Abstract: An electronic catheter stethoscope measures and analyzes acoustic fields and dynamic pressure variations in the gaseous or liquid fluid inside a conventional medical catheter that is positioned in a patient's urologic, digestive, reproductive, cardiovascular, neurological or pulmonary system. Measurement transducers are installed in a housing connectable to multiple preselected medical catheters. The transducers detect bodily functions that are transmitted to the preselected catheter from within the body. The transducers, housing, electrical interface and signal processing electronics are positioned outside the body.

Abstract: An approach is provided for indirectly connecting a customer's mobile smart device to a point of sale computer located at a business when the customer is making a purchase at the business. The customer's mobile smart device and the POS computer communicate over the Internet with a customer interaction manager executing on an Internet server. This provides an easy to use interface for the customer and allows the customer to receive information and send requests to the business without having to wait for personnel working at the business to be available.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a switching period module and at least one of a valve lift control module and a start-stop control module. The switching period module determines a switching period that elapses as a valve lift actuator of an engine switches between a first valve lift position and a second valve lift position that is different than the first lift position. The switching period begins when a measured position of the valve lift actuator corresponds to the first lift position and the switching period ends when the measured position of the valve lift actuator corresponds to the second lift position. The valve lift control module controls the valve lift actuator based on the switching period. The start-stop control module determines whether to automatically stop the engine based on the switching period.

Abstract: A pressure bulkhead for an aircraft includes a wall assembly. The wall assembly includes a first wall section which extends in a direction nonparallel to a length of the aircraft. The wall assembly further includes a second wall section secured to the first wall section wherein the second wall section includes a curved shape. The curved shape includes a convex portion which extends further along the length of the aircraft in a direction toward the aft end of the aircraft than the first wall section. A method for assembling a pressure bulkhead is also provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for articulating visual inspection devices are provided. For example, a method can include receiving an inspection template by a control system associated with the visual inspection device. The inspection template can include data associated with at least one point of interest in a scene viewable to the visual inspection device. The method can further include generating, by the control system, an articulation path based on the data. The method can also include actuating an electro-mechanical system of the visual inspection device according to the articulation path.

Abstract: A non-transitory, computer-readable medium includes computer-executable code having instructions. The instructions are configured to receive data relating to an environment, construct an image of the environment based on the received data, and display the image on a touch-screen device. The instructions are also configured to receive a control gesture via the touch-screen device and interpret the control gesture. Further, the instructions are configured to control an articulating system coupled to the device to control an orientation of a sensor configured to collect the data, control a mode of operation of the sensor, or any combination thereof based on the interpretation of the control gesture.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which employ a silencing element that, when ingested by a pest, such as a Coleopteran plant pest or a Diabrotica plant pest, decrease the expression of a target sequence in the pest. In specific embodiments, the decrease in expression of the target sequence controls the pest and thereby the methods and compositions are capable of limiting damage to a plant. The present invention provides various target polynucleotides set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-236 or active variants and fragments thereof, wherein a decrease in expression of one or more the sequences in the target pest controls the pest (i.e., has insecticidal activity). Further provided are silencing elements which when ingested by the pest decrease the level of the target polypeptide and thereby control the pest. In specific embodiment, the pest is D. virgifera, D. barberi, D. speciosa, or D. undecimpunctata howardi.

Abstract: A rotary surface cleaning machine for cleaning floors, including both carpeted floors and uncarpeted hard floor surfaces including but not limited to wood, tile, linoleum and natural stone flooring. The rotary surface cleaning machine has a rotary surface cleaning tool mounted on a frame and coupled for high speed rotary motion relative to the frame. The rotary surface cleaning tool has a substantially circular operational surface that performs the cleaning operation. The rotary surface cleaning tool is driven by an on-board power plant to rotate at high speed. The rotary surface cleaning tool is coupled to a supply of pressurized hot liquid solution of cleaning fluid and a powerful vacuum suction source.

Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle includes a target torque module that determines a target torque output of an engine based on at least one driver input. A target air per cylinder (APC) module determines a target APC for the engine based on the target torque. A target mass airflow (MAF) module determines a target MAF through a throttle valve of the engine based on the target APC, a number of activated cylinders of the engine, and a total number of cylinders of the engine. A throttle control module determines a target throttle opening based on the target MAF and controls opening of the throttle valve based on the target throttle opening.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for simulating at least one of a virtual environment and a debugging environment to prevent unwanted code from executing. In use, at least one of a virtual environment and a debugging environment is simulated. Additionally, unwanted code is prevented from executing as a result of the simulation.

Abstract: We describe a user exercise-tolerance measuring pulse oximeter system, for determining the exercise tolerance or capacity of a user undergoing exercise, the system comprising: a wireless fingerband comprising an optical sensor to provide an oxygen saturation signal, a chargeable power supply, and a wireless transmitter/receiver; a motion detector to provide a user motion signal; and a signal processor coupled to said wireless fingerband to data from said optical sensor, and coupled to said motion detector; wherein said signal processor is configured to: process a combination of said oxygen saturation signal and said user motion signal to determine exercise tolerance data, wherein said exercise tolerance data is dependent upon said oxygen saturation signal and a level of exertion of said user determined from said user motion signal; and to time or count a period or quantity of user motion or movements, during said exercise, identified by said motion detector, to determine said level of exertion; to measure a d

Abstract: An automated, unmanned continuous system (200) for packaging flowable food products at elevated temperatures and pressures includes an upstream thermal processing station (202) to heat the food products and direct the heated food products to a pressurized unmanned filling station (204), whereat containers (242) are filled with the heated food products within a pressurized housing (232), and then transported to a pressurized and unmanned sealing station (206) where the containers are sealed with a lid or cover (283) within a pressurized housing (282). Thereafter, the filled and sealed containers (242) are routed from the pressurized housing (282) through a pressurized transfer tube or passageway (208) for further processing at a downstream thermal processing station (210).

Abstract: An electronic catheter stethoscope measures and analyzes acoustic fields and dynamic pressure variations in the gaseous or liquid fluid inside a conventional medical catheter that is positioned in a patient's urologic, digestive, reproductive, cardiovascular, neurological or pulmonary system. Measurement transducers are installed in a housing connectable to multiple preselected medical catheters. The transducers detect bodily functions that are transmitted to the preselected catheter from within the body. The transducers, housing, electrical interface and signal processing electronics are positioned outside the body.

Abstract: A disinfectant formulation comprising a poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) and a quaternary ammonium compound or combination of quaternary ammonium compounds is provided. A wipe having a residual biocidal property is also provided. The wipe formulation comprises a substrate comprised of a fibrous material, and the formulation present on or in the substrate. The formulation comprises a poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline), a quaternary ammonium compound or combination of quaternary ammonium compounds, a surfactant, water, and an optional fragrance.

Abstract: Real-time evaluation of high quality preview images of a document prior to capturing a final image of the document on a mobile device is disclosed. In one aspect, an image capture device is activated on the mobile device. A plurality of preview images of the document is then captured, each of which has a lower image quality than a final image to be captured by the image capture device. Next, for each of the plurality of preview images, the system measures a parameter associated with the image capturing. Next, the system selects a preview image among a subset of the captured preview images when the value of the at least one parameter meets a threshold value.

Abstract: A vehicle sun visor assembly includes a circuit board having a mounting surface. The vehicle sun visor assembly also includes a top-emitting light emitting diode (LED) mounted on the mounting surface of the circuit board. In addition, the vehicle sun visor assembly includes a light guide having a light emitting surface and a light receiving surface. The light receiving surface is substantially perpendicular to the light emitting surface, and the light guide is configured to receive light emitted from the top-emitting LED through the light receiving surface and to emit the light from the top-emitting LED through the light emitting surface toward a vehicle interior.

Abstract: Described herein are latching devices where relative speed of movement between members is in part controlled or reduced via eddy current formation and in part controlled or relative motion stopped via a latch arrangement. Various embodiments are described, one being use of a conductive member; at least one magnetic field and a latch member that, prior to latching, moves independently to the at least one conductive member. A kinematic relationship exists between the conductive member and at least one magnetic field that enables the conductive member to move at a different speed relative to the magnetic field on application of an energizing force, thereby inducing an eddy current drag force by relative movement of the conductive member in the magnetic field. The eddy current drag force resulting causes movement of the conductive member causing the conductive member to engage the latch member thereby halting movement between the at least one conductive member and the at least one latch member.

Abstract: A vehicle sun visor assembly includes a sun visor body and an electrical system. The electrical system includes a power source tray configured to receive a power source. The sun visor body includes a mounting feature configured to couple the power source tray to the sun visor body and to facilitate removal of the power source tray from the sun visor body. In addition, the electrical system includes at least one electrical contact coupled to the sun visor body and configured to establish an electrical connection with the power source while the power source tray is engaged with the mounting feature.

Abstract: An exhaust system for a lean-burn internal combustion engine is described, and includes an injection system for injecting reductant into an exhaust gas feedstream upstream of a selective catalytic reduction device (SCR). A control method for controlling the injection system includes determining an upstream NOx gas concentration upstream of the SCR device, determining a measured downstream NOx gas concentration based upon a signal output from a sensor configured to monitor NOx gas concentration downstream of the SCR device, and determining an estimated downstream NOx gas concentration based upon an executable model. A first correlation between the upstream NOx gas concentration and the measured downstream NOx gas concentration is determined, and a second correlation between the upstream NOx gas concentration and the estimated downstream NOx gas concentration is determined. The reductant injection is controlled based upon the first and second correlations.