Abstract: An embodiment of a rail switch heating system is disclosed, including a controller comprising a processor and memory, an electrically resistive heating element coupled to the controller, the heating element configured for mounting to and heating a railroad rail, and software stored on the memory for executing the steps of: (a) automatically determining a pulse width modulated (PWM) cycle corresponding to a target energy consumption for cycling the heating element on and off; and (b) cycling the heating element on and off according to the PWM cycle.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for implementing tilt monitoring and automatic safety shut-off for self-propelled irrigation towers.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving searching systems for vehicles. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to detecting a gesture performed by an occupant of a vehicle, defining a context of the gesture. The method also includes correlating the gesture with a target. The method also includes constructing a search query based on the context, the target correlated with the gesture, and an occupant request. The method also includes executing the search query to acquire search results. The method further includes communicating the search results to the occupant to provide assistance to the occupant based on the target.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning and disinfecting contaminated tube lumens are described herein. One system includes an ultraviolet light source and a sterile fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to a liquid light guide. The system is configured to allow simultaneous access and propagation of ultraviolet light and fluid in a tube having a lumen to be cleaned and disinfected. The light guide can be moved inside the tube and simultaneously emit ultraviolet light through its walls and at its distal end into the interior of the contaminated tube. A flush of sterile fluid from an open end of the liquid light guide removes debris and micro-organism detached from the inner surface during light exposure. The sterile fluid can be a high refractive index ionic solution promoting light propagation.

Abstract: A retractor has an oximeter sensor at its tip, which allows measuring of oxygen saturation of a tissue being retracted by the retractor. The tip includes one or more openings for at least one source and detector. A specific implementation is a spinal nerve root retractor with an oximeter sensor.

Abstract: A hospital bed comprising: a frame; a plurality of extendable patient support panels mounted to the frame, each patient support panel including a central section and at least one side section selectively movable laterally towards and away from the central section; a movement transmission assembly including at least one transmission member connecting at least two of the movable side sections for laterally moving at least one of the movable side sections when another one of the movable side sections is moved.

Abstract: A system is described to manage a plurality of managed devices. The system may have an Application Program Interface (API), a messaging platform, an application manager, and a payments manager. The Application Program Interface (API) may be configured to communicate with a user computer to request use of one or more of the managed devices. The messaging platform may be configured to send and receive messages to the managed devices. The messaging platform operates using a publish/subscribe protocol and the messages control installation of applications requested by the user computer, and allow communications between managed devices based on topics. The application manager, in communication with the messaging platform, deploys applications on the managed devices. The payments manager processes payment for the use of the one or more managed devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I): wherein Q is selected from O or S; R1 and R3 are each independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group, or R1 and R3 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached may form a 3- to 12-membered optionally substituted cyclic group; and R2 is a cyclic group substituted at the position, wherein R2 may optionally be further substituted. The present invention further relates to salts, solvates and prodrugs of such compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and to the use of such compounds in the treatment and prevention of medical disorders and diseases, most especially by the inhibition of NLRP3.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting systemwide service issues by using anomaly localization. In an example, a method includes receiving time-series monitoring data for multiple services, the time-series monitoring data including multiple dimensions and an error metric; for the monitoring data from each service, evaluating scopes within the monitoring data based on an objective function for a time-series of the error metric to identify at least one anomalous scope, each scope including at least one dimension and a value for the dimension; based on evaluating the scopes, generating a ranked list of scopes for each service based on objective function scores for the scopes; correlating the ranked lists of scopes across the multiple services to identify a cross-service anomaly; and generating an alert for the services based on the cross-service anomaly, the alert indicating at least one scope as a potential root cause for the cross-service anomaly.

Abstract: An inkwell apparatus comprises an inkwell vessel and a cap for covering a vessel opening in an apparatus storage position. The cap has a protruding tip upon which to support the inkwell in an apparatus spinning position or a pooling position. A bottom (e.g. support surface) of the inkwell forms at least one of: i) a central region providing a tip engaging surface dimensioned to receive the tip in the spinning position; or ii) at least one tip engaging latch surface, each tip engaging latch surface dimensioned to receive the tip in the pooling position. Methods of use relate to the spinning position and the pooling position. The cap can comprise a seal ring to seal the opening or to provide support assistance in the spinning or pooling position(s). Ribs in the inkwell can provide deflection of ink when stirred such as by spinning.

Abstract: A gear box includes a housing, a shaft that is driven by the gear, the shaft including a recess, a bearing mounted between the shaft and the housing to support the shaft for rotation with respect to the housing about a rotation axis, and a ring assembly for axially securing the bearing to the shaft. The ring assembly surrounds the shaft and is seated in the recess. The recess has a retaining surface including a conical surface extending at an angle to the rotation axis, a curved surface, and a transition surface extending between the conical surface and the curved surface, the transition surface extending generally parallel to the rotation axis.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method of making an abrasive article. The method can include providing a combination of a mesh backing and a fastener. The mesh backing has a first side and a second side and the mesh backing has a fastener disposed on the second side and intertwined through the mesh backing therein. The combination comprises a raised portion on the first side having a first dimension. The method can include calendering the first side of the mesh backing to form a calendered mesh backing such that the raised portion results in a second dimension. The second dimension is less than the first dimension. The method can include depositing a curable make layer precursor on a major surface of the calendered mesh backing, deposing a plurality of abrasive particles onto the curable make layer precursor, and at least partially curing the curable make layer precursor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a nucleic acid sample for producing hairpin molecules, preferably from small dsDNA molecules, notably from cfDNA, or from small RNA molecules such as fragmented RNA molecules, in order to identify them rapidly on nucleic acid analysis instruments (e.g., the MAGNA platform) with a minimal set of reagents.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a memory that temporarily stores a program of operating system (OS); and a processor capable of supplying imaging data captured by an imaging unit based on the program of OS to only one of applications running on the OS, and of performing image processing on the imaging data based on an image processing program running on the OS. The processor is configured to when the imaging data is supplied to a first application, pass setting parameters used for the image processing from a second application other than the first application to the image processing via a registry of the OS.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprising: a frame; a patient receiving surface supported on the frame, the patient supporting surface comprising a central panel section and a side panel section adapted to selectively extend towards to and away from the central panel section for adjusting a width of the patient supporting surface; a board supported on the frame, the board comprising a base comprising a sleeve and an extension member slidably received in the sleeve and a coil spring mounted to the extension member. The extension member is extendable laterally towards to and away from the sleeve for adjusting a width of the base and the coil spring is adapted to counteract an external force applied to the outer end of the extension member. The board comprises a vertical panel that is movable to follow movement of the extension member laterally towards and away from the sleeve.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods are described, including a medical device that includes a shaft defining at least one working channel extending from a proximal end of the shaft to a distal end of the shaft along a longitudinal axis and a distal tip coupled to the shaft. The working channel may have a cross-sectional dimension that allows passage of an instrument therethrough. The distal tip may include a first arm and a second arm, the first arm being moveable relative to the second arm between a first configuration that obstructs a portion of the working channel and a second configuration that provides unobstructed access to the working channel, e.g., to allow the instrument to extend distal to the medical device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to liquid filled light distributor comprising an elongated tubular body with a tube wall defining an in inner lumen filled with a liquid, said tubular body having a proximal end closed by first closing means a distal end closed by second closing means Wherein the proximal end is arranged to be in optical communication with a light source and wherein the refractive index of the tube wall is n1 and the refractive index of the fluid is n2 and n1/n2<1 so that light from the light source travels along the longitudinal direction of the tubular body and that a part of the light is emitted through the tube wall along at least a part of the tubular body. Further a method of use for the liquid filled light distributor is provided.

Abstract: Implementations relate to techniques of monitoring conditions of tools used in device manufacturing systems. The techniques include storing a failure index (FI) model generated using run-time sensor data that was collected during operations of a tool that occurred prior to a low number of failures of the tool or even before any such failures occur. The FI model includes an FI function of the run-time sensor data and FI threshold value(s) associated with conditions of the tool. The techniques further include collecting new run-time sensor data and applying the FI model to the new run-time sensor data to identify one or more conditions associated with the tool. The techniques further include updating the FI model responsive to one or more tool failures.