Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for providing interactive striking objects (e.g., drumsticks) and performing actions in response to striking motions of the striking objects are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems and methods provide an interactive drumstick, which includes a lighting display located at a tip portion of the interactive drumstick, a motion detector contained at least partially within the drumstick, a processor and memory contained at least partially within the drumstick, and an interactive system stored within the memory of the drumstick. The interactive system includes a striking motion module that determines striking motions of the drumstick with respect to a virtual percussion instrument based on accessing information measured by the motion detector, and a display module that causes the lighting display to present a certain type of illumination based on the striking motions determined by the striking motion module.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for providing interactive striking objects (e.g., drumsticks) and performing actions in response to striking motions of the striking objects are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems and methods provide an interactive drumstick, which includes a lighting display located at a tip portion of the interactive drumstick, a motion detector contained at least partially within the drumstick, a processor and memory contained at least partially within the drumstick, and an interactive system stored within the memory of the drumstick. The interactive system includes a striking motion module that determines striking motions of the drumstick with respect to a virtual percussion instrument based on accessing information measured by the motion detector, and a display module that causes the lighting display to present a certain type of illumination based on the striking motions determined by the striking motion module.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for providing interactive striking objects (e.g., drumsticks) and performing actions in response to striking motions of the striking objects are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems and methods provide an interactive drumstick, which includes a lighting display located at a tip portion of the interactive drumstick, a motion detector contained at least partially within the drumstick, a processor and memory contained at least partially within the drumstick, and an interactive system stored within the memory of the drumstick. The interactive system includes a striking motion module that determines striking motions of the drumstick with respect to a virtual percussion instrument based on accessing information measured by the motion detector, and a display module that causes the lighting display to present a certain type of illumination based on the striking motions determined by the striking motion module.

Abstract: Adaptively streaming media encoded at variable bit rates and/or optimizing the presentation thereof according perceivable capabilities of a client or other device interfacing the media with a user is contemplated. The adaptive streaming and media selection processes may be utilized with virtually any suitable mechanism for exchanging media, such as but not necessarily limited to optimizing usage of Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) to manage network resources according to capabilities of user to perceive the corresponding media.

Abstract: A life vest stowage device (1) comprises a receptacle (2) for stowing a life vest (3). The receptacle (2) has an opening (4) through which the life vest (3) is inserted into and removed from the receptacle (2). A closure is provided, by which the opening (4) can be opened and closed. The closure comprises a tongue (5) on a first side of the opening (4). The tongue (5) is arranged such that it can be folded across the opening (4) to obstruct the opening (4). On a second side of the opening (4), opposite to the first side of the opening (4), there is provided a pocket (6). The pocket (6) is arranged so that the tongue (5) can be inserted into the pocket (6) when the tongue is folded to obstruct the opening (4). With the tongue (5) folded to obstruct the opening (4) and inserted in the pocket (6), first and second strips (7, 16) of a second material are aligned with one another and can be squeezed together so that the closure is substantially flat.

Abstract: Systems for analytically combining student admissions data, enrollment data, and financial aid data to present relationships therein, are described. One exemplary system includes a processor configured to obtain admissions data, enrollment data, and financial aid data from respective databases in memory, and identify student data shared among any of at least two of them. The processor is further configured to associate each of the identified student data with a unique identifier, receive a first query for a report for a subset of the identified student data, and provide the report. The report is generated by detecting at least two of admissions data, enrollment data, and financial aid data for the subset using the unique identifiers associated with the subset. The report includes a relationship between any of at least two of admissions data, enrollment data, and financial aid data for the subset. Methods and machine-readable media are also described.

Abstract: A safety device automatically raises and lowers a warning flag over a boat based on the tension applied to a line towed by the boat. For the device, the tow line is anchored to a tower mounted on the boat. Further, an arm is pivotably connected to the tower for movement between first and second orientations. Structurally, the arm is partially enclosed within a housing mounted to the tower. Also, the warning flag is pivotably mounted to the housing. Within the housing, the device includes a mechanism for translating movement of the arm to movement of the flag between raised and lowered orientations. When the tow line is slack, the arm is biased toward the first orientation by a spring. However, when the line becomes taut, the tension in the line overcomes the spring force and the arm is moved to its second orientation.

Abstract: A method for estimation of relative coordinates between at least two parts of a system comprising the steps of: (A) providing each of at least two parts of the system with at least one coordinate sensor; (B) measuring a set of relevant coordinates for each part of the system; and (C) processing each measurement result performed in the step (B) to estimate the relative coordinates between at least two parts of the system. The relative coordinates are selected from the group consisting of: {relative position coordinates; relative position rate (velocity) coordinates; relative position acceleration coordinates; relative angle coordinates; relative angular rate coordinates; and relative angular acceleration coordinates}.

Abstract: This invention relates to phosphate prodrugs of a farnesylated dibenzodiazepinone, to processes of their manufacture, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the prodrugs, and to their use in the treatment of neoplasms.

Abstract: The present open standard conditional access system uses an open standard protocol for authenticating devices, selectively enabling services, and revoking service on cable and satellite content distribution networks. This system uses a two-way communication protocol between devices in the home and security system servers in the cable network. This allows for security information to be sent only to those devices that need the security information. A two-way communication protocol also allows the end device to request security information instead of waiting for it to be broadcast as in a one-way protocol. The present open standard conditional access system uses the security system already present in most DOCSIS cable modems to protect both IP data and MPEG content.

Abstract: A system for diagnosing the quality of a reagent solution may comprise a reagent solution source for supplying the reagent solution to an emissions catalyst of an internal combustion engine. Means may be provided for determining a quality value corresponding to the quality of the reagent solution. A first filter may receive the quality value and produce a first filtered quality value, and a first comparator may compare the filtered quality value to a threshold and produce a fault value if the first filtered quality value crosses the threshold. Alternatively or additionally, a second filter may receive the quality value and produce a second filtered quality value. A second comparator may compare a difference between the first and second filtered quality values to another threshold and produce another fault value if the difference crosses that threshold.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling the current used by an actuator to control actuator position. A control circuit is configured to control the actuator current to a value at or near the minimum current required to sustain the actuator in a desired position in order to maintain the actuator operating temperature below a specified maximum actuator temperature.

Abstract: The invention features sincalide formulations that include an effective amount of sincalide, a bulking agent/tonicity adjuster, a stabilizer, a surfactant, a chelator, and a buffer. The invention also features kits and methods for preparing improved sincalide formulations, as well as methods for treating, preventing, and diagnosing gall bladder-related disorders using sincalide formulations.

Abstract: Effective stimulation of immune responses is achieved through the use of a group A streptococcal antigen combined with proteosome adjuvant. The compositions are provided in particular for intranasal administration. The vaccine compositions are provided for use in inducing an immune response in an individual for the treatment or prophylaxis of group A streptococcal infection in an individual, preferably via prevention or reduction of colonisation of the throat following intranasal administration.

Abstract: A method is provided for making, from a plurality of members brazed together, an article including an environmental resistant surface coating and a wear resistant surface portion. Prior to brazing, the members are assembled with at least one preform including the wear resistant material in a matrix including a first brazing alloy having a brazing temperature in a brazing temperature range. The assembly of members includes a second brazing alloy having a brazing temperature in the brazing temperature range. The assembly of members and wear resistant preform is heated in the brazing temperature range to provide a brazed article preform. Then the article preform is machined to a selected geometry and can be coated with the environmental coating.

Abstract: To cool the shroud assembly in the high pressure turbine section of a gas turbine engine, high pressure cooling air is directed in metered flow to baffle plenums and thence through baffle perforations to impingement cool the rails and back surfaces of the shroud. Impingement cooling air then flows through elongated, convection cooling passages in the shroud sections and exits to flow along the shroud front surface with the main gas stream to provide film cooling. The aft rail of the shroud sections is provided with one or more cooling holes to impingement cool the annular retaining ring or C-clip retaining the shroud sections on the shroud hangers. This cooling air then travels aftward on the inboard side of the C-clip to provide convection cooling of the C-clip. In an alternative embodiment, cooling air is directed at the aft corners of the shroud base to avoid overheating.

Abstract: A device for recording and playing back a selected episode from an input analog audio-visual signal. A "deferred recording" feature allows the user to briefly delay his/her decision to record a live signal episode until after the signal episode has at least partially transpired. Thus, the user can first evaluate the episode prior to deciding whether to record it. The recorded signal episode contains both preamble and postamble segments, i.e. the signal segments preceding and following activation of a record switch. The analog playback signal is directed to an A/V output device so it can be heard/viewed by the user. Some embodiments provide for recording multiple signal episodes, multi-signal channel episodes, variable length episodes, simultaneous record and playback, episode deletion, variation of sampling rate, skip forward, reverse, and squelch.

Abstract: Described is a double heterostructure junction laser in which the active region tapers to zero thickness within the structure, causing light to couple into an adjacent, underlying passive waveguide layer. Also described is a laser device in which the passive waveguide layer terminates in a region of increased thickness adjacent a laser output face. In addition, LPE and MBE techniques for fabricating the tapers are described.

Abstract: Described is a double heterostructure junction laser in which the active region tapers to zero thickness within the structure, causing light to couple into an adjacent, underlying passive waveguide layer. Also described is a laser device in which the passive waveguide layer terminates in a region of increased thickness adjacent a laser output face. In addition, LPE and MBE techniques for fabricating the tapers are described.