Abstract: This invention is directed to improving communication among people at remote locations, accomplished at low cost, by communication schemes involving “portal” structures, “channels” and “phonos.” The portal structures are mobile and easily deployed to the remote locations, for quick assembly and use, creating an audio-visual immersive communication experience for its users. A portal network architecture includes a plurality of portals located in different remote locations, configured to provide identical spaces that facilitate audio-video, immersive conferencing among users at the various portal sites. The portal interiors include favorable lighting and camera configurations to facilitate display of life-size, realistic, and planar images of the users while maintaining eye contact between them.

Abstract: A method for determining a distance between components has the steps of providing a first conductive section in or on the first component in a region directed toward the second component, providing a second conductive section in or on the second component in a region directed toward the first conductive section, feeding a first voltage pulse into a first connection of the first conductive section, capturing a reflection voltage pulse in response to the first voltage pulse at the first connection, determining an impedance profile along the first conductive section by evaluating the reflection voltage pulse, and determining a distance between the components along the first conductive section by calculating a corresponding local distance, associated with the determined impedance profile, between the first conductive section and the second conductive section.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the state of a hook-keeper unit of an aeronautical structure. The hook-keeper unit is movable between a latched state and in a non-latched state, a mechanical warning element is movable between an exposed state and an unexposed state, and a connecting mechanism comprises a first end coupled to the hook-keeper unit, and a second end coupled to the mechanical warning element. The connecting mechanism is configured to automatically transmit the state of the hook-keeper unit to the mechanical warning element. The hook-keeper unit and the mechanical warning element are coupled between them by the connecting mechanism in an automatic bijective relationship, so that when the hook-keeper unit is in the latched state, the mechanical warning element is automatically in the unexposed state, and when the hook-keeper unit is in the non-latched state, the mechanical warning element is automatically in the exposed state.

Abstract: A processor system comprises a memory having at least two interleaved memory banks, at least two multiplexers which are respectively coupled to one of the at least two interleaved memory banks via a respective memory bank bus, a first processor or processor core which is coupled to first multiplexer inputs of the at least two multiplexers via a first data bus, a second processor or processor core which is coupled to second multiplexer inputs of the at least two multiplexers via a second data bus, and at least two queue buffers which are arranged in the second data bus between the second processor or processor core and the second multiplexer inputs of the at least two multiplexers. The first processor or processor core is configured to have read access or write access only to one of the at least two interleaved memory banks within one clock cycle.

Abstract: A system and a method for assisting with troubleshooting a complex system is disclosed in which the troubleshooting procedure can be modeled by a Markov decision process. Combining the fault tree technique with a Markov decision process, in order to determine in an optimal manner the sequence of troubleshooting actions will quickly address the consequences of a failure and ensure maintainability of the complex system.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an object of the present invention is to provide a therapeutic and/or preventive agent for a fibrosis such as pulmonary fibrosis, an inflammatory disease and/or an aging disease. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a therapeutic and/or preventive agent for at least one disease of a fibrosis, an inflammatory disease and an aging disease, comprising extracellular vesicle derived from cell of a tissue or a surrounding tissue thereof where disease can occur, in which the cell is differentiated cell, and relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing the therapeutic and/or preventive agent.

Abstract: A balloon system, preferably including a balloon and a payload. A balloon, preferably including a plurality of gores, a plurality of load members, and an apex fitting. A method of balloon system operation, preferably including deflating a balloon, and optionally including operating the balloon system in flight and/or landing the balloon system.

Abstract: A local phase transformation strengthened nickel-base superalloy includes at least 8.0 wt % eta phase formers; at least 7.0 wt % of chi phase formers; less than 12 wt % chromium; at least 18 wt % cobalt; and aluminum. A ratio of eta phase formers:aluminum is (3.2-3.4):1. The eta phase formers can include titanium, tantalum, hafnium, and niobium. The chi phase formers include tungsten and molybdenum. When the superalloy is subjected to elevated temperatures, these levels of components promote eta and chi phase formation along superlattice stacking faults, thereby resulting in a local phase transformation at the stacking faults, which strengthens the superalloy and inhibits creep deformation.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for separating partial discharge and noise signals from digital signals. The system comprises a data collecting module configured to recording and translating electromagnetic signals measured from a sensor to digital signals and a data processing module configured to: receive digital signals from the data collecting module; generate a feature from a time domain for each of the digital signals; generate a plurality of features from a frequency domain for each of the digital signals; apply clustering algorithm on the generated features for all the digital signals to identify a plurality of distinct clusters; and display each distinct cluster on a Phase-Resolved Partial Discharge (PRPD) chart.

Abstract: A device is specified for producing a flight plan for lightweight aircraft. The device includes a first interface, a second interface, and a processing unit. The first interface is configured to receive aircraft data relating to the lightweight aircraft, wherein the aircraft data at least contain flight properties and functions of the lightweight aircraft. The second interface is configured to receive weather data from a weather information source, wherein the weather data contain at least weather data from the past and contain at least air movements in an altitude profile between a maximum altitude of the lightweight aircraft and the Earth's surface. The processing unit is configured to compare the aircraft data to the weather data and to ascertain whether the lightweight aircraft is manoeuvrable in the case of the received weather data and on the basis of the aircraft data.

Abstract: A composite fiber braid arrangement includes at least one fiber optic sensor embedded in a polymer resin. The polymer resin encloses a tow formed from an untwisted bundle of graphite fibers, and the untwisted bundle, together with the polymer resin, is enclosed by an outer jacket comprised of relatively dry, non-resin-impregnated, graphite fibers. Techniques for controlling alignment of an assembly of structural members, each structural member including such a fiber braid arrangement are also disclosed.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a first integrated circuit (IC) chip configured to receive a timing signal and a reference clock signal; and a second IC chip configured to receive the timing signal and the reference clock signal. The first and second IC chips are configured to generate respective first and second reference time signals based on the timing signal and the reference clock signal. The first and second IC chips include a respective first phase lock loop (PLL) and second PLL. The first PLL and the second PLL are synchronized to each other based on the first reference time signal and the second reference time signal.

Abstract: A product display merchandiser includes a tray having a top product-supporting surface with a longitudinally extending channel defined therein. A first sidewall has a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, and at least a laterally inner part of the horizontal portion can slide laterally with respect to the tray between a bottom of the tray and a base plate below the tray. A front end of the tray has a fitting received in a socket in the base plate. At a rear end of the tray, the channel receives a support assembly that connects the tray to a support structure.

Abstract: A monolithic multiple solar cell includes at least three partial cells, with a semiconductor mirror placed between two partial cells. The aim of the invention is to improve the radiation stability of said solar cell. For this purpose, the semiconductor mirror has a high degree of reflection in at least one part of a spectral absorption area of the partial cell which is arranged above the semiconductor mirror and a high degree of transmission within the spectral absorption range of the partial cell arranged below the semiconductor mirror.

Abstract: Slurry EBC systems and method for fabricating slurry EBC systems for protecting component substrates and extending the longevity of such components are disclosed. The slurry EBC systems include a bond coat having a temperature capability of up to 1482° C. (2700° F.). Example bond coats include a mullite-based bond coat and a rare earth disilicate-based bond coat.

Abstract: A three-dimensional print head apparatus may include a securing mechanism, a hopper, a nozzle, a heating system, and a fume extraction system. The securing mechanism may be adapted to secure to a wrist joint of a robotic arm. The hopper may have a cavity and a lower aperture and may be secured to the securing mechanism. The nozzle may have an upper aperture and a lower aperture. The heating system may be positioned along the barrel.

Abstract: A stacked, high-blocking III-V semiconductor power diode having a first metallic terminal contact layer, formed at least in regions, and a highly doped semiconductor contact region of a first conductivity type and a first lattice constant. A drift layer of a second conductivity type and having a first lattice constant is furthermore provided. A semiconductor contact layer of a second conductivity, which includes an upper side and an underside, and a second metallic terminal contact layer are formed, and the second metallic terminal contact layer being integrally connected to the underside of the semiconductor contact layer, and the semiconductor contact layer having a second lattice constant at least on the underside, and the second lattice constant being the lattice constant of InP, and the drift layer and the highly doped semiconductor contact region each comprising an InGaAs compound or being made up of InGaAs.

Abstract: A device is specified for ascertaining a movement corridor for lightweight aircraft. The device includes a first interface, a second interface, and a processing unit. The first interface is configured to receive aircraft data relating to the lightweight aircraft, wherein the aircraft data at least contain flight properties and functions of the lightweight aircraft. The second interface is configured to receive weather data from a weather information source, wherein the weather data contain weather predictions and also current weather data and contain at least air movements in an altitude profile between a maximum altitude of the lightweight aircraft and the Earth's surface. The processing unit is configured to compare the aircraft data to the weather data and to ascertain a probable movement corridor of the aircraft.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a housing assembly for an antenna apparatus includes a radome portion, a lower enclosure portion, and a fastener system configured for coupling the radome portion and the lower enclosure portion couplable to form an inner compartment for antenna components of an antenna assembly.

Abstract: A spacecraft is disclosed having at least three flat side walls, at least one main communication antenna, including a radiating element having a central axis of radiation (AC-AC), a movable arm configured to move between a deployed position and a folded position, a reflector suitable for reflecting or receiving radiofrequency waves in a direction of emission (DE). The radiating element is fixed to a side wall so that the central axis of radiation (AC-AC) is arranged perpendicularly to the side wall, and the movable arm is shaped so that an offset angle (?) of between 25° and 65° is formed between the side wall and the direction of emission (DE), when the movable arm is in a deployed position.