Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an on-chip polarizer and of methods of forming the polarizer. The polarizer includes first and second waveguides with different shapes at different design levels above a substrate. The first waveguide has a main body between an input end and an output end. The second waveguide is spiral in shape with an inner end and with an outer end that is evanescently coupled to the main body of the first waveguide. Light signals, including first light signals with a first type polarization and second light signals with a second type polarity, are received at the input end of the first waveguide. The first waveguide passes the first light signals to the output end and passes at least some second light signals out the main body and into the outer end of the second waveguide. The second waveguide attenuates the received second light signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of Formula A: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer, or stereoisomer, thereof, wherein the variables are as defined herein. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods of using such compounds for treating, preventing, inhibiting, ameliorating, or eradicating the pathology and/or symptomology of a disease caused by a parasite, such as leishmaniasis, human African trypanosomiasis and Chagas disease.

Abstract: A method and device for localized treatment of tissues or organs that were exposed to ischemia and reperfusion (IR) injury, in order to reduce their structural damage and loss of function. The method further includes intra-arterial treatment of transplanted tissues or organs, which are exposed to similar damage of IR and are at risk of impaired function. Leptin antagonist is administered as a bolus injection directly into a re-opened artery, which supplies blood to the tissue or organ involved, immediately after reperfusion. In some cases, after administering a bolus injection of leptin antagonist, the effect of leptin antagonist in the involved organ can be prolonged by deploying a double function drug eluting stent, which elutes leptin antagonist into the lumen, e.g., by sustained release, while eluting antiproliferative drug into the vessel wall to prevent local stenosis, which may appear due to stent deployment.

Abstract: One optical antenna coupler includes a base body having a first waveguide and a second waveguide and a plurality of antenna coupler elements positioned above an upper surface of the base body that are adapted to be irradiated by an incident light. The plurality of antenna coupler elements includes at least one variable optical characteristics (VOC) antenna coupler element that comprises a VOC material, wherein the at least one VOC antenna coupler element is operatively coupled to a first energy source. The VOC antenna coupler element is adapted to be transitioned from a metallic state to an insulator state and vice versa. In the metallic state, substantially all of the incident light is directed out of the optical antenna coupler via the first waveguide and, in the insulator state, substantially all of the incident light is directed out of the optical antenna coupler via the second waveguide.

Abstract: An adjustable table apparatus and related method can include a table configured to adjust between an operative position and a collapsed position.

Abstract: According to an example, an uninterruptible power supply is provided comprising a first input, a backup input, an output to provide output power, an inverter coupled to the first input, the backup input, and the output, a first sensor to detect a voltage at an inverter output, a second sensor to detect a voltage at the first input, a switch coupled between the first input and the output, and a controller coupled to the switch and the first and second sensors, and configured to determine a first voltage difference across the bypass switch using at least one of the first sensor or the second sensor, filter the first voltage difference, determine whether a value derived from the first filtered voltage difference exceeds a threshold, and output an indication of a failure of the bypass switch based on the value derived from the first filtered voltage difference exceeding the threshold.

Abstract: There is presented mechanisms for providing information for determining beamforming weights or decoding user data for terminal devices. A method is performed by an RE of an access node. The RE has an interface to an REC of the access node. The method comprises obtaining information from the terminal devices to be used by the REC for determining the beamforming weights or decoding the user data. The method comprises selecting, according to a selection criterion, a part of the information to be provided to the REC in order for the REC to determine the beamforming weights or decode the user data based on the selected part of the information. The method comprises providing the selected part of the information to the REC over the interface.

Abstract: A hydraulic system may include a reservoir of hydraulic fluid, a hydraulic pump, a directional control valve, a hydraulic work loop, a bypass valve, and a hydraulic motor, as well as a plurality of hydraulic conduits interconnecting such components. When excessive hydraulic backpressures are encountered, the system may employ one or more bypass valves and one or more bypass conduits to automatically, and in an on-demand manner, return some or all of the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic motor to the hydraulic reservoir without the hydraulic fluid passing through flow constrictions causing the excessive hydraulic backpressures.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a herbal formulation in powdered dosage form, which is useful to enhance the physical endurance or strength in athletes. The disclosure also includes a method of preparation of the formulation, which involves the encapsulation of the natural ingredients in a natural matrix. The formulation comprises Moringa oleifera, Kaempferia parviflora and Punica granatum that are processed to obtain the product in powder form by encapsulation of the natural ingredients in a natural matrix. The formulation increased the nitrate and nitrite levels in serum and saliva in human and is useful to improve the general health of the athletes.

Abstract: A method to reduce corrosion rates of materials at high temperatures may include heating a mixture and applying the heated mixture to a material to be rendered thermodynamically noble. The mixture may include carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide and the material rendered thermodynamically noble may include copper or other material having similar physical properties. The copper or other similar material may be applied to a structural material and provide a surface interfacing with the mixture of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide to prevent corrosion of the structural material. In some cases, the structural material may form a heat exchanger defining passageways for a working fluid of a power system and/or may form other passageways of the power system. The copper may be applied to the passageways as a protective coating and then made thermodynamically noble at high temperatures after interactions with the mixture of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A method for testing a system under test (SUT) in an active environment to identify cause of a soft failure includes recording a first difference vector by executing a set of test cases on a baseline system and monitoring performance parameters of the baseline system before and after executing the test cases. Each performance record represents differences in the performance parameters of the baseline system from before and after the execution of a corresponding test case. The method further includes, similarly, recording a second difference vector by executing the test cases on the SUT and monitoring performance parameters of the SUT before and after executing the test cases. The method further includes identifying an outlier performance record from the second difference vector by comparing the difference vectors and further, determining a root cause of the soft failure by analyzing a test case corresponding to the outlier.

Abstract: A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes a controller that receives the scene data and identifying the trailer within the area to the rear of the vehicle, derives a backing path to align a hitch ball mounted on the vehicle to a coupler of the trailer, outputting a powertrain control signal to the vehicle powertrain control system, and a brake control signal to the vehicle brake system to maneuver the vehicle, including reversing along the backing path and stopping the vehicle at an endpoint of the path, and outputs a video image to the vehicle human-machine interface including a graphical overlay on the image data. The graphical overlay indicates potential movement of the hitch ball past the coupler and being positioned in the image data between a bumper of the vehicle and the hitch ball.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for automatic generation and distribution of curbside map data. A server receives municipal regulation data from an external source, and processes the municipal regulation data to generate curbside map data. The server also transmits a message conveying at least a portion (e.g. relevant portion based on request) of the curbside map data to a client computing device. By obtaining and processing the municipal regulation data, the curbside map data can be generated and distributed without time consuming and error prone disadvantages of manual surveying.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for using data collected by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to generate insurance claim estimates that an insured individual may quickly review, approve, or modify. When an insurance-related event occurs, such as a vehicle collision, crash, or disaster, one or more UAVs are dispatched to the scene of the event to collect various data, including data related to vehicle or real property (insured asset) damage. With the insured's permission or consent, the data collected by the UAVs may then be analyzed to generate an estimated insurance claim for the insured. The estimated insurance claim may be sent to the insured individual, such as to their mobile device via wireless communication or data transmission, for subsequent review and approval. As a result, insurance claim handling and/or the online customer experience may be enhanced.

Abstract: Some variations provide a process for additive manufacturing of a nanofunctionalized metal alloy, comprising: providing a nanofunctionalized metal precursor containing metals and grain-refining nanoparticles; exposing a first amount of the nanofunctionalized metal precursor to an energy source for melting the precursor, thereby generating a first melt layer; solidifying the first melt layer, thereby generating a first solid layer; and repeating many times to generate a plurality of solid layers in an additive-manufacturing build direction. The additively manufactured, nanofunctionalized metal alloy has a microstructure with equiaxed grains.

Abstract: Electrochemical aptamer-based biosensing devices and methods are described herein that are configured to produce a detectible signal upon target analyte interaction, with reduced reliance on a conformational change by the aptamer. The disclosure includes embodiments of docked aptamer EAB sensors for measuring the presence of a target analyte in a biofluid sample. The sensors include an electrode capable of sensing redox events, and a plurality of aptamer sensing elements with aptamers selected to interact with a target analyte. Each aptamer sensing element includes a molecular docking structure attached to the electrode, and an analyte capture complex that includes an aptamer releasably bound to the docking structure, and an electroactive redox moiety. Upon the aptamer binding with a target analyte, the analyte capture complex separates from the docking structure.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive device includes a magnetically fixed region and a magnetically free region positioned on opposite sides of a tunnel barrier region. One or more transition regions, including at least a first transition region and second transition region, is positioned between the magnetically fixed region and the tunnel barrier region. The first transition region includes a non-ferromagnetic transition metal and the second transition region includes an alloy including iron and boron.

Abstract: A Li-ion battery cell, among other materials, components, and techniques, is provided that includes ion-permeable anode and cathode electrodes, an electrolyte ionically coupling the anode and the cathode, a separator electrically separating the anode and the cathode, and a sacrificial, high-capacity Li composition for providing Li to at least one of the electrodes.

Abstract: One illustrative optical device disclosed herein includes a base layer comprising a semiconductor material and a photodetector-coupler that comprises a detector-coupler element. The device also includes a first diode structure that is positioned in the detector-coupler element and a second diode structure that is positioned in the base layer, wherein the second diode structure is positioned vertically below at least a portion of detector-coupler element.