Abstract: A computer-implemented method for asynchronous duplexing between two computing devices includes obtaining a task for execution by a first computing device and executing the task. A first computing task completion identifier is assigned upon execution of the task. The task with the assigned first computing task completion identifier is transferred to a second computing device and executed. A second computing task completion identifier is assigned upon execution of the task. The first computing task completion identifier and the second computing task identifier are logged into a task management log for facilitating the recovery of the first computing device by comparing the first computing task completion identifier and the second computing task identifier for identifying tasks executed by the first computing device and requiring execution by the second computing device.

Abstract: An exterior installable air valve for a tire rim using an exterior operated nut compressing a gasket against a wedge to expand the gasket for sealing to a wheel rim.

Abstract: Systems for detecting occupancy of an area comprising one or more zones can include one or more sensors and one or more processors configured to receive sensor data from the one or more sensors over time. The one or more processors can be further configured to receive or store data about an arrangement of the zones in the area. The one or more processors can apply a probabilistic model considering the sensor data received over time to determine the number of subjects in each zone by determining a most likely current state of occupancy of the area among a plurality of possible scenarios.

Abstract: In electrical systems with DC-DC converters having synchronous rectification (SR) on the output stage, the input voltage can be monitored. When a potentially destructive transient occurs, the SR is rapidly turned on in a non-synchronous manner to “crowbar” the main power transformer. The resulting short circuit is reflected back to the DC input under current-limited pulse width modulation (PWM) control. In effect, the entire surge rating of the power train is applied to the potentially destructive input transient. The clamping capacity can be controlled accurately and is significantly more than what is available in prior art components and systems. When the input voltage is pulled down to safe levels, the clamp circuit disengages and the DC-DC converter returns to normal operation. DC output voltage regulation to the connected load is not maintained during this clamping event, but maintaining output voltage regulation during such destructive transients is not required.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving a list of steps with a step associated with a first work unit and a step associated with a second work unit, the first work unit is operative to process the list of steps by determining whether a first step in the list of steps is associated with the first work unit, determining whether a step sequentially listed prior to the first step has been completed responsive to determining that the first step in the list of steps is associated with the first work unit, processing the first step and designating the first step complete responsive to determining that the step sequentially listed immediately prior to the first step has been completed, determining whether a second step in the list of steps is associated with the first work unit.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for asynchronous duplexing between two computing devices includes obtaining a task for execution by a first computing device and executing the task. A first computing task completion identifier is assigned upon execution of the task. The task with the assigned first computing task completion identifier is transferred to a second computing device and executed. A second computing task completion identifier is assigned upon execution of the task. The first computing task completion identifier and the second computing task identifier are logged into a task management log for facilitating the recovery of the first computing device by comparing the first computing task completion identifier and the second computing task identifier for identifying tasks executed by the first computing device and requiring execution by the second computing device.

Abstract: In electrical systems with DC-DC converters having synchronous rectification (SR) on the output stage, the input voltage can be monitored. When a potentially destructive transient occurs, the SR is rapidly turned on in a non-synchronous manner to “crowbar” the main power transformer. The resulting short circuit is reflected back to the DC input under current-limited pulse width modulation (PWM) control. In effect, the entire surge rating of the power train is applied to the potentially destructive input transient. The clamping capacity can be controlled accurately and is significantly more than what is available in prior art components and systems. When the input voltage is pulled down to safe levels, the clamp circuit disengages and the DC-DC converter returns to normal operation. DC output voltage regulation to the connected load is not maintained during this clamping event, but maintaining output voltage regulation during such destructive transients is not required.

Abstract: Systems and methods are directed toward occupancy detection in a predefined space including one or more sub-zones. Occupancy of the predefined space can be determined by determining the occupancy of an outer zone comprising the predefined space, and determining the occupancy of individual sub-zones to the outer zone. Occupancy values of the individual sub-zones can be rescaled such that the sum of the individual sub-zones occupancies sum to the already determined outer zone occupancy. The occupancy of the predefined space then may be determined using the rescaled occupancies of the various sub-zones included in the predefined space. Such processes can be repeated for individual sub-zones, which may be treated as a separate outer zone including one or more sub-zones.

Abstract: The present application provides configurations, components, assemblies and methods for sealing cells of sodium-based thermal batteries, such as NaMx cells. In some embodiments the cells may include an integrated bridge member hermetically sealed to an electrically conductive case and a ceramic collar of the cell to hermetically seal an anodic chamber of the cell. In some embodiments the cells may include the ceramic collar hermetically sealed to an electrolyte separator tube of the cell to hermetically seal the anodic chamber of the cell. In some embodiments the anodic chamber may be defined, at least in part, by the case, integrated bridge member, ceramic collar and electrolyte separator tube. In some embodiments the cells may include a current collector hermetically sealed to the ceramic collar, and a cap member hermetically sealed to the current collector tube to hermetically seal a cathodic chamber of the cell.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving a list of steps with a step associated with a first work unit and a step associated with a second work unit, the first work unit is operative to process the list of steps by determining whether a first step in the list of steps is associated with the first work unit, determining whether a step sequentially listed prior to the first step has been completed responsive to determining that the first step in the list of steps is associated with the first work unit, processing the first step and designating the first step complete responsive to determining that the step sequentially listed immediately prior to the first step has been completed, determining whether a second step in the list of steps is associated with the first work unit.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a photovoltaic device is provided. The photovoltaic device includes a window layer and an absorber layer disposed on the window layer, wherein the absorber layer includes a first region and a second region, the first region disposed adjacent to the window layer. The absorber layer further includes a first additive and a second additive, wherein a concentration of the first additive in the first region is greater than a concentration of the first additive in the second region, and wherein a concentration of the second additive in the second region is greater than a concentration of the second additive in the first region. Method of making a photovoltaic device is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for controlling dispersal of a granular material from a transport assembly. In an implementation, a system includes a transport assembly including a transport storage receptacle configured to receive granular material, and a payload deposit assembly coupled to transport storage receptacle. The payload assembly configured to disperse the granular material. A location-determining device coupled to the transport assembly. The location-determining device is configured to determine a position of the transport assembly with respect to a storage receptacle. A control mechanism is coupled to the transport storage receptacle, and the control mechanism is configured to control dispersal of the granular material. An electronic device is operatively coupled to the control mechanism.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention includes method of making a photovoltaic device. The method includes disposing an absorber layer on a window layer, wherein the absorber layer includes a first region and a second region. The method includes disposing the first region adjacent to the window layer in a first environment including oxygen at a first partial pressure; and disposing the second region on the first region in a second environment including oxygen at a second partial pressure, wherein the first partial pressure is greater than the second partial pressure. One aspect of the present invention includes a photovoltaic device.

Abstract: A method for forming thin films or layers of cadmium telluride (CdTe) for use in photovoltaic modules or solar cells. The method includes varying the substrate temperature during the growth of the CdTe layer by preheating a substrate (e.g., a substrate with a cadmium sulfide (CdS) heterojunction or layer) suspended over a CdTe source to remove moisture to a relatively low preheat temperature. Then, the method includes directly heating only the CdTe source, which in turn indirectly heats the substrate upon which the CdTe is deposited. The method improves the resulting CdTe solar cell reliability. The resulting microstructure exhibits a distinct grain size distribution such that the initial region is composed of smaller grains than the bulk region portion of the deposited CdTe. Resulting devices exhibit a behavior suggesting a more n-like CdTe material near the CdS heterojunction than devices grown with substrate temperatures held constant during CdTe deposition.

Abstract: An electronic device assembly includes a heat sink coupled to an electronic device to dissipate the heat produced by the electronic device. A heat spreader is coupled between the electronic device and the heat sink to transfer heat from the electronic device to the heat sink. Furthermore, at least one of the electronic device, the heat spreader, and the heat sink is disposed with a disordered carbon coating.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining whether a cancer patient may respond to PARP inhibitor and/or platinum chemotherapy based on identifying exon excision variants in the BRCA 1 gene are provided. Exon excision variants may encode a hypomorphic BRCA1 protein. The cancer patient may be a breast cancer patient or an ovarian cancer patient. The patient may have any cancer in which exon deficiency in the BRCA1 gene contributes to resistance to PARP inhibitor or platinum therapy.

Abstract: Herein are disclosed indazoles of formula (I) where the various groups are defined herein, and which are useful for treating cancer.

Abstract: A method of monitoring hand washing by individuals comprises monitoring the movements of individuals in an area using one or more sensors, identifying the performance of an act by an individual that requires the hands of the individual to be washed and determining whether the hands of the individual are washed after the performance of the act, wherein the determining includes tracking the motion of that individual using the one or more sensors. Sensors comprising arrays of thermal detectors are preferred, but other types of sensor could be included.

Abstract: Herein are disclosed indoles of formula (I) where the various groups are defined herein, and which are useful for treating cancer.

Abstract: A display system of an excavating machine including a work machine having a bucket with an excavation edge and an arm to which the bucket is swingably attached, and a body to which the work machine is attached, the system including: a vehicle condition detector detecting first information related to a current position of the excavating machine and second information related to a posture of the body; a storage storing position information of a target surface indicating a target shape of an object and appearance information of the bucket; and a processor obtaining virtual images indicating positions of planes passing through both ends of the excavation edge from among planes parallel to a plane on which the arm moves based on the first and second information, and the appearance information, and displaying the virtual images on a screen with the bucket as viewed from above the excavating machine.