Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for managing robot resources are described. A robot receives from an application a request to reserve a particular set of physical resources of the robot. The robot then determines that each of the physical resources in the set are available to the application and, based on the determination, allocates exclusive use of the particular set of resources to the application by (i) generating a token corresponding to the set of resources, (ii) providing the token to the application, and (iii) updating token data that associates the token with the set of resources. The robot then controls access to the particular set of resources such that, while token data indicates that the token is valid, commands from applications that involve the set of resources are only executed when provided with the token corresponding to the allocation of access to the particular set of resources.

Abstract: Glassware such as wine glasses and pint glasses can include a support element configured to support a bottle such as a miniature liquor bottle or a beer bottle in an upside-down or inverted configuration, such that a mouth of the bottle is within the glassware. The support element can be integrally formed with the rest of the glassware. The glassware can be filled with a first beverage and the bottle can be filled with a second beverage and supported on the support element such that the second beverage automatically mixes with the first beverage as the first beverage is consumed.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel hybrid polymers having unique physical properties. The hybrid polymers comprise a cellulose ether moiety, a linking group moiety, a spacer group moiety, and a lactam moiety. The present invention also provides compositions comprising the hybrid polymers and methods for preparing and using the hybrid polymers.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor-superconductor hybrid device comprises providing a workpiece comprising a semiconductor component, a layer of a first superconductor material on the semiconductor component, and a layer of a second superconductor material on the first superconductor material, the second superconductor material being different from the first superconductor material; etching the layer of the second superconductor material to expose a portion of the first superconductor material; and oxidising the portion of the first superconductor material to form a passivating layer on the semiconductor. The first superconductor provides energy coupling between the semiconductor and the second superconductor, and the passivating layer protects the semiconductor while allowing electrostatic access thereto. Also provided are a hybrid device, and a method of etching.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns the use of endogenous plant RNAi machinery to preferentially or specifically reduce transgene expression. In some embodiments, the disclosure concerns specific reduction of transgene expression in male plant tissues, for example, to provide an economical male sterility system of hybrid seed production.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides advantageous lighting systems that can be installed on parallel rows of horizontal supports. The lighting systems can be configured to have a single electrical feedthrough on one end of the lamp that can also act as a mating feature between the lamp and supports. More particularly, the present disclosure provides improved lighting systems that are fixtureless, waterproof, customizable, and easy to install/remove.

Abstract: An exit sign that includes an access control point and a system that includes such an exit sign are disclosed. The exit sign includes: a power circuit, a battery that is charged by the power circuit, a light that is powered by at least one of the power circuit and the battery, a sign that is at least partially illuminated by the light, a controller, a wireless radio coupled to the controller, and a relay coupled to the controller and to the actuation device, where the controller controls the relay to actuate the actuation device.

Abstract: A bicycle subassembly includes a bicycle component having a socket and a tube having a first tube portion received in the socket and a second tube portion extending outwardly from the socket. The tube includes a cold worked region spanning at least a portion of the first tube portion and at least a first portion of the second tube portion. The tube includes a non-cold worked region spanning at least a second portion of the second tube portion. Methods for making the tube and subassembly are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method of forming an optical connection. A fiber optic cable includes a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber. The second optical fiber includes a reflective device. An optical device receives the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. A first signal is observed to verify an optical connection between the first optical fiber and the optical device to verity the optical connection. The fiber optic cable is extended into the optical device to form a secure mating between the first optical fiber and the optical device, thereby changing a state of the reflective device. The secure mating between the first optical fiber and the optical device is determined from the state of the second signal in the second optical fiber.

Abstract: Multiplexed test measurements are conducted using an assay module having a plurality of assay domains. In preferred embodiments, these measurements are conducted in assay modules having integrated electrodes with a reader apparatus adapted to receive assay modules, induce luminescence, preferably electrode induced luminescence, in the wells or assay regions of the assay modules and measure the induced luminescence.

Abstract: A door opening system for a rear door of a motor vehicle in which a rear door first moves backwards and outwardly away from the car shell prior to the rear door then swinging outwardly away from the front of the car. The car shell does not have a B-pillar so that a large, convenient opening is provide with the front door opening forwardly and the rear door opening rearwardly. The door opening system includes: a car shell; a rear slider rail attached to the car shell; a rear door hinge assembly configured to move along the rear slider rail; with the rear door mounted onto the rear door hinge assembly, wherein the rear door hinge assembly moves along the rear slider rail in a direction rearwardly and away from the car shell prior to the rear door being outwardly rotatable on the rear door hinge assembly.

Abstract: A system for energy metering with temperature monitoring.

Abstract: A privacy system having at least one sensor and a device. The sensor may be operational to generate sensor data in response to a user. The device may be in communication with the sensor, in communication with multiple distributed cloud processing nodes, and operational to decompose the sensor data into multiple data items, transmit the multiple data items to the multiple distributed cloud processing nodes, receive multiple processed items from the multiple distributed cloud processing nodes, and generate output data based on the multiple processed items. Wherein individual ones of the multiple distributed cloud processing nodes are operational to generate a corresponding one of the multiple processed items in response to the corresponding one of the multiple data items, a privacy aspect of the user is indeterminable from individual ones of the multiple data items, and the privacy aspect of the user is determinable from the output data.

Abstract: A reusable packaging device that in a use state is a rhomboid outer structure with an internal inflatable and reusable vessel that surrounds and protects a payload, that can be converted into a storage state by deflating the vessel and folding the outer structure flat in order that it may be stacked.

Abstract: Packaging forming system and related methods are provided. A packaging forming system can include a controller and nip rollers in communication with the controller. The nip rollers are positioned on either side of a product pathway on which products being packaged travel. The packaging forming system can include a top sheet material guide system that is configured to feed a top sheet material and a bottom sheet material guide system that is configured to feed a bottom sheet material to the nip rollers to form sides of packages around one or more products traveling along the pathway. The packaging forming system can include an adjustable table in communication with the controller and positioned along the pathway to provide support to the product being packaged such that the height of the table is movable to adjust a height position of each individual product to be packaged relative to the nip rollers.

Abstract: An electrical plug connector terminates a twisted pair electrical cable. The electrical plug connector includes a base and a plug housing holding electrical contacts therebetween. The base includes a divider structure including separation walls. At least one of the separation walls defines an abutment surface against which a forward end of the electrical cable abuts when terminated by the electrical plug connector. The plug housing defines slots so that the electrical contacts are accessible. The electrical plug connector axially secures an outer jacket of the electrical cable against rearward movement relative to base. The at least one separation wall inhibits forward axial movement of the outer jacket of the electrical cable relative to the base.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods for treating temporomandibular joint disorders. More particularly, the disclosure pertains to topical compositions and methods of applying the topical compositions to reduce pain and symptoms associated with temporomandibular joint disorders. The method may include applying an external composition to a head or neck area and applying an intraoral composition to an intraoral area. The external composition and the intraoral composition may include an anti-inflammatory and a muscle relaxant. The disclosed compositions and methods alleviated facial pain, preauricular pain, jaw pain, neck pain, upper-back pain, and headache.

Abstract: Dynamically monitoring of an electrically-isolated power bus for a DC power system is described, and includes dynamically monitoring voltage and current on the power bus to determine a variation in the voltage on the power bus. When the variation in the voltage on the power bus is less than a threshold, an active positive isolation resistance term and an active negative isolation resistance term are determined. A first voltage balance term is determined based upon a ratio of the active positive isolation resistance term and the active negative isolation resistance term. A dynamic positive isolation resistance term and a dynamic negative isolation resistance term are determined based upon the active negative isolation resistance term. A fault associated with the power bus is determined based upon the dynamic positive isolation resistance term and the dynamic negative isolation resistance term.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a 7xxx series aluminum alloy composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of (by weight %) of 1.0-1.8% Mg; 7.0-8.3% Zn; 0.10-0.25% Zr; with up to 0.80% Cu and allowable impurities of 0.3% Si, 0.4% Fe, 0.4% Mn, and 0.1% Ti, with other elements restricted as unavoidable impurities limited to 0.05% each and 0.15% total and MgZn2 range of 7.0-9.9% with the balance being aluminum. This 7xxx series aluminum alloy is capable of being produced to achieve its maximum strength by quenching from an elevated hot working operation, such as extrusion, forging or rolling. In one embodiment the alloy is capable of meeting strength levels in excess of 65 KSI/450 MPa yield tensile strength, 69 KSI/480 MPa ultimate tensile strength and 11% elongation.

Abstract: A secondary game system, in various embodiments, comprises a system of networked game terminals where a player playing a game on a game terminal can earn eligibility to win a prize from a secondary game that plays simultaneously in the background. The secondary game may be triggered based on play on the plurality of networked terminals. This allows the player to play a first game that earns them eligibility to win another game that is played in the background. The player sends a game initiation request for a game (e.g., lottery slot) to be played on the game terminal. If a certain criterion is satisfied, the player becomes eligible to win a prize from the secondary game if the secondary game is triggered while the player is eligible to win.