Abstract: A multi-level converter includes a plurality of alternating current (AC) terminals connected to an AC source or load, at least three direct current (DC) terminals connected to a multi-level DC source or load, and a plurality of solid-state switches that are selectively turned On and Off to connect each of the plurality of AC terminals to one of the DC terminals. A controller provides PWM control signals to the solid-state switches. The controller utilizes space vector modulation to organize the various switching state configurations, and increments the switching states during a first half of the switching period and decrements the switching states during a second half of the switching period to center-align the PWM signals provided about the center of the switching period. The switching states utilized during the switching period dictate the PWM control signals provided to the plurality of switches employed in the three-level converter.

Abstract: A tire service hammer includes a handle portion and a head portion having a sledge portion, a wedge portion, and a body portion connecting the sledge portion and the wedge portion, wherein the wedge portion includes a bead breaking wedge and a hook extension. A method of manufacturing a tire service hammer includes providing a handle portion and providing a head portion that includes a sledge portion, a wedge portion, and a body portion connecting the sledge portion and the wedge portion, wherein the wedge portion includes a bead breaking wedge and a hook extension. A tire servicing system for repositioning a wheel having a tire mounted on a rim includes a first grasping portion for securing a portion of the rim while repositioning the wheel, and a breaking portion for breaking a tire bead formed between the tire and the rim.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vending service unit that couples to a golf cart vehicle to form a golf cart with food and retail service features. The vending service unit includes modules that allow hot and cold food and beverages to be stored and sold, and other retail items such as tobacco, golf supplies, and ice to be displayed and sold from the golf cart with food and retail service features. The vending service unit includes removable concession modules that a vendor can easily and quickly replace and/or interchange. The disclosed vending service unit includes drawers that allow different types of beverage to be stored and sold. The drawers are individually insulated and can be individually heated or chilled for different food temperatures and types. The vending service unit includes a counter surface that can be used to set items upon and upon which to conduct business.

Abstract: A cannula top for enclosing a surgical seal which comprises a base member having a through bore which defines a receptacle for the surgical seal and a lid member having a through bore. The lid member is movable between a first position in which the surgical seal can be inserted into and removed from the receptacle, and a second position in which the surgical seal is engaged by the lid member and retained in the receptacle by the lid member. The cannula top further comprises a connecting member which connects the lid member to the base member in both the first position and the second position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a keg beverage concession module for use in a vending service unit with food and retail service features that couples to a utility vehicle. The keg beverage concession module includes a compartment for housing a keg of beer or wine, CO2 tank, cooler, cup storage, and dispensing system. Other vending service unit modules allow storage and sale of hot and cold food and beverages and other non-comestible goods, including tobacco products and golf items. The vending service unit includes removable concession modules facilitating quick and easy removal and interchangeability. The disclosed vending service unit includes drawers that allow different types of beverage to be stored and sold. The drawers are individually insulated and can be individually heated or chilled for different food temperatures and types. The vending service unit includes a counter surface that can be used to set items upon and upon which to conduct business.

Abstract: A tiered tray is provided that includes a first tier with a first support member coupled thereto; a second tier with a second support member coupled thereto; and a table insert having a cavity therein that accepts at least one of the first and the second support members. The first support member maintains a level of the first tier above a level of a table and the second support maintains a level of the second tier above the level of the first tier, and the first tier is removably attachable to the table insert and the second tier is removably attachable to the first tier.

Abstract: Provided is an oxygen barrier coating composition includes a resin including a compound of the following formula: where R1 is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkyl aryl, glycol or polyol group, where the alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkyl aryl, glycol or polyol group is substituted with one or more glycidyl groups, the alkyl group of R1 is further substituted with one or more OH, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or glycidyl ethers or combinations thereof, and the cycloalkyl, aryl, alkyl aryl, glycol or polyol group of R1 optionally is substituted with one or more alkyl, OH, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or glycidyl ethers or combinations thereof, and R2 is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group, where the alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group is substituted with one or more mercapto groups, and the aryl, alkyl aryl, alkyl, cycloalkyl or heteroaryl group optionally is substituted with one or more alkyl, OH, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or glycidyl ethers or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A rolling bearing assembly with electrical discharge damage protection is provided. The rolling bearing assembly includes radially inner and outer bearing rings that each have a race. A roller assembly including a plurality of rolling elements that are supported to roll on the races is provided. A shield extends radially between the radially outer ring and the radially inner ring. The shield includes a body portion with one radial end that is fixed to one of the radially inner or outer rings, at least one electrically conductive seal on a surface of the body portion, and a plurality of filaments extending on an opposite radial end of the body portion from the fixed radial end that contacts the other of the radially inner or outer rings.

Abstract: Methods and instruments for repairing soft tissues of a skeletal joint, such as, for example, of the foot or hand are presented. The method includes the steps of maintaining the metapodial bone intact; forming a bone tunnel through the proximal phalanx between volar and dorsal aspects of the proximal phalanx; passing a repair suture through the soft tissue to be repaired; passing the repair suture through the bone tunnel; and securing the suture. The method may be used for the repair of soft tissue, such as a volar ligament and/or a collateral ligament.

Abstract: The invention provides a polishing composition comprising (a) silica, (b) one or more compounds that increases the removal rate of silicon, (c) one or more tetraalkylammonium salts, and (d) water, wherein the polishing composition has a pH of about 7 to about 11. The invention further provides a method of polishing a substrate with the polishing composition.

Abstract: Data read from a volume is decrypted using a first key. The decrypted data is encrypted using a second key. The encrypted data is written back to the volume. An access request to a location of the volume is received from a host. Data is encrypted to or decrypted from the location using the first or second key, in response to the access request. The first key is used for the access request if the location has not been decrypted using the first key and encrypted using the second key. The second key is used for the access request if the location has been decrypted using the first key and encrypted using the second key.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for reducing pigmentation.

Abstract: Human antibodies, preferably recombinant human antibodies, that specifically bind to human interleukin-12 (hIL-12) are disclosed. Preferred antibodies have high affinity for hIL-12 and neutralize hIL-12 activity in vitro and in vivo. An antibody of the invention can be a full-length antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof. The antibodies, or antibody portions, of the invention are useful for detecting hIL-12 and for inhibiting hIL-12 activity, e.g., in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which hIL-12 activity is detrimental. Nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for expressing the recombinant human antibodies of the invention, and methods of synthesizing the recombinant human antibodies, are also encompassed by the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vending service unit that couples to a golf cart vehicle to form a golf cart with food and retail service features. The vending service unit includes modules that allow hot and cold food and beverages to be stored and sold, and other retail items such as tobacco, golf supplies, and ice to be displayed and sold from the golf cart with food and retail service features. The vending service unit includes removable concession modules that a vendor can easily and quickly replace and/or interchange. The disclosed vending service unit includes drawers that allow different types of beverage to be stored and sold. The drawers are individually insulated and can be individually heated or chilled for different food temperatures and types. The vending service unit includes a counter surface that can be used to set items upon and upon which to conduct business.

Abstract: A flexible skirt assembly for a trailer, such as a trailer, is provided. The flexible assembly includes a first bracket and a first arm attachable to an underside of a vehicle, and a second bracket and a second arm attachable to the underside of the vehicle. A skirt body may include a first side and a second side. The first side of the skirt body attaches to the first arm and the second side of the skirt body attaches to the second arm. The first arm, second arm, and skirt body may be made of a flexible material.

Abstract: A power converter system includes an interleaved power converter having a plurality of parallel-connected phase legs between DC terminals and an AC terminal. A plurality of parallel-connected inductors are each connected to one of the plurality of parallel-connected phase legs to provide a summed output of the parallel-connected phase legs to the AC terminal. A controller generates PWM signals used to control the state of each of the plurality of phase legs by comparing a carrier signal to a reference signal, wherein a period of the carrier signal is randomly varied from a nominal period.

Abstract: A multi-level power converter system includes a multi-level power converter configured to synthesize at least three direct current (DC) voltages into an alternating current (AC) output voltage, and includes a plurality of transistors. A controller generates pulse-width modulation (PWM) signals used to control a state of the plurality of transistors of the multi-level converter by comparing first and second carrier signals to a reference signals, wherein a period of the first and second carrier signals is randomly varied from a nominal period.

Abstract: A tire spoon holder is provided. The tire spoon holder may include: a first and second handle; a first and second jaw, each jaw connected to at least one of the handles wherein the jaws are configured to come together when the handles are moved toward each other; and a loop attached to at least one jaw or handle. A method of attaching a tire spoon to a wheel rim may be provided. The method may include: attaching a tire spoon holder to a wheel rim; slipping a tire spoon through a loop in the tire spoon holder; and inserting a flat portion of the tire spoon between a tire and the wheel rim.

Abstract: A drive assembly includes a memory device and a computing device communicatively coupled to the memory device. The computing device is to receive environmental data from a host device via a second communication channel isolated from a first communication channel and record the environmental data on the memory device.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for utilizing web data, primarily obtained from social media websites in lending decisions business loan. Using the process, a lender can utilize publicly available data regarding a loan applicant, and evaluate that data in conjunction with other information to make lending decisions. The disclosure is directed toward loan transactions for small businesses.