Abstract: A composite material for floating on a contaminated water source, including: A) a polymeric structure having a network of interconnected porous channels; and B) a carbonous material dispersed within the polymeric structure, the carbonous material has a functionalized surface. The composite material has a density of less than 1 g/cm3, and the contaminated water source contains a low-boiling-point contaminant. The polymeric structure draws contaminated water from the contaminated water source into the polymeric structure via capillary action, and the functionalized surface removes the low-boiling point contaminant from the contaminated water. A method of purifying water using the composite material as mentioned herein and a kit for harvesting purified water including the composite material as mentioned herein.

Abstract: The present provides a visual positioning method and system based on a Gaussian process and a storage medium. The method includes: collecting image of surrounding environment and moving trajectory points while traveling (S100); extracting global features and semantic features from images (S200); processing the extracted global features and semantic features and the moving trajectory points according to a preset processing rule to obtain a Gaussian process observation model (S300); and reconstructing a Bayes filtering framework according to the Gaussian process observation model, endowing a current trajectory with an initial position point, and generating a next position point of the current trajectory, the next position point being used for providing a positioning guidance for navigation (S400). An association between a current state and a historical state can be established, so that the accuracy of a predicted next position point is improved, and accurate navigation can be provided for a robot motion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of directional solidification, and in particular, to an apparatus, method, and process for directional solidification by liquid metal spraying enhanced cooling (LMSC). The process has the following beneficial effects: the apparatus of the present disclosure can regulate a solidification structure of a casting, refine a dendrite spacing, and reduce or avoid metallurgical defects, and can be used to prepare high-quality large-sized columnar/single crystal blades or other castings.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses the composite film of oral liquid pharmaceutical packaging and the preparation method, the composite film comprises a polyester layer, an aluminum foil layer and a heat-sealing layer; the polyester layer and the aluminum foil layer, and the aluminum foil layer and the heat-sealing layer are both bonded with an adhesive agent; the adhesive agent is an aqueous polyurethane prepared from an aqueous polyurethane emulsion, citric acid, acetic acid and zirconium carbonate amine with a mass ratio of 100:1:1:10˜15. The present disclosure adopts carboxylic acid type aqueous polyurethane emulsion, citric acid, acetic acid and zirconium carbonate amine to prepare aqueous polyurethane, the zirconium metal can form stable complex system with citric acid, acetic acid and aqueous polyurethane emulsion, so that aqueous polyurethane emulsion can be demulsified and cured rapidly, shortening curing time, reducing curing temperature.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method for imaging lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels without a contrast agent. The method includes providing, using an optical source, an infrared illumination to a region of a subject having at least one lymphatic component, detecting a reflected portion of the infrared illumination directly reflected from the region using a sensor positioned thereabout, and generating at least one image indicative of the at least one lymphatic component in the subject using the reflected portion of the infrared illumination.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method for imaging lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels without a contrast agent. The method includes providing, using an optical source, an infrared illumination to a region of a subject having at least one lymphatic component, detecting a reflected portion of the infrared illumination directly reflected from the region using a sensor positioned thereabout, and generating at least one image indicative of the at least one lymphatic component in the subject using the reflected portion of the infrared illumination.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a tamper-proofing electronic seal. The tamper-proofing electronic seal includes a shell, a lead seal rope, and a lead seal label. The lead seal label comprises a chip, an antenna circuit, a power supply, a power switch, and a potential detection circuit which are electrically connected. The power switch is arranged on a circuit, electrically connected to the chip, of the power supply. The potential detection circuit is electrically connected to the antenna circuit and the chip. A fixing hole and a locking hole are provided at positions, corresponding the potential detection circuit and the power switch, of the interior of the shell; the fixing end of the lead seal rope is clamped in the shell through the fixing hole; the use state of the electronic seal can be accurately marked, and the electronic seal is prevented from being tampered with or recycled.

Abstract: A system includes a laparoscope including a first port, a second port, and an optical system. The optical system includes a first port coupling, a shortwave infrared (SWIR) sensor coupling configured to couple to a SWIR sensor, and a visible-light sensor coupling configured to couple to a visible-light sensor. The optical system is configured to optically couple to at least the second port of the laparoscope via the first port coupling. The optical system is configured to receive a detection SWIR beam from the second port and direct at least a portion of the detection SWIR beam to the SWIR sensor coupling. The optical system is further configured to receive a detection visible-light beam from the second port and direct at least a portion of the detection visible-light beam to the visible-light sensor coupling.

Abstract: A loading apparatus for rock fracturing simulation includes an upper cover plate, a lower cover plate, lateral pressure pieces, and an acoustic measurement module top pillar. There are at least two lateral pressure pieces which are provided with a force applying face respectively for transmitting a radial force to a core sample. The upper cover plate, the lower cover plate and the lateral pressure pieces enclose a loading space for placing the core sample, and the lateral pressure pieces can slide along a radial direction of the core sample and relative to the upper cover plate or the lower cover plate. The lateral pressure pieces are provided with a sensor inserting hole for allowing a sensor to pass through respectively, and the sensor is attached to an outer peripheral wall of the core sample.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method for imaging lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels without a contrast agent. The method includes providing, using an optical source, an infrared illumination to a region of a subject having at least one lymphatic component, detecting a reflected portion of the infrared illumination directly reflected from the region using a sensor positioned thereabout, and generating at least one image indicative of the at least one lymphatic component in the subject using the reflected portion of the infrared illumination.

Abstract: Mid-infrared photothermal heterodyne imaging (MIR-PHI) techniques described herein overcome the diffraction limit of traditional MIR imaging and uses visible photodiodes as detectors. MIR-PHI experiments are shown that achieve high sensitivity, sub-diffraction limit spatial resolution, and high acquisition speed. Sensitive, affordable, and widely applicable, photothermal imaging techniques described herein can serve as a useful imaging tool for biological systems and other submicron-scale applications.

Abstract: Mid-infrared photothermal heterodyne imaging (MIR-PHI) techniques described herein overcome the diffraction limit of traditional MIR imaging and uses visible photodiodes as detectors. MIR-PHI experiments are shown that achieve high sensitivity, sub-diffraction limit spatial resolution, and high acquisition speed. Sensitive, affordable, and widely applicable, photothermal imaging techniques described herein can serve as a useful imaging tool for biological systems and other submicron-scale applications.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method for imaging lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels without a contrast agent. The method includes providing, using an optical source, an infrared illumination to a region of a subject having at least one lymphatic component, detecting a reflected portion of the infrared illumination directly reflected from the region using a sensor positioned thereabout, and generating at least one image indicative of the at least one lymphatic component in the subject using the reflected portion of the infrared illumination.

Abstract: A loading apparatus for rock fracturing simulation includes an upper cover plate, a lower cover plate, lateral pressure pieces, and an acoustic measurement module top pillar. There are at least two lateral pressure pieces which are provided with a force applying face respectively for transmitting a radial force to a core sample. The upper cover plate, the lower cover plate and the lateral pressure pieces enclose a loading space for placing the core sample, and the lateral pressure pieces can slide along a radial direction of the core sample and relative to the upper cover plate or the lower cover plate. The lateral pressure pieces are provided with a sensor inserting hole for allowing a sensor to pass through respectively, and the sensor is attached to an outer peripheral wall of the core sample.

Abstract: Mid-infrared photothermal heterodyne imaging (MIR-PHI) techniques described herein overcome the diffraction limit of traditional MIR imaging and uses visible photodiodes as detectors. MIR-PHI experiments are shown that achieve high sensitivity, sub-diffraction limit spatial resolution, and high acquisition speed. Sensitive, affordable, and widely applicable, photothermal imaging techniques described herein can serve as a useful imaging tool for biological systems and other submicron-scale applications.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method for imaging lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels without a contrast agent. The method includes providing, using an optical source, an infrared illumination to a region of a subject having at least one lymphatic component, detecting a reflected portion of the infrared illumination directly reflected from the region using a sensor positioned thereabout, and generating at least one image indicative of the at least one lymphatic component in the subject using the reflected portion of the infrared illumination.

Abstract: Mid-infrared photothermal heterodyne imaging (MIR-PHI) techniques described herein overcome the diffraction limit of traditional MIR imaging and uses visible photodiodes as detectors. MIR-PHI experiments are shown that achieve high sensitivity, sub-diffraction limit spatial resolution, and high acquisition speed. Sensitive, affordable, and widely applicable, photothermal imaging techniques described herein can serve as a useful imaging tool for biological systems and other submicron-scale applications.

Abstract: Mid-infrared photothermal heterodyne imaging (MIR-PHI) techniques described herein overcome the diffraction limit of traditional MIR imaging and uses visible photodiodes as detectors. MIR-PHI experiments are shown that achieve high sensitivity, sub-diffraction limit spatial resolution, and high acquisition speed. Sensitive, affordable, and widely applicable, photothermal imaging techniques described herein can serve as a useful imaging tool for biological systems and other submicron-scale applications.

Abstract: The invention provides polypeptides, polysaccharide-polypeptide conjugates, and expression vectors for treating or preventing pneumococcal infection. The compositions induce an anti-pneumococcal immune response when administered to a mammal. The compositions can be used prophylactically to vaccinate an individual and/or therapeutically to induce a therapeutic immune response in an infected individual.