Abstract: Disclosed are processes for manufacturing cross-linked cellulosic fibers, as well as cross-linked fibers prepared by the same and tissue products comprising the novel cross-linked cellulosic fibers. The cross-linked fibers are manufactured by reacting an oxidized sugar having at least two aldehyde groups with a plurality of cellulosic fibers to yield treated fibers and heating the treated fibers at a temperature greater than about 140° C. to cure the treated fibers. The instant cross-linked fibers are manufactured without well-known cross-linking agents such as formaldehyde or polycarboxylic acids. As such the present cross-linked cellulosic fibers have good brightness and color and resist yellowing. Further, the cross-linked cellulosic fibers are generally free from off odors. Like prior art cross-linked fibers however, the instant cross-linked cellulosic fibers have enhanced properties, such as improved wet bulk, compared to uncross-linked fibers.

Abstract: A cooling system includes an integrated cooling device, a refrigerant circuit and a cooling circuit. The integrated cooling device is configured to draw thermal energy from a component of a vehicle. The integrated cooling device includes a body and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is embedded in the body. The heat exchanger includes an extended refrigerant channel and at least one of an extended coolant channel and a coolant reservoir. The extended refrigerant channel and the at least one of the extended coolant channel and the coolant reservoir drawing thermal energy from the body. The extended refrigerant channel draws thermal energy from the at least one of the extended coolant channel and the coolant reservoir. The refrigerant circuit is fluidically coupled to and circulates a refrigerant through the extended refrigerant channel. The coolant circuit is fluidically coupled to and circulates a coolant through the extended coolant channel.

Abstract: A method of preparing a whitened tobacco material for use in a smokeless tobacco product, including: (i) extracting a tobacco material with an aqueous solution to provide a tobacco solids material and a tobacco extract; (ii) bleaching the tobacco solids material with a solution comprising a strong base, an oxidizing agent, or a combination thereof to provide a bleached tobacco material; and (iii) drying the bleached tobacco material to provide the whitened tobacco material; wherein the tobacco solids material is not subjected to treatment at an elevated temperature with sulfur-containing reagents, organic solvents, sodium hydroxide, or an acid between the extraction and the bleaching.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for automated damage assessment of electric grid infrastructure for post-storm recovery includes a virtual model system including a three-dimensional (3D) virtual model of physical grid infrastructure with assets, using a lidar imaging data point cloud collected in the field to characterize the physical asset condition, performing a simulation algorithm including a damage simulation and a lidar imaging data simulation, and executing a trained classifier to identify the damaged or undamaged condition of the asset using the field collected lidar imaging data point cloud, where the classifier is trained with simulated collected lidar imaging data of undamaged and damaged assets.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include an apparatus and methods for the plasma processing of a substrate. Some embodiments are directed to a plasma processing chamber. The plasma processing chamber generally includes a planar coil region comprising a concentric coil region comprising a first concentric coil and a second concentric coil, and a power supply circuit coupled to the first concentric coil and the second concentric coil. The first concentric coil may include a first coil with a diameter measured in a direction parallel to a first plane that is smaller than the diameter of a second coil included in the second concentric coil. The power supply circuit may be configured to bias the first concentric coil and the second concentric coil to adjust a generated magnetic field in a region of control of a plasma in the plasma processing chamber to control a plasma density of the plasma.

Abstract: A gas-inlet element for a CVD reactor includes a gas distribution volume arranged rearward of a gas outlet plate, from which volume pipes having end portions protruding from the gas outlet plate on the front side emerge. The pipes extend into through openings in a shield plate assembly extending parallel to the gas outlet plate. The through openings have a first portion facing the gas outlet plate with a large diameter which is larger than the outer diameter of the respective end portions, and a second portion facing away from the gas outlet plate with a smaller diameter. In order to prevent temperature non-uniformities in the region of the through openings, the diameter of the second portion is smaller than the outer diameter of the respective end portions. The shield plate arrangement additionally consists of two shield plates with different thermal conductivities arranged one above another.

Abstract: Recommending an automated assistant action for inclusion in an existing automated assistant routine of a user, where the existing automated assistant routine includes a plurality of preexisting automated assistant actions. If the user confirms the recommendation through affirmative user interface input, the automated assistant action can be automatically added to the existing automated assistant routine. Thereafter, when the automated assistant routine is initialized, the preexisting automated assistant actions of the routine will be performed, as well as the automated assistant action that was automatically added to the routine in response to affirmative user interface input received in response to the recommendation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include an apparatus and methods for the plasma processing of a substrate. Some embodiments are directed to a plasma processing chamber. The plasma processing chamber generally includes a planar coil region comprising a plurality of planar coils, a first power supply circuit coupled to at least two of the plurality of planar coils, a concentric coil region at least partially surrounding the planar coil region, and a second power supply circuit coupled to at least two of a plurality of concentric coils. The first power supply circuit may be configured to bias the at least two of the plurality of planar coils to affect a plasma in a center region of the plasma processing chamber, and the second power supply circuit may be configured to bias the at least two of the plurality of concentric coils to affect the plasma in an outer region.

Abstract: Implementations described herein relate to reducing latency in automated assistant interactions. In some implementations, a client device can receive audio data that captures a spoken utterance of a user. The audio data can be processed to determine an assistant command to be performed by an automated assistant. The assistant command can be processed, using a latency prediction model, to generate a predicted latency to fulfill the assistant command. Further, the client device (or the automated assistant) can determine, based on the predicted latency, whether to audibly render pre-cached content for presentation to the user prior to audibly rendering content that is responsive to the spoken utterance. The pre-cached content can be tailored to the assistant command and audibly rendered for presentation to the user while the content is being obtained, and the content can be audibly rendered for presentation to the user subsequent to the pre-cached content.

Abstract: A patient-wearable device for detecting a subpulse of a patient and determining a pulse condition based thereon, and related systems, methods and computer program products. The device includes a base layer comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) and electronics connected thereto, and an adhesive layer connected to the base layer. The electronics may include one or more sensors that generate sensor data, a computer that processes the sensor data to determine the pulse condition of the patient, and a user interface (UI) component that generates a user-perceptible indication of the determined pulse condition. In alternate embodiments, the computer and the UI component may be external to the device and the device may communicate the sensor data to the computer via wired or wireless connection. In further embodiments, multiple devices may be attached to the patient and concurrently transmit raw or processed sensor data to facilitate determination of the pulse condition.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an additive for an iron negative electrode of an alkaline electrochemical cell may include a powder of discrete granules including agglomerated particles, the agglomerated particles including at least one metal sulfide.

Abstract: An ear tip includes a body configured to be mounted onto an earbud. The body includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a first wall extending between the first and second ends. The first wall defines and surrounds a hollow passage that is configured to conduct sound waves. The first wall is configured to engage a nozzle on the earbud. The first wall includes a ring that is formed of a rigid material and engages the nozzle. The ring includes at least one C-shaped member with at least one gap and a compliant material is molded around the ring and fills the gap.

Abstract: Techniques for generating a report for a website are presented herein. A method can include accessing, by one or more computing devices, a plurality of unidentified events. Each event in the plurality of unidentified events can be associated with one or more properties. Additionally, the method can calculate, using a machine-learned prediction model, a number of pseudo users associated with the plurality of unidentified events based on an event-to-user-ratio and a total number of unidentified events. Moreover, the method can include assigning a first event from the plurality of unidentified events to a first pseudo user based on the one or more properties of the first event. Furthermore, the method can include generating the report for the website. The report includes information derived from the first event being assigned to the first pseudo user.

Abstract: Methods for prognosing the risk of progression in a ER-positive breast cancer (e.g., luminal B 1 breast cancer) subject are provided, such methods including the detection of levels of a variety of biomarkers prognostic of progression. Compositions in the form of kits and panels of reagents for detecting the biomarkers of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A patient-wearable device for detecting a subpulse of a patient and determining a pulse condition based thereon, and related systems, methods and computer program products. The device includes a base layer comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) and electronics connected thereto, and an adhesive layer connected to the base layer. The electronics may include one or more sensors that generate sensor data, a computer that processes the sensor data to determine the pulse condition of the patient, and a user interface (UI) component that generates a user-perceptible indication of the determined pulse condition. In alternate embodiments, the computer and the UI component may be external to the device and the device may communicate the sensor data to the computer via wired or wireless connection. In further embodiments, multiple devices may be attached to the patient and concurrently transmit raw or processed sensor data to facilitate determination of the pulse condition.

Abstract: A drive plate assembly for a king pin removal tool comprising a drive member, the drive plate assembly comprises a drive plate and an insert. The drive plate defines a main opening and a flange recess. The insert comprises a shaft portion and a flange portion and defining a drive opening. The insert is arranged such that the shaft portion is within the main opening, the flange portion is within the flange recess, and the drive member is adapted to be threaded into the drive opening. When the drive member is received within the drive opening and axially rotated relative to the insert, a drive force applied by the drive member forces the flange portion of the insert against a surface of the drive plate defining at least a portion of the flange recess.

Abstract: A device and system for and methods of using an ultrasound probe housing containing ultrasound probes configured to produce images inside the body of a patient for procedures requiring needle or probe insertion. The ultrasound probe housing can be configured with a guide channel cut-out or aperture between the ambient side and body side of a patient. A needle guide assembly may be pivotally connected internal to the guide channel cut-out or aperture of the ultrasound probe housing at a pivot point such that during use the needle enters the patient through the needle guide assembly within the ultrasound probe housing so that the needle can be visualized by the ultrasonic probes in real time. The ultrasound probe housing may also provide an adhesion or suction quality to the body side of the device to facilitate aspects of the invention.

Abstract: Fabrics that are exhibit water repellency, abrasion resistance, and optionally flame resistance are described herein. The fabrics include a plurality of fibers (such as flame resistant fibers) and a finish that imparts water repellency and abrasion resistance to the fibers. The fabrics are free or substantially free from alkylfluoropolymers. Also described herein are garments including the fabrics.

Abstract: A compressor system for a vehicle comprising a vehicle internal combustion engine and a vehicle heating and cooling system. The compressor system comprising a compressor/motor generator defining a compressor motor/generator shaft, a compressor mechanically connected to the compressor motor/generator shaft; and a engine clutch mechanically connected to the compressor motor/generator shaft and to the vehicle internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A plier assembly comprising first and second handle assemblies each comprising a frame assembly, a support block, a tip assembly, a proximal pin, and a distal pin. A main hinge assembly supports the second handle assembly for movement relative to the first handle assembly. The proximal openings are sized and dimensioned such that, as the second handle assembly moves relative to the first handle assembly, longitudinal axes of the support block are substantially parallel.