Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of controlling insect pests, in particular Leptinotarsa spp. which infest crop plants, and methods of providing plants resistant to such pests. Also disclosed are polynucleotides and recombinant DNA molecules and constructs useful in such methods, insecticidal compositions such as topical sprays containing insecticidal double-stranded RNAs, and solanaceous plants with improved resistance to infestation by Leptinotarsa spp. Further disclosed are methods of selecting target genes for RNAi-mediated silencing and control of Leptinotarsa spp.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining degradation of a cylinder deactivation mechanism are described. In one example, engine data generated while an engine is operation with all of its cylinders active is used to correct engine data generated while one or more engine cylinders are deactivated to improve detection of a degraded cylinder deactivation mechanism.

Abstract: A DNA sequencing device having a first conductor electrically insulated from a second conductor, a voltage source and an amplifier electrically connected in series with the first conductor and the second conductor, a DNA polymerase attached to the first conductor and to the second conductor with matching biotinylated tag molecules, and an electric current monitor. A non-discriminating electrical signal is provided by the polymerase during pairing, which signal can be used as a marker to indicate that transcription is occurring between a single-type of free nucleotide and a base nucleotide of a template DNA strand.

Abstract: An example Smart Candle Platform is configured to includes a candle fixture that comprises an outer shell having an opening, a mid-frame, and a base, and a fuel bottle configured to hold a fuel material and is removably coupled to the candle fixture. The fuel bottle is positioned at least partially within a hollow interior of the mid-frame of the candle fixture and accommodated by the base. The fuel bottle further comprises a wick that extends through an opening of the outer shell, and the candle fixture includes an ignitor configured to ignite the fuel material via the wick to produce a living flame, a proximity sensor to sense a distance between an object and the living flame, a self-extinguisher, and a control system configured to, upon determining the distance between the object and the living flame is unsafe, control the self-extinguisher to extinguish the living flame.

Abstract: A support mechanism for a vehicle seating assembly includes a seat frame moveable between a sitting position and a standing position and a support bracket coupled to a vehicle floor. A linkage assembly extends between the support bracket and the seat frame. The linkage assembly is positionable between a collapsed position if the seat frame is in the sitting position and an extended position if the seat frame is in the standing position and includes a first end rotatably coupled to the support bracket and a second end slidably coupled to the seat frame. A pawl assembly is engageable with the linkage assembly and positionable in an unlocked position if the linkage assembly is in the collapsed position and a locked position if the linkage assembly is in the extended position.

Abstract: A system includes a CMP carrier that includes a resilient flexible membrane upon which a wafer is mounted, at least three ports for supplying air to the resilient flexible membrane to pneumatically pushing on the wafer through pressure applied throughout the surface area of the resilient flexible membrane to have more uniform pressure. Each port provides pressure to different components of the carrier to adjust pressure or vary pressure during processing of the wafer. Further, the system includes a processor and software program for implementing the CMP carrier with existing CMP machines. The software application converts the air pressure applied to the carrier into units that allow the CMP machine to receive expected data and operate in accordance with the existing commands.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics of an exhaust tuning valve during vehicle-off conditions. In one example, the engine may be reverse rotated, unfueled while the position of the exhaust is varied and an intake air flow is estimated at each position of the exhaust tuning valve. The exhaust tuning valve may be diagnosed based on a change in air flow with the variation in the position of the exhaust tuning valve.

Abstract: An ozone generation system which is adaptable for supplying ozone to different medium and small application processes. The system has a source of feed gas, a corona discharge cell receiving the feed gas from the feed gas source and generating ozone for the application process, a flow controller measuring and managing the flow of the feed gas from the feed gas source to the corona discharge cell; and a regulator receiving gas from the corona discharge cell and sending the gas to the application process. The regulator maintains pressure in the corona discharge cell independent of the application process pressure.

Abstract: An electrical plug connector terminates a twisted pair electrical cable. The electrical plug connector includes a base and a plug housing holding electrical contacts therebetween. The base includes a divider structure including separation walls. At least one of the separation walls defines an abutment surface against which a forward end of the electrical cable abuts when terminated by the electrical plug connector. The plug housing defines slots so that the electrical contacts are accessible. The electrical plug connector axially secures an outer jacket of the electrical cable against rearward movement relative to base. The at least one separation wall inhibits forward axial movement of the outer jacket of the electrical cable relative to the base.

Abstract: A method includes immersing a wafer in an electrolyte including a plurality of compounds having elements of a high damping magnetic alloy with very low impurity and small uniform grain size. The method also includes applying a pulsed current with a certain range of duty cycle and pulse length to the wafer when the wafer is immersed in an electrolyte. The wafer is removed from the electrolyte when a layer of the high damping magnetic alloy is formed on the wafer.

Abstract: A method for transforming organic waste into carbon using sequential physical and biological degradation, including fermentation, drying under vacuum and elevated temperature followed by heating to a temperature of between 300° C. and 500° C. to promote carbonization and production of charcoal.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a door storage system that is disposed within a cargo area of a vehicle. The door storage system is moveable between a lowered position and an expanded position. The door storage system is configured to accept at least one door of the vehicle within a door receiving area when the door storage system is in the expanded position.

Abstract: A system receives a vehicle data snapshot. The system compares characteristics of the vehicle data snapshot to a database of known characteristics, the known characteristics identifying one or more instances corresponding to an instance type identified in a geo-fence request, the instance types in the geo-fence request having been submitted for geo-fencing around occurrences of instances of the instance type. Responsive to identifying an existence of an instance at a location where the vehicle data snapshot was taken, based on the comparison, the system establishes a geo-fence around the identified instance and transmits the established geo-fence to one or more vehicles associated with the geo-fence request.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide for assigning classifications to signals and corresponding messages for prioritization and transmission across a vehicle CAN bus. The assigned classifications are used to prioritize messages, signals, and nodes of the vehicle CAN bus. The classifications are used to prioritize critical messages and high priority messages that control operations of the vehicle system.

Abstract: A cockpit pressurization and oxygen warning system includes a cabin pressure input and an aircraft pressure input. A pilot interface includes a first visual indicator having a first recognizable characteristic disposed in a first position that is made visually perceptible when a first signal is asserted and a second visual indicator having a second recognizable characteristic esthetically different from the first recognizable characteristic and disposed in a second position different from the first position that is made visually perceptible when a second signal is asserted. A control circuit that is responsive to the cabin pressure input and the aircraft pressure input determines an acceptable range for the cabin altitude that corresponds to the aircraft altitude. The control circuit asserts the first signal when the cabin altitude is within the acceptable range and asserts the second signal when the cabin altitude is not within the acceptable range.

Abstract: Higher-level redundancy information computation enables a Solid-State Disk (SSD) controller to provide higher-level redundancy capabilities to maintain reliable operation in a context of failures of non-volatile (e.g. flash) memory elements during operation of an SSD implemented in part by the controller. For example, a first computation is an XOR, and a second computation is a weighted-sum. Various amounts of storage are dedicated to storing the higher-level redundancy information, such as amounts equivalent to an integer multiple of flash die (e.g. one, two, or three entire flash die), and such as amounts equivalent to a fraction of a single flash die (e.g. one-half or one-fourth of a single flash die).

Abstract: This disclosure relates to accessories configured to be supported by door strikers of motor vehicles. In particular, the accessories may be mounted to a motor vehicle when a traditional, or factory, door is removed. Some example accessories are useable as a step when mounted to the vehicle, and are also useable as a tool (i.e., as a shovel, flashlight, bit driver, socket wrench, and/or hex wrench) when removed from the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having a crankshaft, an electric machine having a rotor, a disconnect clutch having an input secured to the crankshaft and an output secured to the rotor, a hydraulic pump mechanically powered via rotation of the rotor and configured to supply hydraulic fluid to the actuate the disconnect clutch, a torque converter having an impeller secured to the rotor, and controller. The controller is programmed to, responsive to a speed of the impeller decreasing to less than a first threshold, which is indicative of a subsequent shutdown of the hydraulic pump, and responsive to the disconnect clutch being open while the engine is shut down, advance the disconnect clutch to a touch point where opposing sides of disconnect clutch make contact but substantially zero power is transferred between the engine and the electric machine.

Abstract: A towing assembly for a motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a longitudinal member mount configured to attach to a longitudinal member of the motor vehicle, and a pulling element configured to transmit a tensile force to the longitudinal member and to translate relative to the longitudinal member in response to a compressive force. The pulling element includes a rod portion and a hook portion vertically offset from the rod portion.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for locating, measuring, counting or aiding in the handling of drill pipes 106. The system 100 comprises at least one camera 102 capable of gathering visual data 150 regarding detecting, localizing or both, pipes 106, roughnecks 116, elevators 118 and combinations thereof. The system 100 further comprises a processor 110 and a logging system 114 for recording the gathered visual data 150. The method 200 comprises acquiring visual data 150 using a camera 106, analyzing the acquired data 150, and recording the acquired data 150.