Abstract: A method of laying a cable in a pressure pipeline without stopping transmission is provided. An upstream bypass and a downstream bypass are respectively arranged on the pipeline, the upstream bypass comprising first and second upstream valves, and the downstream bypass comprising first and second downstream valves. A hollow floating ball is inserted into the pipeline via the upstream bypass and first and second upstream valves, the floating ball containing a stowed section of a traction rope having a tail end attached to the cable. The floating ball is pushed downstream by a fluid pressure difference in the pipeline until it falls into the downstream bypass, whereupon it is removed via the downstream bypass and the first and second downstream valves. The stowed section of the traction rope is pulled out of the floating ball and fully out through the downstream bypass, thereby extending the cable within the pipeline.

Abstract: A multisource volumetric spectral computed tomography imaging device includes an x-ray source array with multiple spatially distributed x-ray focal spots, an x-ray beam collimator with an array of apertures, each confining the radiation from a corresponding x-ray focal spot to illuminate a corresponding segment of an object, a digital area x-ray detector, and a gantry to rotate the x-ray source array and the detector around the object. An electronic control unit activates the radiations from the x-ray focal spots to scan the object multiple times as the gantry rotates around the object. The images are used to reconstruct a volumetric CT image of the object with reduced scattered radiation. For dual energy and multi energy imaging, radiation from each focal spot is filtered by a corresponding spectral filter to optimize its energy spectrum.

Abstract: Multi-modality dental x-ray imaging devices, systems, and methods. In some embodiments, an x-ray imaging system is operable in cone-beam computed tomography, two-dimensional intraoral x-ray, and intraoral tomosynthesis imaging modes. In some embodiments, the device includes a rotatable gantry, an x-ray source array attached to the rotatable gantry and including x-ray focal spots, a digital area x-ray detector attached to the rotatable gantry, an intraoral sensor, an adjustable collimation assembly positioned between the x-ray source array and the subject and configured to limit x-ray radiation to a surface of the intraoral sensor or the digital area x-ray detector depending on the selected imaging mode, and a control unit including one or more processors, the control unit configured to operate the x-ray imaging system in one of the imaging modes.

Abstract: A method of laying a cable in a pressure pipeline without stopping transmission is provided. An upstream bypass and a downstream bypass are respectively arranged on the pipeline, the upstream bypass comprising first and second upstream valves, and the downstream bypass comprising first and second downstream valves. A hollow floating ball is inserted into the pipeline via the upstream bypass and first and second upstream valves, the floating ball containing a stowed section of a traction rope having a tail end attached to the cable. The floating ball is pushed downstream by a fluid pressure difference in the pipeline until it falls into the downstream bypass, whereupon it is removed via the downstream bypass and the first and second downstream valves. The stowed section of the traction rope is pulled out of the floating ball and fully out through the downstream bypass, thereby extending the cable within the pipeline.

Abstract: The present application relates to copolymer-silica hybrid aerogels as well as methods for the preparation thereof. The methods comprise hydrolyzing a silica precursor in an organic solvent to obtain a partially polymerized silica wet gel, reacting the partially polymerized silica wet gel with a copolymer of Formula (II) to obtain a copolymer-silica hybrid wet gel, reacting the copolymer-silica hybrid wet gel with a surface passivation agent and removing solvent from the copolymer-silica hybrid wet gel to obtain the copolymer-silica hybrid aerogel. The mechanical properties of the copolymer-silica hybrid aerogels can be further improved by blending cellulose nanofibrils into the hybrid aerogels.

Abstract: Systems and related methods for stationary digital chest tomosynthesis (s-DCT) imaging are disclosed. In some aspects, systems include a stationary x-ray source array with an array of x-ray pixels configured to generate x-ray beams at different viewing angles relative to a subject to be imaged that is stationary, a stationary area x-ray detector configured to record x-ray projection images of the subject, a physiological gating apparatus for monitoring at least one physiological signal of the subject and defining a physiological phase and a time window based on the at least one physiological signal, and a computing platform configured to activate the x-ray pixels based on the physiological phase and the time window and upon receipt of the at least one physiological signal from the physiological gating apparatus in order to synchronize x-ray exposure with the at least one physiological signal of the subject.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating multi-view synthetic dental radiographs for intraoral tomosynthesis. In some embodiments, the method includes generating or receiving two-dimensional (2D) projection images, manipulating pixel values contained in each of the plurality of 2D projection images, reconstructing a three-dimensional (3D) image space from information available in the plurality of 2D projection images, the 3D image space comprising voxel values, manipulating the voxel values in the 3D image space using one or more tunable weighting algorithms that can be adjusted to emphasize one or more features of interest of each image in the 3D image space, generating a plurality of synthetic dental radiographs from multiple views using information available in the 3D image space, and displaying one or more of the synthetic dental radiographs. In some embodiments, the system includes a display in communication with an image processing system comprising one or more processors for performing the method.

Abstract: A high-trafficability ATV for flooded and muddy roads is provided. The ATV includes a frame assembly, wheels, an engine power system, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) system, a cooling system, and a fuel system, where the cooling system includes a radiator and a radiator fan that are arranged at a front upper part of an ATV body. The radiator and radiator fan adopt a high-position design to improve the ATV's heat dissipation and wading performance. Besides, CVT intake and exhaust lines, an air filter, front and rear reducers, a gearbox, and fuel tank intake and exhaust ports also adopt a high-position design, fully leveraging the wading advantage of a suspension system of the ATV and maximizing the wading depth of the ATV.

Abstract: A ridge fluidic device comprising: a substrate and a fluidic component comprising at least one fluidic channel, wherein the at least one fluidic channel is adapted to conduct a fluid and retain the fluid within the at least one fluidic channel: wherein the at least one fluidic channel comprises porous material having a hydrophilic surface; and wherein the at least one fluidic channel is formed on the substrate via a deposition process.

Abstract: The present application provides two dimensional benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]isoindole incorporated non-fullerene electron acceptors having the structure of Formula I (I), and processes for the synthesis and manufacture thereof. Also provided are semiconductor materials, polymers, oligomers, films and membranes incorporating the non-fullerene acceptor of Formula (I), and the optoelectronic devices made therefrom.

Abstract: Intraoral three-dimensional (3D) tomosynthesis imaging systems, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media are used to generate one or more two-dimensional (2D) x-ray projection images and to reconstruct, using a computing platform, the one or more 2D x-ray projection images into one or more 3D images of an object, such as teeth of a patient, which can then be displayed on a monitor in order to enhance diagnostic accuracy of dental disease. The intraoral 3D tomosynthesis imaging system can include a wall-mountable control unit connected to one end of an articulating arm, the other end of which is connected to an x-ray source, which is configured to generate x-ray radiation that is acquired by an x-ray detector held at a desired position by an x-ray detector holder that is removably coupled to a collimator at an emission region of the x-ray source.

Abstract: An intraoral tomosynthesis x-ray imaging device, system, and method with an interchangeable collimator. The intraoral tomosynthesis x-ray imaging device includes an x-ray source array including one or more spatially distributed focal spots and a detachable collimation assembly to provide rectangular or circular radiation fields. The intraoral tomosynthesis x-ray imaging device further includes a digital intraoral x-ray detector. In some embodiments, the x-ray source array is configured to produce either a scanning x-ray beam illuminating an object from different viewing angles without mechanically moving the x-ray source array for tomosynthesis, or a single two-dimensional radiograph.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing solar cell degradation are provided. The methods and systems related to frequently applying large reverse bias current-voltage (J-V) sweeps to the cell to reduce the rates of internal degradation of the solar cells. The frequent sweeps serve to detrap charge carriers formed in the cell due to photo-oxidative damage. This detrapping reduces the rate of power conversion efficiency (PCE) degradation throughout the life of the solar cell.

Abstract: Compact x-ray devices, systems, and methods for capturing in tomosynthesis, two-dimensional radiography, fluoroscopy, and stereotactic imaging modes. In some embodiments, the compact x-ray imaging system includes an x-ray source array including spatially distributed x-ray focal spots and a digital area x-ray detector. In some embodiments, the imaging system includes an electronic switching device configured to alternate the imaging mode of the system. In some embodiments, the imaging system includes a mechanical support configured to enable a position and orientation of the x-ray source array and the digital area x-ray detector to be adjusted such that both upper and lower extremities of a patient can be imaged using various imaging modes while a position of the plurality of spatially distributed x-ray focal spots with respect to the digital area x-ray detector remains unchanged.

Abstract: The development of air-stable unipolar n-type semiconductors with good solubility in organic solvents at room temperature remains a critical issue in the field of organic electronics. Moreover, most of the existing semiconducting materials exhibit LUMO energy levels higher than ?4.0 eV, making electron transport sensitive to both moisture and oxygen. Bis(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)benzodifurandione dicyanide or derivatives thereof are disclosed herein. More specifically, bis(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)benzodifurandione dicyanide or derivatives thereof for use in organic electronics are disclosed. A process for the preparation of bis(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)benzodifurandione dicyanide and derivatives is also disclosed. The bis(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)benzodifurandione dicyanide or derivatives thereof are characterized by high electron mobilities and are suitable for use as n-type semiconductors in organic electronics.

Abstract: The present application relates to copolymer-silica hybrid aerogels as well as methods for the preparation thereof. The methods comprise hydrolyzing a silica precursor in an organic solvent to obtain a partially polymerized silica wet gel, reacting the partially polymerized silica wet gel with a copolymer of Formula (II) to obtain a copolymer-silica hybrid wet gel, reacting the copolymer-silica hybrid wet gel with a surface passivation agent and removing solvent from the copolymer-silica hybrid wet gel to obtain the copolymer-silica hybrid aerogel. The mechanical properties of the copolymer-silica hybrid aerogels can be further improved by blending cellulose nanofibrils into the hybrid aerogels.

Abstract: Multi-modality dental x-ray imaging devices, systems, and methods. In some embodiments, an x-ray imaging system is operable in cone-beam computed tomography, two-dimensional intraoral x-ray, and intraoral tomosynthesis imaging modes. In some embodiments, the device includes a rotatable gantry, an x-ray source array attached to the rotatable gantry and including x-ray focal spots, a digital area x-ray detector attached to the rotatable gantry, an intraoral sensor, an adjustable collimation assembly positioned between the x-ray source array and the subject and configured to limit x-ray radiation to a surface of the intraoral sensor or the digital area x-ray detector depending on the selected imaging mode, and a control unit including one or more processors, the control unit configured to operate the x-ray imaging system in one of the imaging modes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating multi-view synthetic dental radiographs for intraoral tomosynthesis. In some embodiments, the method includes generating or receiving two-dimensional (2D) projection images, manipulating pixel values contained in each of the plurality of 2D projection images, reconstructing a three-dimensional (3D) image space from information available in the plurality of 2D projection images, the 3D image space comprising voxel values, manipulating the voxel values in the 3D image space using one or more tunable weighting algorithms that can be adjusted to emphasize one or more features of interest of each image in the 3D image space, generating a plurality of synthetic dental radiographs from multiple views using information available in the 3D image space, and displaying one or more of the synthetic dental radiographs. In some embodiments, the system includes a display in communication with an image processing system comprising one or more processors for performing the method.

Abstract: An intraoral tomosynthesis x-ray imaging device, system, and method with an interchangeable collimator. The intraoral tomosynthesis x-ray imaging device includes an x-ray source array including one or more spatially distributed focal spots and a detachable collimation assembly to provide rectangular or circular radiation fields. The intraoral tomosynthesis x-ray imaging device further includes a digital intraoral x-ray detector. In some embodiments, the x-ray source array is configured to produce either a scanning x-ray beam illuminating an object from different viewing angles without mechanically moving the x-ray source array for tomosynthesis, or a single two-dimensional radiograph.

Abstract: Compact x-ray devices, systems, and methods for capturing in tomosynthesis, two-dimensional radiography, fluoroscopy, and stereotactic imaging modes. In some embodiments, the compact x-ray imaging system includes an x-ray source array including spatially distributed x-ray focal spots and a digital area x-ray detector. In some embodiments, the imaging system includes an electronic switching device configured to alternate the imaging mode of the system. In some embodiments, the imaging system includes a mechanical support configured to enable a position and orientation of the x-ray source array and the digital area x-ray detector to be adjusted such that both upper and lower extremities of a patient can be imaged using various imaging modes while a position of the plurality of spatially distributed x-ray focal spots with respect to the digital area x-ray detector remains unchanged.