Abstract: In example embodiments, a system and method for providing item notifications is provided. A networked system receives, from a device of a user, a selection of an item from a list for monitoring. The network system also receives, from the device of the user, a condition that triggers the reporting of news for the selected item. The network system monitors for news for the selected item. A determination is made as to whether the condition that triggers the reporting of the news is satisfied. In response to determining that the condition that triggers the reporting of the news is satisfied, the networked system transmits a notification to the user indicating the news for the selected item.

Abstract: A dowel basket assembly apparatus includes a jig table rotationally supported on a bearing assembly, which supports a table top assembly having arms extending radially outwardly and supporting first, second and third jig table bases. The bases move through first, second and third stations by rotating the assembly. First jig table is positioned at first station, second jig table at second station, and third jig table at third station. Rods are located in receptacles on first jig table base at first station. Simultaneously, rods are welded to form a dowel basket on second jig table base at second station. Simultaneously, a welded dowel basket is unloaded from third jig table base at third station. After completion of the steps of locating, welding and retrieving, the apparatus is rotated to advance the jig tables to the next station.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for fallback authorization routing. A merchant processor may receive authorization requests from one or more merchant systems. These authorization requests may be to authorize a transaction. The merchant processor may transmit these authorization requests over a first communication channel to an acquirer processor, which may then forward the requests to a payment network. If the merchant processor determines that the acquirer processor is not receiving the authorization requests, or is otherwise unavailable, the merchant processor may, as a fallback, transmit the authorization requests directly to the payment network through a second communication channel, thereby bypassing the acquirer processor. When the merchant processor receives some indication that the acquirer processor is available to process authorization requests, new authorization requests can be transmitted to the acquirer processor via the first communication channel.

Abstract: A method and a system convert the value of a gift card for use with a mobile device. The value of the gift card is determined from an issuer of the gift card. The value of the gift card is stored in a digital payment account in a storage device. The digital payment account stores values of gift cards from issuers. A financial transaction corresponding to the issuer of the gift card is performed on the digital payment account. The value of a first gift card from a first issuer of a first digital payment account is exchanged with the value of a second gift card from a second issuer of a second digital payment account.

Abstract: A system includes a control unit having one or more processors and a communication interface. The communication interface is configured to communicate with one or more charging stations that are electrically coupled to receive electrical power from a power distribution grid and that are configured to selectively charge one or more energy storage devices connected to the charging stations. The one or more processors are configured to generate first control signals for communication by the communication interface to the one or more charging stations to control transfer of reactive and/or active power from the charging stations to the power distribution grid. The control signals are generated based at least in part on a load cycle profile of one or more electric machines electrically coupled to the power distribution grid.

Abstract: According to a first aspect, the present invention is embodied as a method of processing a filtered liquid with a microfluidic device. The method includes positioning a porous filtering medium with respect to the microfluidic device, so as to allow a flow path between the filtering medium and a channel of the microfluidic device. The method further includes introducing a liquid in the porous filtering medium for the liquid to advance along the filtering medium and be filtered by the medium. The method further includes applying compression to the filtering medium to extract a given volume of the filtered liquid from the filtering medium, where the extracted liquid volume reaches said channel via the flow path. The method further includes processing the extracted volume with the microfluidic device.

Abstract: Example embodiments provide item notifications. A networked system receives, from a device of a user, a selection of an item from a list for monitoring. The network system also receives, from the device of the user, a condition that triggers the reporting of news for the selected item. The network system monitors for news for the selected item. A determination is made as to whether the condition that triggers the reporting of the news is satisfied. In response to determining that the condition that triggers the reporting of the news is satisfied, the networked system transmits a notification to the user indicating the news for the selected item.

Abstract: An apparatus for disinfecting gaming chips includes an ingress, a germicidal radiation source, an egress, an interior, a security system, and a controller. The apparatus is configured to control the passing of untreated gaming chips from the ingress to the interior of the apparatus, then to the egress. The interior of the apparatus has at least one germicidal radiation source. The germicidal radiation source treats the gaming chips such that the gaming chips at the egress are disinfected. The security system is configured to restrict user access to the interior, ingress, and/or egress of the apparatus. The controller is operably coupled with the security system, ingress, egress, and the interior of the apparatus. A method for disinfecting gaming chips includes passing of contaminated gaming chips from an ingress through a plurality of passages in direct line of sight to a radiation sources, irradiating the chips, then to an egress.

Abstract: Air cleaner assemblies, components, and features are described. The features can be used to provide that the air cleaner assembly cannot be fully closed, even if a cartridge is nested therein, and appears to be sealed, unless that cartridge is a proper one for the system of concern. The effect is to prevent an inappropriate cartridge, that does not properly seal, from being inadvertently installed in the assembly.

Abstract: A microfluidic probe includes a probe head with a processing surface that includes a first aperture and a second aperture. The probe further includes a liquid injection channel, which leads to the first aperture, and a liquid aspiration channel, which extends from the second aperture. The probe also includes a bypass channel, arranged so as to fluidly connect the liquid injection channel to the liquid aspiration channel, as well as a control channel. The latter fluidly connects to the bypass channel, hence forming a junction therewith, so as to define two portions of the bypass channel. These portions includes: a first portion that extends from the junction to the liquid injection channel; and a second portion that extends from that same junction to the liquid aspiration channel. The invention is further directed to methods of operation of a probe as described above, to process a surface.

Abstract: Isolated cells are described that are not embryonic stem cells, not embryonic germ cells, and not germ cells. The cells can differentiate into at least one cell type of each of at least two of the endodermal, ectodermal, and mesodermal lineages. The cells do not provoke a harmful immune response. The cells can modulate immune responses. As an example, the cells can suppress an immune response in a host engendered by allogeneic cells, tissues, and organs. Methods are described for using the cells, by themselves or adjunctively, to treat subjects. For instance, the cells can be used adjunctively for immunosuppression in transplant therapy. Methods for obtaining the cells and compositions for using them also are described.

Abstract: This application relates to systems and methods for scaling and assembling framed images, and to offering the framed images for purchase. In some embodiments, a computing device is configured to receive a first customer selection of a frame style and a frame size, where the frame size indicates dimensions of a frame window. The computing device is also configured to receive a second customer selection of a mat style. Further, the computing device is configured to determine, based at least on the dimensions of the frame window and the mat style, a mat size, where the mat size includes dimensions of a mat window. The computing device is also configured to determine, based at least on the dimensions of the mat window, an image size for an image. For example, the computing device may execute a rule-based model, or a machine learning model, to determine the image size.

Abstract: Technology for managing objects. A method is applied to a set of objects, for example, in view of commissioning such objects. The method includes patterning a surface of each object of a set of objects to be managed. The patterning is accomplished by using hard particles to make indentations in a surface of each object of the set of object, with the pattern formed on each object being a unique physical fingerprint that can be used to identify the object when performing various manage method(s) on the objects.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of synthesizing an organometallic iridium monomer compound includes obtaining a dimeric iridium compound having a halogenated bridge, refluxing a mixture comprising the dimeric iridium compound, a base, an ancillary ligand, and 1,2-dimethoxyethane for forming a precipitate of an organometallic iridium monomer, and filtering the refluxed mixture to collect the organometallic iridium monomer precipitate.

Abstract: Isolated cells are described that are not embryonic stem cells, not embryonic germ cells, and not germ cells. The cells can differentiate into at least one cell type of each of at least two of the endodermal, ectodermal, and mesodermal lineages. The cells do not provoke a harmful immune response. The cells can modulate immune responses. As an example, the cells can suppress an immune response in a host engendered by allogeneic cells, tissues, and organs. Methods are described for using the cells, by themselves or adjunctively, to treat subjects. For instance, the cells can be used adjunctively for immunosuppression in transplant therapy. Methods for obtaining the cells and compositions for using them also are described.

Abstract: A traction inverter circuit includes a first energy storage device configured to output a DC voltage, a first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter coupled to the first energy storage device, and a first electromechanical device. The first electromechanical device includes a first plurality of conductors coupled to the first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter, a second plurality of conductors coupled together, and a plurality of windings coupled between the first plurality of conductors and the second plurality of conductors. The traction converter circuit also includes a charge bus comprising a first conductor coupled to the second plurality of conductors of the first electromechanical device, the charge bus configured to transmit a charging current to or receive a charging current from the first electromechanical device to charge the first energy storage device via the first electromechanical device and the first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter.

Abstract: A control system for an autonomous vehicle can determine a risk value for each respective path segment of a plurality of path segments in a given area that includes a destination of the autonomous vehicle. The risk value can correspond to a cost layer in a map that includes the respective path segment. Based on the risk value for each respective path segment, the control system can determine a travel route for the autonomous vehicle to the destination, and autonomously control the autonomous vehicle to navigate along the travel route to the destination.

Abstract: A system includes a vehicle cover, a mechanical tensioning device, a memory device, storing instructions, and one or more processors configured to execute instructions to perform the steps of a method to secure a vehicle. The mechanical tensioning device may include attachment means to attach the device to a wheel of the vehicle and means to attach a security cable of the vehicle cover integrated into a bottom edge of the vehicle cover to the mechanical tensioning device. The mechanical tensioning device may include a rotational reel connected to either a tensioning motor or a tensioning crank and optionally including either a mechanical bi-stable device or one or more sensors configured to monitor the tension of the security cable when engaged to the mechanical tensioning device. The processor may monitor for a change in tension and execute one or more security measures in response.

Abstract: A drive circuit comprising a DC bus configured to supply power to a load, a first fuel cell coupled to the DC bus and configured to provide a first power output to the DC bus, and a second fuel cell coupled to the DC bus and configured to provide a second power output to the DC bus supplemental to the first fuel cell. The drive circuit further includes an energy storage device coupled to the DC bus and configured to receive energy from the DC bus when a combined output of the first and second fuel cells is greater than a power demand from a load, and provide energy to the DC bus when the combined output of the first and second fuel cells is less than the power demand from the load.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fluidic device is provided. The method comprises providing a capillary, providing a structure having a fluidic channel and an opening, reducing an outer diameter of a portion of the capillary to be smaller than the opening of the structure. Furthermore, the method comprises inserting, at least partly, the portion of the capillary through the opening of the structure into the fluidic channel and applying heat to the structure to expand the inserted portion of the capillary to fit the capillary to the structure.