Abstract: Implementations may provide contextually-aware consensus assistance for meeting participants. A system may include a computerized or automated assistant that can help a team come to an accurate consensus even when team members are not present in a meeting. The accuracy of a decision can be improved by reaching out to relevant voters who may be absent. A meeting and a decision process can proceed even when a meeting does not meet the requirements of a quorum. For example, if ten people are required to make a decision, and only seven show up to a meeting, the meeting can still move forward, and voting can still be conducted using the disclosed techniques.

Abstract: An external fluid communication apparatus that is placed adjacent to a surface, the fluid communication apparatus including a flexible surrounding sidewall having a first end portion and an opposing second end portion with a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the first end portion is adapted to connect to a fluid source containing a fluid and the second end portion is adapted to feed a consumer of the fluid with the sidewall operationally communicating the fluid from the first end portion to the second end portion, the sidewall further having an inner surface and an opposing outer surface. Further included in the external fluid communication apparatus is a flexible textured matte skin element disposed on the outer surface that is operational to not reflect ambient light.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing bodily waste matter within a toilet bowl, the apparatus comprising: a surface adapted to fit within a toilet bowl so as to releasably capture bodily waste matter within the toilet bowl; and a sealable aperture arranged to provide an outlet for release of bodily waste matter captured within the toilet bowl.

Abstract: A tracking system for a solar collector is disclosed. The tracking system includes at least two polarization cameras and a tracking controller configured to: determine orientations of maximal intensity of polarized light received from the at least one heliostat mirror; generate radial lines based on the orientation of maximal intensity of polarized light from the at least one heliostat mirror; determine a position of the sun based on an intersection of the radial lines; and re-orient the at least one heliostat mirror based on the determined position of the sun. In the preferred embodiment, the sun position may be determined based on radial lines corresponding to three or more cameras mounted around the receiver aperture.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program and a method for managing access permissions associated with data resources. The method includes providing a user interface for registering a policy to a client device, and receiving a policy registration associated with a data resource stored in a first network database. The method further includes registering a policy associated with the data resource based on the policy registration. The registering of the policy includes creating a policy object that is linked to the data resource and storing the policy object in a second network database.

Abstract: Compositions and methods, including novel homogeneous microparticulate suspensions, are described for treating acute wounds, chronic wounds and/or a wound or epithelial tissue surface that contains bacterial biofilm, including unexpected synergy between bismuth-thiol (BT) compounds and certain antibiotics, to provide topical formulations including antiseptic formulations, for management and promotion of wound healing and in particular infected wounds. Previously unpredicted antibacterial properties and anti-biofilm properties of disclosed BT compounds and BT compound-plus-antibiotic combinations are also described, including preferential efficacies of certain such compositions for treating gram-positive bacterial infections, and distinct preferential efficacies of certain such compositions for treating gram-negative bacterial infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a compound containing a moiety of formula (I) as a reagent for linking a compound of formula R1—H which comprises a first functional moiety of formula F1 to a second functional moiety of formula F2 wherein X, X?, Y, R1, F1 and F2 are as defined herein. The present invention also provides related processes and products. The present invention is useful for creating functional conjugate compounds, and specifically conjugates in which at least one of the constituent molecules carries a thiol group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing and/or prognosing proliferative disorders, especially brain cancers (e.g. gliomas). In particular, the present invention provides a means to conveniently detect malignant tumors merely by assaying or analyzing blood (particularly blood serum). Cytokines and/or angiogenesis factors in blood serum have been found to be surprisingly powerful at indicating the presence of brain cancers in a subject. Moreover, spectroscopic analysis, especially ATR-FTIR analysis, of a blood sample has been demonstrated to be surprisingly effective at producing a signature that can be correlated with the presence, extent, severity, or aggressiveness of malignant tumors in a subject.

Abstract: A splice device for electromagnetically sealing a junction or bond between a plurality of cables is provided. A first and second cable each has a conductive core wire, an inner insulation, a braided sleeve, and an insulating cover. The junction or bond fixes and electrically connects the core wire of the second cable to the core wire of the first cable. A plurality of ferrules overlays the braided sleeve and the insulating cover of the first cable and the braided sleeve and the insulating cover of the second cable. A plurality of ring collars overlays the plurality of ferrules and is fixed to the plurality of ferrules. A splice cover or shield overlays the first cable, second cable, plurality of ferrules, and plurality of ring collars and electromagnetically seals the junction/bond between the core wires of the first cable and the second cable.

Abstract: Water repellant conductive fabrics and methods for making the same are provided. The water repellant conductive fabrics may have a conductivity suitable to operate touch-sensitive electronic devices without a conductive path to the human body.

Abstract: A system is configured to perform a method which is also disclosed, to provide a user interface. The user interface is presented as a visual overlay that provides options for selecting content, such as any audio and/or visual media, any streaming media, any live or other television or on demand show(s) or content that may be on a selected programming channel. The user interface may be configured for displaying a channel listing as a channel bar, and a show listing as tiles in an expanded listing area. The expanded listing area may include one or more current or future shows available via a selected channel.

Abstract: A cable tie is provided with a wedge disposed within a passage extending through a head. The wedge is compressed within the passage when tension is applied to the strap. As a result, the wedge compresses the strap against an inner surface of the passage to restrain the strap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a compound containing a moiety of formula (I) as a reagent for linking a compound of formula R1—H which comprises a first functional moiety of formula F1 to a second functional moiety of formula F2 wherein X, X?, Y, R1, F1 and F2 are as defined herein. The present invention also provides related processes and products. The present invention is useful for creating functional conjugate compounds, and specifically conjugates in which at least one of the constituent molecules carries a thiol group.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, compositions and devices useful for the detection and/or quantification of a microbial contaminant, including an endotoxin. In embodiments, cartridges are provided that include dried compositions that are useful in absorbance-based assays and in combination with portable readers/devices.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing a node-based access control system are described herein. In an embodiment, a server computer stores a node based policy system wherein each node identifies a resource and a policy for the resource. The server computer identifies a policy for a first node and an identifier of a second node wherein the second node is a parent node to the first node. The server computer maps an effective policy identifier to the policy for the first node and the identifier of the second node. The server computer stores data associating the effective policy identifier with the first node. The server computer identifies a policy for a third node and an identifier of the second node, wherein the second node is a parent node to the third node and wherein the policy for the third node is equivalent to the policy for the first node. The server computer then stores data associating the effective policy identifier with the third node.

Abstract: A protective apparatus for an article, the apparatus including a surrounding sidewall having a first end portion and an opposing second end portion, the sidewall also having a perpendicularly oriented first margin portion and an opposing second margin portion, also with a primary interior. In addition, included is a plurality of particulate items loosely disposed within the primary interior and a structure for removable engagement positioned adjacent to the first and second margins. The removable engagement structure facilitates the first and second margins to be removably engaged allowing the surrounding sidewall to envelope the article. The primary interior can be evacuated, thus removing the air spaces between the particulate items and in the interior resulting in rigidifying the surrounding sidewall partially encompassing the article to protect the article.

Abstract: Techniques for indication of communication across applications are described. According to various implementations, a graphical user interface (GUI) for a first application is presented. The GUI for the first application, for instance, enables a first user to communicate with a second user via the first application. An indication of communication between the first user and the second user via a second application is presented within the GUI for the first application. In at least one implementation, the first application and the second application enable communication via different respective modalities.

Abstract: A compressor may include a shell, a crankshaft, a piston and a connecting rod. The shell may define a cylinder. The crankshaft is supported for rotation relative to the shell. The piston reciprocates within the cylinder in response to rotation of the crankshaft. The piston and the cylinder define a compression chamber therebetween. The connecting rod includes a first bushing rotatably coupled to the piston and a second bushing rotatably coupled to the crankshaft. The second bushing may include a driving surface contacting the crankshaft and having a recess formed therein. The recess receives an insert.

Abstract: An instant messaging (IM) system facilitates an IM session between numerous client devices and arranges user representations associated with multiple users to communicate a priority of the users that are concurrently generating message content to other participants of an IM session. During an IM session, users may view a graphical arrangement of user representations and, based thereon, consciously and/or subconsciously perceive the priority between users that are concurrently generating message content. The priority may be based on an order in which the users began generating message content or a status of the users with respect to each other. Based on the perceived priority, users may appropriately respond to social cues similar to those that would be perceptible if the IM session were instead a real-life conversation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for creating a meeting and adjusting an associated meeting timeline are provided. A meeting administrator may partition the meeting timeline to set specific time periods for discussing certain topics during the meeting. In some cases, the meeting timeline may be adjusted across the meeting lifecycle, e.g., during pre-, live- and post-meeting phases. In some aspects, when the end of a specific time period is approaching during a live meeting, meeting participants may receive a notification that prompts the meeting participants to move to the next meeting topic. In other aspects, if a meeting participant cannot attend a meeting, the meeting participant may employ a bot to attend and record the missed meeting. Meeting highlights may be identified and, during the post-meeting phase, a meeting participant may review the most important aspects of the missed meeting based on priority characteristics assigned to aspects of the meeting.