Abstract: One example system comprises a LIDAR sensor that rotates about an axis to scan an environment of the LIDAR sensor. The system also comprises one or more cameras that detect external light originating from one or more external light sources. The one or more cameras together provide a plurality of rows of sensing elements. The rows of sensing elements are aligned with the axis of rotation of the LIDAR sensor. The system also comprises a controller that operates the one or more cameras to obtain a sequence of image pixel rows. A first image pixel row in the sequence is indicative of external light detected by a first row of sensing elements during a first exposure time period. A second image pixel row in the sequence is indicative of external light detected by a second row of sensing elements during a second exposure time period.

Abstract: A computing system may operate a LIDAR device to emit and detect light pulses in accordance with a time sequence including standard detection period(s) that establish a nominal detection range for the LIDAR device and extended detection period(s) having durations longer than those of the standard detection period(s). The system may then make a determination that the LIDAR detected return light pulse(s) during extended detection period(s) that correspond to particular emitted light pulse(s). Responsively, the computing system may determine that the detected return light pulse(s) have detection times relative to corresponding emission times of particular emitted light pulse(s) that are indicative of one or more ranges. Given this, the computing system may make a further determination of whether or not the one or more ranges indicate that an object is positioned outside of the nominal detection range, and may then engage in object detection in accordance with the further determination.

Abstract: A computing system may operate a LIDAR device to emit light pulses in accordance with a time sequence including a time-varying dither. The system may then determine that the LIDAR detected return light pulses during corresponding detection periods for each of two or more emitted light pulses. Responsively, the system may determine that the detected return light pulses have (i) detection times relative to corresponding emission times of a plurality of first emitted light pulses that are indicative of a first set of ranges and (ii) detection times relative to corresponding emission times of a plurality of second emitted light pulses that are indicative of a second set of ranges. Given this, the system may select between using the first set of ranges as a basis for object detection and using the second set of ranges as a basis for object detection, and may then engage in object detection accordingly.

Abstract: A flow generator for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a processor coupled with operation sensors and a user interface. The processor is programmed to generate at least one of time-based or event-based messages relating to at least one of flow generator operation, flow generator service, flow generator use, patient health, peripheral devices and services, patient treatment, and reminders. Time-based messages are generated at predetermined time intervals based on either time of use or elapsed time. The event-based messages are generated based on signals from the operation sensors. The user interface is configured to deliver the messages to at least one of a display, a flow generator service provider, the patient and a physician. By this system, operation of the flow generator is facilitated and enhanced.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a controlled-release composition containing a water-swellable linear polymer together with an active agent. The water-swellable linear polymer is obtained by reacting together: (a) a polyethylene oxide of number average molecular weight less than or equal to 4000 g/mol; (b) an aliphatic diol; and (c) a difunctional isocyanate. The ratio of components (a) to (b) to (c) is in the range of 0.01-0.1 to 1 to 1.01-1.1 in terms of equivalent weights. The amount of the polyethylene oxide is less than 50 wt % of the polymer. The polymer has a water swelling percentage of 20-100%.

Abstract: A novelty light configured to be releasably secured to a user's fingernail and further being configured to have disposed therein a first light source and a second light source. The novelty light includes a support member that is planar in manner having a radius that is approximately equivalent to a human fingernail. Secured to one end of the support member is a lighting chamber. The lighting chamber includes an interior volume having a first internal portion and a second internal portion containing a chemiluminescent material therein. A membrane is disposed within the interior volume of the lighting chamber intermediate the first internal portion and the second internal portion and is configured to be ruptured so as to facilitate the mixing of the chemiluminescent materials so as to produce light. The lighting chamber is further configured with a third internal portion isolated from the second internal portion and first internal portion.

Abstract: A flow generator for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a processor coupled with operation sensors and a user interface. The processor is programmed to generate at least one of time-based or event-based messages relating to at least one of flow generator operation, flow generator service, flow generator use, patient health, peripheral devices and services, patient treatment, and reminders. Time-based messages are generated at predetermined time intervals based on either time of use or elapsed time. The event-based messages are generated based on signals from the operation sensors. The user interface is configured to deliver the messages to at least one of a display, a flow generator service provider, the patient and a physician. By this system, operation of the flow generator is facilitated and enhanced.

Abstract: A method for processing image data of a sample is disclosed. The method comprises registering a first and a second images of at least partially overlapping spatial regions of the sample and processing data from the registered images to obtain integrated image data comprising information about the sample, said information being additional to that available from said first and second images.

Abstract: A communications bus line isolator is provided. In some embodiments, a first side of the communications bus isolator can be coupled to a first device via first communications bus cabling, a second side of the communications bus isolator can be coupled to a second device via second communications bus cabling, and, when the communications bus isolator detects a fault on or tampering or interference with the second communications bus cabling or the second device, the communications bus isolator can isolate the first communications bus cabling from the second communications bus cabling. In some embodiments, when the first device detects a continuous fault on or continuous tampering or interference with the second communications bus cabling or the second device, the first device can transmit a signal to the communications bus isolator, instructing the communications bus isolator to actively disable receivers on the second side of the communications bus isolator.

Abstract: A water-swellable linear polyurethane polymer is formed by reacting a polyethylene oxide (e.g. PEG 4000 to 35,000), a difunctional compound (e.g. a diamine or diol such as 1,10-decanediol) with a diisocyanate. The ratio of the three components is generally in the range 0.1-1.5 to 1 to 1.1-2.5. The polyurethane is water-swellable in the range 300 to 1700% and soluble in certain organic solvents such as dichloromethane. It can be loaded with pharmaceutically active agents, particularly of high molecular weight, to produce controlled release compositions, such as pessaries etc.

Abstract: A garbage collection process for a data deduplication storage system is disclosed. In one implementation, a method is disclosed to perform garbage collection that works effectively across a scale-out cluster and across very large amounts of data. The method includes compacting data in an object store in the scale-out cluster by examining data in a reference map of data blocks in the object store to determine which of the locations within a back-end object in an object store are referenced, and which locations are no longer referenced by a process. The back-end object in an Object Store are altered to remove block data from locations which are no longer referenced, and a hash-to-location table is updated to remove the entries for the removed block data.

Abstract: Gypsum composites containing cementitious materials and methods of making the same are provided. Gypsum composites include gypsum and a cementitious material. Methods of making gypsum composites include combining gypsum stucco, water, and a cementitious material to form a slurry, and setting and drying the slurry to form a gypsum composite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of fibers and fibers prepared by the process. The process can provide discontinuous colloidal polymer fibers in a process that employs a low viscosity dispersion medium.

Abstract: A pick for mineral winning includes an elongate shank configured to be positioned into a cavity of a holder. A profile is defined on an outside surface of the shaft which includes a first surface formed into the profile and disposed to receive a leveraging device to enable a first forced translational movement of the shaft relative to the holder, and a second surface formed into the profile and disposed to receive the leveraging device to enable a second forced translational movement of the shaft relative to the holder.

Abstract: A data replication system and process is disclosed. A device receives files respectively via a network from a remotely disposed computing device and partitions the received files into data objects. The device creates hash values for the first data objects and stores the data objects on remotely disposed storage systems at location addresses. The first device stores in records of a storage table, for each of the data objects, the hash values and corresponding location addresses. The device receives an indication to replicate a portion of the stored data objects and replicates the stored data objects by copying the indicated data objects stored on the first remotely located storage system to the second remotely located storage system, and after replicating the indicated data objects, copies or recreates the one or more hash values and the one or more location addresses and the one or more key-to-location (e.g.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems are disclosed for categorizing and analyzing documents and records using combinations of concept elements selected from a set of semantically coherent dimensions. Each combination of concept elements is a tuple, which is a sequence or a set of elements selected from the dimensions.

Abstract: A high solids magnesium hydroxide slurry may be provided. The slurry may include a magnesium hydroxide compound and a carbohydrate-based viscosity control agent. The slurry may further include sea water as at least a portion of the liquid component. The high solids magnesium hydroxide slurry may be utilized in connection with exhaust scrubber systems for removing SOx and NOx compounds from exhaust gas emissions.

Abstract: A pick for mineral winning includes an elongate shank configured to be positioned into a cavity of a holder. A profile is defined on an outside surface of the shaft which includes a first surface formed into the profile and disposed to receive a leveraging device to enable a first forced translational movement of the shaft relative to the holder, and a second surface formed into the profile and disposed to receive the leveraging device to enable a second forced translational movement of the shaft relative to the holder.

Abstract: A torque fastening system and method for applying torque to secure a fastener, includes actuating a torque tool to provide an initial command torque value to the servo drive of an electric motor for applying torque to a fastener. The initial command torque value is less than a target command torque value corresponding to a desired maximum target torque value entered by an operator. The torque fastening system operates at the initial command torque value to rotate a threaded fastener. Thereafter, in response to a spike in torque that corresponds to a decrease in motor speed, the torque tool output changes from the initial command torque value to a jump command torque value having a greater power value to increase torque applied by the torque tool to a fastener. The command torque value is ramped from the jump command torque value toward the target command torque value to increase the torque provided by the torque tool.