Abstract: An automated trailer coupling arrangement includes a receiver member fixed to a towed vehicle and including pneumatic and electrical couplers, a shuttle member including pneumatic and electrical couplers, a control arm assembly supported on a towing vehicle and including a carrier member configured to operably couple and uncouple with the shuttle member, and an actuator coupled to the carrier member configured to move the carrier member between a first position where the carrier member is coupled with the shuttle member and the shuttle member is spaced from the receiver member, and a second position where the pneumatic and electrical couplers are respectively coupled and the carrier member is uncoupled and spaced from the shuttle member, wherein the control arm is configured to move a vertical and horizontal directions as the carrier member is moved between the first and second positions.

Abstract: Thermal imaging systems can include an infrared camera module (200), a user interface (208), a processor (222), and a memory. The memory can include instructions to cause the processor (222) to perform a method upon a detected actuation from the user interface (208). The method can include performing a non-uniformity correction (1702) to reduce or eliminate fixed pattern noise from infrared image data from the infrared camera module (200). The method can include capturing infrared images (1704) at a plurality of times and register the captured images via a stabilization process (1706). The registered, non-uniformity corrected images can be used to perform a gas imaging process (1700). A processor (222) can be configured to compare an apparent background temperature in each of a plurality of regions of infrared image data to a target gas temperature. The processor (222) can determine if such regions lack sufficient contrast to reliably observe the target gas.

Abstract: Disclosed are support-activators and catalyst compositions comprising the support-activators for polymerizing olefins in which the support-activator includes clay heteroadduct, prepare from a colloidal phyllosilicate such as a colloidal smectite clay, which is chemically-modified with a heterocoagulation agent. By limiting the amount of heterocoagulation reagent relative to the colloidal smectite clay as described herein, the smectite heteroadduct support-activator is a porous and amorphous solid which can be readily isolated from the resulting slurry by a conventional filtration process, and which can activate metallocenes and related catalysts toward olefin polymerization. Related compositions and processes are disclosed.

Abstract: Ventilation methods and devices are disclosed. The described methods and devices can be used for treating respiratory diseases. More in particular, the teachings of the disclosure relate to methods and devices to treat victims of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Embedded control software managing various functionalities of the disclosed ventilators is also presented.

Abstract: Methods and devices for blending of fluids are disclosed. A fluid blender has a fluid inlet to receive a fluid, a nozzle with a convergent shape tapering down towards a nozzle end, a mixing chamber with holes arranged on a wall, and a mixture outlet having a divergent shape. In some aspects, a rotary sleeve is externally placed around the wall. The rotary sleeve has slits with a variable shape along its lateral extension. In other aspects the fluid blender has inlet tubes with check valves and a blending tube. An inlet tube has an adjustable orifice to adjust flow inside the blender.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for detecting cancer in a subject and measuring the effectiveness of a cancer treatment. In certain embodiments, the invention includes assessing the level of unshielded RN7SL1 RNA in a sample from a subject.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices supporting configurable resistivities for lines in a memory device, such as access lines in a memory array are described. For example, metal lines at different levels of a memory device may be oxidized to different extents in order for the lines at different levels of the memory device to have different resistivities. This may allow the resistivity of lines to be tuned on a level-by-level basis without altering the fabrication techniques and related parameters used to initially form the lines at the different levels, which may have benefits related to at least reduced cost and complexity. Lines may be oxidized to a controlled extent using either a dry or wet process.

Abstract: Exemplary sample processing methods are described that include providing an initial sample to a sample processing system. The sample processing system includes a light-emitting-diode, a temperature control unit, and a fluid supply unit. The methods also include irradiating the initial sample with light emitted from the light-emitting-diode to produce an irradiated sample. The methods may still further include adjusting a temperature of the irradiated sample with the temperature control unit to between 0° C. and 60° C., and contacting the irradiated sample with a fluid from the fluid supply unit. The irradiated sample has a reduction in auto-fluorescence of greater than or about 50% compared to the initial sample. Exemplary sample processing systems are also described that include a light-emitting-diode, a temperature control unit, and a fluid supply unit.

Abstract: Diffuser apparatus for turbine frames and outlet guide vanes are disclosed. An example diffuser is integrated into a turbine engine. The example diffuser includes a plurality of struts extending between an inner portion and an outer portion of the turbine engine; and a plurality of flowpath surfaces supported by the plurality of struts. The example plurality of flowpath surfaces extends circumferentially within the turbine engine at a plurality of radial spans to control diffusion of air flow within the turbine engine.

Abstract: An automated trailer coupling arrangement includes a receiver member supported on a towed vehicle and including pneumatic and electrical couplers, a shuttle member including pneumatic and electrical couplers configured to couple to pneumatic and electrical supply sources and a control arm assembly supported on a towing vehicle and including a carrier member configured to operably couple and uncouple with the shuttle member, and an actuator coupled to the carrier member configured to move the carrier between a first position where the carrier member is coupled with the shuttle member and the shuttle member is spaced from the receiver member, and a second position where the second pneumatic coupler is coupled with the first pneumatic coupler and the second electrical coupler is coupled with the first electrical coupler and the carrier is uncoupled and spaced from the shuttle member.

Abstract: A plug for insertion into a blast-tube exit cavity of a gun-blast diffuser comprises a plug front surface, a plug rear surface, a plug side surface that extends between the plug front surface and the plug rear surface, a body, comprising a polyurethane foam, and a substrate, coupled to the body and comprising a conductive nonwoven fabric, impregnated with a polyurethane matrix. The plug front surface of the plug is formed by the substrate. The plug rear surface of the plug is formed by the body. The plug side surface of the plug is formed by the substrate and the body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery system comprising a battery pack having a plurality of cells, each of the plurality of cells each having a cell temperature; a battery management system coupled to the battery pack and designed to obtain temperature plurality of temperatures from the battery pack wherein the battery management system is configured to output a single battery pack temperature value. Further disclosed is a battery system comprising a battery pack having a plurality of cells, each of the plurality of cells each having a cell state of charge; a battery management system coupled to the battery pack and designed to obtain a plurality of state of charges from the battery pack, wherein the battery management system is configured to output a single battery pack state of charge value.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated DNA vectors comprising a heterologous gene, wherein the DNA vector is devoid of bacterial plasmid DNA and/or bacterial signatures, which can abrogate persistence in vivo. The invention also features pharmaceutical compositions (non-immunogenic pharmaceutical compositions) including the DNA vectors of the invention, which can be used for induction of long-term, episomal expression of a heterologous gene in a subject. The invention involves methods of treating a subject by administering the DNA vectors of the invention, including methods of treating disorders associated with a defect in a target gene.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated DNA vectors comprising a heterologous gene, wherein the DNA vector is devoid of bacterial plasmid DNA and/or bacterial signatures, which can abrogate persistence in vivo. The invention also features pharmaceutical compositions (non-immunogenic pharmaceutical compositions) including the DNA vectors of the invention, which can be used for induction of long-term, episomal expression of a heterologous gene in a subject. The invention involves methods of treating a subject by administering the DNA vectors of the invention, including methods of treating disorders associated with a defect in a target gene.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for producing high quality images in uncontrolled or impaired environments. In some examples of the disclosed technology, groups of cameras for high dynamic range (HDR), polarization diversity, and optional other diversity modes are arranged to concurrently image a common scene. For example, in a vehicle checkpoint application, HDR provides discernment of dark objects inside a vehicle, while polarization diversity aids in rejecting glare. Spectral diversity, infrared imaging, and active illumination can be applied for better imaging through a windshield. Preprocessed single-camera images are registered and fused. Faces or other features of interest can be detected in the fused image and identified in a library. Impairments can include weather, insufficient or interfering lighting, shadows, reflections, window glass, occlusions, or moving objects.

Abstract: The present application thus provides a beverage dispensing system for combining a micro-ingredient and a diluent. The beverage dispensing system may include a nozzle and a remote micro-ingredient storage system positioned at a distance from the nozzle. The remote micro-ingredient storage system may include a stirring reservoir in communication with the nozzle to agitate the micro-ingredient therein.