Abstract: A tower monitoring system for monitoring a remote tower for structural evaluation and analysis. The tower monitoring system includes a sensor unit that takes tower data readings that include displacement readings. The sensor unit provides the tower data readings to a ground control unit near the tower. A remote server is in communication with the ground control unit and includes a secondary source of data, such as historical data of the tower, current data or historic data from nearby towers, and nearby weather and geological data. The monitoring system implements a modal analysis to determine contributions to the displacement readings and alarms an operator if the modal readings indicate structural stress beyond a predetermined threshold. Data is saved and can be used in a trend analysis to review any changes in the tower displacement readings over a period of time.

Abstract: Apparatus, techniques and systems are described for facilitating identification of a target area during a probe-guided radio-localization surgical procedure. The described apparatus, techniques and systems can be used to implement a nuclear-uptake mode controller integrated into a probe to allow a user to instantly switch between multiple nuclear-uptake modes directly from the probe hand-piece. For example, a nuclear-uptake mode controller integrated into the probe can be used to instantly switch between a high-sensitivity nuclear-up-take mode and a high-resolution nuclear-uptake mode to effectively identify the target area in the presence of interfering nuclear signals by better matching the probe's nuclear detection parameters to a search task for that target area.

Abstract: Energy conversion systems that may employ control grid electrodes, acceleration grid electrodes, inductive elements, multi-stage anodes, and emissive carbon coatings on the cathode and anode are described. These and other characteristics may allow for advantageous thermal energy to electrical energy conversion.

Abstract: A motor drive circuit for driving an electric motor includes a plurality of driver circuits, each one of the plurality of driver circuit comprising a high side transistor coupled to a low side transistor in a half bridge arrangement, wherein each one of the high side transistors and each one of the low side transistors has a respective control node and respective first and second current passing nodes, wherein the second current passing node of each of the high side transistors is coupled to the first current passing node of a respective one of the low side transistors at a respective junction node, wherein each one of the plurality of driver circuits is operable to drive a respective current out of a respective junction node into a respective winding of the electric motor. The motor drive circuit further includes a capacitor coupled to the first current passing node of each one of the high side transistors, the capacitor operable to hold a capacitor voltage.

Abstract: Gram-negative bacterial mutants resistant to one or more stress conditions, including CO2, acid pH, and high osmolarity, and more particularly to gram-negative bacterial mutants with reduced TNF-? induction having a mutation in one or more lipid biosynthesis genes, including, but not limited to msbB, that are rendered stress-resistant by a mutation in the zwf gene. Compositions are provided comprising one or more stress-resistant gram-negative bacterial mutants, preferably attenuated stress-resistant gram-negative bacterial mutants. Methods are provided for prophylaxis or treatment of a virally induced disease in a subject comprising administering to a subject a stress-resistant gram-negative bacterial mutant, preferably attenuated stress-resistant gram-negative bacterial mutants. The stress-resistant gram-negative bacterial mutants may serve as vectors for the delivery of one or more therapeutic molecules to a host.

Abstract: A method in an autonomous vehicle (AV) is provided. The method includes determining, from vehicle sensor data and road geometry data, a plurality of range measurements and obstacle velocity data; determining vehicle state data wherein the vehicle state data includes a velocity of the AV, a distance to a stop line, a distance to a midpoint of an intersection, and a distance to a goal; determining, based on the plurality of range measurements, the obstacle velocity data and the vehicle state data, a set of discrete behavior actions and a unique trajectory control action associated with each discrete behavior action; choosing a discrete behavior action and a unique trajectory control action to perform; and communicating a message to vehicle controls conveying the unique trajectory control action associated with the discrete behavior action.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for playing a fighting card game with hidden items is provided for. A method and apparatus of playing a related fighting game that does not hide the items is also provided for. The apparatus includes a game board having a plurality of slots for placing fighter cards, where each slot has an attack zone indicator and a defense zone indicator. Battles are won by which fighting card has a higher designated battle value, which is a function of the fighter cards initial value, modified by one or more item cards, and/or the special abilities of fighter cards.

Abstract: A method for a hitless handover in a hitless handover of communications in a Radio Frequency (RF) network is disclosed.

Abstract: An aerodynamic wrap for use with a tank trailer illustratively includes opposing first and second side assemblies. In an illustrative embodiment, each side assembly includes an upper panel pivotably supported by the tank trailer, and a lower panel pivotably supported by the upper panel. A lower connecting member illustratively couples the lower panels of the first and second side assemblies under the belly of the tank trailer.

Abstract: An optical preform manufacturing process is disclosed in which an alkali dopant is deposited between an optical fiber core rod and an optical fiber cladding jacket. Depositing the alkali dopant between the core rod and the cladding jacket permits diffusion of the alkali dopants into the core during fiber draw when the core and the cladding are at their respective transition (or vitrification) temperatures. Introduction of the alkali dopants between the core rod and the cladding jacket also permits decoupling of the alkali doping process from one or more of other optical preform manufacturing processes. The optical preform manufacturing process can also include placing alkali dopants between an optical fiber inner cladding jacket and an optical fiber outer cladding jacket to reduce the glass viscosity during fiber draw.

Abstract: A compressor includes a compressor impeller configured to rotate about an axis of rotation as intake gases flow along the compressor impeller. The compressor impeller includes an inducer and an exducer. The compressor impeller defines a first impeller end at the inducer and a second impeller end at the exducer. The second impeller end extends along a radial axis. The compressor further includes a compressor housing encasing the compressor impeller. The compressor housing defines a compressor volute. The compressor housing partially defines a diffuser in fluid communication with the compressor volute. The diffuser is elongated along a diffuser axis. The diffuser axis is obliquely angled relative to the axis of rotation. The diffuser axis is obliquely angled relative to the radial axis to minimize a turbulence of the intake gases flowing from the diffuser to the compressor volute.

Abstract: A software implementation and method for garage ventilation control logic to intelligently modulate the rate of speed of a plurality of garage fan motors in an enclosed commercial parking garage structure. The savings are primarily driven by the known cubic relationship between fan power draw and fan speed, whereby fans operating at lower speeds will draw much less power than operating at higher speeds, taking advantage of the highly non-linear relationship between the two.

Abstract: A system and method exploit information gained by observing abnormal commonality factors from multiple accounts over a predetermined time frame. The presence of an abnormal commonality factor serves as an indication that a group of accounts may have been compromised by a common actor via information gained by successful phishing of multiple users' information to improperly gain access to their respective accounts. Once this commonality associated with phishing is detected, the system provides a mechanism and process to rapidly respond to the phishing-originated attack to minimize information security damage to the affected accounts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for a syndesmosis treatment construct configured to be placed into a cinched configuration that presses a first bone against a second bone. The syndesmosis treatment construct comprises a proximal fixator to contact the first bone and a distal fixator to contact the second bone. A first suture and a second suture are parallelly looped through the proximal fixator and oppositely looped through the distal fixator. Distal ends of the first and second sutures are fixated within a washer disposed between the proximal fixator and the first bone. Proximal ends of the first and second sutures are passed through openings in the washer and through the proximal fixator. Pulling of the proximal ends by a practitioner places the syndesmosis treatment construct into a cinched configuration. Any of various suitable suture knots may be formed so as to fixate the cinched configuration.

Abstract: A mold manufacturing method includes machining, based on a final outer shape of a mold, a workpiece including a plurality of separate blocks. The plurality of separate blocks are selected based on the outer shape, all or part of the plurality of separate blocks are provided with through holes for forming a flow path. The mold manufacturing method further includes adding a material to the workpiece through an additive manufacturing technology employing directed energy deposition as an additive manufacturing process, so as to form, on a surface of the machined workpiece, a continuous surface based on the outer shape.

Abstract: A computer-based system processes presentations into a universal display protocol with full fidelity to the original files. The system launches a presentation utilizing native presentation software on a recorded machine, sends a series of common user actions to the presentation software, detects the beginning and end of each action's effect, and records each action's associated video segment for future playback. Playback involves playing the recorded video segments in response to user inputs received during that playback.

Abstract: A blood circulation assist system includes a ventricular assist device (VAD) and a controller. The VAD is attachable to a heart of a patient to pump blood from a ventricle of the heart into a blood vessel of the patient. The VAD includes an impeller, a motor stator operable to rotate the impeller, and an accelerometer generating an accelerometer output indicative of accelerations of the VAD. The controller controls operation of the motor stator to control rotational speed of the impeller based on the accelerometer output.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing portable containers for users of vehicle services. In an embodiment, a method includes associating a portable container with a user. The method also includes providing a plurality of storage areas disposed about a geographic area. The plurality of storage areas are configured to temporarily store the portable container. The method also includes receiving a request to pick up the portable container from one of the plurality of storage areas. In addition, the method includes delivering, by way of a vehicle service, the portable container to a user location, a specified location, a different storage area of the plurality of storage areas, or a carrier vehicle.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a vertical power device, such as a superjunction MOSFET, an IGBT, a diode, and the like, and a surface device that comprises one or more lateral devices that are electrically active along a top surface of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for delivering a package which includes an enclosure with a door. The door includes an access code input device, which has a tilt plate for entering a code. The method and system also include a mechanism for opening and closing the door and a controller, which is in communication with the access code input device, is proximate the door and includes an access code reader for controlling the mechanism. The method also includes the step of providing a package with a delivery label attached to the package having an access code comprising dimensions for the package to be delivered. The access code further includes instructions to partially move the door only for an amount of time needed to partially open the door from a closed position or partially close the door from an open position according to the dimensions of the package to only allow passage of the package.