Abstract: A negative electrode for an electrochemical cell of a lithium metal battery may be manufactured by welding together a lithium metal layer and a metallic current collector layer. The lithium metal layer and the current collector layer may be arranged adjacent one another and in an at least partially lapped configuration such that faying surfaces of the layers confront one another and establish a faying interface therebetween at a weld site. A laser beam may be directed at an outer surface of the current collector layer at the weld site to melt a portion of the lithium metal layer adjacent the faying surface of the current collector layer and produce a lithium metal molten weld pool. The laser beam may be terminated to solidify the molten weld pool into a solid weld joint that physically bonds the lithium metal layer and the current collector layer together at the weld site.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide an improved personal massager device. The massager device includes a stimulator, which is G-spot stimulator or a prostate stimulator. The stimulator includes an enclosure having an opening. A threaded post is disposed within the enclosure. The threaded post has a plurality of pitched threads. A roller is disposed within the plurality of pitched threads. The roller protrudes outside the opening of the enclosure. The threaded post is rotated back and forth by a motor, and as it does so, the roller traverses a path. A sheath is disposed tightly over the enclosure. The roller presses the sheath against the G-spot or prostate of the user, providing stimulation. In some embodiments, one or more of a start position of the roller and an end position of the roller are defined by user input.

Abstract: An air induction system for filtering a compressible fluid to an electromechanical component mounted on a wheel of a vehicle. The system may make use of a first plurality of float valves arranged in series in a non-linear first flowpath path, with at least one of the float valves forming an inlet for intaking the compressible fluid into the first flowpath, and one being in communication with an inlet of the electromechanical component. Each of the float valves may have a buoyant float valve element therein which is responsive to change position when submerged in water, to close off its respective float valve depending on an angular orientation of the wheel, and thus an angular orientation of the float valve.

Abstract: A hybrid transmission for use with a vehicle having an engine has an electric-only mode where the engine is off and a hybrid mode where the engine is on. The hybrid transmission includes an engine connection member configured for connection with the engine, a motor/generator unit configured to selectively operate as a motor, a transmission gearing arrangement, and a transmission input member connected with the transmission gearing arrangement. A torque transfer device is controllable to transfer torque from the motor to the transmission input member upstream in power flow from the transmission gearing arrangement, and a starter gear set includes a planetary gear set positioned in power flow between the engine connection member and the motor. The starter gear set is selectively engageable with the transmission input member and the engine connection member.

Abstract: The disclosure described herein is directed to a computerized system and method of grading and authenticating collectibles utilizing digital imaging devices and processes to provide an objective, standardized, consistent high-resolution grading of collectible objects, such as but not limited to sport and non-sport trading cards. The disclosure eliminates the subjectivity present in the human grading process and overcomes the inherent limitations of the human eye.

Abstract: A ride-share system is disclosed. The system may comprise: one or more processors and memory storing instructions that are executable by the one or more processors, the instructions comprising: while operating a vehicle in an autonomous mode, determine a transit stop; based on the determination, attempt to establish communication with a smart node; when communication is established with the smart node, query the smart node regarding whether to actuate a vehicle door to an open position; and when communication is not established with the smart node, determine whether to actuate the vehicle door to the open position.

Abstract: Methods and compositions comprising an emulsion or a microemulsion for use treating an oil and/or gas well are provided. In some embodiments, the emulsion or the microemulsion comprises an aqueous phase, a solvent, a surfactant comprising alkyl polyglycoside, an alcohol, and, optionally, one or more additives.

Abstract: A filter and a poly-oxygenated aluminum hydroxide material comprising a clathrate containing oxygen gas molecules. The poly-oxygenated aluminum hydroxide material removes NOx from an effluent gas, such as gas emitted from an internal combustion engine. The NOx is held in stasis over a range of temperatures, and may be collected.

Abstract: A cleaning device having a cleaning head assembly and a handle assembly is provided. The assemblies are removably attached to one another by a locking mechanism that includes a female attachment portion having a receptacle and being affixed to a cleaning head, and a male attachment portion having a locking projection and being affixed to a handle and adapted for removable engagement with the female attachment portion. The locking projection on the male attachment portion is biased to engage the receptacle in the female attachment portion so as to releaseably lock the cleaning head and the handle together.

Abstract: A human safe wireless charging system using a circularly polarized source antenna that can radiate in either a hemispherical pattern or directional cardiod-like patterns at a 40-50, 150, or 200 MHz frequencies to a receiving loop antenna which is coupled to a parasitic receive element.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments described herein, system, methods, and/or computer program products that forensic analysis through metadata extraction. According to an embodiment, a system can comprise a memory that stores computer executable components and a processor that executes the computer executable components stored in the memory. The computer executable components can comprise a metadata generation component that generates a metadata product comprising one or more data items associated with a distributed architecture of a file system, wherein the file system comprises one or more disks. The computer executable components can further comprise a security component that monitors the file system, wherein the security component generates an alert in response to detecting a degradation event associated with the one or more disks.

Abstract: A wireless network gateway redirects a wireless client device to a wireless network hotspot device. The wireless network gateway includes a hotspot location determining component, a client location determining component, a redirecting component and a communication component. The hotspot location determining component determines the location of the wireless network hotspot device. The client location determining component determines the location of the wireless client device. The redirecting component generates a redirection instruction based on the location of the wireless network hotspot device and the location of the wireless client device. The communication component transmits the redirection instruction to the wireless client device to instruct the wireless client device to redirect to the wireless network hotspot device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes producing medical information that characterizes a group of individuals from a set of private data representing pre or post-encounter characteristics of the individuals, wherein the individuals have had encounters with a healthcare facility. The identity of the individuals is unattainable from the produced medical information. The method also includes providing the produced medical information to report the pre or post-encounter characteristics of the group.

Abstract: Disclosed are various approaches for implementing an application authentication wrapper. An authentication request, such as a Kerberos request, is created for authenticating the computing device. The authentication request is encrypted to generate an encrypted authentication request. The encrypted authentication request is then forwarded to a reverse proxy server. An encrypted authentication response is received from the reverse proxy server. The encrypted authentication response, such as a Kerberos response, is then decrypted to generate a corresponding authentication response, which is then forwarded to the computing device that generated the authentication request.

Abstract: Disclosed are various examples for securing the streaming of a media file from a web service to a media player. A request for a portion of a media file can be received including an authentication key. A web service can validate the authentication key. If the authentication key validates, the web service can send the portion of media to a media player. The media player can render the media on a display of a client device. Requests can be iteratively sent for each portion of the media file.

Abstract: A bone plate has first and second sides, each with the same structure. The plate includes nodes separated by deformable bridges. Each node defines a screw hole, and wings extending laterally therefrom. The wings taper in thickness between the first and second sides. Screw holes are threaded into the nodes. The plate can be shaped to the bone by deformation at the bridges or removal of portions of the plate at bridges.

Abstract: An electric propulsion system includes a polyphase rotary electric machine that imparts motor torque to a load, a traction power inverter module (“TPIM”) connected to the electric machine, a reconfigurable energy storage system (“RESS”) connected to the TPIM, and a controller. The RESS has multiple battery modules and a switching circuit. The battery modules are connectable in a series-connected (“P-connected”) configuration at a first/low battery voltage level, and a series-connected (“S-connected”) configuration at a second/high battery voltage level that exceeds the first voltage. The controller determines power losses of the electric propulsion system at the first and second battery voltage levels, receives a commanded output torque and output speed of the electric machine, and selects the S-connected or P-connected configuration based on the predetermined power loss and commanded output torque and speed.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle that includes an electrical power output is described. In one example, the method includes preventing shifting of transmission gears in response to an external electric power consumer being coupled to an electrical power output receptacle of the vehicle. The method may reduce a possibility of interrupting electrical power that may be supplied to the external electric power consumer.

Abstract: The present invention provides pyrazole compounds useful as inhibitors of Acetyl CoA Carboxylase (ACC), compositions thereof, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: Methods and uses of biological tissues for various stent and other medical applications. In an exemplary embodiment of a method of processing a tissue of the present disclosure, the method comprises the steps of acquiring a mammalian tissue comprising at least a portion of a pulmonary region tissue, selecting a sample of pulmonary region tissue from the at least a portion of a pulmonary region tissue, and fixing the sample of pulmonary region tissue using a fixative, resulting in a fixed sample. In at least one embodiment, the step of selecting a sample of pulmonary region tissue comprises selecting a sample of pulmonary ligament tissue from the mammalian tissue.