Abstract: A method for extending the storage lifetime of a battery located in a device is disclosed. The battery lifetime extension method includes providing a device that derives its power from a rechargeable battery. The method further includes providing a rechargeable battery that is capable of communicating with the device. When the device is powered off by a user, a computer implemented program utilized by the device communicates with the battery and automatically powers up the device into a lower power mode upon expiration of a variable duration timer monitored by the computing unit that continuously repeats according to the programed duration cycle, evaluates the state of charge of the rechargeable battery, determines whether the state of charge of the rechargeable battery is above or below a variable programed threshold, and communicates a command to the rechargeable battery to remain in a low power state until a charge is applied to the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for non-destructively estimating the thickness of buried concrete without excavation. An example method may include placing one or more first accelerometers at a plurality of vertical positions below the surface of the ground at an approximate first distance from a vertical edge of the buried concrete each time. The method may further include, for each position in the plurality of vertical positions, generating a dispersive wave in the buried concrete and determining a time of arrival of the dispersive wave at the one or more first accelerometers. The method may further include estimating the thickness of the buried concrete based on at least the times of arrival of the dispersive waves at the one or more first accelerometers.

Abstract: A system for presenting a skill-based game, the system includes at least one server to serve a set of matchups of participants of an event, to a plurality of presentation devices, the plurality of presentation devices displaying the set of matchups on a display; to receive over the wide area network data from the presentation devices characterizing a set of user selected winners of the matchups made by the users; update the event data pertinent to participants in the actual events; using the updated data to calculate and assign payoffs to the users based on fixed payoff odds. A related computer-implemented method provides participant matchups to an operator organizing such a skill-based game.

Abstract: A poultry shackle and a method and system for adjusting a height of a poultry shackle. The shackle includes a carrier having a bore, a shaft extending through the bore, wherein the shaft is movable relative to the carrier along an axial direction of the bore, and a retainer, movable relative to the carrier at an angle, such as substantially perpendicular to. the axial direction. The retainer is movable between a first and second position. In the first position the retainer engages the shaft for maintaining the shaft in a predetermined axial position relative to the carrier. In the second position the retainer releases the shaft for allowing axial movement of the shaft relative to the carrier.

Abstract: A panel for attenuating noise is disclosed comprising a face skin having a first inner surface, a base skin having a second inner surface, a cellular core connected to and forming a plurality of cells between the face skin and the base skin, wherein the cellular core is defined by a cell structure having a plurality of cell walls extending between the face skin and the base skin defining each of the plurality of cells and a septum disposed within each of the plurality of cells, the septum defining an upper chamber proximate the face skin and a lower chamber proximate the base skin, wherein the face skin comprises a plurality of perforations fully through the face skin and in fluid communication with the upper chamber.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly includes a flexible cushion with a nares sealing portion configured to sealingly engage the patient's nares and a mouth sealing portion configured to seal around the patient's mouth. A cushion clip is attached to the flexible cushion, forms at least part of a plenum chamber with the flexible cushion, and is more rigid than the flexible cushion. A frame is attached to the cushion clip, is more rigid than the flexible cushion. A superior portion of the frame extends beyond the mouth sealing portion in the superior direction to overlap at least a part of the pair of lateral nares engagement portions of the nares sealing portion. At least a part of the nares sealing portion of the flexible cushion is decoupled from both the cushion clip and the superior portion of the frame that overlaps the nares sealing portion so that the lateral nares engagement portions are movable independently of the frame and the cushion clip.

Abstract: A gangway comprises a fixed platform and a support structure connected to the fixed platform in a manner that allows the support structure to rotate with respect to the fixed platform between a raised stowed position and a lowered deployed position. A self-raising assembly is operative to rotate the support structure from the deployed position to the stowed position. The self-raising assembly includes at least one fluid actuated cylinder connected between the fixed platform and a distal end of the support structure. A raising actuator is usable by an operator to cause operation of the cylinder in a manner that rotates the support structure toward the stowed position.

Abstract: A method of detecting damage to a gas turbine engine, the method including observing a thermal response of the engine during a thermal transition occurring when the engine transitions between an elevated temperature and a lesser temperature; determining potential damage to the gas turbine engine based on the observed thermal response of the gas turbine engine; and generating an action in response to the determined potential damage to the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A robotic assembly for servicing equipment, the robotic assembly including an area configured to receive components associated with a workscope of the equipment; an environmental capture device configured to capture information associated with an environment in which the robotic assembly is disposed; and one or more computing devices configured to: locate the equipment in the environment; autonomously navigate the robotic assembly through the environment to the equipment; and autonomously adjust a position of the robotic assembly in response to the workscope.

Abstract: A robotic assembly configured to service an engine, wherein the robotic assembly includes an environmental capture device configured to provide information associated with an environment in which the engine is disposed to one or more computing devices, and wherein the one or more computing devices are configured to use the information to inspect the engine before and after repair operations associated with the service to check for repair equipment, or parts thereof, left in the engine after the repair.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for servicing an engine including receiving information including an initial condition profile, CP1, of the engine; forming a workscope associated with a servicing operation of the engine in view of the initial condition profile, CP1; servicing the engine in view of the workscope; determining at least in part an updated condition profile, CP2, of the engine in view of information acquired during the service; and storing the updated condition profile, CP2, for use in a subsequent service operation.

Abstract: A method of servicing equipment, the method comprising: recording information associated with servicing of the equipment in view of a workscope at a first location; sending the recorded information to a node; receiving service input from a third party located at a second location different from the first location, the third party having prepared the service input in response to the recorded information on the node; and performing the service using the received service input.

Abstract: Systems and methods of servicing equipment including determining, by one or more computing devices, a workscope associated with the equipment; and at least partially-autonomously servicing the equipment in response to the determined workscope.

Abstract: A method of servicing aviation equipment including at least partially-autonomously inspecting components of the equipment using an environmental capture device, wherein at least partially-autonomous inspection includes: capturing information associated with the equipment using the environmental capture device; identifying the components of the equipment using one or more computing devices; determining, by the one or more computing devices, whether each identified component is properly positioned relative to the equipment using reference information; and for components not properly positioned relative to the equipment, determining if there is damage to the component or equipment.

Abstract: Systems and methods of servicing engines including a method of servicing an engine, the method including navigating at least a portion of a robotic assembly to a location associated with the engine; applying, from the robotic assembly, a medium to one or more adjustable components of the engine while the engine is at an elevated temperature; waiting a duration of time; and with the robotic assembly, operating on the one or more adjustable components.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for operating a power generating asset. Accordingly, a controller detects a fault condition impacting the power generating asset. The controller then determines whether the fault condition is occurring in the power generating asset or is occurring in the power grid. When the fault condition is occurring in the power generating asset, a first response control scheme is implemented. However, when the fault condition is occurring in the power grid, a second response control scheme is implemented. The response control schemes include a first current threshold and a second current threshold respectively, with first current threshold being less than the second current threshold. Additionally, a control action is implemented in response to an approach of a current to the respective current threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods of servicing engines, an exemplary method of servicing an engine, the method including receiving, by one or more computing devices, information corresponding to one or more components of the engine; determining, by the one or more computing devices, a location of the one or more components of the engine with respect to a location of an augmented reality device; and presenting, in a current field of view display of the augmented reality device, at least a portion of the information corresponding to the one or more components of the engine, wherein the portion of the information includes a rendering of the one or more components, instructions regarding operations to be performed on the one or more components, directional arrows or contextual information associated with the one or more components, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of kitting a robotic assembly for servicing aviation equipment including determining a current workscope associated with the equipment; determining at least one of parts and tooling associated with the current workscope; equipping the robotic assembly with at least some of the determined parts, tooling, or both; and the robotic assembly at least partially autonomously servicing the equipment using the equipped parts, tooling, or both.

Abstract: The disclosure describes novel systems, methods, and compositions for the manipulation of nucleic acids in a targeted fashion. The disclosure describes non-naturally occurring, engineered CRISPR systems, components, and methods for targeted modification of a nucleic acid.

Abstract: Provided herein are Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) agonists for use in enhancing human immune response and/or as adjuvants in vaccines. The TLR2 agonists include thiophenes, imidazoles, or phenyl-containing compounds, which may be compounds of Formulae (I), (II), (III), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, polymorphs, co-crystals, tautomers, stereoisomers, isotopically labeled derivatives, prodrugs, and compositions thereof. The compounds described herein are used as enhancers of an immune response (e.g., innate and/or adaptive immune response), and are useful in treating and/or preventing a disease, as adjuvants in a vaccine for the disease, (e.g., proliferative disease, inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease, infectious disease, or chronic disease). Also provided in the present disclosure are pharmaceutical compositions, kits, methods, and uses including or using a compound described herein.