Abstract: Coated diamond particles have solid diamond cores and at least one graphene layer. Methods of forming coated diamond particles include coating diamond particles with a charged species and coating the diamond particles with a graphene layer. A composition includes a substance and a plurality of coated diamond particles dispersed within the substance. An intermediate structure includes a hard polycrystalline material comprising a first plurality of diamond particles and a second plurality of diamond particles. The first plurality of diamond particles and the second plurality of diamond particles are interspersed. A method of forming a polycrystalline compact includes catalyzing the formation of inter-granular bonds between adjacent particles of a plurality of diamond particles having at least one graphene layer.

Abstract: A sealing element for a fitting part includes a top section. The top section includes a first surface configured to bear against an outer face of an annular groove of the fitting part and a second surface intersecting the first surface at a first angle. The second surface is configured to bear against a bottom face of the annular groove of the fitting part. The sealing element also includes a bottom section. The bottom section includes a third surface intersecting the second surface at a second angle. The third surface is configured to bear against the bottom face of the annular groove. The bottom section also includes a fourth surface intersecting the third surface. Furthermore, the sealing element includes an indentation formed at an intersection between the second surface and the third surface. The indentation provides a transition between a first width of the top section and a second width of the bottom section. Moreover, the second width is greater than the first width.

Abstract: Model-based virtual system provisioning includes accessing a model of a workload to be installed on a virtual machine of a system as well as a model of the system. A workload refers to some computing that is to be performed, and includes an application to be executed to perform the computing, and optionally includes the operating system on which the application is to be installed. The workload model identifies a source of the application and operating system of the workload, as well as constraints of the workload, such as resources and/or other capabilities that the virtual machine(s) on which the workload is to be installed must have. An installation specification for the application is also generated, the installation specification being derived at least in part from the model of the workload and the model of the virtual system.

Abstract: A first device provides both power and data to a second device over a power line connection between the two devices. The first device includes a power line extending from a power supply, a ground line extending from a ground, a first impedance in the power line, and a second impedance in the ground line. A modulator comprised of a transistor and modulator impedance is between the first impedance and the second impedance, and a tank capacitor is between the power line and the ground line, outside the first impedance and second impedance. A comparator is coupled between the first and second impedance. A switch may be included to short out the first and second impedance, thereby enabling transmission of only power for period of time, and return to a mode of transmitting both data and power. The first device may also receive data from the second device over the power line connection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically generating top level index files for use in adaptive bitrate streaming in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment of the method of the invention includes receiving a request from a playback device at a playback server, where the request identifies a piece of content, retrieving a list of assets associated with the identified piece of content using the playback server, filtering the list of assets using at least one predetermined criterion using the playback server, generating a top level index file describing each asset in the filtered list of assets using the playback server, and sending the top level index file to the playback device using the playback server.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system comprises a staple cartridge attachment portion, a first staple cartridge configured to be operably attached to the cartridge attachment portion, wherein the first cartridge comprises a plurality of first staples comprising first staple legs, and a second staple cartridge configured to be operably attached to the cartridge attachment portion in lieu of the first cartridge, wherein the second cartridge comprises a plurality of second staples comprising second staple legs, and wherein the second staples are different than the first staples. The system further comprises an anvil comprising a tissue-engaging surface and a plurality of forming pockets defined in the surface, wherein each pocket comprises a first landing zone configured to receive a leg of a first staple of the first cartridge and a second landing zone configured to receive a leg of a second staple of the second cartridge.

Abstract: An integrated process is described for producing 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and/or a derivative thereof from a six carbon sugar-containing feed, comprising: a) dehydrating a feed comprising a six-carbon sugar unit, in the presence of a bromine source and of a solvent, to generate an oxidation feed comprised of at least one of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and/or a derivative or derivatives of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in the solvent, together with at least one bromine containing species; b) contacting the oxidation feed from step (a) with a metal catalyst and with an oxygen source under oxidation conditions to produce an oxidation product mixture comprising 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and/or a derivative thereof, the solvent, and a residual catalyst; c) purifying and separating the mixture obtained in step (b) to obtain FDCA and/or a derivative thereof and the solvent; and d) recycling at least a portion of the solvent obtained in step (c) to step (a).

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for operating a laser attraction. Aspects include instructing a plurality of laser transmitters to each emit a laser beam, each of the emitted laser beams being detected by a particular receiver device. In addition, a signal may be received that indicates that one of the laser beams has been broken. In an aspect, the signal may be received from a receiver device that is associated with the broken laser beam. Further, the receiver device may be instructed to illuminate a light source when the laser beam is broken, the light source being part of the receiver device.

Abstract: Techniques for providing backup power to distributed computing systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, via the computer network, data indicating a power failure of the main power source configured to provide electrical power to the servers. The method also includes instructing, via the computer network, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) system to provide emergency power to the servers. The HVAC system includes an air mover having blades and a motor-generator mechanically coupled to the blades of the air mover. The motor-generator includes a motor that is configured to rotate the blades of the air mover and a generator that is configured to convert kinetic energy of the rotating blades of the air mover into electrical energy during a power failure of the main power source and provide the generated electrical energy as the emergency power to the servers.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method to detect and reduce feedback in an audio signal is disclosed. The method may include obtaining an audio signal. The method may further include separating the audio signal into a plurality of frequency bands. The method may also include, for each frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands, determining whether the frequency band includes feedback. The method may further include, for each frequency band determined to include feedback, attenuating the frequency band. The method may also include combining each frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands to produce an output audio signal.

Abstract: Creating genetic devices for use in micro-organisms or other biological systems is described. In an embodiment a computer system receives at a program editor, input specifying a plurality of part designs, at least some of which comprise part properties expressed as logical variables; and the input also specifies constraints on the logical variables. For example, the input is a computer program which specifies constraints on the logical variables which, for example, relate to properties of the DNA sequences such as reactions and biological behaviors. In an example, a compiler resolves the constraints using a database of genetic parts in order to generate candidate parts for the proposed genetic device. In examples the sequences of genetic parts are translated into reactions and simulated using an automated simulator and/or implemented in a living cell or other biological system. In embodiments the compiler also uses a database of reactions.

Abstract: A processor is configured to identify a branch instruction immediately followed by an architectural delay slot. A single bonded instruction comprising the branch instruction immediately followed by the architectural delay slot is created. The single bonded instruction is loaded into an instruction buffer.

Abstract: Immunogenic influenza hemagglutinin-derived peptide compositions described herein induce a specific therapeutic antibody response against influenza virus. The immunogenic peptide compositions comprise a segment from the fusion initiation region (FIR) domain of an influenza hemagglutinin protein bound to an immunogenic carrier protein, such as an influenza hemagglutinin (HA) protein (i.e., full length HA), and the like. The immunogenic peptide compositions described herein can be utilized to treat or prevent influenza infection and to prepare influenza-specific therapeutic antibodies that interfere with influenza virus-host cell membrane fusion. The peptide conjugates can be formulated in pharmaceutical compositions useful for broad spectrum treatment or prevention of influenza infections.

Abstract: A device (1) for providing an amount of power to a gas discharge lamp (2) comprises a control circuit (3) for controlling a supply circuit (4) for supplying the power according to a power versus voltage graph (10). A calculator (30) calculates a boundary voltage value as a function of a measured voltage value of a voltage signal that has been measured after a predefined time-interval from a cold start of the gas discharge lamp (2). A more accurate boundary voltage value results in more stability and in less time required to reach a steady state. The calculator (30) may be arranged for calculating the boundary voltage value as a function of a minimum voltage value of the voltage signal and of a steady state voltage value of the voltage signal. A memory (31) may store voltage values of the voltage signal and a processor (32) may update these voltage values.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided in which movement of a tool is controlled based on sensed parameters. In one embodiment, an electromechanical tool is provided having an instrument shaft and an end effector formed thereon. The electromechanical tool is configured to be mounted on an electromechanical arm, and the electromechanical tool is configured to move with or relative to the electromechanical arm and perform surgical functions. A controller is operatively coupled to the electromechanical arm and the electromechanical tool and is configured to retard advancement of the electromechanical tool toward a tissue surface based on a sensed amount of displacement of a tissue surface, a strain on the tissue of the patient, the temperature of the electromechanical tool, or the like.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate includes an internal panel, a pair of side panels, and a tie-down bracket. The internal panel extends between the pair of side panels. The pair of side panels are rotatably secured to a cargo bed. The tie-down bracket is secured to an exterior of the internal panel. The tie-down bracket defines first and second C-channels that extend in a direction from a first to a second of the side panels.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica), which is denominated varietally as ‘Burpeachfortytwo’, and which produces an attractively colored white-fleshed, clingstone peach which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately September 5 to September 10 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California.