Abstract: Systems and methods for heating a battery, which may be performed alone or in combination with charging or discharging a battery. In some implementations, heating involves applying an alternating current waveform, which may be sinusoidal, to a battery. In some implementations, the heating signal is applied at a frequency and/or current with little or no net charge to the battery.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods of generating a complete and accurate geometrically optimized environment. Stereo pair images depicting an environment are selected from a plurality of images to generate a Digital Surface Model (DSM). Characteristics of objects in the environment are determined and identified. The geometry of the objects may be determined and fit with polygons and textured facades. By determining the objects, the geometry, and the material from original satellite imagery and from a DSM created from the matching stereo pair point clouds, a complete and accurate geometrically optimized environment is created.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for delivery of an implant to a targeted area of a subject. The systems may include the implant including a plurality of bioresorbable hyaluronan-based fibers and a plurality of non-resorbable fibers, a bone fastener configured to couple the implant to bone, a soft-tissue fastener configured to couple the implant to soft tissue. The systems may include a soft-tissue fastener tool (SFT) configured to couple with and deliver the soft-tissue fastener through the implant and soft-tissue and a bone fastener tool (BFT) configured to couple with and deliver the bone fastener and the implant. The BFT may further be configured to facilitate positioning of at least a portion of the implant over the targeted area after delivery thereto, and a cannula including a cannula passage configured to receive the BFT coupled with the bone fastener and implant therethrough.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for delivery of an implant to a targeted area of a subject, the system includes the implant includes a plurality of bioresorbable hyaluronan-based fibers and a plurality of non-resorbable fibers, a bone fastener configured to couple the implant to bone, a soft-tissue fastener configured to couple the implant to soft tissue, a soft-tissue fastener tool (SFT) configured to couple with and deliver the soft-tissue fastener through the implant and soft-tissue, a bone fastener tool (BFT) configured to couple with and deliver the bone fastener and the implant. The BFT may further be configured to facilitate positioning of at least a portion of the implant over the targeted area after delivery thereto, and a cannula having a cannula passage. The cannula passage may be configured to receive the BFT coupled with the bone fastener and implant therethrough to secure the implant about the targeted site.

Abstract: A storage system configured for use with an energy management system is provided herein and comprises a rechargeable battery, a grid detection circuit operably connected to the rechargeable battery such that when an AC power source is not detected by the grid detection circuit and a voltage at the rechargeable battery falls below a threshold voltage, the grid detection circuit places the rechargeable battery into a sleep mode, and a switch operably connected to the grid detection circuit and configured to override the grid detection circuit so that rechargeable battery exits the sleep mode until a voltage at the rechargeable battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: A composition configured for oral use is provided, the composition including a filler in an amount of at least 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, and at least one active ingredient including one or more botanical materials, stimulants, amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants, cannabinoids, pharmaceutical agents, or a combination thereof. The composition further includes a salt and at least one sweetener. The composition has a moisture content of at least about 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and structures deploy a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) energy optimization program. A standard operating control platform (OCP) is deployed in an energy optimization control engine (EOCE) computing system communicatively coupled to a plurality of HVAC components via a building automation system (BAS). An energy optimization portal (EOP), which receives from the EOCE computing system a first data set identifying the plurality of HVAC components, a second data set including operational control parameters for each of the plurality of HVAC components, and a third data set including measured operations data associated with each of the plurality of HVAC components. The EOP generates an energy optimized operating control platform based on the first, second, and third data sets, which is automatically communicated from the EOP to the EOCE computing system.

Abstract: Compositions and methods described in this document make use of macrophage derived engineered vesicles (MEV) having specificity for delivery to a target environment, for use in modifying macrophage phenotype and/or treating a condition. Further disclosed are MEV derived from a specific phenotype encapsulating a therapeutic agent for targeted therapeutic delivery.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments disclosed herein pertain to a cooling apparatus that includes a distributor plate and a conduit assembly. The conduit assembly allows a cooling fluid to flow downwards through a first set of holes in the distributor plate and onto a hot object placed below the distributor plate. The cooling fluid then flows upwards from the hot object into a second set of holes in the distributor plate. The first set of holes are shaped to offer a pressure increase to the cooling fluid flowing towards the hot object. The second set of holes are shaped to offer reduced resistance to the cooling fluid flowing away from the hot object. The distributor plate and the conduit assembly are fabricated from a material that is a heat insulator thereby preventing heat transfer from the cooling fluid flowing away from the hot object to the cooling fluid flowing towards the hot object.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments disclosed herein pertain to a cooling apparatus that includes a distributor plate and a conduit assembly. The conduit assembly allows a cooling fluid to flow downwards through a first set of holes in the distributor plate and onto a hot object placed below the distributor plate. The cooling fluid then flows upwards from the hot object into a second set of holes in the distributor plate. The first set of holes are shaped to offer a pressure increase to the cooling fluid flowing towards the hot object. The second set of holes are shaped to offer reduced resistance to the cooling fluid flowing away from the hot object. The distributor plate and the conduit assembly are fabricated from a material that is a heat insulator thereby preventing heat transfer from the cooling fluid flowing away from the hot object to the cooling fluid flowing towards the hot object.

Abstract: A canine diaper with re-useable and removable absorption pad may include a resilient body band which may include a resilient fabric material. The body band may have a first side configured for contacting the body of a desired animal, preferably a dog, and a second side which may be positioned opposite from the first side and away from the body of the animal. A liner may be coupled to the first side at a central region on the body band. A pocket panel may be coupled to the liner and/or first side to form a pocket cavity between the liner and pocket panel. An absorption pad may be removably received in the pocket cavity which may be positioned in contact with the urine emitting organ of the animal. A retainer may be removably coupled to the second side via a fastener, and the retainer may be configured to govern access to the pocket cavity.

Abstract: An integrated stratigraphic method for determining total organic carbon (TOC) in a rock formation is provided, The method includes performing a geochemical analysis method to create a geochemical dataset; performing a chronostratigraphic method to create a chronostratigraphic dataset; performing a graphic correlation of the chronostratigaphic dataset from at least one location in the rock formation; determining a sequence stratigraphic model based on the graphic correlation; and generating a palaeogeographic reconstruction at one or more time periods by integrating the sequence stratigraphic model with the geochemical dataset to construct a predictive depositional model and determine a location and areal extent of total organic carbon within the rock formation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for mitigating knock and/or pre-ignition. Each of a spark timing retard, cylinder enrichment, and engine load limiting is adjusted based on a knock sensor output generated in a single defined crank angle window, and not based on knock sensor output generated outside the defined crank angle window. A severity of the mitigating actions is adjusted in proportion to the knock sensor output intensity with the severity of the mitigating action increased as the knock sensor output intensity increases.

Abstract: A smart cap for a medication container is disclosed. The smart cap includes a circuit board and a weight sensor electrically coupled to the circuit board and configured to generate electrical input signals representative of the total weight of medication units in the medication container. The smart cap may include a processor for processing the electrical input signals generated by the weight sensor, and a memory for storing medication information associated with medication in the medication container, including the processed electrical input signals generated by the weight sensor. The smart cap may transmit the stored information to a computing device communicatively coupled to the cap.

Abstract: A compostable food packaging container. The container may have from about 84% to about 94% by weight cPLA, from about 5% to about 15% by weight of an oxygen barrier material, and one or more additives. In some embodiments, the container may be a beverage pod. The oxygen barrier material may be polyglutamic acid in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the oxygen barrier material is ethylene vinyl alcohol. The oxygen barrier material may be a food contact grade material. The one or more additives may include an impact modifier and a nucleating agent in some embodiments. Moreover, the one or more additives may include a pigment. The food packaging container may be formed of a sheet material having one or more layers. The sheet material may be extruded, co-extruded or laminated. In some embodiments, the sheet material may be thermoformed or vacuum formed to form the container.

Abstract: A smart cap for a medication container is disclosed. The smart cap includes a circuit board and a weight sensor electrically coupled to the circuit board and configured to generate electrical input signals representative of the total weight of medication units in the medication container. The smart cap may include a processor for processing the electrical input signals generated by the weight sensor, and a memory for storing medication information associated with medication in the medication container, including the processed electrical input signals generated by the weight sensor. The smart cap may transmit the stored information to a computing device communicatively coupled to the cap.

Abstract: A weight sensor assembly including a strain gauge load cell is disclosed. The weight sensor assembly may be used in a smart cap. The weight sensor includes a platform for weighing objects and a load cell. The load cell includes an annular portion, and first and second beams coupled to the platform. Each of the beams includes a first end fixed to the annular portion and a second end that deforms as the platform displaces downward in response to an applied force. One or more strain gauges are mounted on the beams.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining multispectral images of fresh meat at predetermined wavelength bands at a first time, subjecting the images to analysis in an image analysis system comprising a computer programmed to perform such analysis, and outputting a forecast of meat tenderness at a later point in time. Predetermined key wavelength bands are precorrelated with a high degree of prediction of meat tenderness and/or other properties of meat and are used in the multispectral system and method. A system and method for determining the key wavelengths is also disclosed. The multispectral imaging system and method is suitable for use in an industrial setting, such as a meat processing plant. The system and method is useful in a method for determining quality and yield grades at or near the time of imaging in lieu of visual inspection with the unaided human eye, increasing efficiency and objectivity.