Abstract: A kit or composition for in situ simultaneously derivatization of 14 phenol and carboxylic acid metabolites of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene (BTEX) in a urine sample is disclosed. The derivatization imparts a positive charge to phenol and carboxylic acid for subsequent LC-MS analysis. Limit of detection reached part-per-trillion levels for o-Cresol and part-per-billion levels for the remaining BTEX metabolites. BTEX metabolites can be detected in less than 35 mins according to one embodiment of the invention. Methods, kits and compositions disclosed herein can be used for in situ simultaneous derivatization of phenol and carboxylic acid in aqueous solution in general.

Abstract: A lock system includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to store an access credential for a locking device. The access credential is associated with a user. The access credential has a lifespan. The processing circuit is further configured to deliver the access credential to a user device associated with the user to facilitate accessing the locking device with the user device, monitor a frequency at which the user device accesses the locking device using the access credential, and adjust the lifespan of the access credential based on the frequency.

Abstract: In biometric ticketing, physical token-less ticketing system using biometrics, a person may be identified using a digital representation of a biometric. Ticketing information may be ascertained based on the identification. The ticketing information may be provided, actions may be performed using the ticketing information, and so on. In some implementations, a checkpoint device receives biometric data from a person. A digital representation of the biometric data is used to obtain an identifier from an identification system. The digital representation of the biometric data may not be included in the identifier. The identifier is used by to obtain ticketing information from a ticketing system. The person may be allowed or denied entry into a ticketed area based on the ticketing information.

Abstract: Provided herein are composite electrolytes that include inorganic conductors and polar polymers. By providing the polar polymers as structures such as microspheres in a suspension in a non-polar solvent, the polar polymers can be used as binders in composites that include sulfide electrolytes. The resulting composites have high room temperature conductivities and good mechanical properties. Also provided are composites that include inorganic conductors and other polymers that are insoluble in non-polar solvents. Also provided are composites that include polar polymers and lithium argyrodite conductors and methods of processing the composites that result in high conductivity retention. Also provided are methods of forming composite electrolytes using suspensions of polymer microstructures in a processing solvent and the resulting composite electrolytes.

Abstract: Fabric drop-down diffusers are disclosed. An example drop-down diffuser includes a hoop to be supported adjacent an end of an air duct, and a first fabric sheet to hang downward from the hoop. The first fabric sheet to define a first wall of an air chamber adjacent the hoop on a side of the hoop opposite the air duct. The first fabric sheet to completely surround the air chamber along a circumferential path corresponding to the hoop. The hoop to be transverse to the air duct and positioned so that air delivered by the air duct is to pass through the hoop and into the air chamber. The drop-down diffuser also includes a second fabric sheet to be coupled to the first fabric sheet. The second fabric sheet to define a second wall of the air chamber.

Abstract: Verifiable order message handling for electronic auctions. Electronic order messages are received, with at least one message including an order of a predetermined type having sell order information associated with an entity having securities not previously registered for transactions. Requests for participation in an electronic auction are identified from among the messages. The requests include auction-only order information, with at least one request including the order of the predetermined type. It is determined whether the sell order information in the order of the predetermined type meets a predetermined auction condition based on an auction price. When the sell order information meets the predetermined auction condition, the order is permitted to participate in the electronic auction, such that the order is executed in full in the electronic auction. When the sell order information does not meet the predetermined auction condition, the electronic auction is canceled.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a winch including a motor and a contactor assembly coupled around the motor. In one example, the contactor assembly includes an outer casing with a planar, inner end wall. Additionally, the contactor assembly includes a plurality of angled inner surfaces disposed adjacent to the cylindrical housing of the motor.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide a framework to identify and recommend tasks that can be performed for the benefit of a member. Through this framework, a member is assigned with a representative that, over time, learns about the member's preferences and behavior, which can be used to recommend tasks that can be performed to reduce the member's cognitive load. Further, as the representative develops a relationship with the member over time, the representative can also curate experiences for the member and assist the member in achieving personal goals and ambitions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of improved separators for lead acid batteries, improved lead acid batteries incorporating the improved separators, and vehicles, devices, or systems incorporating the same. A lead acid battery separator is provided with a porous membrane with a plurality of ribs extending from a surface thereon. The plurality of ribs preferably includes both positive ribs and negative ribs having similar heights. The ribs are provided with a plurality of discontinuous peaks arranged such as to provide resilient support for the porous membrane in order to resist forces exerted by active material swelling and thus mitigate the effects of acid starvation associated with such swelling, and increasing the acid availability at the electrodes. A lead acid battery is further provided that incorporates the provided separator.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a joint distractor configured to apply a distraction force to a first bone to distract a joint, a tracking system configured to track relative poses of the joint distractor and the first bone of the joint in contact with the joint distractor, and a computing system. The computing system is programmed to receive information indicating the relative poses of the joint distractor rand the first bone of the joint, determine, using the relative poses of the joint distractor and the first bone of the joint, a characteristic of the distraction force, and cause, using the characteristic of the distraction force, an adjustment of the distraction force.

Abstract: The embodiments set forth techniques for implementing a sing-along session. According to some embodiments, the techniques can be implemented by a computing device, and include the steps of (1) receiving audio feed content from at least one microphone, (2) receiving audio content that includes metadata that describes a plurality of characteristics of the audio content, (3) generating audio output content that is based on the audio feed content and the audio content, (4) receiving video feed content from at least one camera, (5) generating video output content that is based on: the video feed content, and the audio content and/or at least one characteristic of the plurality of characteristics of the audio content, and (6) outputting, to a media playback system: the audio output content, and the video output content.

Abstract: A method for producing trifluoroethylene in a reactor with a fixed catalytic bed comprising a catalyst, comprises the steps of: a) reacting chlorotrifluoroethylene with hydrogen in the presence of the catalyst and in the gas phase, to produce a flow of product comprising trifluoroethylene; b) treating the flow of product obtained in step a) in order to recover a stream A comprising trifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene and an additional compound selected from the group consisting of 1,1-difluoroethylene, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1-trifluoroethane and ethane; wherein the total content by weight of the additional compound is less than 0.5%; c) distilling stream A to recover a stream B comprising at least 99% by weight of trifluoroethylene and less than 0.2% by weight of one or more additional compounds. A composition comprising at least 99% by weight of trifluoroethylene and from 0.1 to 1000 ppm of ethane, and/or from 0.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a tire having a three-dimensional tire sipe are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tire having a sipe is provided, the tire comprising: opposing tread element portions separated by the sipe, each opposing tread element portion including a plurality of positive elements and a plurality of negative elements, wherein the plurality of positive elements and the plurality of negative elements include three substantially quadrilateral-shaped planar surfaces, each planar surface being oriented relative to another planar surface by an angle of 90 degrees, wherein the three planar surfaces meet at a rounded terminal portion, wherein the sipe includes a radially outer zig-zag portion, wherein the sipe includes a radially inner three-dimensional portion radially inward of the radially outer zig-zag portion, and wherein the sipe includes a radially inner zig-zag portion radially inward of the radially inner three-dimensional portion.

Abstract: A system includes: an inverter configured to convert DC power from a battery to AC power to drive a motor, wherein the inverter includes: a first power module including: a first connection; a second connection; a first power switch including a first gate terminal, the first power switch configured to control a first flow of current between the first connection and the second connection based on a first signal to the first gate terminal; and a first point-of-use controller configured to provide the first signal to the first gate terminal to control the first power switch.

Abstract: An audio system is provided. The audio system includes a plurality of loudspeakers and a mobile device. The plurality of loudspeakers is capable of being positioned in a listening environment and being arranged to transmit an audio signal in the listening environment. Each loudspeaker is programmed to determine angle information of the audio signal as received at the loudspeaker relative to other loudspeakers of the plurality of loudspeakers and to transmit a first signal indicative of the angle information. The mobile device is programmed to receive the first signal from each of the loudspeakers and to determine a location for each loudspeaker in the listening environment based at least on the angle information.

Abstract: A transmission for a work vehicle includes a transmission housing forming an enclosure for one or more transmission components, a reservoir in a lower portion of the transmission housing, the reservoir including transmission fluid, a first electric machine positioned within an upper portion of the transmission housing, an electronic component positioned at least partially within the reservoir, and a first busbar connected between the first electric machine and the electronic component. The first busbar includes a vertical portion extending from a location near the first electric machine to a location near the electronic component.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved display system and method that is created by adjusting the properties of one or more displays to obtain coarse control over display behavior, by using sensors to optimize display parameters. The display is further improved by constructing a display map by selectively driving the display and sensing the optical image created. Furthermore, the sensors are used to ensure that the resulting optimized display meets target quality measurements over time, potentially taking into account ambient conditions. The system reports on status, and can predict when it no longer meets a quality target. It is able to optimize a display system and keep it optimized over time. Individual displays with the display system can have operating points that are matched to each other. Corrections to the input image signal, delivering improved display system performance, are minimized, and therefore, unwanted artifacts of those changes can be minimized.

Abstract: An Integrated Virtual Patient Framework (IVPF) for providing decision support that evolves with increasing data collected on a given patient. Support decisions for patients with limited data is made using statistical prediction tools derived from historical trajectories of similar patients. As patient histories grow, decision support is provided by mathematical models that constrain the possible dynamics of the patient to more detailed predictive models. Weights for each model are assigned depending on uncertainties arising from data fitting and model properties. As new data are entered into a patient record, the models are recalibrated and the weights are adjusted, leading to updated decision support information. The framework also suggests the benefit of additional follow-up data collection events, optimizing the data collection as well as how the IVPF generates predictions. The framework also may present scenarios to patients in a way that informs them of treatment outcomes, given various strategies.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are scientific instrument support systems, as well as related methods, computing devices, and computer-readable media. For example, in some embodiments, a support system is provided for a scientific instrument. The support system is configured to acquire, for each of a plurality of scientific instrument groups, asset information associated with the scientific instrument group. The scientific instrument group includes at least one scientific instrument. The support system is also configured to acquire, for each of the plurality of scientific instrument groups, reservation information associated with the scientific instrument group. The support system is also configured to generate, for each of the plurality of scientific instrument groups, a status card including status information associated with the scientific instrument group. The status information is at least based on the asset information and the reservation information.

Abstract: According to the various aspects, the present disclosure is directed to printed circuit board assemblies having a plurality of printed circuit board units or modules that use board connectors for joining the printed circuit board units. In an aspect, the board connector has a first surface, which may be a top surface, and an opposing second surface, which may be a bottom surface, and a plurality of openings, including a first set of connector openings for providing electrical connections between the at least two plurality of printed circuit board units. In another aspect, a method that includes forming a first printed circuit board unit with a first connecting portion and a second printed circuit board unit with a second connecting portion, and the first and second connecting are electrically coupled with the printed circuit board connector.