Abstract: A closure including a base, a cutter and a cap is described which is configured to be attached to a container. Upon initial removal of the cap from the base, the cutter is configured to move downwards relative to the base so as to create an opening through the container. The portion of the container through which the cutter creates an opening may be formed of a film that is configured to be easily pierceable by the cutter. Methods of molding the closure components may include co-molding the cutter and base an in integral unit so as to facilitate and expedite assembly of the base, cutter and cap components to form the closure.

Abstract: The invention relates to high efficiency diffusion lighting coverings useful in LED lighting applications. The diffusing lighting coverings are made of organic diffusing particles homogeneously dispersed in a transparent polymer matrix. The primary organic diffusing particles are refractive index mis-matched to the matrix polymer. The refractive index contrast between the polymer matrix and diffusion particles, and particle size are selected to provide a high efficiency (minimized particle loading). The high efficiency diffusion coverings provides excellent light diffusion, high hiding properties and high light transmission. The secondary diffusion particles may optionally be added to further improve selected target properties of the covering. Nano-sized ZnO inorganic particles may also function as diffusion particles and optical brighteners as well UV stabilizers.

Abstract: The invention features modified alphavirus or flavivirus virus-like particles (VLPs). The invention provides methods, compositions, and kits featuring the modified VLPs. The invention also features methods for enhancing production of modified VLPs for use in the prevention or treatment of alphavirus and flavivirus-mediated diseases. The invention also provides methods for delivering agents to a cell using the modified VLPs.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an engine case along an engine axis, a conformal accessory drive gearbox housing mounted to the engine case, and at least one accessory mounted to the conformal housing.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for operating mixed mode blocks. One example method can include tracking single level cell (SLC) mode cycles and extra level cell (XLC) mode cycles performed on the mixed mode blocks, maintaining a mixed mode cycle count corresponding to the mixed mode blocks, and adjusting the mixed mode cycle count differently for mixed mode blocks operated in a SLC mode than for mixed blocks operated in a XLC mode.

Abstract: This invention was designed to condense, separate and collect volatile compounds from the vapor steam as they exit the dehydrator. Bulk condensate is allowed to accumulate and separate in a separator vessel under vacuum. The undesirable water phase condensate is periodically drained into a water vessel, which is also held under vacuum instead of atmospheric pressure to avoid agitation and mixing of the contents of the separator vessel arising from purging the separator vessel to atmosphere. The separated and desirable oily condensates can then be easily recovered from the separator vessel.

Abstract: A credit-substitution symbol mechanic for a gaming device is described. The credit-substitution symbol mechanic randomly triggers an add-substitution symbol feature in a game instance with an initial reel area and randomly determines an expanded reel size for a plurality of reels to be displayed in an expanded reel area. The credit-substitution symbol mechanic randomly determines a substitution symbol to be added to a first reel of the plurality of reels and randomly determines the substitution symbol is a credit-substitution symbol. The credit-substitution symbol mechanic determines that the credit-substitution symbol is part of a payline. The credit-substitution symbol mechanic performs a first payout for the payline that pays out a payline award and performs a second payout for the payline that pays out a credit value of the credit-substitution symbol.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an infrastructure modeling system that simulates vulnerability of critical interdependent infrastructures are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A system for reducing haze in a display comprises a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a masking layer disposed on the first surface of the first substrate; an optically clear adhesive; at least one of a display element and an imager; a first linear polarizer disposed between the display element and the optically clear adhesive; and a second linear polarizer. The masking layer comprises at least one opening in optical communication with at least one of the display element and the imager. The second linear polarizer may have a transmission angle generally aligned to the transmission angle of the first linear polarizer.

Abstract: A load orienting device and method of operating the load orienting device are disclosed. The load orienting device includes a frame, first and second posts disposed on the frame, and first and second propellers disposed on the first and second posts, respectively. The first and second posts are movable to adjust a distance between the first and second propellers and a controller operates the first and second propellers to adjust an orientation of the load orienting device relative to a vertical axis of the load orienting device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a multi-primary color system for display. A multi-primary color system increases the number of primary colors available in a color system and color system equipment. Increasing the number of primary colors reduces metameric errors from viewer to viewer. One embodiment of the multi-primary color system includes Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Yellow, and Magenta primaries. The systems of the present invention maintain compatibility with existing color systems and equipment and provide systems for backwards compatibility with older color systems.

Abstract: A self-sanitizing chair is shown and described. The chair may comprise a seating surface, legs, arm rest, head rest, and a sanitizing system. The latter may include a UV light source and a sanitizing fluid dispensing system. UV light and sanitizing fluid are applied to surfaces of the chair contacted by a human user. Indicating lights indicate when sanitizing is being performed, when sanitizing fluid is drying, and when the chair is ready for the next user. A control circuit operates the indicating lights and includes an occupant sensor. Sanitizing is inhibited in the presence of an occupant and commenced when the occupant has left the chair.

Abstract: An aircraft inspection system is configured to inspect one or more components of an aircraft before a flight. The aircraft inspection system includes an inspection robot that is configured to inspect the component(s) of the aircraft. The inspection robot includes a conveying sub-system that is configured to efficiently move the inspection robot to different locations, and a sensing sub-system including one or more sensors that are configured to sense one or more characteristics of the component(s) during an inspection. The sensing sub-system is configured to record the characteristic(s) as inspection data.

Abstract: A new apparatus, system and method to purified produced water and removed valuable metals and minerals is described. The apparatus comprises a device for flowing produced water wellbore from a wellbore to the produced water purification apparatus; at least one device to remove heavy metals from the produced water; at least one brine removal device to remove brine from the produced water. The method comprises steps to use the apparatus and the system comprises a control panel that operates the at least one device for removing heavy metals and at least one sensor in a coordinated manner.

Abstract: A stair stringer may include a body. The body may include a horizontal arm, a center angled portion coupled to the horizontal arm, and a vertical arm coupled to the center angled portion. The stair stringer may also include a first appendage coupled to a first edge of the horizontal arm, a second appendage coupled to a second edge of the horizontal arm, a third appendage coupled to a third edge of the vertical arm, and a fourth appendage coupled to a fourth edge of the vertical arm. The fourth edge may be adjacent the third edge. The first appendage, the second appendage, and the third appendage are parallel with respect to one another. A stairway system may include a first stair stringer and a second stair stringer. The second stair stringer may be an architectural chiral with respect to the first stair stringer.

Abstract: A system for mounting objects, such as acoustic panels to a surface is provided. The system includes a door in a façade panel for accessing a mounting structure adapted to receive a fastener that mounts the panel to the surface. The door can include a tab for identifying and opening the door. Methods for mounting objects with an access door and methods for manufacturing tiles are also provided.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for estimating meal start and peak meal response times are provided based on time series of sampled glucose data collected. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes determining a set of identigens for each word of a query to produce sets of identigens and interpreting pairs of adjacent identigens of adjacent sets of identigens to determine a most likely meaning of the query and produce a query entigen group. The method further includes identifying entigens of a knowledge database that compare favorably to the query entigen group to produce an initial entigen group and determining whether the initial entigen group requires one or more future available entigens to provide a complete response to the query. When required, the method further includes creating the one or more future available entigens based on obtained targeted data, adding the one or more future available entigens to the initial entigen group to produce an updated entigen group, and outputting the complete response based on the updated entigen group.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device having a circuit. The circuit includes at least one boost converter receiving power from an energy source, a square wave driver in series with the boost converter, an inductor in series with the square wave driver for converting a square wave to a sinusoidal wave, and a piezoelectric transducer in series with the inductor, the piezoelectric transducer connectable to a load. The device further includes a phase-locked loop coupled to the circuit to determine a resonance frequency of the piezoelectric transducer when the piezoelectric transducer is connected to the load.

Abstract: An auricular nerve field stimulation device may include a first plurality of electrodes arranged to contact a ventral aspect of an auricle, a second plurality of electrodes arranged to contact a dorsal aspect of the auricle, and electrical circuitry coupled to the electrodes and configured to selectively apply electrical stimulation signals to the electrodes to cause a first set of trans-auricular currents to flow through the auricle between the first plurality of electrodes and respective ones of the second plurality of electrodes paired therewith according to a first pairing, and to cause a second set of trans-auricular currents to flow through the auricle between the first plurality of electrodes and respective ones of the second plurality of electrodes paired therewith according to a second pairing different from the first pairing, the first and second sets of trans-auricular currents to stimulate at least one auricular nerve field within the auricle. Methods of utilizing nerve field stimulation device.