Abstract: In a Boundaryless Control High Availability (“BCHA”) system (e.g., industrial control system) comprising multiple computing resources (or computational engines) running on multiple machines, technology for computing in real time the overall system availability based upon the capabilities/characteristics of the available computing resources, applications to execute and the distribution of the applications across those resources is disclosed. In some embodiments, the disclosed technology can dynamically manage, coordinate recommend certain actions to system operators to maintain availability of the overall system at a desired level. High Availability features may be implemented across a variety of different computing resources distributed across various aspects of a BCHA system and/or computing resources. Two example implementations of BCHA systems described involve an M:N working configuration and M:N+R working configuration.

Abstract: An example method for offline data synchronization to generate a representation of a space includes: localizing a data capture device in the space; detecting, by the data capture device, a nearby additional data capture device; in response to detecting the additional data capture device, establishing a communications channel to the additional data capture device; generating data representing the space; generating synchronization data based on the generated data; and sending the synchronization data to the additional capture device via the communications channel.

Abstract: A retractor assembly that includes a base portion in slidable engagement with two or more retractor arms with at least one of the retractor arms releasably securing a retractor blade configured to be anchored to a bone anchor. The retractor blade includes an elongate blade portion with a retractor engagement portion positioned at the proximal end of the elongate blade portion and an anchor mechanism positioned at the distal end of the elongate blade portion. The anchor mechanism includes a first jaw and second jaw configured to engage the bone implant. When closed around or anchored to the bone implant—which may be a shank of a modular screw system—the components of the modular screw are able to be assembled to the shank without adjusting, loosening, or opening the anchor mechanism.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a dispensing nozzle assembly of a beverage dispenser is disclosed. The dispensing nozzle assembly may include a macro-ingredient/diluent outlet and a number of micro-ingredient outlets surrounding the macro-ingredient/diluent outlet. The cleaning device may include a handle, a head end rotatably attached to the handle, a guidance protrusion extending from the head end, a first set of bristles extending from the head end and surrounding the guidance protrusion, and a second set of bristles extending from the head end adjacent to the first set of bristles.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus to provide preheat voltage feedback loss protection are disclosed. An example welding-type system includes a welding-type power source configured to provide welding-type power to a welding-type circuit, the welding-type circuit comprising a welding-type electrode and a first contact tip of a welding torch; an electrode preheating circuit configured to provide preheating power through a first portion of the welding-type electrode via a second contact tip of the welding torch; a preheat feedback circuit configured to measure a preheat voltage; and an electrode preheat control circuit configured to: control the preheating power based on the preheating voltage; and control the electrode preheating circuit to reduce the preheating power in response to detecting an invalid preheat voltage measured by the preheat feedback circuit.

Abstract: A surgical system may include a conductive stylet with a distal end advanceable into bone material and a proximal end coupled to a stylet hub. A handle is non-removably attached to the stylet hub, and removably attachable to an insulative cannula hub. The cannula hub is non-removably attached to a conductive cannula that surrounds the stylet when the handle is attached to the proximal end of the insulative cannula hub. An outer insulative sheath is slideably engaged to insulative cannula hub, and has a radio-opaque distal tip. An electrical signal source may be applied to the stylet hub to conduct a pedicle integrity assessment. The handle and stylet may be removed from the cannula assembly, leaving the cannula assembly in place at the surgical site.

Abstract: The present application provides methods of treating urticaria in a patient in need thereof, comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound which inhibits JAK1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A method of operating a cooktop appliance in a precision mode includes monitoring a temperature with a temperature sensor and starting a vaporization timer when the monitored temperature enters a vaporization band. The method also includes freezing the precision mode when the vaporization timer expires and the monitored temperature is within the vaporization band.

Abstract: An example virtual reality (VR) system includes a VR headset, a plurality of monitoring stations, and an image processing device. Each of the monitoring stations includes an image sensor to capture images of the VR headset and an environment in which the VR headset is used. The image processing device is to process the images captured by the monitoring stations to detect an object in the environment, and to transmit, to the VR headset, information that includes notification of the object detected.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques to conserve battery of an endpoint device. Example techniques include adjusting the size of messages transmitted by an endpoint device and/or adjusting the transmission rate of an endpoint device. In some configurations, the one or more criteria are used by an endpoint device to determine what data fields to include within a message and/or adjust a transmission rate associated with the transmission of messages by the endpoint device. For instance, the one or more criteria may include the battery level of the device, the time of year, whether the data has already been transmitted by the endpoint device, whether the data has been acknowledged as received by another device, whether the endpoint device has been instructed by another device to reduce the message size and/or adjust the transmission rate, and the like.

Abstract: Techniques for obtaining and processing utility consumption data (e.g., gas, water, electricity, etc.) of a utility network to determine if a violation has occurred with respect to a restriction schedule associated with a service site. By way of example, a number of utility restriction schedules associated with a number of service sites may be generated that indicate, for example, a type of restricted activity and/or event (e.g., irrigation), seasons and/or which days activity is allowed or not allowed, duration activity is allowed, and/or mitigation to take place if a violation is detected. A device (e.g., a smart utility meter, a router, etc.) may monitor utility consumption and detect a particular usage activity (e.g., irrigation) via data disaggregation. The device may compare the activity to the restriction schedule for that particular service site and perform automatic mitigation if a violation is detected.

Abstract: A method of operating a cooktop appliance in a precision mode includes monitoring a temperature with a temperature sensor and starting a vaporization timer when the monitored temperature enters a vaporization band. The method also includes freezing the precision mode when the vaporization timer expires and the monitored temperature is within the vaporization band.

Abstract: A method of laundering a soiled stitchbonded nonwoven towel, to provide hygienically-clean, odor-free towels having non-durable soil release polymer agents on the fabrics and stitching is described. The method has a step of washing soiled stitchbonded nonwoven towels in a first aqueous wash solution formed from a first wash composition comprising a surfactant, a builder, an alkalinity source, and a soil release polymer, at a first alkaline pH, and at a first wash temperature sufficient to remove soil on the towels without redeposition of the soil back onto the towels or into the laundry machine once the residual wash solution is drained. The method also has a step of treating the washed towels in a treatment solution formed from a post-wash composition comprising a soil release polymer agent, at a temperature and pH sufficient to aid in exhausting soil release polymer from the treatment solution and onto the towels or fabrics.

Abstract: Methods and systems for liquefying natural gas using environmentally-friendly low combustibility refrigerants are provided. Methods of liquefaction include cooling a fluid in an LNG facility via indirect heat exchange with an environmentally-friendly low combustibility refrigerant selected from the group consisting of: a fluorinated olefin, xenon, any derivative thereof, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: Techniques detect a low gas-pressure condition within a region without the use of pressure sensors. In an example, gas usage at a service site is disaggregated to show use by individual appliances. A flowrate of gas at an appliance (e.g., a gas hot water tank) having a generally fixed-rate of gas-consumption is determined. Based at least in part on the flowrate of gas at the appliance, and an historical gas flowrate at that appliance, it is determined if gas pressure at the service site is lower than expected. In an example, failure of the appliance to use its typical fixed-flowrate may indicate low gas pressure at the service site. Information is obtained from a second gas meter at a second service site. Based on the gas pressure at the first and second service sites being lower than expected, a low gas pressure situation may exist in a regional area.

Abstract: A packaging container for transporting multiple beverage articles is provided. The packaging container includes an outer carton and first and second insert trays. The first insert tray includes a base panel having one or more openings for receiving a lower portion of beverage article. The second insert tray includes a base panel having or more openings for receiving an intermediate portion of a beverage article and a top wall having one or more openings for receiving an upper portion of a beverage article. The openings in the first insert tray and the second insert tray are vertically aligned when the first and second insert trays are positioned within the outer carton to secure multiple beverage articles in a separated arrangement.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for diagnosing plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome, associated primarily with in infants) from photographs of the head. The method and apparatus may involve the use of a processor circuit, for example an application server, for automatically identifying the contour of the head in a plurality of images, then computing geometrical measurements in order quantify plagiocephaly. Photographs are acquired from an overhead view of a head, where the images may be rotated manually or automatically to a standard orientation. For each image, an optimal head contour is identified as minimizing a mathematical cost function combining local image filter responses designed for edge detection and a global model of head contour shape combining smoothness and convexity constrains. Length measurements are then computed from the identified contour, e.g. head diameter, diagonal diameter, and used to quantify the degree of head asymmetry and diagnose plagiocephaly.

Abstract: An example virtual reality (VR) system includes a VR headset, a plurality of monitoring stations, and an image processing device. Each of the monitoring stations includes an image sensor to capture images of the VR headset and an environment in which the VR headset is used. The image processing device is to process the images captured by the monitoring stations to detect an object in the environment, and to transmit, to the VR headset, information that includes notification of the object detected.

Abstract: A patient support system may include a pelvic bolster assembly and a thoracic bolster assembly. Each of the assemblies may be attached to a conventional surgical table frame by the surgical table frame's longitudinal rails. A plurality of adjustment mechanisms and components are provided to allow for easy and safe manipulation of a patient before and during surgery.

Abstract: Topical compositions and methods for using topical compositions comprising tapinarof to treat mild to moderate atopic dermatitis or plaque psoriasis are described herein. Also described are clinical endpoints for treatment of subjects diagnosed with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, wherein about 5% to about 35% of body surface area was affected, and Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) score was greater than or equal to 3. Also described are clinical endpoints for treatment of subjects diagnosed with chronic mild to moderate plaque psoriasis for greater than or equal to 6 months, wherein about 3% to about 20% of body surface area was affected, and Physician Global Assessment (PGA) score was greater than or equal to 2.