Abstract: A general mounting method for ducted fan propulsors is disclosed. This mounting method uses extremely slender stators that connect the duct ring to the propulsor which is mounted in the middle and drives the rotor, fan or propeller. The slender stators take the form of spokes and as such are so slender that the midspan stresses within the spokes are dominated by axial tension loads rather than the shear loads experienced by conventional stators. The spokes may have an aerodynamic shape and damping methods may be used to retard spoke vibrations and transmission of engine vibrations to the duct and force. The duct itself is also stiffened by the spoke arrangement, thereby reducing low frequency vibration modes.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for detecting components of the inflammasome in a sample from a subject as markers for inflammasome-related diseases or disorders such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, age-related macular degeneration, NASH, inflammaging or traumatic brain injury. Methods of using such inflammasome markers to determine prognosis, direct treatment and monitor response to treatment for the subject with an inflammasome-related disease or disorder such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, age-related macular degeneration, NASH, inflammaging or traumatic brain injury are also described.

Abstract: A secondary battery for cycling between a charged and a discharged state, comprises a battery enclosure, an electrode assembly, carrier ions, and an electrolyte, wherein the electrode assembly comprises a population of unit cells, each unit cell comprising, in a stacking direction, a unit cell portion of an electrode current collector layer, an electrode layer comprising electrode active material, a separator layer, a counter-electrode layer and a unit cell portion of a counter-electrode current collector layer, and a subset of the members of the unit cell population comprises a population of spacer structures located in the stacked succession, and for each member of unit cell population subset there exists an imaginary line that extends in a direction that is orthogonal to the stacking direction and intersects the counter-electrode layer and at least one member of the spacer structure population comprised by each respective member of the unit cell population subset.

Abstract: A method comprises flowing a plurality of sample droplets in a continuous flow of a carrier fluid, immiscible with the sample droplets, such that the droplets are separated from each other by the carrier fluid, wherein an average number of copies of target nucleic acid contained in each droplet the plurality of sample droplets is one or fewer. The method may further comprise subjecting the droplets to thermal cycling sufficient to allow amplification of the target nucleic acid, and detecting one or more of the presence or absence of amplified target nucleic acid in the droplets.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for performing multiple precursor, neutral loss and product ion scans in a single ion trap. In certain aspects, the invention provides systems including a mass spectrometer having a single ion trap, and a central processing unit (CPU), and storage coupled to the CPU for storing instructions that when executed by the CPU cause the system to apply at least one of the following ion scans to a single ion population in the single ion trap: multiple precursor ion scans, a plurality of segmented neutral loss scans, or multiple simultaneous neutral loss scans.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for precursor and neutral loss scan in an ion trap. In certain aspects, the invention provides a system that includes a mass spectrometer having an ion trap, and a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU includes storage coupled to the CPU for storing instructions that when executed by the CPU cause the system to excite a precursor ion and eject a product ion in the single ion trap.

Abstract: Systems and methods of offloading multicast virtual network packet processing to a network interface card are provided. In an example implementation, a network interface card can route packets in a virtual network. The network interface card can be configured to receive a data packet having a multicast header for transmission to a plurality of destination virtual machines. The network interface card can retrieve a list of next hop destinations for the data packet. The network interface card can replicate the packet for each next hop destination. The network interface card can encapsulate each replicated packet with a unicast header that includes a next hop destination virtual IP address indicating the next hop destination and a source virtual IP address, and transmit the encapsulated packets.

Abstract: Provided is an anti-PD-L1 antibody preparation, including an anti-PD-L1 antibody, a buffer solution and sodium chloride, without added sugars and/or sugar alcohols. Also provided is the use of the anti-PD-L1 antibody preparation in the preparation of drugs for preventing and/or treating and/or adjuvant treating and/or diagnosing a tumor or anemia.

Abstract: Methods and systems described herein may implement non-fungible tokens that implement a programmable grammar-based syntax in a variety of environments. In an embodiment, a first non-fungible token that implements a programmable grammar-based syntax standard and includes a first updatable programmable section is generated. The first non-fungible token includes at least one of first executable instructions or first data, and a first portion of the at least one of the first executable instructions or the first data is stored, according to the grammar-based syntax standard, in the first updatable programmable section. The first non-fungible token may then be stored at a first blockchain address on a blockchain, and the first portion of the at least one of the first executable instructions or the first data in the first updatable programmable section of the first non-fungible token is subsequently changed to at least one of second executable instructions or second data.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments are related to information security and scripting-language technologies, and in particular, to technologies for providing secure membranes and cross namespace communication between isolated components in a scripting environment. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: Examples relate to verifying network elements. In one example, a computing device may: receive, from a client device, a request for attestation of a back-end network, the request including back-end configuration requirements; obtain, from a network controller that controls the back-end network, a controller configuration that specifies each network element included in the back-end network; provide each network element included in the back-end network with a request for attestation of a network element configuration of the network element; receive, from each network element, response data that specifies the network element configuration of the network element; verify that the response data received from each network element meets the back-end configuration requirements included in the request for attestation of the back-end network; and provide the client device with data verifying that the back-end network meets the back-end configuration requirements.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a fluid mixer, suitable for use with a respirator, including a venturi nozzle for flow of a pressure-controlled fluid; an ambient fluid aperture in fluid communication with the venturi nozzle; a fluid port; a pressure force multiplier in fluid communication with the fluid port; and a valve moveable relative to the venturi nozzle between a start flow position and a stop flow position; where the pressure force multiplier is configured such that fluid forced into the fluid port actuates the valve relative to the venturi nozzle; and where the pressure force multiplier is configured such that fluid withdrawn from the fluid port actuates the valve relative to the venturi nozzle, further comprising an active filter that comprises an energy harvesting system and at least one filter medium, wherein the energy harvesting system generates electricity to induce a static charge in the at least one filter medium.

Abstract: A portable power source. The portable power source includes a housing, a first battery pack support configured to receive a first removable and rechargeable battery pack, a second battery pack support configured to receive a second removable and rechargeable battery pack, an inverter within the housing, and an alternating current power outlet. The inverter is configured to receive output power from the first removable and rechargeable battery pack and the second removable and rechargeable battery pack. The inverter is configured to produce an alternating current power output. The alternating current power outlet is configured to receive the alternating current power output from the inverter. The inverter is configured to be disabled when the first removable and rechargeable battery pack is received in the first battery pack support and the second removable and rechargeable battery pack is not received in the second battery pack support.

Abstract: A crosstalk cancellation filter set configured for use in delivering binaural signals to human ears is provided. The crosstalk cancellation filter set includes a pressure matching system configured to perform spatial filtering or sound field control and an obstructed field model in communication with the pressure matching system. The crosstalk cancellation filter set is configured to take acoustic advantage of scattering effects and occlusional effects caused by violations to a free-field assumption, thereby delivering improved crosstalk cancellation acoustic displays to a listener without the use of headphones.

Abstract: A methodology for spatially identifying conductive regions using pressure transience for characterizing conductive fractures and subsurface regions is provided. Hydraulic fracturing is utilized to create fractures within a reservoir, thereby increasing fluid permeability of the reservoir and permitting hydrocarbon fluids to flow into a wellbore and subsequently to be produced from the hydrocarbon reservoirs. The geometry, dimensions, and extent of the fractures may significantly impact the production characteristics of the well. However, given that fractures are thousands of feet below the surface, measuring the properties of the fractures can be difficult. In order to characterize the fractures, including determining locations of conductive fractures in the subsurface, sensors are positioned in monitoring wells. Pressure changes are then induced in a well, with the sensors measuring the effect of the pressure changes.

Abstract: Alignment instruments may include joint-line referencing systems having an alignment arm having a body with first and second portions defining first and second sides. The first portion has at least one first pin tube through-hole extending from the first to the second side. The second portion has a first opening on the first side. A pin tube guide member is receivable in the first through-hole. The pin tube guide member has a passageway therethrough. An angelwing alignment member includes a portion receivable in the first opening of the alignment arm. An alignment foot is secured to the second portion, and the alignment foot has a handle and a shim. The shim is positionable in a joint between a first bone and a second bone, the alignment arm is alignable relative to a first bone, and the pin tube guide is operable for securing a pin into the first bone.

Abstract: An agricultural planting implement includes a number of row units. The row units include one or more seed meters for receiving, singulating, and dispensing seed to the ground such that preferred spacing of subsequent seed is attained. A seed meter provides seeds one at time to a seed carrier, such as a brush wheel. The brush wheel may move the seeds one at a time to a seed conveyor by directly moving seeds along a curved portion of a seed disc in the seed meter. The seed conveyor may be a flighted belt, and the velocity of the seeds when transferred from the seed carrier may match the velocity of the flighted belt. The seed conveyor conveys the seeds to a position near the bottom of a furrow, and ejects the seeds with little or no horizontal velocity relative to the bottom of the furrow.

Abstract: Examples include configuration of a memory controller for copy-on-write with a resource controller. Some examples include, in response to a determination to take a snapshot of memory accessible to a first component, a resource controller configuring a memory controller to treat location IDs, mapped to initial memory locations of the accessible memory, as copy-on-write for the first component and not for a second component independent of the resource controller after the configuring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of scaffolds to enhance the viability of cells implanted in the integumentary system such that the cell may release an agent. The scaffold is capable of protecting the cell, as well as allowing for adequate nutrient delivery at the implant site through vascularisation in and around the scaffold.