Abstract: A novel method to produce thin films spatially disposed on desired areas of workpieces is disclosed. Examples of include the formation of a yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) film formed on a desired portion of a stainless steel interconnect for solid oxide fuel cells by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). A number of methods to produce the spatially disposed YSZ film structures are described including polymeric and silicone rubber masks. The thin film structures have utility for preventing the reaction of glasses with metals, in particular alkali-earth containing glasses with ferritic stainless steels, allowing high temperature bonding of these materials.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a network are disclosed. In an aspect, a method can comprise receiving first information by an access node of a premises network via a first radio frequency band. At least a portion of the first information can be transmitted via a second radio frequency band to a gateway node of the premises network. Second information can be received from the gateway node via the second radio frequency band. At least a portion of the second information can be transmitted via the first radio frequency band to a source of the first information.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of making a catalytic electrode for a metal-air cell in which a carbon-catalyst composite is produced by heating a manganese compound in the presence of a particulate carbon material to form manganese oxide catalyst on the surfaces of the particulate carbon, and then adding virgin particulate carbon material to the carbon-catalyst composite to produce a catalytic mixture that is formed into a catalytic layer. A current collector and an air diffusion layer are added to the catalytic layer to produce the catalytic electrode. The catalytic electrode can be combined with a separator and a negative electrode in a cell housing including an air entry port through which air from outside the container can reach the catalytic electrode.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a medical procedure performed in a clinical environment is provided. An audio recorder is configured to produce a verbal data signal that is representative of a verbal communication occurring in the clinical environment, and a data analyzer is configured to detect an adverse condition based upon the verbal data signal. An alert module is configured to alert an operator upon the detection of an adverse condition.

Abstract: The invention features combination therapies using an IL-15-based superagonist complex and an antibody to effectively treat subjects with cancer and infectious diseases.

Abstract: A method of forming a packaging blank includes stripping away a portion of a stock material to create an offset void (24, 25) and blanking the stock material into a plurality of packaging blanks. Blanking includes separating the stock material along a plurality of severance lines (26, 28, 29) dividing between the blanks (100), wherein at least two of the severance lines are separated from one another by the offset void. Blanking can include separating the stock material along a plurality of severance lines dividing the blanks from one another by a blanking grid, wherein the blanking grid is arranged in a nested sheet-fed layout.

Abstract: A marine seismic exploration method and system comprised of continuous recording, self-contained ocean bottom pods characterized by low profile casings. An external bumper is provided to promote ocean bottom coupling and prevent fishing net entrapment. Pods are tethered together with flexible, non-rigid, non-conducting cable used to control pod deployment. Pods are deployed and retrieved from a boat deck configured to have a storage system and a handling system to attach pods to cable on-the-fly. The storage system is a juke box configuration of slots wherein individual pods are randomly stored in the slots to permit data extraction, charging, testing and synchronizing without opening the pods. A pod may include an inertial navigation system to determine ocean floor location and a rubidium clock for timing. The system includes mathematical gimballing. The cable may include shear couplings designed to automatically shear apart if a certain level of cable tension is reached.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for methods and systems for automating the operation of vehicle lifts in the servicing of automotive vehicles. The lifts may be motorized mobile column lifts and/or fixed lifts, including two-post lifts with swing-arms and a variety of drive-on lifts. Motorized mobile lifts have a motorized transport mechanism. A guidance system first assigns available motorized mobile lifts to the axled wheels of a vehicle and then directs their transport mechanism for transporting them to their engagement locations. It also guides the engagement of both the motorized mobile lifts and the fixed lifts in the service center. A number of technologies may be used for this purpose, including sensors onboard the vehicles and/or the lifts and/or the service center. A computer vision pipeline may also be utilized to assist in the process. Machine learning may also be employed. Techniques are also extended to autonomous vehicles as well as interfacing with fleet management software.

Abstract: Transgenic seed having a recombinant MATE family gene for crops with improved traits are provided by trait-improving recombinant DNA in the nucleus of cells of the seed where plants grown from such transgenic seed exhibit one or more improved traits as compared to a control plant. Of particular interest are transgenic plants that have increased yield. The present invention also provides recombinant DNA molecules for expression of a protein, and recombinant DNA molecules for suppression of a protein.

Abstract: A server-based nuclear containment operations system can be used to monitor structures, systems, components, and personnel within the containment building of a nuclear power facility. The disclosed and claimed concepts relate generally to a method for utilizing near field communication (NFC) on a mobile client device having the dynamic capabilities of a logic-based computerized procedures system (CPS). The client permits the execution of procedures remotely in the field while monitoring the real-time current state and operation of the systems, components, and sensors of a large facility such as a nuclear power plant. This system consists of a client and server application which provide real-time monitoring of procedure adherence and place keeping, facility clearance information, and work order administration (including tracking an operator's procedure adherence) and further provides a capability for operator input.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, are described for storing message data in a PubSub system. In certain examples, the method includes storing messages of each of a plurality of channels in a writable portion of a respective buffer for the channel. The method may also include moving a pointer delineating a boundary between the writable portion and a readable portion of the buffer such that the messages are in the readable portion after the pointer has moved. The method may also include allowing one or more subscribers to read from the readable portion of one or more of the buffers during the storing.

Abstract: A shield can assembly is described. In one or more implementations, a frame is installed on a printed circuit board (PCB) by using a cross-bar connected to opposing sides of the frame to place the frame on the PCB. Subsequent to installation of the frame on the PCB, the cross-bar is removed from the frame. Once the cross-bar is removed, one or more flexible printed circuits (FPCs) are installed on the PCB. Then, a lid is connected to the frame to from a shield can over the FPCs.

Abstract: A foam core mattress including a cushion layer having a foam with an IFD of between about 6 to about 18 and a density of between about 1.5 lb./ft3 to about 4 lb./ft3. The mattress includes a core that is coupled with a bottom surface of the cushion layer. The core includes a matrix of rebond foam pieces that includes at least 5% foam pieces having volumes of less than about 0.5 in3, at least 40% foam pieces having volumes of between about 0.5 and 2.0 in3, and at least 20% foam pieces having volumes of greater than 2.0 in3, wherein the core has an IFD of between about 21 and 36. The mattress includes a base layer coupled with a bottom surface of the core. The base layer has an IFD of between about 28 to about 70 and a density of between 1.5 lb./ft3to about 2 lb./ft3.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to cargo enclosures feature side frame assemblies securable to a pickup truck cargo box or similar structure. The frame assemblies include longitudinal channels that are movable from a closed position to an extended position by an actuator mechanism. The actuator mechanism includes oppositely disposed linear actuators anchored to one of the channels, forcing hinged rails from an overlapping relationship to a coaxial relationship. The frame assembly may include a cross- or scissor-brace to improve stability. A pliable fabric forms at least one and up to three panel sidewalls that extend and retract simultaneously with the movement of the channels. A top cover is selectively securable to the frame assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming silica nanolayers on or within a biological sample, thereby capturing structural details that are present in the sample. The resultant silica composite or silica replica, in turn, can be employed as a template for a replica having those structural details captured in a polymer. Also provided herein are synthetic constructs including a polymeric replica, which can have any useful feature (e.g., oxygen-binding capacity).

Abstract: Luminescence test measurements are conducted using an assay module having integrated electrodes with a reader apparatus adapted to receive assay modules, induce luminescence, preferably electrode induced luminescence, in the wells or assay regions of the assay modules and measure the induced luminescence.

Abstract: A glove box for handling harmful material is formed to be lightweight and modular in design, allowing for use in the field and various remote locations where a full laboratory is not available. The tank portion of the glove box is formed of a rigid, lightweight plastic and includes a number of standard-sized passageways for connecting other components (intake filter, exhaust filter, input/output containers, gasketed gloves, etc), allowing for modularity in its configuration. The top portion of the glove box may include a transparent window for viewing the material within the glove box. Filter components utilize HEPA filter elements and a separate, portable power supply is used to control a vacuum fan included in an exhaust filter. The power supply can also be used to perform diagnostic tests on the glove and may include a battery back-up.

Abstract: An example system includes at least one hardware processor and memory storing program code to receive a request for a customized pastry order, identify a retailer to fulfill the customized pastry order, identify retailer resource information identifying customizable elements and capacity information available from the retailer, identify, available from the retailer, pastry types including a with-graphic type or a without-graphic type, receive user selection of a particular pastry type, if the particular pastry type identifies a with-graphic type, then present for user selection one or more customizable elements available from the retailer, the one or more customizable elements being based on the retailer resource information and on the particular pastry type, receive user selections, each user selection identifying at least one particular option, obtain an image for presentation on the at least one customizable pastry, and initiate the customized pastry order based on the user selections and on the image.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for certifying a playback device are provided. In some embodiments, methods for certifying a playback device are provided, the methods comprising: identifying a plurality of playback capabilities associated with the playback device; identifying at least one certification test based on the plurality of playback capabilities; receiving a plurality of media streams corresponding to the certification test from a server; causing a first media stream to be presented by the playback device; changing a streaming condition experienced by the playback device; causing a second media stream to be presented by the playback device based on the streaming condition; capturing, using a camera, a video signal representing video content presented by the playback device; and determining, using a hardware processor, whether the playback device has passed the certification test based at least in part on the video signal.