Abstract: An apparatus for communication, a system thereof, and methods of manufacture thereof are provided. The apparatus comprises a body and a printed circuit board (PCB) operatively coupled to the body. The PCB comprises a processing unit, a first communication module operatively coupled to the processing unit, and an array of assemblies. The first communication module is configured to communicate with a secondary communication module wirelessly. The array of assemblies comprises at least two rows and at least two columns. Each assembly comprises a switch and a light. The array of assemblies are operatively coupled to the processing unit. Each light is configured to change a state responsive to at least one of a change in state by the switch within the same assembly and a control signal from the first communication module.

Abstract: A silicone emulsion free of a surfactant and an emulsifier is disclosed. The emulsion includes a dispersed oil phase having a polyorganosiloxane with one or more hydroxyl groups in a continuous aqueous or anhydrous organic diol phase including an anionic polymer.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, and including a method for providing content based on social influence scores of publishers. The method comprises identifying a social influence score for each of a plurality of users associated with a social network where one or more of the users is also a publisher of content. The method further comprises receiving a request for content, the content to be delivered along with content provided by a content publisher. The method further comprises determining a social influence score for the particular content publisher and identifying one or more offers associated with content, where each offer is based at least in part on a specification by a content sponsor of at least a minimum social influence score for a given impression. The method further comprises providing a content item based on the one or more identified offers.

Abstract: A compact ADC circuit can include one or more comparators, and a serial DAC (Digital-to-Analog) circuit that provides a signal to the comparator (or comparators). In addition, the ADC circuit can include a serial DAC redistribution sequencer that can provide a plurality of signals as input to the serial DAC circuit and is subject to a redistribution cycle and which receives as input a signal from a data multiplexer whose input connects electronically to an output of the comparator. The circuit can further include an ADC code register that provides an ADC output that connects electronically to the output of the comparator and the input to the data multiplexer. Shared logic circuitry for sharing common logic between pixels can be included, wherein the shared logic circuitry connects electronically to the data multiplexer and the ADC code register, wherein the shared logic circuitry promotes area and power savings for the pixel detector circuit.

Abstract: An arrow with a shaft having a reduced outer diameter. The outer diameter of the arrow shaft may be in the range of 0.231 to 0.274 inches. The arrow may also include an insert. The arrow may also include a nock. The nock may have an enlarged section including two opposing arms defining a recess for placement of the bowstring, with each of the opposing arms including a safety tab configured to increase an outer diameter of the nock. The arrow is capable of withstanding 400 pounds of force and travel at a velocity of up to 500 fps.

Abstract: An imaging waveguide for a visual display includes a substrate for guiding image light therein by total internal reflection (TIR). An input grating is supported by the substrate for coupling the image light into the imaging waveguide. An output grating is supported by the substrate and spaced apart from the input grating for coupling the image light guided in the substrate out of the imaging waveguide for observation by a user. A gap filling overcoat is formed on and within the output grating, but not on or within the input grating. The material is characterized by a refractive index between 1.40 and 1.80 at 500 nm, absorption between 0% and 1% in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum, and % haze between 0% and 0.2% in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Abstract: A network node having a receiver for receiving input packets, a local node memory where one or more parameters for coding are stored, an encoder for creating coded packets from the input packets using linear network coding, and a transmitter to transmit the coded packets. Each coefficient of the linear network coding is a parameter of the one or more parameters or a pre-determined function of the one or more parameters. A related method and a network are also presented.

Abstract: A system for controlling dust during hydraulic fracturing operations includes a manifold having a plurality of ports for capturing dust when negative air pressure is applied to the manifold. A support frame positions the manifold above a piece of hydraulic fracturing equipment receiving sand from a sand source.

Abstract: Building systems including a frame with a horizontal member from which first and second vertical bars downwardly extend and a panel attached to the frame. The building systems include at least one of an integrated fastener cover that is moveable to a closed position that covers a portion of a fastener, a gusset assembly with a junction cover positioned at a corner junction between two adjacent portions of a panel, and hinge assemblies that reduce the sagging of a panel, such as a door.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing de-icing a heat pump exchanger and heating a vehicle cabin are presented. In one example, a climate control system that experiences icing of the exterior heat exchanger may be operated in a first mode where thermal energy from the energy storage device is used to de-ice and also heat the cabin.

Abstract: A separation system includes a column including a stripping section proximal to a lower end of the column, a rectifying section proximal to an upper end of the column, and an intermediate section disposed between the stripping section and the rectifying section. The intermediate section includes first and second vertical sides separated by a vertical wall. The column includes a feed port to receive a material stream to be separated. The separation system further includes a reboiler in fluid communication with the column. The reboiler provides vapor to the stripping section. The separation system also includes a condenser in fluid communication with the column. The condenser provides liquid to the rectifying section, the condenser to provide a distillate effluent stream. The separation system further includes an active vapor control to control the relative vapor flow rate to the first and second sections.

Abstract: The present application provides novel heterocyclic compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Also provided are methods for preparing these compounds. These compounds are useful for inhibiting ERK1/2. By administering to a patient in need a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the compounds of formula (I), wherein X, Y, Z, J, M, and R1 to R8 are defined herein, these compounds are effective in treating conditions associated with dysregulation of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway. A variety of conditions can be treated using these compounds and include diseases which are characterized by abnormal cellular proliferation. In one embodiment, the disease is cancer.

Abstract: A method is described that includes sputtering multiple layers on a back surface of the photovoltaic structure, the photovoltaic structure being made of at least one group III-V semiconductor material, and evaporating, over the multiple layers, one or more additional layers including a metal layer, the back metal structure being formed by the multiple layers and the additional layers. A photovoltaic device is also described that includes a back metal structure disposed over a back surface of a photovoltaic structure made of a group III-V semiconductor material, the back metal structure including one or more evaporated layers disposed over multiple sputtered layers, the one or more evaporated layers including a metal layer. By allowing evaporation along with sputtering, tool size and costs can be reduced, including minimizing a number of vacuum breaks. Moreover, good yield and reliability, such as reducing dark line defects (DLDs), can also be achieved.

Abstract: A locking assembly for locking a portable electronic device to a work surface. The locking assembly comprises a clamp assembly including an elongated bar that extends between a first end and a second end. The clamp assembly further includes a first jaw and a second jaw moveable along the elongated bar for clamping to a work surface between the first and second jaws. A connector extends from a first connector end that is pivotally connected to the locking assembly to a second end that can be connected to the portable electronic device. The connector securing the portable electronic device to the work surface while permitting it to pivot with respect to the locking assembly.

Abstract: Restore operations in containerized environments are disclosed. An ephemeral instance of an application is created and a datastore is mounted to the ephemeral instance. The ephemeral instance is not accessible to users or application. The backup data is restored to the datastore. Once restored, the datastore is then mounted to a production instance and production resumes.

Abstract: A rocker arm assembly having a rocker arm including a pair of sidewalls, each sidewall defining a support aperture, a rocker arm support including a pair of opposed bearing support arms, each bearing support arm being disposed within a corresponding support aperture of the rocker arm and defining a lubrication groove extending along an outer surface thereof, and a pair of radial roller bearings, each including an inner cup, an outer cup, and a plurality of rollers disposed therebetween, wherein each radial roller bearing is disposed both on a corresponding bearing support arm and within a corresponding support aperture.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing network parameters in a data communications network so as to maintain a desired Quality of Experience (QoE) of at least one subscriber.

Abstract: A method of controlling operation of a tire filling mixing machine, by: (a) mixing a rubber/polyurethane and a catalyst in a first mixer to form a virgin polyurethane; (b) grinding cured polyurethane core bits in a grinder; (c) mixing the virgin material and the ground material in a second mixer thereby forming a mixed flatproofing material; (d) injecting the mixed flatproofing material into a tire; (e) measuring the ratio of ground material to virgin material in the mixed flatproofing material; (f) comparing the measured ratio of ground material to virgin material to a pre-stored preferred ratio of ground material to virgin material; and (g) increasing or decreasing the relative percentages of virgin material and ground material entering the second mixer by an amount that is a fraction of the difference between the measured ratio and the pre-stored preferred ratio.

Abstract: A pill dispenser including a first primary ramp and a second primary ramp, which is opposite to the first primary ramp. Also included are a first secondary ramp and a second secondary ramp, which is opposite to the first secondary ramp. The first and second secondary ramps are both between the first and the second primary ramps. The pill dispenser further has an outlet including outlet sidewalls and an aperture through which pills are dispensed from, or loaded into, the pill dispenser. The outlet sidewalls extend to the aperture from the first primary ramp, the second primary ramp, the first secondary ramp, and the second secondary ramp.

Abstract: A host vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a turbocharger in fluid communication with the internal combustion engine, a communication system configured to transmit and receive a traffic-related message, and a controller in communication with the turbocharger and the communication system. The controller is programmed to: receive the traffic-related message via the communication system; and command the internal combustion engine to increase a power output to spool up the turbocharger in response to receiving the traffic-related message. The controller is programmed to determine a number of relevant vehicles. The number of relevant vehicles is a number of vehicles that are in front of the host vehicle and behind a traffic light and affect a movement of the host vehicle toward the traffic light. The traffic-related message is a one of a vehicle message from another vehicle and/or a traffic-light message from the traffic light.