Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of decoding an image. The method includes generating an inter prediction block by performing inter prediction with respect to a current block, generating an intra prediction block by performing intra prediction with respect to the current block, determining a first weight and a second weight, and generating a final prediction block by respectively applying the first weight and the second weight to the inter prediction block and the intra prediction block. The generating of the intra prediction block includes generating the intra prediction block using a predefined intra prediction mode.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a photovoltaic (PV) device that includes a first junction constructed with a first alloy and having a bandgap between about 1.0 eV and about 1.5 eV, and a second junction constructed with a second alloy and having a bandgap between about 0.9 eV and about 1.3 eV, where the first alloy includes III-V elements, the second alloy includes III-V elements, and the PV device is configured to operate in a thermophotovoltaic system having an operating temperature between about 1500° C. and about 3000° C.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for metadata management and collection, which includes a settings managing unit that generates setting information of data obtained from a data source, a source managing unit that generates source information associated with the data source, a job managing unit that starts or stops a data collection job based on the source information, an object collecting unit that requests an external system for a list of metadata based on the setting information and the source information, a metadata importing unit that imports metadata from the list of the metadata based on the setting information and the source information, a data downloading unit that downloads target metadata of the imported metadata based on the setting information and the source information, and a queue managing unit that generates a data queue depending on a request of the job managing unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) polypeptides, which can be used with adoptive cell transfer to target and kill cancers, that comprise a co-stimulatory signaling region having a mutated form of a cytoplasmic domain of CD28 that enhances CAR-T cell function, e.g. by reducing CAR-T cell exhaustion. Also disclosed are immune effector cells, such as T cells or Natural Killer (NK) cells, that are engineered to express these CARs. Therefore, also disclosed are methods of providing an anti-tumor immunity in a subject with a tumor associated antigen-expressing cancer that involves adoptive transfer of the disclosed immune effector cells engineered to express the disclosed CARs.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to evaluating a perception network in relation to the accuracy of depth estimates and object detections. In one embodiment, a method includes segmenting range data associated with an image according to bounding boxes of objects identified in the image to produce masked data. The method includes comparing the masked data with corresponding depth estimates in the depth map according to an evaluation mask that correlates the depth estimates with the depth map. The method includes providing a metric that quantifies the comparing to assess a network that generated the depth map and the bounding boxes.

Abstract: Compounds represented by general Formulae I to IV as described herein are disclosed. Further disclosed are composition utilizing the herein disclosed compounds and using the same for the treatment of glycogen storage disorders.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus for detecting a moment described by a sentence query in a video and a method using the same. A method for detecting a moment described by a sentence query in a video includes dividing an input video into units of chunks and generating a chunk-level feature sequence based on features that are extracted in a form of vectors from respective chunks, dividing an input sentence query into units of words and generating a sentence-level feature sequence based on features that are extracted in a form of vectors from respective words, generating a chunk-sentence relation feature sequence including contextual information of the video by extracting a relation between the chunk-level feature sequence and the sentence-level feature sequence, and estimating a temporal interval corresponding to the sentence query in the video based on the chunk-sentence relation feature sequence.

Abstract: A treatment system includes an insert that is resiliently deflectable. The tip portion of the insert can be configured to be coupled to the trailing portion of an implant. A guide tube having an internal lumen is configured to permit passage of the tip portion and the body portion of the insert through a guide tube. The guide tube can have a length that is less than that of the insert. Treatment systems include a plurality of inserts, each insert differing from in at least one of length, diameter, and curvature. Treating a patient can include sizing a fistula using an insert.

Abstract: A method for predicting mass of heavy vehicles based on networked operating data and machine learning includes: collecting operating data; extracting speed, engine output torque, satellite elevation, and gear position under a driving condition; determining a transmission ratio of the heavy vehicle based on the gear position; filtering the speed, engine output torque, and the satellite elevation using three of the plurality of filtering parameters; determining a filtered vehicle longitudinal acceleration under the driving condition using the filtered speed, and one of the plurality of filtering parameters; determining a filtered road gradient sine value under the driving condition using the filtered speed, satellite elevation, and one of the plurality of filtering parameters; and inputting the speed, engine output torque, vehicle longitudinal acceleration, road gradient sine value, and transmission ratio into a vehicle mass prediction model to obtain a predicted mass.

Abstract: Mixed-phase TiO2 nanofibers prepared via a sol-gel technique followed by electrospinning and calcination are provided as photocatalysts. The calcination temperature is adjusted to control the rutile phase fraction in TiO2 nanofibers relative to the anatase phase. Post-calcined TiO2 nanofibers composed of 38 wt % rutile and 62 wt % anatase exhibited the highest initial rate constant of UV photocatalysis. This can be attributed to the combined influences of the fibers' specific surface areas and their phase compositions.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plurality of generators, each intended to power supply an electronic circuit operating in a given power supply voltage range, includes a step of manufacturing coils distributed in N pluralities of coils, similar within the same plurality and different from one plurality to another, and a step of manufacturing a plurality of rotors which is carried out with tolerances limiting the cost of production. The plurality of rotors is classified into N classes of rotors which are associated respectively with the N pluralities of coils to form N pairs allowing the assembly of N groups of generators. The generators of each of the N groups of generators have magnetic coupling factors between their rotor and their stator which are located in a corresponding optimised value range, which is at least partially superimposed on the others of the N optimised value ranges relating to the N generator groups.

Abstract: A method of using a diode device including providing a diode that includes an active region including a 525 micron thick. 10 k?-cm, n-type, float zone wafer, and operating the diode as a silicon-avalanche semiconductor switch.

Abstract: A heat pump system includes a compressor, a fluid switching device, a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a third heat exchanger, a fourth heat exchanger, a flow regulating device and a throttle element. The second heat exchanger includes a first heat exchange portion and a second heat exchange portion. An outlet of the first heat exchange portion communicates with the throttle element. An inlet of the first heat exchange portion communicates with at least one of a second port of the third heat exchanger and an outlet of the fourth heat exchanger. An inlet of the second heat exchange portion communicates with the outlet of the first heat exchanger. An outlet of the second heat exchange portion communicates with an inlet of the compressor. In a heating mode, the function of the second heat exchanger is reduced, thereby the heating capacity of the heat pump system is improved.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the delivery of ultrasound energy to a subject is provided. In particular, such a system and method are capable of safely disrupting the blood-brain barrier. Ultrasound energy is delivered to produce cavitation of an ultrasound contrast agent at a selected pressure value. An acoustic signal is acquired following cavitation, from which a signal spectrum is produced. The signal spectrum is analyzed for the presence of harmonics, such as subharmonics or ultraharmonics. When subharmonics or ultraharmonics are present, the pressure value is decreased for subsequent sonications. If a previous sonication resulted in no subharmonics or ultraharmonics being generated, then the pressure value may be increased. In this manner, the blood-brain barrier can be advantageously disrupted while mitigating potentially injurious effects of the sonication.

Abstract: A method and system for adjusting vehicle operations. Wheel sensors are disposed to detect parameters associated with treads of wheels and parameters associated with road conditions. An electronic control unit receives information from the wheel sensors. The electronic control unit determines a performance metric of the wheels based on the parameters associated with treads. The electronic control unit receives determine adjustments for operation of the vehicle based on the performance metric and the parameters associated with road conditions.

Abstract: A method for conditioning a component of a wafer processing chamber is provided. The component is placed in an ultrasonic conditioning solution in an ultrasonic solution tank. Ultrasonic energy is applied through the ultrasonic conditioning solution to the component to clean the component. The component is submerged in a megasonic conditioning solution in a tank. Megasonic energy is applied through the megasonic conditioning solution to the component to clean the component.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a circulating multidimensional liquid chromatography and application thereof. The liquid chromatography comprises an infusion device, a sampling device, a collecting-resampling device, a chromatographic column switching device and a detecting device which are connected sequentially, wherein the collecting-resampling device comprises a collecting valve and a sample ring, and the collecting valve is connected with the sample ring; the sampling device is successively connected with the collecting valve and the chromatographic column switching device; the detecting device is also connected with the collecting valve; and the collecting valve is a three-slot three-position multi-way valve.

Abstract: Provided are an optical waveguide device and a laser apparatus including the same. The optical waveguide device includes a peripheral part disposed on an edge region of a substrate, an air pocket disposed on a central region of the substrate within the peripheral part, an optical waveguide comprising a core layer, which is disposed on an upper portion of the substrate within the air pocket to extend in a first direction, and an electrode on the core layer, and a plurality of hinges disposed on the air pocket to connect the optical waveguide to the peripheral part in a second direction crossing the first direction.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for monitoring an object expression are described. In one example, a described apparatus in a venue comprises a receiver and a processor. The receiver is configured for: receiving a wireless signal from a transmitter through a wireless multipath channel that is impacted by an expression of an object in the venue, wherein the object has at least one movable part and is expressed in the expression with respect to a setup in the venue; and obtaining a time series of channel information (TSCI) of the wireless multipath channel based on the wireless signal received by the receiver. The processor is configured for computing information associated with the object based at least partially on the TSCI obtained when the object is expressed in the expression, and performing, based on the information associated with the object, a task associated with at least one of the object and the venue.