Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses and methods for conditioning particles. In some embodiments, the apparatuses and methods are configured for first-in-first-out transit of particles through a chamber containing a conditioning fluid.

Abstract: A speculum includes a first blade member and a second blade member. Each of the first and second blade members extend from a proximal end to a distal end. A speculum control includes a control nut threadingly engaged with a threaded shaft. Internal threads of the control nut are oversized relative external threads of the threaded shaft such that the control nut freely spins upon the threaded shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for associating payment card credentials with a companion application. In an embodiment, a consumer's mobile device processor receives an instruction to launch a companion application, displays a companion application user interface, and receives selection of an option to obtain payment card credentials from at least one wallet application. The process also includes displaying a list of payment card accounts associated with the selected wallet application for association with the companion application, receiving a selection of at least one payment card account, transmitting payment account credentials of the selected payment account to a wallet server computer, receiving a companion token representing a digitization of the selected payment card account from the wallet server computer, and associating the companion token with the companion application.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to lensed optical fiber connector ferrule end faces having molded contact surfaces. The contact surfaces reduce ferrule end face contact area and thereby reduce the influence of trapped dust and debris on lens angular misalignment.

Abstract: A process for forming glass planar waveguide structure includes producing or obtaining a fusion drawn glass laminate (10) comprising a core glass layer (10) and a first clad glass layer (14) and a second clad glass layer (16) then removing or thinning portions of at least the second glass clad layer (16) leaving remaining or thicker portions of the second glass clad layer (16), the remaining or thicker portions corresponding to a planar waveguide pattern and resulting in a glass planar waveguide structure.

Abstract: A subplate mounted (SPM) valve includes a valve body having pilot port, a piston configured to be actuated by fluid from the pilot port, a first control chamber and second control chamber each formed in the valve body and fluidicly isolated from the pilot port, a first flow restrictor fluidicly disposed between the first control chamber and the second control chamber and configured to restrict flow in at least one direction between the first control chamber and the second control chamber, a cage coupled to the valve body and having a supply port, a return port, and a work port, and a spool slidably engaged with the cage and configured to selectively restrict flow between the supply port and the return port by actuation of the piston.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire and wheel assembly which includes a rim, and a spoke ring structure having an inner ring that is mounted on an outer surface of the rim. The inner ring has one or more retention nubs aligned for reception in complementary shaped grooves on the outer surface of the rim, wherein the spoke ring structure has a plurality of spoke members, and an outer tread ring is mounted on the outer circumference of the spoke ring.

Abstract: A method of forming a strengthened glass article is provided. The method includes providing a strengthened glass article. The strengthened glass article is in the form of a container including a sidewall having an exterior surface and an interior surface that encloses an interior volume. The sidewall has an exterior strengthened surface layer that includes the exterior surface, an interior strengthened surface layer that includes the interior surface and a central layer between the exterior strengthened surface layer and the interior strengthened surface layer that is under a tensile stress. A laser-induced intended line of separation is formed in the central layer at a predetermined depth between the exterior strengthened surface layer and the interior strengthened surface layer by irradiating the sidewall with a laser without separating the glass article.

Abstract: An automated global weather notification system is provided. The automated global weather notification system is capable of obtaining observational weather data, including data form of forecast grids, and applying business rules and conditional variables to that data. Based on the business rules and conditional variables, notifications are generated. Relevant users are identified in particular geographic areas and notifications are delivered to those users via, for example, SMS, MMS, email, or other methods of electronic information delivery.

Abstract: A trigger mechanism is provided for a passive rotating jointed tubing injector having gripper blocks for moving connected, segmented oilfield tubulars axially into or out of horizontal, extended-reach oil and natural gas wells that may contain pressurized fluid or gas to complete for production, work over and service the wells, utilizing an operation commonly known as snubbing. The trigger mechanism can open the gripper blocks when a tapered upset section of increasing diameter on the tubulars is encountered that would not otherwise fully open and operate the gripper blocks.

Abstract: Fiber optic terminals, tools and methods for adjusting a split ratio of a fiber optic terminal are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tool for adjusting a split ratio of a fiber optic terminal includes an axle for insertion into a port of the fiber optic terminal, and a terminal engagement body disposed about the axle. The terminal engagement body includes a terminal engagement feature for engaging an alignment feature within the fiber optic terminal, wherein the axle is free to rotate with respect to the terminal engagement body, and a set-point indicator. The tool further includes an end piece coupled to the axle, and a plurality of set-point markers, wherein rotation of the end piece causes rotation of the axle and an alignment between one set-point marker of the plurality of set-point markers with the set-point indicator indicates the split ratio of the fiber optic terminal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for margin determination for a computing system with a real time operating system and priority preemptive scheduling comprises: scheduling a set of tasks to be executed in one or more partitions, wherein each is assigned a priority, wherein the tasks comprise periodic and/or aperiodic tasks; executing the set of tasks on the computing system within the scheduled periodic time window; introducing an overhead task executed for an execution duration controlled either by the real time operating system or by the overhead task; controlling the overhead task to converge on a point of failure at which a length of the execution duration of the overhead task causes either: 1) a periodic task to fail to execute within a deadline, or 2) time available for the aperiodic tasks to execute to fall below a threshold; and defining a partition margin corresponding to the point of failure.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller that may be configured to, responsive to receiving a delivery request associated with a drone, periodically transmit a current location, trip route information, and acceleration data of the vehicle to guide the drone to a rendezvous location, and responsive to receiving a proximity notification associated with the drone, open a delivery opening of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to touch-sensor detector systems and methods incorporating an interpolated variable impedance touch sensor array and specifically to such systems and methods for force-aware interaction with handheld display devices on one or more surfaces of the device. An exemplary embodiment includes a method for receiving a flexing gesture formed on a sensor panel of the handheld device including determining two or more pressure inputs at the sensor panel and determining a relative pressure between the two or more pressure inputs. The method further includes correlating the relative pressure inputs to the flexing gesture, associating the flexing gesture with a UI element and providing an input to the UI element based on the gesture and the relative pressure between the two or more pressure inputs.

Abstract: Data are collected on a turbidity of a fuel tank at each of a plurality of fueling stations. A fueling station is selected based on the collected data. A vehicle is moved to the selected fueling station.

Abstract: Systems and methods for scheduling tasks using sliding time windows are provided. In certain embodiments, a system for scheduling the execution of tasks includes at least one processing unit configured to execute multiple tasks, wherein each task in the multiple tasks is scheduled to execute within a scheduler instance in multiple scheduler instances, each scheduler instance in the multiple scheduler instances being associated with a set of time windows in multiple time windows and with a set of processing units in the at least one processing unit in each time window, time windows in the plurality of time windows having a start time and an allotted duration and the scheduler instance associated with the time windows begins executing associated tasks no earlier than the start time and executes for no longer than the allotted duration, and wherein the start time is slidable to earlier moments in time.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to chemokine CXCR4 receptor modulators and uses related thereto. The receptor modulators can be formulated to form pharmaceutical compositions comprising the disclosed compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or prodrugs thereof. The compositions may be used for managing CXCR4 related conditions, typically prevention or treatment of viral infections abnormal cellular proliferation, retinal degeneration, inflammatory diseases, or as an immunostimulant or immunosuppressant or for managing cancer and may be administered with another active ingredient such as an antiviral agent or chemotherapeutic agent.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for selecting images using motion data. Video data and motion metadata can be received from a camera. A frame in the video data can be selected using the motion metadata. An image can be generated using the selected frame. A user interface comprising an element based on the image can be generated.

Abstract: Data are collected on at least one of a coolant temperature of a vehicle, an atmospheric ozone level, and air quality. A refueling time is determined based on the collected data. The vehicle is moved to a fueling station based on the refueling time.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for the rapid determination of analytes in liquid samples by immunoassays incorporating magnetic capture of beads on a sensor capable of being used in the point-of-care diagnostic field.