Abstract: There is provided a device for automatic asset management as well as a method for dispensing items from said automatic asset management device. The device comprises an enclosure, a shelving unit within the enclosure configured to store at least one item, a delivery hatch on the enclosure configured to allow access to the enclosure, and a dispensing unit within the enclosure. The dispensing unit comprises a front gate comprising an open portion and a closed portion, wherein the front gate is configured to control access through the delivery hatch and an elevator module configured to receive the item from the shelving unit, move to the front gate to link with the front gate, while linked with the front gate, move with the front gate to align the open portion with the delivery hatch to allow access to the item within the elevator module; and upon removal of the item from the elevator module, release the front gate to align the closed portion with the delivery hatch to restrict access to the delivery hatch.

Abstract: There is provided a device for automatic asset management as well as a method for dispensing items from said automatic asset management device. The device comprises an enclosure, a shelving unit within the enclosure configured to store at least one item, a delivery hatch on the enclosure configured to allow access to the enclosure, and a dispensing unit within the enclosure. The dispensing unit comprises a front gate comprising an open portion and a closed portion, wherein the front gate is configured to control access through the delivery hatch and an elevator module configured to receive the item from the shelving unit, move to the front gate to link with the front gate, while linked with the front gate, move with the front gate to align the open portion with the delivery hatch to allow access to the item within the elevator module; and upon removal of the item from the elevator module, release the front gate to align the closed portion with the delivery hatch to restrict access to the delivery hatch.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of collecting electron diffraction patterns from nanocrystals to obtain a three-dimensional structural model of a compound, as well as methods of identifying compounds and methods of determining polymorphic forms. In addition, the present disclosure provides methods of characterizing a first compound from a sample, as well as methods of screening compounds from a sample. The present disclosure also provides systems for characterizing a compound from a sample, which systems include modules for high-performance liquid chromatography, dispensing, and electron microscopy.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle interior comprising a control element for a user to interact with is provided. The control element may comprise a sensing electrode configured to provide one or more electrical signals and a non-conductive cover material provided on or over the sensing electrode. The sensing electrode may be formed of or comprise a conductive plastic. The non-conductive cover material may be formed of or comprise a non-conductive plastic. The non-conductive cover material may be or comprise an outer layer, over-layer or skin of the control element. The non-conductive cover material may provide one or more touch interactive surfaces of the control element.

Abstract: A sequential or cascading predictive control method is provided, including first solving a cost function and then a second cost function for two or more control objectives. The method includes separating the cost function into at least two or more cost functions, depending on the number of defined control objectives. The method additionally includes controlling a first variable with a unitary cost function, a single term or nature of the control objectives. The method also includes determining the possible states that minimize the cost of the first objective to be controlled. Considering only the options given through this determination, a second variable is controlled with a cost function that minimizes the cost function thereof.

Abstract: The invention is a method to optimize solar photovoltaic power plant repowering by making use of the smart predictive and preventive maintenance which detects failures in modules or in cells within modules, i.e., aerial inspections by infrared thermography and/or electroluminescence. In the method object of the invention, the detected failed modules are separated in different types of failures: A—irreversible; B—reversible and C—partly reusable. Repowering consists on substituting modules of type A for new, more powerful ones, and re-group them series-connected within the same strings (1). Modules with type B failures are repaired and installed back in their original place, and modules C are either re-grouped in series-strings, or substituted by new, more powerful modules, also series connected in strings (1).

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system that enables a user to efficiently view messages of a conversation that are more relevant to the user. The system is configured to display content of a first application within an application user interface (UI) and to determine that a message of a second application being monitored includes a trigger feature that comprises a piece of information or an interaction from another user that is worthy of the user's attention. The system can then generate a visual notification for the trigger feature. The visual notification can be displayed in association with a graphical element of the application UI. Upon receiving an indication of a selection of the visual notification, the system can switch from displaying the content of the first application to displaying the message of the second application and trigger feature and/or change visual characteristics associated with the message to bring focus to the message.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of ruthenium(II) complexes for preparing a medicinal product for treating cancer, particularly cancer comprising cancer stem cells. Said ruthenium complexes are capable of selectively metallating guanine quadruplexes, thus resulting in increased expression of the c-MYC oncogene. This increase in the proportion of c-MYC may promote the differentiation of cancer stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to implants and tools for the fixation or fusion of joints or bone segments. These tools include tissue dilators and protectors. Other tools include broaches used to shape bores in bone. The tools can also include a system for removing an implant from bone. Implants can include assemblies of one or more implant structures that make possible the achievement of diverse interventions involving the fusion and/or stabilization of lumbar and sacral vertebra in a non-invasive manner, with minimal incision, and without the necessitating the removing the intervertebral disc. Implants for fusing both sacroiliac joints of a patient include a long implant that extends across both sacroiliac joints.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to processes for compression molding a composite article comprising at least one prepreg and at least one transformer film.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to implants and tools for the fixation or fusion of joints or bone segments. These tools include tissue dilators and protectors. Other tools include broaches used to shape bores in bone. The tools can also include a system for removing an implant from bone. Implants can include assemblies of one or more implant structures that make possible the achievement of diverse interventions involving the fusion and/or stabilization of lumbar and sacral vertebra in a non-invasive manner, with minimal incision, and without the necessitating the removing the intervertebral disc. Implants for fusing both sacroiliac joints of a patient include a long implant that extends across both sacroiliac joints.

Abstract: A pressure sensing device (1000) comprises first and second electrodes (10, 20) spaced from each other by a distance. At least one of the electrodes is formed of/comprises a unitary piece of non-metallic conductive material. The distance is changeable in response to a pressure/force applied to the first and/or second electrode. The device comprises a measurement module (500) connected to the first/second electrode at a plurality of sensing points (S1 . . . ). The measurement module is configured to measure a change in capacitance between the first and second electrodes, in response to a change in the distance when a pressure/force is applied to the first and/or second electrode, at each sensing point individually and/or at all sensing points simultaneously. The measurement module is configured to determine the location, area and amount of applied pressure on the first and/or second electrode from the individual measurements, and/or the amount of the applied pressure from the simultaneous measurement.

Abstract: Articles of clothing with attachable fidget toys/tools, and methods of production thereof, are provided. The article of clothing may include at least one textile area and at least one device attached to the textile area at a grommet or eyelet. The device may be a fidget toy or sensory tool attached to the grommet or eyelet with a fastener.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system that enables a user to efficiently view messages of a conversation that are more relevant to the user. The system is configured to display content of a first application within an application user interface (UI) and to determine that a message of a second application being monitored includes a trigger feature that comprises a piece of information or an interaction from another user that is worthy of the user's attention. The system can then generate a visual notification for the trigger feature. The visual notification can be displayed in association with a graphical element of the application UI. Upon receiving an indication of a selection of the visual notification, the system can switch from displaying the content of the first application to displaying the message of the second application and trigger feature and/or change visual characteristics associated with the message to bring focus to the message.

Abstract: The invention relates to a specific panel of circulating synaptic protein related miRNAs for use in the diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and/or early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The invention also relates to a method and to a kit for the diagnosis of said diseases using said specific panel of circulating miRNAs biomarkers.

Abstract: A sequential or cascading predictive control method is provided, including first solving a cost function and then a second cost function for two or more control objectives. The method includes separating the cost function into at least two or more cost functions, depending on the number of defined control objectives. The method additionally includes controlling a first variable with a unitary cost function, a single term or nature of the control objectives. The method also includes determining the possible states that minimize the cost of the first objective to be controlled. Considering only the options given through this determination, a second variable is controlled with a cost function that minimizes the cost function thereof.

Abstract: A multilevel converter allowing the reduction of volume and accessibility to the control and transformation of electric power, including at least two basic cells and having: a) a first power switch that interconnects a positive bus between the two basic cells connected in cascade each other; b) a second power switch that interconnects a negative bus between two basic cells connected in cascade each other and c) a capacitor with a third power switch, connected in series and interconnected between the positive and negative bus.

Abstract: A rectal injection device and a method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the device includes: (1) a body having a handle, (2) a suction system associated with the body, (3) a trigger associated with the handle, (4) a pod coupled to the body via a neck and (5) multiple suction ports associated with the pod, each of the multiple suction ports configured to receive a ligation band thereabout, the suction system configured to provide a suction to the multiple suction ports to draw tissue thereinto, the pod configured to deploy the ligation bands upon activation of the trigger.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle interior comprising a control element for a user to interact with is provided. The control element may comprise a sensing electrode configured to provide one or more electrical signals and a non-conductive cover material provided on or over the sensing electrode. The sensing electrode may be formed of or comprise a conductive plastic. The non-conductive cover material may be formed of or comprise a non-conductive plastic. The non-conductive cover material may be or comprise an outer layer, over-layer or skin of the control element. The non-conductive cover material may provide one or more touch interactive surfaces of the control element.

Abstract: A rectal injection device configured to inject a liquid into the tissues around the internal anal sphincter of a rectum. The rectal injection device comprises: i) an elongated tube having a distal end and a proximal end; ii) a rounded head coupled to the distal end of the elongated tube; iii) a needle extending from the proximal end of the elongated tube into the rounded head, wherein a tip of the needle is aligned with a hole in the rounded head; and iv) an actuator mechanism configured to move the needle to a deployed position in which the tip of the needle extends through the hole and into the anal tissues and to move the needle to a retracted position in which the tip of the needle is withdrawn within the rounded head.