Abstract: A thermodynamic apparatus, such as a Stirling engine or a Vuilleumier heat pump, has a heat exchanger in which energy is exchanged between a working fluid and an exhaust gas stream. On top of the cylinder of the thermodynamic apparatus is a dome-shaped section. By incorporating the heat exchanger within the dome, the flow paths can be simplified, the number of separate components reduced, and overall weight reduced. Flow passages for the working fluid are embedded in the dome. Channels for the exhaust gases are formed in an outer surface. The passages and the channels are helically arranged, one clockwise and one counter clockwise. The dome can be cast with a core for the casting fabricated via three-dimensional printing. In some embodiments, the dome is made of fiber-reinforced material.

Abstract: A computer-based, automated grading system us configured to receive human-generated source code in a machine-readable format to score the quality of the subject code against a target design specification. An assessment web application administers an assessment and receives a candidate submission that may be injected into a reference codebase, rendered in a browser, and processed by a mismatch generator and scorer to calculate a candidate submission score.

Abstract: An automatic vertical farming system may include a frame defining at least one growth area and configured to support a plurality of vertical plant growth structures within the at least one growth area. The system may include at least one light, at least one liquid conduit, and at least one gas conduit. The system may include at least one robot disposed on a top side of the frame and movably supported by the frame. The at least one robot may include at least one tool configured to manipulate the plurality of vertical plant growth structures. The system may include a control system including at least one processor configured to automatically control illumination by the at least one light, liquid flow through the at least one liquid conduit, gas flow through the at least one gas conduit, and operation of the at least one robot.

Abstract: A ride system for an amusement park includes a ride vehicle configured to accommodate a rider and configured to travel along a ride path, a head mounted display configured to be worn by the rider, and a control system. The control system is configured to display a virtual instruction to the rider via the head mounted display, receive a signal from a user input device associated with the rider, determine that the signal received from the user input device corresponds to the virtual instruction, and trigger a movement of the ride vehicle in response to determining that the signal corresponds to the virtual instruction.

Abstract: A mechanism for charging an electronic device with a retractable cord reel. The device maintains a substantially continuous converted power source connection during operation, including operations adjusting the length of the retractable cord.

Abstract: A gas monitor apparatus includes a sorbent material that adsorbs a target gas based on a concentration of the target gas in a monitored environment and a reference material that does not respond to the target gas. The gas monitor also includes a first thermistor disposed within the sorbent material and a second thermistor disposed within the reference material, the first thermistor to provide a first indication of a first temperature of the sorbent material and the second thermistor to provide a second indication of a second temperature of the reference material. A processing device determines a concentration of the target gas based at least in part on a differential measurement between the first temperature and the second temperature.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to high-affinity immunopolymers for use in a variety of immunoassays and other techniques. The immunopolymers comprise a plurality of antibodies, a plurality of coupling proteins, and a plurality of detectable labels. The plurality of antibodies and plurality of coupling proteins are associated by a high-efficiency conjugation moiety, and may be used in highly multiplexed assays. Methods of preparing the high-affinity immunopolymers are provided. Also disclosed are methods of detecting an antigen that include reacting an antigen with a high-affinity immunopolymer of the disclosure. Reagent mixtures and methods for quantitative immunochemical assays are also provided. The mixtures and methods may include the high-affinity immunopolymers disclosed herein.

Abstract: Complementary systems are provided for use with industrial punch presses which enhance the functionality of the presses relative to the machining of workpieces. The systems can be adapted to function with certain already-existing structure and operations of the presses, to maximize overall effectiveness and efficiency in using the systems with the presses. Alternately, or in combination, the systems can be linked to one or more functionalities of the punch presses, whereby these functionalities can be used in manipulating the systems when used with the presses.

Abstract: The invention provides diagnostic and therapeutic targets for pulmonary disease, in particular, fibrotic lung disease. The inventors have found that a genetic variant MUC5B gene is associated with increased expression of the gene, increased risk of developing a pulmonary disease, and an improved prognosis and survival among those developing the pulmonary disease.

Abstract: A bone plate system for use in an “open door” laminoplasty procedure, including a bone plate, a first fixation element, and at least one second fixation element. The bone plate is elongated and has a generally curved shape such that the plate has an associated radius of curvature. The plate is sized and dimensioned to span a gap between a pair of bony segments, for example a pair of bony segments constituting a divided lamina. The first and second fixation elements are each configured to securely attach the bone plate to the bony segments. The bone plate has a first end including a generally U-shaped slot extending therein such that the open end of the slot comprises a first terminal end of the plate.

Abstract: A surgical drape allows access to a vaginal area during cesarean sections without breaking a sterile field. The drape comprises a base sheet defined by an incision panel that overlays a peritoneal region, where the cesarean section primarily occurs; and a vagina panel that overlays a vaginal area. The incision panel has a transparent polymer film panel for viewing the incision. A collection pouch catches bodily fluids. The vagina panel enables sterile manipulation of the vagina while performing the cesarean section. The vagina panel is defined by a viewing pane for viewing the vaginal region through the base sheet. A sleeve extends through a hole in the viewing pane to manipulate the vaginal region and a baby. The sleeve is configured to allow insertion of a hand through an open end, and then manipulate the vaginal region with a closed end without breaking a sterile field.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a radar system with auto-alignment suitable for use in an automated vehicle is provided. The system includes a radar-sensor, a speed-sensor, and a controller. The radar-sensor is used to detect objects present in a field-of-view proximate to a host-vehicle on which the radar-sensor is mounted. The radar-sensor is operable to determine a measured-range-rate (dRm), a measured-azimuth-angle (Am), and a measured-elevation-angle (Em) to each of at least three objects present in the field-of-view. The speed-sensor is used to determine a measured-speed (Sm) of the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the radar-sensor and the speed-sensor.

Abstract: A power module configured for use with archery bows to enhance use of the bows and/or provide other functionality.

Abstract: An object detection system for an automated vehicle includes a radar, a camera, and a controller. The radar detects a cluster of targets characterized by a radar-distance (x) from the host-vehicle. The camera renders an image of an object and a lane-marking present in the area.

Abstract: The described invention relates to methods for preventing or treating graft-versus-host disease while preserving a graft-versus-tumor effect, increasing survival of, preserving alloreactivity, or a combination thereof in a patient with a tumor receiving a transplant. The described methods comprise administering to the patient a therapeutic amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a Rho kinase inhibitor compound, e.g., telmisartan or related angiotensin receptor blockers, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The therapeutic amount may be effective to attenuate graft-versus-host disease and to preserve the graft-versus-tumor effect of the transplant.

Abstract: A road-model-definition system suitable for an automated-vehicle includes a camera, a lidar-unit, and a controller. The camera used is to provide an image of an area proximate to a host-vehicle. The lidar-unit is used to provide a point-cloud descriptive of the area. The controller is in communication with the camera and the lidar-unit. The controller is configured to determine an image-position of a lane-marking in the image, select ground-points from the point-cloud indicative of a travel-surface, determine coefficients of a three-dimensional (3D) road-model based on the ground-points, and determine a transformation to map the lane-marking in the image onto the travel-surface based on the image-position of a lane-marking and the 3D road-model and thereby obtain a 3D marking-model.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a radar system with auto-alignment suitable for use in an automated vehicle is provided. The system includes a radar-sensor, a speed-sensor, and a controller. The radar-sensor is used to detect objects present in a field-of-view proximate to a host-vehicle on which the radar-sensor is mounted. The radar-sensor is operable to determine a measured-range-rate (dRm), a measured-azimuth-angle (Am), and a measured-elevation-angle (Em) to each of at least three objects present in the field-of-view. The speed-sensor is used to determine a measured-speed (Sm) of the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the radar-sensor and the speed-sensor.

Abstract: A method for telephony includes receiving at an Internet telephony service provider a subscriber request to place a call to a telephone number. A cache associated with the internet telephony service provider is queried to check if the cache holds a record for the telephone number. If the cache holds the record, the record is obtained. If the cache does not hold the record, a request is sent to a database server that maintains a database of records associating endpoint user terminal telephone numbers of subscribers with respective packet network addresses of the endpoint user terminal. The call is placed to the endpoint user terminal telephone number via a public switched telephone network while the request is sent to the database server to retrieve the packet network address of the endpoint user terminal to which calls to the telephone number should be placed.

Abstract: A bone plate system for use in an “open door” laminoplasty procedure, including a bone plate, a first fixation element, and at least one second fixation element. The bone plate is elongated and has a generally curved shape such that the plate has an associated radius of curvature. The plate is sized and dimensioned to span a gap between a pair of bony segments, for example a pair of bony segments constituting a divided lamina. The first and second fixation elements are each configured to securely attach the bone plate to the bony segments. The bone plate has a first end including a generally U-shaped slot extending therein such that the open end of the slot comprises a first terminal end of the plate.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and formulations comprising glucosamine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for use in the treatment of joint conditions and adapted for use in a bath or soak or bath beads, powders, salts, and oils, kits, and methods of treatment using the same. Also disclosed are lozenges, suppositories, patches, and topical creams comprising glucosamine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for use in the treatment of joint conditions and methods of treatment using the same. In some embodiments the joint conditions include ostearthritis.