Abstract: Particulate dispersions and composites are disclosed which comprise graphite and alloy particles comprising both active (e.g. Si) and inactive phases with regards to electrochemical activity with alkali or alkaline earth metals (e.g. lithium). The alloy particles are highly dispersed as primary particles with graphite particles and/or within the graphite particles' matrix in a novel manner and can be prepared using simple mechanofusion dry processing methods. In the composites prepared, the alloy particles are essentially embedded between layers in the graphite matrix. Improved performance can be obtained when these dispersions or composites are used in lithium insertion anodes for rechargeable lithium batteries, including high capacity, good cycling performance, and rate capability.

Abstract: A conductive film includes a substrate and a first metal nanowire layer. The first metal nanowire layer is disposed on a first surface of the substrate. The first metal nanowire layer has an anisotropy value larger than or equal to 2.8 and smaller than or equal to 4.0.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet, a door, a camera module, and a controller. The cabinet may define a chilled chamber. The door may be rotatably hinged to the cabinet to provide selective access to the chilled chamber. The camera module may be mounted to the cabinet within the chilled chamber. The controller may be operably coupled to the camera module. The controller may be configured to initiate an operation routine. The operation routine may include receiving one or more images for each of a plurality of capture sequences, detecting a pervasive obfuscation condition at the camera module based on the received one or more images, and directing a responsive action on the refrigerator appliance in response to detecting the pervasive obfuscation condition.

Abstract: An apparatus to wash a vehicle that typically includes: a trolley frame having a first support beam and a second support beam, the trolley frame defining a first reference frame; a first translation beam extending from the first support beam to the second support beam, where the first translation beam is at an angle with respect to the first reference frame; a second translation beam extending from the first support beam to the second support beam, where the second translation beam is at an angle with respect to the first reference frame; a first brush extending downward from a first trolley, the first trolley movably disposed on the first translation beam; and a second brush extending downwardly from a second trolley, the second trolley movably disposed on the second translation beam. The second trolley typically moves independently from the first trolley using different and independent drive systems or motors.

Abstract: Power amplifiers with adaptive bias for envelope tracking applications are provided herein. In certain embodiments, an envelope tracking system includes a power amplifier that amplifies a radio frequency (RF) signal and that receives power from a power amplifier supply voltage, and an envelope tracker that controls a voltage level of the power amplifier supply voltage based on an envelope of the RF signal. The power amplifier includes a current mirror having an input that receives a reference current, an output electrically connected to the power amplifier supply voltage, and a node that outputs a gate bias voltage. The power amplifier further includes a field-effect transistor that amplifies the radio frequency signal and a first depletion-mode transistor having a gate connected to the node of the current mirror and a source connected to a gate of the field-effect transistor.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for fluid conduit inspection using absolute velocity of a sensor device are provided. The method includes: receiving sensor data collected by a sensor device during a measurement run from an interior of the fluid conduit while traveling along a length of the fluid conduit, the sensor device including a first magnetometer and a second magnetometer each having a fixed position in the sensor device, the fixed positions defining a separation distance between the first magnetometer and second magnetometer, the sensor data including magnetic flux data comprising first magnetic flux data collected by the first magnetometer and second magnetic flux data collected by the second magnetometer; determining a time delay between when a magnetic signal is present in the first magnetic flux data and when the magnetic signal is present in the second magnetic flux data; determining an absolute velocity of the sensor device.

Abstract: An acoustic wave filter component can include an acoustic wave device including a multi-layer piezoelectric substrate. The multi-layer piezoelectric substrate can include at least a support substrate and a piezoelectric layer. The acoustic wave device can include an interdigital transducer electrode on the piezoelectric layer. An additional layer can be located over the interdigital transducer electrode. The acoustic wave filter component can also include a bulk acoustic wave resonator supported by the additional layer. The acoustic wave device can be a boundary wave resonator, and one or more boundary wave resonators may be provided in a stacked arrangement, with the bulk acoustic wave resonator in the top layer of the stacked arrangement. The acoustic wave device can also be a temperature-compensated surface acoustic wave device.

Abstract: The intermediate transfer unit includes: an endless intermediate transfer belt which is turned around while carrying a toner image on its outer circumferential surface; and a plurality of rollers on which the intermediate transfer belt is turnably stretched, wherein the intermediate transfer belt has, on its inner circumferential surface, an information recording area in which belt information has been recorded, and the intermediate transfer belt has a mark at a position in the outer circumferential surface where a positional relationship between the mark and the information recording area comes to a specified relationship.

Abstract: A method may include providing a syringe device having (a) a single needle, (b) a first syringe comprising saline with microbubbles, (c) a second syringe comprising a therapeutic compound, and (d) a connector coupling the single needle to the first syringe and to the second syringe. The method may further include guiding the single needle to an injection site of a patient; injecting, with the first syringe, a quantity of saline with microbubbles; confirming a desired position of the single needle, with ultrasound imaging, by identifying the microbubbles in the quantity of saline relative to a tip of the single needle and further relative to one or more anatomical landmarks visible with the ultrasound imaging; and injecting, with the second syringe, the therapeutic compound at the injection site.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for sensor tampering detection are provided. An aftertreatment system comprises a first leg comprising a first Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system, a first doser, and a first NOx sensor, a second leg comprising a second SCR system, a second doser, and a second NOx sensor, and a controller. The controller determines satisfaction of enabling conditions. The controller doses reductant to the first and second SCR systems. The controller determines NOx values of the first SCR system and the second SCR system. The controller adjust the dosing of the first SCR system for a time period. The controller measures NOx values of the first SCR system and the second SCR system. The controller determines a difference between the third and first NOx values and a difference between the fourth and second NOx values. The controller generates an indication regarding whether the first NOx sensor is displaced.

Abstract: A tracked vehicle, controller for the tracked vehicle, and a method performed thereon are provided that enable the pilot to steer the tracked vehicle using an existing joystick of the tracked vehicle.

Abstract: A sternal elevator apparatus is disclosed. The sternal elevator may include a panel, a support beam traversing the panel, and a post coupled to a proximal end of the panel. The apparatus may also include an indicator handle coupled to the sternal elevator, an actuator drive pivotably coupled to the indicator handle, and a housing movably coupled to the actuator drive. The sternal elevator apparatus may have an actuator drive incorporating a linear rack. The housing further may include a cylindrical gear where the cylindrical gear is engaged with the linear rack.

Abstract: A camera head for an endoscope includes a casing that forms exterior, and an imaging unit that is housed in the casing and images a subject image. The casing includes a metal exterior unit that forms at least a part of the exterior and is formed by hydroforming.

Abstract: A toner includes toner particles each including a pulverized toner mother particle and an external additive attached to the surface of the toner mother particle. The toner mother particles have a volume median diameter of at least 5.20 m and no greater than 6.50 ?m and contain a binder resin containing a tetrahydrofuran-insoluble component in a percentage content of at least 4.50% by mass and no greater than 16.00% by mass. The tetrahydrofuran-insoluble component has a percentage content of no greater than 2.20% by mass in the binder resin as subjected to ultrasonication at an output power of 200 W and a frequency of 28 kHz for 1 minute. In an infrared absorption spectrum of the toner particles plotted by infrared spectroscopy, a peak appearing at a wavenumber of 701 cm?1 has a height of at least 0.0070 A and no greater than 0.0300 A.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a reading device, an identifier, a determiner, and a decider. The reading device reads, from a sheet, information related to the sheet. The identifier identifies a type of the sheet, on a basis of the information related to the sheet. The determiner determines a threshold for quality of an image, on a basis of the information related to the sheet, and the identified type of the sheet. The decider decides the quality of the image formed on the sheet, on a basis of the threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods for regenerative ejector-based cooling cycles that utilize an ejector as the motivating force in a cooling loop to regeneratively sub-cool a refrigerant in a single-stage cooling cycle.

Abstract: Disclosed are valve replacement devices, systems, and methods. Valve replacement devices may comprise one- or two-piece systems comprising an adapter body and a valve assembly with leaflets positioned within the adapter body. In two-piece systems, the valve assembly may be removable from the adapter body such that both can be delivered together or separately, and the adapter body may remain implanted while the valve assembly may be removed and replaced (i.e., “revalved”). Also described are devices (such as a delivery catheter device), systems, and methods related to such delivering and revalving the valve replacement. Such delivery methods may include transseptal insertion of a new minimum leaflet structure, and securement of the valve replacement using several securement type (e.g., supra-annular, sub-annular, radial, leaflet securement, etc.). Also described is a braided helical design that mimics the heart's natural movement, and a flange structure for assisting the functioning of the valve replacement.

Abstract: A technician's progress may be tracked using a location data from a mobile device being carried by the technician. For instance, when the technician undocks a test instrument, such as a handheld meter for measuring leakage signal, the mobile device may be triggered to track and transmit its locations. Therefore, the test instrument-mobile device combination may continuously generate two pieces of information-leakage signal measurement from the test instrument and the location from the mobile device. Both the test instrument and the mobile device may transmit the corresponding pieces of information to a remote server, which may associate the leakage signal measurements and locations. The present system may have a visibility of the location of the technician and the corresponding leakage signal measurement when the technician is outside the vehicle, compared to the conventional systems that are generally blind in these situations.

Abstract: A sheet transport device includes a sheet feeding tray, a reading device, a sheet feeding path, a discharge tray, a discharge path, a discharge elevation device, and a movable wall. On the sheet feeding tray, a plurality of sheets are placed. The discharge tray is located on a lower side of the sheet feeding tray, and receive the plurality of sheets. The discharge path delivers the sheet to the discharge tray. The discharge elevation device moves the discharge path up and down. The discharge path includes a discharge outlet that moves up and down, in a range between the sheet feeding tray and the discharge tray, following an up and downward movement of the discharge path. The movable wall is provided between the discharge outlet and the sheet feeding tray, and changes a posture according to the up and downward movement of the discharge path and the discharge outlet.

Abstract: A secondary battery disclosed herein includes an electrode body including a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The negative electrode includes a negative electrode active material layer. The negative electrode active material layer includes graphite particles and Si-containing particles. The Si-containing particle is a complex of Si and C, and Si is doped with an element M. The element M is at least one kind of element among elements belonging to Group 15 and Group 16 in the periodic table. The doping amount of the element M in the Si-containing particle is 0.1 at % or more and 5 at % or less. The weight ratio between the graphite particles and the Si-containing particles is 9:1 to 4:6.