Abstract: A trailer hitch system for equalizing trailer loads and reducing trailer sway. The trailer hitch system may include spring bars that may be attached to a hitch head using a trunnion style connection. The spring bars may be attached to the trailer using rigid brackets that reduce swinging of the spring bars. The rigid brackets having a plurality of contact points may include an upward extending portion for attaching to the trailer tongue, and a lateral extending portion for receiving the spring bars thereupon. The rigid brackets may include a spacing member and an attachment member.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an aircraft includes a first thermal bus including one or more first heat sources, a heat sink, a vapour compression system, and one or more second heat sources. The vapour compression system includes a compressor, a condenser, a receiver, a first side of a recuperator, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a second side of the recuperator, and the compressor. A first heat flow (Q1) of waste heat energy generated by the first heat sources is transferred via the first heat transfer fluid to the heat sink. A second heat flow (Q2) of waste heat energy generated by the second heat source(s) being transferred via the evaporator to a refrigerant. A third heat flow (Q3) of heat energy in the refrigerant is transferred via the condenser to the first heat transfer fluid. The controller is configured to ensure that: 1.1*Q2<Q3<3.0*Q2.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vapour-compression system for circulating a working fluid. The vapour-compression system comprises a compressor, an expansion device and an evaporator configured to facilitate heat transfer from a thermal source into the working fluid. The method comprises: determining or receiving a cooling demand, the cooling demand being associated with a demand to cool the thermal source; determining a preliminary thermofluidic property objective value based on the cooling demand; determining a final thermofluidic property objective value based on the preliminary thermofluidic property objective value and one or more thermofluidic property objective value thresholds, wherein the final thermofluidic property objective value relates to a target thermofluidic property of the working fluid at a control location within the vapour-compression system; and controlling at least one of the compressor and the expansion device based on the final thermofluidic property objective value.

Abstract: A real time assay monitoring system and method can be used to monitor reagent volume in assays for fluid replenishment control, monitor assays in real-time to obtain quality control information, monitor assays in real-time during development to detect saturation levels that can be used to shorten assay time, and provide assay results before the assay is complete, enabling reflex testing to begin automatically. The monitoring system can include a real time imaging system with a camera and lights to capture images of the assay. The captured images can then be used to monitor and control the quality of the staining process in an assay, provide early assay results, and/or to measure the on-site reagent volume within the assay.

Abstract: In some implementations, a system includes a set of servers configured to establish a set of virtual machines to provide a computing environment; a set of compute express link (CXL) interface components configured to communicate with the set of servers via a set of CXL interconnects; and a controller configured to at least one of: encrypt protocol data against a CXL interposer security threat associated with the set of CXL interconnects or a malicious extension security threat, provide a secure handshake verification of an identity of the set of CXL interface components, enforce a chain of trust rooted in hardware of the set of CXL interface components; restrict access to an area of memory of the set of CXL interface components that stores security data for verified or secured processes; or perform a security check and set up a set of security features of the set of CXL interface components.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing inventory at a retail facility include an image capture device having a field of view that includes a product display shelf of the retail facility, an electronic database that stores a planogram of product display shelves at the retail facility and a computing device. The computing device obtains an image of a product display shelf, detects the individual packages of each of the different products captured in the image, defines different product display areas for the different products on the product display shelf captured in the image, and generates virtual boundary lines that surround each of the defined product display areas. The computing device also determines an identity of a product contained located in each defined product display area, and associates the virtual boundary lines surrounding each defined product display area with an identifier unique to the product contained in the defined product display area.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods related to security management for a ferroelectric memory device are described. An example method can include receiving, at a memory controller and from a host, a command and firmware data. The memory controller can manage a non-volatile memory device, such as a ferroelectric memory device, and the host and the memory controller can communicate using a compute express link (CXL) protocol. The command can be executed to update firmware stored on the non-volatile memory device. The method can further include accessing a first public key from the non-volatile memory device. The method can further include validating the first public key with a second public key within the firmware data. The method can further include validating the firmware data. The method can further include verifying a security version of the firmware data. The method can further include updating the non-volatile memory device with the firmware data.

Abstract: An electronic indication of a nil pick is received. Item information associated with the desired product, sales data concerning the desired product, supply chain information associated with the desired product, and a perpetual inventory (PI) value of the desired product are stored. An adjustment to the PI of the desired product is blocked when a predetermined event occurs at the retail store, or when information that contradicts the validity of the nil pick is received from the retail store. When the adjustment to the PI of the desired product is not blocked, an amount of the adjustment is determined based upon one or more of: the item information associated with the product, the sales data concerning the product, and the supply chain information associated with the desired product.

Abstract: An elevated colander facilitates separating a mixture of solids and fluid while reducing risk of contamination of the solids from backsplash than traditional methods and devices. The colander may be placed into a larger receptacle (e.g., sink) from which fluid may be disposed, and a mixture of solids and fluids may be poured into the colander to isolate the solids from the fluids. Fluids entering the colander may escape through a plurality of holes in outer walls of the colander and spill into the larger receptacle. A lower ring and bottom surface of the elevated colander below the outer walls may each prevent a measure of backsplash from reentering the colander, thereby minimizing contamination of the solids from the larger receptacle. A support structure extending from the bottom surface may elevate the colander and its contents above pooling fluid accumulating below.

Abstract: A control panel comprising a display configured to display a quick response (QR) code, and a processing circuit having a processor and a memory having computer-executable instructions embodied therein that, when executed by the processor cause the processing circuit to perform operations. The operations comprise receiving, from a plurality of systems associated with a building, building data, and encoding the QR code based on the building data such that the QR code changes responsive to changes in the building data, wherein the changes in the QR cause the QR code to provide different interfaces or applications when scanned by a user device.

Abstract: Microbiota restoration therapy compositions and methods for manufacturing, processing, and/or delivering microbiota restoration therapy compositions are disclosed. An example method for manufacturing a microbiota restoration therapy composition may include collecting a human fecal sample and adding a diluent to the human fecal sample to form a diluted sample. The diluent may include a cryoprotectant. The method may also include mixing the diluted sample with a mixing apparatus and filtering the diluted sample. Filtering may form a filtrate. The method may also include transferring the filtrate to a sample bag and sealing the sample bag.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an aircraft includes a first gas turbine engine, one or more first electric machines, first thermal bus and heat exchanger. The first thermal bus includes a first heat transfer fluid in a closed loop flow sequence, between the first gas turbine engine, or each first electric machine, and the first heat exchanger. Waste heat energy transfers to the first heat transfer fluid. The first heat exchanger configures to transfer waste heat energy from the first heat transfer fluid to a dissipation medium. During steady-state operation of the first gas turbine engine, the first heat transfer fluid entering the first heat exchanger has a temperature of TFLUID(° C.), and a temperature of an inlet air flow entering the first gas turbine engine has a temperature TAIR(° C.) and a ratio B is in a range of between 5.0-18.0.

Abstract: A swinging playground device includes a swing platform. The swinging playground device also includes a skirt coupled to the swinging platform and fills an area below the swinging platform as the swinging platform moves in a swinging motion.

Abstract: The present application provides fibers made from recombinant hagfish intermediate filament proteins. Methods of expressing and purifying the proteins, and methods of creating the fibers, are likewise disclosed. The method of purifying protein yields larger quantities of hagfish protein than have been previously achieved, and the fibers have the highest mechanical properties yet recorded for recombinant hagfish protein fibers.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful for a retail facility to maintain information regarding product location, in part, from correlating a shopper's cart path and their purchased items with those of other shoppers. In some approaches, the methods and apparatuses may determine a cart path for a particular shopping cart by analyzing aisle markers captured by an image capturing device in the shopping cart, associate that cart path with the purchased items from that shopping cart, and compare the associated cart path and purchased items with similar information from other customers. In some examples, by comparing the associated cart paths and purchased items form a plurality of customers, an aisle location of one of the retail items is identified and the database of aisle locations and retail items may be updated accordingly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling electronic shelf labels are disclosed. Product data identifying at least one product and a price of the at least one product and layout data of a physical environment including locations of one or more shelves, a respective shelf location of the at least one product, and coordinates of a plurality of electronic shelf labels is received. Coordinates for a first electronic shelf label associated with the respective shelf location is determined. A first emitter of a plurality of emitters that is capable of communicating with the first electronic shelf label is determined and positioned to direct a signal to the coordinates of the first electronic shelf label to establish a link with only the first electronic shelf label. A portion of the product data is transmitted via the signal, which causes the first electronic shelf label to display the portion of the product data.

Abstract: A support assembly may be configured for connections with, adjustment along, and removal from a track assembly. The support assembly may include a support member and/or an electrical connector. The electrical connector may be adjustably connected to the support member and adjustable to a first position and a second position relative to the support member. The electrical connector may include a first contact configured to engage a first conductor of said track assembly. The first contact may be engageable with said first conductor when the electrical connector is in the first position. The electrical connector may be configured such that the first contact is disposed at a distance from said first conductor when the electrical connector is in the second position. The first contact may be movably connected to the electrical connector such that the first contact is movable relative to the electrical connector and the support member.

Abstract: Apparatus. methods. and systems for heat treatment of solid materials utilizing an indirect rotary calciner comprising one or more thermal expansion tolerant inner tubes fixed to an outer rotating shell. for example. by one or more resilient support members. The described methods of thermal treatment may be particularly utilized with cement and lime production processes and/or other heat treatment applications. such as pyrolysis.

Abstract: A knife sharpening device is provided having a knife sharpening assembly with first and second grinding wheels. A robotic arm is actuable to grip and draw a knife to be sharpened along a sharpening pathway running between the to grinding wheels. A digital camera may be employed to capture digital images of the knife to be sharpened which are communicated to a computer running software to compare the digital image to a database of knife images and adjust the speed of the grinding wheels to predetermined levels of a knife image matching with the digital image.

Abstract: An expandable spinal implant configured for positioning within a space between adjacent vertebral bodies includes an upper body, a lower body, a ratchet mechanism, and a plurality of bone screws. The upper body and lower body are pivotably affixed at a first end and are capable of movement relative to each other. The ratchet mechanism is slidably disposed on one of the upper and lower body and is capable of engaging the opposite one of the upper and lower body thereby permitting movement of the upper and lower body relative to each other in a first direction, but not in a second direction. An insertion instrument capable of being attached to the expandable spinal instrument and a method of performing spinal surgery is also disclosed.