Abstract: Various illustrative aspects are directed to a data storage device, comprising one or more disks; at least one actuator mechanism configured to position at least a first head proximate to a first disk surface and a second head proximate to a second disk surface; and one or more processing devices. The one or more processing devices are configured to: assign logical tracks to physical tracks of the disk surfaces such that a respective logical track comprises: at least a portion of sectors of a primary physical track, the primary physical track being on the first disk surface; and at least a portion of sectors of a donor physical track, the donor physical track being on the second disk surface. The one or more processing devices are configured to perform, using the first head and the second head, a data access operation with at least one of the logical tracks.

Abstract: Antibody molecules that specifically bind to APRIL are disclosed. The antibody molecules can be used to treat, prevent, and/or diagnose disorders, such as IgA nephropathy.

Abstract: A slider has a drum with alternating alpha and beta grooves, first stacked pulleys, and second stacked pulleys. First and second end pulleys are at opposite ends of the slider. A line wraps as a loop from the last beta groove, around the first end pulley, to the last alpha groove, back and forth around the first stacked pulleys, off the first alpha groove, around the second end pulley, to the first beta groove, back and forth around the second stacked pulleys, and back to the last beta groove. When the drum or the end pulleys are driven, the difference in circumferences of the grooves causes the slider to move toward one of the first or second end pulleys.

Abstract: A personal air filtering device comprising a rigid component comprising a transparent face shield, a fabric component, wherein the face shield and fabric combine to cover an entire head of a user and form a seal around the user's neck, an intake port with an inlet filter, an exhaust port with an exhaust filter, an air mover causing filtered air to enter the intake port from outside the device and exhaust air to exit the exhaust port, and a controller configured to adjust the rate at which the air mover moves air.

Abstract: An automated window mechanism includes a motor attached to a sliding window and a rack on a window frame. A transmission couples the motor to the rack such that rotation of the motor causes the transmission to move the sliding window relative to the rack. The mechanism also includes a clutch switch assembly, that includes a switch and a clutch actuator responsive to the switch and being configured to engage and disengage the motor to the rack. The mechanism also includes a position sensor coupled to the transmission and configured to monitor a position of the sliding window relative to the frame using the transmission. The position sensor continues to monitor the rotational position of the transmission when the transmission is engaged and when the transmission is disengaged.

Abstract: An automated window mechanism is disclosed, including a motor secured to a window, the window being in a frame and wherein the motor causes the window to move relative to the frame in two directions: an open direction being defined as a direction toward which movement of the window relative to the frame causes the window to be more closed, and a closed direction defined as a direction opposite the open direction. The mechanism also includes a transmission component that transfers power from the motor to movement of the window relative to the frame, the transmission component having a backup defined as a distance the transmission component can move from a first point at which further movement in the open direction will cause the window to begin moving in the open direction, and a second point at which further movement in the closed direction will cause the window to begin moving in the closed direction.

Abstract: The invention is an an anchor for attaching an automated window mechanism to a sliding panel of a window. The sliding panel has a border with an outer face generally perpendicular to the window. The anchor includes a base configured to be secured to the outer face. The base and mechanism mount has a first tongue-and-groove component protruding from the base away from the outer face. The anchor also includes a mechanism mount configured to be secured to the automated window mechanism, the mechanism mount having a second tongue-and-groove component protruding therefrom. The first tongue-and-groove component and the second tongue-and-groove components are shaped and aligned to permit the mechanism mount to slide relative to the base in a direction generally perpendicular to the window, and to thereafter hold the mechanism in proper alignment relative to the sliding panel of the window.

Abstract: A vehicle for delivering packages, comprising a tractor comprising a motor, a pair of front wheels, a rear wheel, and a rail between the pair of front wheels and the rear wheel, and a removable container comprising a space for storing packages where a bottom of the container is configured to fit over and mount to the rail.

Abstract: Interfacing surfaces of adjacent tiles in a downhole tool may combine to form a tortuous path therebetween. In various embodiments, this tortuous path may run generally parallel and/or perpendicular to a top surface of the tiles. One example of such a tortuous path may be created by a protrusion extending from an interfacing surface of one of the tiles that may fit snugly within a cavity receding into an interfacing surface of another of the tiles.

Abstract: Various illustrative aspects are directed to a data storage device, comprising one or more disks; an actuator system configured to position a selected head among one or more heads proximate to a corresponding disk surface among the one or more disks; and one or more processing devices. The selected head comprises a write element, an assistive energy emitter, an energizing interface coupled to the assistive energy emitter, and a detector. The assistive energy emitter is driven separately from driving of the write element. The one or more processing devices are configured to detect, via the detector, an energy anomaly at the energizing interface; detect, in response to detecting the energy anomaly, whether a previously written track yields an anomalous readback signal; and rewrite, in response to detecting that the previously written track yields an anomalous readback signal, data designated for the previously written track to the previously written track.

Abstract: A line tensioner is disclosed. A winch has a winch drum with at least one groove over which a line is passed. The winch has a line tensioner assembly with a stationary cam surface and a plurality of line tensioners rotating with the winch drum. Each has a line gripping portion and a cam follower. The line gripping portion is brought into and out of contact with the line as the cam follower rides along at least a portion of the cam surface.

Abstract: A label and methods and devices for detecting an environmental factor that exceeds a threshold are described. The label includes a plurality of codable areas. The first portion of the plurality of codable areas are coded according to a first value and the second portion of the plurality of codable areas are coded according to a second value. The label additionally includes an environmentally triggered bubble positioned in one of the plurality of codable areas. The environmentally triggered bubble changes between the first value and the second value when ruptured. As a result, the code that the label represents changes when the environmentally triggered bubble ruptures.

Abstract: A system for delivering packages from a warehouse to end destinations, the system comprising a fleet of self-propelled long-range transports and a fleet of containers, each configured to be loaded at the warehouse with packages destined for end destinations. Each long-range transport is configured to be loaded with at least four of the loaded containers and transport the at least four of the loaded containers from the warehouse to one or more intermediate destinations. Upon arrival of one of the loaded long-range transports at one of the one or more intermediate destinations, at least one of the loaded containers is separated from the loaded long-range transport, whereupon the separated container delivers packages to end destinations proximate to the one of the one or more intermediate destinations. After delivery of at least some of the packages loaded thereon at the warehouse, the container is once again loaded on the long-range transport and returned to the warehouse to be loaded with more packages.

Abstract: A personal air filtration system comprising a rigid component, a flexible component, wherein the rigid component and the flexible component combine to cover at least a user's mouth and nostrils and form a seal therearound, an intake port with an inlet filter, an exhaust port, an air mover causing filtered air to enter the intake port and exhaust air to exit the exhaust port, and an app running on a user's smart device, wherein a smart app is configured to control and monitor operation of the system.

Abstract: A winch drum is disclosed. In a first aspect, a first set of teeth are positioned around an outer perimeter of a drum. The first set of teeth taper from a first crown to a first base. A second set of teeth are positioned around the outer perimeter of the drum. The second set of teeth taper from a second crown to a second base. The second set of teeth are offset from the first set of teeth such that a gap between the first bases and the second bases forms a sinusoidal channel for a line to follow the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth becomes a guide for the line so that the line can engage the sinusoidal channel. The line follows the sinusoidal channel and each change of direction along the sinusoidal path causes the line to engage by friction with the first bases and the second bases. In a second aspect, the drum includes a trough that follows a sinusoidal path and wherein the trough is narrower at its bottom than at its top.

Abstract: There is described a system for producing electrical energy and utilizing associated heat. The system includes a source of fuel, a source of oxygen and a solid oxide fuel cell configured to oxidize the fuel to create electrical energy and heat. The system also includes at least one unit configured to utilize heat generated by the solid oxide fuel cell. This at least one unit is selected from the group consisting of: a solid waste pyrolysis unit; a hydrothermal carbonization unit; a water distillation unit; a water pasteurization unit; a water heating unit; a room heating and cooling unit; and a biomass drying unit. In a second aspect, the invention is a system for providing utilities used in a multi-residence complex.

Abstract: A system for raising and lowering furniture, comprising: a dwelling unit comprising a dwelling residential zone for occupants and a storage zone for furnishings above the residential dwelling zone; at least one lifting device attached to an item of furniture; at least one runner attached to the item of furniture; and at least one vertical channel adapted to engage with the at least one runner as the item of furniture is raised or lowered to or from a storage zone above the room; whereby the furniture is supported by the connection to the lifting device; whereby the at least one runner travels along the at least one channel as the item of furniture is raised or lowered is disclosed. A system for adjusting the height of fixtures in a dwelling unit, comprising at least one lifter with a base below the floor line of the dwelling and extending through the floor of the dwelling wherein the lifter is adapted to lower the fixture down to or near floor level is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is described a shower system that includes a showerhead fixture and a base connected by conduits. The showerhead fixture includes an inlet for receiving pressurized water. A diverter is configured to divert at least a portion of the pressurized water to the base. The showerhead fixture also includes a second inlet fluidly connected to a recirculating showerhead portion with a plurality of showerhead jets for expelling mixed water received from the base. The base is configured to create a reservoir of water on a shower floor and includes a venturi pump capable of using pressurized water from the showerhead fixture to draw in water from the reservoir into the stream of pressurized water. The mixed water is sent from the base to the jets in the showerhead fixture to thereby increase the volume of water expelled from the showerhead.

Abstract: A mechanism for opening and closing an overhead door includes a drive loop coupled to the overhead door, a motor with a drive shaft and a drive wheel for driving the drive loop. A one-way bearing couples the drive shaft to the drive wheel, which one-way bearing is configured to transmit torque from the motor to the drive wheel, as the motor rotates the drive shaft in a first rotational direction to raise the overhead door, and configured so that torque is not transmitted to the drive wheel as the motor rotates the drive shaft in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. As a result, the motor applies torque through the one-way bearing to raise the overhead door and to support the weight of the overhead door while lowering the overhead door.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for locating an item within an enclosure is described. The method includes affixing a first-tier label to a fixture within the enclosure, identifying a first location of the first-tier label based on at least three distance measurements between the first-tier label and a respective plane of the three orthogonal planar surfaces, identifying a second-tier label in proximity to the first-tier label, wherein the second-tier label is associated with an item, determining a first relative position of the second-tier label with respect to the first location of the first-tier label, and determining a second location of the second-tier label based on the first relative position with respect to the first location and the first location.