Abstract: Disclosed is a neural network enabled interface server and blockchain interface establishing a blockchain network implementing event detection, tracking and management for rule based compliance, with significant implications for anomaly detection, resolution and safety and compliance reporting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calculating line sag in a span of a conductor is provided. The method includes using a portable smart device having one or more accelerometers and running a line sag application on the processing device. The line sag application enables acceleration data of return waves generated on the conductor to be collected using the smart device and to be plotted as a function of time for display on the smart device. The method further includes placement of time markers on the plotted data displayed on the smart device to determine elapsed time and calculating line sag using the elapsed time.

Abstract: Described in the present application are methods of producing silane-crosslinked polymer membranes at moderate temperatures using acid catalysts that, in certain embodiments, result in membranes with unexpectedly high permeabilities and selectivities. In certain embodiments, grafting and crosslinking of the silanes occur by immersing a preformed membrane in a solution comprising a silane and an acid catalyst. Alternatively, in certain embodiments, grafting of silanes to a polymer occurs in the presence of acid catalyst in solution and subsequent casting and drying produces crosslinked membranes. In certain embodiments, an acid catalyst is a weak acid catalyst. Also described in the present application are asymmetric crosslinked polymer membranes with porous layers. In certain embodiments, crosslinked cellulose acetate membranes have permeability up to an order of magnitude greater than the permeability of unmodified cellulose acetate membranes.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, methods, and kits for performing cell-free RNA transcription and/or cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS). The disclosed compositions, methods, and kits include or utilize components prepared from Vibrio species such as cellular extracts from Vibrio natriegens.

Abstract: A process for dehydrating methanol to dimethyl ether product in the presence of a solid Brønsted acid catalyst which is an aluminosilicate zeolite or a heteropolyacid and a promoter which is (i) a ketone of formula R1COR2 (Formula I) in which R1 and R2 are identical or different and are each a C1-C11 alkyl group and furthermore R1 and R2 together with the carbonyl carbon atom to which they are bonded may form a cyclic ketone; or (ii) a ketal derivative of a ketone of Formula I; and the molar ratio of promoter to methanol is maintained at 0.5 or less.

Abstract: A process for dehydrating methanol to dimethyl ether using a Brønsted acid catalyst which is a 1-dimensional or a 3-dimensional aluminosilicate zeolite or a heteropolyacid, and a promoter of Formula I CnH(2n+1)CO2CH3 wherein n=1 to 11 or Formula II CmH2m(CO2CH3)2 wherein m=2 to 7 and the molar ratio of promoter to methanol is maintained at less than 1.

Abstract: An online education platform manages and integrates a number of education services for users of the platform, including job recall services. These job recall services include management and distribution of job recall materials that test whether job applicants have acquired desired knowledge or skills for a particular job opening or class of jobs. The job recall materials are uploaded to the education platform and mapped to one or more learning units. Each learning unit is associated with an educational course and includes a distinct concept in the associated course. Responsive to a user of the education platform completing the learning unit to which a job recall material is mapped, the job recall material is recommended to the user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a decontamination robot. The robot includes a decontamination box including at least two arrays of ultraviolet LEDs, the two arrays arranged to irradiate an object placed inside the decontamination box from at least two independent directions, the decontamination box further including an interior surface with at least 90% reflectivity of ultraviolet light. The robot also includes a drivetrain including four swerve-drive units, each swerve-drive unit capable of rotating a wheel on an axis of the wheel and capable of orienting the wheel in a plane defined by the axes of the four wheels of the four swerve-drive units, whereby the four swerve-drive units coordinate to generate translational motion of the decontamination robot on a working surface.

Abstract: A neural network is trained using a training data set, resulting in a set of model weights, namely, a matrix X, corresponding to the trained network. The set of model weights is then modified to produce a locked matrix X?, which is generated by applying a key. In one embodiment, the key is a binary matrix {0, 1} that zeros (masks) out certain neurons in the network, thereby protecting the network. In another embodiment, the key comprises a matrix of sign values {?1, +1}. In yet another embodiment, the key comprises a set of real values. Preferably, the key is derived by applying a key derivation function to a secret value. The key is symmetric, such that the key used to protect the model weight matrix X (to generate the locked matrix) is also used to recover that matrix, and thus enable access to the model as it was trained.

Abstract: A chip-carrier package includes a data processing system having one or more slave dies, a master die and a system bus. Each slave die includes a slave device and a slave-side wireless bus interface (WBI) coupled to the slave device. The master die includes a master device, one or more bus-side WBIs coupled to the master device. Each bus-side WBI is configured to be wirelessly coupled to at least one slave-side WBI of the one or more slave dies and a system bus. The system bus includes the one or more bus-side WBIs and the slave-side WBIs of the one or more slave-side dies. The system bus is configured to exchange information between the master device and the slave devices of the one or more slave dies.

Abstract: A method of determining the result of an assay in a microfluidic device includes the steps of: dispensing a sample droplet onto a first portion of an electrode array of the microfluidic device; dispensing a reagent droplet onto a second portion of the electrode array of the microfluidic device; controlling actuation voltages applied to the electrode array to mix the sample droplet and the reagent droplet into a product droplet; sensing a dynamic property of the product droplet; and determining an assay of the sample droplet based on the sensed dynamic property. The dynamic property is a physical property of the product droplet that influences a transport property of the product droplet on the electrode array. Example dynamic properties of the product droplet include the moveable state, split-able state, and viscosity based on droplet properties. The method may be used to perform an amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay.

Abstract: Multiple detection techniques are used to determine whether the individual pixels in an image are background or foreground. The outputs from the multiple techniques are combined according to a confidence metric associated with each technique, which may vary from pixel to pixel. The resulting blended value for each pixel is compared with a threshold to determine whether the pixel is foreground or background.

Abstract: Compositions, devices, and methods relating to the use of mixed-matrix membranes containing metal-organic frameworks to separate gases are generally described. In some embodiments, branched nanoparticles made at least in part of metal-organic frameworks are described. In some embodiments, the morphology and size of the branched nanoparticles are controlled by the presence of a chemical modulator during synthesis. In some embodiments, the branched nanoparticles are uniformly distributed in a mixed-matrix membrane. In some embodiments, the mixed-matrix membrane is configured to separate one or more gases from a gas mixture. In some embodiments, the branched nanoparticles contribute at least in part to an increase in permeability, selectivity, and/or resistance to plasticization of the mixed-matrix membrane.

Abstract: An AM-EWOD device includes a plurality of array elements arranged in an array of rows and columns, each of the array elements including array element circuitry, an element electrode, and a reference electrode. The array element circuitry includes actuation circuitry configured to apply actuation voltages to the element and/or reference electrodes for actuating the array element, and impedance sensor circuitry configured to sense impedance at the array element electrode to determine a droplet or device property at the array element, the impedance sensor circuitry comprising a sensor capacitor and a sensor readout transistor that outputs an output current for sensing. The sensor capacitor is electrically connected to a gate of the sensor readout transistor such that during a sensing phase a voltage perturbation is coupled through the sensor capacitor (and possibly other circuit elements) to the gate of the sensor readout transistor.

Abstract: A method of operating an active matrix electro-wetting on dielectric (AM-EWOD) device provides for enhanced mutual capacitance sensing using integrated impedance sensing circuitry. Array element circuitry of each array element includes actuation circuitry configured to apply actuation voltages to the array element electrode for actuating the array element, and impedance sensor circuitry integrated into the array element circuitry and configured to sense impedance at the array element electrode. The method of operating includes the steps of: perturbing a voltage applied to the array element electrode of a first array element; coupling the voltage perturbation to the array element electrode of a second array element different from the first array element; and measuring the output current from the sensor readout transistor of the second array element for sensing in response to the voltage perturbation.

Abstract: A multi-purpose object for calibrating, monitoring and/or tracking a patient in a treatment system and/or a treatment planning system is described, the multi-purpose object being made of transparent material and defining an internal space having one or more targets, wherein an upper surface is coated so as to define a pattern of transparent markings. The interior of the multi-purpose object can be back lit to present a high contrast surface image for a patient treatment, tracking or monitoring system.

Abstract: An AM-EWOD device includes a plurality of array elements arranged in an array of rows and columns; each column including a column addressing line that applies control signals to a corresponding column of array elements, and each row including a row addressing line that applies control signals to a corresponding row of array elements; each array element including an element electrode for receiving an actuation voltage and a switch transistor, wherein the switch transistor is electrically connected between the column addressing line and the element electrode and is switched by the row addressing line; and a column detection circuit comprising an addressing circuit that applies an electrical perturbation during a sensing operation to the column addressing line of an array element being sensed, and a measuring circuit that measures an output signal from one of the column addressing lines, wherein the output signal varies based upon a capacitance present at the element electrode.

Abstract: Adapting database queries from a common interface into conditions specific to database storage formats, optimization of a data model, and virtualization of query results from combined databases.

Abstract: A multi-tenant computer system implements a platform for providing data protection scopes to shared infrastructure services according to a nested tenant model that permits a hierarchy having a plurality of levels. The multi-tenant computer system provisions data protection scopes for cloud products, service products, cloud product tenants, service products operating in the context of cloud products, service products operating in the context of cloud product tenants, and combinations of the foregoing.

Abstract: A power injector system having a power injector for enabling delivery of fluid in an injection procedure to be performed on a patient may include one or more processors; a first user interface; and a second user interface. The first user interface and the second user interface may be configured to accept a plurality of user inputs associated with control of a plurality of operations of the power injector system and display information associated with the plurality of operations. One of the first user interface and the second user interface may be proximate to the power injector and the other may be remote from the power injector. The one or more processors may be programmed and/or configured to independently control the first user interface and the second user interface based on a first user input and a next user input received from the first user interface and/or the second user interface.