Abstract: A luminaire adapted to apply an auto-gradient effect across pixels has an interface coupled by a connection to a controller. The controller has electronic circuitry that receives a predetermined start light parameter for a start pixel of a luminaire and receives a predetermined end light parameter for an end pixel of the first luminaire, the predetermined end light parameter greater than the predetermined start light parameter. The controller circuitry then automatically interpolates a gradient effect for a middle light parameter of each of a plurality of middle pixels of the luminaire based on the start and end predetermined light parameters. The controller circuitry then outputs control signals having the start, end and middle light parameters to the start, end and middle light pixels, respectively, through the connection and to the interface.

Abstract: A textile can be configured as a spacer between a housing or a supporting structure and an electrode or a substructure of an electrode of a zero-gap electrolytic cell. The textile may comprise a mechanical connection means composed of an elastic polymeric material and may comprise an electrical connection means different from the mechanical connection means. A zero-gap electrolytic cell can be furnished with such a textile. Further, a method for producing such a zero-gap electrolytic cell may be characterized in that at least one ply of a textile is placed into an anode tank or cathode tank, an anode or cathode electrode is disposed on the at least one ply of the textile, an ion exchange membrane is placed onto this electrode, and a cathode electrode or anode electrode connected to a cathode tank or anode tank, respectively, is disposed on the ion exchange membrane.

Abstract: A sliding element, such as a bearing, and a method of manufacturing the sliding element, is provided. The sliding element is formed of an aluminum alloy material which includes zinc in an amount of 5 wt. % to 83 wt. %. The sliding element may also include silicon and/or magnesium. The sliding element is typically formed by casting, heat treating at a temperature of 400° C. to 577° C., and cooling at a rate of less than 50° C. per hour to a temperature ranging from 400° C. to 200° C. The aluminum alloy material is then heat treated at a temperature of 100° to 275° C. for at least 5 hours to form a soft phase consisting essentially of the zinc. The second heat treatment, or possibly both heat treatments, may not be required when the aluminum alloy material includes the magnesium.

Abstract: A vehicle control system determines an upper non-zero limit on deceleration of a vehicle to prevent rollback of the vehicle down a grade being traveled up on by the vehicle. The upper non-zero limit on deceleration is determined by the controller based on a payload carried by the vehicle, a speed of the vehicle, and a grade of a route being traveled upon by the vehicle. The controller is configured to monitor the deceleration of the vehicle, and to automatically prevent the deceleration of the vehicle from exceeding the upper non-zero limit by controlling one or more of a brake or a motor of the vehicle. The controller also is configured to one or more of actuate the brake or supply current to the motor of the vehicle to prevent rollback of the vehicle while the vehicle is moving up the grade at a non-zero speed.

Abstract: A hybrid resonator includes an acoustic wave resonator (AWR) having a piezoelectric material; a first electrical contact, electrically conductively connected to the piezoelectric material; and a second electrical contact, electrically conductively connected to the piezoelectric material. The hybrid resonator further includes a first resonant circuit, electrically conductively connected in series or parallel to the acoustic wave resonator via at least one of the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide real-time shipping optimization recommendations for reducing the cost of shipping freight units in a shipment. System comprises a measurement system in communication with a computer system that comprises a client computer device in communication with a host computer system. The measurement system comprises multiple sensing devices to determine weight, dimensions, and other shipping parameters of the freight units in the shipment. The computer system computes a current shipping cost and density based on the shipping parameters. The computer system determines shipping recommendations including recommended adjustments to the shipping parameters that reduce the current shipping cost. The shipping recommendations are transmitted to the client computer device prior to loading the shipment onto a carrier vehicle for the shipment.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to methods, apparatuses, and systems for providing content streams with highly targeted, interactive content in a personalized manner. A content producer can generate a user-generic content stream associated with one or more user-specific content flags, which can describe how the user-specific content can be presented along with the content stream. A content-provider can purchase or otherwise acquire the rights to insert their user-specific content into another content provider's user-generic content. Both the user-specific and user-generic content can be provided to the user by means of a voice-controlled device associated with a cloud-based profile of the user. A user can interact with the personalized content to receive supplemental information.

Abstract: A luminaire adapted to apply an auto-gradient effect across pixels has an interface coupled by a connection to a controller. The controller has electronic circuitry that receives a predetermined start light parameter for a start pixel of a luminaire and receives a predetermined end light parameter for an end pixel of the first luminaire, the predetermined end light parameter greater than the predetermined start light parameter. The controller circuitry then automatically interpolates a gradient effect for a middle light parameter of each of a plurality of middle pixels of the luminaire based on the start and end predetermined light parameters. The controller circuitry then outputs control signals having the start, end and middle light parameters to the start, end and middle light pixels, respectively, through the connection and to the interface.

Abstract: A method for upgrading a gas turbine, the method includes: a) removing all guide vanes of the first guide vane stage; b) replacing the removed guide vanes of the first guide vane stage with new or reconditioned guide vanes, wherein blade platforms of the new or reconditioned guide vanes are provided with cooling air bores which fluidically connect a cooling air supply duct to the annular gap and open into the annular gap, and wherein the cooling air bores are arranged in such a manner that more cooling air bores open into regions of an annular gap that are arranged radially inwards from leading edges of the guide vanes than in other regions of the annular gap.

Abstract: A system and method for more consistent joule heating of a material blank to a desired temperature. An electrical terminal delivers a current to an end portion of the blank. The terminal has a heat sink effect which would otherwise prevent the end portion from reaching the desired temperature. An active thermal buffer element is interposed between the terminal and the end portion. The buffer element includes a first surface which abuts the end portion and a second surface which abuts the terminal. The buffer element is joule heated with the blank, and a temperature gradient is created across the buffer element such that the first surface is at the desired temperature and the second surface is at a lower temperature due to the heat sink effect of the terminal. The buffer element thereby compensates for the heat sink effect and allows the end portion to reach the desired temperature.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide real-time shipping optimization recommendations for reducing the cost of shipping freight units in a shipment. System comprises a measurement system in communication with a computer system that comprises a client computer device in communication with a host computer system. The measurement system comprises multiple sensing devices to determine weight, dimensions, and other shipping parameters of the freight units in the shipment. The computer system computes a current shipping cost and density based on the shipping parameters. The computer system determines shipping recommendations including recommended adjustments to the shipping parameters that reduce the current shipping cost. The shipping recommendations are transmitted to the client computer device prior to loading the shipment onto a carrier vehicle for the shipment.

Abstract: A luminaire adapted to apply an auto-gradient effect across pixels has an interface coupled by a connection to a controller. The controller has electronic circuitry that receives a predetermined start light parameter for a start pixel of a luminaire and receives a predetermined end light parameter for an end pixel of the first luminaire, the predetermined end light parameter greater than the predetermined start light parameter. The controller circuitry then automatically interpolates a gradient effect for a middle light parameter of each of a plurality of middle pixels of the luminaire based on the start and end predetermined light parameters. The controller circuitry then outputs control signals having the start, end and middle light parameters to the start, end and middle light pixels, respectively, through the connection and to the interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the medical use of specific GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonists in the prevention and/or treatment of metabolic liver disease, particularly non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), more particularly non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and/or NAFLD-associated liver fibrosis.

Abstract: A security system for a building includes a plurality of lock modules. Each lock module is associated with a particular door and has an unlocked position and a locked position. Each lock module includes a lock bar, an actuator, and a controller. The lock bar has a first position that allows the particular door to open and a second position that extends from a door frame, a wall, or a floor surface adjacent to the particular door to prevent the particular door from opening. The actuator moves the lock bar between the first and second positions. The controller is operably connected to the actuator and transmits a door status signal that uniquely identifies the particular door. A lock module command signal received by the plurality of lock modules directs the plurality of lock modules to reposition to either the unlocked position or the locked position.

Abstract: Compositions for producing a rigid polyurethane foam are described, comprising at least one isocyanate component, a polyol component, optionally a catalyst which catalyzes the formation of a urethane or isocyanurate bond, wherein the composition has hydrocarbons having 3, 4 or 5 carbon atoms, hydrofluorocarbons, hydrofluoroolefins (HFO), hydrohaloolefins, oxygen-containing blowing agents and/or chlorohydrocarbons as blowing agent, and also comprises acrylate and/or methacrylate copolymers as foam stabilizers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for controlling a brake, a steering and/or a drive of an autonomous or automated vehicle. This involves an artificial-intelligence-based first control apparatus being monitored by virtue of a criticality of a driving situation being determined on the basis of simple calculation values, wherein a specific criticality of the driving situation, or an inappropriate reaction by the first control apparatus to the driving situation, can result in changeover to a second control apparatus that undertakes the control of the vehicle on the basis of a deterministic calculation rule.

Abstract: A connector for electrical contacting that includes a body configured to mechanically retain at least one electrically conductive contact, which is accessible on an exit side of the body for electrically contacting at least one other electrical contact. The body is constructed from at least two different components, with a first component of the at least two different components at least substantially forming the exit side and being made from a fire-retardant plastic, and a second component of the at least two different components having an ignition point which is lower than an ignition point of the first component of the at least two components, and the second component of the at least two different components having an elasticity which is greater than an elasticity of the first component of the at least two different components.

Abstract: A sill frame arrangement for a vehicle body arrangement includes: a battery arrangement provided in a floor region of the vehicle body arrangement, which has at least one frame arrangement having frame longitudinal members and frame cross members which surround and support at least one battery module, the frame longitudinal members resting on sill elements of a sill arrangement, the sill arrangement including wall elements which form sill chambers. Over an entire height of the sill arrangement, only one wall element directed toward the frame arrangement is provided, at least one additional sill element being provided on each sill element, the sill element and the at least one additional sill element being integrally bonded and interlockingly connected to one another.

Abstract: A household appliance includes a connector for electrical contacting. The connector includes a body configured to mechanically retain at least one electrically conductive contact, which is accessible on an exit side of the body for contacting. The body is constructed from at least two different components, with one of the at least two components at least substantially forming the exit side and being made from a fire-retardant plastic.

Abstract: What are described are compositions for production of polyurethane foam, comprising at least an isocyanate component, a polyol component, optionally a catalyst that catalyzes the formation of a urethane or isocyanurate bond, optionally blowing agent, wherein the composition comprises block copolymers based on OH- or amino-functionalized polyolefins and polyesters that act as foam stabilizer.