Abstract: Systems, methods, and software can be used to control audio output of a vehicle. In some aspects, a method is disclosed comprising: determining, at a vehicle, a current driving mode of the vehicle; determining, at the vehicle, a plurality of audio output levels based on the current driving mode and one or more preconfigured audio zone profiles; and controlling, by the vehicle, audio equipment of the vehicle to output audio according to the plurality of audio output levels.

Abstract: This specification discloses high protein analog cheese having protein content greater than about 10% by weight. Such analog cheeses comprise pea starch and one more pulse protein isolate or pulse protein concentrate and have a firmness of greater than about 5000 g. Also, disclosed are methods of making analog cheese that avoid separation during processing. Such methods include applying reduced shear as the process progresses and heating a final mixture for a short time and at low speed.

Abstract: This specification also discloses sweet flours and uses of sweet flours in compositions. In preferred embodiments the compositions are edible. In at some embodiments the sweet flour is used as an opacifier and can be used to replace common whitening agents such as titanium dioxide or calcium carbonate. Illustrative compositions are flowable or meltable and comprise a sweet flour in an amount a sweet flour in an amount of from about 1% to about 6% by weight of the composition.

Abstract: A method of providing an anti-microbial coating on an object, comprises the steps of pretreating the object in a first oxygen plasma to graft oxygen-based functional groups on the surface of the object by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition, coating the pretreated object with a suspension of particulate graphene oxide to provide a graphene oxide coating on the object, treating the object in a hydrocarbon plasma to deposit an amorphous hydrocarbon film on the graphene oxide coating by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition, and treating the object in a second oxygen plasma configured to etch and flatten the coatings on the surface of the object. A prosthetic implant having a metal or metal alloy surface and an anti-microbial coating on all or part of the surface is also described.

Abstract: A method of providing an anti-microbial coating on an object, comprises the steps of pre-treating the object in a first oxygen plasma to graft oxygen-based functional groups on the surface of the object by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition, coating the pre-treated object with a suspension of particulate graphene oxide to provide a graphene oxide coating on the object, treating the object in a hydrocarbon plasma to deposit an amorphous hydrocarbon film on the graphene oxide coating by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition, and treating the object in a second oxygen plasma configured to etch and flatten the coatings on the surface of the object. A prosthetic implant having a metal or metal alloy surface and an anti-microbial coating on all or part of the surface is also described.

Abstract: A touchless interface device utilizing a plurality of infrared beams is disclosed along with its method of use. By using beams of light to detect the position of a user's hand, the touchless elevator call button selection device allows the user to interface with the elevator control system without physically coming into contact with the elevator control system.

Abstract: A convertible wrist rehabilitative training device for use with a stroke patient includes a base; a first adjustable wrist support that is configured to move between a first handle position for use in wrist flexion and extension training and a second handle position for use in ulnar deviation and radial deviation training; and a second adjustable wrist support that is configured to move between a first handle position for use in wrist flexion and extension training and a second handle position for use in ulnar deviation and radial deviation training.

Abstract: A touchless elevator call button selection device utilizing a plurality of infrared beams is disclosed along with its method of use. By using beams of light to detect the position of a user's hand, the touchless elevator call button selection device allows the user to interface with the elevator control system without physically coming into contact with the elevator control system.

Abstract: The technology disclosed in this specification pertains to imitations cheese comprising a grade 2 gum Arabic in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 1.0% and having a molecular weight of greater than about 800 kDa. In some embodiments the imitation cheese are low protein imitation cheeses having protein content of less than about 20%. It has been observed that the disclosed cheeses have an improved melt-stretch compared to imitation cheeses made with other hydrocolloids. It has further been observed low protein imitation cheeses comprising a grade 2 gum Arabic have a melt-stretch more like that of a full protein imitation cheese compared to the melt-stretch of imitation cheeses made with other hydrocolloids.

Abstract: A method of providing an anti-microbial coating on an object, comprises the steps of pretreating the object in a first oxygen plasma to graft oxygen-based functional groups on the surface of the object by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition, coating the pretreated object with a suspension of particulate graphene oxide to provide a graphene oxide coating on the object, treating the object in a hydrocarbon plasma to deposit an amorphous hydrocarbon film on the graphene oxide coating by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition, and treating the object in a second oxygen plasma configured to etch and flatten the coatings on the surface of the object. A prosthetic implant having a metal or metal alloy surface and an anti-microbial coating on all or part of the surface is also described.

Abstract: A method of producing a multi-layered functionalised graphene oxide paper, comprises the steps of providing an aqueous suspension of oxidised graphene oxide flakes, size reducing the oxidised graphene oxide flakes in the suspension to provide an aqueous suspension of particulate oxidised graphene oxide having an average particle size of less than 1 ?m and drying the aqueous suspension in a vessel to provide a multi-layered graphene oxide material. The multi-layered graphene oxide material is annealed to provide a multi-layered reduced graphene oxide material, before surface grafting functional groups to the surface of the multi-layered reduced graphene oxide material by reacting the material with a functional group precursor in the presence of plasma. The use of a graphene oxide material to treat bone defects, and as an energy storage device, is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for determining the mechanical properties of nanomaterials comprising a substrate (30) onto which a nanomaterial specimen (40) can be anchored, wherein said substrate (30) is mechanically connected to an actuator (20) on one side and to a sensor (50) on the opposite side, and wherein the substrate (30) is configured to generate a fracture line (32?) in a predetermined position which divides the substrate (30) into two parts (31,31?), wherein a first part (31) is connected to the actuator (20) and a second part (31?) is connected to a sensor (50), in order to allow a relative movement between the actuator (20) and the sensor (50).

Abstract: The present invention refers to a tray for distributing meals provided with a support base and a continuous perimeter edge arranged around it, characterized in that at least a portion of the continuous perimeter edge is inclined and is provided with a planar bottom which substantially extends up to the outer edge of the support base. The present invention also refers to a system comprising such a tray and a suitable trolley wherein the tray is to be inserted for transporting and distributing meals. The present invention finally refers to the use of such a tray for transporting meals in a special trolley.

Abstract: A touchless elevator call button selection device utilizing a plurality of infrared beams is disclosed along with its method of use. By using beams of light to detect the position of a user's hand, the touchless elevator call button selection device allows the user to interface with the elevator control system without physically coming into contact with the elevator control system.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides formulations and therapies for treating subjects with elevated levels of TIM-3 using gene-based cytotoxic immunostimulant therapy alone or with other immunotherapies.

Abstract: A touchless elevator call button selection device utilizing a plurality of infrared beams is disclosed along with its method of use. By using beams of light to detect the placement of a user's fingers, the touchless elevator call button selection device allows the user to interface with the elevator control system without physically touching the elevator control system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of verifying claim data comprising receiving the claim data having a claim associated therewith from a data source, analyzing the claim to assess the accuracy thereof, sending a verification request to an insured associated with the claim requesting that the insured verify the accuracy of selected portions of the claim, receiving verification information from the insured in response to the verification request, and then programmatically assessing the verification information from the insured. If the insured verifies the accuracy of the selected portions of the claim, programmatically updating a profile associated with the insured to include the verification information, and then programmatically sending authorization instructions regarding payment of the claim. If the insured does not verify the accuracy one or more portions of the selected portions of the claim, then programmatically initiating a fraud investigation of the portions of the claim that are inaccurate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing microbial probiotic biofilms and their uses in the biomedical, industrial, food and environmental field.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for determining the mechanical properties of nanomaterials comprising a substrate (30) onto which a nanomaterial specimen (40) can be anchored, wherein said substrate (30) is mechanically connected to an actuator (20) on one side and to a sensor (50) on the opposite side, and wherein the substrate (30) is configured to generate a fracture line (32) in a pre-determined position which divides the substrate (30) into two parts (31,31?), wherein a first part (31) is connected to the actuator (20) and a second part (31?) is connected to a sensor (50), in order to allow a relative movement between the actuator (20) and the sensor (50).

Abstract: This specification discloses a potato starch modified to have a narrow carboxylation and viscosity profile, and sulfite levels that are below detection levels by titration.