Abstract: A pre-trained natural language processing machine learning model is received. The pre-trained natural language processing machine learning model is tuned. A workflow to be implemented by a chatbot to complete a task-oriented dialog is received. A representation of one or more plan steps based on a current progression state of the workflow is dynamically determined. At least the representation of the one or more plan steps is provided as an input to the pre-trained natural language processing machine learning model to guide the pre-trained natural language processing machine learning model. An output action and/or an utterance for the task-oriented dialog is received from the pre-trained natural language processing machine learning model.

Abstract: A vehicle control system and method may receive state information from a vehicle group having one or more vehicles. The state information may indicate an operational parameter of one of the vehicles. The controller may direct a display device to present one or more statuses of the one or more vehicles based at least in part on the state information that is received by the controller. This state information may be used to notify an operator of a potential component fault before continued operation of the vehicle group further damages the component or a vehicle. In another example, the state information may be used to control or change operation of one vehicle based on the state or status of another vehicle, such as by changing movement of one or more drones in a swarm responsive to a lower state of charge of another drone in the same swarm.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to power thermal management systems with heat of a working fluid therein. Example thermal management system include: a thermal transport bus loop fluidly coupled to at least one heat source exchanger and at least one heat sink exchanger; a turbomachine including a turbine and a compressor, the turbine and compressor rotatably interlocked via a shaft, the compressor coupled to the thermal transport bus loop, the turbine including an inlet and an outlet, the inlet connected to a first point of the thermal transport bus loop via a first flowline, the outlet connected to a second point of the thermal transport bus loop via a second flowline; and a control valve coupled to the first flowline, the control valve to adjust a mass flowrate of the heat exchange fluid in the first flowline based on a speed of the shaft.

Abstract: A thermal storage solution system is disclosed herein. The system includes an insulated container having a thermal storage medium, a heating element configured to heat the thermal storage medium, a heat receiving unit (e.g., thermophotovoltaic (TPV) heat engine, heat transfer fluid, an industrial process component) configured to convert heat into electric energy, and a mechanism configured to control a view factor between the thermal storage medium and the heat engine. In another embodiment, the system includes multiple thermal storage media as unit cells in a single enclosure or container with insulation between adjacent unit cells.

Abstract: A connectivity monitor of a vehicle determines current and/or future states of antennas. A workload monitor of the vehicle receives execution criteria for different workloads to be executed. An intelligent connectivity engine at the vehicle receives the current and/or future states of the antennas and the execution criteria for the respective workloads. Based on the current and/or future states of the antennas and the execution criteria for the respective workloads, the intelligent connectivity engine assigns at least one of the respective workloads for current execution and at least another of the respective workloads for future execution. A client may use an intelligent connectivity service to configure various aspects of the vehicle connectivity. For example, the client can provide workload recommendation code for the intelligent connectivity engine to assign workloads for current or future execution.

Abstract: An autonomous vacuum cleaner includes an autonomously moveable housing carrying a vacuum collection system for generating a working air flow for removing dirt from the surface to be cleaned and storing the dirt in a collection space. Distance sensors for position sensing are mounted to the housing. The distance sensors can be staggered and/or positioned on one or more sides or above a brush chamber for a brushroll.

Abstract: A patient handling device includes a frame for supporting a patient, a controller, and two alert lights which are activated when a controller detects an alert situation, such as, but not limited to, a patient exiting from the patient handling device. The controller is in communication with the alert lights and operable to monitor an integrated bed exit system. The alert lights are positioned adjacent the foot end corners of the frame and are viewable by a user positioned anywhere within a 270 degree section of a circle defined at the center of the patient handling device. The alert lights include one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

Abstract: Dual compression-expansion pumps and related methods are disclosed. An example fluid pump includes a shaft, a motor coupled to the shaft, the motor to drive a rotation of the shaft, a compressor coupled to a first end of the shaft, a turbine coupled to a second end of the shaft opposite the first end, and a housing including a first inlet, a second inlet, a third inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, the first outlet fluidly coupled to the second inlet, the second outlet fluidly coupled to the third inlet.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an end effector assembly, a display, and a controller. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members each defining a tissue-treating surface. At least one of the first or second jaw members is movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue between the tissue-treating surfaces thereof. At least one of the first or second jaw members includes a sensor. The controller is configured to receive sensor data from the sensor, generate a tissue indication based upon the sensor data, and output the tissue indication to the display. The display is configured to display the tissue indication. The tissue indication indicates a location along the first jaw member at which tissue is grasped between the tissue-treating surfaces of the first and second jaw members.

Abstract: A shock absorber for towbars provides damping forces that reduce forces when stopping and starting during towing operations of aircraft.

Abstract: A payment terminal comprising: a slot configured for receiving of a payment card therein; and a near field communications (NFC) circuit comprising at least one antenna, wherein a first antenna of the at least one antenna is located proximate the slot and configured to communicate with an NFC circuit on the payment card when the payment card is disposed in the slot.

Abstract: A disposable staining system is provided including an insertable module configured to receive a biological sample therein, the insertable module including a well in which the biological sample is positioned; and a staining cartridge configured to receive the insertable module including the biological sample therein, the insertable module being positioned in the staining cartridge. The insertable module has first and second inclined planes on opposing sides of an upper surface of the insertable module. A sled configured to receive the insertable module has corresponding first and second inclined planes on a bottom surface thereof. The first and second inclined planes of the insertable module and the first and second inclined planes of the sled are configured to transform horizontal movement of the insertable module into the staining cartridge into a vertical movement of the sled such that the sled is pushed upward.

Abstract: A transmitter can include a laser operable to output an optical signal; a digital signal processor operable to receive user data and provide electrical signals based on the data; and a modulator operable to modulate the optical signal to provide optical subcarriers based on the electrical signals. A first one of the subcarriers carriers carries first TDMA encoded information and second TDMA encoded information, such that the first TDMA encoded information is indicative of a first portion of the data and is carried by the first one of the subcarriers during a first time slot, and the second TDMA encoded information is indicative of a second portion of the data and is carried by the first one of the subcarriers during a second time slot. The first TDMA encoded information is associated with a first node remote from the transmitter and the second TDMA encoded information is associated with a second node remote from the transmitter.

Abstract: A biocidal material includes a carrier, a plurality of copper-containing glass particles, and at least one co-biocide selected from isothiazolinones, bicyclic oxazolidines, and bromine nitrogen-based compounds. A minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of a combination of the at least one co-biocide and the plurality of copper-containing glass particles is less than an MBC of the at least one co-biocide in the absence of the plurality of copper-containing glass particles.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a subject for sleep apnea risk based on a bradycardia burden are disclosed. A sleep apnea monitoring system comprises a risk stratification circuit configured to detect bradycardia using cardiac information of the subject during a monitoring period, determine a bradycardia burden representing accumulated time or relative time of the subject being in the detected bradycardia over the monitoring period, and determine an apnea risk based on the bradycardia burden. An output unit can provide the apnea risk to a user, or to a process executed by an apnea detector to perform a confirmatory apnea detection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are nanostructures and their use, where the nanostructures include (a) a plurality of first assemblies, each first assembly comprising a plurality of identical first polypeptides; (b) a plurality of second assemblies, each second assembly comprising a plurality of identical second polypeptides, wherein the second polypeptide differs from the first polypeptide; wherein the plurality of first assemblies non-covalently interact with the plurality of second assemblies to form a nanostructure; and wherein the nanostructure displays multiple copies of one or more paramyxovirus and/or pneumovirus F proteins or antigenic fragments thereof, on an exterior of the nanostructure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chemical processes for the manufacture of certain quinazoline derivatives, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The invention also relates to processes for the manufacture of certain intermediates useful in the manufacture of the quinazoline derivatives and to processes for the manufacture of the quinazoline derivatives utilising said intermediates. In particular, the present invention relates to chemical processes and intermediates useful in the manufacture of the compound 4-(4-bromo-2-fluoroanilino)-6-methoxy-7-(1-methylpiperidin-4-ylmethoxy)quinazoline.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for generating a transcript of a legal proceeding or other multi-speaker conversation or performance in real time or near-real time using multi-channel audio capture. Different speakers or participants in a conversation may each be assigned a separate microphone that is placed in proximity to the given speaker, where each audio channel includes audio captured by a different microphone. Filters may be applied to isolate each channel to include speech utterances of a different speaker, and these filtered channels of audio data may then be processed in parallel to generate speech-to-text results that are interleaved to form a generated transcript.

Abstract: A solid-state thermal battery system is disclosed herein. The system includes a stationary thermal storage medium that can be charged by adding heat to the thermal storage medium. Actuated heat engines can be utilized to discharge the solid-state thermal battery, converting the heat stored in the thermal storage medium into electricity. The heat engines are actuated in a manner that reduces thermal gradients in the thermal storage medium to increase the efficiency of the system. In one embodiment, the thermal storage medium is contained in a main chamber of an insulated container. The heat engines are stored, when idle, in an ancillary chamber adjacent to the main chamber and moved into the main chamber by an actuation system to begin discharging the solid-state thermal battery. The heat engines follow a path during discharge to dynamically move between regions of the thermal storage medium to reduce thermal gradients induced therein.

Abstract: A casting mould comprising: an inorganic or refractory mould, wherein the mould is configured to receive feedstock; wherein the feedstock is configured to be heated in situ. A reusable mould, reusable susceptor, and/or release agent may be incorporated. Method of manufacturing a mould, and casting a part employing 5 in situ heating, are also provided.