Abstract: The present invention relates to self-phosphorylating deoxyribozymes containing or consisting of the nucleotide sequence: 5?-X1X2X3AX4X5-R1-X6X7X8X9X10-bp1-helix1-R2-helix2-bp2-X11TGACX12TGGGAX13-helix3-X14-R3-3? (SEQ ID NO. 1) wherein X1 is G or T; X2 is G or T; X3 is A or C; X4 is G or T; X5 is A or T; X6 is G or T or A; X7 is A or C or G or T; X8 is A or G or T; X9 is T or C or A or G; X10 is A or T or G; X11 is G or A; X12 is T or C or G; X13 is T or G or C; X14 is G or A or C or T; R1 represents a nucleotide sequence containing 3 to 30 nucleotides; R2 represents a nucleotide sequence containing 3 to 30 nucleotides; R3 represents a nucleotide sequence containing 0 to 30 nucleotides; bp1 and bp2 are nucleotides selected from G, A, C, T, which together form a base pair; helix1, helix2, and helix3 each independently denotes a nucleotide sequence preferably containing 4 or more nucleotides, wherein helix1, helix2, and helix3 together form a triple helical structure.

Abstract: A microfluidic lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device, microfluidic systems, and associated methodology are described that allow for intelligently collecting environmental DNA (eDNA) and their associated metadata. Optical spectroscopy is integrated with filtration membranes on the microfluidic device. The microfluidic LOC device and systems can be used for selectively capturing targeted species based on optical characteristics and for recording relevant metadata on eDNA acquired by the filtration membranes.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage devices are disclosed for simulated choral audio chatter in communication systems. One method including: receiving audio data from each of a plurality of users participating in a first group of a plurality of groups for an event using a communication system; generating first simulated choral audio chatter based on the audio data received from each of the plurality of users in the first group; and providing the generated first simulated choral audio data to at least one user of a plurality of users of the event.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method and apparatus for ink jet printing an exterior surface of a vehicle including a reversibly moveable crossbeam mounted above an open pit; a first track located above the reversibly moveable crossbeam, a first reversibly moveable monument including a first serial robotic manipulator including a first end effector defining a first end effector range of motion based on fully extended reversible movement of the first serial robotic manipulator; a second track located in the open pit beneath the reversibly moveable crossbeam; a second reversibly moveable monument coupled to the second pair of rails, the second reversibly moveable monument including a second end effector defining a second end effector range of motion based on fully extended reversible movement of the second serial robotic manipulator. The first end effector range of motion overlaps the second end effector range of motion.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method and apparatus for changing livery on a vehicle. A method of inkjet printing an exterior surface of a vehicle, includes preparing at least a portion of the exterior surface of the vehicle in a first bay using crossflow or downflow air handling and using explosion protected equipment. That method includes inkjet printing at least the portion of the exterior surface of the vehicle in a second bay. This method includes clear-coating at least the portion of the exterior surface of the vehicle in a third bay using downflow or crossflow air handling, using air filtration and using explosion protected equipment.

Abstract: Methods and structural gap filler for one up assembly of structures. Drilling debris generated between the first component and the second component during drilling of an injection hole are encapsulated by injecting a structural gap filler through the injection hole and between the first component and the second component.

Abstract: A fuel tank protection system having an outer wall for a fuel tank, an inner wall for the fuel tank, a gap between the inner wall and outer wall, and an intumescent material located within the gap between the inner wall and the outer wall.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system configured to collect and maintain user data within a first party silo while allowing third party data consumers to use the user data in accordance with explicit input from users. The system provides a user with transparency and control with regard to data use by displaying graphical user interfaces configured to receive input indicating whether the user allows or prevents third party data consumers to use his or her data. The system exposes an API that enables the third party data consumers to submit a data query. The system uses the data query to internally analyze a user data set. User data is included in the user data set in accordance with the input. The system is configured to provide, via the API, a result of the analysis to the third party data consumer that submitted the data query without providing the user data set.

Abstract: A system for generating potable water from source water contains an enclosed vessel, a heating unit, an air distributor, a condenser, and a collection vessel. A method for generating potable water from source water includes heating ambient air, bubbling heated air through source water producing saturated air, cooling the saturated air producing potable water, and collecting the potable water. A method of removing contaminants from ambient air includes heating ambient air, bubbling the heated air through source water to produce treated air and contaminant rich water, discharging the treated air, and discharging the contaminant rich water.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing feedback for confirming a user's intention during an interactive artificial intelligence (AI) service (e.g., a virtual secretary service and a virtual friend service) is provided by an electronic device. The electronic device includes an input/output interface for a dialogic interaction with a user and at least one processor configured to control to execute a service based on the dialogic interaction with the user, monitor a process during the service, detect entry to a predetermined phase based on a result of the monitoring, and output at least one feedback alerting the user to the predetermined phase. Other embodiments are possible.

Abstract: An optical cell for performing light spectroscopy (including absorbance, fluorescence and scattering measurements) on a liquid sample in microfluidic devices is disclosed. The optical cell comprises an inlaid sheet having an opaque material inlaid in a clear material, and a sensing channel that crosses the clear material and the opaque material provides a fluidic path for the liquid sample and an optical path for probe light. Integral optical windows crossing a clear-opaque material interface permit light coupling into and out of the sensing channel, and thus light transmission through the sensing channel is almost entirely isolated from background light interference. A microfluidic chip comprising one or more optical cells is also disclosed. The optical cells may have different lengths of sensing channels, and may be optically and fluidly coupled. A method of manufacturing an optical cell in a microfluidic chip is also disclosed.

Abstract: Fuel tanks and methods of manufacture are presented. A fuel tank in a wing of an aircraft comprises a composite skin, a composite spar, and a structural gap filler between a flange of the spar and a first surface of the skin, the structural gap filler having a compressive strength equivalent to or greater than a compressive strength of a joint between the composite spar and the composite skin.

Abstract: An application programming interface (API) is provided to an application configured to cause display of a user interface (UI). An item of targeted content and metadata corresponding to the item of targeted content is received. The item is rendered in the UI and a call to the API is initiated based on the metadata, the call causing the UI to render a UI feature concurrently within the item. Interaction with the UI feature causes the application to display additional UI features that identify the provider of the item and user information it possesses, the information comprising a reason for the item being provided. Further UI features may be rendered that enable a user to manage such information. In another aspect, the application may comprise a web browser and UI features rendered using the API may comprise a tracker information UI that enables the user to control use of browser trackers.

Abstract: A device actuation system for actuating a treatment device includes a first drive gear rotatably mountable to the treatment device, a coupler rail slidably mountable to the treatment device, a second drive gear rotatably mountable to the coupler rail, and a coupler gear rotatably mountable to the treatment device and engageable with the coupler rail. In addition, the device actuation system includes a drive rail locatable between the first drive gear and the second drive gear of the gear system. The coupler gear is rotatable to move the coupler rail in a manner maintaining the second drive gear in continuous engagement with the drive rail against the first drive gear. The first drive gear and the second drive gear are rotatable in a manner causing at least one of translation and rotation of the treatment device relative to the drive rail.

Abstract: A pitch-yaw actuation system includes a pitch frame, a yaw frame, a pitch actuator, a yaw actuator, and a universal joint assembly. The pitch frame is pivotably coupled to a device frame via a pitch hinge. The yaw frame is pivotably coupled to the pitch frame via a yaw hinge. The pitch actuator pivots the pitch frame about a pitch axis. The yaw actuator pivots the yaw frame about a yaw axis oriented orthogonal to the pitch axis. The universal joint assembly couples the yaw actuator to the yaw frame, and includes a universal joint slidably coupled to a linear guide mechanism. The guide mechanism axis is oriented at an angle that allows the universal joint to move in a manner accommodating misalignment of the yaw actuator with the yaw frame during pivoting of at least one of the pitch frame and the yaw frame.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to intelligently classifying Web trackers in a privacy preserving manner and mitigating the effects of such Web trackers. As users browse the Web and encounter various Web sites, tracker-related metrics are determined. The metrics are obfuscated to protect the privacy of the user. The obfuscated metrics are provided as inputs to a machine learning model, which is configured to output a classification for the Web trackers associated with the Web sites visited by the user. Depending on the classification, the effects of the Web trackers are mitigated by placing restrictions on the Web trackers. The restrictions for a particular Web tracker may be relaxed based on a level of user engagement a user has with respect to the tracker's associated Web site. By doing so, the compatibility risks associated with tracking prevention are mitigated for Web sites that are relatively important to the user.

Abstract: A baseball grip training device is provided for use with a baseball bat, comprising a base adapted to contact a bat grip, wherein the base includes one or more shaped surfaces adapted to receive one or more of an index finger and a middle finger of a user; a retaining member extending from the base shaped to surround one or more of the index finger and the middle finger of the user; and a bat contacting surface adapted to contact the bat grip, wherein the bat contacting surface and the shaped surfaces are separated by a predetermined distance to lift the index finger and the middle finger of the user away from the bat grip sufficient to place greater reliance on the remaining fingers to hold the bat grip during a swing of the bat. The device is preferably constructed from a resilient material.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a display, a microphone, a memory, a communication circuitry, and a processor. The processor receives a voice input of a user via the microphone, displays a first response corresponding to the voice input on the display, receives a first user input, displays a user interface for changing at least one parameter associated with the voice input, in response to the first user input, receives a second user input via the user interface, and displays a second response corresponding to the voice input on the display based on a value of the at least one parameter, the value being selected by the second user input.

Abstract: An optical cell for performing light spectroscopy (including absorbance, fluorescence and scattering measurements) on a liquid sample in microfluidic devices is disclosed. The optical cell comprises an inlaid sheet having an opaque material inlaid in a clear material, and a sensing channel that crosses the clear material and the opaque material provides a fluidic path for the liquid sample and an optical path for probe light. Integral optical windows crossing a clear-opaque material interface permit light coupling into and out of the sensing channel, and thus light transmission through the sensing channel is almost entirely isolated from background light interference. A microfluidic chip comprising one or more optical cells is also disclosed. The optical cells may have different lengths of sensing channels, and may be optically and fluidly coupled. A method of manufacturing an optical cell in a microfluidic chip is also disclosed.

Abstract: A microfluidic lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device, microfluidic systems, and associated methodology are described that allow for intelligently collecting environmental DNA (eDNA) and their associated metadata. Optical spectroscopy is integrated with filtration membranes on the microfluidic device. The microfluidic LOC device and systems can be used for selectively capturing targeted species based on optical characteristics and for recording relevant metadata on eDNA acquired by the filtration membranes.