Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for preparing plastic composites containing a plant fiber. The method includes providing a first raw material containing the plant fiber and a second raw material containing plastics; pretreating the first raw material; heating the pretreated first raw material for carbonization; and mixing the carbonized first raw material with the second raw material to form a composite material. The first raw material may be coffee grounds, and the pretreatment of coffee grounds includes: washing the first raw material with water to remove contaminants and water-soluble compounds, drying the washed first raw material, extracting the oily substance from the dried first raw material using a solvent, obtaining the extracted oily substance from the first raw material; and completely removing the solvent from the extracted first raw material.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, one aspect provides a method of securely distributing multi-tier multimedia contents on the Internet, using Non-Fungible Token (NFT) Blockchain and comprising the steps of: signal processing data splitting phase, converting an original multimedia file into multiple data portions; access control encryption phase, converting each of the multiple data portions into an encrypted data portion and uploading the encrypted data portion to a storage cloud; access control storage phase, storing the encrypted data portion on the storage cloud; access control decryption phase, downloading the encrypted data portion from the storage cloud and reconstructing each of the encrypted data portions into each of said multiple data portions; and signal processing data merging phase, reconstructing appropriate multimedia data content depending on a user's tier level.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid dispensing apparatus, for use with a first container where a first liquid is contained, comprising: (a) a second container where a second liquid is contained, said second container is provided with a container outlet for dispensing said second liquid; and (b) a utility potion, comprising: an outlet, for dispensing liquid; a first inlet, collaboratively operating with a pressure valve for intaking said first liquid enabling a first passageway; and a second inlet, operatively working with said container outlet, enabling a second passageway for controllably intaking said second liquid from said second container to said second inlet.

Abstract: A stator of a brushless motor is disclosed which includes a stator core, an insulating frame arranged on the stator core, and a plurality of windings wound around the insulating frame. The stator core includes a ring-shaped yoke part and a pole part mounted to the radial inner side of the yoke part. The pole part includes a plurality of teeth spaced-apart from each other along the circumferential direction, and a ring-shaped portion arranged at and connected to the radial inner side of the teeth. The radial outer sides of the teeth abut against the radial inner side of the yoke part. The insulating frame is arranged on the pole part. A plurality of power terminals are fixed to one axial end of the insulating frame and respectively electrically connected to the windings.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds and compositions thereof for modulating IRAK4. In some embodiments, the compounds and compositions are provided for treatment of inflammatory or autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: A closure assembly for a container, comprising a coupling member adapted for engaging with an opening of the container and a lid assembly connected with the coupling member forming a closure for the opening. The lid assembly comprising a support member pivotably mounted to the coupling member, a closure member rotatably supported by the support member for allowing rotational movement with respect to the support member, and adapted for forming a closure engagement with an outlet of the coupling member. The closure assembly is provided with a locking mechanism configured for selectively maintaining the closure engagement, with the closure member rotatable between a first position in which the closure member and the outlet is sealed, and a second position in which the closure member is free to be disengaged from the outlet.

Abstract: A RF signal beam transmission enhancement board comprising: a substrate having at least one substrate surface; at least one elemental-featuring layer disposed on the substrate surface and including a plurality of elemental-featuring elements; and at least one index-matching layer arranged to cover the elemental-featuring elements and the substrate surface. The plurality of elemental-featuring elements has a pattern arrangement with a pattern resolution Rp given by Rp = ? N , where ? is a wavelength of a signal beam to be transmitted and N is an integer ranging from 1 to 10 such that the index-matching layer can work with the elemental-featuring elements to form an elemental-surface for minimizing reflection of a signal beam to be transmitted through the signal beam transmission enhancement board.

Abstract: The present application relates to aqueous compositions for controlling a plant disease caused by a phytopathogenic organism, to methods of preparing such compositions and to uses of such compositions, for example for controlling a plant disease caused by a phytopathogenic organism. The aqueous compositions comprise copper ions, phosphorous acid and/or a salt thereof and an effective amount of an amine selected from an alkylamine, an alkanolamine and mixtures thereof. The pH of the compositions is from about 6 to about 10.

Abstract: A virtual reality system providing a virtual robotic surgical environment, and methods for using the virtual reality system, are described herein. The virtual reality system may be used to expedite the R&D cycle during development of a robotic surgical system, such as by allowing simulation of potential design without the time and significant expense of physical prototypes. The virtual reality system may also be used to test a control algorithm or a control mode for a robotic surgical component.

Abstract: A carrying case for a pair of two handcuffs is described.

Abstract: A speaker mounting assembly for mounting a speaker in multiple configurations, the speaker mounting assembly comprising a bracket having a substantially V-shaped profile, wherein the bracket comprises a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate meeting at a flattened vertex, wherein the flattened vertex forms a third mounting plate, and fixing apertures in each of the first, second and third mounting plates.

Abstract: A system for the rectification of batch-induced distortions and the extraction of phenotypic attributes from biological images is presented. This system encompasses a deep-learning generative adversarial network model, expertly tailored to converse with and modify the contrast of input images, resulting in the creation of output images. A discriminator, operating as a feedback mechanism, discriminates the output image against the input image, ensuring precise image contrast conversion. Integral to this system is a morphology distillator, having a dual classifier framework comprising a batch classifier and a cell type/state classifier. This distillator adeptly identifies phenotypic characteristics and batch-related disparities, subsequently eradicating these batch variations from the output image. The resultant augmentation enriches the cellular information within the image.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for access control. The system comprises an access authority configured to: receive a request associated with a user; determine whether the user is authorised to be granted access; in response to determining that the user is authorised to be granted access, digitally sign access authorisation data comprising a cryptographic key of the user; and send the signed access authorisation data to a user device associated with the user. The system further comprises an access controller configured to: receive from the user device signed authentication data comprising the signed access authorisation data; verify access criteria comprising verifying the signature of the signed access authorisation data, and verifying the signature of the signed authentication data using the cryptographic key of the user; and, in response to verifying the access criteria, grant the access request. Also disclosed herein are methods for access control, methods for sending data, and methods for receiving data.

Abstract: A bath jet apparatus includes a housing and a motor in the housing to rotate an impeller. The bath jet apparatus is cordless.

Abstract: A portable inspecting device includes PZT transducers and performs active sensing to measure the characteristics of bolted connections. The PZT transducers are mounted on opposing ends of spring-loaded rods and can be moved apart to accommodate a structure for testing. The springs cause the PZT transducers to push against opposing parts of the structure in a stable but temporary fashion. The device can be physically moved to inspect the status and health of multiple different bolted connections.

Abstract: A simulated ice cream dispenser for dispensing a simulated ice cream product includes a receptacle for receiving a simulated ice cream product to be dispensed and at least one rotating arm member rotatably configured with respect to the receptacle and including at least one flap extending from the at least one rotating arm member. A handle member including at least one engaging member engages the at least one rotating arm member for rotating the at least one rotating arm member when the handle transitions between first and second positions. In the first position, the at least one rotating arm member is positioned such that the at least one flap extending from the at least one rotating arm member is positioned within the receptacle for supporting a simulated ice cream product within the receptacle.

Abstract: There is described a method of shading a group of pixels in a fragment shader in a raster graphics pipeline. At least one first pilot pixel of the group of pixels is shaded under a first precision. At least one second pilot pixel of the group of pixels is shaded under a second precision. An error value representing a difference between the first and second pilot pixels is calculated. At least one other pixel of the group of pixels is shaded under the first precision if the error value is greater than an error threshold. The at least one other pixel is shaded under the second precision if the error value is smaller than the error threshold.

Abstract: One or more embodiments include antimicrobial bandages with nanostructures, formation thereof, and usage thereof to facilitate wound healing. In one embodiment, a bandage apparatus that facilitates healing a wound is provided. The bandage apparatus includes a substrate having an attachment mechanism that facilitates removably attaching the substrate to a part of a body having the wound. The bandage apparatus also includes a nanostructure film provided on a surface of the substrate and configured to contact the wound when the substrate is attached to the part of the body having the wound, wherein the nanostructure film includes a plurality of nanostructures.

Abstract: An image sensor apparatus, comprising a plurality of image sensors organized into a plurality of portions, wherein the plurality of portions comprises a first portion, a second portion and a third portion configured to capture, in combination with each other, an image in a landscape format, a fourth portion and a fifth portion configured to capture, in combination with the first portion, an image in a portrait format.

Abstract: A lid assembly, for a container, comprising: a first lid member; and a second lid member, positioned below said first lid member, is provided with: a first drinking means in direct fluid communication with the beverage in said container via a first fluid passageway, wherein said first lid member pivotably connecting said second lid member to assume a first position where said first drinking means being covered by said first lid member and a second position where said first drinking means being exposed; a second drinking means provided with a drinking tube in fluid communication with the beverage in said container via a second fluid passageway, wherein said second drinking means is configured to operationally enable said second fluid passageway; and characterized in that: the use of said first drinking means and the use of said second drinking means is mutually exclusive and is independent of each other; and said first fluid passageway and said second fluid passageway are independent of each other.