Abstract: A polymer comprising one or more chalcogenide elements and one or more crosslinking moieties. The crosslinking moieties may be organic, inorganic, or both. Also disclosed is the related method for making a polymer comprising purifying a chalcogenide polymer powder comprising one or more chalcogenide elements, melting the purified chalcogenide polymer powder, adding one or more crosslinking moieties to the melted chalcogenide polymer, and curing the modified chalcogenide polymer at a temperature between 150 and 200° C.

Abstract: Methods and systems for authenticating or identifying a food source for a food product are disclosed herein. Also disclosed herein are methods and systems for detecting a contaminant in a food product. The methods comprise obtaining sequence data for a plurality of nucleic acid sequences present in a food product, identifying one or more microbial signatures, wherein the one or more microbial signatures correspond to one or more microbes present in the food product, and determining whether the one or more microbial signatures correspond to one or more microbes associated with a particular food source or a particular contaminant.

Abstract: Methods for detecting an allergen or toxigen are disclosed herein. The methods comprise obtaining sequence data for a plurality of nucleic acid sequences present in a food product; identifying one or more allergen sequences, or one or more toxigen sequences, in the sequence data, wherein the one or more allergen sequences, or one or more toxigen sequences correspond to an allergen or a toxigen present in the food sample; and detecting the presence of the allergen or the toxigen in the food product if the one or more allergen sequences, or the one or more toxigen sequences, are above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system and method of providing prime reliability of a primary fuel manifold upon failure of a primary fuel metering system by providing metered fuel from a secondary fuel metering system are provided. The system utilizes a transfer electro-hydraulic servo valve (EHSV), a discharge select valve (DSV) coupled to the EHSV, and a pair of throttling valves positioned between secondary fuel metering system and the primary and secondary fuel manifolds. The DSV has a multi-land piston that switches a control pressure and a shutoff pressure between the pair of throttling valves to transfer the supply of metered fuel of the secondary fuel metering system from the secondary fuel manifold to the primary fuel manifold. The output pressurizing valve of the failed primary fuel metering system is also closed to isolate the failed primary fuel metering system from the primary fuel manifold.

Abstract: A modular support framework for an aircraft emergency oxygen supply system, wherein the modular support framework comprises: a plurality of support bars of different lengths; and a plurality of T-connectors and a plurality of L-connectors, with each of the plurality of T-connectors coupling three of the plurality of support bars to each other and with each of the plurality of L-connectors coupling two of the plurality of support bars to each other. The plurality of support bars, the plurality of T-connectors, and the plurality of L-connectors form a support grid, defining a plurality of functional component field. In at least one of the plurality of functional component fields, a functional component support bracket is arranged, with the functional component support bracket being attached to at least one adjacent support bar of the support grid.

Abstract: Methods for synthesizing fibers having nanoparticles therein are provided, as well as preforms and fibers incorporating nanoparticles. The nanoparticles may include one or more rare earth ions selected based on fluorescence at eye-safer wavelengths, surrounded by a low-phonon energy host. Nanoparticles that are not doped with rare earth ions may also be included as a co-dopant to help increase solubility of nanoparticles doped with rare earth ions in the silica matrix. The nanoparticles may be incorporated into a preform, which is then drawn to form fiber. The fibers may beneficially be incorporated into lasers and amplifiers that operate at eye safer wavelengths. Lasers and amplifiers incorporating the fibers may also beneficially exhibit reduced Stimulated Brillouin Scattering.

Abstract: A system for seat motion planning includes a seat installable in an environment, the seat including a plurality of adjustable components, a plurality of actuators configured to move the adjustable components, and a seat controller configured to operate the plurality of actuators. The system further includes a motion planner communicatively coupled to the seat controller configured to access a seat motion plan from a plurality of seat motion plans stored in memory, access a model of the environment including at least one object affecting the seat motion plan, and modify the seat motion plan to account for the at least one object. In embodiments, the motion planner is implemented as an application executable by a processor configured to execute other, separate seat-related applications.

Abstract: A bonded optical assembly comprising infrared-transparent materials. The assembly comprises two or more infrared transparent optical elements and a polymer comprising at least one chalcogenide element and crosslinking moieties between the infrared-transparent optical elements. The crosslinking moieties may be organic, inorganic, or both.

Abstract: Multi-electrode ablation systems, methods, and controllers are described. In one example, a method of beginning an ablation procedure using a multi-electrode ablation system is described. The method includes selectively coupling the output of a power supply to a first electrode of a plurality of electrodes to increase a temperature at the first electrode to a first temperature set-point and limit a rate of increase of the temperature at the first electrode to a predetermined first rate.

Abstract: A central cabin control system comprises a central controller in operable communication with various sub-systems in an aircraft cabin. The central controller is configured to provide data of various systems to crew members and/or facilitate interactions with various passengers. The central controller is configured for operable communication with each controller disposed in the aircraft cabin.

Abstract: A universal communication device is disclosed herein. In various embodiments, the universal communication device comprises: a first fiber connector including a first positive analog input port and a first negative analog input port; a second fiber connector including a second positive analog input port and a second negative analog input port; a serial peripheral interface (SPI) port; an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) port; a first output port; and a controller in electrical communication with the first fiber connector, the second fiber connector, the SPI port, the I2C port, and the first output port.

Abstract: Various examples are directed to systems and methods for detecting potentially fraudulent voice calls to a financial services institution. A computing system may receive an indication of a voice call placed by a voice caller to an operator. The computing system may generate a network address indicator describing a network location. The network address indicator may be provided to the voice caller. The computing system may receive an indication of a financial services account indicated by the voice caller. The computing system may also receive an indication of an access to the network location by a remote device. The computing system may determine, using the indication of the access to the network location, a first location associated with the remote device and determine that the first location does not match a second location associated with the financial services account. The computing system may generate an alert indicating that the voice call is potentially fraudulent.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a power system for generating mechanical energy from input electrical energy. The system includes a liquid tank configured to house fluid and communicate with a fluid compressor and an evaporator, a fluid compressor configured to compress the fluid to a higher-pressure state, a fluid pump configured to receive fluid from the condenser and convert kinetic energy from the fluid to mechanical energy, and a suction fan configured to blow air between the evaporator and condenser. The evaporator changes the fluid's state from a liquid to a gas. The condenser changes the fluid's state from a gas to a liquid. The system includes an accumulator tank to hold the fluid from the condenser, a piping network that communicates the fluid between the components, an enclosure that houses the components of the power system, and a power supply that delivers electricity to the fluid compressor and electric components.

Abstract: Described herein is a swivel mount for rotatably coupling a display to the frame of an exercise machine. The swivel mount includes a rigid arm fixed to one of the display or the terminal end of a frame member, the arm terminating with a ball at its free end. A socket is defined at the other one of the display or frame member which rotatably received the ball. A rotational resistance mechanism is operatively associated with the socket to selectively engage the ball and resist the rotation of the swivel mount. In some embodiments, the arm of the swivel mount may rotate in a conical range of motion for repositioning the display in relation to the frame while the display remains in a fixed position relative to the arm.

Abstract: Irrigation and/or aspiration devices and methods may be configured to aspirate and irrigate alone, sequentially, or concurrently. The devices and methods may provide a base with a removable head, and adapted for partial or complete separation of the irrigation and aspiration functions. The devices and methods can be configured to aspirate and/or irrigate the nasal and sinus cavities. The devices and methods may be manually and/or automatically controlled. The devices and methods may include removable, and/or replaceable, and/or refillable, and easily cleanable reservoirs for aspirant and irrigant. The device head and/or aspirant reservoir may comprise a diagnostic device, i.e., test device and/or container after use of the devices and methods.

Abstract: Multi-electrode ablation systems, methods, and controllers are described. In one example, a method of beginning an ablation procedure using a multi-electrode ablation system is described. The method includes selectively coupling the output of a power supply to a first electrode of a plurality of electrodes to increase a temperature at the first electrode to a first temperature set-point and limit a rate of increase of the temperature at the first electrode to a predetermined first rate.

Abstract: Various examples are directed to systems and methods for detecting potentially fraudulent voice calls to a financial services institution. A computing system may receive an indication of a voice call placed by a voice caller to an operator. The computing system may generate a network address indicator describing a network location. The network address indicator may be provided to the voice caller. The computing system may receive an indication of a financial services account indicated by the voice caller. The computing system may also receive an indication of an access to the network location by a remote device. The computing system may determine, using the indication of the access to the network location, a first location associated with the remote device and determine that the first location does not match a second location associated with the financial services account. The computing system may generate an alert indicating that the voice call is potentially fraudulent.

Abstract: A redundant fuel metering system and method for a multi-stage combustor that utilizes a fuel metering valve EHSV from a less critical combustor stage fuel metering system as a redundant backup to the main metering valve EHSV. In the event of a failure of the main FMV EHSV, a control module signals a transfer system to switch control of the main FMV to the less critical combustor stage fuel metering system EHSV, thus maintaining control of the FMV for the main combustor. In doing this, the transfer valve then drives the less critical combustor stage fuel metering system FMV to its failsafe position while maintaining control of the main system.

Abstract: A storable exercise bench is provided. The exercise bench may include a frame including at least one beam operatively coupled to first and second floor supports and a member operatively coupled with the at least one beam. The exercise bench may be positioned into an operating position in which the first and second floor supports support the at least one beam and the member, and the at least one beam runs generally horizontally in reference to a support surface. The exercise bench may be positioned into a storage position in which the second floor support and the member support the at least one beam and the first floor support, and the at least one beam runs generally vertically in reference to the support surface.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are directed to methods and apparatuses used for slow wave activity (SWA) optimization. An example method includes receiving one or more bio-signals from a user and classifying sleep stages by processing the bio-signals. The method further include determining dominant peripheral nervous system (PNS) oscillations based on the bio-signals and as a function of time and stage of sleep, and characterizing at least one property of the dominant PNS oscillations, including a phase, a phase shift, an amplitude, and/or frequency. The method further include providing an indication of an optimal window for maximizing SWA generation based on the phase, the phase shift, the amplitude, or the frequency. The indication is provided to stimulation circuitry that delivers stimulation to the user within the optimal window. Feedback is provided responsive to the stimulation based on an EEG signal of the user.