Abstract: Eliminating a noise from water dropping on an air conditioner unit is disclosed. This device has an upper panel with a layer of plastic material on a surface, a lower panel having a layer of plastic material on a surface, and a hinge. The lower panel includes a plurality of magnets for attachment to the air conditioner unit. The upper and lower panels are bent at a certain angle so water droplets slide on the upper panel surface, in embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: A disclosed method of maneuvering a vehicle-trailer unit in reverse travel with a backing system includes, among other things, determining that the vehicle-trailer unit is backing up with an electronic control unit for the backing system. A current hitch angle is determined, which represents the relative angle between the vehicle and the trailer with the electronic control unit. A requested hitch angle rate of change versus distance traveled is calculated with the electronic control unit, wherein the requested hitch angle rate of change is based upon a input from a joystick control which provides a requested hitch angle rate of change signal value in proportion to the joystick position.

Abstract: A gaming machine having features for increasing player appeal is set forth. The machine generally includes a processor, a display, and a memory device. The processor randomly selects one of a plurality of outcomes of the gaming machine in response to a wager. The display displays visual elements to be viewed by the player. The memory device is coupled to the processor and stores at least two data sets for producing at least two different types of visual and/or audio elements in the basic game or bonus game, or at least two different types of bonus game formats. The processor selects one of the two data sets in response to the occurrence of a predetermined time, a number of wager inputs by players of the gaming machine, or after determining a favorite play content based on the number of wager inputs by players.

Abstract: In a dynamic automatic speech recognition (ASR) processing system, ASR processing may be configured to estimate a latency of returning speech results to a user based on work being done by an ASR processor. The ASR processing system may measure work done by an ASR processor by measuring one or more time independent metrics and comparing the metrics to threshold values. If the metrics exceed the thresholds, the ASR system may take steps to reduce latency associated with processing the utterance, including adjusting a speech recognition parameter.

Abstract: Auxiliary power unit inlet apparatus and methods are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an air inlet for an aircraft including a first air flow path and a second air flow path. The first air flow path is immediately adjacent the second air flow path. The first air flow path is at least partially separated from the second air flow path by a first panel. The example apparatus includes a door hingably coupled adjacent the air inlet. The door includes a second panel extending from an interior surface of the door to substantially prevent air from flowing across the interior surface between the first air flow path and the second air flow path.

Abstract: A modular unit fuel cell is disclosed, which comprises a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), an anode current collector/porous transport layer (PTL), a bipolar separator plate (BSP), a corrugated or finned spring cooling and transport structure, a cathode current collector/PTL and an anode frame. In this embodiment, air is passed through the finned spring cooling and transport structure and the air acts as both the cathode reactant and as a coolant.

Abstract: Composite membranes comprising a layer having first and second microporous surfaces and a bulk between the surfaces, the bulk comprising a first set of pores having outer rims, and a second set of pores connecting the rims, and a polymer matrix supporting the first set of pores; and, a second layer having first and second porous surfaces and a second bulk between the porous surfaces, wherein the second bulk comprises a fibrous matrix; or, first and second microporous surfaces and a second bulk between the microporous surfaces, the second bulk comprising: a third set of pores having outer rims and a fourth set of pores connecting the rims, and a polymer matrix supporting the third set of pores; a third set of pores prepared by phase inversion; or, a fibrous matrix; or, a third set of pores prepared by stretching, track etching or e-beam, are disclosed.

Abstract: Size press formulations and methods of treating a substrate using the size press formulations. The size press formulations may include solids. The solids may include a polyaluminum chloride compound, starch, an optical brightening agent, and a salt. Suitable polyaluminum chloride compounds include phosphated polyaluminum chloride, sulfated polyaluminum chloride, polyaluminum chloride, polyaluminum silica sulfate chloride, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating chance-based in-game virtual item distribution in a video game. A mini-game interface presents a mini-game to a user that has committed to a battle. Prior to instigation of the battle the user participates in a chance-based mini-game that determines awards to be distributed to the user from a set of potential awards. Benefits associated with a determined award are applied to a game entity included in a battle which is to follow the mini-game.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions containing microbial entities are described herein. The pharmaceutical compositions may optionally contain or be used in conjunction with one or more prebiotics. Uses of the pharmaceutical compositions to treat or prevent disorders of the local or systemic microbiome in a subject are also provided.

Abstract: Extended area lighting devices, which are useful e.g. as luminaires, include a light guide and diffractive surface features on a major surface of the light guide. The diffractive surface features are tailored to extract guided-mode light from the light guide. The light guides can be combined with other components and features such as light source(s) to inject guided-mode light into the light guide, light source(s) to project light through the light guide as non-guided-mode light, a framework of interconnected support members (attached to multiple such light guides), and/or a patterned low index subsurface layer that selectively blocks some guided mode light from reaching the diffractive surface features, to provide unique and useful lighting devices. Related optical devices, and optical films having diffractive features that can be used to construct such devices and light guides, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula (I) can be selectively lethal toward a variety of different cancer cell types. The compounds are useful for the management, treatment, control, or adjunct treatment of diseases, where the selective lethality is beneficial in chemotherapeutic therapy.

Abstract: There are systems and methods for secure cashbox removal from a transit vehicle and emptying in a vault at a transit site. The cashbox is removably attached to a transit vehicle driven by a transit operator and can be taken to a vault to deposit the cash located in the cashbox. The cashbox has a cashbox tag configured to broadcast a cashbox tag present signal that is received within secure zones and alarm zones, and communicated to a monitoring system to ensure that no cashbox rules are violated in getting the cashbox to the vault for emptying.

Abstract: A hair styling tool having a plurality of bristles and one or more movable members extending radially outward from the core and movable between opposing positions is provided. The movable members move between a retracted position where the divider is fitted between and even with or slightly above or slightly below the bristles to engage the hair and an extended position where the divider is moved out beyond the bristles to disengage the hair from the bristles. The hair styling tool having the movable member which engages and disengages the hair with the bristles minimizes tangling of the hair while brushing. The hair styling tool may be a rotating brush optionally equipped with a motor.

Abstract: A vehicle having first and second seat rows supported by a floor and a lift gate for accessing a cargo area partially defined by the second seat row, the floor, and the lift gate includes first and second flexible covers positioned within at least one cassette in a retracted position. The at least one cassette is positioned adjacent a floor of the vehicle behind the second seat row. At least one of the first and flexible covers may include a pass through door allowing for storage of elongated cargo when at least a portion of the second seat row is folded down. The pass through door may be secured in a closed position by a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, at least one magnet, or at least one snap.

Abstract: An example of a building automation system utilizes intelligent system elements, some of which are lighting devices having light sources, and some of which are utility building control and automation elements. Some utility building control and automation elements include a controllable mechanism for use in control of some aspect of the building other than lighting. Another intelligent system element may include either a user interface component and be configured as a building controller, or include a detector and be configured as a sensor. Each intelligent system element includes a network communication interface, processor, memory and programming to configure the intelligent system element as a lighting device, utility building control and automation element, controller or sensor. At least one of the intelligent lighting devices is configured as a building control and automation system server. Several examples, however, implement the overall control using distributed processing.

Abstract: A total ankle replacement prosthesis may comprise a tibial implant, a talar implant, and an intermediate implant. The intermediate implant may fixedly attach to the tibial implant and may articulate with respect to the talar implant. The intermediate implant may have unequal front and back angular extent, so as to discourage a particular direction of subluxation, and a kit may be provided containing various such intermediate implants. Various features may be provided in regard to dovetails, fins, recesses, the placement of fins and pegs, and the shape of the perimeter of the tibial implant. Recesses may allow a surgical blade to slice a latch off of an already-installed intermediate implant, in order to allow its removal from the tibial implant.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system that includes a plurality of functional system modules (FSMs) and a master system module (MSM) coupled to the FSMs. The MSM includes a multi-core processing unit that includes multiple functioning core assemblies (FCAs) and a managing core assembly (MCA). Each FCA includes a substrate carrying a core CPU and an optical interface circuit carried by a first edge of the substrate. The MCA includes a substrate having a first and second major surfaces—the first major surface includes a plurality of rows of electrical connections, each of which are adapted to couple with one of the FCAs to enable communication between the core CPU (of MCA) and the core CPUs (of the FCAs). Each of the FCAs may have a second edge that abuts the first major surface at one of the plurality of rows of electrical connections.

Abstract: A locator device and methods of use are disclosed. The locator device includes a first locating system configured to generate to sense an electromagnetic field emanating from a sonde associated with a drill head, and a second locating system including a global positioning system. The locator device includes a display on the locating system configured to display a map of the area in which the locator device resides based on a location detected by the global positioning system. The locator device also includes control electronics configured to, upon receipt of an input from a user, record location data in a memory associated with the locator device for use by a horizontal directional drilling control system.