Abstract: Systems and methods for high efficiency power conversion are provided. In one embodiment, a high efficiency electric power converter circuit comprises: an electric power converter that provides a first electric power output; a storage device that provides a second electric power output; and a power arbitrating switch that receives the first and second electric power outputs and selectively supplies a third electric power output using at least one of the first electric power output and the second electric power output. The switch is configured with a first sensor to measure a charge level of the device and with a second sensor to measure a power demand drawn from the third electric power output. The power arbitrating switch switches the third electric power output between being supplied from the first electric power output and being supplied from the second electric power output based on the power demand and the charge level.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a device, such as a transducer, includes a polymer element disposed between electrodes, and a control circuit configured to apply electrical potentials having the same polarity to the electrodes. A separation distance between the electrodes may be increased by an electrostatic repulsion between the electrodes. Various other devices, systems, methods, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with the subject invention, an infant safety barrier is provided which includes: a first mounting body; a second mounting body; a first stanchion pivotably mounted to the first mounting body so as to be reversibly pivotable between upright and non-upright positions; a second stanchion pivotably mounted to the second mounting body so as to be reversibly pivotable between upright and non-upright positions; and, an elongated flexible barrier a first end secured to the first stanchion and a second end secured to the second stanchion, wherein, with the first and second stanchions being in the upright positions, the flexible barrier is relatively taut between the first and second stanchions. Advantageously, with the subject invention, an infant safety barrier is provided which can be reversibly adjusted between an upright safety position, to restrict an infant's fall from an elevated location, and a non-upright position, allowing access to the infant.

Abstract: Features of various implementations are used to enable identifying and presenting, in real time, Internet-accessible and/or Internet-based functionality, content and/or services associated with a particular television program concurrently playing on a television or display, as a part of an interactive television suite of technologies. In some implementations, the process of identifying Internet-accessible and/or Internet-based functionality, content and/or services associated with a particular television program is enabled to reduce communication between a primary set-top box and a supplemental set-top box and/or television integrated device, thereby reducing the need for one or more provider specific APIs.

Abstract: Compositions are described that contain treated chitosan, modified chitosan and/or modified and treated chitosan for use in formulations for skin, hair and nails, and in compositions and methods of reducing topical agent-induced skin irritation and inflammation.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein include a robotic wearable device testing system with a track drive system that includes one or more tracks having a plurality of attachment pads configured to attach to one or more wearable devices. Each track of the one or more tracks is configured to move along a path defined by the track. In addition, the robotic wearable device testing system includes a tap point drive system that includes one or more tap point sliders configured to slide laterally with respect to the track drive system. Each tap point slider of the one or more tap point sliders includes a tap point configured to wirelessly communicate with the one or more wearable devices when the one or more wearable devices are in close proximity with the tap point. Each tap point slider of the one or more tap point sliders also includes an electronic interference door configured to block wireless signals between the one or more wearable devices and the tap point.

Abstract: The invention relates to the novel cotton variety designated 18R459B3XF. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants, plant parts and derivatives of the cotton variety 18R459B3XF. Also provided by the invention are methods of using cotton variety 18R459B3XF and products derived therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing cotton plants by crossing the cotton variety 18R459B3XF with itself or another cotton variety and plants and seeds produced by such methods.

Abstract: In some implementations, a system may retrieve an electronic calendar associated with a user. The system may identify, based on the electronic calendar, a plurality of virtual sessions. The system may generate an electronic invitation to join an aggregated virtual session for the plurality of virtual sessions. The system may transmit the electronic invitation to a client device associated with the user. The system may receive, from the client device, a selection of the electronic invitation. The system may establish, based on the electronic invitation, the aggregated virtual session for the client device that enables the client device to connect to each of the plurality of virtual sessions associated with the aggregated virtual session.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional memory device includes forming a vertically alternating sequence of insulating layers and spacer material layers over a substrate, where the spacer material layers are formed as, or are subsequently replaced with, electrically conductive layers, forming multiple sets of stepped surfaces in terrace regions of the vertically alternating sequence, forming memory stack structures through memory array regions of the vertically alternating sequence, and forming a metal interconnect structure which electrically connects a portion of a topmost electrically conductive layer in the first memory array region and a portion of a topmost electrically conductive layer in the second memory array region, and which extends above a horizontal plane of the topmost electrically conductive layer in the first memory array region and a portion of a topmost electrically conductive layer in the second memory array region.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive food. The housing has an upper portion defining an opening to said hollow chamber. A lid is movable relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position and has an interior lid cavity. An air movement device is positioned to move air through at least one of the hollow chamber and the interior lid cavity in a direction of flow. At least one vent is disposed in at least one of the lid and the housing and includes a leading end and a trailing end relative to the direction of flow. The at least one vent is openable to have a greater airflow capacity at the leading end relative to the trailing end or openable to have a greater airflow capacity at the trailing end relative to the leading end.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for optimizing hemodynamics within a patient's heart, e.g., to improve the patient's exercise capacity. In one embodiment, a system is configured to be implanted in a patient's body to monitor and/or treat the patient that includes at least one sensor configured to provide sensor data that corresponds to a blood pressure within or near the patient's heart; at least one adjustable component designed to cause blood to flow in a direction opposite to the normal direction (regurgitation) within the patient's heart; and a controller configured for adjusting the function of the at least one adjustable component based at least in part on sensor data from the at least one sensor.

Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein relate generally to surface-relief structures. In one embodiment, a surface-relief grating includes a plurality of grating ridges. The plurality of grating ridges includes a first set of grating ridges characterized by a first refractive index, and a second set of grating ridges interleaved with the first set of grating ridges and characterized by a second refractive index different from the first refractive index. The plurality of grating ridges is imprinted in a polymer layer by a nanoimprint lithography process and is exposed to a light pattern to form the first set of grating ridges and the second set of grating ridges that have different refractive indices.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and apparatuses for adjustable stands and mobile computing devices are provided. An example system includes a mobile computing device having a front surface with a display and a rear surface with a first magnetically susceptible region and a second magnetically susceptible region. The first magnetically susceptible region is offset from the second magnetically susceptible region in a translational dimension along the rear surface. The example system also includes an adjustable stand for the mobile computing device. The adjustable stand includes a slidable portion formed with a magnetically susceptible material to slide in the translational dimension along the rear surface. The level of magnetic attraction between the slidable portion and the second magnetically susceptible material of the mobile computing device is greater than a level of magnetic attraction between the slidable portion and the first magnetically susceptible material of the mobile computing device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coupling a tag to an item. The methods comprise: dispensing the tag from a tag feeder of a tag applicator; performing first operations by the tag applicator to mechanically move the tag into a nest of the tag applicator; determining if a given criteria is met based on feedback information received from at least one of a user of the tag applicator and a sensor provided with the tag applicator; and performing second operations by the tag applicator to couple the tag to the item, when a determination is made that the given criteria is met.

Abstract: An automated product dispenser for dispensing a product from a supply of product is provided. The automated product dispenser includes a chassis assembly, a drive assembly, and an isolation member. The chassis assembly includes a chassis frame, and the drive assembly includes a motor, a drivetrain, and a drivetrain housing. The isolation member mounts the drive assembly to the chassis assembly such that the drive assembly is substantially spaced apart from the chassis frame. A related method of inhibiting vibration transmission in an automated product dispenser also is provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for reconfiguring a data connection using new parameters. One apparatus includes a processor and transceiver that communicates with a mobile communication network. The processor establishes a data connection with the mobile communication network using a first set of parameters and receives a second set of parameters from the mobile communication network with an indication of how at least one parameter in the first set corresponds to at least one new parameter in the second set. The processor further determines a third set of parameters from the first set of parameters and the second set of parameters and reconfigures the data connection using the third set of parameters.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and systems for use at the point of care. The methods devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device are modular to allow for flexibility and robustness of use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical applications.