Abstract: Sampling devices for mercury speciation protocols are described. Devices can be utilized to separate mercury species from one another as a sample diffuses through a sampling device. Methods can determine the presence or quantity of targeted mercury species in a fluid sample. The devices are passive sampling devices based upon diffusion gradient in thin film (DGT) passive sampling devices. Devices include a reactant component and a sequesterant component that selectively react with a targeted species and retain a species (or a reaction product of a species) of a sample flow. Remaining mercury species can optionally be captured downgradient, for instance at an ion exchange resin.

Abstract: A display device includes a display section, a gesture acceptance section, and a display control section. The display section has a touch panel function. The gesture acceptance section accepts a scroll gesture on the display section. The display control section allows a target screen image for display to move in a scrolling direction instructed by the scroll gesture and, when the gesture acceptance section accepts the scroll gesture for scrolling toward an end of the target screen image for display in a state where a display area of the target screen image for display being displayed on the display section has reached the end of the target screen image for display, subjects the display area to image processing corresponding to an amount of scroll instructed by the accepted scroll gesture.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) filter circuit for rejecting one or more spurious components of an input signal has a first resonator circuit including a first capacitor and a first coupled inductor pair of a first inductor and a second inductor, and a second resonator circuit with a second capacitor and a second coupled inductor pair of a third inductor and a fourth inductor. First and second resonator coupling capacitors are connected to the first resonator circuit and the second resonator circuit. A first port and a second port are connected to the first resonator circuit and the second resonator, with the filtered signal of the input signal passed through both the first resonator circuit and the second resonator circuit being output.

Abstract: A charging system includes an electric bus and a charger. The charger includes a supply unit and a second communication unit. The supply unit supplies power to the electric bus stopped at a preset position. If power is being supplied to the electric bus by the supply unit, the second communication unit transmits a first identifier of the charger, if power is not being supplied to the electric bus by the supply unit, transmits a second identifier that is an identifier of the charger and different from the first identifier, and if a first command is received from the electric bus, transmits and receives information related to charging of a storage functional unit included in the electric bus, with the electric bus being a transmission source of the first command, using radio communication.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state image sensor and an electronic device that can expand a dynamic range while suppressing degradation of image quality. A solid-state image sensor includes a pixel unit in which basic pattern pixel groups are arranged, each of the basic pattern pixel groups having output pixels of a plurality of colors arranged according to a predetermined pattern, the output pixel being a pixel based on an output unit of a pixel signal, the output pixel of at least one color among the output pixels having three or more types of sizes, and a signal processing unit configured to perform synthesis processing for a plurality of the pixel signals from a plurality of the output pixels having a same color and different sizes. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a CMOS image sensor.

Abstract: An energy management apparatus according to an embodiment is used in a management system having an information device management apparatus that has a first storage storing information device information regarding at least one information device and sends to the energy management apparatus first power consumption information regarding the power consumption by the information device. The energy management apparatus has a receiver, a first acquisitor, and a second storage. The receiver receives, regarding zones related to a building, a detection signal regarding detection of a person in each of the zones. The first acquisitor acquires second power consumption information regarding power consumed by a facility device in the zones. The second storage stores the first power consumption information and the second power consumption information in connection with the zones, based on the detection signal received by the receiver.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a component containing an iron alloy material, a pulverulent pre-alloy is provided. The pre-alloy comprises, in wt. %, 0.01 to 1% C, .0.01 to 30% Mn, ?6% Al, and 0.05 to 6.0% Si, the remainder being Fe and usual contaminants. The pulverulent pre-alloy is mixed with at least one of elementary Ag powder, elementary Au powder, elementary Pd powder and elementary Pt powder so as to produce a powder mixture containing 0.1 to 20% of at least one of Ag, Au, Pd and Pt. The powder mixture is applied onto a carrier (16) by means of a powder application device (14). Electromagnetic or particle radiation is selectively irradiated onto the powder mixture applied onto the carrier (16) by means of an Irradiation device (18) so as to generate a component from the powder mixture by an additive layer construction method.

Abstract: A heating unit includes a circuit board, a plurality of heating parts, and a plurality of wiring parts. The heating parts are arranged in a first direction on a surface of the circuit board. The wiring parts are provided on the surface of the circuit board and electrically connect the heating parts and a power source to feed the heating parts. The wiring parts respectively include electrode terminal parts electrically connected to the power source outside the heating parts in the first direction. Sizes in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction of the heating parts are set to decrease gradually or stepwisely with separating in the first direction from the electrode terminal parts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing an electrical connection formed by a mating structure including prongs of a male assembly and receptacles of a female assembly are provided. In certain embodiments, the electrical connection can be secured by frictional engagement between the plug and receptacle housings. This can be accomplished by forcing a wedge into an interface between the housings or expanding a locking element, such as an elastomeric ring, into the interface. Such locking and releasing of the secure connection can be actuated using a locking nut.

Abstract: A flow conveyed plugging device for use in a well, the device can include a body, and one or more lines extending outwardly from the body, each of the lines having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body. A method of plugging an opening in a well can include deploying at least one flow conveyed plugging device into the well, the flow conveyed plugging device including a body and, extending outwardly from the body, at least one of the group consisting of: a) one or more fibers and b) one or more lines, the flow conveyed plugging device being conveyed by flow in the well into sealing engagement with the opening. Another flow conveyed plugging device can include a body, and fibers extending outwardly from the body. The flow conveyed plugging device degrades and thereby permits flow through an opening in the well.

Abstract: A system for securely depositing an item includes: a deposit box with a door configured to provide selective access to an interior space in the deposit box; a lock mechanism configured to attach to the deposit box to selectively block the door from opening; a first proximity sensor operatively connected to the lock mechanism to operate the lock mechanism to block the door or allow the door to open; a second proximity sensor configured to be attached to at least one of: a delivery person and a piece of delivery equipment; a third proximity sensor; and a first transmitter operatively connected to the lock mechanism and configured to transmit a signal indicative of operating information regarding the lock mechanism, and wherein the deposit box is at least 18 inches wide and 24 inches long.

Abstract: A toner includes toner particles. Each of the toner particles includes a composite core and a shell layer covering a surface of the composite core. Each of the composite cores is a composite of a toner core and foamable particles provided on a surface of the toner core. An amount of the foamable particles is at least 0.3% by mass relative to mass of the toner cores. Each of the foamable particles includes a base particle and a coat layer covering a surface of the base particle. The base particles are non-foamable. The coat layers include a foamable group. The foamable group is bonded to the surfaces of the base particles through a bond including a bond represented by formula “—O—Si—”.

Abstract: Pose of a probe is detected in x-ray medical imaging. Since the TEE probe is inserted through the esophagus of a patient, the pose is limited to being within the esophagus. The path of the esophagus is determined from medical imaging prior to the intervention. During the intervention, the location in 2D is found from one x-ray image at a given time. The 3D probe location is provided by assigning the depth of the esophagus at that 2D location to be the depth of the probe. A single x-ray image may be used to determine the probe location in 3D, allowing for real-time pose determination without requiring space to rotate a C-arm during the intervention.

Abstract: A violation enforcement system configured to impair the view of a driver through a windshield of a vehicle is provided. The violation enforcement system includes a plurality of covering assemblies. Each of the covering assemblies has one or more suction assemblies configured for placement against a windshield of a vehicle. A pump assembly is configured for pneumatic communication with the one or more suction assemblies. The pump assembly is configured to develop a partial vacuum between the suction assemblies and the windshield. A release assembly is configured for pneumatic communication with the one or more suction assemblies. The release assembly is further configured to actuate release of the suction assemblies from the windshield. A GSM module is configured to receive information from GPS satellites and then calculate the geographical position of the violation enforcement system.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated diverter includes a top portion defining a plurality of outlet ports and a bottom portion defining a fluid inlet and being coupled to the top portion to form a diverter chamber. A diverter disk is positioned in the diverter chamber and can move along an axial direction between a first position and a second position. The diverter disk has one or more apertures and may be rotated about the axial direction to selectively place the one or more apertures in fluid communication with the plurality of outlet ports. When water flows through the fluid inlet, the diverter disk moves to the second position and forms a fluid seal with the top portion. To reduce noise resulting from the diverter disk striking the top portion, a strike pad is coupled to and extends from the top portion toward the diverter disk.

Abstract: According to embodiments, a cargo handling apparatus includes a first detecting unit, a target setting unit, a determination height position setting unit, a moving apparatus, a second detecting unit, and a controller unit. The target setting unit sets a cargo positioned in a highest position to a target, or if it is determined that the upper surface has no height difference, sets any one of the cargoes, forming a portion of the upper surface to the target. The determination height position setting unit sets a determination height position. The controller unit moves the target upward by driving the moving apparatus, and if it is determined that the target does not exceed the determination height position, determines that pull-out of the target is impossible, and stops an operation of the moving apparatus so as to stop a movement of the target.

Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor device (101), including: a first semiconductor layer (25) having a main surface that is a growth surface in a lamination direction and a first side surface (251) disposed at a first angle; and a second semiconductor layer (24) adjacent the first semiconductor layer (25) having a second side surface (241) extending from the first side surface (251) of the first semiconductor layer (25) at a second angle different from the first angle.

Abstract: A touch panel with a fingerprint identification function includes a cover plate, a mask layer, a flexible substrate, and a fingerprint sensing array. The mask layer is disposed on the cover plate for defining an operating region and a non-operating region of the touch panel. The flexible substrate is disposed on the mask layer and at least in the non-operating region. The fingerprint sensing array is directly disposed on the flexible substrate in the non-operating region. Through the configuration that the fingerprint sensing array is disposed on the flexible substrate, the distance between the fingerprint sensing array and a user's fingers is reduced, thereby increasing the sensitivity of fingerprint identification.

Abstract: A media content pipeline architecture is described that enables media devices to efficiently receive, store, play, and stream media content. In general, a media content pipeline as described herein is configured to receive media content streams from one or more input sources, segment and store the media content streams into fixed-sized or variable-sized data buffers, encrypt the data stored in the buffers, and store the encrypted data in an in-memory buffer cache for further processing. The media content pipeline further may be configured to write the encrypted buffers stored in the in-memory buffer cache to a secondary storage device (e.g., a hard disk) in response to the occurrence of one or more defined operating conditions. The media content pipeline may enable a media device to efficiently receive and process media content data streams, write the media content data streams to storage, and stream the media content data to client devices.

Abstract: Crop-specific automated irrigation include environmental medium and management of nutrients. Operation of an irrigation apparatus can be regulated according to specific water demand of a crop. The water demand can be assessed by evaluating water content conditions of the environmental medium comprising the crop, medium characteristics, and/or nutrient delivery and transport characteristics at the medium. Regulation of operation of the irrigation apparatus can comprise control of one or more of water supply to the apparatus, positioning and/or movement of the irrigation apparatus, or configuration of sensing devices for collection of information suitable for such regulation.