Abstract: An electronic device, computer program product, and method mitigate changes in ambient lighting of a local participant in a video communication session to avoid a distraction to other participant(s) using second electronic device(s). A controller of the electronic device monitors a current lighting level in an image stream captured and provided by an image capturing device(s) of the electronic device to the second electronic device(s). The electronic device communicates, via a network interface, a live version of the image stream to the video communication session while the current light level is at or above a lighting level threshold. In response to the current light level not being above the threshold, the controller responds by: (i) turning on a light source to illuminate at least one object that is being presented within the image stream; or (ii) communicating an alternate image stream, via the network interface, to the video communication session.

Abstract: A method comprises storing information corresponding to a plurality of files being written from a source storage device to a cloud storage platform in a file transfer operation. The method further comprises, in response to a failure of the file transfer operation, identifying from the information one or more file offsets successfully written to the cloud storage platform for one or more of the plurality of the files prior to the failure. The file transfer operation for the one or more of the plurality of files is resumed from the identified one or more file offsets.

Abstract: A system for creating an output comprises a processing unit, a user input module operably connected to the processing unit, and a display operably connected to the processing unit. The processing unit provides on the display: a grid image comprising multiple cells, each cell representing a duration of time; and a selection area comprising multiple select icons, each select icon representing a source data file. The processing unit is configured such that a user can create a grid layout representing the correlation between individual selected source data files and one, two, or more of the multiple cells. The processing unit produces the output based on the correlation.

Abstract: A diaper wetness detection system includes a diaper, a wetness sensor, an RFID unit, and a transceiver unit. The RFID unit is a battery-less device that receives an interrogation signal transmitted by the transceiver unit. The RFID unit or the transceiver unit are configured to determine if a measurable characteristic, as sensed by the wetness sensor, indicates if the diaper is wet. The measurable characteristic can be a voltage or current indicative of a resistance, capacitance, or impedance at an area sensed by the wetness sensor. The value of the measurable characteristic is different when the diaper is wet versus dry. Comparing the measurable characteristic value to a threshold value or to one or more previously sensed measurable characteristic values enables a determination to be made as to whether or not the diaper is wet. The RFID unit can be detachably coupled to the diaper for simple attachment and removal.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device includes: a fluid-filled cartridge comprising an outlet; a syringe comprising a substantially cylindrical syringe barrel having an open end and a fluid dispensing end; and a plunger rod configured to be received within the open end of the syringe barrel. The plunger rod comprises: a first end having a sealing member provided in sealing engagement with an inner wall of the syringe barrel such that a first syringe chamber is provided between the first end of the plunger rod and the fluid dispensing end of the syringe barrel; a second end extending out of the open end of the syringe barrel and having a cartridge-receiving chamber having a connection mechanism positioned therein for connecting the outlet of the cartridge thereto. The plunger rod also includes a fluid channel extending from the connection mechanism to the first end of the plunger rod.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed whereby structured illumination microscopy (SIM) is applied to a scanning microscope, such as a confocal laser scanning microscope or sample scanning microscope, in order to improve spatial resolution. Particular aspects of the disclosure relate to the discovery of important advances in the ability to (i) increase light throughput to the sample, thereby increasing the signal/noise ratio and/or decreasing exposure time, as well as (ii) decrease the number of raw images to be processed, thereby decreasing image acquisition time. Both effects give rise to significant improvements in overall performance, to the benefit of users of scanning microscopy.

Abstract: A combination boiler provides heated water to a boiler loop and domestic hot water (DHW) to a domestic water loop. The combination boiler includes a primary heat exchanger (PHE) connected to the boiler loop and a burner to provide heat to the primary heat exchanger. A secondary heat exchanger (SHE) transfers heat energy from the boiler loop to the domestic water loop. A controller monitors a PHE inlet temperature and a DHW output temperature, obtains a pre-heat initialization temperature threshold and a pre-heat cancellation temperature threshold, and detects a low temperature condition. A pre-heat operation is initiated responsive to the low temperature condition by circulating heated water from the PHE to the SHE. The burner is selectively fired at least in part according to an outlet temperature of the PHE.

Abstract: The invention relates to the novel cotton variety designated 19R107B3XF. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants, plant parts and derivatives of the cotton variety 19R107B3XF. Also provided by the invention are methods of using cotton variety 19R107B3XF and products derived therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing cotton plants by crossing the cotton variety 19R107B3XF with itself or another cotton variety and plants and seeds produced by such methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to the novel cotton variety designated 19R236B3XF. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants, plant parts and derivatives of the cotton variety 19R236B3XF. Also provided by the invention are methods of using cotton variety 19R236B3XF and products derived therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing cotton plants by crossing the cotton variety 19R236B3XF with itself or another cotton variety and plants and seeds produced by such methods.

Abstract: A plough comprising: a plough body; an actuator mechanism that is configured to adjust a pitch angle of the plough body; and a controller. The controller is configured to: determine an actuator-control-signal for setting the pitch angle of the plough body based on control-data; and provide the actuator-control-signal to the actuator mechanism.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides metabolic signatures and genetic markers for tracking enhanced nitrogen utilization efficiency phenotypes in tobacco plants and for introgressing enhanced nitrogen utilization efficiency phenotypes into tobacco plants. The disclosure also provides tobacco plants comprising enhanced nitrogen utilization efficiency and methods to the creation of tobacco plants comprising enhanced nitrogen utilization efficiency. The disclosure also provides recombinant polynucleotides and polypeptides for enhancing nitrogen utilization efficiency in modified tobacco plants and tobacco plants comprising the provided recombinant polynucleotides and polypeptides.

Abstract: A system to assist in monitoring and improving services in hotels, motels and other lodging facilities. The system includes a plurality of fixed-location wireless devices that are situated throughout the facility and each service provider or asset to be monitored or tracked is provided with a cooperating mobile wireless device. The mobile devices may periodically transmit beacons that are received by the fixed location devices. The system may determine location based on evaluation of signal strength across a plurality of fixed devices. The system may include premapped calibration data on signal strength to assist in determining location. The location information may help to assess employee performance, to assist in improving performance and to provide improved services. The system may also interact with an application running on a hotel guest's electronic device to allow the system to track guest location. Guest location information can be used to provide improved guest services.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein are generally directed to techniques for managing fraud rules and generating authentication directions according to location data from one or more client devices. Embodiments may include using a payment server informed by a client device application to manage and/or apply fraud rules for transactions. In embodiments, fraud rules may be managed based on location data provided by a client device application and/or location data associated with at least one transaction system. In some embodiments, fraud rules may be managed based on location data provided by multiple client device applications and/or location data associated with at least one transaction system. In some embodiments, rules may be managed for an individual authorization request according to information from at least one client device application and location data for a transaction system associated with the authorization request.

Abstract: A remote controlled battery cell monitoring and control system that utilizes empirical and theoretical data to compare performance, sensor data, stored patterns, historical usage, use intensity indexes over time and tracking information to provide a sophisticated data collection system for batteries. This tracking is designed to better the specifications, designs, training, preventative maintenance, and replacement and recycling of batteries.

Abstract: A system for computed tomography inspection can include a stage, a stationary radiation source, a stationary radiation detector, and a controller. The stage can secure a target thereon and rotate about a rotation axis. The radiation source can emit a beam of penetrating radiation from a focal point that is directed upon a portion of the target. The radiation detector can include a sensing face configured to acquire measurements of radiation beam intensity incident thereon as a function of position. The controller can command the stage to translate from a first position to a second position in a direction transverse to a central axis of the radiation beam. A magnification of the target at the first and second positions can be approximately equal. The stage does not translate transverse to the central axis of the radiation beam during measurement of the radiation beam intensity by the detector.

Abstract: A bumper protector for mounting to a vehicle includes a cushioning portion configured to abut a bumper of the vehicle. A main mounting strap is carried by the cushioning portion and is configured to be secured to the vehicle. A first support arm is carried by the cushioning portion and is configured to extend around a first corner of the bumper. A first mounting bracket is carried by the first support arm, and the first mounting bracket is configured to extend into a first wheel well of the vehicle and be secured to the vehicle. A second support arm is carried by the cushioning portion and is configured to extend around a second corner of the bumper. A second mounting bracket is carried by the second support arm, and the second mounting bracket is configured to extend into a second wheel well of the vehicle and be secured to the vehicle.