Abstract: An ionizing system includes a flange device for connection to a mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer having the property of providing a barrier between the lower pressure region of the spectrometer and a higher pressure region substantially at atmospheric pressure, and a channel therethrough providing fluid communication between the higher and lower pressure regions. A plate device independent of the flange device which can accommodate multiple samples, such as a sample plate device, when placed over the channel in the flange device substantially seals the channel Sliding the sample plate device while in intimate contact with the flange device provides a means to sequentially and rapidly expose said samples to the opening of the channel and thus the lower pressure region. Samples are ionized when exposed to the lower pressure region in as little as one sample per second using multiple ionization methods.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes an internal combustion engine and a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor unit. The CO sensor unit includes a CO sensor controller including a CO sensing circuit configured to detect a level of CO and a shutdown circuit. The shutdown circuit is configured to receive a detected level of CO and calculate a trailing window average of the detected level of CO. The trailing window average includes an average of the detected level of CO over a predetermined sampling window. The shutdown circuit is further configured to determine whether to initiate a shutdown of the internal combustion engine based on at least the calculated trailing window average and a predetermined trailing window average threshold and initiate the shutdown of the internal combustion engine based on determining that the trailing window average exceeds the predetermined trailing window average threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus, related devices and methods, having memory; and a processor operable to execute instructions stored in the memory configured to cache a first data object and a second data object received from a source in a cache group based on metadata received from the source, where the metadata identifies the first and second data objects as related and the first data object as a trigger object; receive a request from a client for the first data object; identify, based on a determination that the first data object is invalid and is the trigger object, the first data object and the second data object as invalid; request a valid first data object and a valid second data object from the source; and cache the valid first and second data objects, received from the source, in the cache group.

Abstract: A method is provided, comprising: receiving, at a source system, a first copy instruction, the first copy instruction being associated with a token that represents one or more data items, the first copy instruction instructing the source system to copy the one or more data items from a first volume to a second volume; in response to the first copy instruction, retrieving one or more hash digests from a snapshot that is associated with the token, each of the one or more hash digests being associated with a different one of the one or more data items; and transmitting, to a target system, a second copy instruction that is associated with the one or more hash digests, the second copy instruction instructing the target system to copy the one or more data items to a replica of the second volume that is stored at the target system.

Abstract: A system for water extraction from air is provided. The system includes a housing having a plurality of openings allowing an air flow to enter into an inner space defined by the housing, a sponge disposed within the inner space defined by the housing, the sponge including a water absorbing/adsorbing material for absorbing/adsorbing water vapor from the air flow, and a water filter disposed below the sponge for filtering water discharged from the sponge.

Abstract: A spatial monitoring system for a vehicle includes a LiDAR sensor, sensors arranged to monitor ambient environmental states, sensors arranged to monitor vehicle operating conditions, and a controller. The controller includes an instruction set that is executable to monitor the ambient environmental states and the vehicle operating conditions. The LiDAR sensor captures a point cloud, and the instruction set is executable to determine point cloud metrics. Desired control parameters for the LiDAR sensor are determined based upon the ambient environmental conditions, the vehicle operating conditions, and the point cloud metrics, and the LiDAR sensor is controlled based upon the desired control parameters. The LiDAR sensor is controlled to capture an image of a field-of-view proximal to the vehicle based upon the desired control parameters.

Abstract: This invention pertains to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a glucocorticoid for use in the treatment of diseases by immunoablation. The compositions of the invention may be for use in the treatment of diseases that are mediated by immune cells such as lymphocytes.

Abstract: A video augmentation system is disclosed. The system includes a sensor configured to detect haptics signals associated with user manipulation; a camera configured to record images associated with the user manipulation; and a processor configured to combine the haptics signals and the images into a combined haptics/images file.

Abstract: A rapid-entry shoe having a sole portion and a rebounding portion being comprised of the same material and being a unified structure. The rapid-entry shoe has a collapsed configuration in which a perimeter of the topline is expanded and an uncollapsed configuration in which the perimeter of the topline is unexpanded, and the rapid-entry shoe is biased by the rebounding portion toward the uncollapsed configuration.

Abstract: A customizable device may include a first inhalation device and a second inhalation device, each including a mouth end portion and an upstream end portion. In a storage configuration, the mouth end portion of at least one of the first inhalation device or the second inhalation device is removably coupled to the other inhalation device. In an active configuration, the upstream end portion of at least one of the first inhalation device or the second inhalation device is removably coupled to the other inhalation device. A connector hub may couple the inhalation devices.

Abstract: A remote control device may control electrical loads and/or load control devices of a load control system without accessing electrical wiring. The remote control device may include a control unit and a base that may be configured to be mounted over a paddle actuator of an installed mechanical switch. The base may include a frame, a biasing member, and/or a ribbon portion. The frame may be configured to secure the remote control device thereto. The frame may define a rear surface that is configured to abut a bezel of the mechanical switch. The biasing member may be configured to engage a rear surface of a faceplate of the mechanical switch. The ribbon portion may be configured to attach the biasing member to the frame. The ribbon portion may be configured to extend through a gap between the bezel and the faceplate.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an online social and collaborative commerce system and method thereof that provides an interactive and virtual personal shopping experience through a platform that facilitates direct selling of products or services. The experience may utilizes a network of independent representatives, consultants or stylist to sell the products or services to consumers or guests. In one illustrative embodiment, information is received from a hostess to begin a direct selling event. A stylist may be matched with the event and a set of hostess' guests are invited. Using this information, a specific website for the event is generated. A stylist portal, hostess portal and at least one guest portal to the specific website is launched for the event. Through the stylist portal, a selection of products or services may be displayed on the at least one guest portal for purchase. The hostess portal may be used to facilitate the event.

Abstract: Dialysis systems and methods for operating dialysis machines (e.g., peritoneal dialysis machines) for conducting dialysis treatments are disclosed. The dialysis system may include a dialysis machine for transferring dialysate to a patient from a dialysate source. The dialysate may flow from the dialysate source through a cassette (e.g., a disposable cassette) positionable within a port formed in the dialysis machine. The dialysis system may also include a cleaning cartridge insertable into the port. The cleaning cartridge may be arranged and configured to collect, remove, etc. any foreign material or debris from the port.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward an aerodynamically designed drone with a unique angle of propulsion. The drone uses airfoil design to move more efficiently through the air, and the aerodynamic design is optimized when the drone is tilted forward at various degrees of “tilt” to provide the most aerodynamic profile to the oncoming air. The invention contemplates single hull, double hull and triple hull designs, and is applicable to heaving lifting drones, drones use for photography and remote sensing, and racing drones.

Abstract: There is disclosed in one example a computing apparatus, including: a hardware platform including a processor and a memory; a network interface; an operating system including a native internet protocol (IP) stack; and a security agent, including instructions encoded within the memory to instruct the processor to: establish a split virtual private network (VPN) tunnel with a remote VPN service; receive outgoing network traffic; direct a first portion of the outgoing traffic to the VPN tunnel, including determining that the first portion includes an outgoing domain name service (DNS) request; and direct a second portion of the outgoing traffic to the native IP stack.

Abstract: Apparatus to enable an elongate leash to coil, when not in use, around an animal's neck while attached to the animal's collar includes retainers each including a polarized magnet and first and second parts that have an at least partly separated state that enables placement of the leash between the parts at any one of a plurality of different, user-selectable locations along a length of the leash and an engaged state in which the parts are fixed to the leash at a user-selected location along the length of the leash. The retainers are configured, with respect to the polarity of the magnets therein, to enable them to magnetically couple to one another and provide the leash with a coiled state around the animal's neck. The leash has an extended, use state in which the magnets in the retainers are not magnetically coupled to one another.

Abstract: A charging management system includes a network interface, a memory, and a processing circuit including a processor. The processing circuit is configured to determine monetary information related to an energy price, determine an electrical vehicle (EV) power limit PLIM for a total amount of EVs in an EV charging network, transmit the monetary information to two or more agents, each of the two or more agents associated with an EV in the EV charging network, receive, from each of the two or more agents, a bid including: an agent monetary value, a desired charging rate PD, and a charging interval, and allow the EVs associated with the two or more agents to be charged based on each of the bids.

Abstract: A webcam account security system that allows a user to require activation of a webcam when accessing an account. The system may prompt a user attempting to access the account to activate the webcam and may deny access to the account or require additional security procedures when access to the webcam is not granted. Additionally, the system may store any images or footage captured by the webcam for analysis in the case a fraud notification is received. The system may further deny access to the account when the webcam is unable to detect the face or an identifying characteristic of the person attempting to access the account.

Abstract: A diagnostic assay to determine a percentage rumen undegraded protein in a food product by comparing the percentage of modified protein content to the total crude protein content of the food product. The total crude protein content extracted from a food product sample prior to conducting gel electrophoresis to separate modified protein content from the total crude protein content. The gel band intensities of the separated protein contents analyzed to enumerate a ratio that is used to derive a correlated percentage numen undegraded protein for a given food product sample. The diagnostic assay capable of being provided onsite for quick, cost-efficient and accurate results.

Abstract: This invention is a smart face mask with a transparent portion which covers a person's mouth, at least one impellor-driven air filter, and at least one passive air filter, wherein the air filters are in fluid communication with the space between the transparent portion and the person's mouth. Air can be drawn into the mask through the impellor-driven air filter primarily by the impellor, but air flows into or out of the mask through the passive air filter due to the person's respiration.