Abstract: A target within a sample can be characterized using an energy source configured to transform a metal in the sample into a plasma and an optical spectroscopic detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation emitted by the plasma to provide an optical-spectrum signal. A processor can determine presence of the metal in the sample using the optical-spectrum signal. The target can include a microbe or biological toxin. A recognition construct comprising a metal and a scaffold can be applied to the sample. The scaffold can bind to the target. Energy can be applied to transform at least some of the sample into a plasma. Electromagnetic radiation emitted by the plasma can be detected to provide an optical-spectrum signal of the sample. A preparation subsystem can add the recognition construct to the sample and a washing subsystem can wash unbound recognition construct out of the sample.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, system, and computer usable program product for managing a database. The process receives a request for a list of members for a given group of objects in the database. The process identifies a set of static members for the given group based on a set of records in a membership table in the database. The set of static members includes all direct static members and all indirect static members of the given group. The process identifies a set of dynamic members for the given group of objects based on a reference in a group table in the database. The set of dynamic members includes all direct dynamic members of the given group and all indirect static members of the given group. The process generates the list of members.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices for the purification of water that use a heat pump. The purification system comprises a heat pump and the heat pump comprises a refrigerant condenser, a refrigerant evaporator, a compressor, and a throttle valve that are fluidly connected with a circulating refrigerant along a refrigerant line. The circulating refrigerant transfers heat to a contaminated feedstock at the refrigerant condenser to vaporize at least a portion of the contaminated feedstock. Also disclosed are methods of purifying water, washing systems comprising a washer and a water purification system, washing and drying systems comprising a washer, a dryer, and a water purification system, and methods for cleaning and/or drying of clothes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for strobe tracking of Head-Mounted Displays (HMDs) in virtual, augmented, and mixed reality (xR) applications are described. In some embodiments, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include a host processor; and a memory coupled to the host processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution, cause the IHS to: receive an image of a strobe source captured by a camera; determine an instantaneous velocity of an HMD based upon the image; and render an xR frame for display by the HMD based, at least in part, upon the determination.

Abstract: A novel method to stimulate electrically active biological cells using visible wavelength light and metallic nanoparticles possessing plasmonic properties is presented herein. Using this technology, prosthetic devices such as cochlear and retinal implants and cardiac pacemakers can be developed to have superior properties as compared to the currently utilized electrical stimulation designs. These properties include improved spatial resolution; less or non-invasive devices; and higher fidelity of transduction. An additional advantage of using visible light wavelengths is the avoidance of unwanted heating of surrounding tissue that occurs with infrared stimulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stabilizing mount having a sleeve, the sleeve having a main body portion continuous along a width direction of the sleeve, a first sleeve arm extending from the main body portion, and a second sleeve arm extending from the main body portion. The first sleeve arm having a first hole formed therethrough and a first counter-sunk portion surrounding the first hole thereof, and the second sleeve arm having a first hole formed therethrough and a first counter-sunk portion surrounding the first hole thereof. A first connector is disposed through the first sleeve arm and the second sleeve arm, wherein the first connector has a first end portion disposed in the first counter-sunk portion of the first sleeve arm and a nut substantially disposed in the first counter-sunk portion of the second sleeve arm.

Abstract: A multi-user display collaboration system includes a plurality of source devices that each include a respective source device display screen, a display device, and a sink device coupled to each of the plurality of source devices and the display device. The sink device receives first collaboration information that is stored on the first source device and displayed on a first source device display screen of the first source device, and displays the first collaboration information on the display device. The sink device then receives a first input instruction from a second source device that is directed to the first collaboration information displayed on the display device; and causes the first input instruction to be executed on the first collaboration information that is displayed on the display device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for characterizing a target, e.g., microbial samples or biological toxins, includes labeling the target with a biomolecular recognition construct and measuring an atomic-spectra signal of the biomolecular recognition construct. The method can include heating the labeled target before measuring the atomic-spectra signal. The atomic-spectra signal can be measured by performing laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. The atomic-spectra signal can be measured by performing spark induced breakdown spectroscopy. The biomolecular recognition construct can be prepared by tagging a biological scaffolding with a metal atom or ion. In an aspect in which the target includes a microbial sample, the biological scaffolding can include an antibody against epitopes present on bacterial surface, the antibody linked to a heavy metal. In an aspect in which the target includes a biological toxin, the biological scaffolding can include an antibody against the biological toxin linked to heavy metals.

Abstract: A wire connection accessory is disclosed that includes a mounting structure formed thereon configured to mate with an existing mounting feature provided on a “host” electrical switching component or “host” operator switch present within an electrical enclosure/assembly is disclosed. The wire connection accessory comprises a component whose mechanical and electrical state does not change response to functioning of the host device to which it is mounted. The host electrical switching component or operator switch includes a first mounting feature formed on an external surface thereof so as to serve as a host device. The wire connection accessory includes a second mounting feature mateable with the first mounting feature to selectively affix the wire connection accessory to the host device.

Abstract: A heat spreader for an emissive display device, such as a plasma display panel or a light emitting diode, comprising at least one sheet of compressed particles of exfoliated graphite having a surface area greater than the surface area of that part of a discharge cell facing the back surface of the device.

Abstract: A method of repairing a diaphragm of a rotary machine includes removing an initial steam path from the diaphragm. The initial steam path includes a plurality of initial partitions. Each initial partition is associated with an original trailing edge profile and an original axial length. The method also includes coupling a replacement steam path to the diaphragm. The replacement steam path includes a plurality of replacement partitions. Each replacement partition has a replacement axial length that is greater than the original axial length.

Abstract: A system for selectively disallowing unwinding of a storage library robotic mechanism cable assembly in a direction that would otherwise allow a platform of the robotic mechanism to move downwardly via the force of gravity while at the same time allowing for winding up of the cable assembly and the platform, such as during shipping, manual access, replacement of the robotic mechanism, and/or the like. The system may include a ratchet pawl for engaging between adjacent teeth of a drive assembly of the robotic mechanism and an actuator for selectively moving or allowing for movement of the ratchet pawl into and out of the engaged position. In one embodiment, the system may include an electric switch or the like to sense when the pawl is engaged with the drive assembly.

Abstract: A heater that inhibits the formation of ice in an air gap separating a stationary stator and a rotatable rotor of a rotating machine. The heater includes a plurality of stringers configured to be arranged in associated winding slots of the associated stator adjacent the air gap, and extending between two ends of the heater. Each of the stringers includes two electrical resistance heating traces arranged between two electrical insulation layers that are arranged between two thermal conduction layers. The traces extend along an entire length of each of the stringers between the two ends of the heater. The traces are electrically isolated from each other.

Abstract: Method and system for denoising an edge in a raw digital image are described. First, a direction of a normal to the edge near a pixel p is determined, and neighboring pixels are projected to the normal to the edge, forming projected pixels. Then weighted intensities of the neighboring pixels are determined, including set of weights. One dimensional Gaussian filter centered on the pixel p and acting on the projected pixels is applied, and intensities of the neighboring pixels are adjusted according to the set of weights, resulting in a denoised value z of the pixel p using the weighted intensities, thereby denoising the edge of the raw image expediently.

Abstract: A profiled wireless docking system, includes a source device that includes a source device screen, a display device, and a sink device that is coupled to the display device. The sink device establishes a wireless docking session with the source device. The sink device then retrieves, from the source device, source device information about the source device. The sink device then retrieves, from the source device, content information that is provided for display on the source device screen by the source device. The sink device determines a source device wireless docking profile based on the source device information and the content information. The sink device then provides the content information for display on the display device according to the source device wireless docking profile.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for enhancing production and transportation of heavy and extra-heavy crude oil and for reducing the growth of asphaltene flocculants or hindering their formation, the methods comprising contacting an oil-soluble composition that comprises polyetheramines, tallow amines, tallow diamines, alkylphenol-formaldehyde resins, reaction products of alpha-olefin, maleic anhydride and pentaerythritol, or a combination thereof, with the heavy or extra-heavy crude oil.

Abstract: An NIR analyzer with the optical probes across a pipe, or in a bypass configuration, after a stabilizer in an oil or condensate production plant. Prior to use, liquid samples from the plant are analyzed in a chemical lab to obtain reference vapor pressure or compositional values. A chemometric model using known techniques is then built with the captured absorption spectra and the reference lab results. Preprocessing methodologies can be used to help mitigate interferences of the fluid, instrument drift, and contaminate build up on the lenses in contact with the fluid. The chemometric model is implemented through the NIR analyzer as the calibration curve to predict the vapor pressure or other values of the flowing fluid in real time.

Abstract: Funnel storage systems are presented including: a cabinet enclosure having an upper opening; a lid removably coupled with the cabinet enclosure, the lid forming a dust seal with the cabinet enclosure; a top screened support coupled with the cabinet enclosure for receiving a number of funnels; and a bottom screened support coupled with the cabinet enclosure for storing and organizing the number of funnels along a number of upright storage posts. In some embodiments, the cabinet enclosure further includes angled side walls such that a second cabinet enclosure having angled side walls may be nested within the cabinet enclosure.

Abstract: Techniques for utilizing multiple carriers to substantially improve transmission capacity are described. For multi-carrier operation, a terminal receives an assignment of multiple forward link (FL) carriers and at least one reverse link (RL) carrier. The carriers may be arranged in at least one group, with each group including at least one FL carrier and one RL carrier. The terminal may receive packets on the FL carrier(s) in each group and may send acknowledgements for the received packets via the RL carrier in that group. The terminal may send channel quality indication (CQI) reports for the FL carrier(s) in each group via the RL carrier in that group. The terminal may also transmit data on the RL carrier(s). The terminal may send designated RL signaling (e.g., to originate a call) on a primary RL carrier and may receive designated FL signaling (e.g., for call setup) on a primary FL carrier.

Abstract: A method of performing a squeeze treatment comprises pumping a treatment fluid under pressure through a wellbore into a subterranean formation, wherein the treatment fluid includes a hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound that adsorbs onto the subterranean formation in a region around the wellbore. Production fluids are then allowed to flow from the subterranean formation into the wellbore, wherein the production fluids contact the adsorbed hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound as the production fluids flow through the region around the wellbore, and wherein the production fluids contain hydrogen sulfide that reacts with the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound to reduce an amount of hydrogen sulfide in the production fluids before the production fluids flow into the wellbore.