Abstract: A beverage system and methods for preparing flavored beverages are provided. In one embodiment, the beverage system includes a housing, a flavorant system, and a processor. The housing includes a mixing chamber configured to operably couple to a fluid reservoir and pressurized gas source. The processor is disposed in the housing and can be configured to cause, in response to at least one input, the separate dispensing of a fluid and a flavorant into a receptacle. The processor can also cause the delivery of gas from the pressurized gas source to the mixing chamber, where it can be used to form a carbonated fluid.

Abstract: A method of forming a solution of mycolic acid antigens for immobilisation on a substrate is provided. The method comprises heating a mixture of mycolic acid and a polar organic solvent to a temperature higher than the melting point of the mycolic acid, thus producing a solution of mycolic acid antigens in the polar solvent, wherein the solution is a micellar solution.

Abstract: A system includes a transmitting horn coupled to a first robotic arm and positionable in immediate non-contacting proximity to a transparency, and configured to emit an emitted signal comprising a focused energy beam for impingement on the transparency. The system further includes a receiving horn coupled to a second robotic arm and positionable relative to the transmitting horn in immediate proximity to the transparency, and configured to receive a received signal comprising at least a portion of the emitted signal after transmission through or reflection off of the transparency. The system also includes a processor configured to move the first robotic arm and the second robotic arm in a coordinated manner along a preprogrammed measurement path, and determine at least one transparency characteristic based on an analysis of the received signal.

Abstract: A cell phone is attached to a pole not normally used to take photos so that it can be used as a selfie stick. The phone holder is attached to a ski or hiking pole with a pivot and split ring clamp. The phone holder nestles around the pole when skiing or hiking so as not to interfere with that activity. The phone holder is rotated into an open position to attach a phone allowing its use as a selfie stick.

Abstract: A system includes a robotic arm of a robotic device, an imaging device coupled to the robotic arm, and a processor configured to control movement of the robotic arm to move the imaging device along a preprogrammed measurement path of a transparency while prompting the imaging device to record images of localized portions of the transparency. The processor is configured to determine one or more localized transparency characteristics based on an analysis of the images of the localized portions.

Abstract: A beverage system and methods for preparing flavored beverages are provided. In one embodiment, the beverage system includes a housing, a flavorant system, and a processor. The housing includes a mixing chamber configured to operably couple to a fluid reservoir and pressurized gas source. The processor is disposed in the housing and can be configured to cause, in response to at least one input, the separate dispensing of a fluid and a flavorant into a receptacle. The processor can also cause the delivery of gas from the pressurized gas source to the mixing chamber, where it can be used to form a carbonated fluid.

Abstract: A battery module includes a first cell stack comprising battery cells stacked in a depth direction of the battery module, and an outer casing. The first cell stack is arranged in the outer casing, the outer casing comprising a first side wall and a second side wall, the first and second side walls of the outer casing being opposing side walls. Each of the battery cells comprising a first and a second side wall, a first main wall and a second main wall. The first side wall of faces the first side wall of the outer casing and the second side wall faces the second side wall of the outer casing. Each of the battery cells comprises a first and a second battery terminal, the first and the second battery terminals being arranged at the first side wall of the battery cells and each of the battery cells comprises a respective gas venting member.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of plant molecular biology, more particularly to regulation of gene expression in plants.

Abstract: A computer system includes processing circuitry configured to simulate, using electrical multi-battery models, the performance of a propulsion electrical energy storage system of a vehicle based on logged vehicle routes of the vehicle, the electrical energy storage system comprising multiple electrical energy storage packs, predict a lifetime of the electrical energy storage system based on the simulated performance of the propulsion electrical energy storage system and extrapolating forward assuming a worst-case aging rate; if the predicted lifetime exceeds a predetermined lifetime, indicate that an electrical energy storage pack downgrade replacement is required, and reduce a state of charge window of the electrical energy storage system at a rate such that a predetermined minimum state of charge window is not reached before a planned electrical energy storage pack downgrade replacement.

Abstract: Containers for use in a beverage system are provided. The containers include a container body defining an interior hollow chamber, and having an opening leading to the interior hollow chamber, and a cap covering the opening. The cap has an inlet port with an inlet valve seated therein and movable between a closed configuration for preventing passage of fluid there through, and an open configuration for allowing passage of fluid there through. The cap also has an outlet port having an outlet valve seated therein and movable between a closed configuration for preventing passage of fluid there through, and an open configuration for allowing passage of fluid there through. The cap has a collar positioned around the inlet port, the collar has an inner surface with at least a portion configured to circumferentially engage a seal having an outer diameter in a range of about 7 mm to 8 mm.

Abstract: A flavorant container for use in a beverage system is provided. The flavorant container can be retained by a beverage system to dispense flavorant, which can be mixed with carbonated and/or uncarbonated water. In one embodiment, the flavorant container includes a container, a cap, and one or more features located on the cap. The features can include an inlet that is able to receive pressurized air, and an outlet that is able to dispense a flavorant when the inlet receives the pressurized air. The features can also include at least one raised protrusion that is capable of being retained by a complimentary pattern located on a beverage system in order to properly seat the flavorant container in the beverage system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of plant molecular biology, more particularly to regulation of gene expression in plants.

Abstract: A system and method for deciphering signals and messages from a control unit, and mapping those signals to the associated sensors to create a map of the sensor status. The map of the sensor status is then used in conjunction with a dongle and software application to interface with the control unit, able to receive messages from the control unit to monitor the status of the sensors, and to send messages to the control unit to manipulate the sensors. The system and method can further be used to interface with the electronic control unit of a vehicle to detect unattended access of the vehicle and ensure no passengers are left abandoned in the vehicle, such as by sending alerts to a mobile device of the user, triggering alarms in the vehicle, or sending alerts to emergency services.

Abstract: Containers for use in a beverage system are provided. The containers include a container body defining an interior hollow chamber, and having an opening leading to the interior hollow chamber, and a cap covering the opening. The cap has an inlet port with an inlet valve seated therein and movable between a closed configuration for preventing passage of fluid there through, and an open configuration for allowing passage of fluid there through. The cap also has an outlet port having an outlet valve seated therein and movable between a closed configuration for preventing passage of fluid there through, and an open configuration for allowing passage of fluid there through. The cap has a collar positioned around the inlet port, the collar has an inner surface with at least a portion configured to circumferentially engage a seal having an outer diameter in a range of about 7 mm to 8 mm.

Abstract: A method of determining ageing of a mixed electrode of a full cell lithium ion battery is presented. The method includes obtaining a voltage hysteresis of the full cell lithium ion battery by comparison of a charging voltage to a discharging voltage at a specific state of charge, SOC. The specific SOC is in a range from 0% to 20% of a maximum SOC. The method further includes determining ageing of a volume expanding component of the mixed electrode based on the obtained voltage hysteresis.

Abstract: A flavorant container for use in a beverage system is provided. The flavorant container can be retained by a beverage system to dispense flavorant, which can be mixed with carbonated and/or uncarbonated water. In one embodiment, the flavorant container includes a container, a cap, and one or more features located on the cap. The features can include an inlet that is able to receive pressurized air, and an outlet that is able to dispense a flavorant when the inlet receives the pressurized air. The features can also include at least one raised protrusion that is capable of being retained by a complimentary pattern located on a beverage system in order to properly seat the flavorant container in the beverage system.

Abstract: A beverage system and methods for preparing flavored beverages are provided. In one embodiment, the beverage system includes a housing, a flavorant system, and a processor. The housing includes a mixing chamber configured to operably couple to a fluid reservoir and pressurized gas source. The processor is disposed in the housing and can be configured to cause, in response to at least one input, the separate dispensing of a fluid and a flavorant into a receptacle. The processor can also cause the delivery of gas from the pressurized gas source to the mixing chamber, where it can be used to form a carbonated fluid.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing device and methods for dispensing beverages are provided. In one embodiment, the beverage dispensing device includes a housing, a carbonation assembly, a carriage assembly, and one or more flavorant containers. The beverage dispensing device can also include a controller with a UI to allow a user to customize aspects of a beverage. These customizable aspects can include fluid volume, carbonation level, flavorant type, and/or flavorant amount. Based on the customized aspects of the beverage, the beverage dispensing device can dispense an amount of carbonated or uncarbonated water, and can dispense a type and amount of flavorant. Illustrative embodiments of flavorant containers are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for provisioning secure terminals for secure transactions are disclosed herein. A disclosed method includes generating a key using a key generator element on a secure terminal and sending a key validation request for the key from the secure terminal to a provisioning device. The method also includes parsing the key validation request and generating a key validation for the key and a trusted time stamp on the provisioning device. The method also includes sending, from the provisioning device, the key validation and the trusted time stamp to the secure terminal. The method also includes setting a clock on the secure terminal using the trusted time stamp and storing the key validation at the secure terminal.

Abstract: A system and method for deciphering signals and messages from a control unit, and mapping those signals to the associated sensors to create a map of the sensor status. The map of the sensor status is then used in conjunction with a dongle and software application to interface with the control unit, able to receive messages from the control unit to monitor the status of the sensors, and to send messages to the control unit to manipulate the sensors. The system and method can further be used to interface with the electronic control unit of a vehicle to detect unattended access of the vehicle and ensure no passengers are left abandoned in the vehicle, such as by sending alerts to a mobile device of the user, triggering alarms in the vehicle, or sending alerts to emergency services.