Abstract: A computer-implemented model is trained or otherwise configured for real-time production control. The model incorporates a plurality of classes of residence time control and optimizes produce performance by managing an associated machine's behavior according to real-time system states. The model can formulate a Markov decision process and feature-extraction method and feature-based approximation architecture to reduce state space of the model. Simulation is employed in training to estimate parameters of feature-based approximate architecture to obtain a lookahead function of the Markov decision process.

Abstract: A system for implementation within a visual sensing pipeline facilitates dynamic voltage scaling for image sensors, enabling image sensors to capture frames at varying fidelities for improved energy efficiency. The system includes hardware and software interfaces to enable dynamic voltage scaling, and are demonstrated with integration into an RPi-based streaming platform. The system is evaluated with representative IoT/AR workloads over various voltage scheduling policies.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to multiple three-dimensional (3D) structures formation from a network of circularly-packed structural elements. In one embodiment, a system includes a circularly-packed network of structural elements that form multiple 3D structures. Diameters of the structural elements define a shape of the 3D structures. The circularly-packed network is adaptable to form 1) a first 3D structure and 2) a second 3D structure with a different shape than the first 3D structure. The system also includes a set of joints that connect adjacent structural elements.

Abstract: A device for catheterization includes a catheter sheath support mounted to a catheterization device and holding a catheter sheath, a carriage supporting a guide needle, and a connector to removably engage the catheter sheath support to the carriage. The carriage translates along an axis of insertion of the guide needle independent of the catheter sheath support when disengaged from the connector. An actuator controls separation of the carriage from the catheter sheath support at a uniform velocity in response to disengagement of the connector. Translation and separation may be automated. In response to detection of the vessel wall puncture, the carriage automatically releases from the catheter sheath support and retracts along the axis of insertion at the uniform velocity relative to the catheter sheath support, and the catheter sheath automatically advances into the target vessel along the axis of insertion at the uniform velocity while the carriage retracts.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a battery pack with N battery bricks, each with a DC output voltage. The output of each brick is connected in series providing a bus voltage. Each brick includes battery power modules (“BPMs”) connected in parallel and each connected to a battery cell. Each BPM charges/discharges the connected battery cell. Each brick has a battery brick controller that provides a control signal to each brick's BPMs. A control signal of a BPM is derived from a BPM error signal that includes a battery cell current of the battery cell of BPM subtracted from a summation of an average current signal, a local droop current and a balancing current. The balancing current is based on a current SOC of the battery cell connected to the BPM and a desired SOC for the battery cell connected to the BPM. A BMS derives the balancing current for the BPMs.

Abstract: Synthesizing lithium lanthanum zirconate includes combining a reagent composition with a salt composition to yield a molten salt reaction medium, wherein the reagent composition comprises a lithium component, a lanthanum component, and zirconium component having a lithium:lanthanum:zirconium molar ratio of about 7:3:2; heating the molten salt reaction medium to yield a reaction product; and washing the reaction product to yield a crystalline powder comprising lithium lanthanum zirconate.

Abstract: An asphalt modifier includes bitumen, polyolefin particles, and one or more alkyl terephthalamides. Preparing an asphalt modifier includes combining one or more alkyl terephthalamides, polyolefin particles, and bitumen, and dispersing the polyolefin particles in the bitumen to yield the asphalt modifier. Digesting polyethylene terephthalate includes combining polyethylene terephthalate with an alkylamine or carboxyalkylamine to yield a reaction mixture, and heating the reaction mixture to a temperature between about 20° C. and about 300° C. to yield an alkyl terephthalamide.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are metal compounds useful in devices, such as, for example, OLEDs.

Abstract: Described herein are means for implementing fixed-point image-to-image translation using improved Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). For instance, an exemplary system is specially configured for implementing a new framework, called a Fixed-Point GAN, which improves upon prior known methodologies by enhancing the quality of the images generated through global, local, and identity transformation. The Fixed-Point GAN as introduced and described herein, improves many applications dependant on image-to-image translation, including those in the field of medical image processing for the purposes of disease detection and localization. Other related embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of direct printing or writing of a metallic material involves depositing, with a printing device or writing device, an ink comprising of at least undercooled liquid metallic particles dispersed in a carrier fluid. The ink is deposited on any substrate surface to deposit the undercooled liquid metal particles thereon as one or more layers that can form a desired pattern or layered structure.

Abstract: The current disclosure relates to methods, compositions and kits for detecting modified adenosine in a target RNA molecule. Aspects relate to a method for detecting modified adenosine in a target ribonucleic acid (RNA) comprising contacting the target RNA with an adenosine deaminase enzyme (adenosine deaminase, RNA-specific) to generate a target RNA with deaminated adenosines and sequencing the target RNA with deaminated adenosines; wherein the modified adenosine is detected when the nucleotide sequence includes adenosine within a m6A motif.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods that involve use of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (e.g., fish oil and/or flax oil) as supplements to colostrum. When administered to newborn calves the combination of colostrum with fish oil and/or flax oil can improve the health and immune function of the calf.

Abstract: Preparing MAX phase structures includes forming a gel including a transition metal M, a Group 3A or Group 4A metal or semimetal A, and an acidic chelating agent or gelling agent X. X includes one or both of carbon and nitrogen. Preparing the MAX phase structures further includes shaping the gel to yield a shaped gel and heating the shaped gel to yield carbonaceous MAX phase structures with a composition represented by Mn+1AXn, wherein n is 1, 2, 3, or 4. The MAX phase structures can be thick films, microspheres, or microwires.

Abstract: Disclosed are various synthetic methods to prepare structural analogs of largazole and derivatives thereof. One structural analog is an amide isostere of largazole. Another structural analog replaces the thiazole ring of largazole with a pyridine moiety or an oxazole moiety. Also disclosed are various intermediate compounds obtained when preparing structural analogs of largazole and derivatives thereof, including macrocycle analogs having an alcohol functionality.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a variable geometry quadrotor with a compliant frame are disclosed, which adapts to tight spaces and obstacles by way of passive rotation of its arms.

Abstract: Carbonized cellulose fiber electrodes for high-frequency electrochemical capacitors and method for fabricating the same is disclosed. The method includes carbonizing a cellulose fiber substrate by subjecting the cellulose fiber substrate to a rapid pyrolysis process in a preheated furnace having an inert environment at a pyrolysis temperature of at least 1000° C., resulting in a carbonized cellulose substrate. The method also includes preparing a hydrothermal solution, and depositing vertically oriented nanoflakes on the carbonized cellulose substrate by immersing the carbonized cellulose substrate in the hydrothermal solution and conducting a hydrothermal reaction, thereby forming the electrode. The vertically oriented nanoflakes may be composed of MoS2. The cellulose fiber substrate may be a cellulose tissue sheet.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, apparatus, device, manufacture, circuit, composition of matter, and/or user interface adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a process, method, and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, generating a gradient in an index of refraction of a material.

Abstract: Novel compounds having a thortveitite-related structure are disclosed. The compounds may be colored and may be useful as pigments. The compounds are durable with respect to an acid stability test that indicates that the pigments will not substantially change color when exposed to weak acids, such as rain. The compounds disclosed herein typically inexpensive to synthesize from earth-abundant, environmentally-friendly elements or minerals, and therefore are advantageous over existing pigments in the art.

Abstract: Provided is a thermal face and landmark detection method for providing a ground truth reference database, capturing a thermal image comprising at least one face, detecting a face in the thermal image, cropping the thermal image creating a cropped face thermal image, applying a Gaussian filters method to the cropped face thermal image creating an improved cropped face thermal image and applying a landmark detector to the improved cropped face thermal image creating an landmarked cropped face thermal image. Other embodiments disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a compound of formula I. or a salt thereof, wherein R1—R2 have any of the values described in the specification, as well as compositions comprising a compound of formula I. The compounds are useful as antiviral agents.