Abstract: An exemplary sliding door system, generally includes a frame assembly and a door assembly. The frame assembly is configured for mounting to a wall, and includes a top rail and a guide mechanism. The door assembly is mounted to the frame assembly for sliding movement between a closed linear position and an open linear position, and includes a movable rail and a wing. The movable rail is movably supported by the top rail, and the wing is pivotably mounted to the movable rail. A bottom edge of the wing includes a channel, and the guide mechanism projects into the channel and guides movement of the wing.

Abstract: Techniques for calibrating a catalyst model for a chemical reaction by a catalyst (e.g., a vehicle three-way catalytic converter) including optimizing an A-value for the chemical reaction by running the catalyst model and adjusting the A-value until results of the catalyst model are within a first threshold of the test data and setting the A-value to the optimized A-value, optimizing an E-value for the chemical reaction by running the catalyst model and adjusting the E-value until the catalyst model results are minimized relative to the test data within a second threshold of the test data, determining a new A-value based on the optimized E-value and setting the A-value to the new A-value and the E-value to the optimized E-value, and determining a reoptimized A-value by running the catalyst model and adjusting the A-value until the catalyst model results are within a third threshold of the test data.

Abstract: A computer system that records a replayable execution trace based on recording cache coherency protocol (CCP) messages into a first trace, and on recording memory snapshot(s) into a second trace. Based on determining that tracing of execution of a first execution context is to be enabled, the computer system initiates logging, into the second trace, of one or more memory snapshots of a memory space of the first execution context, and enables a hardware tracing feature of a processor. Enabling the tracing feature causes the processor to log, into the first trace, CCP message(s) generated in response to one or more memory access into the memory space of the first execution context. After enabling the hardware tracing feature of the processor, the computer system also logs or otherwise handles a write into the memory space of the first execution context by a second execution context.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method executed by one or more processors includes receiving interconnection data for a proposed interconnection to a power grid; accessing a power grid model including a topological representation of the power grid, electrical specifications of grid components, and empirical operation characteristics; and generating, using the interconnection data for the proposed interconnection to the power grid, and the power grid model, simulated power grid data. The simulated power grid data is based on simulating operation of the power grid with the proposed interconnection coupled to a location of the power grid identified by the interconnection data during a simulated time period. The simulated power grid data includes a plurality of different temporal and spatially dependent characteristics of the power grid. The method includes evaluating, using one or more metrics, the simulated power grid data; and outputting evaluation results of the one or more metrics.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes coaxially disposed inner and outer needles in which the outer needle tip is configured for obtaining a tissue sample. The inner surface of the outer needle includes a tissue retention feature which includes a countersink having a predetermined length from the distal cutting edge of the outer needle.

Abstract: A biodegradable food service item is disclosed, which includes a biodegradable substrate having at least one food contact surface. This substrate is made of cellulosic fibers. The food service item also includes a coating applied over the at least one food contact surface. This coating is made up of from about 25 to about 60 weight percent of at least one biodegradable polymer, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates. A method for making the biodegradable food service item is also disclosed.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture (e.g., physical storage media) to assign respondents to geographic locations for audience measurement are disclosed. Example apparatus disclosed herein are to determine a set of constraints based on aggregate values of demographic features associated with respective ones of the geographic locations. Disclosed example apparatus are also to construct a model to return probabilities that respective ones the respondents are associated with the respective ones of the geographic locations, the model to have a set of parameters, respective ones of the parameters to be associated with respective ones of the constraints. Disclosed example apparatus are further to evaluate the model based on values of the set of parameters and values of the demographic features for a first one of the respondents to determine a set of probabilities that the first respondent is to be assigned to respective ones of the geographic locations.

Abstract: A pet waste machine configured to capture animal information and dispose of animal waste. The pet waste machine includes a flat surface configured to receive pet waste, wherein a roll of pads is disposed upon the flat surface. A supply housing for holding a fresh supply of pad rolls which is connected to the waste station. A take-up assembly, which is connected to an end of the pet waste machine, is configured to dispose soiled pads by rolling up and sealing the soiled portion of the pad. A control and drive module is connected to the pet waste machine and is configured to detect animal activity. The control and drive module is comprised of an activity sensor. A network connection is connected to the control and drive module and is capable of transmitting data obtained by the pet waste machine.

Abstract: A device for generating pressure pulses includes a valve member disposed in a fluid passageway, the fluid passageway including a restriction, the valve member movable by an actuator relative to the restriction to generate a pressure pulse in a fluid in the fluid passageway based on varying a relative position between the valve member and the restriction and creating a differential pressure across the fluid passageway, the differential pressure applying a first force on the valve member. The device also includes a piston member in hydraulic communication with the differential pressure, the differential pressure applying a second force on the piston member, the piston member having a locomotive mechanical connection to the valve member.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for preventing doored interactions between a vehicle and moving object. According to one or more embodiments, a method for a vehicle includes detecting that a moving object is approaching the vehicle when the vehicle is stationary, detect that a moving object is approaching the vehicle when the vehicle is stationary, provide an alert within the vehicle of the approaching moving object, prevent an actuation of a door latch from opening a door of the vehicle, and provide a visual alert to notify an operator of the moving object that an occupant of the vehicle is attempting to open the door of the vehicle.

Abstract: A battery-operated palm stapler, an insert for holding a fastener, and a method of installing a fastener using the palm stapler. The stapler includes a housing with a telescoping barrel extending outwardly therefrom. An insert is engaged in the barrel's bore and is held in place by magnets. The insert body defines a slot for receiving fasteners therein. The slot extends from a top wall of the body to a bottom wall thereof. At least one magnet is provided in the body adjacent the slot and is used to hold fasteners in a correct orientation for installation. A sensor probe provided in the body is operable to detect if voltage is carried in electrical cables adjacent which fasteners are to be installed. The probe deactivates a hammer actuating mechanism if voltage is detected. Inserts holding different types of fastener may be selectively engaged with the palm stapler.

Abstract: A connector assembly is disclosed to include a shielding cage and a receptacle connector. The shielding cage forms at least one insertion space and a front end port communicatively coupled to the insertion space, the insertion space is defined by a top wall, a bottom wall and two side walls which cooperate with each other. The receptacle connector is provided to a rear segment of the shielding cage and includes a receptacle housing. The shielding cage further includes at least one stopping piece and at least one support stopping block which extend into the insertion space, the support stopping block is interposed between the stopping piece and the receptacle housing and supports the stopping piece. In another manner, the shielding cage may include a withdrawing stop portion and a rear stopping piece, the withdrawing stop portion is used to limit the receptacle housing to displace rearwardly, the rear stopping piece is used to stop the receptacle housing from behind the receptacle housing.

Abstract: A secure method of real time money transferring between account holders utilizes Near Field Communication (NFC) technologies, dynamic transaction cards, and a mobile application to facilitate a seamless mobile transfer of funds. The dynamic transaction card of the customer requesting to make the transfer of funds may be placed in contact with the second recipient dynamic transaction card of the customer receiving the funds transfer to establish an NFC connection. The dynamic transaction card requesting the transfer may receive, via the NFC antenna on the card, the recipient customer account information stored on a passive NFC tag. The dynamic transaction card requesting the transfer may transmit the recipient account information to a mobile application, which may transmit the recipient account information to an account provider system for facilitating the funds transfer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a computerized method for emulating processing of a peripheral device including operations of providing an insertion emulation signal to a computing device emulating insertion of the peripheral device to a port of the computing device, intercepting a request for a device descriptor of the peripheral device from a PnP manager operating on the computing device, providing a device descriptor of the peripheral device to the PnP manager, wherein the PnP manager is configured to enumerate the emulated peripheral device, intercepting one or more universal serial bus (USB) request blocks (URBs) from the PnP manager, and responsive to each of the one or more URBs, providing a response to the PnP manager. The insertion emulation signal may emulate a voltage transition on a data line of the port of the computing device. The peripheral device may adhere to a USB standard.

Abstract: A method for texturing a plastic substrate, while forming a dye sublimation image, wherein the plastic substrate has a first side and a second side is provide. A first side of a dye carrier sheet having an image of a dye sublimation ink is placed on a base. The first side of the plastic substrate is placed on a second side of the dye carrier to form a stack. A first side of a textured cover is placed on the second side of the plastic substrate. A clamping pressure is provided. The stack is heated to at least a sublimation temperature of the stack, causing the dye sublimation ink to sublimate and penetrate through the first side of the plastic substrate, creating a dye sublimation image in the plastic substrate and wherein texture from the textured cover is transferred to a side of the plastic substrate.