Abstract: A running tool having an annulus seal assembly and casing hanger attached thereto may be sent into to the wellhead to lock and preload the casing hanger in a single trip. The running tool may be rotated a first time to drop the annulus seal assembly on the casing hanger, a first pressure may be applied axially above the annulus seal assembly to set the annulus seal assembly, the running tool may be rotated a second time to close a gap between the annulus seal assembly and the wellhead, and a second pressure may be applied axially above the annulus seal assembly to preload the casing hanger.

Abstract: A running tool having an annulus seal assembly and casing hanger attached thereto may be sent into to the wellhead to lock and preload the casing hanger in a single trip. The running tool may be rotated a first time to drop the annulus seal assembly on the casing hanger, a first pressure may be applied axially above the annulus seal assembly to set the annulus seal assembly, the running tool may be rotated a second time to close a gap between the annulus seal assembly and the wellhead, and a second pressure may be applied axially above the annulus seal assembly to preload the casing hanger.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for integrating loyalty program partner systems with an enterprise system. The method includes providing a first application programming interface (API) between a loyalty platform and one or more loyalty partner systems, providing an inbound traffic service to the platform, to receive data from the one or more loyalty partner systems via the first API, providing a second API between the platform and at least one payment system configured to detect transactions, and providing an outbound traffic service from the platform, to communicate with the one or more loyalty partner systems via at least one communication channel. The method also includes configuring a plurality of microservices within the platform and orchestrating the plurality of microservices using data received via the inbound traffic service and/or transaction data detected via the second API to update a corresponding loyalty partner system via the outbound traffic service.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring transaction events. The method includes connecting the event processor device with at least one payment services channel and listening for events provided by the at least one payment services channel. The method also includes detecting an event associated with a masked transaction being facilitated by a payment service that masks a payment card number. The method also includes determining from the masked transaction a user identifier associated with the transaction, determining from the user identifier the payment card number, and confirming that the payment card number is linked to the loyalty program with the loyalty partner. When the payment card number is linked to the loyalty program, the method includes sending a message to the loyalty partner to have the loyalty partner execute a loyalty program action associated with the transaction that would have otherwise been masked at the point of sale.

Abstract: An adapter assembly configured to be coupled to a surgical loading unit includes a switch, an elongated member, and an annular member. The switch is configured to be toggled in response to the surgical loading unit being coupled to the adapter assembly. The elongated member is in communication with the switch and is resiliently biased in a distal direction toward a locking position in which the switch is toggled. The annular member is disposed adjacent the elongated member and is rotatable between a first orientation, in which the annular member prevents distal movement of the elongated member, and a second orientation, in which the elongated member moves distally to toggle the switch.

Abstract: Systems and methods for machine-based matching of lodging inventory from a plurality of disparate reservation provider systems address the difficulties inherent in comparing prices to obtain a lowest possible price, which difficulties are inherent in the distribution of inventory to multiple third-party reservation providers who are generally permitted to utilize their own naming conventions when describing lodging inventory and who are also free to at least some extent to set prices for the various lodging inventory within their control. The systems and methods match room types using information obtained from the multiple third-party reservation providers, whereby direct comparisons can be made between prices for the same room types even when the reservation providers do not utilize identical descriptions or naming conventions for the respective room inventories.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing machine is provided. The additive manufacturing machine includes a build unit including a powder dispenser assembly defining a powder reservoir that receives additive powder; a dosing rate measurement device in communication with the powder dispenser assembly, wherein the dosing rate measurement device measures a dosing rate of the additive powder in-situ; and a controllable device operably coupled to the build unit and including one or more processors configured to execute a program to cause the controllable device to adjust the dosing rate of the additive powder based on the dosing rate measured by the dosing rate measurement device.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing machine having a build vessel defining a work surface is provided. The additive manufacturing machine includes a build unit including a powder dispenser assembly defining a powder reservoir that receives additive powder; a positioning system adapted to provide independent movement of at least one of the build unit and the work surface with respect to one another in at least two dimensions; and a dosing rate measurement device in communication with the powder dispenser assembly, wherein the dosing rate measurement device measures a dosing rate of the additive powder in-situ.

Abstract: A powder dispensing assembly for an additive manufacturing machine is provided. The powder dispensing assembly includes a housing that defines a powder reservoir that receives additive powder; a first plate removably connectable to the housing, the first plate defining a first discharge orifice having a first discharge orifice geometry; and a second plate removably connectable to the housing, the second plate defining a second discharge orifice having a second discharge orifice geometry different than the first discharge orifice geometry, wherein with the first plate connected to the housing, the additive powder flows out of the first discharge orifice at a first dosing rate, and wherein with the second plate connected to the housing, the additive powder flows out of the second discharge orifice at a second dosing rate different than the first dosing rate.

Abstract: Among other things, we describe techniques for an interface board for harmonizing performance of different autonomous vehicles in a fleet. In an embodiment, the interface system includes a printed circuit board installed in a host vehicle that includes an interface controller and interface circuitry coupled to the interface controller. The interface circuitry includes a plurality of relays configured by the interface controller to route/pass sensor signals received from actuators of the host vehicle to the interface controller, and route/pass control signals from the interface controller to actuator controllers of the host vehicle that control the actuators in accordance with an operating mode.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated tourniquet that is easy to apply, that ensures consistent and even circumferential pressure, that is lightweight, that provides standard life saving operation, and that can be utilized in any setting or situation, and related methods are provided. Mechanically constricting tourniquet apparatus and related methods are provided that are comprised of a tourniquet body, a carriage, a torsion bar, a receiver, and a slider. The tourniquet is long enough to encircle a human limb, for example, an arm or leg. The tourniquet apparatus includes several features for preventing or otherwise limiting harm to users and/or damage to the tourniquet apparatus itself.

Abstract: A system for treating a diseased native valve in a patient includes a valve prosthesis and a delivery device. The prosthesis includes an anchor and a frame. The delivery device includes an outer sheath, an inner shaft, an anchor guide, and a tether. The anchor is shaped to encircle chordae or leaflets of a native valve. The frame is configured to sit within the anchor. The inner shaft is positioned within the outer sheath and translatable and rotatable relative to the outer sheath. The anchor guide is attached to a distal end of the inner shaft and has a curved distal section. The tether is configured to detachably couple to the anchor and to longitudinally translate the anchor within the inner shaft and anchor guide. The anchor is configured to be actuated from a delivery configuration to the deployed configuration when the anchor is translated out of the anchor guide.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a handle assembly including a controller and a first electrical connector. The surgical device also includes an adapter assembly having: a tubular housing having a proximal end portion configured to couple to the handle assembly, and a distal end portion; a second electrical connector disposed at the proximal end portion and configured to couple to the first electrical connector; an electrical contact assembly disposed at the distal end portion; and a wire harness disposed within the tubular housing and interconnecting the second electrical connector and the electrical contact assembly. The surgical device also includes a surgical end effector configured to couple to the distal end portion of the adapter assembly, the surgical end effector includes an electrical contact configured to couple to the electrical contact assembly.

Abstract: Folding firearms have a frame having a trigger assembly and defining a passage containing a bolt, a barrel assembly pivotally connected to the frame, the barrel assembly including a barrel element defining a barrel axis, the barrel element including a barrel, a plurality of suppressor baffles forward of the barrel, and having an interior space, the barrel assembly including a sleeve encompassing the barrel, the sleeve having an interior defining an expansion chamber in gas communication with the interior space of the barrel element, a front closure and a rear closure at respective ends of the sleeve to provide a gas seal enclosing the expansion chamber, and the sleeve being rotatable about the barrel axis. The sleeve may be movable between an operating condition in which the sight facility is in a first position and a stowage condition in which the sight facility is rotationally offset from the first position.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods associated with generating conversations of electronic data exchanges. In particular, in one embodiment, a conversation generator determines whether records are related based on EDI data associated with a transaction, integrates the records based on associations within the EDI data, and generates a conversation that depicts the integrated EDI data associated with the transaction in a conversational format for viewing by a user. In other embodiments, an alert engine determines that there are errors in the conversation, such as missing or inconsistent data, and alerts a user accordingly.

Abstract: A novel transgenic corn elite event designated MZIR098 is disclosed. The invention relates to DNA sequences of the recombinant constructs inserted into the corn genome and of genomic sequences flanking the insertion site that resulted in elite event MZIR098. The invention further relates to assays for detecting the presence of the DNA sequences of corn elite event MZIR098, to corn plants and corn seeds comprising the genotype thereof, and to methods for producing a corn plant by crossing a corn plant comprising the elite event MZIR098 genotype with itself or another corn variety.

Abstract: A recoater for an additive manufacturing apparatus includes a recoater arm and retainer operably coupled with the recoater arm. The retainer includes a housing defining a cavity. A blade carrier supports one or more blades. An actuator is operably coupled with the housing and is configured to compressively retain an upper portion of the blade carrier within the cavity between a slide of the actuator and the housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods relate to a Self-Organizing Network (SON) that makes changes to operating parameters for the purpose of load balancing, to increase data communication throughput and capacity. A device may determine load balancing ratios and unused throughput for a first frequency band and a second frequency band for a cell site. The device may also determine, based on the load balancing ratios and the unused throughputs, whether a load balancing procedure for the cell site should be performed to increase a traffic throughput at the cell site.