Abstract: A voice interaction apparatus incudes voice recognition means for recognizing a voice of a user, response-sentence generation means for generating a response sentence to the voice of the user based on the recognized voice, filler generation means for generating a filler word to be inserted in a conversation, output means for outputting the generated response sentence and the generated filler word, and classification means for classifying the generated response sentence into one of predetermined speech patterns indicating predefined speech types. When the output means outputs, after the user utters a voice subsequent to the first response sentence, the filler word and outputs a second response sentence, the classification means classifies the first response sentence into one of the speech patterns, and the filler generation means generates the filler word based on the speech pattern into which the first response sentence has been classified.

Abstract: A method of transferring nanomaterials with sugar, the method including: depositing a colloidal sugar layer on a first substrate; pressing a second substrate and a nanomaterial layer located on the second substrate on the colloidal sugar layer, wherein the nanomaterial layer is adhered to the colloidal sugar layer; solidifying the colloidal sugar layer into a solid sugar layer; tearing the second substrate; locating a fourth substrate on the nanomaterial layer; placing the first substrate, the solid sugar layer, the nanomaterial layer and the fourth substrate in a solvent, wherein the solid sugar layer is dissolved in the solvent, and the nanomaterial layer is detached from the first substrate and attached to the fourth substrate.

Abstract: A ride system includes a base, a ride vehicle, a platform assembly positioned between the base and the ride vehicle, and an extension mechanism coupled to the platform assembly and positioned between the base and the ride vehicle. The platform assembly includes a first platform, a second platform, and six legs extending between the first platform and the second platform, and the platform assembly is configured to actuate each of the six legs so as to move the first platform relative to the second platform in different configurations based on which of the six legs is actuated. The extension mechanism is configured to extend and contract so as to move the ride vehicle away from and toward, respectively, the base of the ride system.

Abstract: A method begins by one or more processing modules of one or more computing devices of a radar system determining whether a radar signature varies cyclically with time, and when the radar signature varies cyclically with time the method continues with the one or more processing modules collecting state telemetry information for the radar signature, along with a signal representation for the radar system. The state telemetry information includes rotation angle, yaw angle and rotation rate for the object responsible for the observed radar signature and the signal representation for the radar system includes data sufficient to determine an I/Q signal for the radar system. The method then determines a characterized radar signature for the object responsible for the radar signature and based on the state telemetry and the signal representation, substantially removes the radar signature from radar data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing ezetimibe, including cross-metathesis using a Grubbs 2nd catalyst and deprotection using a Pearlman's catalyst, and an intermediate thereof. The method of preparing ezetimibe is useful as an efficient ezetimibe synthesis technique in pharmaceutical fields using ezetimibe as a raw material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a DNA-targeting RNA that comprises a targeting sequence and, together with a modifying polypeptide, provides for site-specific modification of a target DNA and/or a polypeptide associated with the target DNA. The present disclosure further provides site-specific modifying polypeptides. The present disclosure further provides methods of site-specific modification of a target DNA and/or a polypeptide associated with the target DNA The present disclosure provides methods of modulating transcription of a target nucleic acid in a target cell, generally involving contacting the target nucleic acid with an enzymatically inactive Cas9 polypeptide and a DNA-targeting RNA. Kits and compositions for carrying out the methods are also provided. The present disclosure provides genetically modified cells that produce Cas9; and Cas9 transgenic non-human multicellular organisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system and methods for testing sensitization of alloy nondestructively. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and methods for determining the sensitization of an alloy by measuring ultrasonic parameters of the alloy using ultrasonic techniques, and correlating the measured ultrasonic parameters. In certain embodiments, the ultrasonic measuring techniques include pulse-echo and resonant ultrasound spectroscopy. Certain embodiments use ultrasonic measuring techniques to measure shear-wave velocity, compressional-wave velocity, and attenuation coefficient of compressional waves. One preferred embodiment correlates measured ultrasonic parameters including shear-wave velocity, compressional-wave velocity, and attenuation coefficient of compressional waves to determine the sensitization of alloy.

Abstract: Virtual redundancy for active-standby cloud applications is disclosed herein. A virtual machine (“VM”) placement scheduling system is disclosed herein. The system can compute, for each standby VM of a plurality of available standby VMs, a minimum required placement overlap delta to meet an entitlement assurance rate (“EAR”) threshold. The system can compute a minimum number of available VM slots for activating each standby VM to meet the EAR threshold. For each standby VM of a given application, the system can filter out any server of a plurality of servers that does not meet criteria. If a given server meets the criteria, the system can add the given server to a candidate list; sort, in descending order, the candidate list by the minimum required placement overlap delta and the number of available virtual machine slots; and select, from the candidate list of servers, a candidate server from atop the candidate list.

Abstract: A multi-diameter drill bit for implant bed preparation is provided. The drill bit has a drill shank that can be coupled with a driving tool to transfer drilling torques and forces to a drill body distal to the drill shank and a drill tip distal to the drill body. The drill body is divided into a first cylindrical portion having a first diameter and a second cylindrical portion having a second diameter. The drill tip is connected to the first cylindrical portion of the drill body and defines multiple first land areas and multiple cutting lips each at least partially bordering a respective first land areas. The second diameter is greater than the first diameter to define a plurality of faces of second lands at the interface between the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion, for reducing friction between the drill bit and surrounding bone tissue.

Abstract: A driver assistance system including at least a first camera. The first camera can be configured to obtain image data of a region external to the host vehicle. Lane detection analysis can be performed on the image data to identify a region of interest in the image data. The region of interest can be divided into portions. Each portion can be analyzed to determine whether it includes the characteristics of an under-vehicle region. When an under-vehicle region is detected a portion of the image adjacent an under-vehicle region can be analyzed to determine whether it includes an image of another vehicle. A distance between the another vehicle and the host vehicle can be determined using the image data. A threat analysis can be performed to provide a level of threat posed by the another vehicle to the host vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for direct sample, extremely wideband transceivers are disclosed. An example transceiver includes an antenna, an N bit analog to digital converter a digital signal processor, a digital to analog converter, and an adder. The N bit ADC receives a wideband RF input signal from the antenna, where the input signal includes weak signals and a strong signal, oversamples the input signal and provides a digital sample signal. The digital signal processor generates a digital cancellation signal from the digital sample signal, where the digital cancellation signal is generated using M bits, M greater than N. The DAC provides an analog cancellation signal based on the digital cancellation signal, and the adder provides a residual analog signal from the addition of the input signal and the analog cancellation signal, where the strong signal is at least reduced in the residual analog signal due to the analog cancellation signal.

Abstract: A planar sensor array capable of three-dimensional magnetic field sensing is disclosed. The sensor array may be utilized, for example, in connection with security inspections and detection of concealed electronics and contraband. Each sensor pixel may comprise a planar spiral inductor to measure a magnetic field of interest in a first dimension, a first Hall effect sensor to measure the magnetic field of interest in a second dimension, and a second Hall effect sensor to measure the magnetic field of interest in the third dimension.

Abstract: Compressive imaging captures images in compressed form, where each sensor does not directly correspond with a pixel, as opposed to standard image capture techniques. This can lead to faster image capture rates due to lower I/O bandwidth requirements, and avoids the need for image compression hardware, as the image is captured in compressed form. Measuring the transformation of an emitted multimodal signal is one method of compressive imaging. Metamaterial antennas and transceivers are well suited for both emitting and receiving multimodal signals, and are thus prime candidates for compressive imaging.

Abstract: The present invention is provides a novel electronic settlement technique which is capable of supplying a deposit so as to continue the play of a game after a deposit available in a game facility has been consumed. A negotiable-value providing device is transmits to a user terminal device a deposit supply demand message demanding supply of a premises deposit upon receipt of a transfer demand message. A user terminal device is transmits a transfer demand message to a management server upon receipt of the deposit supply demand message. Upon receipt of the deposit supply demand message, the management server is transmits to a financial institute system a transfer request message requesting a predetermined transfer of a predetermined amount of money from a user bank account. Upon receipt of a transfer completion message, a premises server is transmits a provision instructing message instructing provision of a negotiable-value to the negotiable-value providing device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for freeze-drying drug liposomes powder assisted by a variable-frequency alternating-current electric field, which includes the following steps: (1) preparing a drug-liposome suspension sample; (2) dehydrating the sample under a 1-10 kHz, 3-10 kV high-voltage alternating current; (3) freezing and drying the sample treated in step (2) at ?20° C. to ?40° C., under a 10-25 kHz, 0.2-1 kV high-voltage alternating current, until completion of the freezing process; and (4) heating and drying the sample in a vacuum until completion of sublimation and desorption, and obtaining the drug liposomes freeze-dried powder. The present invention not only greatly shortens a freezing and drying time, but also controls a size of nuclei and ice crystals, further ensuring a quality of the freeze-dried powder.

Abstract: A wind turbine for generating electricity having a turbine assembly mounted on an inner support positioned within an aerodynamic fairing. The turbine assembly has an electrical generator positioned on the inner support and having a rotor shaft rotatable by a rotor blade. The aerodynamic fairing reduces the drag and wake created by the inner support.

Abstract: A parametric excitation dynamic model is used for a three degrees-of-freedom (3-DOF) wave energy converter. Since the heave motion is uncoupled from the pitch and surge modes, the pitch-surge equations of motion can be treated as a linear time varying system, or a linear system with parametric excitation. In such case the parametric exciting frequency can be tuned to twice the natural frequency of the system for higher energy harvesting. A parametric excited 3-DOF wave energy converter can harvest more power, for both regular and irregular waves, compared to the linear 3-DOF. For example, in a Bretschneider wave, the harvested energy in the three modes is about 3.8 times the energy harvested in the heave mode alone; while the same device produces about 3.1 times the heave mode energy when using a linear 3-DOF model.

Abstract: Provided are methods, devices and systems that utilize free-surface fluidics and SERS for analyte detection with high sensitivity and specificity. The molecules can be airborne agents, including but not limited to explosives, narcotics, hazardous chemicals, or other chemical species. The free-surface fluidic architecture is created using an open microchannel, and exhibits a large surface to volume ratio. The free-surface fluidic interface can filter interferent molecules, while concentrating airborne analyte molecules. The microchannel flow enables controlled aggregation of SERS-active probe particles in the flow, thereby enhancing the detector's sensitivity.

Abstract: A method for separating out a continuous single thread of fiber from many fiber branches and controlling alignment and deposition of said fiber on a substrate, comprising: electrospinning synthetic polymer fiber streams from an electrically charged syringe needle; controlling the fiber using at least one electrically charged metallic disk rotating about an axis positioned below the needle; capturing the fiber using electrically grounded collector; extracting a single fiber branch thread from the polymer fiber streams, wherein the single fiber branch thread is attracted to and intercepted by the collector shape, and depositing the single fiber branch thread as substantially aligned fiber on the collector.

Abstract: A method for determining past exposure to chemical agents or heavy metals may include coating a capture material with a capture reagent. The capture reagent may be selected based on an ability of the capture reagent to bind with a target antibody, and the target antibody may be an indicator associated with a particular chemical agent or heavy metal. The method may further include interrogating a clinical sample associated with an individual by forming a mixture of the capture material and the clinical sample, and determining an exposure status of the individual to the particular chemical agent or heavy metal based on whether the capture material demonstrates capture of the indicator.