Abstract: Techniques for determining an error model associated with a system/subsystem of vehicle controller are discussed herein. To determine whether a complex system (which may be uninspectable) is able to operate safely, errors can be introduced into operating regimes (scenarios) to validate the safe operation of such a system. By comparing captured and/or generated vehicle data with ground truth data, an error of the system can be statistically quantified and modeled. The statistical model can be used to introduce errors to the scenario to perturb the scenario to test, for example, a vehicle controller. Based on a simulation of the vehicle controlled in the perturbed scenario, a safety metric associated with the vehicle controller can be determined, as well as causes for any failures.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for augmenting the 3 dimensional position information obtained from the NAVSTAR satellite-based global positioning system (“GPS”) system. Such systems can be impacted by physical obstacles that prevent the receipt of the satellite signals or as a result of sun spot activity that introduces noise into the signals thus causing them to become intermittently unavailable and/or making them less accurate in the course of normal operation. Therefore, an improved positioning solution that can operate under such poor GPS operational conditions is needed. The apparatus and method of the invention augments GPS with dead reckoning techniques when GPS signals are unavailable or inaccurate. The apparatus and method of the invention demonstrates highest value when applied to blasthole drill positioning applications in open-pit mines.

Abstract: Two devices can be connected for communication by a wireless connection, where those devices will function as master and slave devices with respect to that connection. A slave device to a connection can perform changes to the connection on behalf of an application, subsystem, or other such source on either the slave device or a master device. These changes can include changes to connection parameter values, or can include state changes such as to perform a disconnect action. Enabling the slave device to perform these actions can help to bypass any restrictions that would otherwise prevent these actions being performed from a master device to the connection.

Abstract: Two devices can be connected for communication by a wireless connection, where those devices will function as master and slave devices with respect to that connection. A slave device to a connection can perform changes to the connection on behalf of an application, subsystem, or other such source on either the slave device or a master device. These changes can include changes to connection parameter values, or can include state changes such as to perform a disconnect action. Enabling the slave device to perform these actions can help to bypass any restrictions that would otherwise prevent these actions being performed from a master device to the connection.

Abstract: A cleaning and/or disinfecting composition comprising: at least one carboxylic acid; at least one alkali metal halide salt; and at least one antibacterial compound is disclosed. The composition can be used to clean and/or disinfect a surface or water system.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for conversion and restoration of computer environments to container-based implementations. In some implementations, an archive of configuration data for a server system is obtained, where the server system includes at least one application. A set of multiple software images is generated, where the multiple software images are generated such that they divide the functionality of at least one application among the respective containers. In generating the set of multiple software images, settings of the at least one application are identified based on the configuration data in the archive, a subset of the settings is selected for each of the software images, and the selected subsets of settings are converted into converted subsets of settings for the respective software images.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for container-based server environments. In some implementations, a server environment is provided using a plurality of containers that provide instances of different software modules. The plurality of containers includes a first container running a first software image of a particular software module. Various operations can be performed in response to determining that an updated software image is available for the particular software module. For example, execution is started for a second container that provides an instance of the updated software image. Incoming requests are to the second container while continuing to process, using the first container, one or more requests that were received before starting execution of the second container. In response to determining that a level of activity of the first container is below a threshold, the execution of the first container is stopped.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for integration of containers with external elements. In some implementations, a server environment is provided using one or more containers. The one or more containers include a first container that is an instance of a software image for an application or service. The first container is run such that the first container performs various operations. For example, access to one or more external elements that reside outside of the software image is initiated. Based on the one or more external elements, a configuration of the first container is changed from what is provided by the software image.

Abstract: A data store may implement dynamic query predicates for processing queries. Query predicate indexes may be maintained for individual storage locations in a data store. The query predicate indexes may indicate data values not stored in the storage location that satisfy a query predicate in the query predicate index. The query predicate index may be populated when queries are received at the data store which include new query predicates. When queries are received that include query predicates that correspond to query predicates in the query predicate index, the index values for each of the storage locations may be evaluated. Based, at least in part, on the evaluation, particular storage locations may be identified to read for servicing the queries.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides a combustion system which comprising: a cowl; a deflector configurated to include a ring body, a plurality of swirlers integrated on the ring body and a plurality of arms integrally extending outward from the ring body; an annular inner liner attached with the cowl; and an annular outer liner attached with the cowl. The deflector is positioned between the inner liner and the outer liner; the deflector, the inner liner and the outer line define a combustion chamber thereamong. The deflector is attached to the cowl via the plurality of arms, but the arms are rigid enough to work together to fix the deflector with the cowl while allowing for thermal expansion flexibility therebetween at the same time.

Abstract: A combustor includes an outer liner, an inner liner, an annular cowl joining upstream ends of the outer and inner liners, and an annular deflector configured to shield the cowl from hot combustion gases in a combustion chamber defined between the outer liner, the inner liner and the deflector. The cowl has at least one opening for introduction of fuel and compressed air. The deflector includes at least one swirler. The cowl defines at least one axial cowl hole, and the deflector defines at least one corresponding axial deflector hole, wherein the corresponding deflector hole and cowl hole are configured to receive a fastener for fastening together the cowl and the deflector.

Abstract: Aspects described herein relate a computer system detecting an unusual activity event from activity data and sending a two-way notification message to a wireless device when a user has opt-in for a mobile application. The two-way push notification message is received at a wireless device and notification information is displayed at the wireless device outside the mobile application. The user selects one of the displayed action buttons to indicate whether the unusual activity event is valid or invalid. When a response to the computer system indicates that the unusual activity is valid, the computer system clears the inquiry and sends a subsequent push notification message to the wireless device informing the user. When the response indicates that the unusual activity is invalid, the computer system and the wireless device may establish an interaction through the mobile application in order to resolve the unusual activity event.

Abstract: An article with a hollow body defined by a wall with an inner surface and an outer surface. The wall is comprised of 2 or more layers including a first skin layer with effect pigments and an opaque core. In some examples, the effect pigment can be a special effect pigment adapted to produce at least one interference color.

Abstract: A portable pill dispenser is disclosed herein. The portable pill dispenser includes a container configured to house at least one pill therein. The container is attachable to a housing, which comprises a dispensing opening. A dispensing mechanism, a ramp, and a control panel are disposed within the housing. The dispensing mechanism is configured to dispense the at least one pill from the container to the dispensing opening. The ramp is configured to direct the at least one pill to the dispensing mechanism. A verification mechanism is disposed about the housing. The verification mechanism is configured to activate the dispensing mechanism. The control panel is in electrical communication with the dispensing mechanism and the verification mechanism.

Abstract: A tool facilitates removal of a splice used to serially connect lengths of cable into an electrical power line. The tool has an elongated slide of semi-circular cross-section with outer and inner diameters suited to saddle the cable and snugly enter into an open end of the splice and into abutment against a spring-biased split-ring vise grip in the splice. With the leading end of the tool butted against the spring-biased vise grip, application of manual force to a handle on the trailing end of the tool drives the vise grip to compress its biasing spring, expanding the vise-grip and releasing the cable for removal from the vise grip and the splice without damaging the splice or cutting the cables connected to the splice.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment device including a vessel having an inlet for receiving an influent stream, a grit outlet and a floating-matter outlet; a separator disposed within the vessel, wherein the separator comprises a tray assembly connected to the inlet and the grit outlet, the tray assembly including a plurality of nested tray units which define a separator axis and are spaced apart from one another along the separator axis, each tray unit having a substantially conical tray aligned along the separator axis and an aperture in the tray disposed at the separator axis and in communication with the grit outlet, wherein the wastewater treatment device further includes a spray nozzle configured to deliver a jet of fluid towards a surface of water within the vessel, wherein the spray nozzle is angled towards the direction of the floating-matter outlet to force floating matter accumulated on the surface of the water towards and out of the outlet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing and quantifying the environmental impact on a mechanical component are provided. In one embodiment, a method can include receiving one or more first set(s) of data from one or more first data acquisition system(s) configured to communicate with an onboard system of an aircraft. The method can further include receiving one or more second sets of data from one or more second data acquisition systems that are remote from the aircraft. The method can include determining an aggregate amount of the environmental condition experienced by a mechanical component of the aircraft based at least in part on the first sets of data and the second sets of data. The method can include predicting a level of distress associated with the mechanical component based at least in part on the aggregate amount of the environmental condition experienced by the mechanical component.

Abstract: A compressible and resilient sexual aid device has a module. The module has a rim, a neck, a base, and an aperture. The neck has a first end and a second end. The rim is connected to the first end. The base is connected to the second end. The aperture extends from the rim through the neck and through the base. The rim has a first diameter. The neck has a second diameter. The base has a third diameter. The first diameter is greater than the second diameter. The third diameter is greater than the first diameter and the second diameter. The module is compressible and resilient. Additional modules may be added to the device according to a user's preference.

Abstract: A switchblade includes a casing having first and second ends and a cavity. A blade has a cutting edge with a retracted position in which the cutting edge is inside the cavity and a deployed position in which the cutting edge extends outside of the cavity from the first end. A spring is operably connected to the blade to bias the blade to the deployed position. A lock at the first end has a hold position that engages with the blade to prevent movement of the blade with respect to the casing and a release position that permits movement of the blade with respect to the casing. An actuator at the second end extends through at least a portion of the casing. A lever connects the actuator to the lock so that the actuator can reposition the lock between the hold position and the release position.

Abstract: Computer-readable media and related methods for semantic slide autolayouts are disclosed. A processor is configured to display a default layout of a presentation slide within a graphical user interface (GUI). The default layout includes a text field and an asset field. The text field is configured to receive text to be displayed in the presentation slide, and the asset field is configured to receive digital assets to be displayed in the presentation slide. The processor is also configured to automatically determine an intent to emphasize the text or the digital assets within the presentation slide, and automatically reformat the presentation slide to emphasize the text or the digital assets based on the determined intent.