Abstract: Aspects of the technology disclosed herein relate to methods for preparing and analyzing nucleic acids. In some embodiments, methods for preparing nucleic acids for sequence analysis (e.g., using next-generation sequencing) are provided herein.

Abstract: A module support system for a vehicle including exterior paneling defining an interior and exterior of the vehicle, and a frame disposed in the interior of the vehicle, the module support system including a first casting mounted on the frame, where the first casting extends outward from the frame, through the exterior paneling, to the exterior of the vehicle such that the first casting includes an interior portion disposed within the interior of the vehicle and mounted on the frame, and an exterior portion extending outward from the exterior of the vehicle. The module support system includes a first electronic device supported on the exterior portion of the first casting, and a cover fixed with the exterior portion of the first casting such that the cover is disposed over the first electronic device and the exterior portion of the first casting with respect to an external environment.

Abstract: A mounting device for an elongate member, comprising: an elongate housing having an elongate axis; an internal passageway passing through the elongate housing parallel to the elongate axis; an elongate sleeve located within the internal passageway and being configured for longitudinal movement along the passageway; a plurality of ball-receiving recesses in the wall of the internal passageway, each recess having a ball-guiding surface inclined to the longitudinal axis; a plurality of apertures in the sleeve; a ball located in each of the ball-receiving recesses and engaged with a respective aperture in the sleeve, the balls and the apertures being configured to allow the balls to project partially through the apertures but to prevent balls from passing through; biasing means configured to bias the sleeve in a direction to urge the balls to project radially inwardly through their respective apertures in the sleeve and into the internal passageway.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for distributing the performance of speech recognition among a remote control device and a voice platform in the cloud. In some embodiments, the remote control device operates to receive a voice input from a user. The remote control device detects a trigger word in the voice input. The remote control device then processes the voice input. The remote control device then transmits the voice input to a voice platform based on the detecting in order to determine an intent associated with the voice input.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel a high-volume swelling hydrogel which comprises a plurality of pores which are defined by an interpenetrating network, and/or a semi-interpenetrating network and/or simple cross-linked arrangement of a plurality of one or more species of hydrophilic polymers, optionally together with one or more biocompatible polymers and optionally together with one or more plasticising agents, characterised in that at least some of the pores are at least partially collapsed and/or flattened, and further characterised in that the interpenetrating network and/or semi-interpenetrating network and/or cross-linked arrangement which defines the collapsed and/or flattened pores is substantially unbroken. The invention also relates to a process for preparing such hydrogels, and to their use as an appetite suppressant.

Abstract: Various embodiments for customizing a user interface based on user capabilities are described herein. An embodiment operates by determining a biometric of a user representing a characteristic of a finger size of the user based on an interaction performed by the user. It is determined that the biometric of the user indicates an ability of the user to navigate a user interface with one or more different features based on an ability of the user to interact with at least one existing feature of the user interface. Based on the determined biometric an identity of the user is determined. The determined identity of the user is verified by performing one or more verification actions subsequent to the determining the identity of the user. The user interface is customized, one or more different features corresponding to the finger size of the user are displayed.

Abstract: A duct stringer forms at least part of a duct with a closed cross-section which is adapted to transport fluid. The duct stringer has a duct wall and a female bayonet fitting in the duct wall. The female bayonet fitting is configured to engage with a male bayonet fitting on a fluid transporting conduit to connect the fluid transporting conduit with the duct.

Abstract: A battery stack includes a plurality of battery management system (BMS) nodes and a controller. Each BMS node includes a battery, an isolation switch configured to selectably isolate the battery of the BMS node from the batteries of the other BMS nodes, and a bypass switch configured to selectably provide a path for electrical current flowing through the battery stack to bypass the battery of the BMS node. The batteries of the BMS nodes are electrically coupled in series. The controller is configured to control the isolation switch and the bypass switch of each BMS node such that the battery of each BMS node can be individually connected to and disconnected from an electrical power source/sink.

Abstract: Techniques for parking space light are provided. A parking space light can identify, via one or more instruments of the parking space light, a set of parking spaces in a defined region of a parking structure in which the parking space light is installed, monitor, via the one or more instruments, the set of parking spaces, and determine respective occupied statuses of parking spaces of the set of parking spaces, wherein the respective occupied statuses indicate whether the parking spaces are occupied or unoccupied.

Abstract: The technology described herein is directed to methods of determining oligonucleotide sequences, e.g. by enriching target sequences prior to sequencing the sequences.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to fusion protein compositions and methods of reducing and treating viral infections. The fusion proteins include a polypeptide comprising a b1 domain, or a derivative or fragment thereof, of a neuropilin; an ACE2 domain, or a derivative or a fragment thereof, of an angiotensin converting enzyme 2; and or an immunoglobulin domain. Both the b1 and ACE2 domains are capable of binding to a coat protein of a virus selected from the group consisting of herpesviridae, papillomaviridae, coronaviridae, flaviviridae, togaviridae, bomaviridae, bunyaviridae, filoviridae, orthomyxoviridae, paramyxoviridae, pneumoviridae, and retro viridae. In some embodiments, the b1 domain, or a derivative or fragment thereof, and/or the (ACE2) domain, can be used to specifically bind S proteins of COVID-19 particles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dynamic backup battery for updating the firmware of a media device. The media device includes a memory device that is electrically coupled to a port. The port of the media device is configured to receive a first power. The media device also includes a battery that is electrically coupled to the port and is configured to supply a second power to the port. The media device includes a processor electrically coupled to the battery and is configured to monitor the power level of the first power received and based on the power level of the first power received falling below a threshold value, the battery supplies a second power to the port of the media device. The processor is further configured to activate a low power mode, detect an event while in low power mode, deactivate low power mode, perform a task, and reactivate low power mode.

Abstract: Techniques for creating, configuring, and employing diffusion light devices are presented. Such light device(s) can comprise or be associated with a light management component (LMC) that can employ sensors to monitor environmental conditions in a defined area of people or vehicles, and a diffusion component that can diffuse or otherwise process light. At a least a portion of the diffusion component and/or a light component can be formed of a fabric that can emit light and/or diffuse light. LMC can enhance function of the light device to manage diffusion of light or perform other tasks to enhance user experience and safety and security of people or vehicles. Based on results of analyzing sensor data relating to the conditions, LMC can determine and facilitate implementing an adjustment(s) to a parameter(s) of the diffusion component or light component to achieve desired emission or diffusion of light.

Abstract: A module support system for a vehicle including exterior paneling defining an interior and exterior of the vehicle, and a frame disposed in the interior of the vehicle, the module support system including a first casting mounted on the frame, where the first casting extends outward from the frame, through the exterior paneling, to the exterior of the vehicle such that the first casting includes an interior portion disposed within the interior of the vehicle and mounted on the frame, and an exterior portion extending outward from the exterior of the vehicle. The module support system includes a first electronic device supported on the exterior portion of the first casting, and a cover fixed with the exterior portion of the first casting such that the cover is disposed over the first electronic device and the exterior portion of the first casting with respect to an external environment of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for compressing hydrogen gas may include a compression stage with a water lubricated and sealed compressor, a gas-liquid separation stage, and a drying stage with an adsorption-type gas dryer. The system receives hydrogen gas via an inlet and discharges dry compressed hydrogen gas via an outlet. The system has an encapsulating vessel defining a cavity within which the separation stage and drying stage are located.

Abstract: Techniques are described for identifying and/or authenticating entities using a combination of independent identification technologies and/or platforms. In one embodiment, a system can comprising a memory that stores computer executable components and a processor that executes the computer executable components stored in the memory. The computer executable components can comprise a reception component that receives image data captured of a person, and an identification component that employs two or more independent identification technologies and/or platforms to determine an identity of the person based on the image data. In some embodiments, the two or more independent identification technologies are selected from a group consisting of: facial recognition, object recognition, text recognition, and gait recognition.

Abstract: Described methods and systems are used for in-situ impedance spectroscopy analysis of battery cells in multi-cell battery packs. Specifically, the cell impedances are determined while the pack continues to operate, such as being charged or discharged. For example, the pack voltage/power output remains unchanged while this analysis is initiated, performed, and ended. Cell impedance is determined based on the cell's response to the signal applied to the cell. For example, a current through the cell is charged while monitoring cells' voltage response. Although the power output of the changes during this testing, but the operation of the pack is not impacted due to the power compensation provided by one or more other cells in the pack thereby ensuring uninterrupted operation of the pack. This in situ testing is provided by the unique architecture of the pack, comprising multiple nodes and individual node controllers.

Abstract: Described methods and systems provide in-situ leakage current testing of battery cells in battery packs even while these packs operate. Specifically, an external electrical current is discontinued through a tested battery cell using a node controller, to which the tested battery cell is independently connected. Changes in the open circuit voltage (OCV) are then detected by the node controller for a set period time. Any voltage change, associated with taking the tested cell offline, is compensated by one or more other cells in the battery pack. The overall pack current and voltage remains substantially unchanged (based on the application demands), while the in-situ leakage current testing is initiated, performed, and/or completed. The OCV changes are then used to determine the leakage current of the tested cell and, in some examples, to determine the state of health of this cell and/or adjust the operating parameters of this cell.

Abstract: A fastener delivery arrangement includes a cylindrical sleeve member having first and second ends and an elongated relief extending between outer and inner walls and at least partially between the first and second ends of the sleeve member and in communication with the second end of the sleeve member and configured to receive a plurality of fasteners therethrough, a ram member having a circular cross-section and slidably movable within an interior space between a first position where the ram member is removed from covering the relief and a second position where the ram member covers the relief, a feed assembly configured to provide fasteners to the interior space, a cylinder assembly configured to actuate the ram member between the first and second positions, and a fastener receiver configured to receive the fasteners forced from the interior space of the sleeve member.

Abstract: A system and method for hierarchical arc fault monitoring in an energy storage system, where the energy storage system includes a plurality of stacks that are electrically coupled together. Each stack includes a plurality of battery management system nodes that are electrically coupled together. The method includes (1) obtaining respective electrical measurement values for each stack; (2) determining, for each stack, that the stack is free of arc faults, using the respective electrical measurement values for the stack; (3) obtaining electrical measurement values for the energy storage system; and (4) determining that the energy storage system is free of arc faults outside of the plurality of stacks, using (a) the electrical measurement values for the energy storage system and (b) a subset of the respective electrical measurement values for each stack.