Abstract: An atomic-force-microscope-based apparatus and method including hardware and software, configured to collect, in a dynamic fashion, and analyze data representing mechanical properties of soft materials on a nanoscale, to map viscoelastic properties of a soft-material sample. The use of the apparatus as an addition to the existing atomic-force microscope device.

Abstract: Various embodiments manage energy generation in a power generation and distribution system. In one embodiment, a set of residual load data is obtained for a given period of time measured at one or more nodes within a power generation and distribution system. The set of residual load data encodes a set of power flow signals. The set of residual load data is analyzed. An amount of power contributed to the set of residual load data by at least one energy generator class is determined based on the analysis of the set of residual load data.

Abstract: A digital printing apparatus for inkjet printing on a sheet or web of material includes a belt for supporting and conveying the sheet or web of material fixed to the belt. The belt is guided along at least a first roller driven by a motor and a second roller driven by the belt. A plurality of printing heads is arranged along the path of the belt. A control system is configured to control the operation of the motor and the printing operation of the printing heads. A first encoder, being configured to supply a first encoder signal to the control system for controlling the operation of the motor, is associated with the first roller. A second encoder, being configured to supply a second encoder signal to the control system for controlling the printing operation of each printing head, is associated with the second roller.

Abstract: The present invention stems from the finding that two genes designated R2R1 and R2R2, play important roles in tissue development and cancer biology. In particular, the inventors have discovered that these two genes are expressed in pulmonary cells and are required for late branching morphogenesis of pulmonary epithelium and endothelium and support the development/maintenance of the refined three dimensional architecture of the lung. These genes are essential in the squamous differentiation program and development/maintenance of the progenitor (Krt14 expressing) cell pool. Moreover, the inventors have identified crucial roles for these genes in cancer biology, particularly processes associated with the acquisition of an immortal and metastatic phenotype (including cancer progression and metastasis) and pulmonary and cardiac development. Accordingly, the invention provides compounds and methods for use in the treatment of cardiac and pulmonary diseases and well as in cancer.

Abstract: Air cleaner assemblies, components, and features are described. The features can be used to provide that the air cleaner assembly includes a housing and cover within which a filter cartridge having a media pack and a seal arrangement surrounding the media pack can be installed. The air cleaner assembly may also include a projection-receiver arrangement in which the filter cartridge has at least one first member and the housing has at least one second member that interacts with the first member. In one example, a portion of the seal arrangement is coplanar with the first member and a portion that is below the first member such that the first member is located between the seal arrangement and an inlet end of the filter cartridge.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing method and system for layerwise forming an object from a medium capable of solidification, wherein successive layers of the medium are applied using a nozzle head including a plurality of discrete nozzles being spaced apart from each other, each nozzle having an opening area through which a continuous stream of the medium is dischargeable for impinging a coverage area on a layer of the medium on a support and/or an already formed part of the object. The continuous streams are non-intersecting. The nozzle head and the support are relatively movable with respect to each other in at least one running direction.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method are provided for controlling network access of customer-premises equipment which may be connected via a last mile access line to a transport network. The last mile access line may terminate at a line terminal in the transport network. Said controlling may comprise searching a trusted access database for an entry containing a combination of an equipment identifier and a line identifier. If the entry is found and if the entry contains a user identifier having user credentials which are valid according to an authorization database, the network access may be granted. If the entry is not found, temporary access may be granted to a private network which may enable a user identifier and user credentials to be digitally submitted. If the user credentials are valid according to the authorization database, the network access may be subsequently granted.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a membrane assembly where, in one arrangement, a stack includes a planar substrate and at least one membrane layer. The planar substrate includes an inner region, a border region around the inner region, a bridge region around the border region and an edge region around the bridge region. The inner region and a first portion of the bridge region are removed. The membrane assembly after removal has: a membrane formed from the at least one membrane layer, a border holding the membrane, the border formed from the border region, an edge section around the border, the edge section formed from the edge region, a bridge between the border and the edge section, the bridge formed from the at least one membrane layer and a second portion of the bridge region. The method further involves separating the edge section from the border by cutting or breaking the bridge.

Abstract: The present inventors have recognized that more accurate measurements can be taken with less drift due to thermal expansion by precisely controlling insulated heating and cooling modules abutting one another in substantial alignment to rapidly heat a sample to be scanned by a Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM) with minimal temperature variation. The heating and cooling modules can be “flat-packed,” with parallel surfaces of each module in contact with one another, to more efficiently heat a sample that is positioned in axial alignment with the heating and cooling modules. This can allow heating the sample to at least 250 degrees Celsius in less than 5 seconds, continuously maintaining a temperature of the sample to within ±0.001 degree Celsius, and maintaining a drift of less than 0.1 nanometers per minute in the z direction.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a heat-sensitive device (F); a radiative element (RE), the radiative element in operation generating first electromagnetic radiation (ER), the first radiation propagating towards the heat-sensitive device; and a radiation-shielding device (20) arranged between the radiative element and the heat-sensitive device such that, in operation, the first radiation impinges on the radiation-shielding device. The radiation-shielding device comprises a first shield element (21) having a first fluid channel (215) arranged therein, the first shield element having a first surface (213) and a second surface (214), the first surface being arranged closer to the radiative element than the second surface; and a second shield element (22) having a second fluid channel (225) arranged therein, the second shield element having a third surface (223) and a fourth surface (224), the third surface being arranged closer to the radiative element than the fourth surface.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a heat-sensitive device (F); a radiative element (RE), the radiative element in operation generating first electromagnetic radiation (ER), the first radiation propagating towards the heat-sensitive device; and a radiation-shielding device (20) arranged between the radiative element and the heat-sensitive device such that, in operation, the first radiation impinges on the radiation-shielding device. The radiation-shielding device comprises a first shield element (21) having a first fluid channel (215) arranged therein, the first shield element having a first surface (213) and a second surface (214), the first surface being arranged closer to the radiative element than the second surface; and a second shield element (22) having a second fluid channel (225) arranged therein, the second shield element having a third surface (223) and a fourth surface (224), the third surface being arranged closer to the radiative element than the fourth surface.

Abstract: Air cleaner assemblies, components, and features are described. The features can be used to provide that the air cleaner assembly includes a housing and cover within which a filter cartridge having a media pack and a seal arrangement surrounding the media pack can be installed. The air cleaner assembly may also include a projection-receiver arrangement in which the filter cartridge has at least one first member and the housing has at least one second member that interacts with the first member. In one example, a portion of the seal arrangement is coplanar with the first member and a portion that is below the first member such that the first member is located between the seal arrangement and an inlet end of the filter cartridge.

Abstract: Techniques for employing natural language processing (NLP) to facilitate geospatial analysis are provided. In one example, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving, by a device operatively coupled to a processor, input information in a natural language format indicating a change to a state of a system comprising different nodes through which physical elements flow, wherein the system is associated with a state model that characterizes movement of the physical elements through the different nodes based on one or more flow parameters. The computer-implemented method further comprises, determining, by the device based on the input information, a subset of the one or more flow parameters associated with the change, determining, by the device based on the input information, one or more constraints to the subset that account for the change, and modifying, by the device, the state model based on the one or more constraints, resulting in a modified state model.

Abstract: A filter cartridge for an air cleaner assembly is disclosed. The filter cartridge can include a media pack configured for installation into an air cleaner housing, the media pack extending along a longitudinal axis between opposite inlet and outlet flow ends, the media pack defining an outer perimeter. The filter cartridge can also include a circumferential shell surrounding at least a portion of the media pack outer perimeter. A radial flange extending from the circumferential shell proximate the media pack inlet end can also be provided. The flange can define a plurality of openings that are configured to receive protrusions on a housing body of the air cleaner assembly. The interaction between the protrusions and openings operates to ensure a secure seal between the housing body and the seal member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to preservation of meat products. In particular new additives are provided for effective inhibition or prevention of bacterial outgrowth in meat products. The present inventors found that a combination of carvacrol and a cationic surfactant was effective in the inhibition or prevention of bacterial outgrowth in meat products. The combinations, more in particular, proved to be effective at levels that do not result in significant effects on the flavor and/or taste of the products. The present inventors furthermore found that treatment of meat products with the combinations of this invention had a favorable effect on the visual appearance (color) of the meat products. The present invention provides preservative compositions, the use of thereof as well as the meat products containing them.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a membrane assembly for EUV lithography, the method including: providing a stack having a planar substrate and at least one membrane layer, wherein the planar substrate includes an inner region and a border region around the inner region; and selectively removing the inner region of the planar substrate. The membrane assembly includes: a membrane formed from the at least one membrane layer; and a border holding the membrane, the border formed from the border region of the planar substrate. The stack is provided with a mechanical protection material configured to mechanically protect the border region during the selectively removing the inner region of the planar substrate.

Abstract: Techniques for employing natural language processing (NLP) to facilitate geospatial analysis are provided. In one example, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving, by a device operatively coupled to a processor, input information in a natural language format indicating a change to a state of a system comprising different nodes through which physical elements flow, wherein the system is associated with a state model that characterizes movement of the physical elements through the different nodes based on one or more flow parameters. The computer-implemented method further comprises, determining, by the device based on the input information, a subset of the one or more flow parameters associated with the change, determining, by the device based on the input information, one or more constraints to the subset that account for the change, and modifying, by the device, the state model based on the one or more constraints, resulting in a modified state model.

Abstract: A method for collecting products listed in an order in a product collecting system having a plurality of modules, the method including: assigning the order to a module, allocating a product listed in the order to the order if the product is already available in the module, allocating a product to the order from another module if the product of the “slow-moving” type is not already available in the module whereas it is available in the other module, allocating a product to the order from a pallet warehouse if the product of the “slow-moving” type is not already available in the module nor in another module, and releasing the order and loading the products onto a collecting carrier when all the products listed in the order have been collected in the module.

Abstract: Provided herein are substantially pericarp free Spinacia oleracea, or spinach, seeds. Also provided herein are methods for producing substantially pericarp free Spinacia oleracea, or spinach, seeds and Spinacia oleracea, or spinach plant capable of producing substantially pericarp free seeds. Also provided herein are Spinacia oleracea seeds wherein the seeds are substantially free of pericarp and the seeds are obtainable by crossing a female Spinacia oleracea parent plant with a male Spinacia oleracea parent plant resulting in seed production by the female Spinacia oleracea parent plant, the female Spinacia oleracea parent homozygously comprises in its genome a recessive trait substantially preventing pericarp formation on seeds produced and harvesting Spinacia oleracea seeds substantially free of pericarp.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a membrane assembly for EUV lithography, the method including: providing a stack having a planar substrate and at least one membrane layer, wherein the planar substrate includes an inner region and a border region around the inner region; and selectively removing the inner region of the planar substrate. The membrane assembly includes: a membrane formed from the at least one membrane layer; and a border holding the membrane, the border formed from the border region of the planar substrate. The stack is provided with a mechanical protection material configured to mechanically protect the border region during the selectively removing the inner region of the planar substrate.