Abstract: According to one aspect, a method includes determining when a vehicle has arrived at a destination and performing a first authentication process when it is determined that the vehicle has arrived at the destination. The first authentication process being arranged to authenticate a first party to enable the first party to interact with the vehicle. The method also includes determining when the first party has successfully completed the first authentication process, performing a second process when it is determined that the first party has successfully completed the first authentication process, determining whether the second process is successfully completed, and enabling the first party to interact with the vehicle when it is determined that the second process is successfully completed. Performing the second process includes determining when the first party is present within the sensing zone. The first authentication process and the second process are contactless with respect to the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus enabling a user to perform a simulated bicycling exercise includes a frame, two mounting points defining an axis, the two mounting points comprising an upper rear mounting point comprising an upper rear rotating joint and a lower front mounting point comprising a pivoting connection arrangement proximate to and interacting with the frame, the pivoting connection arrangement comprising at least one resistive element configured to provide resistive force returning the frame to a neutral centered orientation from an off-centered orientation and pedals associated with a wheel and the frame, the pedals enabling the user, when facing forward, to apply force to the pedals and rotate the wheel. The frame is configured to receive forces from the user and dissipate the forces into frame leaning forces such that the user has an ability to cause the frame to pivot about the two mounting points by leaning to one side.

Abstract: A bladed disc system for a turbine engine having a disk portion and a plurality of blade portions which are associated with a stator section and an intercavity sealing portion, disc portion shaped such that blade portions are able to fit within firtree slot in disc portion, blade portion having aerofoil section and root section, aerofoil section having portion shaped such that they extend proximate to intercavity sealing portion, disc portion extending from portion that connects with drum to outer edge at which blade portions are connected with disc portion having width transition region in which thickness of disc increases from point at which disc connects to drum to outer edge at which it holds blade portions, and wherein width transition region has curved width transition region with radius r, and an overhanging portion which extends into the intercavity spacing between the width transition region and the intercavity sealing portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing icons across interfaces for a dental chair are disclosed. In embodiments, a dental chair has a first interface and a second interface. Each interface includes a plurality of icons that graphically depict a stored position that can be actuated to command the chair to the stored position. The chair's position may be adjusted, and the adjusted position stored to one of the icons. Upon storage, the corresponding icon on both the first and second interfaces are updated to graphically depict the new stored position. Profiles that allow selection of different sets of stored positions may be provided. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of training an artificial neural network is provided. The artificial neural network comprises a feedforward autoencoder and a classification layer, the feedforward autoencoder comprising an input layer of neurons, an output layer of neurons, an embedding layer of neurons between the input and output layers, one or more non-linear intermediate layers of neurons between the input and embedding layer, one or more further non-linear intermediate layers of neurons between the embedding and output layer and respective network weights for each layer, wherein the number of neurons in the embedding layer is less than the number of neurons in the input layer. Data units are defined within a data space to have a data value for each dimension of the data space and a classification label associated with each data unit indicating one of a plurality of groups to which each data sample belongs.

Abstract: A bladed disc system for a turbine engine, the bladed disk portion comprising a disk portion and a plurality of blade portions, the disc portion being shaped such that the blade portions are able to fit within fir tree slot in the disc portion, the blade portion comprising an aerofoil section and a root section, with the root section comprising a fir tree profile and a skirt portion and wherein the skirt portions of adjacent blades form an opening that has a maximum separation of between 1-50% of the maximum skirt opening width.

Abstract: A bladed disc system for a turbine engine having a disk portion and a plurality of blade portions which are associated with a stator section and an intercavity sealing portion, disc portion shaped such that blade portions are able to fit within firtree slot in disc portion, blade portion having aerofoil section and root section, aerofoil section having portion shaped such that they extend proximate to intercavity sealing portion, disc portion extending from portion that connects with drum to outer edge at which blade portions are connected with disc portion having width transition region in which thickness of disc increases from point at which disc connects to drum to outer edge at which it holds blade portions, and wherein width transition region has curved width transition region with radius r, and an overhanging portion which extends into the intercavity spacing between the width transition region and the intercavity sealing portion.

Abstract: The invention provides an assembly for processing a pipe section for a pipeline, in particular for coating said pipe section, said assembly having a longitudinal axis which in use functionally coincides with a rotational axis of said pipe section, said assembly comprising a surface-heating device for heating a surface, said surface-heating device comprising at least one heating module, said heating module comprising at least one infrared (IR) radiation laser device, said surface-heating device arranged for projecting a beam of said at least one infrared (IR) radiation laser device at said longitudinal axis for in use heating a ring-section of a surface of said pipe section.

Abstract: The invention provides an assembly for processing a pipe section for a pipeline, in particular for coating said pipe section, said assembly having a longitudinal axis which in use functionally coincides with a rotational axis of said pipe section, said assembly comprising a surface-heating device for heating a surface, said surface-heating device comprising at least one heating module, said heating module comprising at least one infrared (IR) radiation laser device, said surface-heating device arranged for projecting a beam of said at least one infrared (IR) radiation laser device at said longitudinal axis for in use heating a ring-section of a surface of said pipe section.

Abstract: The invention provides an assembly for processing a pipe section for a pipeline, in particular for coating said pipe section, said assembly having a longitudinal axis which in use functionally coincides with a rotational axis of said pipe section, said assembly comprising a surface-heating device for heating a surface, said surface-heating device comprising at least one heating module, said heating module comprising at least one infrared (IR) radiation laser device, said surface-heating device arranged for projecting a beam of said at least one infrared (IR) radiation laser device at said longitudinal axis for in use heating a ring-section of a surface of said pipe section.

Abstract: A fluid system comprising a surface that is fluid washed in use by a fluid flow travelling substantially parallel to the surface is disclosed. The system has a first port through the surface and a second port through the surface, the first and second ports having respective first and second port inlets that are substantially flush with the fluid washed surface. The first and second port inlets are stacked in a direction parallel to the normal flow of fluid over the fluid washed surface such that the first port is upstream of the second port and fluid travelling closer to the fluid-washed surface entering into the first port tends to entrain fluid travelling further from the fluid-washed surface for entry into the second port.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprising first and second axially spaced turbine rotor stages (46, 48) and a turbine casing (56) radially outside the rotor stages. A first seal segment arrangement (58) forms a cavity (64) radially between the first turbine rotor stage (46) and the turbine casing (56). A first air source (82) is coupled to the first seal segment arrangement (58). A second seal segment arrangement (70) forms a cavity (74) radially between the second turbine rotor stage (48) and the turbine casing (56). A heating chamber (84) is provided radially between the second seal segment arrangement (70) and the turbine casing (56). A duct (86) is coupled between the first air source (82) and the heating chamber (84).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for dental cutting including the steps of providing a dental unit water line irrigation system, the dental unit water line irrigation system including a container surrounding a solution chamber; providing a lubricant for use in the dental unit water line irrigation system, the lubricant defining a composition including 10 to 25% by weight of ethanol; 5 to 25% by weight of glycerol; 10 to 25% by weight of xylitol; 0.5 to 5% by weight of a nonionic surfactant and emulsifying agent; 0.15 to 0.5% by weight of a plurality of flavoring agents; and 45 to 60% by weight of water; and selectively operating the water line irrigation system to express the lubricant onto a dental cutting site.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for dental cutting including the steps of providing a dental unit water line irrigation system, the dental unit water line irrigation system including a container surrounding a solution chamber; providing a lubricant for use in the dental unit water line irrigation system, the lubricant defining a composition including 10 to 25% by weight of ethanol; 5 to 25% by weight of glycerol; 10 to 25% by weight of xylitol; 0.5 to 5% by weight of a nonionic surfactant and emulsifying agent; 0.15 to 0.5% by weight of a plurality of flavoring agents; and 45 to 60% by weight of water; and selectively operating the water line irrigation system to express the lubricant onto a dental cutting site.

Abstract: The present invention provides a formulation for increasing the efficiency and safety of cutting a tooth structure during dental procedures. In accordance with one form of the present invention, there is provided a formulation including 10 to 30% by weight of ethanol; 5 to 15% by weight of glycerol; 10 to 20% by weight of xylitol; 0.5 to 5% by weight of a nonionic surfactant and emulsifying agent; 0.15 to 0.5% by weight of a plurality of flavoring agents; and 51 to 77.5% by weight of water.

Abstract: A fluid system comprising a surface that is fluid washed in use by a fluid flow travelling substantially parallel to the surface is disclosed. The system has a first port through the surface and a second port through the surface, the first and second ports having respective first and second port inlets that are substantially flush with the fluid washed surface. The first and second port inlets are stacked in a direction parallel to the normal flow of fluid over the fluid washed surface such that the first port is upstream of the second port and fluid travelling closer to the fluid-washed surface entering into the first port tends to entrain fluid travelling further from the fluid-washed surface for entry into the second port.

Abstract: A method and system to permit the creation of “parent” accounts within a school system's data transmission system which are associated with a parent's child or children who are students in the system. A parent account is capable of creation and access by various levels within the hierarchy of the system and is associated with one or more schools within the community being serviced by the entity providing the servers and community generation implementation engine.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprising first and second axially spaced turbine rotor stages (46, 48) and a turbine casing (56) radially outside the rotor stages. A first seal segment arrangement (58) forms a cavity (64) radially between the first turbine rotor stage (46) and the turbine casing (56). A first air source (82) is coupled to the first seal segment arrangement (58). A second seal segment arrangement (70) forms a cavity (74) radially between the second turbine rotor stage (48) and the turbine casing (56). A heating chamber (84) is provided radially between the second seal segment arrangement (70) and the turbine casing (56). A duct (86) is coupled between the first air source (82) and the heating chamber (84).

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for monitoring and filtering data transmission for providing the creation of a secure “virtual classroom” through which teachers can use the internet to link their students to other classes and work collaboratively and create a “shared learning” environment. A collaborative community is created by a teacher or administrator who submits initial input data to a central storage and clearing center. A first filter system is employed to ascertain and control the entrance of class data in order to ensure that the entering party is duly authorized. Once the initial input data is accepted, a search engine permits the teacher to search for compatible shared classrooms. The dynamic filtering permits security to be controlled by a central location and ties the individual classrooms into a network. The dynamic filtering level component permits each classroom and each student to be monitored to a degree designated by the teacher and appropriate for the student.

Abstract: An invoice processing system includes a requisition and catalog server (referred to as a Req/Cat Web, or RCW, server), a procurement services system (SAP), and a requester terminal (browser). ReqCat Web allows requesters to input requirements (requisitions) which ReqCat then passes to SAP, which creates purchase orders, sends them to vendors for fulfillment, receives the vendors invoices, and prepares the payments. Commodities may be designated as either receivable or non-receivable, and this designation is stored in ReqCat web and passed to SAP on inbound requisitions. Payments on invoices received for non-receivable items are approved via a positive confirmation process, and payments on invoices received for receivable items are approved via a negative confirmation process. Positive acceptance of an invoice by a requester of commodities triggers automatic generation of a goods received (move) ticket.