Abstract: A vehicle power delivery assembly that includes a mast configured to couple with a vehicle such that the mast projects from the vehicle, and a collection arm configured to be coupled with the mast in a location apart from the vehicle to engage an off-board source of electric current that is off-board the vehicle while the vehicle moves along one or more routes. One or more of the mast or the collection arm is formed from at least one inductive support member that provides an integrated inductor of the one or more of the mast or the collection arm through which at least some of the electric current that is received from the off-board source of the electric current is filtered prior to being conducted to the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a rod pumping unit for a wellbore are provided. One example method includes measuring vibration data in the time domain using at least one sensor coupled to a housing for a moving component of the rod pumping unit; converting the vibration data in the time domain to vibration data in the frequency domain; determining that: (1) at least one frequency component of the frequency-domain vibration data in a first frequency band has a power above a first threshold; or (2) a number of frequency components of the frequency-domain vibration data in a second frequency band having power above a second threshold is above a third threshold; and outputting an indication based on the determination.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system to perform a sale transaction are provided. The method includes identifying each item of a plurality of items, based on at least one image of the plurality of items, determining a cost for each item, optionally identifying a person based on an image of the person, adding each of the items and each of the costs to a sale transaction, and charging the person for the sale transaction.

Abstract: A vehicle control system determines an upper non-zero limit on deceleration of a vehicle to prevent rollback of the vehicle down a grade being traveled up on by the vehicle. The upper non-zero limit on deceleration is determined by the controller based on a payload carried by the vehicle, a speed of the vehicle, and a grade of a route being traveled upon by the vehicle. The controller is configured to monitor the deceleration of the vehicle, and to automatically prevent the deceleration of the vehicle from exceeding the upper non-zero limit by controlling one or more of a brake or a motor of the vehicle. The controller also is configured to one or more of actuate the brake or supply current to the motor of the vehicle to prevent rollback of the vehicle while the vehicle is moving up the grade at a non-zero speed.

Abstract: Fibrous structures having thereon a surface softening composition containing a metathesized unsaturated polyol ester, sanitary tissue products made from such fibrous structures and methods for making same are provided.

Abstract: A process for treating milk including the steps of: a homogenization step wherein the milk is maintained at a temperature of below about 60° C.; and, a high pressure processing step, wherein the milk is subjected to an elevated pressure above about 350 MPa wherein the elevated pressure of the high pressure processing step does not induce an increase in the temperature of the milk in excess of a limiting temperature of about 60° C. during the high pressure processing step.

Abstract: A module panel and method include an exterior housing, at least one heat sink disposed in the housing, a power delivery circuit disposed in the housing and coupled to one side of the at least one heat sink, and a controller circuit disposed in the housing and coupled to an opposite side of the at least one heat sink. The power delivery circuit operates using one or more different voltages than the controller circuit.

Abstract: A method of preparing a solution for use during a dialysis, hemodialysis, or Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) treatment of a patient is provided. An antibiotic or other drug is added (48, 50, 52) to a solution and the concentration or dosing of the antibiotic or other drug within the solution is adjusted (72) as required based on a determination (64) of serum level of the antibiotic in a blood sample of a patient.

Abstract: A method and system include determining a resonant frequency of a vehicle system operably coupled with an external power source that provides voltage and current to the vehicle system. A first filter extracts a phase or a frequency component from the voltage provided by the external power source to generate a stabilizing voltage component. A second filter extracts a phase or a frequency component from the current provided by the external power source to generate a stabilizing current component. The stabilizing voltage component is out of phase with the stabilizing current component. A control input of a converter device of the vehicle system is determined based on the stabilizing voltage component, the stabilizing current component, and the resonant frequency. The stabilizing voltage component, the stabilizing current component, and the control input are communicated with the converter device to change the resonant frequency of the vehicle system.

Abstract: An electrical interface can include one or more connector devices that facilitate communication between components while they are connected. The connector devices can provide a secure communication and/or power link that resists infiltration by foreign object debris (“FOD”) as well as redundant electrical pathways. The connector devices can further provide mechanisms that are lightweight, are operable in a broad range of temperatures (e.g., low temperatures), accommodate displacement without loss of electrical continuity, and are of low resistance and induction. The connector devices can further provide a kickoff force upon separation of the components.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for renaming a database table with minimized application downtime are disclosed. A database receives a table rename request for a table having a first table name. Routing metadata comprises a mapping of the first table name to a table identifier and a mapping of the table identifier to one or more partitions. The table rename request indicates a second table name. The database generates updated routing metadata responsive to the table rename request. The updated routing metadata comprises a mapping of the second table name to the table identifier and the mapping of the table identifier to the one or more partitions. The database receives, from a client application, one or more access requests indicating the second table name. The database routes the one or more access requests to the one or more partitions based at least in part on the updated routing metadata.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for command status polling at a flash queue of a non-volatile memory device. The flash queue may be configured to perform polling on the status of flash operations without direct oversight from the data storage controller or firmware. In certain embodiments, a flash queue circuit may be configured to receive, from a data storage controller of a nonvolatile solid state memory (NVSSM) data storage device, one or more commands to access a flash memory of the NVSSM data storage device, each command of the one or more commands including one or more instructions. The flash queue circuit may execute the one or more commands to access the flash memory, evaluate a status response from the flash memory at the flash queue circuit, and re-execute a sequence of instructions of the one or more commands based on the status response.

Abstract: Devices and systems for producing rotational actuation are described. Hydraulic and pneumatic actuators can produce and control rotational motion. A rotary joint may be configured to allow parallel coupling of multiple actuators, and thus increase the range of rotation of the actuators when considered collectively. The actuators may include pistons and piston rods having torus shapes. Methods of manufacturing rotary joints are also described.

Abstract: A monitoring system and method determine a consumption metric representative of one or more of an amount of fuel consumed or an amount of energy consumed by a vehicle during travel over a route. The consumption metric is independent of one or more of vehicle load or elevation change over the route. The system and method optionally can determine a route condition metric representative of a condition of a route traveled upon by a vehicle. The route condition metric is based on a comparison between an actual grade of the route at one or more locations along the route and an estimated grade of the route at the one or more locations.

Abstract: A vehicle pedal resistance and dampener assembly includes a dampener module defining an interior fluid-filled cavity and adapted for generating a dampening force on the vehicle pedal. A pedal resistance module generates a resistance force on the vehicle pedal. The dampener module and the resistance module are moveable relative to each other. A shaft in the dampener module extends into and is moveable in a fluid-filled sleeve in the resistance module. A pedal position sensor senses and measures the position of the vehicle pedal. A pedal force sensor senses and measures the force on the vehicle pedal. A first resistance spring is located in the sleeve of the pedal resistance module, a second resistance spring surrounds the sleeve of the pedal resistance module, a third resistance spring surrounds the shaft of the dampener module, and a fourth resistance spring surrounds the third resistance spring.

Abstract: A preform for multilayer container having a polyethylene furanoate layer includes an outer layer defining an exterior surface and including poly(ethylene terephthalate) and an inner barrier layer including semi-crystalline poly(ethylene furanoate) where the semi-crystalline poly(ethylene furanoate) of the inner barrier layer has a crystallinity in the range of 3 to 10%.

Abstract: A resistive grid includes a frame and at least one resistive element. The frame has a first frame end and a second frame end opposite the first frame end. The first frame end and the second frame end are joined by frame sides. The first frame end has a first length that is shorter than a second length of the second frame end. The at least one resistive element extends between the first frame end and the second frame end. The at least one resistive element has a first portion proximate the first frame end, and a second portion proximate the second frame end. The first portion is configured to have one or both of decreased heat generation or decreased electrical resistance relative to the second portion.

Abstract: An assembly includes a leadscrew defining a central axis, a strut movable along the leadscrew upon rotation of the leadscrew, a camber angle of a wheel changeable according to movement of the strut along the leadscrew, and a motor drivably connected to the leadscrew, the motor defining a motor axis, wherein the central axis of the leadscrew is transverse to the motor axis.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a cervical spine segment utilizing uncinate joint stabilization, includes a stabilizing bridge for bridging across intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment to mechanically couple between a pair of uncinate joint stabilizers positioned in a respective pair of uncinate joints of the cervical spine segment. A method for stabilizing a cervical spine segment utilizing uncinate joint stabilization includes (a) positioning a pair of uncinate joint stabilizers in respective uncinate joints of the cervical spine segment to stabilize the uncinate joints and thereby stabilize the cervical spine segment (b) and implanting, in intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment, a stabilizing bridge that mechanically couples between the uncinate joint stabilizers across intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment.

Abstract: A magnetic card holder assembly that forms a card playing surface that allows users to play card games in environments with high winds or other disruptive elements. The magnetic card holder assembly comprises a main unit, a plurality of card holder slabs, and a plurality of deck protector sleeves. The card holder comprises the main unit and slabs that can be stacked in closed configuration for storage or connected in an open configuration for game playing. Each slab has a plurality of magnets. Each of the deck protector sleeves includes a deck magnet that is attracted to the slab magnets. In operation, playing cards are inserted into the magnetized deck protectors. The magnetized deck protectors that contain the cards are placed and retained on the upper surface of the magnetized slabs. The magnetic card holder is transportable where game play can be paused without concern about disruption of game play.