Abstract: A wall controller controls lighting in an area based upon a configurable user interface. The wall controller includes touch and gesture sensing electrodes mounted to a substrate, and an overlay mounted over the touch and gesture sensing electrodes. The overlay includes firmware to define lighting functions relative to a touch or motion gesture on the overlay. A processor is coupled to receive at least one of sensing signals based upon user touch inputs on the overlay, or sensing signals based upon user motion gestures near the overlay. Programming in a memory configures the processor to analyze the received sensing signals in accordance with the firmware of the overlay, generate a lighting control message based upon the analyzed sensing signals, and transmit the lighting control message to one or more luminaires in an area of the wall controller to control an output of the one or more luminaires.

Abstract: Polymorphs of (S)-2-(1-(9H-purin-6-ylamino)propyl)-5-fluoro-3-phenylquinazolin-4(3H)-one, compositions thereof, methods for their preparation, and methods for their use are disclosed.

Abstract: A combustible log torch which can be ignited to provide heat for warmth or cooking, and light for illumination can be made by compacting a mixture of wood sawdust and a food grade binder. Such combustible log torches are convenient and safe to use and provide optimal characteristics of quickly providing a bonfire without the need for a fireplace or a fire pit. The fire produced by such combustible logs is also optimal for safely and conveniently cooking food items. Such a combustible log torch can be manufactured by a method which comprises compacting a composition which is comprised of a mixture of wood particles and a food grade binder under a pressure of at least about 5 psi (0.034 megapascals) in a mold to produce the combustible log torch having at least one vertical cavity (hole) which extend vertically through the entire length of the combustible log torch.

Abstract: Biomaterials, such as hydrogels, can be mechanically secured to an electrode of an implantable device using a non-swellable shell. Hydrogel can be applied to an electrode surface and then mechanically constrained in place by a non-swellable shell. The non-swellable material can be secured to a substrate supporting an electrode or can otherwise surround an electrode and the hydrogel. The non-swellable shell can include openings or passthroughs that allow for electrical conduction across the non-swellable shell. The hydrogel can extend out of the openings to contact adjacent biological tissue. In some cases, an outer layer of hydrogel can surround the non-swellable shell and connected to the inner layer of hydrogel through the openings of the non-swellable shell.

Abstract: A filter assembly for relieving hydrostatic pressure includes a housing with a flange and a shell. The flange includes an opening extending through the flange and the shell includes a base and a terminating end. The base of the shell is connected to the flange at the opening and extends away from the flange toward the terminating end. The filter assembly also includes a coupling mechanism with a drain pipe orifice to accept a drain pipe therein. The coupling mechanism is movably connected to the terminating end of the shell such that the coupling mechanism can move relative to the shell to change a position of the drain pipe orifice relative to the terminating end of the shell. The filter assembly also includes a filter cartridge removably positioned inside the shell and a face plate removably connected to the flange to secure the filter cartridge inside the shell.

Abstract: Processes for producing stable Mn4+ doped phosphors include dispersing a compound of formula I in a solution comprising a compound of formula II to form a dispersion; applying pressure to the dispersion at a temperature less than 200° C. to form a phosphor product; and contacting the phosphor product with a fluorine-containing oxidizing agent in gaseous form at an elevated temperature; wherein A is Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, or a combination thereof; M is Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr, Al, Ga, In, Sc, Hf, Y, La, Nb, Ta, Bi, Gd, or a combination thereof; x is the absolute value of the charge of the [MFy] ion; and y is 5, 6 or 7.

Abstract: An autonomous drive system for a vehicle includes at least one environment perception sensor, a perception module, a location module, an intention prediction module, and a control module. The perception module is configured to receive signals from the at least one environment perception sensor and detect and track at least two remote vehicles in one or both of a current lane and a neighboring lane. The location module is configured to determine a location of the vehicle. The intention prediction module is configured to generate predicted trajectories for the at least two remote vehicles. The control module is configured to receive signals from the at least one environment perception sensor and receive the predicted trajectories from the intention prediction module. The control module determines a location and time for a lane change based on the predicted trajectories and controls the vehicle to change lanes at the determined location and time.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a split exhaust engine system that provides blowthrough air and exhaust gas recirculation to an intake passage via a first exhaust manifold and exhaust gas to an exhaust passage via a second exhaust manifold. In one example, an intake valve timing, exhaust valve timing of a first set of exhaust valves coupled to the first exhaust manifold, and a position of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve in an EGR passage may be adjusted in coordination with one another in response to a condition at a compressor. The EGR passage may be coupled between the intake passage, upstream of the compressor, and the first exhaust manifold.

Abstract: A system for processing a fluid by generating water vapor through forced compression and rotation in a vessel includes capturing sea water for use in desalination processing in the vessel. Any fluid processed in the vessel, including sea water, can be used to create water vapor that rises to an elevation under its own power. After condensing the water vapor to liquid again, the condensed liquid falls upon a hydro-electric generator to generate electricity that is stored for later use. Brine output from the system can be recycled for re-processing through the system to increase water vapor yield. The wet brine output may also be dried to produce dried brine for subsequent processing of salt and other minerals.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a first group of splitters receives a group of signals from a group of transmitters. Each splitter in the first group of splitters splits a signal into a plurality of signals that are sent to a plurality of multiplexers. A multiplexer in the plurality of multiplexers receives one of the plurality of signals from each splitter in the group of splitters and multiplexes the received one of the plurality of signals into a multiplexed signal. The multiplexer sends the multiplexed signal through a single connection in which upstream signals are sent to a group of nodes and downstream signals are received from the group of nodes. A de-multiplexer de-multiplexes the multiplexed signal into the group of signals and sends the group of signals to the group of nodes via a second group of splitters that are connected to the group of nodes.

Abstract: A crisscross thermoforming assist plug assembly having a pair of oppositely outwardly facing thermoforming assist plugs each carried by a respective one of a pair of thermoforming assist plug linkage arrangements, where at least one link of the linkage arrangement is used to extend one of the assist plugs in one direction crosses but does not contact in a side view or profile of the thermoforming assist plug assembly, and at least one link of the other linkage arrangement is used to extend the other one of the assist plugs in an opposite direction. The links of the linkage arrangement preferably pivot about a common pivot axis that preferably is an elongate pivot shaft extending transversely between elongate upper rails of a frame of the assembly. At least one of the links of the linkage arrangement is a drive link that extends or retracts one of the plugs that crosses a drive link that extends and/or retracts the other one of the plugs.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for network modelling include determining a device representation of each device on a network. A normalized device representation associated with a device representation of each device is determined using a library of device representation parser functions. A static network map of the network is generated based on each normalized device representation. A routing protocol peering session is established between each device and a routing protocol server using a routing protocol. A status of each device and each link is determined based on updates from each routing protocol peering session. A live map of the network is generated based on the status of each device. Configuration errors and network errors are determined based at least in part on the static network map and the live map, and routing errors are determined based at least in part on a comparison between protocol prefixes and predetermined network invariants.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to handheld input devices having pressable user input mechanisms configured to move in a manner that adapts to different hands. One disclosed example provides a handheld input device comprising a body configured to be held by a hand such that one or more fingers of the hand are curved at least partially toward a palm of the hand, a pressable user input mechanism positioned on the body at such a location as to be in contact with a palm-side surface of a finger when the handheld input device is held, and a hinge coupling between the body and the pressable user input mechanism, the hinge coupling comprising an axis of rotation that varies based upon a characteristic of force applied to the pressable user input mechanism.

Abstract: A method to minimize cache pressure using slot pressure profile (SPP)-guided Algorithm includes generating an intermediate SPP from a binary code of a DBMS. The generated intermediate SPP is received and a reference SPP is output. The reference SPP has a value assigned for each cache slot in a cache, whereby a cache slot value is indicative of cache pressure. The reference SPP is accepted and a candidate slot list related to the cache is produced by sorting the values in the reference SPP. A slot number among the candidate slot list is decided and passed to find an open memory address mapping to the decided slot number for a bee code, the bee code being a specialized version of a DBMS function created and loaded into the cache at run-time. A query with the bee code is executed using the open memory address found.

Abstract: Exosome purification methods involve use of a whey composition as an exosome source. Exosomes are isolated by subjecting the whey composition to a first ultrafiltration, which yields a first permeate and a first retentate. The first retentate may then be subjected to a second ultrafiltration, yielding a second permeate and a second retentate. During the second ultrafiltration, the first retentate may be treated with carbon dioxide. The second retentate may then be subjected to a third ultrafiltration, yielding a third permeate and a third retentate. The third permeate may then be optionally dried to yield an exosome powder.

Abstract: A system for delivering and/or picking up items comprising a container, which is closable via an openable/closable door and has access protection, and a standardized coupling mechanism for the option of fastening on a delivery vehicle, a mobile mini-vehicle or a stationary upright, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a receiving means on the holder and comprises an engagement means, which is for engagement in the receiving means and is arranged on the delivery vehicle, on the mobile mini-vehicle and on the stationary upright such that the container is securable in a releasable manner optionally on the delivery vehicle, on the mobile mini-vehicle or on the stationary upright, and a corresponding method.

Abstract: A drill apparatus including an inner tube, an outer tube slidably received within the outer tube, and a pole extension mechanism. The pole extension mechanism comprises a pole advance gear having pole advance gear teeth, and a drive gear having drive gear teeth, the drive gear being coaxial with and fixedly attached to the pole advance gear so that the two gears rotate together. The pole advance gear teeth are received in aligned spaced apart apertures in the outer tube. The pole extension mechanism further includes a lever arm having an end pivotally mounted on the support collar at a lever arm pivot point coaxial with the drive gear and the pole advance gear.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for processing audio signals are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device which can enhance and/or optimize received audio signals for vibrational conduction to the user. Received audio signals may be processed to cancel acoustic echo such that undesired sounds received by one or more intra-buccal and/or extra-buccal microphones are eliminated or mitigated. Additionally, a multiband actuation system may be used where two or more transducers each deliver sounds within certain frequencies. Also, the assembly may also utilize the sensation of directionality via the conducted vibrations to emulate directional perception of audio signals received by the user. Another feature may include the ability to vibrationally conduct ancillary audio signals to the user along with primary audio signals.