Abstract: A method for preparing a protein-containing sample for analysis by mass spectrometry includes introducing the sample into a reaction vessel. The reaction vessel contains a reagent mixture including pre-measured quantities of an immobilized proteolytic enzyme, a reducing agent and an alkylating agent. The contents of the reaction vessel are activated by heating or by sonication.

Abstract: Various rosin press assemblies and methods are described. The rosin press assemblies can include a frame, press plates, a user interface, a press system, and a control unit. The frame can include a plurality of support elements, such as plates. Each plate within the frame can have tabs formed on the ends and edges of the plates and can have slots formed in the plates. The tabs from one plate can interlock with tabs or slots from other plates to form an interlocking frame. The interlocking frame can increase rigidity of the frame to prevent the frame from flexing during operation of the rosin press.

Abstract: An atomic vapor cell for performing RF measurements includes: a first optical window of transparent nonconducting material free of electrically conductive materials; an intermediate frame of transparent nonconducting material free of electrically conductive materials; a second optical window disposed on the intermediate frame and including transparent nonconducting material free of electrically conductive materials to minimize distortion of radiofrequency fields by the windows and frame; and a cell aperture, wherein the atomic vapor cell is hermetically sealed by bonding between the first optical window and the second optical window to the intermediate frame.

Abstract: A method for coating a piston of an internal combustion engine may include providing the piston, which may include a piston skirt and a piston crown with a fire land. The method may also include producing a ceramic suspension, which may include a solvent, a binder dissolved in the solvent, a plurality of hollow glass spheres distributed in the binder, and a plurality of ceramic particles distributed in the binder. The method may further include applying the ceramic suspension onto the piston and producing a coating on the piston via removing the solvent from the applied ceramic suspension. The coating may have a matrix formed by the binder in which the plurality of hollow glass spheres and the plurality of ceramic particles are arranged in a distributed manner.

Abstract: The described techniques relate to coordinating and managing faults of systems of a vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle, to enable the vehicle to respond safely and appropriately to the faults. In examples, a centralized fault monitor system receives faults from different vehicle systems, maps the received faults to associated fault constraints, prioritizes different and shared parameters between the fault constraints, and communicates the constraint parameters to appropriate vehicle systems accordingly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a smart monocontrol cartridge for taps, a smart tap that incorporates said cartridge, and a smart system that incorporates said tap, the monocontrol cartridge comprising a based with a lower end, an upper end for coupling to ceramic discs and an intermediate portion in which a recess is defined in which an electronic module is coupled that is configured to house indirect temperature detection means configured to detect the temperature in the mixed water channel and electronic means configured to calculate the real temperature in the mixed water channel based on an indirect temperature detection, the indirect temperature detection means being in data communication with the electronic means; and wherein a flexible cable is coupled between the electronic module and the cam.

Abstract: A support module for a platform comprises a body and a lower surface. The body defines an opening configured to receive a pallet support. The lower surface is configured to abut a top deck of the platform.

Abstract: A method comprises: aspirating a sample through a needle capillary into a chamber having first and second windows, the capillary and chamber both affixed to a moveable robotic arm; causing a light beam generated by a light source that is affixed to the robotic arm to pass through the sample between the windows; detecting, using a photodetector that is affixed to the robotic arm, a quantity of the light that passes through the sample and the windows; determining an optical absorbance of the sample and a concentration of an analyte in the sample from the detected quantity of light; determining a quantity of the sample to dispense into an analytical apparatus based on the determined concentration; moving the robotic arm so as to cause the needle capillary to mate with an inlet port of an analytical apparatus; and dispensing the determined quantity of the sample into the analytical apparatus.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical device for diffracting optical beams comprises a diffractive element suspended over a channel. The diffractive element is configured to receive an optical beam and diffract and/or transmit the optical beam based on an orientation of the diffractive element. At least one torsional actuator is operatively connected to the diffractive element. The at least one torsional actuator is configured to selectively adjust the orientation of the diffractive element. The diffractive element has a diffractive element resonant frequency that is nearly the same as a resonant frequency of the optical beam.

Abstract: An adapter element and a transport platform, such as a dolly (1), including at least one such adapter element (5), said at least one adapter element (5) being connected or connectable to the dolly (1) and having a rim portion (6) protruding from a deck (2) of the dolly (1) for restraining loads placed on top of the deck (2) at least in a lateral direction, wherein the at least one adapter element (5) is provided with one or more legs (8, 12; 8, 12, 17, 18) each comprising an engagement portion (9, 13; 9;13, 19, 20), preferably tabs or protrusions, for being received and snap-fitted into a corresponding opening (10, 15) provided in the deck (2). An outer leg (12) of the one or more legs (8, 2; 8, 12, 17, 18) is formed as a tab or tongue having a through hole (13) which serves as an engagement portion of the outer leg (12).

Abstract: A method for preparing a protein-containing sample for analysis by mass spectrometry includes introducing the sample into a reaction vessel. The reaction vessel contains a reagent mixture including pre-measured quantities of an immobilized proteolytic enzyme, a reducing agent and an alkylating agent. The contents of the reaction vessel are activated by heating or by sonication.

Abstract: A system comprises: (a) a robotic arm; (b) a needle capillary coupled to the robotic arm; (c) a cell coupled to the robotic arm comprising: a housing; first and second windows disposed within the housing and defining a width of an internal chamber therebetween; a collimating lens optically coupled to the first window; a focusing lens optically coupled to the second window; an inlet port fluidically coupled to a first end of the internal chamber; and an outlet port fluidically coupled to a second end of the internal chamber; (d) a pump; (e) first and second tubings fluidically coupled, respectively, between the needle capillary and the inlet port and between the pump and the outlet port; (f) a light source; (g) a photodetector; and (h) first and second optical fibers optically coupled, respectively, between the light source and the collimating lens and between the photodetector and the focusing lens.

Abstract: The described techniques relate to coordinating and managing faults of systems of a vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle, to enable the vehicle to respond safely and appropriately to the faults. In examples, a centralized fault monitor system receives faults from different vehicle systems, maps the received faults to associated fault constraints, prioritizes different and shared parameters between the fault constraints, and communicates the constraint parameters to appropriate vehicle systems accordingly.

Abstract: The described techniques relate to coordinating and managing faults of systems of a vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle, to enable the vehicle to respond safely and appropriately to the faults. In examples, a centralized fault monitor system receives faults from different vehicle systems, maps the received faults to associated fault constraints, prioritizes different and shared parameters between the fault constraints, and communicates the constraint parameters to appropriate vehicle systems accordingly.

Abstract: A pallet comprises a deck. The deck comprises a product supporting surface and one or more load bearing features. The load bearing features are configured to receive lateral projections of support members.

Abstract: A flight control computer of an aircraft is likely to operate in a so-called incidence protection mode in which it is configured to compute the deflection orders of an elevator as a function of incidence angle values supplied by a set of incidence probes, so as to keep the incidence angle of the aircraft within a range of acceptable incidence angle values. The flight control computer is configured to, when only one incidence probe is operational: compute a first estimated incidence angle value of the aircraft, by a first estimator and a second estimated incidence angle value of the aircraft, by a second estimator unlike the first estimator; and keep the incidence protection mode activated as long as the incidence angle value supplied by the single operational incidence probe is consistent with at least one out of the first estimated incidence angle value and the second estimated incidence angle value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices which can be installed in interchangeable bases and which interrupt and subsequently automatically reconnect medium-voltage circuits. The device disclosed herein detects whether there is a fault in the electric circuit and effects automatic interruption and subsequent reconnection after a time that depends on the characteristics of the detected fault and on the device configuration. The design of the device reduces the contact wear of vacuum switch and lengthens the useful life thereof. The device is further characterized in that it gathers detailed information regarding electrical characteristics of medium-voltage line; it is self-powering and stores electrical power, thereby allowing the device to keep operating even when there is no current in the line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a beta-lactam antibiotic for use in a method of treating a bacterial infection in a subject in need thereof wherein said bacterial infection is caused by a bacterial species characterized by using the mevalonate synthetic pathway, wherein said subject is further treated, before or simultaneously to said beta-lactam antibiotic, with a statin, wherein said statin is for use in reducing, mitigating or reversing resistance to said beta-lactam antibiotic in resistant bacterial populations of said bacterial species.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a lift system for a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The lift system includes a lifting device having at least one cradle. The cradle has a profile that corresponds to at least one of the exterior surfaces of the rotor blade so as to support at least a portion of the rotor blade. Further, the lift system includes a positioning assembly having at least one distance sensor mounted to the hub and at least one visual sensor mounted to the lifting device. Thus, the distance sensor is configured to identify a distance from the hub to the lifting device and the visual sensor is configured to identify a position of the rotor blade in the cradle.