Abstract: A see-through reflective optical device includes: a reflective metasurface configured for a targeted design optical wavelength, wherein the reflective metasurface comprises a sub-wavelength periodic arrangement of meta-atoms formed by patterned isolated gap surface plasmon (GSP) resonators, where the patterned isolated GSP resonators comprise a patterned optically thin metal layer for the design wavelength, an optically thick metal layer for the design wavelength, and an insulator layer between the patterned optically thin metal layer and the optically thick metal layer; and an array of apertures of random positions and diameters greater than the targeted design wavelength formed through the reflective metasurface providing a designed percentage of light transparency through the reflective metasurface. The reflective metasurface of the see-through reflective optical device may comprise, e.g.

Abstract: A method for constructing a dam inside a dump of an inner-dump strip mine includes: taking an upper surface connection line of a primary water-resisting layer as upper filling reference datum boundary of an artificial water-resisting layer; arranging a dam foundation pit and a trapezoidal abutment on a midline of the dam foundation pit; building and reinforcing a step-shaped retaining dam core wall on the artificial water-resisting layer; laying a foundation impervious layer, waterproof geotextile, and an earth blanket on one side, close to the primary aquifer, of the retaining dam core wall; strengthening advance of a dumping working face on one side, away from the primary aquifer, of the retaining dam core wall, and dumping overburden of a strip mine to form a support; filling a space between the earth blanket and the primary aquifer to form a blocker; and proceeding with construction and forming a continuous retaining dam.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing fiber with aligned porous structure, an apparatus, and applications of the fiber. The apparatus comprises: a fiber extrusion unit, a freezing unit, and a collection unit for collecting the frozen fibers, wherein fibers extruded from the fiber extrusion unit pass through the freezing unit. Continuous and large scale preparation of such fiber with aligned porous structure is achieved by combining directional freezing and solution spinning.

Abstract: The invention discloses a strontium ferrite-based sacrificial mortar and its preparation method, the strontium ferrite-based sacrificial mortar mainly comprises 720-1000 parts of sulphoaluminate cement, 100-300 parts of strontium ferrite, 600-650 parts of quartz sand, 400-450 parts of water and 0.01-35 parts of superplasticizer. The preparation process is simple, and the strontium ferrite-based sacrificial mortar can be prepared by using a conventional forced single horizontal shaft concrete mixer. The obtained mortar has excellent working performance, compressive strength and corrosion resistance. It can be used in the current third and future fourth generation nuclear power plant core catchers, and has obvious engineering application value.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes providing support material within which the structure is fabricated, depositing, into the support material, structure material to form the fabricated structure, and removing the support material to release the fabricated structure from the support material. The provided support material is stationary at an applied stress level below a threshold stress level and flows at an applied stress level at or above the threshold stress level during fabrication of the structure. The provided support material is configured to mechanically support at least a portion of the structure and to prevent deformation of the structure during the fabrication of the structure. The deposited structure material is suspended in the support material at a location where the structure material is deposited. The structure material comprises a fluid that transitions to a solid or semi-solid state after deposition of the structure material.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for determining an application status of an applicant for an educational program may include receiving cohort performance data comprising first data entries for participants that have respectively achieved outcomes for the educational program and applicant performance data comprising second data entries for the applicant, calculating adjusted cohort performance data based on the cohort performance data and first data characteristics, providing a predictor model based on the adjusted cohort performance data and the outcomes, sequentially changing predictive parameters of the first data characteristics to create second data characteristics and creating an adjusted predictor model based on the second data characteristics and the outcomes, calculating adjusted applicant performance data based on the applicant performance data and the second data characteristics, and calculating a probability of success for the applicant in the educational program based on the adjust

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a dye sensitized solar cell has a counter-electrode including carbon-titania nanocomposite thin films made by forming a carbon-based ink; forming a titania (TiO2) solution; blade-coating a mechanical mixture of the carbon-based ink and the titania solution onto a substrate; and annealing the blade-coated substrate at a first temperature for a first period of time to obtain the carbon-based titania nanocomposite thin films. In certain embodiments, the carbon-based titania nanocomposite thin films may include solvent-exfoliated graphene titania (SEG-TiO2) nanocomposite thin films, or single walled carbon nanotube titania (SWCNT-TiO2) nanocomposite thin films.

Abstract: An ionic thermoelectric (i-TE) hydrogel that converts heat into electricity based on the Soret effect, and devices and methods incorporating the ionic thermoelectric hydrogel. The ionic thermoelectric hydrogel includes poly(acrylamide) crosslinked with an alginate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, and a poly glycol.

Abstract: A drinking container system with multiple temperature zones, wherein the container system includes a main body having a sidewall and a bottom that define a phase change material (PCM) module receptacle, and a phase change material (PCM) module having a sidewall that defines a beverage chamber. The PCM module is disposable within the PCM module receptacle such that a beverage egress flow path is defined between the main body sidewall and the PCM module sidewall. The flow path formed in the container can make the beverage achieve the desired drinking temperature. The PCM module sidewall is at least partially filled with a phase change material and is structured and operable to provide a plurality temperature zones within the beverage chamber. Each temperature zone is operable to maintain a temperature of a respective portion of a liquid disposed within the beverage chamber within a respective temperature range.

Abstract: Disclosed are barrier coatings for fused silica components used in semiconductor processing. In particular, the present disclosure concerns protective substrate-barrier coatings composed of corrosion-resilient metal compounds which provide superior resistance to erosion/corrosion when a coated substrate is subjected to the acidic environments at elevated temperatures typical for semiconductor processing.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a perovskite solar cell, includes disposing an electron transport layer on a transparent conductive substrate, disposing an additive-doped perovskite light absorption layer on the electron transport layer, disposing a hole transport layer on the additive-doped perovskite light absorption layer, and disposing an electrode on the hole transport layer. The disposing of the additive-doped perovskite light absorption layer includes adding an additive having hydrophobicity to a perovskite precursor solution, and applying the additive-added perovskite precursor solution onto the electron transport layer to form the additive-doped perovskite light absorption layer.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, a computer storage medium and a terminal for implementing autonomous driving decision-making are disclosed. Image information is processed by the probabilistic object detection to obtain a probabilistic object detection result set containing multiple probabilistic object detection result. An uncertainty in the object detection process is estimated by the probabilistic object detection results contained in the set of the probabilistic object detection result. An environmental state information set is generated from the probabilistic object detection results in the probabilistic object detection result set and the perceptual information, then an optional action set considering the uncertainty is generated using a preset decision-making method, and an action for vehicle driving control is determined according to the optional action set and the environmental state information set.

Abstract: Disclosed are capped nanoparticles that are effectively trapped within an aqueous gelling solution to produce stable gels and function as a contrast agent for vascular imaging. The contrast agent has good radioopacity, is inexpensive to produce, and is safe to handle. This provides a new method to image the fine vasculature of biological systems.

Abstract: An imaging system that is translucent can be achieved by placing an image sensor (204) at one of more edges or periphery of a translucent window (202). A small fraction of light from the outside scene scatters off imperfections (218) in the translucent window (202) and reach the peripheral image sensor (204). Based on appropriate calibration of the response of point sources (206) from the outside scene, the full scene can be reconstructed computationally from the peripherally scattered light (210, 212). The technique can be extended to color, multi-spectral, light-field, 3D, and polarization selective imaging. Applications can include surveillance, imaging for autonomous agents, microscopy, etc.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for preventing and/or treating infection by disrupting interactions at or near the surface of mannosylated pathogens or other pathogens exhibiting carbohydrate-carbohydrate self-interaction, thus enhancing the immune system's ability to recognize and destroy such pathogens. In some forms, carrier molecules are provided to delivering polymers or other molecules capable of disrupting intra-cellular interaction and/or self-interaction of surface markers on cells.

Abstract: A planetary gear train automatic limited slip differential may consist of a main differential, a planetary gear train differential controller, a left axle shaft, a right axle shaft, and a clutch. The planetary gear train differential controller may be composed of a first planetary gear train differential controller unit and a second planetary gear train differential controller unit. The first planetary gear train differential controller unit may be composed of a first planetary gear train and a first overrunning clutch connected to the first planetary gear train. The second planetary gear train differential controller unit may be composed of a second planetary gear train and a second overrunning clutch connected to the second planetary gear train.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides resonator networks adapted to a variety of applications. The networks include fluorophores, quantum dots, dyes, plasmonic nanorods, or other optical resonators maintained in position relative to each other by a backbone (e.g., a backbone composed of DNA). The networks may exhibit optical absorption and re-emission according to specified temporal decay profiles, e.g., to provide temporally-multiplexed labels for imaging or flow cytometry. The networks can include resonators that exhibit a dark state, such that the behavior of the network can be modified by inducing the dark state in one or more resonators. Such networks could be configured as logic gates or other logical elements, e.g., to provide multiplexed detection of analytes by a single network, to permit the temporal decay profile of the network to be adjusted (e.g., to use the networks as a controllable random number generator), or to provide other benefits.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system according to which first and second waveguides are adapted to be connected to a pipe and first and second transducers are adapted to be connected to the first and second waveguides, respectively, and to exchange ultrasonic wave signals through the first and second waveguides, the pipe, and a fluid flowing in the pipe. A temperature of the fluid flowing in the pipe exceeds 600° C. The first and second waveguides are configured to, and each have a shape to: (i) insulate the first and second transducers from the pipe, and (ii) permit propagation of the ultrasonic wave signals between the pipe and the first and second transducers, respectively, while maintaining an acoustic attenuation through the first and second waveguides at an acceptable level.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for treating pulmonary vascular disease in a subject comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a YAP/TAZ inhibiting composition and/or a GLS1 inhibiting composition.

Abstract: A framework for joint computation, caching, and request forwarding in data-centric computing-based networks comprises a virtual control plane, which operates on request counters for computations and data, and an actual plane, which handles computation requests, data requests, data objects and computation results in the physical network. A throughput optimal policy, implemented in the virtual plane, provides a basis for adaptive and distributed computation, caching, and request forwarding in the actual plane. The framework provides superior performance in terms of request satisfaction delay as compared with several baseline policies over multiple network topologies.