Abstract: Single-shot, adaptive metrology of rotationally variant optical surfaces, such as toroids, off-axis conies and freeform surfaces. An adaptive interferometric null test uses a high definition liquid crystal phase-only spatial light modulator (SLM) as the reconfigurable null element, on which a simulated nulling phase function is encoded, based on the specifications of the surface under test to generate a null interferogram. The power component of the surface sag is nulled by system design, not the SLM, enabling the SLM to fully compensate the residual departure without the need to tilt the optic or use a custom Offner-null. By wrapping the phase function at multiples of 2*pi radian, the upper limit in sag of the optic under test is theoretically removed.

Abstract: A test apparatus used for simulating debonding between a carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and concrete in a CFRP-strengthened structure consists of a primary structural block, a secondary structural block, an adjustable hanger, a receiving slot, an attachment mechanism, a pull-off disk, a connecting plate having a plurality of rods. The adjustable hanger and the secondary structural block are slidably positioned into the receiving slot that traverses into a structural body of the primary structural block. The adjustable hanger is mainly used during double-shearing tests and mixed-mode tests, wherein both shearing and peeling is analyzed in mixed-mode tests. The secondary structural block is used in double-shear tests, mixed-mode tests, single-shear tests, tension pull-off tests, and beam-bend tests. The attachment mechanism, which holds the primary structural block, the secondary structural block, and the adjustable hanger together, is also used during single-shear tests and beam-bend tests.

Abstract: An isosurface mesh M is generated by extracting voxels having a certain CT value from volume data obtained by X-ray CT. A gradient vector g of a CT value is calculated at each vertex p of the isosurface mesh M. A plurality of sample points S are generated in positive and negative directions of the calculated gradient vector g. Gradient norms N of CT values at the respective generated sample points S are calculated. The vertex p of the isosurface mesh is moved and corrected to a sample point Sm having the maximum norm Nm calculated.

Abstract: An Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD)-based noise estimation process is disclosed herein that allows for blind estimations of noise power for a given signal under test. The EMD-based noise estimation process is non-parametric and adaptive to a signal, which allows the EMD-based noise estimation process to operate without necessarily having a priori knowledge about the received signal. Existing approaches to spectrum sensing such as Energy Detector (ED) and Maximum Eigenvalue Detector (MED), for example, may be modified to utilize a EMD-based noise estimation process consistent with the present disclosure to shift the same from semi-blind category to fully-blind category.

Abstract: A power distribution system configured as a radial network includes buses having respective voltages, and distribution lines having respective currents. The radial network interconnects the buses with the distribution lines in a tree-like manner. A bus has a link to at least two distribution lines. The bus voltages and distribution line currents are determined by a processing circuitry configured to receive a Branch Matrix (BM) iteratively determine currents for the distribution lines and voltages for each of the buses until a difference is below a predetermined tolerance, and output final bus voltages and final distribution line currents. The circuitry iteratively determines the currents by determining a current matrix (CM) using the BM, and by determining the currents for the plurality of distribution lines in a zig zag manner over the matrix elements in the CM. The system finds a solution using fewer iterations than the backward forward sweep method.

Abstract: An imaging nanoparticle comprising a plant virus particle having an interior surface and an exterior surface, an imaging agent that is linked to the interior and/or exterior surface, and a layer of biocompatible mineral such as silica coated over the exterior surface, is described. The imaging nanoparticle can be used in method of generating an image of a tissue region of a subject, by administering to the subject a diagnostically effective amount of an imaging nanoparticle and generating an image of the tissue region of the subject to which the imaging nanoparticle has been distributed.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing a carbon nanotube/polymer composite material, including: coating a nano-silicon oxide film on the surface of a porous polymer by vacuum coating; depositing a metal catalyst nano-film on the nano-silicon oxide film by vacuum sputtering; growing a carbon nanotube array in situ on the surface of the porous polymer by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition to obtain a carbon nanotube/polymer porous material; and impregnating the carbon nanotube/polymer porous material with a polymer and curing to obtain the carbon nanotube/polymer composite material. By using a heat-resistant polymer having a high heat-resistant temperature and a PECVD technique, a carbon nanotube array directly grows in situ on the surface of a polymer at a low temperature, which thereby overcomes the defects of the composites previously prepared, in which carbon nanotubes are difficult to be homogeneously dispersed and the interfacial bonding force in the composites is weak.

Abstract: A dielectric substrate made from sunflower seed shells has good moldabiltiy and low water adsorption for use in creating antenna or other devices. The dielectric substrate is made by pyrolizing sunflower seed shells or husks and collecting the resulting tar to create the substrate.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a method for determining reasonable design area of roots pump rotor profile of roots pump and its application, and belongs to the field of mechanical design. According to the method of the disclosure, after a relation between the roots pump rotor profile and performance parameters is established, constraint conditions for avoiding a closed volume and undercutting are further determined, so that a reasonable design region of a roots pump rotor blade peak curve is determined. Reference is given when the roots pump rotor profile is designed, i.e., the rotor profile with the blade peak curve being not within the reasonable design region inevitably causes the problem of closed volume or undercutting in application, so that the design of the rotor profile that causes the closed volume or undercutting can be avoided when the roots pump rotor profile is designed.

Abstract: A distributed X-ray light source comprises: a plurality of arranged cathode assemblies used for emitting electron beams; an anode target used for receiving the electron beams emitted by the cathode assemblies; and compensation electrodes and focusing electrodes provided in sequence between the plurality of the cathode assemblies and the anode target, the compensation electrode being used for adjusting electric field strength at two ends of a grid structure in each cathode assembly, and the focusing electrode being used for focusing the electron beams emitted by the cathode assemblies, wherein the focusing electrode corresponding to at least one cathode assembly in the plurality of the cathode assemblies comprises a first electrode and a second electrode which are separately provided, and an electron beam channel is formed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A purpose is to provide a monitoring system to monitor whether there is a substance to be monitored in the air, and a detecting device used in the monitoring system. The monitoring system includes a detecting device, an analyzing device, and an abnormality notification system. The detecting device determines whether the air is in an abnormal state on the basis of an output signal from an abnormality detection sensor, pours liquid to be inspected, into which the air is sucked and liquefied, into a previously-installed reagent container when determining the abnormal state, generates mixed liquid in which a reactant in the reagent container and the poured liquid to be inspected are mixed, and drops the generated mixed liquid to an electrode of the analyzing device.

Abstract: The present invention provides prodrugs and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: An example device for repairing a tissue is described herein. The device can include a flexible carrier layer, and a support member including a plurality of micro-protrusions extending therefrom. The support member can be at least partially integrated with the flexible carrier layer. Additionally, the flexible carrier layer can be configured to cover at least a portion of the tissue, and the micro-protrusions can be configured to mechanically interface with the tissue.

Abstract: An approach to control or monitoring of battery operation makes use of a recurrent neural network (RNN), which receives one or more battery attributes for a Lithium ion (Li-ion) battery, and determines, based on the received one or more battery attributes, a state-of-charge (SOC) estimate for the Li-ion battery.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are DNA amplification methods for quantifying DNA fragments of a target DNA in a sample by size. This can be used, for example, to detect tumor-derived viral DNA in blood sample and distinguish it from larger viral DNA from non-tumor sources. In particular, disclosed herein are methods of detecting, monitoring or treating a human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated malignancy in a subject that involves detecting a presence or absence of at least one circulating tumor-derived HPV DNA in a sample from the subject. Kits for accomplishing the same are also provided.

Abstract: A method of performing a ritual of chucking during Hajj includes an authentication process, a connectivity process which connects a remote user to a chucking system located at the religious site, and a notification process. The authentication process allows a remote user, who is preferably a pilgrim unable to attend Hajj due to physical disability, age or sickness, to connect to the chucking system. The connectivity allows the pilgrim to perform the ritual of chucking remotely. To do so, the chucking system includes a primary pebble reservoir providing pebbles to a set of secondary pebble reservoirs, and a set of pebble projecting units. The remote user remotely connects to the set of pebble projecting units to chuck pebbles at the stoning sites, wherein the required pebbles are stored in the set of secondary pebble reservoirs. When chucking is complete, the remote user is notified regarding completion.

Abstract: A transportation threat detection system includes a communication module that receives an inertial event report from a reporting vehicle. The report includes (i) an indication of an inertial event from an inertial sensor at the reporting vehicle, and (ii) an indication of a geographic location associated with the event. The system also includes a fusion processor that associates the inertial event report with a potential transportation threat, consistent with the inertial event report and at the geographic location. The fusion processor generates a measure of support for the transportation threat potentially existing at the geographic location based on a participation rate generated using any additional inertial event reports received from respective additional reporting vehicles. The system also includes a reporting interface that renders output indicative of the potential transportation threat, wherein the output is made as a function of the generated measure of support.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein to automatically detect objects and other debris located in the road. The lateral movement of a vehicle is monitored to detect lane changes. When a lane change is detected, information about the lane change including geographic coordinates of the lane change are collected. The information collected from various vehicles is correlated to identify possible locations of debris and other objects in the road. The identified locations may be provided to other vehicles for use in one or more navigation or collision detection systems or provided to one or more authorities who may use the information to address the identified objects or debris.

Abstract: Embodiments are related to the accurate detection of somatic mutations in the plasma (or other samples containing cell-free DNA) of cancer patients and for subjects being screened for cancer. The detection of these molecular markers would be useful for the screening, detection, monitoring, management, and prognostication of cancer patients. For example, a mutational load can be determined from the identified somatic mutations, and the mutational load can be used to screen for any or various types of cancers, where no prior knowledge about a tumor or possible cancer of the subject may be required. Embodiments can be useful for guiding the use of therapies (e.g. targeted therapy, immunotherapy, genome editing, surgery, chemotherapy, embolization therapy, anti-angiogenesis therapy) for cancers. Embodiments are also directed to identifying de novo mutations in a fetus by analyzing a maternal sample having cell-free DNA from the fetus.

Abstract: Methods compositions and articles of manufacture for assaying a sample for a target polynucleotide are provided. A sample suspected of containing the target polynucleotide is contacted with a polycationic multichromophore and a sensor polynucleotide complementary to the target polynucleotide. The sensor polynucleotide comprises a signaling chromophore to receive energy from the excited multichromophore and increase emission in the presence of the target polynucleotide. The methods can be used in multiplex form. Kits comprising reagents for performing such methods are also provided.