Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cesium tungsten bronze-based self-cleaning nano heat-insulation coating material, and method of preparing the same. Cesium tungsten bronze nanoparticles are prepared by hydrothermal method using WCl6 and CsOH.5H2O as raw materials, PVP as a surfactant and acetic acid as an acid catalyst. TiO2 nanoparticles are prepared from TiCl4. Subsequently ball milling and dispersing of the cesium tungsten bronze nanoparticles, the TiO2 nanoparticles, and a silane coupling agent with water to obtain an aqueous slurry containing cesium tungsten bronze/TiO2 composite particles is performed. The concentration of the aqueous slurry containing cesium tungsten bronze/TiO2 composite particles is adjusted to obtain a self-cleaning nano heat-insulation coating material.

Abstract: Provided herein is an electrode material containing metallic sodium and at least one tin-sodium binary alloy useful in the fabrication of batteries and methods of preparation and use thereof.

Abstract: An optical system including a layer having a reflective surface, the layer is adapted to provide a primary image and a secondary image. The secondary image is provided by a reflection of an object facing the reflective surface, and the primary and the secondary images are viewable by a viewer having a retina. The secondary image is focused in front of the retina to generate myopic defocus.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system, method and software applications for predicting the KAM of a subject for a plurality of gait cycles of a subject. At least one sensor attachable adjacent to the ankle of at least one leg of the subject provides accelerometer and gyroscopic data for the plurality of gait cycles. A processing means receives subject parameters and accelerometer and gyroscopic data from the at least one sensor for evaluation by a neural network of predicted KAM values for the plurality of gait cycles of the subject. The neural network is configured via determining KAM values for each of the plurality of subjects from measurements during a plurality of gait cycles and other parameters.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system for analysing one or more edible oil samples. In an embodiment the disclosure provides for calibrating the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) data obtained for one or more edible oil samples to obtain calibrated spectral data; and comparing the calibrated spectral data derived from the one or more samples against a library of calibrated MALDI-MS spectra for a plurality of edible oil samples to determine the most likely composition of the one or more edible oil samples.

Abstract: An apparatus for imparting false twist to a staple yarn comprising a yarn guide for guiding a staple yarn along a path and a false twist device comprising a convex surface for engagement with a staple yarn so as to impart a force to the staple yarn when the staple yarn engages with and traverses the convex surface of the false twist device, and wherein the relative positioning between the yarn guide and the convex surface of the false twist device is adjustable such that, when a staple yarn is engaged with the convex surface of the false twist device and extends between the yarn guide and the false twist device, the amount of contact between the staple yarn and the convex surface of the false twist device can be controlled.

Abstract: A human body modelling method and apparatus and an electronic device. The method comprises: acquiring at least one human body image; extracting an original profile of a human body from the human body image; calculating a body surface profile of the human body according to the original profile; and constructing a three dimensional human body model according to the body surface profile. The establishment of a three dimensional human body model originates from two dimensional human body images, without using a human body scanner to scan a human body, which reduces the cost of establishing the three dimensional human body model. Moreover, there is no requirement for the position and dressing of a human body object, and the process of establishing the three dimensional human body model is more convenient.

Abstract: Provided herein is a resonator for force detection. The resonator comprises a stack of: a cavity containing a cavity medium having a first refractive index; a first diffraction grating having a grating period; and a first covering medium having a second refractive index. Once a resonating condition is satisfied, the cavity allows a plurality of propagating modes for the beam in the cavity and only one propagating mode for the beam outside the cavity. The plurality of propagating modes in the cavity resonates to generate different resonance peaks corresponding different sensitivity levels. By working in different regimes, the resonator is able to provide high sensitivity and large dynamic range for force detection.

Abstract: There is provided a method and system of treating lignocellulose biomass for extraction of target chemical products therefrom. The method comprises pretreating the lignocellulose biomass with at least one diol in the presence of at least one acid, and optionally, water; and separating the pretreated mixture into solid and liquid products.

Abstract: In a wireless power transfer (WPT) system, a power-transmitting unit has a loop-shaped magnetic core formed by alternately arranging high-permeability (HP) and low-permeability (LP) core sections to give an interleaving pattern. A primary coil wound on the magnetic core provides a magnetic flux traveling therein when excited by an AC power source. A power-receiving unit has a pickup core shaped and dimensioned to overlie one or any LP core section, and to partially overlap HP core sections immediately adjacent to the LP core section that is overlay. The pickup core has a relative permeability higher than that of the aforesaid LP core section, causing at least a part of the magnetic flux to divert from this LP core section to the pickup core. The diverted part of magnetic flux generates electrical power in a secondary pickup coil wound on the pickup core to achieve WPT.

Abstract: The present application discloses a 3D indoor modeling method based on point cloud data. After pre-processing the raw point cloud data, the normal vectors and curvature values of the point cloud data are obtained through local surface properties analysis. By 3D point segmentation, the initial planes can be obtained. After performing the room layout re-construction, an initial 3D model can be generated. Finally, in combination with the returned laser pulse and the distance between the wall surface-objects and the wall surface, the specific form of the wall surface-object is reconstructed to achieve high-precision 3D modeling of complex indoor scenes. The method does not need any prior knowledge in advance, and strengthens the recognition and re-construction of the specific form of the wall surface, particularly suitable for high-precision 3D modeling of indoor scenes with high complexity.

Abstract: In an aspect of the disclosure there is provided a vibration reducing apparatus for a percussive tool having an axis of reciprocation. The apparatus comprises, a guide frame and at least one member extending across the axis of reciprocation. An assembly extending in a direction of along the axis of reciprocation comprises at least two layers and each layer comprises four interconnected elongate members pivotally attached and rotatable with respect to each other to define a polygon; and the assembly has at least one biasing means. A handle is movably coupled to the guide frame and supported on the assembly. The apparatus provides decreasing stiffness with increasing compression of the assembly under an applied load to the handle for reducing vibration in a predetermined frequency range.

Abstract: A catalyst for catalyzing transesterification of esters or esterification of fatty acids, the catalyst is selected from the group consisting of manganese (II) glycerolate, cobalt (II) glycerolate, iron (II) glycerolate, and any combination thereof. A method for transesterification reaction, includes: a) providing a catalyst, wherein the catalyst is selected from the group consisting of manganese (II) glycerolate, cobalt (II) glycerolate, iron (II) glycerolate, and any combination thereof; b) adding the catalyst, one or more alcohols, and a composition comprising one or more esters to a reactor to form a reaction mixture; and c) stirring while heating the reaction mixture for reaction to form transesterification products.

Abstract: A client-server architecture is used in a multicore computer system to realize a single-core-equivalent (SCE) view. In the system, plural stacks, each having a core and a local cache subsystem coupled thereto, are divided into a client stack for running client threads, and server stacks each for running server threads. A shared cache having shared cache blocks, each coupled to the client stack and to one or more server stacks, is also used. The core of an individual server stack is configured such that computing resources utilizable in executing the server thread(s) are confined to the individual server stack and the shared cache block coupled thereto, isolating an inter-core interference caused by the server thread(s) to the client thread(s) to within the individual server stack, the shared cache block coupled thereto, any server stack coupled to this shared cache block, and the client stack to thereby realize the SCE view.

Abstract: A new ultrasonic aided laser joining method (UAL) for bonding dissimilar materials has been developed. The method is capable of eliminating the laser-induced bubbles at the bonding faces and to improve the joint strength over that of the conventional laser-assisted metal and plastic joining method (LAMP). Some experiments on joining titanium to polyethylene terephthalate have been conducted to show the superiority of UAL over LAMP. The results showed that the joint strength, measured in terms of failure load, was significantly increased when ultrasonic vibration was employed during laser joining. For the LAMP joined specimens, fracture normally occurred at the metal-plastic interface, whereas for the UAL joined specimens, fracture normally occurred in the parent plastic part. The improvement in joint strength is mainly due to the elimination of pores in the resolidified plastic.

Abstract: A human body modelling method and apparatus and an electronic device. The method comprises: acquiring at least one human body image; extracting an original profile of a human body from the human body image; calculating a body surface profile of the human body according to the original profile; and constructing a three dimensional human body model according to the body surface profile. The establishment of a three dimensional human body model originates from two dimensional human body images, without using a human body scanner to scan a human body, which reduces the cost of establishing the three dimensional human body model. Moreover, there is no requirement for the position and dressing of a human body object, and the process of establishing the three dimensional human body model is more convenient.

Abstract: A biofeedback system for monitoring patient-related signals of a patient having adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is disclosed. The present invention provides a personalized biofeedback to the patient based on the patient-related signals for restoring balance in muscle activities and reducing displacement of both sides of the patient's spine as a treatment for AIS. The biofeedback system comprises clothing integrated with posture monitoring sensors, and one or more computational systems comprising a sensor-based sEMG posture training subsystem for providing posture training and a posture monitoring subsystem for providing progressive training through daily activities. The sensor-based sEMG posture training subsystem comprises a posture training device coupled to a plurality of sEMG sensors, a feedback device and a calibration system.

Abstract: In the present invention there is provided an MnO2 electrode with improved electrochemical properties, and a method of preparation of an electrode, wherein there anode comprises a substrate at least partially coated with MnO2 nanosheets (MnNSs) forming additive free MnO2 thin films. The method includes providing MnO2 nanosheets (MnNSs) suspension with diameters less than 50 nm; printing the MnNSs suspension on substrates to form MnO2 thin films (MnTFs); and annealing the MnTFs at 260-320° C. for at least 100 minutes. Energy storage device comprising the MnO2 electrode such as a Na-ion cell, and a Li-ion cell are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Beclin 1-UVRAG complex structure which reveals a tightly packed coiled coil assembly with Beclin 1 and UVRAG residues complementing each other to form a stable dimeric complex. This potent physical interaction is critical for UVRAG-dependent EGFR degradation but less critical for autophagy. Targeting the Beclin 1 coiled coil domain with rationally designed stapled peptides leads to enhanced autophagy activity and EGFR degradation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines, suggesting translational value for these compounds.

Abstract: A new electrospark deposition (ESD) method and related system are provided in the present invention based on the use of a magnetized electrode, namely magnetic-aided ESD (M-ESD). In particular, the present invention uses a magnetized electrode (either magnetized by an electro-magnet or being a permanent magnet) to attract fine coating powders at the tip thereof which acts as a soft brush to coat on intricate surface profiles. Accordingly, the method of the present invention is able to provide a soft contact between the magnetized anode and the workpiece to be coated or manipulated. The present invention is useful in various surface engineering applications in the fields of aeronautical (e.g. restoration and repair of damaged aircraft turbine blades), nuclear reactors, military engineering, and in medical industries.