Abstract: The present disclosure provides a modified binder for use in an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions. The modified binder includes one or more agglomerates of polytetrafluoroethylene nanoparticles, where each of the polytetrafluoroethylene nanoparticles includes a polytetrafluoroethylene core and a polymeric shell that is disposed on exposed surfaces of the core. The polymeric shell can include a polymer selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene oxide, polyglycidyl methacrylate, polyvinylidene difluoride, fluoride-hexafluoropropylene, polypropylene oxide, polyacrylonitrile, polymethacrylonitrile, polymethyl methacrylate, derivatives and co-polymers, and combinations thereof, and in certain instances, also a humidity tolerant lithium salt.

Abstract: The invention is related to multivalent immunogenic compositions comprising more than one S. pneumoniae polysaccharide protein conjugates, wherein each of the conjugates comprises a polysaccharide from an S. pneumoniae serotype conjugated to a carrier protein, wherein the serotypes of S. pneumoniae are as defined herein. Also provided are methods for inducing a protective immune response in a human patient comprising administering the multivalent immunogenic compositions of the invention to the patient. The multivalent immunogenic compositions are useful for providing protection against S. pneumoniae infection and diseases caused by S. pneumoniae. The compositions of the invention are also useful as part of treatment regimes that provide complementary protection for patients that have been vaccinated with a multivalent vaccine indicated for the prevention of pneumococcal disease.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention encompass compositions containing the polymer formed from a variety of polycycloolefinic monomers at least one of which monomer contains an additional unpolymerized ethylenic bond, hexagonal boron nitride, a crosslinker, a free radical initiator, a tackifier and one or more suitable additives. The compositions of this invention can be formed into a variety of three-dimensional insulating articles upon exposure to suitable high temperature, such as for example films. The objects formed from the compositions of this invention exhibit hitherto unattainable low dielectric constant and low-loss properties, and very high thermal properties. The compositions of this invention may additionally contain one or more organic or inorganic filler materials, which provide improved thermo-mechanical properties in addition to very low dielectric properties.

Abstract: A video encoder encodes a bitstream for decoding by a compliant decoder which is configured to selectively operate in a mode for generating a motion compensation predictor from a reference picture for a subsequent picture having a resolution different from the reference picture. The encoded bitstream includes a coded picture having a first coded region and a second coded region and signaling information from which the decoder determines first and second spatial resolution scale factors for reconstructing the first and second regions.

Abstract: A mineral membrane and method of making the same are disclosed. The mineral membrane may be made by exfoliating a mineral material to produce a membrane, and cross-linking the membrane.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an apparatus and methods for microorganism isolation, characterization and identification based on oxygen, pressure, culture media gradients and metabolites. In each embodiment, the apparatus of the disclosure is particularly useful for the purpose of novel isolation of never before cultured species of microorganisms and their by-products.

Abstract: A wireless device sends, to a network, a message indicating an enhanced steering of roaming (SOR) capability for network access information for one or more non-public networks (NPN). The wireless device receives, from the network, network access information comprising an identifier of a first NPN and a condition for whether the wireless device is allowed to access the first NPN. The wireless device sends, to the first NPN and based on the condition being met, a registration request message.

Abstract: An assembly includes a vehicle roof and a vehicle floor spaced from the vehicle roof. The assembly includes a seat supported by the vehicle floor. The seat is rotatable about an axis of rotation from a forward-facing position to a rearward-facing position and the seat being movable along a vehicle-longitudinal axis. The assembly includes a post elongated from the vehicle floor to the vehicle roof. The post is slidable along the vehicle roof and the vehicle floor along the vehicle-longitudinal axis adjacent the seat. The assembly includes an airbag supported by the post.

Abstract: Control and stabilizing cables and tendons for high altitude aircraft and airships having lightweight, high strength and low CTE are disclosed, along with a method and machine for fabrication of same. The cable is comprised of a fiber prepreg tow encased in a polymer sleeve with one bobbin at each end to facilitate connections. Consolidating the fiber prepreg tow along the length of the cable using high temperature shrink tubing, such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), allows for eliminating the twisting of the fiber prepreg tow, thus reducing the number of wraps around the bobbins. Eliminating the twists in the fiber prepreg tow also reduces the length of fiber needed, and therefore the overall change in length of the control cable with temperature variations is reduced. Additional cable strength can be achieved by adding and holding significant tension on the fiber prepreg tow by applying weight during the curing process.

Abstract: A request is made from a requesting computing device to an assistant computing device to query a dataset in communication with a remote computing device. The remote computing device resides in a secured data center. Encrypted access credentials are received at the requesting computing device from the assistant computing device. The encrypted access credentials are configured to allow the requesting computing device to access the remote computing device. The encrypted access credentials are decrypted at the requesting computing device to obtain access credentials. The remote computing device is accessed by using the access credentials. Query results are generated by the remote computing device. The query results are received at the requesting computing device from the remote computing device. Encrypted query results are generated at the requesting computing device. The encrypted query results are communicated from the requesting computing device to the assistant computing device.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes a step of providing an oxygen-containing gas having greater than 22 volume percent oxygen and combining the oxygen-containing gas with a fuel to form a combustible mixture. The combustible mixture is provided to an internal combustion engine wherein combustion of the combustible mixture drive the internal combustion engine. An internal combustion system executing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A training device may comprise a ramp block, which may include a short side facet; an incline facet; a right face, and a left face disposed on opposing sides of the training device; a main base ridge and a plurality of alternate base ridges disposed along a bottom border of the right and left face; and a ramp block base disposed along the incline facet. The right and left face may be integrally formed with the short side and incline facet. A right and left plurality of holes may be disposed on the right and left face. The training device may further include a height adjustment member comprising a height adjustment member base configured to rest on a flat surface; a securing slot; and a frame configured to provide height adjustment via the plurality of holes and securing slot. The securing slot may align with the right/left plurality of holes.

Abstract: A rack system for a cargo space of a commercial vehicle is provided having a rack with at least one shelf and a movement device for moving the rack between a transport position, in which the rack can be arranged completely in the cargo space, and an access position, in which the rack can be arranged at least partially outside the cargo space. In order to provide a rack system which can be used more efficiently in respect of available cargo space, the rack system has a receiving unit for at least partially receiving at least one cargo item which can be arranged in the rack, wherein the receiving unit is arranged on the shelf so as to be displaceable in a depth direction of the rack.

Abstract: A cleaner assembly for an apparatus for making pouch products includes a cleaner roller and a poker roller. The cleaner roller may counter rotate with a rotatable drum of the apparatus, in contact with an upper surface of a first elastic layer on the rotatable drum, and at a greater tangential speed than at least one surface of an outer circumferential surface of the rotatable drum or an upper surface of the first elastic layer. The poker roller includes projections that are each configured to extend into one or more divots of the rotatable drum. The poker roller may counter rotate with the rotatable drum and at a same tangential speed as the at least one surface such that the projections extend into and out of separate, respective divots of the rotatable drum based on the counter rotation of the poker roller and the rotatable drum.

Abstract: An analog to digital converter (ADC) senses an analog signal (e.g., a load current) to generate a digital signal. The ADC operates based on a load voltage produced based on charging of an element (e.g., a capacitor) by a load current and a digital to analog converter (DAC) output current (e.g., from a N-bit DAC). The ADC generates a digital output signal representative of a difference between the load voltage and a reference voltage. This digital output signal is used directly, or after digital signal processing, to operate an N-bit DAC to generate a DAC output current that tracks the load current. The digital output signal provided to the N-bit DAC is an inverse function of the load current. The ADC is operative to sense very low currents (e.g., currents as low as is of pico-amps) and consume very little power (e.g., less than 2 ?W).

Abstract: A system for treating various medical conditions in humans includes a medical or therapeutic laser operating at wavelengths in the near infrared range of between 1250 nm-1267 nm, with a target wavelength of 1260 nm, at power levels between 2 Watts and 60 Watts, and for a period not to exceed 60 seconds per dose. The emitted laser light energizes, e.g., the stem cell niche or mitochondria of the human tissue to which it is applied, both directly and indirectly via activation of cell signaling intermediaries including but not limited to heat shock proteins, thereby stimulating cell activity to promote healing and reduce pain. In this specific wavelength range, water absorption of the laser light energy is plateaued which effectively acts as a conduit allowing the laser light energy to be transferred deeper into the tissue without causing thermal damage to the skin and tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing and distributing a live audio stream of a live event in real-time to a plurality of mobile computing devices are described. The system comprises at least one memory configured to store computer-executable instructions and processing device(s) coupled to the at least one memory and at least one audio input device configured to receive the live audio stream. Upon receipt of the live audio stream, the processing device(s) generate, in real-time, a plurality of discrete audio data packets from the live audio stream, and transmit that respective discrete audio data packet over a first network for receipt by the mobile computing devices. In respect of each one of the discrete audio data packets, a copy of the discrete audio data packet is transmitted for receipt by each one of the mobile computing devices prior to transmitting another one of the discrete audio data packets.

Abstract: A system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instruction that, when executed on the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations: generating, using a training procedure, labels based at least in part on price band activity data from a time period; training, using the training procedure, an affinity prediction model of a machine learning architecture; analyzing, using the affinity prediction model of the machine learning architecture, as trained, the price band activity data indicating interactions of a user with items; and generating, using the labels and the affinity prediction model of the machine learning architecture, as trained, one or more price affinity predictions for one or more items for the user. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a modular design and build architecture, comprising: one or more integrated system module (ISMs) that are configured to be shipped and assembled on-site to construct an operational infrastructure for one or more application environments, wherein each of the ISMs comprises two or more different functional components that are integrated onto and/or supported by a common structural floor.

Abstract: A self-contained breathing apparatus includes at least one air tank having a regulator, and a back plate configured to removably receive the air tank. The back plate has a plate having a tank engagement surface for engaging at least a portion of an air tank, a receiving cradle on the plate configured to receive the regulator of an air tank, and a locking mechanism associated with the cradle and/or the plate for releasably locking the regulator and/or the cradle relative to the plate. The locking mechanism has at least one locking member configured to move between a first locked position, wherein the locking member engages the regulator and/or cradle to restrict removal of the regulator and/or the receiving cradle from the plate, and a second unlocked position, wherein the locking member disengages from the regulator and/or the cradle to permit removal of the regulator and/or the cradle from the plate.