Abstract: Disclosed is a casting furnace featuring submerged, mechanical control of liquid level, which relates to continuous casting and solves the problem of low billet productivity. The casting furnace featuring submerged, mechanical control of liquid level includes a melting furnace, a holding furnace, and a crystallizer, the crystallizer including a chamber for accommodating metal liquid, the holding furnace communicating with the melting furnace and the chamber, respectively, a traction head being provided on the crystallizer, the chamber maintaining communication with the holding furnace, the holding furnace including a liftable immersion device, the immersion device being submerged in the metal liquid to elevate liquid level height in the chamber; the crystallizer having a liquid level detecting device, lift height of the immersion device being adjusted based on a detection signal of the liquid level detecting device such that the liquid level in the chamber is maintained at a preset height.

Abstract: A double-acting switch valve includes a mounting bracket and two mutually backup sealing assemblies disposed on the mounting bracket, each of the two sealing assemblies including a carbon rod and a carbon rod moving assembly, the carbon rod moving assembly being configured to translate, and elevate or lower the carbon rod so as to block or open a metal liquid channel between two metal liquid furnaces. Two sealing assemblies which are mutually replaceable, where when the carbon rod on one of the sealing assemblies is worn down, the other sealing assembly may take its place to block the metal liquid outlet again via the carbon rod; and then the worn-down carbon rod is renewed. This design eliminates the time taken for replacing the carbon rod and can reduce the amount of the metal liquid discharged via the metal liquid outlet during replacement of the carbon rod.

Abstract: A method of setup a protection mechanism for scheduled transmissions to multiple stations is introduced. Through transmitting a control frame addressing to multiple stations for immediate simultaneous responses, the transmitter would know the stations that are ready for receiving the scheduled data frames and schedule the packet for those stations. Combining the transmission of the control frame with the power saving mechanism would allow triggering a group of power saving stations to wake up at same for receiving the control frame and scheduled user data frames. A new mechanism of simultaneous group responses to the control frame with orthogonal identifier information for individual station is provided to uniquely identify the responding stations.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to a parallel hybrid acoustic passive filter. The parallel hybrid acoustic passive filter includes a first sub-filter and a second sub-filter. The first sub-filter includes a first acoustic resonator and a first non-acoustic passive component. The second sub-filter includes a second acoustic resonator and second first non-acoustic passive component. The first sub-filter and the second sub-filter are together arranged to filter a radio frequency signal. The parallel hybrid acoustic filter can be a band pass filter or a band stop filter, for example. Related multiplexers, wireless communication devices, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to a band pass filter that includes LC resonant circuits coupled to each other by a capacitor. A bridge capacitor can be in parallel with series capacitors, in which the series capacitors include the capacitor coupled between the LC resonant circuits. The bridge capacitor can create a transmission zero at a frequency below the passband of the band pass filter. The LC resonant circuits can each include a surface mount capacitor and a conductive trace of the substrate, and an integrated passive device die can include the capacitor. Band pass filters disclosed herein can be relatively compact, provide relatively good out-of-band rejection, and relatively low loss.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to hybrid acoustic LC filter with harmonic suppression. The hybrid acoustic LC filter includes a hybrid passive/acoustic and a non-acoustic LC filter cascaded with the hybrid passive/acoustic filter. The hybrid passive/acoustic filter can be configured to filter a radio frequency signal. The hybrid passive/acoustic filter can include acoustic resonators and a non-acoustic passive component. The non-acoustic LC filter can be configured to suppress a harmonic of the radio frequency signal. The non-acoustic LC filter can be a low pass filter or a harmonic notch filter, for example. Related multiplexers, wireless communication devices, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to a parallel hybrid acoustic passive filter. The parallel hybrid acoustic passive filter includes a first sub-filter and a second sub-filter. The first sub-filter includes a first acoustic resonator and a first non-acoustic passive component. The second sub-filter includes a second acoustic resonator and second first non-acoustic passive component. The first sub-filter and the second sub-filter are together arranged to filter a radio frequency signal. The parallel hybrid acoustic filter can be a band pass filter or a band stop filter, for example. Related multiplexers, wireless communication devices, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to hybrid acoustic LC filter with harmonic suppression. The hybrid acoustic LC filter includes a hybrid passive/acoustic and a non-acoustic LC filter cascaded with the hybrid passive/acoustic filter. The hybrid passive/acoustic filter can be configured to filter a radio frequency signal. The hybrid passive/acoustic filter can include acoustic resonators and a non-acoustic passive component. The non-acoustic LC filter can be configured to suppress a harmonic of the radio frequency signal. The non-acoustic LC filter can be a low pass filter or a harmonic notch filter, for example. Related multiplexers, wireless communication devices, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An acoustic wave filter assembly having reduced on-die capacitance and improved isolation for high-frequency applications. The acoustic wave filter assembly includes a filter port, an antenna port, an acoustic wave filter connected between the filter port and the antenna port, one or more ground pins connected between the filter port and the antenna port, and a metallic guard ring extending around the acoustic wave filter assembly. At least one of the one or more ground pins is connected to the metallic guard ring. A diplexer, multiplexer, radio-frequency module and wireless device are also provided.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to a multiplexer with a hybrid acoustic passive filter. The multiplexer includes a plurality of filters configured to filter respective radio frequency signals, a shared filter coupled between each of the plurality of filters and a common node, and a radio frequency filter coupled to the common node. At least a first filter of the plurality of filters includes acoustic resonators and a non-acoustic passive component. Related multiplexers, wireless communication devices, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices relate to tunable circuits for multimode power amplification. For example, a variable-gain amplification system can include an amplifier configured to provide an amplified signal and to selectively operate in at least a first gain mode and a second gain mode. The variable-gain amplification system can also include a tunable circuit configured to receive the amplified signal from the amplifier and to provide an output signal. The tunable circuit can be configured to implement a first turn ratio for the first gain mode and a second turn ratio for the second gain mode.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for cell-free DNA extraction from liquid biological samples. The methods can be employed for determination of fetal DNA fraction and non-invasive prenatal screening of fetal aneuploidies and analyses of other types of cell-free DNA.

Abstract: Methods for determining the presence or absence of expansion of CGG repeat sequence in the FMR1 gene presence or absence of expansion of CCG repeat sequence in the FMR2 gene are provided. The methods are useful in identifying an individual with normal/intermediate, versus premutation or full mutation allele of FMR1 gene and FMR2 gene due to the expansion of CGG repeats and CCG repeats in the 5?-untranslated region respectively. The methods are also useful for screening newborns for fragile X syndrome or for screening women to determine heterozygosity status with full premutation of the CCG repeat tract. The methods are also useful in estimating the premutation and full mutation carrier frequency and estimating the prevalence of FXTAS AND FXPOI in a population. The methods are simple, rapid and require small amount of sample.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to a multiplexer with a hybrid acoustic passive filter. The multiplexer includes a plurality of filters configured to filter respective radio frequency signals, a shared filter coupled between each of the plurality of filters and a common node, and a radio frequency filter coupled to the common node. At least a first filter of the plurality of filters includes acoustic resonators and a non-acoustic passive component. Related multiplexers, wireless communication devices, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices relate to tunable baluns for multimode power amplification. For example, a variable-gain amplification system can include a power amplifier configured to provide an amplified signal and to selectively operate in at least a first gain mode and a second gain mode. The variable-gain amplification system can also include a tunable balun circuit configured to receive the amplified signal from the power amplifier and to provide an output signal. The tunable balun circuit can be configured to implement a first turn ratio for the first gain mode and a second turn ratio for the second gain mode.

Abstract: A filter module has a first terminal, a second terminal, and at least one filter disposed along each signal path extending from the first terminal to the second terminal. The filter can include a plurality of series resonators and a plurality of shunt resonators disposed between the series resonators and a ground configured to enhance power ruggedness of the filter module. A matching circuit coupled to the filter performs impedance matching of the filter.

Abstract: A surface mount device inductor has a package casing sized to attenuate electromagnetic coupling between the inductor coils of the surface mount device inductors. The surface mount device inductor includes an inductor coil, an anode structure disposed over a first end of the inductor coil and a cathode structure disposed over a second end of the inductor coil opposite the first end, the cathode structure being spaced apart from the anode structure. One or both of the anode structure and the cathode structure comprise a shield portion disposed at least partially over the inductor coil to thereby reduce electromagnetic coupling between adjacent surface mount device inductors. The package casing makes the surface mount device inductors self-shielding. The surface mount device inductors can be incorporated into a radiofrequency module, and can be incorporated into a front end system of a wireless mobile device.

Abstract: Provided are a strain ofBeijerinckia fluminensis and an application thereof in arsenic oxidation. The strain is AS-56, and has been deposited in the China Center for Type Culture Collection on 5 Dec. 2019, the deposit number being CCTCC NO: M 20191014. The strain AS-56 of Beijerinckia fluminensis can oxidise As(III) to the less toxic As(V) and can completely oxidize 0.15 g/L of As(III) solution to As(V), greatly reducing arsenic toxicity, and thus having wide prospects for application in environmental remediation.

Abstract: Radio frequency communication systems with a combined antenna impedance tuning and antenna multiplexing functionality are provided. In certain embodiments, a packaged radio frequency module includes an antenna multiplexer and an antenna impedance tuner. The module can be configured to provide impedance matching between one or more radio frequency front end modules and an antenna. The antenna impedance tuner can supplement antenna tuning provided by an antenna aperture separately connected to the antenna.

Abstract: Wideband power combiners and splitters are provided herein. In certain embodiments, a power combiner/splitter is implemented with a first coil connecting a first port and a second port, and a second coil connecting a third port and a fourth port. The first coil and the second coil are inductively coupled to one another. For example, the first coil and the second coil can be formed using adjacent conductive layers of a semiconductor chip, an integrated passive device, or a laminate. The power combiner/splitter further includes a fifth port tapping a center of the first coil and a sixth port tapping a center of the second coil. The fifth port and the sixth port serve to connect capacitors and/or other impedance to the center of the coils to thereby provide wideband operation.