Abstract: A stent comprising a tubular member, a lumen extending through the tubular member, a first retention structure and a second retention structure at opposite ends of the tubular member. The first retention structure comprises multiple coils and a removable anti-coiling material over the multiple coils of the first retention structure to present the multiple coils as an elongated extension of the tubular member, whereupon removal of the removable anti-coiling material at least one of the multiple coils of the first retention structure is presented and any excess coils can be trimmed.

Abstract: A method is used to design nuclear reactors using design variables and metric variables. A user specifies ranges for the design variables and target values for the metric variables. A set of design parameter samples are selected. For each sample, the method runs three processes, which compute metric variables to thermal-hydraulics, neutronics, and stress. The method applies a cost function to each sample to compute an aggregate residual of the metric variables compared to the target values. The method trains a machine learning model using the samples and the computed aggregate residuals. The method shrinks the range for each design variable according to correlation between the respective design variable and estimated residuals using the machine learning model. These steps are repeated until a sample having a smallest residual is unchanged for multiple iterations. The method then uses the final machine learning model to assess relative importance of each design variable.

Abstract: A method for controlling transient operation of a rotary electric machine in an electric powertrain or other electrical system includes, during a shunt angle transition occurring during a maximum torque per ampere (MTPA) control region, determining an estimated output torque of the electric machine via a torque estimation block using d-axis and q-axis current commands and an additional value, i.e., an actual shunt angle or a machine temperature. The method includes subtracting the estimated output torque from a commanded output torque to derive an adjusted commanded torque value or torque error, and calculating, from the torque error, a delta d-axis current command and a delta q-axis current command. The method includes adjusting d-axis and q-axis current commands using the delta commands to produce adjusted d-axis and q-axis current commands, which are then used as closed-loop feedback control terms by the torque estimation block.

Abstract: Determining a location of a user equipment includes transmitting, by one or more processors from a network node, a first beam having a first frequency range in a first area and a second beam having a second frequency range in a second area. The first area is larger than and encompasses the second area. A request for determining the location of the user equipment is received. The one or more processors may then cause the second beam to sweep within the first area, receive a second signal from the user equipment indicating when the second beam is swept over the location of the user equipment and data related to signal measurements of the second beam at the user equipment, and determine the location of the user equipment based on a pointing direction of the second beam relative to a position of the node of the network and the received data.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are severance event management systems and methods. The severance event management system is an expert system that can predict costs, compliance issues, execution time, and other aspects of severance events. The severance event management system also includes a collaborative platform for managing severance events and data collected during the RIF process. To streamline collaboration on the platform, the roles and permissions of each user are managed by the severance event management system according to the type of user to ensure each user is aware of the portions of the RIF process they are required to complete and maintain the privacy of the individuals impacted by the RIF event. The platform also generates a comprehensive litigation report that provides a full record of all documents, messages, events, and data related to a particular severance project.

Abstract: Earpieces and methods for acute sound detection and reproduction are provided. A method can include measuring an external ambient sound level (xASL), monitoring a change in the xASL for detecting an acute sound, estimating a proximity of the acute sound, and upon detecting the acute sound and its proximity, reproducing the acute sound within an ear canal, where the ear canal is at least partially occluded by an earpiece. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A network system comprises a first logic block providing a link to a first network via an access point of a WLAN and a second logic block communicating with a node of a second network (such as a WPAN) and configured to provide a link between the node and the first network via the access point. The network system is configured to maintain continuous connections to both the access point and the node while receiving power. The second logic block can communicate with the node using a modified communication protocol that is only partially compliant with an 802.11x communications protocol. A wireless hub can integrate a WPAN with a WLAN including, in part, a wireless circuit compliant with the WLAN standard (such as an 802.11x standard), a processor, and a memory. The wireless circuit can connect to the WPAN without losing connectivity (such as association and synchronization) to the WLAN.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for relative quality of service indicators. A processor obtains quality of service data for a sector that is serving a user device. In response to determining that a quality of service associated with the sector is degraded, an offer can be provided to the user device to upgrade the quality of service. In response to detecting acceptance of the offer, enhancement of the quality of service can be triggered. Quality of service data for the sector can be collected. The quality of service data can represent the quality of service for the user device and a further quality of service for another device located in the sector. Quality of service display data that presents the quality of service for the user device and the further quality of service for the other device can be generated and provided to the user device for display.

Abstract: A system and method for creating an accurate motor vehicle “window sticker” using a vehicle identification number and external data sources. A software application is provided that can be located on a smartphone. The smartphone has a processor, an associated memory, and a digital camera. The digital camera is used to take a photo of the vehicle's VIN plate. The software application reduces this photo to a character sequence representing the vehicle's unique VIN. The system next determines the vehicle make and model year using the VIN and in some instances other data sources. Once the vehicle make and model year is determined, the system determines the correct remote data source from which to request historical build data for that vehicle. A query is sent to the appropriate data source(s) and detailed information concerning the features and pricing for the particular vehicle is obtained. A data source adapter is then applied to transform the retrieved data from each source into a usable form.

Abstract: A system for charging electric vehicles (EVs) includes at least one transportable battery-energy-storage DC systems (BESDCS), at least one renewable direct-current (DC) power supply station at a first location. The system also includes at least one DC charging station for charging of the at least one EV at a second location different from the first location. The system further includes at least one electric tanker transport comprising at least one electric truck vehicle configured to be coupled to the at least one BESDCS. The electric tanker transport is configured to transport the at least one BESDCS from the first location to the second location for charging of the at least one EV and transport the at least one BESDCS from the second location to the first location for charging the at least one BESDCS from renewable DC power supply station.

Abstract: An image control system for a can decorator includes an electronic can decorator control assembly, a mechanical can decorator control assembly and a number of sensors. The electronic can decorator control assembly includes a programmable logic circuit and a number of modules. The mechanical can decorator control assembly is structured to be, and is, operatively coupled to at least one of an ink fountain ink application adjustment assembly, a ductor roll assembly duty cycle adjustment assembly, a printing plate cylinder assembly axial adjustment assembly or a printing plate cylinder assembly circumferential adjustment assembly. The electronic can decorator control assembly is structured to be operatively coupled to the mechanical can decorator control assembly. Each sensor in the number of sensors is structured to measure a can body applied image characteristic and to generate an image signal including data representing the can body applied image characteristic.

Abstract: A optical engine includes a body having a top surface, an opposing bottom surface, and a sampling chamber located between the top surface and the bottom surface. A plurality of light sources extends radially from the sampling chamber such that each of the plurality of light sources extends along its own longitudinal axis. A like plurality of light traps extends radially from the sampling chamber. Each of the like plurality of light traps is associated with one of the plurality of light sources across the sampling chamber and extends along the longitudinal axis of its associated light source. An optical detector extends radially from the sampling chamber along a photomultiplier longitudinal axis. A photomultiplier light trap is diametrically opposite from the optical detector across the sampling chamber along the photomultiplier longitudinal axis. The system can also be assembled in an inverse configuration where the detector and light sources exchange positions.

Abstract: A hybrid catalyst including a metal oxide catalyst component comprising chromium, zinc, and at least one additional metal selected from the group consisting of iron and manganese, and a microporous catalyst component that is a molecular sieve having 8-MR pore openings. The at least one additional metal is present in an amount from 5.0 at % to 20.0 at %.

Abstract: Implementations of semiconductor devices may include a die having a first side and a second side, a contact pad coupled to the first side of the die, and a metal layer coupled to the second side of the die. A thickness of the die may be no more than four times a thickness of the metal layer.

Abstract: A valve-style drilling mud screen system comprising a first body having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, a first drilling mud inlet at a first end of the first portion of the body, a first drilling mud outlet at a second end of the third portion of the body, a rotating subassembly, wherein the rotating subassembly is disposed within the second portion of the first body, wherein the first portion of the first body is fluidly connected to a first end of the rotating subassembly, and wherein a second end of the rotating subassembly is fluidly connected to the third portion of the first body, a pivot subassembly, wherein the pivot subassembly is attached to the rotating subassembly through the second portion of the first body, and a drilling mud screen, wherein the drilling mud screen is disposed within the rotating subassembly between the first drilling mud inlet and the first drilling mud outlet is disclosed.

Abstract: A skin growth excision apparatus, and methods of making and using such a skin growth excision apparatus, whereby the skin growth excision apparatus can include a base having opposing base upper and lower surfaces, an aperture element communicating between the base upper and lower surfaces, and a blade overlaying the base upper surface. The blade can be slidably engaged with the base to facilitate travel of the blade along a travel path over the aperture element, whereby the blade can excise a skin growth extending therethrough.

Abstract: A jig assembly may include an upper jig including an upper bite block for receiving upper teeth, a lower jig including a lower bite block for receiving lower teeth, and a fastener for securing each of the upper jig and the lower jig in a fixed position relative to one another. A jig assembly may include a first jig and a second jig coupled to the first jig. The first jig and the second jig may be switchable between a first configuration in which the first jig is slidable relative to the second jig in a first direction and a second configuration in which the first jig and the second jig are fixed relative to each other in the first direction.

Abstract: A system for delivering thermal therapy to a treated body portion of a subject. The system preferably includes a therapy compress having at least one pocket or retainer, and at least one self-heating element configured for removable insertion within the at least one pocket of the therapy compress. In some example embodiments the therapy compress is in the form of an eye mask having first and second eye-covering lobes, each eye-covering lobe having a pocket for receiving a self-heating element. In some example embodiments the at least one self-heating element is air or oxygen activated, for example including a zinc-based self-heating material.

Abstract: A film-application apparatus includes a body including a first body half, a second body half, and a hinge coupling the body halves; and a squeegee blade movable from a first position relative to the body to a second position relative to the body. The second body half is rotatable about the hinge relative to the first body half to a closed position. When the second body half is in the closed position, the body includes a top ring and a bottom ring both centered on an axis and defining an axial gap therebetween. When the second body half is in the closed position and the body is enclosing a sensor having a cylindrical sensor window, the axial gap exposes the cylindrical sensor window, and moving the squeegee blade from the first position to the second position covers substantially an entire surface area of the cylindrical sensor window.

Abstract: The present invention provides a subsonic ammunition cartridge comprising: a primer insert comprises a top surface opposite a bottom surface, a substantially cylindrical coupling element extending away from the bottom surface forming, a primer recess in the top surface that extends toward the bottom surface, a primer flash aperture positioned in the primer recess to extend through the bottom surface, a flash aperture groove in the primer recess that extends circumferentially about the primer flash aperture, and a flange that extends circumferentially about an outer edge of the top surface; a polymeric casing body comprising a generally cylindrical hollow polymer body molded over the substantially cylindrical coupling element, into the primer flash aperture and into the flash aperture groove to form a flash hole and extending toward a mid-body coupling joint; a nose comprising a projectile aperture that extends to a neck connected to a shoulder that transitions from the projectile aperture to a nose coupler, w