Abstract: An exemplary water treatment unit comprises a horizontal tunnel comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a basin portion disposed below a dewvaporation portion, a center divider disposed in the basin portion so as to create a liquid flow path extending from the inlet to the outlet, a heat transfer wall disposed above the center divider so as to create an air flow path substantially parallel to the liquid flow path and extending from the inlet to the outlet, a first continuous longitudinal pump disposed in the horizontal tunnel and configured to wet the heat transfer wall with liquid disposed in the basin portion, and a heating mechanism configured to increase the temperature of air disposed between the air inlet and the air outlet.

Abstract: Various examples of methods and systems are provided for approximate message passing with universal denoising. In one example, a method includes applying an approximate message passing (AMP) conversion framework to a plurality of substantially linear measurements to produce a plurality of scalar measurements; applying a denoiser algorithm to the plurality of scalar measurements to generate a plurality of denoised scalar measurements; and applying a conversion term to the plurality of denoised scalar measurements to convert the plurality of denoised scalar measurements to a plurality of denoised substantially linear measurements.

Abstract: A medical stopcock which allows easier switching operation of plural branch-tubes. The main body of the stopcock comprises a chamber part with a nearly spherical inner surface, and an upstream branch-tube, a downstream branch-tube and a merge-branch-tube all extending from the chamber part. A valve body of the stopcock comprises a nearly spherical valve main body and a rod-shaped operating part with a guide hole linking the inner surface of the chamber part to the outside. In operation, the rod-shaped operating part is moved along the guide hole through the use of the horizontal flow passages and the vertical flow passage to allow the predetermined branch-tubes out of the upstream branch-tube, the downstream branch-tube and the merge-branch-tube to communicate with one another or to shut-off the communication.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining blood pressure for a subject using a sphygmomanometer. The method includes: measuring an oscillometric cuff pressure waveform of the subject using the sphygmomanometer; representing the measured waveform with a physical model accounting for mechanics of the cuff, an artery and coupling between the cuff and the artery; determining the model unknowns from the measured waveform; and determining blood pressure for the subject using the determined model.

Abstract: The invention provides an antibacterial compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof, as well as an antibacterial compound of formula (II) or a salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, X, Y and n have any of the values defined in the specification.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods directed to routing in the wireless mesh network (WMN) with multi-beam directional antennas (MBDAs). The disclosed systems and methods describe Ripple-Diamond-Chain (RDC) shaped routing, systematic link quality modeling and artificial intelligence (AI) augmented path link selection. In simulations, real-time video as well as other types of traffic types are used to validate the high-throughput, quality of service (QoS)-differentiated, multi-beam routing efficiency of the disclosed systems and methods, as well as the intelligent path determination in dynamic WMN environments.

Abstract: A oxygen transfer agent useful for the oxidative dehydrogenation of saturated hydrocarbons includes at least one mixed oxide derived from manganese or compounds thereof, as well as a promoter, such as tungsten and/or phosphorus. The oxygen transfer agent may also include an alkali metal or compounds thereof, boron or compounds thereof, an oxide of an alkaline earth metal, and an oxide containing one or more of one or more of manganese, lithium, boron, and magnesium. A reactor is at least partially filled with the oxygen transfer agent in the form of a fixed or circulating bed and provides an unsaturated hydrocarbon product, such as ethylene and/or propylene. The oxygen transfer agent may be regenerated using oxygen.

Abstract: Sensory information can be delivered to a subject mammal, for example, for restoring a sense of cutaneous touch and limb motion to the subject mammal. A biomimetic electrical signal is generated based on (a) a stimulation reference signal applied to a somatosensory region of a nervous system of a reference mammal, (b) a stimulated-response signal acquired from a sensory cortex of the reference mammal in response to application of the stimulation reference signal to the thalamic nucleus, and (c) a natural-response signal acquired from the sensory cortex in response to peripheral touch stimuli and/or peripheral nerve stimulation of the reference mammal. The biomimetic electrical signal is applied to a somatosensory region of a nervous system of the subject mammal to induce an activation response, in a sensory cortex of the subject mammal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing cooperation facilitators to achieve joint message and network state cooperation in accordance with various embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes: a plurality of transmitters; a receiver that has access to at least partial network state information and that includes a decoder configured to decode signals received via a multiple terminal channel from the plurality of transmitters using the at least partial network state information; and a cooperation facilitator. In addition, at least some of the plurality of transmitters are configured to transmit message information to the cooperation facilitator and the cooperation facilitator is configured to generate cooperation parameters based upon the message information and the manner in which state information is utilized by the receiver to decode signals received via the multiple terminal channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a surgical device and method of using the same. The surgical device includes a proximal ring, a distal ring, wherein the distal ring is operably connected to the proximal ring with a sleeve, the sleeve extending about a circumference of the proximal ring and a circumference of the distal ring, a film, a distal end of the film attached to a portion of the distal ring, wherein the film is configured to extend past the sleeve and past the distal ring, and wherein a proximal portion of the film comprises an opening and a channel and a draw string extending through the channel and exposed to an exterior of the device through the opening.

Abstract: A four bar apparatus and method are provided for lifting, lowering, providing exercise and facilitating self-propelled transit. The apparatus includes an actuator and interconnected four-bar lifting mechanism, which includes a crank, a coupler, a rocker, and a frame. Each of the crank, coupler, rocker and frame are rotatably interconnected, and operation of the actuator moves a lift point of the coupler, with the lift point connectable to a vest-type garment or belt worn by a user of the apparatus, with the lift point following a J shape path or an S shape path to lift the user from a shoulder or hip area, respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions, methods, kits, and assays related to the use and/or exploitation of isomers of cGAMP as well as the structure of the enzyme cGAS.

Abstract: This document provides vaccine delivery devices and methods for vaccinating an animal (e.g., a mammal). For example, vaccine delivery devices that include a container having one or more openings, a vaccine depot located within the container, and a diffusion barrier located within the container in a manner such that material (e.g., an antigenic vaccine component) within the vaccine depot must pass through the diffusion barrier before reaching one of the openings are provided.

Abstract: An example system includes an auger assembly that is attachable to a vacuum system, in which the auger assembly includes a hose, an auger, and an auger motor. The hose includes an inlet at a distal end and an outlet at a proximal end. The auger includes a shaftless helical blade having a portion that is radially enveloped by the hose. The vacuum system is adapted to suck material from the septic tank or pit latrine via the hose. The auger motor is adapted to rotate the auger about a helical axis in a first direction, in which the rotation about the helical axis in the first direction causes the shaftless helical blade of the auger to translate along the helical axis from the outlet of the hose towards the inlet of the hose.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel system and method for a power management strategy for series hybrid power systems, such as for vehicles, with limited electrical energy storage capacity that distributes instantaneous power between a source of chemical energy and a small energy storage system (ESS) efficiently. The invention provides for minimizing the energy storage system while simultaneously allowing the chemical to electrical energy converter, e.g., an internal combustion motor/engine paired with an electrical generator and/or a fuel cell power source, to operate in pre-defined efficient regions of the power user's, or vehicle's, fuel efficiency map.

Abstract: An adaptive laser system for ophthalmic use is provided. In another aspect, a relatively inexpensive laser is employed. In another aspect of the present system, non-linear optical imaging uses multiphoton fluorescences and/or second harmonic generation, to create three-dimensional mapping of a portion of the eye in combination with automated feedback to assist with a surgical operation. In a further aspect of the present system, the patient interface uses laser induced markings or indicia to aid in focusing and/or calibration. Still another aspect employs temporal focusing of the laser beam pulse.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for prediction of an optimized crystal structure using an evolutionary algorithm that includes inputting characterization information of a chemical structure and input parameters, generating a first generation of crystal structures from the characterization information using symmetrical initialization, optimizing the chemical structure of the first generation of crystal structures according to the input parameters, inputting the optimized first generation of crystal structures into a niching algorithm, producing a child group of crystal structures from the parent group of crystal structures using a variation operator, and adding the child group of crystal structures to an optimal group of crystal structures to form a next generation, with the niching algorithm selecting an optimal group of crystal structures and a parent group of crystal structures from the first generation of crystal structures, with an antiseed created for population diversity and every structure produced by

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selective delivery of a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to a targeted organ or tissue by implanting a biocompatible solid support in the patient being linked to a first binding agent, and administering a second binding agent to the patient linked to the therapeutic or diagnostic agent, such that the therapeutic or diagnostic agent accumulates at the targeted organ or tissue.

Abstract: A control system for use with a processor includes: (i) a controller configured to receive prediction information for a predicted temperature associated with the processor, and to determine a speed of operation for the processor based at least on a thermal model of the processor and the predicted temperature, where the speed supports an operational objective of the processor; and (ii) an error estimator that is separate from the controller, and that is configured to receive temperature information obtained from the processor operating at the speed, to determine updated prediction information based, at least in part, on the temperature information, and to output the updated prediction information to the controller.

Abstract: ‘NCORNSP-023BWAM’ is a compact, non-twining, upright variety producing many short shoots. It is distinguishable from other cultivars by its purple toothed-slightly lobed leaves with a cordate base; a compact habit and erect mounding plant architecture. The purple-toothed leaves of this plant, short internodes, and the plant architecture are what make ‘NCORNSP-023BWAM’ unique amongst the current ornamental sweetpotatoes in the marketplace. ‘NCORNSP-023BWAM’ also exhibits very good vigor and is well branched. In greenhouse and field trials conducted since 2012, ‘NCORNSP-023BWAM’ has been shown to be much less vigorous than Ipomoea batatas ‘Margarita’ and ‘Blackie’ and is suitable for use as a landscape or containerized plant. The production of flowers by ‘NCORNSP-023BWAM’ is sporadic under short day conditions.