Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to biomimetic membranes and methods of manufacturing such membranes that include structural features that mimic the structures of cellular membrane channels and produce membrane designs capable of high selectivity and high permeability or absorptivity. The membrane structure, material and chemistry can be selected to perform liquid separations, gas separation and capture, ion transport and adsorption for a variety of applications.

Abstract: A tinting machine (1) comprising one or more dispenser heads for dispensing colorant into a paint container (3), the one or more dispenser heads comprising a fluid outlet (16) for discharging the colorant into the paint container (3), an internal chamber (19) opening in the fluid outlet, and a piston (25) that is longitudinally and movably arranged inside the internal chamber. An outer side surface of the piston and the inner surface of the internal chamber define an annular space (29) and the piston comprises a circumventional protrusion (26) defining a constriction (28) in the annular space. By supplying cleaning fluid to the internal chamber and moving the piston between a first and a second position, the internal chamber can be cleaned from residual colorant with a small amount of cleaning fluid. The invention further relates to a method for dispensing one or more colorants into a paint container using such tinting machine.

Abstract: A system may capture an image of a physical item, perform digital image processing to identify features of the physical item from the image, and generate a digital token for the physical item based on the digital image processing.

Abstract: Systems and methods include a distributed system that uses a declarative language to separate application logic from the network technology used to communicate. For example, in a system with a plurality of processing nodes, each processing node may include at least one processor, a networking layer for communicating with other processing nodes, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the processing node to perform operations. The operations may include receiving a processing plan using the networking layer and analyzing the processing plan to determine a service to perform and a number of inputs anticipated for the service. The operations may also include performing the determined service. The processing plan defines a processing tree comprising a subset of the plurality of processing nodes, the processing tree having unidirectional communication from the root to a final level of the tree.

Abstract: Dry pumps are used to pump a variety of gas mixtures from the semiconductor industry. The present invention provides a liquid ring pump located between the dry pump and an abatement device to remove soluble corrosive materials prior to the exhaust gases entry to the abatement device, the work fluid exhausted from the liquid ring pump being separated from the gas prior to entry to the abatement device.

Abstract: An aerosol-generating device is provided, for use in an aerosol-generating system and an aerosol-generating system including an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device includes a cavity configured to receive an aerosol-generating article; a first solid-liquid phase-change material positioned about a perimeter of the cavity; and heating means configured to heat the first solid-liquid phase-change material to a temperature above the melting point of the first solid-liquid phase-change material. The aerosol-generating device further includes a second solid-liquid phase-change material, wherein the melting point of the second solid-liquid phase-change material is higher than the melting point of the first solid-liquid phase-change material.

Abstract: Systems and methods include a distributed system that uses a declarative language to separate application logic from the network technology used to communicate. For example, in a system with a plurality of processing nodes, each processing node may include at least one processor, a networking layer for communicating with other processing nodes, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the processing node to perform operations. The operations may include receiving a processing plan using the networking layer and analyzing the processing plan to determine a service to perform and a number of inputs anticipated for the service. The operations may also include performing the determined service. The processing plan defines a processing tree comprising a subset of the plurality of processing nodes, the processing tree having unidirectional communication from the root to a final level of the tree.

Abstract: A system may capture an image of a physical item, perform digital image processing to identify features of the physical item from the image, and generate a digital token for the physical item based on the digital image processing.

Abstract: A pressurized air vacuum cleaning device that is useful for the purpose of cleaning the inside cabin of a motorized vehicle is exhibited. The power source for the suction of the vacuum is derived from the onboard pressurized air that is commonly available on motorized vehicles such as trucks and work vehicles. A vacuum chamber is disposed in communication with the pressurized air system of the vehicle, which channels pressurized air by a venturi to create useful vacuum suction from the existing flow of air. The suction is channeled to the cabin of the vehicle, within a front pipe disposed under the floor of the cabin, which houses a vacuum hose for use by a user to clean debris from the cabin. The hose is concealed beneath a cover plate on the floor, which is lifted up by the user, simultaneously activating the suction to the vacuum hose upon lifting.

Abstract: Systems and methods for Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output (MIMO) rank reduction to improve downlink throughput are disclosed. A method of operation of a radio access node includes determining that an imbalance between parallel channels of a spatial multiplexing downlink transmission to a wireless device is greater than an imbalance threshold and/or that a Negative Acknowledgement (NACK) rate over time for the parallel channels of a spatial multiplexing downlink transmission reported by the wireless device is greater than a NACK rate threshold. The method also includes, in response to determining that the imbalance between the parallel channels is greater than the imbalance threshold and/or that the NACK rate is greater than the NACK rate threshold, performing a fast rank reduction for a next downlink transmission whereby a rank is reduced from a rank indicator reported by the wireless device to some lower rank. Reducing the rank may improve downlink throughput.

Abstract: Systems and methods include a distributed system that uses a declarative language to separate application logic from the network technology used to communicate. For example, in a system with a plurality of processing nodes, each processing node may include at least one processor, a networking layer for communicating with other processing nodes, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the processing node to perform operations. The operations may include receiving a processing plan using the networking layer and analyzing the processing plan to determine a service to perform and a number of inputs anticipated for the service. The operations may also include performing the determined service. The processing plan defines a processing tree comprising a subset of the plurality of processing nodes, the processing tree having unidirectional communication from the root to a final level of the tree.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using multi-view learning to leverage highly informative, high-cost, psychophysiological data collected in a laboratory setting, to improve post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) screening in the field, where only less-informative, low-cost, speech data are available. Partial least squares (PLS) methods can be used to learn a bilinear factor model, which projects speech and EEG responses onto latent spaces, where the covariance between the projections is maximized. The systems and methods use a speech representation based on a combination of audio and language descriptors extracted from spoken responses to open-ended questions.

Abstract: A blood analyzer device has a housing with a top section coupled to a bottom section, a driver and a plurality of penetrating members housed in a disposable positionable in the housing. A gripper engages each penetrating member. A manually actuated button advances the disposable to move penetrating members into launch positions. A power is source coupled to the driver. A display is at the housing.

Abstract: Aspects of a turn conveyor system are described. In one embodiment, the system includes a first conveyor and a second conveyor, where the first conveyor includes a lateral displacement mechanism configured to displace an article laterally between the first conveyor and the second conveyor. The system also includes a lateral conveyor extending between the first conveyor and the second conveyor, a sensor configured to sense a position of an article on the first conveyor, an arm positioner configured to position a turn arm to one of a plurality of locations, and control logic. The control arm can be configured to control an operation of the arm positioner to position the turn arm for rotation of the article, and control an operation of the lateral displacement mechanism based in part on the position of the article to displace the article onto the lateral conveyor and into the turn arm.

Abstract: Authenticating a backup image stored on a storage device prior to restoring the backup image. A value such as a hash value is generated based on the image to be preserved. The value is stored on the storage device in a first area accessible for writing only when the computing device is in an update mode. The first area becomes read-only when the computing device is in an operating system mode. The image is stored on the storage device in a second area accessible for writing when the computing device is in the update mode or the operating system mode. When attempting to restore the image from the second area, the value from the first area is compared to another value generated at the time of the restoration for validation.

Abstract: A self-propelled roping dummy apparatus comprising a dummy body shaped to represent an animal such as a steer and a head pivotally mounted on to a front portion of the dummy body. The apparatus further comprises a pair of adjustable legs attached to a rear portion of the dummy body or a base frame comprising a wheel assembly driven by a motor unit powered by a rechargeable battery. The apparatus can be used for roping training including heading and heeling practicing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating an exhaust gas stream 12 from a processing chamber 10. The method comprises the steps of: conveying the exhaust gas from the processing chamber using a vacuum pumping arrangement 11, 22 or atmospheric line; abating the exhaust gas in an abatement region 18 of an abatement device 14; and injecting a cooling agent, such as a liquid 26, downstream of the abatement region to cool the abated gases in a cooling region 24 by phase change of the cooling agent.

Abstract: Systems and methods include a distributed system that uses a declarative language to separate application logic from the network technology used to communicate. For example, in a system with a plurality of processing nodes, each processing node may include at least one processor, a networking layer for communicating with other processing nodes, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the processing node to perform operations. The operations may include receiving a processing plan using the networking layer and analyzing the processing plan to determine a service to perform and a number of inputs anticipated for the service. The operations may also include performing the determined service. The processing plan defines a processing tree comprising a subset of the plurality of processing nodes, the processing tree having unidirectional communication from the root to a final level of the tree.