Abstract: A terminally sterilized medical procedure kit includes a recovered item and a new item packaged together as a single stock keeping unit. A method for processing at least a portion of a first medical procedure kit includes the steps of receiving a recoverable item of the first kit, performing a processing operation on the recoverable item, providing a new item, combining the recoverable item and the new item in a second kit, and terminally sterilizing the second kit. A method for recovering at least a portion of a terminally sterilized medical procedure kit includes the steps of purchasing a recoverable item of the first kit from an owner and receiving the recoverable item by the purchaser.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a mixing chamber in a turbine. In one example, a system comprises a mixing chamber integrally formed within a turbine with an injector positioned to inject reductant directly into the mixing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate and a reader deposited on the substrate. A laser is formed on a non-self supporting structure and bonded to the substrate. A plurality of heat sink layers are deposited between the reader and the laser and configured to provide thermal coupling between the substrate and the laser and sink heat away from the laser. A waveguide is deposited proximate the laser. The waveguide is configured to communicate light from the laser to a near-field transducer that directs energy resulting from plasmonic excitation to a recording medium.

Abstract: A processing element for implementation in a digital signal processing system is provided. The processing element is configured to receive a first data stream comprising a plurality of digital values where each value represents a sample of an analog signal. The processing element is further configured to receive a second data stream comprising a series of digital values where each value represents a sample of the analog signal. The processing element is configured to filter the first data stream via a first Farrow-structured fractional delay (FD) filter and output a filtered first data stream; filter the second data stream via a second Farrow-structured FD filter and output a filtered second data stream; and temporarily store values from the second data stream and output the stored values to the first Farrow-structured FD filter so that the stored values can be used to filter the first data stream.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooking system for cooking food, the system including a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive a food container. The housing has an upper portion defining an opening to the hollow chamber. A food container having a hollow container interior is positionable within the hollow chamber. An end of the food container extends above the upper portion of the housing when the container is installed within the hollow chamber. A lid is moveably attached to the housing and is moveable between a first position that covers the upper portion of the housing and the opening to the hollow chamber when the food container is installed within the hollow chamber and a second position where the lid does not cover the opening to the hollow chamber. At least one heating element is associated with at least one of said lid and said housing.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump assembly that includes a power end, first and second stay rods coupled to the power end, and a fluid end that includes a mounting flange coupled to the first and second stay rods and a packing nut assembly. The packing nut assembly includes a packing nut threadably engaged with the mounting flange and comprising a gear pattern, and a retention assembly that includes a collar, an alignment arm, a pawl, and a biasing assembly. The collar extends around the first stay rod. The alignment arm is coupled to the collar and shaped to contact the second stay rod. The pawl is pivotally coupled to the alignment arm or the collar and positioned to engage the gear pattern to allow the packing nut thread into the mounting flange and prevent the packing nut from unthreading. The biasing assembly biases the pawl into engagement with the gear pattern.

Abstract: Systems for helping a user manage external party-activity software objects by using machine-readable indicia. In one embodiment, an exemplary computer-implemented method may comprise receiving a first request to link a digital profile of the application end user associated with the entity with a third-party entity. In response to receiving the first request, the second request is sent to a second server associated with the third-party entity, and a third request is received from the application end user for accessing at least one user-related external party-activity software object via the first server by using machine-readable indicia.

Abstract: During operation, an access point communicates with one or more electronic devices. Based at least on the communication, the access point determines an available capacity metric of the access point. Then, the access point provides the determined available capacity metric to one or more second access points, and receives available capacity metrics of the one or more second access points. Moreover, the access point compares the available capacity metric and a parameter corresponding to the available capacity metrics. Based at least in part on the comparison, the access point dynamically and selectively performs load balancing, where performing the load balancing involves providing a recommendation to at least a first electronic device of the one or more electronic devices, and where the recommendation indicates that the first electronic device, which is associated with the access point, transition to a different communication channel.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to routing an autonomous vehicle based upon risk of takeover of the autonomous vehicle by a human operator. A computing system receives an origin location and a destination location of the autonomous vehicle. The computing system identifies a route for the autonomous vehicle to follow from the origin location to the destination location based upon output of a computer-implemented model. The computer-implemented model is generated based upon labeled data indicative of instances in which autonomous vehicles are observed to transition from operating autonomously to operating based upon conduction by human operators while the autonomous vehicles are executing predefined maneuvers. The computer-implemented model takes, as input, an indication of a maneuver in the predefined maneuvers that is performed by the autonomous vehicle when the autonomous vehicle follows a candidate route.

Abstract: Systems and methods that enable blending and aggregating multiple related datasets to a blended data model (BDM), manipulation of the resulting data model, and the representation of multiple parameters in a single visualization. The BDM and each visualization can be iteratively manipulated, in real-time, using a user-directed question-answer-question response so patterns can be revealed that are not obvious.

Abstract: A device receives, from a short-range wireless communication device associated with a safe deposit box, first data identifying a first transaction card, and identifies a bank employee associated with the first data. The device determines whether the bank employee is authorized to access the safe deposit box, and starts a timer when the bank employee is authorized to access the safe deposit box. The device receives, from the short-range wireless communication device, second data identifying a second transaction card, and determines whether the second data is received prior to an expiration of the timer. The device identifies a customer associated with the second data when the second data is received prior to the expiration of the timer, and determines whether the customer is authorized to access the safe deposit box. The device causes the safe deposit box to be unlocked when the customer is authorized.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a nuclear reactor vessel comprises a containment vessel for a reactor pressure vessel (RPV); a control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) located in the containment vessel, the CRDM including drive motors configured to move control rods into and out of a nuclear reactor core located in the RPV; and a partition extending across a portion of the containment vessel configured to retain the drive motors in a separate fluid-tight barrier region within the containment vessel. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that receives data from a machine-type communication (MTC) device located at a premises, determines an identifier for the MTC device; compares the identifier with a list of identifiers; and, responsive to determining that the MTC device is a listed device, transmits the data to a first network element remote from the premises. The device and the first network element do not receive data from devices at the premises generating human traffic communications (HTC). The first network element transmits the data to a second network element for aggregation and subsequent transmission to a cloud data facility comprising cloud storage. A data path from the device to the first network element, from the first network element to the second network element, and from the second network element to the cloud data facility forms a secure data path. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printer uses transitional lengths of build material to facilitate changes from one color to another during a fabrication process, and more generally to achieve multi-color objects corresponding to color patterns on the surface of a three-dimensional model. The transitional lengths of build material may be positioned inside a fabricated object, such as for infill, or outside the fabricated object where undesirable aesthetic properties of the transitional lengths will not impact the desired distribution of colors on the surface of the fabricated object.

Abstract: An occupant support comprises a vehicle seat including a cushion and trim positioned around at least a portion of the cushion. The occupant support includes an occupant-comfort system having a heat transfer station positioned in the seat cushion in spaced-apart relation to the trim and configured to move selectively heat to an occupant in a heating mode and away from the occupant in a cooling mode.

Abstract: A door assembly is shown and described herein. The door assembly may include at least one door panel and a door frame having a plurality of frame members including a header and a mullion. The invention may also be considered a frame member. The frame member may be a mullion and include a core; and a two-piece top piece adjoining the core to form a structural member. The door assembly may further include at least one adjacent panel. The inventions disclosed are also applicable to jambs and window structures. Also disclosed are methods and assemblies for a mullion door frame members.

Abstract: Example aspects of a fenestration system and a method for insulating a fenestration system are disclosed. The fenestration system can comprise a frame comprising a first frame side, the first frame side comprising an interior wall, the interior wall defining a sealing slot; and a seal comprising a connector portion engaging the sealing slot and an extension portion extending from the connector portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an error in a business process via an exchange of email messages. In one example, the method may be executed by a processor of a business process analysis server (BPAS). For example, the method includes receiving an email, wherein the email includes an address of the BPAS, analyzing the email to determine at least one feature, determining the business process based on the at least one feature, determining one or more variables that is associated with the business process, detecting the error in the business process associated with the email based on at least variable of the one or more variables associated with the business process and generating an alert email in response to the error that is detected, wherein the alert email requests a correction to the at least one variable to complete the business process.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and other techniques for rendering content in a 3D environment. In some implementations the system includes a memory subsystem, a communications interface, a rendering engine, an input handling apparatus, and a virtual object manager. The memory subsystem is configured to store first data that (i) defines a three-dimensional (3D) environment and (ii) identifies a virtual object in the 3D environment. The communications interface is configured to transmit requests over a network for third-party content to display with the virtual object in the 3D environment and to receive third-party content responsive to the requests. The rendering engine is configured to use the first data from the memory subsystem to render the 3D environment for presentation on a display device, including rendering the virtual object at a specified location of the 3D environment in a first mode in which the virtual object displays a first set of third-party content.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Cleyera plant named ‘WMN-01’, characterized by its uniform and outwardly branching plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit, dense and bushy appearance; glossy dark green, greyed green and light greenish yellow variegated leaves that are lightly blushed with purplish red under cool season conditions; and good garden performance, tolerant to full sunlight to shade conditions.