Abstract: One embodiment is a system comprising an internal combustion engine having one or more non-dedicated cylinders and one or more dedicated EGR cylinders configured to provide EGR to the engine via an EGR loop, a first spark plug coupled to each of the one or more non-dedicated cylinders, and a second spark plug coupled to each of the one or more dedicated EGR cylinders, wherein the second spark plug has a physical or dimensional characteristic that is different from the first spark plug. In certain forms each of the non-dedicated cylinders has only one of a first type of spark plug and each of the dedicated EGR cylinders has only one of a second type of spark plug. One or more of the characteristics that may vary between the first and second types of spark plugs include spark gap, electrode diameter, heat range, and ion sensing capability.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a laser ablation system can include a laser ablation cell and at least a pair of particle-collection-to-transport-tubing interfaces. The laser ablation cell can be configured for ablating a sample or another material, and the laser ablation cell can include a laser unit. The at least a pair of particle-collection-to-transport-tubing interfaces can be configured to gather an ablated sample and direct the ablated sample to an analysis unit. A selected particle-collection-to-transport-tubing interface can be received by the laser ablation cell directly above the laser unit. The at least a pair of particle-collection-to-transport-tubing interfaces can be configured to be interchangeable with one another.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an aircraft security door as well as methods, systems and apparatus for handling an aircraft security door. In one implementation, a method for installing an aircraft security door onto an aircraft is disclosed. The method includes transferring the aircraft security door to an aircraft service stair, supporting the aircraft security door by a bridge crane coupled to the aircraft service stair, positioning the aircraft service stair in proximity to a fuselage of the aircraft adjacent to an opening in the fuselage, positioning the aircraft security door relative to the opening using the bridge crane, and securing the aircraft security door to the opening.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an aircraft security door as well as methods, systems and apparatus for handling an aircraft security door. In one implementation, a method for installing an aircraft security door onto an aircraft is disclosed. The method includes transferring the aircraft security door to an aircraft service stair, supporting the aircraft security door by a bridge crane coupled to the aircraft service stair, positioning the aircraft service stair in proximity to a fuselage of the aircraft adjacent to an opening in the fuselage, positioning the aircraft security door relative to the opening using the bridge crane, and securing the aircraft security door to the opening.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to self-synchronizing devices that can connect and self-synchronizes voltage, frequency and phase of two or more power sources. The disclosed embodiments enable a modular power system to serve as the primary or secondary source of power for applications requiring loads from a few kilowatts (kW) to the scale of megawatts (MW). The modular system is generalized to use either a single or multiple power generation sources at once, with the ability to connect and self-synchronize voltage, frequency, and phase of a variety of different types of power sources. Power control systems designed to function with self-synchronizing technology enable a modular power system to satisfy a wide variety of needs, simplifying the existing method of achieving synchronization and enabling new features of resiliency and expandability. The self-synchronization can be implemented into a wide variety of electronics including but not limited to inverters and generator controllers.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a laser ablation system can include a laser ablation cell and at least a pair of particle-collection-to-transport-tubing interfaces. The laser ablation cell can be configured for ablating a sample or another material, and the laser ablation cell can include a laser unit. The at least a pair of particle-collection-to-transport-tubing interfaces can be configured to gather an ablated sample and direct the ablated sample to an analysis unit. A selected particle-collection-to-transport-tubing interface can be received by the laser ablation cell directly above the laser unit. The at least a pair of particle-collection-to-transport-tubing interfaces can be configured to be interchangeable with one another.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an aircraft security door as well as methods, systems and apparatus for handling an aircraft security door. In one implementation, a method for installing an aircraft security door onto an aircraft is disclosed. The method includes transferring the aircraft security door to an aircraft service stair, supporting the aircraft security door by a bridge crane coupled to the aircraft service stair, positioning the aircraft service stair in proximity to a fuselage of the aircraft adjacent to an opening in the fuselage, positioning the aircraft security door relative to the opening using the bridge crane, and securing the aircraft security door to the opening.

Abstract: Humidification systems and methods to introduce water vapor to a laser-ablated sample prior to introduction to an ICP torch are described. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a water vapor generator configured to control production of a water vapor stream and to transfer the water vapor stream to at least one of a sample chamber of a laser ablation device or a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the laser ablation device, wherein the mixing chamber is configured to receive a laser-ablated sample from the laser ablation device and direct the laser-ablated sample to an inductively coupled plasma torch.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for providing contextually relevant incentives in real-time to consumers. In one example, the method may include receiving, from a data repository, one or more raw data streams of real time data and determining an identity of the end user based on the one or more raw data streams. The method may further include filtering, using contextual filtering parameters, the received one or more raw data streams to produce filtered data. The method may also include applying a set of rules correlating the filtered data with incentive programs relevant to the filtered data to generate correlated data, and querying the data repository for historical data associated with the end user. The method may also include calculating a propensity score of the end user, and ranking the correlated data. The method may also include sending one or more incentives based on the correlated data ranking.

Abstract: A method of controlling an ignitor for a spark-ignition engine includes receiving, by a controller, at least one of fuel quality data regarding a fuel for the spark-ignition engine or a characteristic regarding the ignitor for the spark-ignition engine. The method additionally includes controlling, by the controller, an ignition energy characteristic of the ignitor in response to the at least one of the fuel quality data regarding the fuel or the characteristic regarding the ignitor for the spark-ignition engine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for performing in-flight transformations of data streams. Complex event processing (CEP) operating on event records from various data streams can operate by storing the streamed event record data in a database, and then querying the data to perform a data transformation. However, in order to improve the performance of the data transformations and streamline CEP, a serverless architecture is introduced that can perform data transformations directly on streams, using attributes of the streamed record data defined in a schema. The resulting transformed data can then be provided by the serverless architecture to the CEP for direct access of the data most needed by the CEP.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to various ways of improving the functioning of computer systems, information networks, data stores, search engine systems and methods, and other advantages. Among other things, provided herein are methods, systems, components, processes, modules, blocks, circuits, sub-systems, articles, and other elements (collectively referred to in some cases as the “platform” or the “system”) that collectively enable, in a single database and system, the development and maintenance of a set of universal contact objects that relate to the contacts of a business and that have attributes that enable use for a wide range of activities, including sales activities, marketing activities, service activities, content development activities, and others, as well as improved methods and systems for sales, marketing and services that make use of such universal contact objects.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed electronics module includes a core IC installed on a substrate. A collar surrounds the core IC and is sealed to the substrate and to a lid, forming a sealed chamber. A heat spreader bonded to an internal surface of the lid extends downward into proximal thermal contact with the core IC. A thin layer of TIM can be applied between the heat spreader and core IC. The heat spreader does not overlap any tall components that extend above the core IC, and can extend over regions adjacent to the core IC. Tall components can be limited to a periphery of the chamber, and/or the heat spreader can include openings that surround central tall components. The heat spreader can be soldered or welded to the lid over an entire upper surface of the heat spreader. X-ray and/or CSAM scanning can detect heat spreader bonding flaws.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to self-synchronizing devices that can connect and self-synchronizes voltage, frequency and phase of two or more power sources. The disclosed embodiments enable a modular power system to serve as the primary or secondary source of power for applications requiring loads from a few kilowatts (kW) to the scale of megawatts (MW). The modular system is generalized to use either a single or multiple power generation sources at once, with the ability to connect and self-synchronize voltage, frequency, and phase of a variety of different types of power sources. Power control systems designed to function with self-synchronizing technology enable a modular power system to satisfy a wide variety of needs, simplifying the existing method of achieving synchronization and enabling new features of resiliency and expandability. The self-synchronization can be implemented into a wide variety of electronics including but not limited to inverters and generator controllers.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to various ways of improving the functioning of computer systems, information networks, data stores, search engine systems and methods, and other advantages. Among other things, provided herein are methods, systems, components, processes, modules, blocks, circuits, sub-systems, articles, and other elements (collectively referred to in some cases as the “platform” or the “system”) that collectively enable, in a single database and system, the development and maintenance of a set of universal contact objects that relate to the contacts of a business and that have attributes that enable use for a wide range of activities, including sales activities, marketing activities, service activities, content development activities, and others, as well as improved methods and systems for sales, marketing and services that make use of such universal contact objects.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a frame, a plurality of rollers, a driving mechanism, a plurality of endless belts, and a lifting assembly. The plurality of rollers is rotatably attached to the frame. The driving mechanism is configured to rotate the plurality of rollers. The plurality of endless belts surrounds the plurality of rollers. The lifting assembly includes a plurality of surface and an actuator. The actuator is configured to move the plurality of surfaces between a raised position disposed above the plurality of belts and a lowered position disposed below the plurality of belts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multivariate Artificial Intelligence (AI) smart cards are provided. An AI smart card may include, for example, pre-stored policy data that may be utilized as a portion of multivariate input by a suite of AI modules to formulate and analyze a claim of loss.

Abstract: Humidification systems and methods to introduce water vapor to a laser-ablated sample prior to introduction to an ICP torch are described. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a water vapor generator configured to control production of a water vapor stream and to transfer the water vapor stream to at least one of a sample chamber of a laser ablation device or a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the laser ablation device, wherein the mixing chamber is configured to receive a laser-ablated sample from the laser ablation device and direct the laser-ablated sample to an inductively coupled plasma torch.

Abstract: In a laser assisted spectroscopy system, an apparatus for bypassing the fluid conduit and a method of bypassing the fluid conduit, opening the sample chamber and replacing the sample, closing and purging the sample chamber, and removing the fluid conduit bypass and returning to online status is addressed by the present disclosure.

Abstract: The invention provides formulations for oral delivery of a therapeutic agent wherein the formulation comprises a kappa opioid receptor agonist and an absorption enhancer, the absorption enhancer includes a medium chain fatty acid or a salt of a medium chain fatty acid; and a medium chain fatty acid glyceride. The kappa opioid receptor agonist may be embedded in an oligosaccharide, such as trehalose. Also provided are capsules containing the oral formulations of the kappa opioid receptor agonists and the absorption enhancer of the invention and methods use of these formulations for the prophylaxis and treatment of variety of kappa opioid receptor-associated diseases and conditions such as pain, pruritus and inflammation; the method comprising administering to the mammal the formulation comprising the kappa opioid receptor agonist and an absorption enhancer.