Abstract: Features are disclosed for providing a consistent interface for local and distributed text to speech (TTS) systems. Some portions of the TTS system, such as voices and TTS engine components, may be installed on a client device, and some may be present on a remote system accessible via a network link. Determinations can be made regarding which TTS system components to implement on the client device and which to implement on the remote server. The consistent interface facilitates connecting to or otherwise employing the TTS system through use of the same methods and techniques regardless of the which TTS system configuration is implemented.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus including a tool body and a sealing element disposed within the tool body. Also, at least one sensor disposed on the tool body, wherein the sensor is configured to take measurements from a well and wherein the sensor measures an actuation condition, the sensor signals the sealing element to actuate. Also, a method of sealing a portion of a well including disposing an automatic packer in a well, wherein the automatic packer includes a tool body, a sealing element disposed within the tool body, and a sensor disposed on the tool body. The method also includes measuring a condition within the well, determining an actuation condition with the sensor, and expanding the sealing element into contact with an inner diameter of the well when the actuation condition is determined.

Abstract: System and method for controlling a battery are disclosed. The system includes a battery pack, a wireless charger, a detecting module, a measuring device and a controller. The wireless charger is configured for charging the battery pack and calculating a first charging capacity of the battery pack. The detecting module coupled to the wireless charger, is configured for detecting information associated with the charging. The measuring device is configured for calculating a second charging capacity of the battery pack. The controller is coupled to the wireless charger, the detecting module and the measuring device. The controller is configured for determining whether there is a difference between the first charging capacity and the second charging capacity. The controller is also configured for calculating a third charging capacity of the battery pack based on the information associated with the charging and the difference.

Abstract: The present invention provides for pharmaceutical preparations, devices, systems and methods for the treatment of otic diseases and conditions. In various embodiments, the preparations, devices, systems and methods enable sustained drug release for the treatment or prevention of hearing loss, infections, and other pathological conditions of cochlea and inner ear.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a thermo-electric generator having a hot side which absorbs heat from a heat source, a cold side which discharges heat to a heat sink, and electrical terminals for outputting electrical energy with an output voltage and an electric circuit with a maximum permissible input voltage, the inputs of which are connected to the electrical terminals of the thermo-electric generator. Such arrangements may be used, for example, in exhaust systems of motor vehicles for more efficient use of the energy.

Abstract: A cell balancing system includes multiple bypass paths and a battery management circuit. The multiple bypass paths are coupled in parallel to the battery cells. The battery management circuit is coupled to the bypass paths and monitors cell voltages of the battery cells, compares the cell voltages with a first reference voltage for a first stage, enables a bypass path in the first stage if a battery cell in parallel with the bypass path has a cell voltage at the first reference voltage, and compares the cell voltages of the battery cells with a second reference voltage for a second stage if a specified cell voltage in the first stage is at the first reference voltage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, system, and method of use for producing beverages. The apparatus includes at least a modular brewing mechanism. Also, the system includes a reservoir for retaining a volume of beverage produced by the brewing mechanism. The system includes controls for dispensing a single cup of beverage while producing multiple cycles of beverage for transfer to the reservoir. The system also includes controls for monitoring freshness of beverage, controllably disposing of beverage, and controlling production of single cup or batch production of beverage. The method and apparatus includes controllable pressurized brewing in a column or chamber using a controllable piston moving in the chamber and which may include controlling steep time, pressurization, extraction time, active controllable agitation of the brewing substance, as well as other brewing characteristics.

Abstract: A charger includes a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal. The first terminal and the second terminal are configured for providing an output power to a battery module. The charger also includes a signal generation unit configured for generating an identity signal which indicates an identity of the charger. The charger is configured for outputting the identity signal to the battery module via the third terminal.

Abstract: By performing a method for transmitting to a reading device data of a sensor that is allocated to an inductively heated cooking vessel, a high frequency control voltage is generated from a mains alternating voltage by means of a converter, wherein the high frequency control voltage is applied to an oscillator circuit having an induction heating coil in order to generate a high frequency magnetic alternating field for heating the cooking vessel.

Abstract: A brewer, system, and method of use for producing and dispensing a beverage. The apparatus, system, and method of use includes a receiver for receiving a brewing substance container. The receiver receives the container, positions it for infusion with heated water, and then positions the container for removal from the receiver. The present apparatus, system, and method minimizes the drive mechanisms associated with the apparatus and improves the control and reliability of the apparatus. The apparatus facilitates collection and dispensing of beverage produced in the receiver and removal of the brewing substance container from the receiver.

Abstract: A diaphragm pressure expansion vessel (1) which is intended to be connected to a line system having two vessel parts (2, 3) which are connected to one another in a pressure-tight and fluid-tight manner in a peripheral connecting region (4), wherein the closed vessel interior (10) which is formed by the two vessel parts (2, 3) is separated into a water chamber (6) and a gas chamber by a diaphragm (5), wherein the water chamber (6) can be connected to the line system via a connection piece (7), wherein the diaphragm (5) is formed from an at least single-layered plastic and is in the form of a bubble, should be developed further such that the risk of fracture of the plastic diaphragm when subjected to loading during replacement is considerably reduced.

Abstract: The subject matters of this invention are a sequence of double-stranded RNA: ATN-RNA, intervention using interference RNA (iRNAi), use of a sequence of double-stranded RNA: ATN-RNA, a method of treating a brain tumor and a method of inhibiting a brain tumor cells which express tenascin, a kit for inhibiting cancer cell which expresses tenascin and a method for a kit preparation in a brain tumor therapy. Malignant gliomas preferentially express a number of surface markers that may be exploited as therapeutic targets, including tenascin-C, an extracellular matrix glycoprotein that is ubiquitously expressed by malignant gliomas and probably contributes to tumor cell adhesion, invasion, migration and proliferation. For tenascin-C inhibition, RNA interference intervention (iRNAi) approach have been applied.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an antitumor aqueous solution and an anticancer agent, both of which can kill cancer cells while having virtually no effects on normal cells, and to provide methods for producing the antitumor aqueous solution and the anticancer agent. The method of the invention for producing an antitumor aqueous solution for killing cancer cells includes an aqueous solution preparation step of preparing an aqueous solution through addition, to water, of a solute containing at least one of disodium hydrogen phosphate (Na2HPO4), sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3), L-glutamine, L-histidine, and L-tyrosine disodium dihydrate (L-tyrosine.2Na.2H2O); and a plasma irradiation step of irradiating the aqueous solution with atmospheric pressure plasma generated in a plasma generation region by means of a plasma generator.

Abstract: A wet rotor pump with an axial flux motor that includes a stator and a rotor. The stator is arranged in a dry zone while the rotor on an impeller is arranged in a wet zone. The rotor is formed by one or more samarium cobalt (SmCo) permanent magnets.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a current splitter circuit for splitting a supply current to multiple light emitting device strings of a light emitting device array. The current splitter circuit includes: a minimum selector circuit coupled to the multiple light emitting device strings to generate a minimum signal which indicates a minimum voltage of the light emitting device strings; and multiple current source circuits each including a first current source end coupled to a corresponding light emitting device string, a second current source end coupled to ground, and a current source control end receiving a current control signal related to the minimum signal, so as to control currents through the corresponding light emitting device string.

Abstract: A method for detecting software exploitation broadly comprises the steps of gathering information about processes and threads executing on a computing device, monitoring instructions executed by a thread that is currently running, performing the following steps if a function to create a process or a function to load a library is called, examining a thread information block, determining whether an address included in a stack pointer of the thread is in a range of addresses for a stack specified by the thread information block, and determining whether a first plurality of no-operation instructions is followed by shell code that is followed by a second plurality of no-operation instructions.

Abstract: Hair-coloring applicators comprising a shield to protect the scalp, polymers of tannic acid having iron ions bound thereto, hair-coloring compositions comprising same and/or melanoidin, and novel alcohol-free carriers, are disclosed, as well uses thereof for coloring hair.

Abstract: Ground Potential Rise (GPR) systems and methods with depth sensing measure the GPR between the ground grid and the remote earth. Methods and systems described herein may provide a GPR measurement to an existing distance protection. A GPR system may comprise a set of potential transformers. The set of potential transformers may be coupled to different ground rods driven into the earth at different depths, respectively. One wire of the high voltage side of the potential transformer may be coupled to the ground grid of a substation, and the second wire of the potential transformer may be coupled to an insulated wire that is coupled to a ground rod or multiple of ground rods bonded together. The low voltage side of the potential transformer is used to connect Distance Relays, Voltage Relays, DFR or Alarms.