel beam penetrates an object to be inspected, so as to have a small angle; and a second lens for concentrating, on a detector, the terahertz wave having passed through the first lens.

Abstract: A stress-engineered frangible structure includes multiple discrete glass members interconnected by inter-structure bonds to form a complex structural shape. Each glass member includes strengthened (i.e., by way of stress-engineering) glass material portions that are configured to transmit propagating fracture forces throughout the glass member. Each inter-structure bond includes a bonding member (e.g., glass-frit or adhesive) connected to weaker (e.g., untreated, unstrengthened, etched, or thinner) glass member region(s) disposed on one or both interconnected glass members that function to reliably transfer propagating fracture forces from one glass member to other glass member. An optional trigger mechanism generates an initial fracture force in a first (most-upstream) glass member, and the resulting propagating fracture forces are transferred by way of inter-structure bonds to all downstream glass members.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for measuring tyrosine kinase activity using degradation resistant biosensors comprising a reporter sequence, a target sequence, and a transduction sequence. In certain embodiments, the invention includes a biosensor comprising a peptide comprising a reporter sequence, i.e., an amino acid sequence including a tyrosine residue that can be phosphorylated by a tyrosine kinase. In certain embodiments, a biosensor comprises a reporter sequence configured to resist degradation from proteases, a targeting sequence coupled to the reporter sequence and configured to bind to a protein interaction domain of a kinase, and a transduction sequence coupled to the targeting sequence.

Abstract: A user authentication system for an electronic device for use with a plurality of wireless wearable medical sensors (WMSs) and a wireless base station that receives a biomedical data stream (biostream) from each WMS. The system includes a BioAura engine located on a server, the server has a wireless transmitter/receiver with receive buffers that store the plurality of biostreams, the BioAura engine has a look up stage and a classifier, the classifier generates an authentication output based on the plurality of biostreams, the authentication output authenticates the user's access to the electronic device. The wireless base station has a transmitter/receiver having receive buffers that store the biomedical data from each WMS, the wireless base station has a communication engine that retrieves the biostream from each WMS and transmits the plurality of biostreams to the server.

Abstract: A modular apparatus of fuel cell system includes a start burner, a reformer, an after-burner, and a heat exchanger. The start burner, the reformer, the after-burner, and the heat exchanger are disposed in a chamber. The start burner is surrounded by the reformer, and the after-burner is disposed on the start burner and surrounds the reformer. The heat exchanger surrounds the after-burner and the reformer.

Abstract: A method of filtering a fluid with components includes providing an alternating pressure. The alternating pressure yields an oscillating transmembrane pressure through volume and pressure variations within a filtration chamber while sealing the filtration chamber. A separation surface can be housed in the filtration chamber wherein an influent is introduced. Components can be concentrated on the separation surface, effectively removing some or all of them from the fluid. To flush the filtration chamber and separation surface, a backwash fluid and components can be introduced and removed from the filtration chamber. While both the components are being concentrated and backwashed, the system can maintain the oscillating transmembrane pressure and varying volume and pressure relative to the separation surface.