Abstract: During operation, a computer system may provide instructions to access points in an indoor environment to measure relative distances between the access points. Then, the computer system may receive the measured relative distances. Moreover, the computer system may calculate geographic locations of the access points based at least in part on the measured relative distances. Next, the computer system may select potential anchor access points in the access points, and may provide, to an electronic device, information specifying the potential anchor access points. Furthermore, the computer system may receive, from the electronic device, second information specifying anchor access points in the potential access points and defined locations of the anchor access points. Additionally, the computer system may update the geographic locations based at least in part on the defined of the anchor access points, and may provide, to the access points, the updated geographic locations.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing an error correction mode at a first communications router. The first communication router transmits data packets to a second communications router and stores the first data packet in a local storage medium. When a delay inquiry message is received from the second communications router, the first communications router activates the error correction mode. When the error correction mode is activated, the first data packet is retransmitted to the second communications router and an error correction packet corresponding to the first data packet is also transmitted. When a back-to-normal message is received from the second communications router, the first communications router deactivates the error correction mode. The back-to-normal message indicates that the first communications router no longer needs to be in error correction mode.

Abstract: A method for predicting clinical severity of a neurological disorder includes steps of: a) identifying, according to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image of a brain, brain image regions each of which contains a respective portion of diffusion index values of a diffusion index, which results from image processing performed on the MRI image; b) for one of the brain image regions, calculating a characteristic parameter based on the respective portion of the diffusion index values; and c) calculating a severity score that represents the clinical severity of the neurological disorder of the brain based on the characteristic parameter of the one of the brain image regions via a prediction model associated with the neurological disorder.

Abstract: This invention provides a computer implemented method to identify a specific gemstone with a known reference point. In one embodiment, said computer implemented method, comprises the steps of: (a) detecting said known reference point from a source image of said specific gemstone; (b) Retrieving one or more reference images of possible gemstones from a gemstone database based on said known reference point; (c) extracting edge features from said source image and said one or more reference images; (d) computing a similarity value by matching said edge features from each of said one or more reference images against said source image; and (e) identifying said specific gemstone from said one or more reference images based on said similarity value.

Abstract: Diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis of diseases and conditions associated with smooth muscle cell (SMC) dysfunction are provided through the inhibition of IL-11-mediated signalling.

Abstract: A system and method for separating battery components provides for the separation of batteries into their individual layers of anodes, cathodes, first polymer separator layers, and second polymer separator layers. A battery casing of a battery is cut to uncover a battery cell core, which is then washed to remove an electrolyte therefrom. An outer wrapping layer of the washed battery cell core is cut to form an open loose end, and the open loose end is engaged by first and second rollers to unroll a laminate therefrom. The laminate includes a cathode layer, an anode layer, a first polymer separator layer, and a second polymer separator layer. The laminate is then separated into the cathode layer, the anode layer, the first polymer separator layer, and the second polymer separator layer with the first roller, the second roller, a third roller, and a fourth roller. Each layer is then collected.

Abstract: A system and method for separating battery components provides for the separation of batteries into their individual layers of anodes, cathodes, first polymer separator layers, and second polymer separator layers. A battery casing of a battery is cut to uncover a battery cell core, which is then washed to remove an electrolyte therefrom. An outer wrapping layer of the washed battery cell core is cut to form an open loose end, and the open loose end is engaged by first and second rollers to unroll a laminate therefrom. The laminate includes a cathode layer, an anode layer, a first polymer separator layer, and a second polymer separator layer. The laminate is then separated into the cathode layer, the anode layer, the first polymer separator layer, and the second polymer separator layer with the first roller, the second roller, a third roller, and a fourth roller. Each layer is then collected.

Abstract: A hard disk drive includes a base, a cover coupled to the base to create an enclosure, and a voice coil motor assembly that is positioned within the enclosure. The cover includes a spring positioned adjacent to the voice coil motor assembly to dampen vibration of the voice coil motor assembly.

Abstract: On field ionization under ambient conditions is described and applied on both ionization and desorption of various chemicals and biochemical present on the surface of materials in solid, liquid or gas states. The Atmospheric Pressure Megavolt Electrostatic Field Ionization Desorption (APME-FID) method generates ions directly from the surface of samples connected to a high electrical voltage at megavolt conditions. Megavolt electrostatic potential is generated and gradually accumulated directly on the sample surface by a Van de Graaff generator without causing damage to the sample. Therefore, when coupled with mass spectrometric system, the APME-FID-MS method enables direct detection of analytes on the surface of samples in different sizes and diverse types.

Abstract: Monodispersed metal nanoparticles are prepared by preparing a homogeneous metal complex solution by mixing metal salt with a complexing agent in solvent. A precipitating agent is added into the homogeneous metal complex solution to form a slurry. A homogeneous mixture of reducing agent and solvent is added to perform reducing reaction on the slurry to form metal nanoparticles in a controlled environment under gas purge. A capping agent is added to modify surface properties of metal nanoparticles. The metal nanoparticles are washed and the metal nanoparticles are recovered by phase extraction or centrifugation. The technique can be used to prepare conductive pastes with bimodal particle size distribution.

Abstract: The microneedle array includes a substrate having a central opening formed therethrough, and a plurality of microneedles positioned about a perimeter defining the central opening. At least one of the microneedles has a recess formed therein adjacent a tip thereof, and this recess is at least partially filled with a layer of active material. A sensor for detecting chemical analytes, biological analytes or the like may be constructed by providing two such microneedle arrays, with one serving as the working electrode and one serving as a reference electrode. The working electrode and the reference electrode may both be connected to a signal analyzer for detecting electrochemical signals. The working electrode and the reference electrode may be separate from one another or may be stacked together.

Abstract: A hard disk drive includes a base, a cover coupled to the base to create an enclosure, and a voice coil motor assembly that is positioned within the enclosure. The cover includes a spring positioned adjacent to the voice coil motor assembly to dampen vibration of the voice coil motor assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a self-healing coating composition precursor that includes a soft segment precursor, a hard segment precursor, and a diol. The present disclosure also provides self-healing coatings including the same for scratches and deep cracks and/or anti-fouling property, and methods of preparation and use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to device control for a predetermined area of space and belongs to the technical field of intelligent control of devices. A control system provided by the present invention comprises: a sensing component installed in the predetermined area of space and used for sensing the predetermined area of space to at least determine density information of living beings in the predetermined area of space, and an HVAC control and management unit of an HVAC system, wherein the sensing component is interactively connected with the HVAC control and management unit in a wireless communication mode, and the HVAC control and management unit is configured to control one or more air end devices at least based on the determined density information of living beings.

Abstract: A network appliance described herein allows the user to selectively forward the flow of packets received through a network port, to a particular egress port. The network appliance creates virtual ports, which can be assigned to the one or more egress ports. The network appliance assigns the flow of packets to the one or more virtual ports in the network appliance. The network appliance decides a forwarding treatment to be applied to the flow of packets, for forwarding the flow of packets to the egress tool ports, based on the virtual port to which the flow of packets is assigned and based on a detected network characteristic. The forwarding treatment can be a decision to drop the flow of packets, or to send the flow of packets to the egress port assigned to the virtual port.

Abstract: The system for separating battery cell cores includes a cell core holder for receiving and holding a battery cell core. A cutter cuts an outer wrapping layer of the battery cell core to form an open loose end. A first roller rotates the battery cell core and a sheet opener engages the open loose end to unroll a laminate, which includes a cathode layer, an anode layer, and a polymer separator layer sandwiched therebetween. A pair of second rollers receive, grip and selectively drive movement of the laminate. A cathode breaker applies breaking force to the cathode layer to produce broken cathode layer pieces, which are then collected. An anode breaker then grasps and vibrates the laminate to produce broken anode layer pieces, which are also collected. Finally, a polymer separator layer cutter selectively cuts the polymer separator layer to produce cut polymer separator layer pieces, which are collected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to device control for a predetermined area of space and belongs to the technical field of intelligent control of devices. A control system provided by the present invention comprises: a sensing component installed in the predetermined area of space and used for sensing the predetermined area of space to at least determine density information of living beings in the predetermined area of space, and an HVAC control and management unit of an HVAC system, wherein the sensing component is interactively connected with the HVAC control and management unit in a wireless communication mode, and the HVAC control and management unit is configured to control one or more air end devices at least based on the determined density information of living beings.

Abstract: An electronic gaming table comprises a base and a computer housed in the base. There is a table top mounted on the base. The table top has a frame, a monitor disposed within the frame, and a touch screen overlaying the monitor. The monitor receives game content from the computer and the monitor displays the game content. The monitor and the touch screen function together to provide a multi-touch playing surface for playing electronic games.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a self-healing coating composition precursor that includes a soft segment precursor, a hard segment precursor, and a diol. The present disclosure also provides self-healing coatings including the same for scratches and deep cracks and/or anti-fouling property, and methods of preparation and use thereof.

Abstract: On field ionization under ambient conditions is described and applied on both ionization and desorption of various chemicals and biochemical present on the surface of materials in solid, liquid or gas states. The Atmospheric Pressure Megavolt Electrostatic Field Ionization Desorption (APME-FID) method generates ions directly from the surface of samples connected to a high electrical voltage at megavolt conditions. Megavolt electrostatic potential is generated and gradually accumulated directly on the sample surface by a Van de Graaff generator without causing damage to the sample. Therefore, when coupled with mass spectrometric system, the APME-FID-MS method enables direct detection of analytes on the surface of samples in different sizes and diverse types.