Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of monitoring an environment for the presence of a solvent by: (i) exposing the environment to a luminescent compound, where the relative luminescence emission intensity of the luminescent compound changes upon interaction with the solvent; and (ii) monitoring a change in the relative luminescence emission intensity of the luminescent compound, where the absence of the change indicates the absence of the solvent from the environment, and where the presence of the change indicates the presence of the solvent in the environment. The luminescent compounds include a phosphorous atom with one or more carboxyl groups, where the carboxyl groups are coordinated with one or more metallic ions (e.g., lanthanide ions and yttrium ions). The present disclosure also pertains to sensors for monitoring an environment for the presence of a solvent, where the sensors include one or more of the aforementioned luminescent compounds.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a mapping application that has a novel way of displaying traffic congestion along roads in the map. The mapping application in some embodiments defines a traffic congestion representation to run parallel to its corresponding road portion when the map is viewed at a particular zoom level, and defines a traffic congestion representation to be placed over its corresponding road portion when the map is viewed at another zoom level. The mapping application in some embodiments differentiates the appearance of the traffic congestion representation that signifies heavy traffic congestion from the appearance of the traffic congestion representation that signifies moderate traffic congestion. In some of these embodiments, the mapping application does not generate a traffic congestion representation for areas along a road that are not congested.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying malicious digital wallet devices are provided. Exemplary embodiments may establish communication with a user device associated with a digital wallet application and determine a unique device identifier for the device. Risk data may then be obtained from one or more fraudulent activity databases and associated with the device identifier. The user device may then be identified as a malicious or non-malicious device based on a device score generated based on the risk data. Devices identified as malicious may then have their unique device identifier stored on a malicious device database.

Abstract: A wristband locking mechanism for a wearable electronic device, a wristband, a wearable electronic device and a method of securing an article to a person. The wristband locking mechanism includes a clasp assembly with independently-operable spring-biased actuators such that the wristband locking mechanism cannot be unlocked using one hand. The use of sensors, processors, communication equipment and associated components within the wearable electronic device allows a caregiver to monitor one or more of location, environmental, physiological and activity data of a wearer of the device, while the requirement for two-handed operation for unlocking of the wristband locking mechanism provides a deterrent against intentional or unintentional removal of the attached article or wearable electronic device by the wearer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure concern methods and compositions that relate to increasing or decreasing the weight (including, for example, by increasing or decreasing the adipose mass) in individuals in need thereof. Such methods and compositions, in particular embodiments, concern providing an effective amount of the hormone asprosin to increase adipose mass in an individual with insufficient adipose mass and providing an antibody or inhibitor of asprosin in an individual with obesity or diabetes, for example, to reduce adipose mass.

Abstract: A harness connector for an electronics device is disclosed, the electronics device having a housing and a printed circuit board disposed in the housing, and the housing including an opening exposing electrical contacts of the printed circuit board. The harness connector includes a base member with a plurality of apertures defined therein, the base member directly attached to the housing and disposed over the opening, and a plurality electrical contacts electrically connected to the electrical contacts of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising anakinra, buffer, and optionally at least one osmolyte and optionally further excipients. Further, the present invention relates to use of said compositions for treatment of for example ophthalmic disorders.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a surface quality of a laminate part including the steps of creating a planned dimensioned representation of a laminate part desired to be built which includes a first surface having a first topography; placing fibers into locations for the laminate part desired to be built; and curing a resin associated with the placed fibers fabricating an as-built laminate part which includes a second surface having a second topography which corresponds to the first surface having the first topography. The method also includes aligning the first surface, the second surface and the locations of the fibers; determining a first elevation of a first point on the first surface and a second elevation of a second point on the second surface; and observing the first surface, the second surface and the locations of the fibers in alignment and the first elevation relative to the second elevation in analyzing the surface quality of the laminate part.

Abstract: The present invention provides bi-component core-shell polymeric microfibers for reinforcing concrete comprising as a first component (shell) ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) polymer and at least one plasticizer, preferably, polyethylene glycol, and as a second component (core) a polymer chosen from a polyamide, a polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate, and a polymer blend of a polyolefin and an anhydride grafted polyolefin and having an aspect ratio of length to diameter (L/D) or equivalent diameter of from 300 to 1000. The bi-component polymeric microfibers comprise from 5 to 45 wt. % of the first component, are easily processed, and provide fiber cements having improved mechanical properties at relatively low microfiber loadings.

Abstract: A method for laying multiple conductors in a container may be provided. The method may comprise receiving the multiple conductors at a monitoring station; receiving the multiple conductors at a drive; and receiving the multiple conductors at the container.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel whitening agents for cellulosic substrates. The whitening agents are comprised of at least two components: at least one chromophore component and at least one polymeric component. Suitable chromophore components generally fluoresce blue, red, violet, or purple color when exposed to ultraviolet light, or they may absorb light to reflect these same shades. The whitening agents are further characterized by having a dispersion component value of the Hansen Solubility Parameter of less than or equal to about 17 MPa0.5. This invention also relates to laundry care compositions including but not limited to liquid and/or powder laundry detergent formulations and rinse added fabric softening (RAFS) compositions that comprise such whitening agents.

Abstract: RhlR modulators including agonist and antagonists which are useful for modulating QS phenotypes in Gram-negative bacteria. Certain compounds of general formula A-W-HG having various carbocyclic ad heterocyclic head groups (HG) and various tail groups (A), where —W— is —CO—NH—, —SO2—NH—, —CO—NH—CH2—, or —SO2—NH—CH2— are RhlR agonists or antagonists. The compounds are useful in methods of modulating quorum sensing in Gram-negative bacteria, particularly in Pseudomonas. Compositions including certain RhlR modulators are useful for decreasing the virulence of Gram-negative bacteria. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising certain RhlR modulators are useful for treatment of infections of Gram-negative bacteria.

Abstract: A rigid polyurethane foam formulation comprising a polyester polyol having a hydroxyl number of from 150 to 600 mg KOH/g and a functionality of at least 2, a blowing agent comprising water and an auxiliary blowing agent, a non-silicone organic surfactant, greater than 0.1% to less than 3.7% of a cyclic siloxane, by weight based on the total weight of the foam formulation, a catalyst, and optionally a flame retardant; and a polyisocyanate; such that the isocyanate index is in the range of from 100 to 500, a rigid polyurethane foam formed from the foam formulation; and a method of forming a rigid polyurethane foam.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device, a system and methods of monitoring with a wearable electronic device. The device includes a hybrid wireless communication module with wireless communication sub-modules to selectively acquire location data from both indoor and outdoor sources, as well as a wireless communication sub-module to selectively transmit an LPWAN signal to provide location information based on the acquired data. The device may also include one or more sensors to collect one or more of environmental data, activity data and physiological data. The device may transmit some or all of its acquired data to a larger system, including a cloud-based server to, in addition to providing location-based data, be used as a part of a predictive health care protocol to correlate changes in acquired data to salient indicators of the health of a wearer of the device. In one form, the predictive health care protocol uses a machine learning model.

Abstract: A motor includes a shaft rotatable about an axis, an engaged component engaged by the shaft, a sleeve fixed to the shaft to rotate therewith, and a seal at least partly circumscribing the shaft. The shaft includes an engagement region presenting a substantially variable outer shaft surface that at least in part engages the engaged component. The sleeve includes a first section that at least partly circumscribes and engages the engagement region of the shaft. The first section of the sleeve presents an outer seal-engaging surface and an outer bearing-engaging surface. The seal and the bearing each at least partly circumscribe the engagement region of the shaft and the first section of the sleeve to engage the seal-engaging surface and the bearing-engaging surfaces, respectively, of the sleeve.

Abstract: A terminal fixture is provided for installation at the end of each sprinkler head drop in a fire protection system. The terminal fixture is an automatic valve device that operates in response to the installation or removal of a sprinkler head from the fixture itself. When the sprinkler head is removed the terminal valve operates to close the end of the sprinkler drop feed line to prevent flow of fire protection fluid by preventing an open system. When a sprinkler head is reinstalled into the valve, the valve plunger is automatically displaced to an open position to restore full and unobstructed flow to the sprinkler head returning the drop to full and operable status. In this manner, no manual valves are added to the system which would prevent failsafe operation thereof.

Abstract: Herein disclosed are systems and circuitry for protecting against overdrive and electrostatic discharge. For example, protection circuitry may include field effect transistors to discharge overdrive outside of an operational voltage range of a circuit in some embodiments to prevent damage to the circuit. Further, the protection circuitry may utilize diode features inherent in the field effect transistors to protect against electrostatic discharge in some embodiments. The circuitry may be implemented in radio frequency sampling analog-to-digital converters and can provide for single-ended signal input and/or output for the analog-to-digital converters.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for a work order system for aircraft projects. The work order system comprises a template and a work order manager. The order manager is configured to identify engineering information for an aircraft project including a group of three-dimensional drawings, places the engineering information into the template using an information policy, and create a work order for performing a group of tasks for the aircraft project from the template using a work order policy, enabling performing tasks for the aircraft project on an aircraft.

Abstract: A test device for testing of an oxygen sensor uses a compressor to draw air from an external environment and deliver compressed air into a gas separation unit. A gas separation membrane is located in a passage of the gas separation unit such that compressed air from the compressor travels through the passage and passes through the gas separation membrane. The gas separation membrane separates at least one of nitrogen and oxygen from the compressed air to produce a calibration gas having a calibrated amount of oxygen that is different from an amount of oxygen in the air. The calibration gas coupling is configured to be fluidly connected to the oxygen sensor such that the calibration gas is deliverable from the calibration gas coupling to the oxygen sensor.

Abstract: A method includes generating, by a processor of a computing device, an output set of models corresponding to a first epoch of a genetic algorithm and based on an input set of models of the first epoch. The input set and the output set includes data representative of a neural network. The method includes determining a particular model of the output set based on a fitness function. A first topological parameter of a first model of the input set is modified to generate the particular model of the output set. The method includes modifying a probability that the first topological parameter is to be changed by a genetic operation during a second epoch of the genetic algorithm that is subsequent to the first epoch. The method includes generating a second output set of models corresponding to the second epoch and based on the output set and the modified probability.