Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) fingerprinting using echo splitting are described. One example apparatus includes an NMR logic configured to repetitively and variably sample a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals. Members of the set of NMR signals are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The varying parameters may include the number of echo splitting pulses, spacings between echo splitting pulses, flip angle of echo splitting pulses, echo time, RF amplitude, and other parameters. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic configured to produce an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals, and a characterization logic configured to characterize a resonant species in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals.

Abstract: Example embodiments associated with characterizing a sample using NMR fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic that repetitively and variably samples a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals that are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic that produces an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals and a characterization logic that characterizes a tissue in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals. Example embodiments facilitate distinguishing prostate cancer tissue from normal peripheral zone tissue based on quantitative data acquired using NMR fingerprinting in combination with apparent diffusion co-efficient (ADC) values or perfusion values acquired using DWI-MRI or DCE-MRI.

Abstract: An electroluminescent earphone with a bending-resistance and a high-brightness includes earphone wires having bending-resistant electroluminescent wires, earbuds, an electroluminescent wire driver and an audio inputting plug. Each bending-resistant electroluminescent wire includes: a plurality of central electrodes; a luminescent layer coated on outer surfaces of the central electrodes; a transparent conductive layer coated on an outer surface of the luminescent layer; an outer electrode made of a plurality of wires arranged on an outer surface of the transparent conductive layer; and a transparent plastic covering the outer electrode and the transparent conductive layer. The bending-resistant electroluminescent wire is parallel with an earphone audio wire or coils around an outer surface of the earphone audio wire. A colored transparent plastic covers the bending-resistant electroluminescent wire and the earphone audio wire to form the earphone wire having the bending-resistant electroluminescent wire.

Abstract: The invention is an annular ducted lift fan system for a VTOL type aircraft. In detail, the invention comprises an annular duct, a lift fan set, engines, a central fuselage, a peripheral wing, and means for pneumatic coupling or mechanic coupling of engines and the lift fan set. The lift fan set is mounted in the annular duct and powered by the engines through pneumatic coupling or mechanic coupling. The annular duct is opened with the lift fan set working to provide high lift efficiency in VTOL mode and transition mode and is closed off to reduce drag in cruise mode.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) with simultaneous multivolume acquisition (SMVA) is described. One example nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) apparatus includes an NMR logic that repetitively and variably samples (k, t, E) spaces associated with different volumes (e.g., slices) in an object to simultaneously acquire sets of NMR signals that are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) spaces. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic that produces an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals and compares the NMR signal evolution to reference signal evolutions. Since different volumes are excited differently, resulting signal evolutions can be acquired simultaneously from the different volumes and NMR parameters may be simultaneously determined for the multiple volumes, which reduces acquisition time and parameter map creation time.

Abstract: An electroluminescent earphone with a bending-resistance and a high-brightness includes earphone wires having bending-resistant electroluminescent wires, earbuds, an electroluminescent wire driver and an audio inputting plug. Each bending-resistant electroluminescent wire includes: a plurality of central electrodes; a luminescent layer coated on outer surfaces of the central electrodes; a transparent conductive layer coated on an outer surface of the luminescent layer; an outer electrode made of a plurality of wires arranged on an outer surface of the transparent conductive layer; and a transparent plastic covering the outer electrode and the transparent conductive layer. The bending-resistant electroluminescent wire is parallel with an earphone audio wire or coils around an outer surface of the earphone audio wire. A colored transparent plastic covers the bending-resistant electroluminescent wire and the earphone audio wire to form the earphone wire having the bending-resistant electroluminescent wire.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with NMR fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic that repetitively and variably samples a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals that are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic that produces an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals, and a characterization logic that characterizes a resonant species in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals. The NMR signal evolution may be assigned to a cluster based on the characterization of the resonant species. Cluster overlay maps may be produced simultaneously based, at least in part, on the clustering. The clusters may be associated with different tissue types.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with NMR fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic that repetitively and variably samples a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals that are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. Sampling is performed in response to a diffusion-weighted double-echo pulse sequence. Sampling acquires transient-state signals of the double-echo sequence. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic that produces an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals, and a characterization logic that characterizes a resonant species in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals.

Abstract: Example embodiments associated with NMR fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic that repetitively and variably samples a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals that are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. Sampling is performed in response to a fast imaging with steady state free precession (MRF-FISP) pulse sequence having an unbalanced gradient that dephases transverse magnetization. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic that produces an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals, and a characterization logic that characterizes a resonant species in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals. The unbalanced gradient in the MRF-FISP pulse sequence reduces sensitivity to B0 in homogeneity.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods perform magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) for arterial spin labeling (ASL) based parameter quantification. ASL with MRF produces a nuclear magnetic resonance signal time course from which simultaneous quantification of ASL perfusion-related parameters can be achieved. The parameters may include cerebral blood flow, transit time, T1, or other parameters. The quantification uses values from a dictionary of signal time courses that were generated or augmented using Bloch simulation, knowledge of the sequence, or previous observations. The dictionary may account for inflow or outflow of labeled spins and may model arterial input. An ASL-MRF pulse sequence may differ from conventional pulse sequences. For example, an ASL-MRF pulse sequence may include non-uniform control pulses, non-uniform label pulses, non-uniform post labeling delay time, non-uniform background suppression pulses, non-uniform acquisition repetition time, or non-uniform acquisition flip angle.

Abstract: Given an image and an aligned depth map of an object, the invention predicts the 3D location, 3D orientation and opening width or area of contact for an end of arm tooling (EOAT) without requiring a physical model.

Abstract: A reflector including pairs of reflecting pieces, each pair of reflecting pieces includes at least one reflecting unit, each reflecting unit including a first reflecting portion, a second reflecting portion, and a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion whose bottom ends are respectively connected to the first reflecting portion and the second reflecting portion. The first fixing portion is located on the side of the first reflecting portion that is opposed to an optical center of the reflecting unit, and the second fixing portion is located on the side of the second reflecting portion that is opposed to the optical center of the reflecting unit.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with optimizing sounds produced during nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic to repetitively and variably sample a (k, t, E) space associated with a patient to acquire a set of NMR signals. Members of the set of NMR signals are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The varying parameters may include flip angle, echo time, RF amplitude, and other parameters. The parameters are varied in different acquisition blocks to facilitate matching sounds produced in response to the acquisition blocks to a desired set of sounds. The desired set of sounds may be a musical piece.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for rapid forensic analysis of mitochondrial DNA and methods for characterizing heteroplasmy of mitochondrial DNA, which can be used to assess the progression of mitochondrial diseases.

Abstract: A reflector including pairs of reflecting pieces, each pair of reflecting pieces includes at least one reflecting unit, each reflecting unit including a first reflecting portion, a second reflecting portion, and a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion whose bottom ends are respectively connected to the first reflecting portion and the second reflecting portion. The first fixing portion is located on the side of the first reflecting portion that is opposed to an optical center of the reflecting unit, and the second fixing portion is located on the side of the second reflecting portion that is opposed to the optical center of the reflecting unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for rapid forensic analysis of mitochondrial DNA and methods for characterizing heteroplasmy of mitochondrial DNA, which can be used to assess the progression of mitochondrial diseases.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) fingerprinting using echo splitting are described. One example apparatus includes an NMR logic configured to repetitively and variably sample a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals. Members of the set of NMR signals are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The varying parameters may include the number of echo splitting pulses, spacings between echo splitting pulses, flip angle of echo splitting pulses, echo time, RF amplitude, and other parameters. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic configured to produce an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals, and a characterization logic configured to characterize a resonant species in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals.

Abstract: Given an image and an aligned depth map of an object, the invention predicts the 3D location, 3D orientation and opening width or area of contact for an end of arm tooling (EOAT) without requiring a physical model.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, kits and methods for rapid identification and quantification of sepsis-causing bacteria by molecular mass and base composition analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for rapid forensic analysis of mitochondrial DNA and methods for characterizing heteroplasmy of mitochondrial DNA, which can be used to assess the progression of mitochondrial diseases.