Abstract: A physical environment is equipped with a plurality of sensors (e.g., motion sensors). As individuals perform various activities within the physical environment, sensor readings are received from one or more of the sensors. Based on the sensor readings, activities being performed by the individuals are recognized and the sensor data is labeled based on the recognized activities. Future activity occurrences are predicted based on the labeled sensor data. Activity prompts may be generated and/or facility automation may be performed for one or more future activity occurrences.

Abstract: A device for imaging one dimension nanomaterials is provided. The device includes an optical microscope with a liquid immersion objective, a laser device, and a spectrometer. The laser device is configured to provide an incident light beam with a continuous spectrum. The spectrometer is configured to obtain spectral information of the one dimensional nanomaterials.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple, cost effective and hassle-free method and apparatus for modifying the surface grain structure of the material, thereby providing a material with multi-modal grain structure having high strength and good formability. The present invention uses a single step processing technique known as submerged static friction stir processing for modifying the surface grain structure of the material, thereby generating a multi-modal grain structure. In the present invention since the working material is completely immersed in the coolant, this maintains the working temperature of the system. Further the present invention does not involve long processing steps and do not need any specialized equipments.

Abstract: A chemical looping combustion (CLC) based power generation, particularly using liquid fuel, ensures substantially complete fuel combustion and provides electrical efficiency without exposing metal oxide based oxygen carrier to high temperature redox process. An integrated fuel gasification (reforming)-CLC-followed by power generation model is provided involving (i) a gasification island, (ii) CLC island, (iii) heat recovery unit, and (iv) power generation system. To improve electrical efficiency, a fraction of the gasified fuel may be directly fed, or bypass the CLC, to a combustor upstream of one or more gas turbines. This splitting approach ensures higher temperature (efficiency) in the gas turbine inlet. The inert mass ratio, air flow rate to the oxidation reactor, and pressure of the system may be tailored to affect the performance of the integrated CLC system and process.

Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating economic viability of a proposed microgrid, including uncertain variables are disclosed. One or more candidate distributed energy resources can be selected for use within a proposed microgrid. An investment cost and an operation cost of the one or more candidate distributed energy resources can be determined. A cost of drawing power from a main power grid can be compared to a sum of the investment cost and the operation cost of the one or more candidate distributed energy resources. The proposed microgrid can be identified for installation when the sum of the investment cost and the operation cost is less than the cost of drawing power from the main power grid.

Abstract: A method of passive cooling for a high concentrating photovoltaic, the high concentrating photovoltaic, includes a photovoltaic receiver, a parabolic dish reflector and a plurality of thermally conductive heat pipes having a direct thermal contact between the receiver and the reflector to transfer excessive heat. The method includes receiving sunlight by the parabolic dish reflector, reflecting the sunlight towards the photovoltaic receiver that converts the sunlight into electricity and heat, transferring the heat through the thermally conductive heat pipes and absorbing the heat by the reflector serving a dual purpose as a heat sink. A reduction in weight and cost is accomplished by incorporating the flat heat pipes.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for inhibiting brain tumor proliferation, or for inhibiting or halting TM formation, invasion, and/or proliferation, or for rendering brain tumor cells sensitive to chemotherapy or radiation, or for treating a brain tumor, or for inducing cell death, involving mDia agonists such as IMM01 and IMM02, are described.

Abstract: A pitch control method and system of a symmetrical-airfoil vertical axis wind turbine collects data by an anemometer, an anemoscope and an angle sensor, outputs an optimum pitch angle based on a control law of a pitch angle and controls the pitch angle to be the optimum pitch angle through a pitch control actuator. In addition to input variables of the control law such as a wind velocity vin and a blade azimuth angle ?, constants such as a rotation radius R, a rotation velocity ? of the blade and aerodynamic coefficients c1, c2 and c3 are also related. A Reynolds number has little influence on three aerodynamic coefficients c1, c2 and c3. The pitch actuator controls the adjustment rods to realize the automatic pitch control of the blades. An expression of the control law of the pitch is concise, the calculation time is short, and a response speed is fast.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel nano-composite antibacterial material and a preparation method and an application thereof, and belongs to the technical field of preservative materials. The novel nano-composite antibacterial material disclosed by the present invention is prepared by mixing a dimethylimidazole solution, deionized water and a zinc nitrate solution to prepare a metal-organic framework carrier, compositing with nisin to form a nano antibacterial composite material, separating out from a solution in a precipitate form, centrifuging, removing a supernatant, cleaning and re-suspending with the deionized water. The novel nano-composite antibacterial material prepared by the present invention has an antibacterial effect superior to nisin having a same concentration.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating graft-versus-host disease in a subject by administering pharmaceutical compositions containing bacterial strains of the Clostridia class. Also described herein are exemplary human-derived bacteria belonging to the Clostridia class, combinations of which have been shown to induce accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in the colon and suppress immune functions, and are therefore useful for mitigating pathological immune responses. Pharmaceutical compositions containing these and/or related bacteria can be used to prevent and treat immune-mediated diseases such as graft-versus-host disease.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for prophylactic treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) comprising administering, by inhalation, an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one anticoagulant or antiplatelet agent to a subject in need thereof, wherein the anticoagulant or antiplatelet agent first enters the heart via the left atrium.

Abstract: A kind of real-time measurement system and method for height from spray boom to crop canopy was provided in present invention patent, which includes the following steps. Step 1: Calibration for ultrasonic ranging sensor; Step 2: Determination of included angle for two ultrasonic ranging sensors; Step 3: Collection of relative height between spray boom and crop canopy; Step 4: Anti-interference processing for height data; Step 5: Calculation of relative height from spray boom to crop canopy. Its characteristic lies in: two ultrasonic ranging sensors with a certain angle are installed at each end of the spray boom, the height of crop canopy was acquired under the control of control unit, and the relative height from spray boom to crop canopy was obtained by the anti-interference analysis and data conversion, the accurate monitoring for relative height from spray boom to crop canopy was realized while the spray boom is tilted.

Abstract: An apparatus for network switching may include a plurality of input ports, a plurality of output ports, and a subset of pre-configured interconnection patterns including some but not all of the possible interconnection patterns between the input ports and the output ports. The apparatus may be communicatively coupled to a network via the input ports and/or the output ports. The apparatus may be configured to switch to a first interconnection pattern and a second interconnection pattern from the subset of pre-configured interconnection patterns. The first interconnection pattern and the second interconnection pattern may each provide a set of connections between the input ports and the output ports. At least one signal between the input ports and the output ports may be transmitted via the first interconnection pattern and/or the second interconnection pattern. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are configured to control operation of an HVAC system providing climate control for a zone of a structure. In various embodiments, a constrained optimization problem is performed to set control commands for controlling operation of the HVAC system to achieve one or more objectives while providing a supply air flow at an air temperature and a humidity ratio for the zone at a future time. For instance, the optimization problem may include a cost function having constraints based on a desired temperature setpoint and a humidity ratio for the zone. A value is set for each control command based on the performance of the constrained optimization problem to achieve at least one of the objectives and as a result, the supply air flow at the air temperature and humidity ratio is provided by the HVAC system at the future time to the zone based on the values.

Abstract: A mosquito surveillance device includes one or more mosquito traps having a camera capable of taking images of mosquitos and transmitting the images electronically to a receiver. Suitable traps include an ovitrap, for example. Images may be transmitted from inside or outside the trap to a receiver using low bandwidth cellular phone networks. The images are processed and displayed using software forming mosquito data. The images may be analyzed and the number of live mosquitos identified, the number of dead mosquitos identified, the species of mosquitos identified, or mapped vector densities in real time identified preferably at high resolution.

Abstract: This discloses that compounds of Formula 1 have antifibrotic properties. In particular, this discloses a pharmaceutical composition including one or more compounds of Formula 1 and methods of using compounds of Formula 1 in fibrosis treatment and inhibiting type 1 collagen synthesis.

Abstract: The invention relates to non-woven protein fibers and to methods for forming and producing the same. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a method of processing a protein comprising dissolving a protein in a solution, optionally removing any insoluble materials from the solution, and spraying the solution under an applied pressure. In other embodiments, the protein can be derived from a range of sources, including but not limited to arthropod silks, animal keratin (e.g. hair and wool), tissue elastin, collagen, resilin, and plant protein. In certain embodiments, the methods of the invention are an alternative to electrospinning methods known in the art.

Abstract: Axis orientation compensation is provided in a system in which movement of a controlling device is used to control navigational functions of a target appliance by determining which one of plural sides of the controlling device is an active side of the controlling device and by causing navigational functions of the target appliance made relative to at least one of an X, Y, and Z axis of the target appliance to be dynamically aligned with movements of the controlling device made relative to at least one of an A, B, and C axis of the controlling device as a function of the one of the plural sides of the controlling device that is determined to be the active side of the controlling device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to various high quality n-type and p-type doped gallium-based semiconductor materials, electronic components incorporating these materials, and processes of producing these materials. In particular, The present invention relates processes to achieve high quality, uniform doping of a whole wafer or a thin layer of gallium-based semiconductor materials for various applications such as a vertical power transistor or diode.

Abstract: A porous membrane comprising stacked layers of nanosheets, each nanosheet comprising one to three atomic layers of a 2D material comprising or consisting of one or more transition metal dichalcogenides is provided. The nanosheets have pores and the membrane comprises a network of water permeation pathways including through-pathways formed by the pores, horizontal pathways formed by gaps between the layers, and vertical pathways formed by gaps between adjacent nanosheets and stacking defects between the layers. Also provided is a method for making the membrane.