Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses for holding a substrate in a near vertical position, wherein the design minimizes substrate sag while allowing the substrate to expand and contract under varying thermal conditions. The apparatus minimizes the stress on the substrate, preventing breakage of or damage to the substrate while it undergoes coating and other thermal processes.

Abstract: According to an example, different types of data stored at a database may be identified. The identified data may be scored, where different types of data are scored according to different schemes. The scored data that is above a threshold may be selectively retained. The different schemes may relate to measuring a relevancy of the identified data for predicting behavior of a system.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in part, compounds of Formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; processes for the preparation of; intermediates used in the preparation of; and compositions containing such compounds or salts, and their uses for treating D1-mediated (or D1-associated) disorders including, e.g., schizophrenia (e.g., its cognitive and negative symptoms), cognitive impairment (e.g., cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia, AD, PD, or pharmacotherapy therapy), and Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbable block copolymers with improved characteristics including thermal stability, molecular weight consistency, inherent viscosity retention following melt extrusion, and fibers made from the polymers exhibit increased strength.

Abstract: A double network hydrogel consists of a first network and a second network, where the first network is, or includes, a first polymer that is formed, at least in part, of —CH2—CH(OH)— units, and the second network is, or includes, a second polymer that is formed, at least in part, of carboxyl (COOH)-containing units or salts thereof, sulfonyl (SO3H)-containing units or salts thereof, and at least one of hydroxyl (OH)-containing units or amino (NH2)-containing units, where the hydrogel may be used as a cartilage replacement.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic component including a ferrule having a distal end and a proximal end. The ferrule defines a fiber passage extending though the ferrule along a fiber passage axis in a proximal-to-distal orientation. The fiber optic component also includes an optical fiber structure affixed within the fiber passage. The optical fiber structure includes a beam expansion section optically coupled to a sacrificial section. The beam expansion section has a construction adapted to expand an optical beam from a first beam diameter to an enlarged second beam diameter. The sacrificial section is configured to receive the optical beam having the second beam diameter from the beam expansion section. The sacrificial section is positioned at the distal end of the ferrule and has a polished end face at the distal end of the ferrule. The sacrificial section has a core-less construction or has a core with a core diameter that is larger than the enlarged second beam diameter.

Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to an alignment device that includes a groove-type alignment structure with a support region for receiving an optical fiber inserted along a fiber insertion axis. The optical fiber has a first side and a second, opposite side. The groove-type alignment structure engages the first side of the optical fiber. The alignment device includes a stabilization structure that engages the first side of the optical fiber and a first angled transition surface that engages the second, opposite side of the optical fiber. The present disclosure also relates to an alignment system that includes a first housing piece; a second housing piece adapted to mate with the first housing piece; and a flat structure positioned between the first and second housing pieces.

Abstract: A system is described for controlling an actuating unit that restricts physical access such as a motorized garage door actuator unit. The system comprises a mobile wireless communication device, an electro-mechanical access control security device, and a receiving unit controlling the electro-mechanical access control security device, the receiving unit paired with the mobile wireless communication device for receiving user input for activating the electro-mechanical access control security device via a peer-to-peer communication directly with the mobile wireless communication device, and a pre-authorization of communication of the receiving unit with the mobile wireless communication device, the mobile wireless communication device receiving the pre-authorization from a central security server.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to methods for processing ferrules of fiber optic connectors such that the amount of polishing that is required is eliminated or at least reduced. In one example, an energy source is used to remove excess adhesive from the end face of the fiber and likely from an end face of the ferrule.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in part, compounds of Formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; processes for the preparation of; intermediates used in the preparation of; and compositions containing such compounds or salts, and their uses for treating MAGL-mediated diseases and disorders including, e.g., pain, an inflammatory disorder, traumatic brain injury, depression, anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, a metabolic disorder, stroke, or cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in part, heterocyclic spiro compounds of Formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; processes for the preparation of; intermediates used in the preparation of; and compositions containing such compounds or salts, and their uses for treating MAGL-mediated diseases and disorders including, e.g., pain, an inflammatory disorder, depression, anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, a metabolic disorder, stroke, or cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in part, compounds of Formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; processes for the preparation of; intermediates used in the preparation of; and compositions containing such compounds or salts, and their uses for treating D1-mediated (or D1-associated) disorders including, e.g., schizophrenia (e.g., its cognitive and negative symptoms), cognitive impairment (e.g., cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia, AD, PD, or pharmacotherapy therapy), and Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in part, compounds of Formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; processes for the preparation of; intermediates used in the preparation of; and compositions containing such compounds or salts, and their uses for treating MAGL-mediated diseases and disorders including, e.g., pain, an inflammatory disorder, depression, anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, a metabolic disorder, stroke, or cancer.

Abstract: A duel-fuel fireplace apparatus is described. In one example, an apparatus includes an enclosure having a door disposed thereon and a wood-burning compartment disposed within the enclosure. The wood-burning compartment has an insulated housing configured to support temperatures associated with burning of wood within the wood-burning compartment. A gas-burning compartment is also disposed within the enclosure and has a gas burner disposed therein. A mechanism including a motor is configured to cause movement between a first mode in which the wood-burning compartment is viewable through the door and a second mode in which the gas-burning compartment is viewable through the door.

Abstract: A duel-fuel fireplace apparatus is described. In one example, an apparatus includes an enclosure having a door disposed thereon and a wood burning compartment disposed within the enclosure. The wood burning compartment has an insulated housing configured to support temperatures associated with burning of wood within the wood burning compartment. A gas burning compartment is also disposed within the enclosure and has a gas burner disposed therein. A mechanism including a motor is configured to cause movement between a first mode in which the wood burning compartment is viewable through the door and a second mode in which the gas burning compartment is viewable through the door.

Abstract: A system for connecting a fiber optic connector to a fiber optic adapter includes various alternative improvements, including improvements to the shutter, the alignment device, and the adapter in general.

Abstract: A laminate structure having a first chemically strengthened glass layer, a second chemically strengthened glass layer, and a polymer interlayer structure intermediate the first and second glass layers. The polymer interlayer structure can include a first polymeric layer adjacent to the first glass layer, a second polymeric layer adjacent to the second glass layer, and a polymeric rigid core intermediate the first and second polymeric layers.

Abstract: A vehicle access and control system includes an activation system, a vehicle control system, a communication system provided in the vehicle, a computer system mounted in the vehicle, and a vehicle access control system including a processor, a non-volatile memory, and a set of instructions stored on the non-volatile memory. The set of instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the processor to receive a user specific identification input, access a user profile associated with the user specific identification input, determine, from the user profile, system permissions associated with the user specific identification input, and manage access to one or more of the activation system, vehicle control system, communication system, and the computer system based on the system permissions.

Abstract: Strategies, tools and techniques for establishing purchase cards for customers of a financial institution are provided. A primary purchase card can be established for a customer in association with at least one account of the financial institution. Also, at least one secondary purchase card can be established for the customer in addition to the primary purchase card. The secondary purchase card can be linked to the primary purchase card and to at least one of the same accounts associated with the primary purchase card. Customer configuration of various rules for the secondary purchase card can be facilitated, such as rules that govern purchase limits, activation parameters, deactivation parameters, and/or automatic replenishment schedules for the secondary purchase card.

Abstract: A method for positioning an optical fiber having an end portion within an alignment groove of an alignment device includes orienting the optical fiber in the alignment groove of the alignment device; causing the optical fiber to elastically flex; using an interference point to assist in forming a curved profile of the flexed fiber, and using inherent elasticity of the flexed optical fiber to assist in retaining the end portion of the optical fiber in contact with the alignment groove. A connection system includes a connector, alignment device, and adapter, with an interference point on at least one of the connector, alignment device, or adapter.