Abstract: A regulator for in-line modulation of the flow rate of fluid during blood collection includes a fluid transfer device for transferring fluid from a patient to a collection device. The fluid transfer device comprises a fluid passageway defined by a tubular sidewall and a flexible member associated with a portion of the tubular sidewall. The flexible member is configured for movement with respect to the fluid passageway upon exposure of the fluid transfer device to a differential pressure during a blood collection procedure to prevent collapse of a patients blood vessel. The flexible member of the regulator can be a frame surrounding a flexible diaphragm. Alternatively, the flexible member can include a flexible material integrally formed within the tubular sidewall of the pressure regulator.

Abstract: Systems are provided for a vehicle fan shroud with integrated structural support. In one example, a fan shroud includes an opening adapted to house a fan impeller, and an upper extension and a lower foot adapted to couple the fan shroud to a vehicle in an angled position. The upper extension and lower foot provide structural support to the fan shroud to enable vehicle components such as a heat exchanger and condenser to be mounted to the fan shroud and maintained in position by the fan shroud.

Abstract: A method for managing networking devices. The method includes receiving, by a second management system, first network device state information (NDSI) for a first plurality of network devices, where the first NDSI is obtained by a first management system and where the first management system manages the first plurality of network devices. The method further includes initiating performance of a management action based on a result, wherein the result is obtained by processing at least the first NDSI.

Abstract: Systems and methods for compensating for acceleration-related sensor mismatch of an autonomous vehicle are provided. A computing system for compensating for autonomous vehicle acceleration-related sensor mismatch can include one or more processors and one or more tangible, non-transitory, computer readable media that collectively store instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the computing system to perform operations. The operations can include obtaining data indicative of an acceleration mismatch between a first portion and a second portion of an autonomous vehicle. The operations can further include determining a sensor compensation action based at least in part on the data indicative of the acceleration mismatch. The operations can further include implementing the sensor compensation action for the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a device that triggers a pause watchdog is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the device receives a pause message from a second network element on a first network element, where the pause message indicates that data should not be transmitted by the first network element. The device additionally triggers a pause watchdog on the first network element if the pause message is above a pause watchdog threshold, where the pause watchdog reduces the effect of the pause message.

Abstract: A system and method for non-destructive, in situ, positive material identification of a pipe selects a plurality of test areas that are separated axially and circumferentially from one another and then polishes a portion of each test area. Within each polished area, a non-destructive test device is used to collect mechanical property data and another non-destructive test device is used to collect chemical property data. An overall mean for the mechanical property data, and for the chemical property data, is calculated using at least two data collection runs. The means are compared to a known material standard to determine, at a high level of confidence, ultimate yield strength and ultimate tensile strength within +/?10%, a carbon percentage within +/?25%, and a manganese percentage within +/?20% of a known material standard.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for controlling output of a fuel cell that generates electrical power for an electric machine that propels a vehicle. In one example, a driver demand power reduction is anticipated and output of the fuel cell is adjusted before the driver demand power is reduced so that a greater amount of electric charge may be stored in an electric energy storage device.

Abstract: An energy absorption system for a railcar having an elongated sill with front and rear stops defining a pocket therebetween. To facilitate use of known railcar structures, the energy absorption system can be used in combination with a railcar also having a sill with center stops disposed between the front and rear stops. A coupler having a head portion and a shank portion is arranged in operable combination with the energy absorption system. The energy absorption system also includes a first cushioning assembly positioned in the sill pocket. A first follower is urged toward and engageable with the front stops under the influence of the first cushioning assembly and is operably engageable with a free end of the shank portion of the coupler. A second cushioning assembly is positioned in generally axial alignment with first cushioning assembly. A second follower is positioned and normally urged by the energy absorption system toward and configured to engage with the center stops.

Abstract: A method for processing network traffic data units (NTDUs). The method includes receiving, by a wireless access point (WAP), a NTDU from a client device. The method further includes identifying a virtual tunnel upon which to transmit the NTDU, where the virtual tunnel is associated with a network device and transmitting, via the virtual tunnel, the NTDU to the network device.

Abstract: A steerable speaker array is provided, comprising a plurality of drivers arranged in a concentric, nested configuration formed by arranging the drivers in a plurality of concentric groups and placing the groups at different radial distances from a central point of the configuration. Each group is formed by a subset of the plurality of drivers being positioned at predetermined intervals from each other along a perimeter of the group. Also, the concentric groups are harmonically nested and rotationally offset from each other. An audio system is also provided comprising at least one steerable speaker array and a beamforming system configured to receive one or more input audio signals from an audio source, generate a separate audio output signal for each driver of the speaker array based on at least one of the input signals, and provide the audio output signals to the corresponding drivers to produce a beamformed audio output.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a scanning method and apparatus suitable for scanning a pipeline or process vessel in which a beam of gamma radiation from a source is emitted through the vessel to be detected by an array of detectors which are each collimated to detect radiation over a narrow angle relative to the width of the emitted radiation beam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a network element that installs a device driver used to manage hardware of the network element is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the network element detects, with a functionality of a network element operating system, the hardware of a data plane of the network element, where at least one component of the network element operating system is executing in a first container as a first set of processes. The network element further determines a device driver for the hardware and installs the device driver in a kernel of the host operating system. The network element additionally manages the data, with the network element operating system, using the device driver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a device that simulates a plurality of network elements is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the device receives network topology information for the plurality of simulated network elements. The device further instantiates a container for each of the plurality of simulated network elements. The device additionally configures a set of processes for each of the plurality of containers, where each of the set of processes simulates at least one of the plurality of simulated network elements. The plurality of set of processes further implements a network topology represented by the network topology information. The device performs a test of the network topology and saves the results of the test.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention may relate to methods, systems, and/or non-transitory computer readable mediums for sidelining Such sidelining may include making a first determination, by a first network device, that a first network device state has degraded and making a first request, based on the first determination, to receive a first sideline token from a network controller. The network controller, in response to the first request, may make a second determination that a remaining sideline token is available. The method may also include receiving, by the first network device and based on the second determination, the remaining sideline token from the network controller and initiating, by the first network device, a graceful offlining based on receiving the remaining sideline token.

Abstract: A system may include a number of records in a database associated with a number of activities to be performed by a first user. The system may also include a processor that may receive a request comprising information regarding a second user and an activity to be performed by the first user, identify a plurality of pre-defined message templates based on the request, and receive a selection of one of the plurality of pre-defined message templates. The processor may then generate message text incorporating the one of the plurality of pre-defined message templates for review and display via an electronic display, such that the message text is electronically stored in a dialogue window. The processor may display the message text in the dialogue in response to receiving an approval of the message.

Abstract: Techniques relate to managing a document throughout its lifecycle according to configurable metadata associated with the document. A processor may receive the document in association with an operation and may determine suitable metadata, which may be configurable, to associate with the document. After the operation is closed, the processor may suitably handle the document based on the metadata. Handling the document may include moving the document to an associated profile and/or purging the document. Further, with the configurable metadata, the processor may control the document with increased granularity.

Abstract: A wheel is provided for a motor vehicle. The wheel includes a hub, a rim and a plurality of spokes that extend between the hub and the rim. At least one of the spokes includes an integral step having a slip resistant surface.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine, a detachable lift, and a controller. The detachable lift has a lift battery that is electrically connected to the electric machine. The controller is programmed to, responsive to the vehicle traveling on a predetermined route, transfer power between the electric machine and lift battery such that a lift battery charge is within a desired range at an end of the route.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to charge electric vehicles are disclosed. An example method includes receiving, at a processor, a request for a mobile charging unit to meet an electric vehicle to provide a battery charge to the electric vehicle. The request is generated by the electric vehicle when a ratio of a remaining trip distance of the electric vehicle to a remaining expected range of the electric vehicle exceeds a threshold. The example method further includes identifying, via the processor, a location for the battery charge based on input from a user of the electric vehicle regarding a plurality of possible locations for the battery charge.