Abstract: A modular stethoscope includes a first module including a chestpiece and a first tubing disposed in fluid communication with and connected to the chestpiece. The chestpiece is configured to transmit acoustic waves through the first tubing. The modular stethoscope further includes a second module detachably connected to the first module. The second module includes a second tubing and a headset disposed in fluid communication with the second tubing. The modular stethoscope further includes a tube connector fluidly disposed between the first tubing of the first module and the second tubing of the second module. The tube connector is detachably connected to the first tubing of the first module. The tube connector includes a first part, a second part, and a quick coupling member configured to detachably and scalably connect the first part to the second part to acoustically couple the first tubing to the second tubing.

Abstract: Representative embodiments set forth techniques for verifying an identity of a primary user of a primary account on a client device. A method may include receiving, for the primary account, a request for identity verification responsive to an action of a secondary account associated with the primary account and identifying a payment registration characteristic of a payment registration associated with the primary account. The method also includes retrieving identity information associated with the primary account based on the payment registration characteristic and, in response to a determination that the identity information corresponds to a verification indicator, verifying an identity of a user of the primary account. The method also includes, in response to verifying the identity of the user of the primary account, generating a payment verification token and associating the payment verification token with an authorization indication for the action of the secondary account.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the temperature and pressure within a propellant tank containing cryogenic liquid and gaseous phase propellants, the latter also referred to as ullage, by adding an atomized fluid or mixture of fluids having one or more constituent parts to the ullage, where the atomized fluid(s) has a temperature less than the temperature of the ullage. The motive fluid may include a condensable constituent which aids in reducing pressure in the tank or a incondensable constituent which aides in maintaining pressure in the tank.

Abstract: A blade outer air seal arc segment includes a ceramic matrix composite body that defines a core gaspath side, a non-core gaspath side opposite the core gaspath side, a forward end, an aft end, and circumferential sides. The ceramic matrix composite body has first and second flanges on the non-core gaspath side. The ceramic matrix composite body is comprised of fiber plies disposed in a ceramic matrix. The fiber plies include flange fiber plies that have a +/?15-75 degree ply layup arrangement.

Abstract: Halogen-free, microporous polyolefin membranes are disclosed herein. The halogen-free, microporous polyolefin membranes can be manufactured using an environmentally friendly manufacturing process that includes extrusion of polymer-plasticizer mixtures followed by sheet formation and extraction of the plasticizer with a halogen-free solvent. The halogen-free solvent has a flashpoint greater than about 23° C. and an initial boiling point at least about 50° C. lower than the flashpoint of the plasticizer. The process can further be a closed loop process in which the halogen-free solvent can be reused.

Abstract: A building structure comprising a first film and a second film. The first film and the second film are each impregnated with L-Dopa. The building structure further includes regolith bulk material between the first film and the second film.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a turbine section that has a ceramic matrix composite body that defines a core gaspath side that a row of blades, a forward end, an aft end, and circumferential sides. The forward end abuts at least one vane of a first row of vanes, and the aft end including a seal channel. A compliant seal is disposed in the seal channel and seals against at least one vane of a second row of vanes.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a turbine section that has a retainer ring, a first vane that bears against the retainer ring to prevent movement of the first vane in a first axial direction, a second vane axially spaced from the first vane, and a blade axially between the first vane and the second vane. A blade outer air seal is situated radially outwardly of the blade. The blade outer air seal includes a ceramic matrix composite body that defines a core gaspath side that faces the blade, a forward end, an aft end, and circumferential sides. There is a spring seal at the aft end of the blade outer air seal that seals against the second vane. The spring seal provides a preload that biases the blade outer air seal against the first vane and thereby biases the first vane against the retainer ring.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel alignment system has a plurality of cameras, each camera for viewing a respective target disposed at a respective wheel of the vehicle and capturing image data of the target as the wheel and target are continuously rotated a number of degrees of rotation without a pause. The image data is used to calculate a minimum number of poses of the target of at least one pose for every five degrees of rotation as the wheel and target are continuously rotated the number of degrees of rotation without a pause. At least one of the cameras comprises a data processor for performing the steps of preprocessing the image data, and calculating an alignment parameter for the vehicle based on the preprocessed image data.

Abstract: A system and method for balancing flows of renal replacement fluid is disclosed. The method uses pressure controls and pressure sensing devices to more precisely meter and balance the flow of fresh dialysate and spent dialysate. The balancing system may use one or two balancing devices, such as a balance tube, a tortuous path, or a balance chamber.

Abstract: The disclosed reinforced adhesive substrate includes a transparent, flexible, breathable backing with a reinforcing material having open areas to the substrate. The reinforcing material strengthen the breathable backing while maintaining transparency so that overall the substrate is transparent. A transparent adhesive substrate can allow the underlying surface to be visualized.

Abstract: In general, the subject matter described herein relates to wettable materials that can be used to expose a liquid phase to a gas phase. An example method includes: providing a material including a polymeric substrate and at least one of: a silicate coating disposed over the polymeric substrate; or a polar mineral additive dispersed within the polymeric substrate at a loading from about 1% to about 25%, by weight; and using the material in a chemical process in which the material is at least partially covered by a liquid phase and the liquid phase is exposed to a gas phase.

Abstract: A stored energy discharge apparatus for discharging electrical charge from a first component prior to being installed into a second component. The apparatus includes at least one mounting component adapted to a desired voltage potential used in the second component, and at least one discharge component adapted to receive the first component and discharge electrical charge from the first component to the second component through the at least one mounting component prior to the first component being installed in the second component.

Abstract: Non-adhesive articles include an elastomeric layer, where the elastomeric layer has a plurality of cuts arrayed in a pattern. The cuts are gaps, but the gaps are not visible to the naked eye when the article is in an unstressed state, and in a stressed state, at least some of the cuts become gaps that are visible to the naked eye. The gaps are perforations in the elastomeric layer and are apertures through which one can view through the elastomeric layer. The perforations indicate the presence of stress in the article, and the elastomeric layer has a lower effective modulus of elasticity in at least one axis than an identical elastomeric layer without the plurality of cuts.

Abstract: An inventory control system is described that includes a tool storage device including a drawer or a tray providing a pallet, wherein the pallet includes storage locations for objects; a sensing device configured to form an image of the storage locations; and a data processor configured to determine presence or absence of the pallet and presence or absence of objects within the storage locations of the pallet using the information from the image.

Abstract: An auscultation device having a chest piece with a sound output aperture in fluid communication with a diaphragm on a bottom surface of the chest piece. A digital stethoscope component with a sound input aperture and a connector fluidly connecting the sound output aperture to the sound input aperture. The connector is designed such that the auscultation device is free standing on a horizontal surface.

Abstract: The present invention is a thermal management device including a power source, a flexible thermoelectric module, and a first phase change material.

Abstract: Films and articles are described comprising a microstructured surface having an array of peak structures and adjacent valleys. For improved cleanability, the valleys preferably have a maximum width ranging from 10 microns to 250 microns and the peak structures have a side wall angle greater than 10 degrees. The peak structures may comprise two or more facets such as in the case of a linear array of prisms or an array of cube-corners elements. The facets form continuous or semi-continuous surfaces in the same direction. The valleys typically lack intersecting walls. Also described are methods of making and methods of use. The microstructured surface of the article can be prepared by various microreplication techniques such as coating, injection molding, embossing, laser etching, extrusion, casting and curing a polymerizable resin; and bonding microstructured film to a surface or article with an adhesive.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing physical intrusion on a data bus includes a data bus state sensor coupled to the data bus for monitoring a state of the data bus, a power circuit for generating multiple voltages supplied to functional circuitry in the apparatus, and a variable override circuit. The variable override circuit receives one or more voltages from the power circuit and selectively gates the voltages onto the data bus as a function of one or more control signals. A controller coupled to the variable override circuit, the power circuit and the state sensor receives state information from the state sensor and generates the control signals in response to detection of physical intrusion on the data bus. The controller controls a voltage level of at least one of the voltages generated by the power circuit for overriding the data bus when physical intrusion is detected on the data bus.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to improved processes for the preparation of intermediates of a cyclic dinucleotide which is useful as a STING agonist.