Abstract: The video based detection of pulse waveform includes systems, devices, methods, and computer-readable instructions for capturing a video stream including a sequence of frames, processing each frame of the video stream to spatially locate a region of interest, cropping each frame of the video stream to encapsulate the region of interest, processing the sequence of frames, by a 3-dimensional convolutional neural network, to determine the spatial and temporal dimensions of each frame of the sequence of frames and to produce a pulse waveform point for each frame of the sequence of frames, and generating a time series of pulse waveform points to generate the pulse waveform of the subject for the sequence of frames.

Abstract: A modified version of the min-sum algorithm (“MSA”) which can lower the error floor performance of quantized LDPC decoders. A threshold attenuated min-sum algorithm (“TAMSA”) and/or threshold offset min-sum algorithm (“TOMSA”), which selectively attenuates or offsets a check node log-likelihood ratio (“LLR”) if the check node receives any variable node LLR with magnitude below a predetermined threshold, while allowing a check node LLR to reach the maximum quantizer level if all the variable node LLRs received by the check node have magnitude greater than the threshold. Embodiments of the present invention can provide desirable results even without knowledge of the location, type, or multiplicity of such objects and can be implemented with only a minor modification to existing decoder hardware.

Abstract: Noise preserving models and methods for resolution recovery of x-ray computed tomography (e.g., using a computerized tool) are enabled. For example, a system can comprise: a memory that stores computer executable components, and a processor that executes the computer executable components stored in the memory, wherein the computer executable components comprise: a pair generation component that generates a pair of images, the pair of images comprising an input image and a ground truth image, a training component that trains a machine learning based sharpening algorithm by approximately minimizing a loss function that determines an error between a sharpened image and the ground truth image, and a sharpening component that, using the sharpening algorithm, sharpens the input image to generate the sharpened image, wherein the sharpened image comprises a second noise that is similar in intensity to a first noise of the input image.

Abstract: Methods and systems for sensing a physiological characteristic of a subject. At least one receiver antenna can be provided in proximity to a portion of the subject's body to obtain at least one receiver signal resulting from at least one transmitter signal that has propagated to the receiver antenna and has been reflected, diffracted, scattered, or transmitted by or through the portion of the subject's body. One or more coherent signal pairs can be formed. Then, amplitude and phase information of a plurality of frequency components for each signal pair can be determined. A set of comparison values can be determined for each signal pair by comparing respective frequency component phases and respective frequency component amplitudes of the signals. Physiological characteristics of the subject can then be determined from these comparison values.

Abstract: Mid-infrared photothermal heterodyne imaging (MIR-PHI) techniques described herein overcome the diffraction limit of traditional MIR imaging and uses visible photodiodes as detectors. MIR-PHI experiments are shown that achieve high sensitivity, sub-diffraction limit spatial resolution, and high acquisition speed. Sensitive, affordable, and widely applicable, photothermal imaging techniques described herein can serve as a useful imaging tool for biological systems and other submicron-scale applications.

Abstract: A plasma injection module includes a fuel receiving end, a discharge end opposite the fuel receiving end, and an axial fluid pathway extending between the fuel receiving end and the discharge end. An insulator assembly defines a first portion of the axial fluid pathway proximate to the fuel receiving end. An injection tube assembly having a permanent magnet is positioned downstream of the insulator. A voltage input connection is arranged downstream of the insulator assembly and upstream of the injection tube assembly. The voltage input connection secures a voltage source to the injection tube to form a plasma filament within and adjacent to the axial fluid pathway. During operation a permanent magnet produces a magnetic field that interacts with the plasma filament to rotate the plasma filament and increase an area of ignition between the plasma filament and the combustible material at the discharge end.

Abstract: An optical system includes an incident beam divider structured to divide an incident beam into multiple derivative beams having varying polarizations. The optical system further includes a beam splitter structured to reflect and transmit the multiple derivative beams into different optical paths that have varying lengths. In the different optical paths, the multiple derivative beams experience reflection on one or more mirrors associated with each optical path. The one or more mirrors direct the multiple derivative beams back to the beam splitter, where the multiple derivative beams are then directed to a common detector. The common detector generates images of the multiple derivative beams, and a computing device analyzes the generated images to determine an error present in the images associated with the incident beam.

Abstract: Systems and methods capable for use in the development of high-speed, shape-transitioning, inward-turning inlets for air-breathing hypersonic vehicles, and inlets formed thereby. The systems and methods preferably provide for designing high-speed inlets for air-breathing hypersonic vehicles, wherein unique solutions are defined in each osculating plane of the inlet. Such systems and methods optionally provide an optimization process for tuning the post throat-shock Mach number of the inlet, and/or designs a shock-capture surface using a parallel-streamlines methodology, and/or a double cowl-lip geometry to allow flow to spill overboard.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine with a closed loop working fluid cycle.

Abstract: An electromagnetic antenna includes a channel configured to serve as a waveguide for electromagnetic radiation, a first and second feed disposed next to each other inside the channel at a first end thereof, the first and second feed being configured to radiate electromagnetic waves into the channel, an aperture lens disposed inside the channel near a second end thereof opposite to the first end, the aperture lens being configured to output collimated beams, a first focal lens disposed inside the channel adjacent to an outlet of the first feed, the first focal lens being configured to squint a beam radiated from the first feed toward a center of the aperture lens, and a second focal lens disposed inside the channel adjacent to an outlet of the second feed, the second focal lens being configured to squint a beam radiated from the second feed toward the center of the aperture lens.

Abstract: Nano-composite films and methods for their fabrication. The nano-composite films include a polymer matrix (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like) and a filler capable of exfoliation such as graphene or hexagonal boron nitride (e.g., TrGO). The filler provides reinforcement, increasing tensile strength, Young's modulus, or both for the resulting nano-composite film, as compared to what it would be without the filler. The nano-composite film may have a specific tensile strength that is greater than 1 GPa/g/cm3, a specific Young's modulus that is greater than 100 GPa/g/ccm3, or both. Tensile strength and modulus values of up to 3.7 GPa/g/cm3 and 125 GPa/g/cm3, respectively, have been demonstrated. The film may be formed by combining powdered filler and polymer matrix powder in a solvent (e.g., decalin), high-shear extruding the resulting solution to disentangle the polymer chains and exfoliate the filler, freezing the solution to form a solid film, and then drawing the film.

Abstract: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a public health threat that results in 14,000 annual deaths in the United States. Challenges involve the production of CDI spores that can remain dormant for years and the production of toxins that damage the gut. Current therapies for CDI include vancomycin and metronidazole, but neither inhibits spore or toxin production. Thus, recurrence of infection occurs in 25% of patients and there are no antibiotics that are effective for multiple recurrences. We describe oxadiazoles with activity against C. difficile, including the highly virulent NAP1/027 strain with increased production of toxins A and B, as well as the additional binary toxin. Oxadiazole 2 is poorly absorbed, thus advantageously achieving high concentrations in the gut. The compound targets peptidoglycan synthesis and inhibits vegetative cells, spores, and toxin production.

Abstract: A method for configuring a multiple autonomous drone mission includes displaying, a plurality of queries on a display of the computing device. The method further includes receiving, via a user interface, a plurality of inputs responsive to the plurality of queries. At least a first input of the plurality of inputs specifies a type of mission to be performed and at least a second input of the plurality of inputs specifies a geographical area in which a mission to be performed will be carried out. The method further includes automatically determining, based on the plurality of inputs, an initial location to move to for each of a plurality of drones available for implementing the mission. The method further includes automatically determining, based on the plurality of inputs, a series of tasks for each of the plurality of drones.

Abstract: Described are compounds of formula (I), based on an isoquinolin-1(2H)-one backbone, that function as Hsp90? selective inhibitors. Also described are pharmaceutical compositions thereof and methods of treating cancer by administering compounds of formula (I).

Abstract: Devices and techniques for authenticating wireless communications are disclosed. In some embodiments, the techniques can be performed by a network access point that includes a receiver to receive a wireless signal from a remote device. The network access point can also include a processor to calculate polarization data for the wireless signal and to determine whether the polarization data includes at least one characteristic that corresponds to a characteristic of a stored authenticated polarization signature.

Abstract: The invention provides a strategy for site specific covalent modification of antibodies using a specialized targeting covalent heterobivalent ligand (cHBL), and corresponding design for a covalent heterobivalent inhibitor (cHBI) that can be used to prevent Immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated allergic reactions triggered by drug molecules, according to one embodiment. These molecules contain four important components: (1) an IgE antigen binding site (ABS) ligand that can be a mimotope for the allergen protein, a small molecule, or a peptidomimetic, (2) an appropriate linker, which can be any flexible or rigid chemical linker, providing spacing between the ABS binder and the other moieties, (3) a nucleotide binding site (NBS) ligand, and (4) a reactive moiety to form a covalent link with an amino acid side chain of target IgE antibodies.

Abstract: A modified version of the min-sum algorithm (“MSA”) which can lower the error floor performance of quantized LDPC decoders. A threshold attenuated min-sum algorithm (“TAMSA”) and/or threshold offset min-sum algorithm (“TOMSA”), which selectively attenuates or offsets a check node log-likelihood ratio (“LLR”) if the check node receives any variable node LLR with magnitude below a predetermined threshold, while allowing a check node LLR to reach the maximum quantizer level if all the variable node LLRs received by the check node have magnitude greater than the threshold. Embodiments of the present invention can provide desirable results even without knowledge of the location, type, or multiplicity of such objects and can be implemented with only a minor modification to existing decoder hardware.

Abstract: Provided are an ink composition, comprising greater than 0.2% by weight a graphene quantum dot nanosurfactant, a printable material, and a solvent, wherein the printable material is dispersed in the solvent by the graphene quantum dot nanosurfactant, and a method of preparing an ink composition. Advantageously, the present ink composition may be printed onto 2D and 3D substrates to form printed films with improved mechanical stability and photoconductance.

Abstract: A method of determining electromagnetic exposure values for radiative compliance tests a transmitting device with multiple transmitters or antenna. The device transmits a first set of excitation signals that are chosen in advance. These signals are measured for their electromagnetic exposure values. A second set of excitation signals are then transmitted that are adaptively chosen based on result of a previous measurements of the first excitation signals. The second set of signals are also measured. From the measurements of the predetermined and adaptive signals, the electromagnetic exposure values of all possible transmitted signals are inferred.

Abstract: Provided are catalytic assemblies which include a hollow fiber membrane permeable to a gas; a reactive coating permeable to the gas and a contaminant; and a plurality of catalytic nanoparticles embedded in the reactive coating adapted to catalyze a reaction between the gas and the contaminant. Also provided are preparation methods for the catalytic assemblies, and use thereof for treating contaminated water.