Abstract: A method for producing a voltage for an electric motor of a drive of an electrical switch includes producing a DC link direct voltage from a supply voltage and producing the motor voltage by pulse-width modulation of the direct voltage. A tolerance range for changing the direct voltage is specified, and an actual value of the direct voltage is continually measured. After first measuring the actual value, it is stored in a voltage variable. After each additional measurement, it is checked whether the deviation of the actual from the stored value lies within the tolerance range. The actual value is stored if the deviation from the stored value lies outside of the tolerance range. After each storage, a duty cycle of the pulse-width modulation dependent on the actual value is calculated, and the pulse-width modulation occurs with the duty cycle. A power converter is also provided.

Abstract: Machine learning based methods for planning, execution, and reporting of clinical trials, incorporating a patient burden index are disclosed. In one aspect, there is a method for determining a patient burden index. The method includes parsing a protocol for a clinical trial. The method further includes providing factor data for each of a plurality of patients. The method further includes calculating a patient burden index for each of the plurality of patients based on the parsed protocol and the provided factor data for each of the plurality of patients.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging device may include a field generator for generating at least one magnetic gradient field. The field generator may include a first magnet and a second magnet confining an imaging volume of the magnetic resonance imaging device in two spatial directions. The first magnet and the second magnet may be arranged asymmetrically with respect to the imaging volume. The magnetic resonance imaging device may be used to perform a method for acquiring an image of a diagnostically relevant body region of a patient.

Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions and products configured for oral use, the compositions and products including a filler material, an active ingredient, and a salt component. The salt component may be present in an amount of between about 3.0% and about 4.5% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. The compositions and products as described herein may particularly exhibit a desired flavor profile.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for creating human-like non-player character (NPC) behavior with reinforcement learning (RL) are disclosed. An artificial intelligence (AI) engine creates a NPC that has seamless movement when accompanying a player controlled by a user playing a video game. The AI engine is RL-trained to stay close to the player but not get in the player's way while acting in a human-like manner. Also, the AI engine is RL-trained to evaluate the quality of information that is received over time from other AI engines and then to act on the evaluated information quality. Each AI agent is trained to evaluate the other AI agents and determine whether another AI agent is a friend or a foe. In some cases, groups of AI agents collaborate together to either help or hinder the player. The capabilities of each AI agent are independent from the capabilities of other AI agents.

Abstract: A flag shape contact includes a substrate, and a plug-in structure for receiving a mating contact. The plug-in structure extends from the substrate in a first direction. A riveting structure is provided for riveting or connecting a wire conductor to the contact. The riveting structure extends from the substrate in a second direction, distinct from the first direction. The riveting structure is disposed outside an extension area of the plug-in structure in the first direction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selection of memory devices in a distributed storage network. In an example, a computing device receives a data object for storage and selects a set of storage nodes of a plurality of sets of storage nodes for storing the data object. Selection of the set of storage nodes includes determining storage attributes associated with each set of storage nodes of the plurality of sets of storage nodes. Selection of the set of storage nodes additionally includes determining a storage preference associated with the data object, and comparing the storage preference with the storage attributes of the plurality of sets of storage nodes to determine a best match. Following selection of a set of storage nodes, the computing device facilitates storage of the data object in the selected set of storage nodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an input device comprising: a touch-sensitive input surface facing towards an operator (B); a detection device for the spatially resolved detection of an approach towards and touch on the touch-sensitive input surface having a sensor array for capacitive and/or inductive detection, which extends parallel to the input surface; an input part, which is disposed on the input surface and mounted so as to be movable from a rest position (X0) into an actuation position (XE) along an actuating direction (B1) extending perpendicularly to the input surface, for enabling a performance of an operating input by the operator (B) through a manual displacement of the input part along the actuating direction (B1); a position indicator for contactless position detection, which is attached to the input part and cooperates with the detection device; restoring means for generating a restoring force (F) with snap haptics counteracting the manual shifting from the rest position (X0); wherein the detection d

Abstract: A thermal oxidizer employing an oxidation mixer, an oxidation chamber, a retention chamber and a heat dissipater forming a fluid flow path for thermal oxidation of a waste gas. In operation, the oxidation mixer facilitates a combustible mixture of the waste gas and an oxidant into an combustible waste gas stream, the oxidation chamber facilitates a primary combustion reaction of the combustible waste gas stream into an oxygenated waste gas stream, the retention chamber facilitates a secondary combustion reaction of the oxygenated waste gas stream into oxidized gases and the heat dissipator reduces the temperature of the flow of oxidized gases within the heat dissipator, which is communicated to a greenhouse gas processor that extracts greenhouse gas(es) from the vaporized oxidized gases. The greenhouse gas processor may condensate the greenhouse gas(es), acid neutralize the condensation of the greenhouse gas(es), and capture the acid neutralization of the condensation of the greenhouse gas(es).

Abstract: An arrow gun is provided having a controllable retention force on the arrow. By setting the retention force on the arrow, increased energy from motive compressed gas can be imparted to the arrow. The arrow gun also includes a damping coupling for reducing vibration of an unsupported length of the barrel.

Abstract: A composition is provided, the composition including a binder system in an amount of at least about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, and at least one active ingredient and/or flavoring agent. The binder system includes at least one thermoplastic binding material and at least one plasticizer. The composition is typically substantially free of unbleached tobacco material, excluding any nicotine component present.

Abstract: A method for reducing image burn-in artifacts in an electrophotographic printing system, includes receiving a print job including image data for a set of pages to be printed. The pages are analyzed to determine that the image data for a sequence of pages in the print job are similar. The similar pages are printed using a pattern of lateral translations wherein the image data is laterally translated such that it is printed at a different lateral position on the printed page.

Abstract: An aerosol provision device includes a housing delimiting a first opening at a first end of the housing through which to receive aerosol generating material and delimiting a second opening at a second end of the housing. A chamber is positioned between the second opening and the first opening, wherein at least part of the chamber is configured to receive the aerosol generating material. At least one heater is arranged within the housing and configured to heat aerosol generating material received within the chamber thereby to generate an aerosol. An absorbent material for absorbing liquid is provided.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a sensor system and is configured to perform a control method to reduce the power consumption during transportation, for example by aircraft. According to the control method, the electronic device evaluates sensor data from the sensor system for detection of a first condition that indicates that a specific mode of transport of the electronic device has begun; switches the electronic device from a first state to the second state upon detection of the first condition; obtains a predicted time to arrival at a destination; performs a status check at a selected time point in relation to the predicted time of arrival, for detection of an arrival of the electronic device at the destination; and switches the electronic device from the second state to the first state upon detection of the arrival.

Abstract: A method for determining the roadway plane in the surrounding area of a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a stereo camera system for capturing stereo images of the surrounding area of the vehicle and an artificial neural network for processing the image information provided by the stereo camera system, wherein the neural network determines disparity information of the surrounding area of the vehicle, wherein, on the basis of the disparity information, distance information is calculated which contains information regarding the distance of the objects displayed on the image information from the stereo camera system or the vehicle, wherein roadway distance information is extracted from the distance information, wherein the roadway plane is determined on the basis of the roadway distance information.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for disseminating network service-specific mapping information across administrative domains In one example, a network device receives an indication of a route target and one or more underlay tunnels configured to support a service route. The service route is configured to transport network traffic associated with a first network service of a plurality of network services. The network device defines, based on the indication, a first transport class of a plurality of transport classes. The network device receives a service route for the first network service and stores a correspondence between the service route and the first transport class. The network device receives network traffic associated with the first network service and forwards, based on the correspondence, the network traffic along the underlay tunnels specified by the first transport class.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are directed to configuring an analyzer apparatus for processing a particular sample-processing cartridge. The analyzer apparatus includes a portable container and sample-specific configuration circuitry. The portable container supports and integrates a sample-processing cartridge and the sample-specific configuration circuitry. The sample-specific configuration circuitry identifies configuration information specific to the sample-processing cartridge and configures the analyzer apparatus for a series of state configurations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for localized pseudo-continuous ASL (pCASL) of arterial blood local multi-coil arrays in an MRI system allow a series of pulses to selectively label blood with an on-resonance magnetic field in one or more arteries in a labeling plane while masking blood in others with an off-resonance magnetic field. This allows perfusion imaging and is well suited for imaging of cerebral blood flow.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessment of one or more suspected conditions of an individual that include receiving collaborative identification data pertaining to features of a suspected condition and subject-specific phenomena of presentation, selecting target phenomena, receiving quantitative hypotheses for the target phenomena, defining an observation protocol comprising instructions for how the individual is to self-monitor and register observations by interaction with a portable data acquisition system, upon each occurrence of the target phenomena, directing the individual to provide the stored data upon observation of a target phenomenon during observation periods, transmitting the stored data from the portable data acquisition system to the analysis component, directing the individual to recall each observation period, completing one or more quantitative comparisons between any of the stored data, the quantitative hypotheses, and the recollection, inferring the suspected conditions, and determining a conti

Abstract: Method and devices are provided for assessing tissue samples from a plurality of tissue sites in a subject using molecular analysis. In certain aspects, devices of the embodiments allow for the collection of liquid tissue samples and delivery of the samples for mass spectrometry analysis.