Abstract: A lens module is disclosed. In the lens module, each group of shape memory alloy wires comprises two ends fixed to one of a base and a lens base, and a drive end located between the two ends, the other one of the base and the lens base is provided with a fixing member. The drive end is connected to the fixing member. The fixing member is provided with a flapper for preventing the drive end from escaping the fixing member. By adding a flapper to the fixing member, it may effectively prevent the shape memory alloy wires from escaping the fixing member. Besides, when one group of shape memory alloy wires operates, it does not result in extra stress to other groups of shape memory alloy wires, thereby prolonging service life of the shape memory alloy wires.

Abstract: Device and methods for enhancing visual appearance by muscle contracts are provided herein. The device may include a capacitor, a first applicator with a first magnetic field generating coil, a second applicator with a second magnetic field generating coil, a first switch to discharge energy from the capacitor to the first magnetic field generating coil to generate a first time-varying magnetic field, and a second switch to discharge energy from the capacitor to the second magnetic field generating coil to generate a second time-varying magnetic field. The magnetic field generating coils may be spaced apart from the casings to allow cooling media to flow. The time-varying magnetic fields may have a plurality of pulses with biphasic impulses, and when applied to a muscle in a body region, the muscle is contracted. The body region may be a buttock, an abdomen, arms, or thighs.

Abstract: Methods of making bearings using pressure sensitive macromolecular adhesive polymers and pressure sensitive polymer compositions capable of integrating fluoropolymeric properties with a catechol-amine functionality to form an adhesive system that allows bonding between metallic substrates and fluoropolymers are disclosed. Also disclosed are core-shell polymeric particles comprised of a core and a shell comprising a thermoplastic polydopamine polymer that may be prepared as a colloidal suspension and used as a hot-melt pressure sensitive adhesive capable of binding low surface energy materials, such as polyolefins and fluoropolymers, to diverse materials including metals in making bearings and/or bearing components.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a knife gate valve for flow along a flow path. The knife gate valve can include a body structure that includes a gate passage, a gate disposed to move within the gate passage between open and closed positions to selectively open or close a fluid aperture, and a gate seat configured to engage a free end and lateral edges of the gate. A transverse element can be formed from resilient material and can extend laterally across the gate passage to form a seal with a first side of the gate and with the gate seat.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system includes a central device and an on-vehicle device. A path determiner of the central device determines an information transmission path between a plurality of vehicles for consolidating information in a vehicle that performs a wireless communication with a terrestrial communication device out of the vehicles based on at least operating information on the vehicles. An on-vehicle communicator of the on-vehicle device acquires the information transmission path directly from the central device via the terrestrial communication device or indirectly from the central device via the terrestrial communication device and a second vehicle, and transmits and receives predetermined information to and from the terrestrial communication device or the second vehicle based on the acquired information transmission path.

Abstract: A system and method for hierarchical, clustered reinforcement learning is disclosed. A plurality of subject objects may be obtained, and a plurality of clusters of the subject objects may be determined. Clustered reinforcement learning may be performed on each cluster, including training a respective cluster agent for the each cluster. A first cluster of the plurality of clusters may be selected for revision based on selection criteria. After selection of the selected first cluster, individual reinforcement learning may be performed on each individual subject object included in the selected first cluster, including training a respective individual agent for the each individual subject object. An action may be controlled based on a result of the hierarchical, clustered reinforcement learning.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a field programmable gate array system that provides phase control with minimal latency.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for collecting data from an automated plant having a field device connected for communication and for exchanging telegrams with a superordinate unit by means of a communication loop using a first protocol. The system includes a hat rail; and a terminal module mounted on the hat rail and embodied to monitor telegrams transmitted from the field device to the superordinate unit via the communication loop. The terminal module is further embodied to convert monitored telegrams into a second protocol and to output the converted telegrams. The system further includes a head module mounted on the hat rail and connected with the terminal module. The electronics unit of the head module is embodied to convert telegrams output from the terminal module into a third protocol to output them via the first network interface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for testing an internal short of a secondary battery by simulating the use environment situation where the secondary battery is actually used, and a secondary battery for an internal short test, which is used in the method. The method for testing an internal short of a secondary battery includes the steps of mounting a P-N junction diode in a secondary battery; charging the secondary battery; and evaluating a state of the secondary battery by considering that an internal short occurs in the secondary battery when the P-N junction diode is switched on.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and compositions for primer extension target enrichment of nucleic acids and improvements thereto including simultaneously enriching for RNA and DNA and optionally sequencing the enriched products. An embodiment of the present invention includes a method comprising the steps of: hybridizing a target-specific primer to a target DNA or RNA, wherein the primer comprises a target-binding region and a region of complementarity to an adaptor; extending the primer with a DNA polymerase or reverse transcriptase to form a primer extension product; contacting the product with an adaptor comprising a longer strand with a 5?-overhang having complementarity to said primer and a shorter strand comprising a universal priming site; hybridizing the adaptor to the product; and ligating one strand of the adaptor to the product to form a ligation product.

Abstract: An abnormality detection device according to an embodiment includes a detector, a remover, and a learner. The detector detects first abnormal data in detection target data which is an abnormality detection target by inputting the detection target data to a first autoencoder which performed learning based on first learning target data which is a learning target. The remover removes data associated with the first abnormal data from the first learning target data to generate second learning target data by inputting the first learning target data to a second autoencoder which performed learning based on the first abnormal data detected by the detector. The learner causes the first autoencoder to perform learning based on the second learning target data generated by the remover.

Abstract: Analytical methods and systems applied to sequential event data are disclosed. An exemplary system and method analyzes datasets containing events in a plurality of journeys. The methods and systems described analyze and quantify the relative importance of events and sequences leading to outcomes where the data is complex and interconnected. In some embodiments, a graphical user interface illustrates the quantification of these datasets. In some embodiments, the graphical user interface maps the journey paths to show the relative importance of each journey path. In some embodiments, the maps of journey paths are interactive, allowing selection of paths of interest for detailed analysis. In some embodiments, the methods and systems calculate paths similar to a journey path of interest. An exemplary method and system also provides detailed recommendations for changing events within a sequence to either increase or decrease the likelihood of achieving a selected outcome.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for parameterizing an automation field device which is communicatively connected to a server, having the following steps: initiating the method by transmitting a command to parameterize the field device on the server; transmitting identification information of the field device to the server; ascertaining a digital image of the field device stored on the server using the transmitted identification information, said digital image containing configuration settings of the field device and measurement location-relevant information and being designed to reproduce the behavior of the field device in a simulated or emulated manner; generating and proposing a parameter set for the field device using the field device information; selecting and confirming the proposed parameter set by a user; and transmitting the confirmed parameter set to the field device and parameterizing the field device using the transmitted parameter set.

Abstract: A baseline difference is determined between a slave line card time stamp corresponding to a slave line card frame sync signal and a master line card time stamp corresponding to a master line card frame sync signal. The slave line card generates subsequent slave line card time stamps for subsequent slave line card frame sync signals and the master line card generates subsequent master line card time stamps for subsequent master line card frame sync signals. Current differences are determined between subsequent slave line card time stamps and the subsequent master line card time stamps and the current differences are compared to the baseline difference. When a mismatch difference occurs (current difference differs from the baseline difference), the mismatch difference causes a phase-locked loop in the master line card to be adjusted or an offset to be provided to the master line card time of day counter.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element includes: a first photoelectric conversion layer including: a bottom electrode; a photoelectric conversion layer; and a top electrode; and a second photoelectric conversion part including: a bottom electrode; a photoelectric conversion part; and a top electrode. A conductive layer is formed on the bottom electrode. The top electrode and the bottom electrode are electrically connected by a conductive portion and the conductive layer. The conductive portion is formed of a part of the top electrode filled in a first groove that makes a surface of the conductive layer exposed and separates a photoelectric conversion layer and a photoelectric conversion layer from each other. The top electrodes are physically separated by a second groove provided to make a step surface of a stepped portion provided in the photoelectric conversion layer exposed and have a bottom surface thereof overlap the surface of the conductive layer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner container, a toner conveyance portion, a container attachment portion, and a biasing mechanism. The toner container has a toner outflow port at a tip portion thereof. The toner conveyance portion is provided in the toner container and conveys toner in the toner container toward the toner outflow port. The container attachment portion supports the toner container. The biasing mechanism applies a biasing force to change the toner container from a horizontal attitude to an inclined attitude in accordance with a toner conveyance operation of the toner conveyance portion. When the toner container is in the inclined attitude, the toner outflow port faces diagonally downward.

Abstract: This disclosure provides chips, systems and methods for sequencing a nucleic acid sample. Tagged nucleotides are provided into a reaction chamber comprising a nanopore in a membrane. An individual tagged nucleotide of the tagged nucleotides can contain a tag coupled to a nucleotide, which tag is detectable with the aid of the nanopore. Next, an individual tagged nucleotide of the tagged nucleotides can be incorporated into a growing strand complementary to a single stranded nucleic acid molecule derived from the nucleic acid sample. With the aid of the nanopore, a tag associated with the individual tagged nucleotide can be detected upon incorporation of the individual tagged nucleotide. The tag can be detected with the aid of the nanopore when the tag is released from the nucleotide.

Abstract: A spiking retina microscope comprising microscope optics and a neuromorphic imaging sensor. The microscope optics are configured to direct a magnified image of a specimen onto the neuromorphic imaging sensor. The neuromorphic imaging sensor comprises a plurality of sensor elements that are configured to generate spike signals in response to integrated light from the magnified image reaching a threshold. The spike signals may be processed by a processor unit to generate a result, such as tracking biological particles in a specimen comprising biological material.

Abstract: In a chip-on-array approach, acoustic and electronic modules are separately formed. The acoustic stack is connected to one interposer, and the electronics are connected to another interposer. Different connection processes (e.g., using low temperature bonding for the acoustic stack and higher temperature-based interconnect for the electronics) may be used. This arrangement may allow for different pitches of the transducer elements and the I/O of the electronics by staggering vias in the interposers. The two interposers are then connected to form the chip-on-array.

Abstract: A method and apparatuses for testing the blowout preventer (BOP) piping system on a drilling rig for leaks. The method and apparatuses can be used in conjunction with a pressure or volumetric method to more accurately test the BOP for integrity and to shorten the total time of testing.