Abstract: A horizontal-transvertebral curvilinear nail-screw (HTCN) including a body portion having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is opposed to the second end; and a head at the first end of the body portion, wherein the body portion has a predetermined curvilinear shape and includes a pointed tip at the second end of the body portion, and a method of surgically implanting universal horizontal-transvertebral curvilinear nail-screws (HTCN) into a plurality of adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes receiving audio input by a microphone of an access control device that controls access through a passageway, processing an audio signal associated with the audio input to identify and authenticate a user, determining a command corresponding with the audio signal in response to identification and authentication of the user, and performing at least one action that corresponds with the command.

Abstract: An artificial gravity heating system includes a cylindrical compartment formed of a hollow cylinder having a bottom base and an open top end. An electric motor rotates the cylindrical compartment to provide centripetal motion of materials inside the cylindrical compartment. While rotating, the materials move towards an inner wall of the cylindrical compartment. A heating element is conductively coupled along an outer wall of the cylindrical compartment for heating the materials against the inner wall via conduction. A temperature sensor is operatively coupled to the cylindrical compartment for monitoring a temperature of the cylindrical compartment. A controller is configured to control operation of the heating element based on the temperature monitored via the temperature sensor. An artificial gravity heating method is used to process materials including heating ingredients to cook food. The artificial gravity heating system may also be configured as a vapor generator dehydrator or a thermal gas generator.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments describe, inter alia, an apparatus comprising: a processor configured to (1) generate a plurality of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for interaction with a user to support configuration of a narrative story generator to automatically generate a narrative story based on input data, wherein at least one of the GUIs presents content blocks comprising a story outline in a hierarchical structure, (2) evaluate configuration elements of the narrative story generated using imported sample data, and (3) generate narrative stories based on the configuration of the narrative story generator and the input data.

Abstract: An example computer-implemented method includes receiving, from one or more vision components in an environment, vision data that captures features of the environment, including object features of an object that is located in the environment, and prior to a robot manipulating the object: (i) determining based on the vision data, at least one first adjustment to a programmed trajectory of movement of the robot operating in the environment to perform a task of transporting the object, and (ii) determining based on the object features of the object, at least one second adjustment to the programmed trajectory of movement of the robot operating in the environment to perform the task, and causing the robot to perform the task, in accordance with the at least one first adjustment and the at least one second adjustment to the programmed trajectory of movement of the robot.

Abstract: An HVAC system includes a unit cooler, which includes a first evaporator coil, a second evaporator coil, and a blower. The HVAC system further includes a first sensor, a second sensor, a first valve, a second valve, and a controller. The controller actuates the blower to direct air to flow over the first evaporator coil and the second evaporator coil, receives measurements from the first sensor and the second sensor, initiates a defrost cycle for the first evaporator coil by transmitting instructions to close the first valve to prevent the flow of refrigerant into the first evaporator coil, transmits instructions to open the first valve when the defrost cycle for the first evaporator coil has terminated, and initiates a defrost cycle for the second evaporator coil by transmitting instructions to close the second valve to prevent the flow of refrigerant into the second evaporator coil.

Abstract: A data processing system is implemented for detecting changes to infrastructure components, and extracting metadata associated with the changes. The data processing system also implements grouping the changes based on the metadata, ranking the groups of changes based on past incidents of service outages, and displaying the ranked groups of changes to a user.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is described. This integrated circuit may include: an interface module with a first power domain and a second power domain. The first power domain may include a digital controller, and the second power domain may include a first analog front end (AFE) circuit. Moreover, the interface module may include up/down level shifters that communicate electrical signals that include a DC component from the first power domain to the second power domain. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit may provide a fully on-chip solution to handle level shifting between the AFE circuit and a digital controller in Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 during communication of electrical signals in a full-speed mode and/or a high-speed mode.

Abstract: There are provided a light emitting unit that enhances the uniformity of in-plane colors, as well as a display and a lighting apparatus that include such a light emitting unit thereon. The light emitting unit includes: a plurality of light emitting sections each having a light source and a wavelength conversion member, the wavelength conversion member converting a wavelength of light emitted from the light source; an optical component having a light incident surface in opposition to the plurality of light emitting sections; and a color unevenness prevention structure suppressing direct entering of light from the light source into the optical component.

Abstract: A press machine for forming a part comprises a moveable press ram, an actuator, a first motor, and a second motor. The moveable press ram is for holding a tool that forms the part. The actuator moves the moveable press ram. The actuator includes a first male-female thread mechanism for producing a first linear movement of the moveable press ram and a second male-female thread mechanism for producing a second linear movement of the movable press ram. The first linear movement is a high-force linear movement condition and the second linear movement is a high-speed linear movement condition. The first motor drives the first male-female thread mechanism to produce the first linear movement. The second motor drives the second male-female thread mechanism to produce the second linear movement.

Abstract: There is provided a dielectric composite material comprising (a) 20-50 weight % total solids of at least one thermosetting resin and other resin components; and (b) 50-70 weight % total solids of at least one inorganic particulate filler; where the at least one inorganic particulate filler is surface modified with one or more acrylic-based silane coupling agents.

Abstract: Provided herein is a string shooting device having a string capable of emitting light absorbed from a light source. A string shooting device described herein includes: a body; a housing attached to the body; a pair of wheels disposed at least partially within the housing, where at least one of the pair of wheels is a driven wheel; a string, where the string includes at least one of phosphorescent particles or phosphorescent fibers, and where the string is propelled along a path by the pair of wheels; and a light source, where the light source is configured to project illumination to the path along which the string travels within the housing.

Abstract: An exercise machine creates a simulated continuous resisted climbing motion. The machine includes a floor- or ground-contacting base frame and two or more substantially vertically oriented uprights, wherein at least one upright is rigidly connected to the base frame. The machine further includes two handles and two foot pedals, each handle and each foot pedal being movably engaged with an upright for linear reciprocating motion along the upright. The handles and foot pedals are interconnected so that they move concurrently. An adjustable resistance mechanism may be operatively connected to the interconnection of the handles and foot pedals to provide adjustable resistance for the simulated continuous climbing motion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a manually operated liquid dispenser. In any embodiments disclosed herein, the dispenser can include a housing with a volume of space therein, the volume of space having a first end and a second end, a pump sleeve extending into the space of the housing and nearly to a bottom, inside surface of the space, a pump head, a push rod coupled with the pump head and configured to be axially movable within an axial opening extending through the pump sleeve, a passageway extending through at least the pump head and the push rod, the passageway being in fluid communication with the axial opening extending through the pump sleeve and with the volume of space within the housing, and a first valve configured to control a passage of a liquid substance within the volume of space in the housing through a passageway.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computing system for selecting a reference audio acquisition device from a plurality of audio acquisition devices of an audio recording system. Audio encounter information of the reference microphone may be encoded, thus defining encoded reference audio encounter information. A plurality of acoustic relative transfer functions between the reference microphone and the plurality of audio acquisition devices of the audio recording system may be generated. The encoded reference audio encounter information and a representation of the plurality of acoustic relative transfer functions may be transmitted.

Abstract: The present invention provides engineered glycosyltransferase (GT) enzymes, polypeptides having GT activity, and polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, as well as vectors and host cells comprising these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The present invention provides engineered sucrose synthase (SuS) enzymes, polypeptides having SuS activity, and polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, as well as vectors and host cells comprising these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The present invention also provides compositions comprising the GT enzymes and methods of using the engineered GT enzymes to make products with ?-glucose linkages. The present invention further provides compositions and methods for the production of rebaudiosides (e.g., rebaudioside M, rebaudioside A, rebaudioside I, and rebaudioside D). The present invention also provides compositions comprising the SuS enzymes and methods of using them. Methods for producing GT and SuS enzymes are also provided.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques to ensure a user using an external device is authorized to connect and connecting to a correct implantable medical device using a wireless communication protocol. A request for authorization is sent to the external device from the implantable medical device, and the authorization can be provided by an authorization pulse sent using the implantable medical device charger over the inductive link between the charging device and the implanted device. The authorization pulse can be trusted because the inductive link is short range, ensuring the patient is aware of the connection to the implanted device. Once the implanted device receives the authorization pulse, it may finalize the pairing over the first connection.