Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for determining whether a patient exhibiting cystic fibrosis symptoms, or a patient at risk for cystic fibrosis, will benefit from treatment with one or more anti-cystic fibrosis therapeutic agents. These methods are based on detecting hereditary cystic fibrosis related mutations in small-volume dried biological fluid samples that are collected using a volumetric absorptive microsampling device. Kits for use in practicing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: A control module adapted to be attached to a power adapter is described. The control module comprises a plurality of contact elements including a first contact element adapted to receive a line voltage and a second contact element adapted to receive a reference voltage; a first actuator extending from a housing of the control module and adapted to engage with a connector of a power adapter; a second actuator extending from the housing of the control module and adapted to engage with a tamper resistance element of a power adapter; a control circuit adapted to generate a signal; and a third contact element coupled to the control circuit; wherein the control circuit generates to the signal adapted to be routed to the power adapter by way of the third contact element to detect a change in a state of a switch of a power adapter.

Abstract: This invention provides a polymer, which is preferably a polyether polymer. The polymer may be uses in coating compositions. Containers and other articles comprising the polymer and methods of making such containers and other articles are also provided. The invention further provides compositions including the polymer (e.g., powder coatings), which have utility in a variety of coating end uses, including, for example, valve and pipe coatings.

Abstract: In aspects of a fire suppression apparatus, an elongated housing contains one or more fire extinguishing agents, and an explosive charge within the elongated housing. A trigger fuse ignites reactive to flame exposure, and the trigger fuse activates the explosive charge to expel the one or more fire extinguishing agents. Multiple fire suppression apparatuses can be linked for deployment in the path of a fire.

Abstract: Presented are shock-force mitigation systems for fuel cell stacks, methods for making/using such systems, and electric-drive vehicles equipped with such systems. A fuel cell system includes multiple electrochemical fuel cells that are stacked face-to-face along a stack axis to define a fuel cell stack. A push plate abuts each longitudinal end of the fuel cell stack; these push plates translate rectilinearly along the stack axis inside a fuel cell stack housing. An end plate is located in facing spaced relation to each push plate to define a plate pair at each end of the stack. An active or passive force-modifying device is interposed between the two plates in each plate pair; these devices modify stack forces experienced by the fuel cell stack. For an active shock-force mitigation system, each force-modifying device may include a bladder system, spring, and/or linear actuator; an electronic system controller controls activation of the bladders/actuators.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for integrated emergency wash systems. Various embodiments include thermostatically controlled mixing valves arranged so as to permit load carrying by the body of the valve.

Abstract: An electric charging and metering device, including a charging connector, the charging connector configured to connect a charger to an electric aircraft; a sensor; and a processor. The charging connector including a direct current pin and an alternating current pin. The sensor communicatively connected to the charging connector. Additionally, the sensor configured to: monitor the direct current pin and the alternating current pin; measure an energy datum, the energy datum relating to a property of the charger, the charging connector electrically connected to the charger; and transmit the energy datum to a processor. The processor configured to receive the energy datum and calculate an electricity usage of the charger.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) lymphoid tissue model is provided, the model including a cellularized stromal compartment and a plurality of cellularized compartments including lymphocytes disposed within the stromal compartment; and a controlled fluid perfusion system configured to perfuse the model with a perfusion fluid. Methods of fabricating a 3D lymphoid tissue model and producing antibodies with the 3D lymphoid tissue model are also provided.

Abstract: A hydrostatic module interlock for a downhole tool including a piston having fingers extending from a body thereof, a piston mandrel telescopically arranged with the piston, and a retaining piston disposed to prevent finger deflection in the first position and allow finger deflection in the second position. A method for actuating an interlocked tool including loading a release configuration to a threshold force, releasing the release configuration, moving a retaining piston out of a first position wherein the retaining piston physically impedes deflection of a finger of a piston, deflecting the finger out of engagement with a piston mandrel telescopically arranged relative to the piston, and moving the piston relative to the piston mandrel. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string disposed in the borehole, and a hydrostatic module interlock disposed within or as a part of the string.

Abstract: The selective dimerization of isoolefins, such as isobutene or isopentane, or mixtures thereof, may be conducted in a system including a series of fixed bed reactors and a catalytic distillation reactor. The system may provide for conveyance of the fixed bed reactor effluents, without componential separation, to a downstream reactor. It has been found that a high selectivity to the dimer may be achieved even though intermediate separation of the desired product from unreacted components between reactors is not performed. Further, embodiments provide for use of a divided wall column for recovery of a high purity dimer product, reducing unit piece count and plot size.

Abstract: A methodology is described for determining a time for responding to an initial encounter by a vehicle with a map error in a map segment, wherein the initial encounter is detected by a detector. A method includes identifying an error type associated with the map error, wherein the error type is one of a first error type and a second error type; determining at least one additional factor associated with the initial encounter; determining a response time for the map error based on the error type and the at least one additional factor; and initiating a mitigating action in response to the initial encounter within the response time, wherein the response time comprises an amount of time from the initial encounter with the map error to a time at which a mitigating action should be taken.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes providing robust network connectivity by creating a virtual overlay network over a plurality of communication network channels, such that if there is a failover on a first network, a failover overlay tunnel may be used to prevent an interruption in service when the first network drops. An SD-WAN remote may be deployed at an edge location of a network and an SD-WAN base may be installed at a client premises. A first overlay tunnel using a first communication transport may be utilized as a default route and a second overlay tunnel using a second communication transport may be used as a failover route.

Abstract: A computer network device that performs key matching is described. While attempting to establish a secure connection with an electronic device, the computer network device may receive a connection-request message associated with the electronic device. In response, the computer network device may provide a context message addressed to a computer, where the context message requests stored passphrase information associated with the electronic device. Then, the computer network device may receive, associated with the computer, a context response. When the context response indicates that there is no stored passphrase information associated with the electronic device, the computer network device may perform the key matching to identify the passphrase associated with the electronic device. Next, the computer network device may provide, addressed to the computer, the identified passphrase associated with the electronic device or an encryption key corresponding to the identified passphrase for storage by the computer.

Abstract: The methods and systems improve uncorrectable error (UE) and silent data corruption (SDC) rates for memory chips and improve error correction of the memory chips. The systems may include a memory bank with a plurality of memory chips in communication with a memory controller. The memory bank may use one additional memory chip that stores a bitwise parity of the data stored in the remaining memory chips of the memory bank. The parity bits are used to rebuild corrupted data when a UE occurs. The parity bits are also used to detect whether a SDC occurred in the data.

Abstract: A mobile platform for assessing and modifying pavement surfaces. An emitter generates electromagnetic waves towards a portion of a pavement surface. A condition sensor receives electromagnetic radiation from a first portion of the pavement surface and generates a first electronic signal representative of a current condition of the portion of the pavement surface. A location sensor generates a second electronic signal containing location data corresponding to the first portion of the pavement surface. A computing platform processes the electronic signals and creates a current pavement condition data point. The computing platform may compare the first electronic signal against a reference representative of a target condition, determine if there is a condition variance, and, if a condition variance exceeds a predetermined threshold, generate a condition control signal which is transmitted to and operates to modify operation of the pavement surface modification system in order to reduce the condition variance.

Abstract: Sensors coupled to a vehicle are calibrated using a dynamic scene with sensor targets around a motorized turntable that rotates the vehicle to different orientations. The sensors capture data at each orientation along the rotation. The vehicle's computer identifies representations of the sensor targets within the data captured by the sensors, and calibrates the sensor based on these representations. The motorized turntable may confirm that rotation has stopped to the vehicle to trigger sensor capture, and the vehicle may communicate completion of sensor capture at an orientation to the motorized turntable to trigger further rotation.

Abstract: An integral hybrid electric aircraft system including a fuselage including an electrical energy source, wherein the electrical energy source includes a plurality of batteries and a fuel tank, and wherein the fuel tank contains fuel. The fuselage also including a generator in fluid communication with the fuel tank. The generator generates electricity using the fuel from the fuel tank. The system including a set of propulsors, wherein each propulsor of the set of propulsors is electrically connected to the electrical energy source and the generator and wherein the set of propulsors is configured to be powered by the generator during fixed-wing flight. The set of propulsors including at least a pusher propulsor configured to provide forward thrust and at least a lift propulsor configured to provide lift.

Abstract: A stand-alone modular removable rudder system for watercraft having a rudder comprising a steering handle coupled to a quick release mechanism adapted to releasably secure said steering handle to said watercraft in proximity to the operator, said system further comprising, a rudder mount adapted to be coupled to the rear of the watercraft by a quick release mechanism adapted to releasably secure said rudder mount to said watercraft, said rudder being carried by a rudder support pivotal about said rudder mount and cables operatively connecting said steering handle to said rudder mount whereby the steering handle can be operated to steer the rudder.

Abstract: This invention relates to the identification of peptide binding to ligands, and in particular to identification of epitopes expressed by microorganisms and by mammalian cells. The present invention provides polypeptides comprising the epitopes, and vaccines, antibodies and diagnostic products that utilize or are developed using the epitopes.

Abstract: An identification document includes a card structure including a plastic material, a surface of the card structure including a first surface region that includes a plurality of depressions formed in the surface according to a predefined pattern; and a second surface region that includes a majority of a surface area of the identification document, wherein the second surface region is non-porous. A surface energy of the surface in the first surface region is greater than a surface energy of the surface in the second surface region.