Abstract: Systems and methods enable a determination as to whether a UAV is hovering at a surveillance location and can engage evasive hovering movements while UAV is engaged in surveillance at the surveillance location. Evasive hovering movement can be restricted to a define space at the UAV's hover location. Engagement of evasive hovering movements can be from a remote controller. A camera can maintain lock on a surveilled target during evasive hovering movements. A laser can maintain lock on a surveilled target during evasive hovering movements. Evasive movements can also be implemented during UAV forward flight.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of certain alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists for the treatment, amelioration, prevention or delay of progression of fatigue, narcolepsy, excessive daytime sleepiness, nocturnal sleep disturbance, and/or cataplexy.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device comprising a fluid reservoir; a transcutaneous access tool fluidly coupled to the fluid reservoir; and a drive mechanism for driving fluid from the reservoir, the drive mechanism comprising a plunger received in the reservoir; a leadscrew extending from the plunger; a nut threadably engaged with the leadscrew; a drive wheel; and a clutch mechanism coupled to the drive wheel, wherein the clutch mechanism is configured to allow the nut to pass through when disengaged and is configured to grip the nut when engaged such that the drive wheel rotates the nut to advance the drive rod and the plunger into the reservoir.

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing sporting equipment sticks is provided. Embodiments have a controller generating a release signal in response to completing a purchase of a selected sporting equipment stick that is secured within the sporting equipment stick vending machine; a plurality of securing latches each defining a lockable compartment that receives a portion of a shaft of a sporting equipment stick, and wherein each one of the plurality of securing latches open to release its respective sporting equipment stick in response to the release signal received from the controller; and a stick guide system with a plurality of restraining apertures that are configured to receive a portion of a handle of the sporting equipment stick, wherein a size of reach restraining aperture is sized to receive a proximal end of the sporting equipment stick. The securing latch and corresponding restraining aperture cooperatively secure the sporting equipment stick.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a method of protecting an inner wall surface of a vessel from damaging interaction with an additive added to the vessel, where the method includes providing the vessel at least part way filled with a liquid product; applying a force on the vessel the force being configured to create a change in shape of a surface of the liquid product; and providing sufficient containment of the additive by the change in shape of the surface of the liquid product to substantially prevent damaging interaction between the inner wall surface of the vessel and the additive for at least an additive reaction time period at the end of which the additive is rendered substantially incapable of producing damaging interaction to the inner wall surface of the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) compositions targeting the LECT2 gene, and methods of using such dsRNA compositions to alter (e.g., inhibit) expression of LECT2.

Abstract: An electronic device has a housing that forms an exterior surface of the electronic device. An array of actuators is coupled to the housing and is operable to move the housing in order to produce sound waves and/or haptic output via the exterior surface. In this way, less space is consumed by acoustic and haptic devices as compared to similar conventional devices, thereby allowing for thinner electronic devices and/or room for other components within the housing. The actuators may be operable to move different regions of the housing to produce sound waves and/or haptic output within different frequency ranges.

Abstract: A data processing system for implementing a machine learning process in dependence on a graph neural network, the system being configured to receive a plurality of input graphs each having a plurality of nodes, at least some of the nodes having an attribute, the system being configured to: for at least one graph of the input graphs: determine one or more sets of nodes of the plurality of nodes, the nodes of each set having identical attributes; for each set, assign a label to each of the nodes of that set so that each node of a set has a different label from the other nodes of that set; process the sets to form an aggregate value; and implement the machine learning process taking as input: (i) the input graphs with the exception of the said sets and (ii) the aggregate value.

Abstract: A retroreflective article comprises a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements, each retroreflective element comprising a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements comprise a first locally laminated layer and a second locally laminated layer that may be reflective layers. A transfer article comprises a disposable carrier layer in which the retroreflective article is detachably disposed with at least some of the transparent microspheres in contact with the disposable carrier layer.

Abstract: A system for energy conversion including a closed cycle engine containing a volume of working fluid is provided. The engine includes a double-ended piston assembly including a pair of pistons coupled to a connection member. An expansion chamber is separated from a compression chamber by the piston. The engine defines an outer end and an inner end relative to a lateral extension of the piston assembly. A heater body is positioned thermally proximal to the expansion chamber and thermally distal to the compression chamber, and the heater body is positioned at the outer end of the engine. A load device is operably coupled to the piston assembly at the inner end of the engine. The load device is positioned between the pair of pistons of the piston assembly.

Abstract: Recycle fiber bleaching includes an oxygen pre-treatment to activate the fiber for further bleaching. A preferred method of making a high brightness papermaking pulp from recycled cellulose fiber includes: (a) pre-treating a first recycled cellulosic fiber mix with oxygen, said first recycled cellulosic fiber mix having a first high Kappa number prior to pre-treatment and a reduced Kappa number after pre-treatment that is lower than said first high Kappa number; and (b) blending the pre-treated first recycled cellulosic fiber mix with the reduced Kappa number with a second recycled cellulosic fiber mix having a second Kappa number lower than the first high Kappa number of the first recycled cellulosic fiber mix; and (c) oxidatively bleaching the blended recycled cellulosic fiber mix of step (b); and optionally (d) reductively bleaching the blended recycled cellulosic fiber mix of step (c).

Abstract: An apparatus includes an implantable stimulator to treat sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and at least one electrode associated with the stimulator.

Abstract: A method for predicting end-of-life for a component includes determining a baseline lifetime model for a component connected to a machine functional safety system. The component is part of a system with physical devices. The method includes monitoring environmental conditions and usage conditions of the component and modifying the baseline lifetime model based on the monitored environmental and usage conditions to produce a modified lifetime model for the component. The method includes tracking a lifetime progress of the component with respect to the modified lifetime model and sending an alert in response to lifetime progress of the component reaching a lifetime threshold associated with the modified lifetime model.

Abstract: method is disclosed for diagnosing a slave computer which communicates with a master computer, the computers being on board a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a fault code from the slave computer, determining whether the fault code received is associated with a vehicle function, and saving the fault code only if the fault code is associated with a vehicle function.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for an intelligent shelf display system that creates an intimate customer experience and helps retailers increase operational efficiencies. The system is comprised of a cabinet top to display animated and/or graphical content and is mounted on top of in-store shelves. A fascia to display animated and/or graphical content is extended along each shelf of the in-store shelves. A media player executes multiple media files that are simultaneously displayed on the cabinet top and the fascia. The cabinet top and the fascia display content to entice customers to approach the shelves, and then the fascia switch to displaying pricing information once a customer is nearby. A proximity sensor detects the presence of the customer. Stock sensors track the inventory stocked on the in-store shelves. Alerts are created once the merchandise remaining on the shelves is reduced to a predetermined minimum threshold quantity.

Abstract: A method includes monitoring patterns of commands provided by a self-service terminal controller, identifying potential fraud in the monitored patterns of commands, and suspending operation of a dispenser of the self-service terminal responsive to the identification of potential fraud.

Abstract: A method for risk assessment violation monitoring during a functional safety process includes receiving parameters from a risk assessment of a portion of a system with physical devices. The parameters of the risk assessment are applicable to a safety device of a machine safety system. The safety device is configured to prevent a hazardous condition in the system. The method includes detecting a change of a condition of the safety device. The condition is indicative of a potential safety issue affecting operation of the machine safety system. The method includes comparing parameters related to the change of the condition of the safety device with the parameters from the risk assessment and sending an alert in response to determining that the change of the condition of the safety device results in a violation of the risk assessment.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation pump system for an internal combustion engine includes an EGR gas source and an electric motor assembly. A roots device is coupled to the electric motor. The roots device includes a housing defining an internal volume wherein the housing includes a radial inlet port receiving the EGR gas source and an outlet port expelling the EGR gas from the housing. Rotors are disposed in the internal volume and connected to the electric motor. A transmission housing is attached to the housing. The transmission housing includes journals formed therein receiving bearings that support the rotors on only a single end of the rotors.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle, system, and method include an electric machine, a traction battery coupled to the electric machine, and a controller programmed to control wheel slip to provide high wheel slip to traverse deformable terrain, such as sand or loose soil, and lower wheel slip to avoid excessive soil removal beneath the wheels after detecting a vertical acceleration or heave event, such as after landing when driving over a jump or bump. When vehicle vertical acceleration exceeds a first threshold, and a ratio of a wheel angular acceleration to vehicle longitudinal acceleration exceeds a second threshold, the electric machine is controlled to limit wheel slip to a lower value that provides sufficient tractive force to maintain some forward motion. Otherwise, the electric machine is controlled to limit wheel slip to a higher value to accommodate higher vehicle speeds over the deformable terrain.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed. A split shroud for an inner shroud of a gas turbine engine includes: at least one forward shroud segment and at least one aft shroud segment to couple to the at least one forward shroud segment, the at least one forward shroud segment and the at least one aft shroud segment forming a split line.