Abstract: A composite core assembly includes a composite core structure having internal material interfaces and an attachment rail coupled to the composite core structure. The attachment rail includes a first planar surface and a second planar surface adjoined with the first planar surface. The first planar surface is arranged parallel to an internal material interface plane of the composite core structure, and the first planar portion is at least partially integrated into the composite core structure in an internal material interface plane. At least a portion of the first planar surface extends beyond a perimeter surface of the composite core structure, and the second planar surface is configured to attach to the surrounding support member. The core material does not have net edge facets or flat edges positioned next to surrounding structure, and/or may not have a structure arranged parallel to the adjacent support structure to attach to the support structure.

Abstract: An imaging system for a moving vehicle aggregates pre-existing data with sensor data to provide an image of the surrounding environment in real-time. The pre-existing data are combined with data from one or more 3-D sensors, and 2-D information from a camera, to create a scene model that is rendered for display. The system accepts data from a 3-D sensor, transforms the data into a 3-D data structure, fuses the pre-existing scene data with the 3-D data structure and 2-D image data from a 2-D sensor to create a combined scene model, and renders the combined scene model for display. The system may also weight aspects of data from first and second sensors to select at least one aspect from the first sensor and another aspect from the second sensor; wherein fusing the pre-existing scene data with the sensor data uses the selected aspect from the first sensor and the selected aspect from the second sensor.

Abstract: A surface heating device and related method includes a heater assembly having a layer of dielectric material, thermal insulation material positioned adjacent to the heater assembly, an encapsulation layer surrounding the thermal insulation material and connected to the heater assembly, and a controller configured to control power delivered to the heater assembly to activate the dielectric material to generate heat.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a payment over a computerized network. An icon generating module automatically generates active payment icons for the payee associated with particular payment obligations, each including a link to the computerized payment interface and machine-readable information regarding the specific payment to be made, and automatically generates active payment icons having alternative programming associated with a plurality of utilization modes (e.g. for use with SmartTVs, mobile devices). A payment processing system generates substitute checks for the payor and is a non-bank e-wallet account which uses a phone number as the account number. An interactive user interface is activated on selection of an active payment icon such that machine-readable information regarding the specific payment is displayed together with interactive user interface tools for effecting payment thereof through the payment processing system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a spinal fusion impactor tool that includes an attachment means for securing an implant device to the distal end of the tool, a means for adjusting the angle of the distal head relative to the handle to better position the implant for introduction into the implant site, means for remotely releasing the implant device at the distal end and a clamp device on the shaft of the tool to secure tabs, attachments and other devices. The impactor tool is preferably used in conjunction with implantation of an intervertebral fusion cage that is equipped with shims having tabs or other removing means, but may also be used to introduce, for example, an implant, graft, fusion device, wedge or distractor device into any joint space or bony region in preparation for implantation.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems, apparatuses, methods, products, and other implementations for optimizing system performance of user facing web applications with load testing scripts. According to some embodiments, the system includes an analytics engine and a workload model including one or more load variables. The workload model generates a distribution of values for each of the one or more load variables. The system further includes a script engine and a load test controller that controls load generators to simulate internet traffic to a website. The load test controller determines an amount of computer resources needed to meet a high load scenario based on the performance of the system in response to the simulated internet traffic to the website.

Abstract: A system for tracking the location of people as the people move between zones, the system including tracking devices and a central tracking system. The tracking devices each monitor a zone and include a video camera, infrared sensors for detecting people in the zone, an antenna for detecting wireless signals from devices carried by people in the zone that provide unique device identifiers, a light and a processor that communicates with the central tracking system. The processor turns the light on when the infrared sensor detects a person in the zone and analyzes video data from the camera to determine the location of the person, which is sent to the central processor which creates a personal identifier for the person based on the unique identifier of a device carried by the person and tracks the person as the person moves between zones.

Abstract: A steerable beam antenna includes a feed line and first and second arrays of switchable scatterers along opposite sides of the feed line. The first array scatters an electromagnetic wave propagating through the feed line to form a first beam portion with a first polarization, and the second array scatters the propagating wave to form a second beam portion with a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. Each scatterer in the first and second arrays is switchable between a high state and a low state, the high state scatterers and the low-state scatterers in each of the first and second arrays defining a periodic pattern. The scatterers in the first and second arrays are switchable to shift the pattern of scatterers in one of the arrays relative to the pattern in the other array by a selectable period shift that yields a desired polarization for the beam.

Abstract: Self-testing proximity testing systems and corresponding methods are discussed herein and can include a proximity probe and controller in electrical communication via a cable. A self-testing subsystem can be in communication with the controller and configured to determine whether proximity probes and cables assembled with a controller are compatible or incompatible. The self-testing subsystem can place a known impedance in electrical communication with the controller, modifying a proximity signal output by the controller. When the modified proximity signal differs from a predicted proximity signal by greater than or equal to a threshold amount, the self-testing subsystem can output a first indication indicating that incompatible proximity probes and cables are assembled with a controller.

Abstract: A flexible monitoring system and corresponding methods of use are provided. The system can include a base containing backplane, and one or more circuits communicatively coupled to the backplane. The circuits can be designed with a common architecture that is programmable to perform different predetermined functions, such as input, output, and processing. By separating functions of the flexible monitoring system into different circuits, new implementations of the flexible monitoring system can be rapidly developed by arranging already created components in different combinations. Multiple bases can also be communicatively coupled in a manner that establishes a common backplane between respective bases. Accordingly, implementations of the flexible monitoring system distribute combinations of circuits across different bases, providing flexible deployment options.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an automotive electronic control unit (ECU) including: an application processor; and one or more co-processors communicatively coupled to the application processor. The one or more co-processors are configured to: receive data from the application processor; encrypt the data received from the application processor; process the encrypted data to detect faults and generate secure data that is encrypted and free from faults; and communicate the secure data to the application processor.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for monitoring operation of industrial equipment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a monitoring system is provided that includes a passive backplane and one more functional circuits that can couple to the backplane. Each of the functional circuits that are coupled to the backplane can have access to all data that is delivered to the backplane. Therefore, resources (e.g., computing power, or other functionality) from each functional circuits can be shared by all active functional circuits that are coupled to the backplane. Because resources from each of the functional circuits can be shared, and because the functional circuits can be detachably coupled to the backplane, performance of the monitoring systems can be tailored to specific applications. For example, processing power can be increased by coupling additional processing circuits to the backplane.

Abstract: Tools adapted for spinal surgery are provided. More specifically, tools having an elongate cylindrical cannula connected to a plurality of sharp-edged blades are provided for imparting a force for displacing vertebral bodies. Apparatuses and methods for accurate, rapid, and reliable placement of surgical cages or other medical implants in a patients spine are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of making coated pet food kibble and the kibble product by coating kibble with a composition that include at least one of: (i) lecithin and chicken fat; (ii) lecithin, a glycerol monoester of a fatty acid, a sugar monoester of a fatty acid, and chicken fat; (iii) lecithin, N?—(C8-C18) acyl arginine alkyl (C1-C8) ester, and chicken fat; or (iv) N?—(C8-C18) acyl arginine alkyl (C1-C8) ester-thymol and chicken fat. When the pet food kibble coated with a composition as described above, exhibits amounts of Salmonella sp. that are reduced by about 99%. This reduction is effective for at least 60 days post coating when compared to pet food kibble coated with a composition lacking one of (i)-(iv). The compositions are also used in a method for treating raw beef or poultry prior to grinding where the ground meat exhibits amounts of Salmonella sp. that are reduced by about 99%.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for two-step hardware authentication for machine monitoring systems. In one embodiment, a machine monitoring system can include a first hardware lock having a locked-state and an unlocked-state. The monitoring system can also include a second hardware lock including a sensor to detect first identification indicia of a user. The machine monitoring system can further include a data port configured to operatively couple to a computing device of the user. The data port can have an enable state and a disable state. The monitoring machine can include a processor operatively coupled to the first hardware lock, the second hardware lock, and the data port. The processor can be configured to receive data characterizing the activation of the first hardware lock and the first identification indicia of the user, and activate the data port to the computing device of the user.

Abstract: An imaging system for a moving vehicle aggregates pre-existing data with sensor data to provide an image of the surrounding environment in real-time. The pre-existing data are combined with data from one or more 3-D sensors, and 2-D information from a camera, to create a scene model that is rendered for display. The system accepts data from a 3-D sensor, transforms the data into a 3-D data structure, fuses the pre-existing scene data with the 3-D data structure and 2-D image data from a 2-D sensor to create a combined scene model, and renders the combined scene model for display. The system may also weight aspects of data from first and second sensors to select at least one aspect from the first sensor and another aspect from the second sensor; wherein fusing the pre-existing scene data with the sensor data uses the selected aspect from the first sensor and the selected aspect from the second sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of altering tissue succulence in plants. In some examples, a disclosed method includes overexpressing a modified helix-loop-helix transcription factor CEB1 in a plant cell, thereby altering plant succulence. The disclosed methods can be used to improve the drought and salinity tolerance of plants, such as in plants in arid or saline environments, and also enhance the ability of plants to perform. Also disclosed are CEB1 nucleic acids and transgenic plants containing such nucleic acids.

Abstract: A communication system utilizing unified gateways bridges communication gaps between data transmitters having differing transmission, security, data format, overhead restrictions and performance metrics by dynamically determining optimal data paths for the data being routed. The unified gateways can also dynamically alter data packages to upgrade/downgrade security standards, alter transmission networks, translate data to match recipient requirements and split/combine data to optimize data throughput using disparate systems.

Abstract: Mobile systems and methods are adapted to control and document prehospital patient care reports and communication of patient status to a receiving medical treatment facility. The systems and methods relate to systems and methods for managing, recording, and administering drugs such as narcotics in an ambulatory and/or emergency environment.