Abstract: In at least one embodiment a system including at least one switch, at least one transformer, a first active bridge and at least one controller. The at least one switch receives a first direct current (DC) input signal from a first DC charging station. The at least one transformer includes a primary side and a secondary side. The secondary side of the at least one transformer is connected to the at least one switch and transfers the first DC input signal. The first active bridge is positioned on the secondary side, the first active bridge generates a DC output signal that supplies one or more vehicle loads. The DC output signal is greater than the first DC input signal and the at least one controller programmed to activate the at least one switch in response to receiving the first DC input signal.

Abstract: A voltage balancing circuit includes a direct-current-to-direct-current (DC-to-DC) voltage converter interconnecting a first battery having a first voltage and a second battery having a second voltage, wherein the DC-to-DC converter transfers electrical power from the first battery to the second battery when the first voltage is greater than the second voltage, and transfers electrical power from the second battery to the first battery when the first voltage is less than the second voltage, and wherein the transfer of electrical power from the first battery to the second battery or from the second battery to the first battery balances the electrical power difference between the first battery and the second battery.

Abstract: A voltage converter includes a converter stage having a direct current to direct current (DC-to-DC) voltage converter, wherein the converter stage receives a first DC voltage and outputs a second DC voltage different than the first DC voltage. The voltage converter also includes a boost pre-stage having a boosting circuit and a capacitor, wherein the boost pre-stage receives a DC voltage from a battery and outputs a boosted DC voltage to the converter stage as the first voltage, wherein the boosted DC voltage is greater than the DC voltage from the battery. The boosted DC voltage of the boost pre-stage output to the converter stage provides fault resistant operation of the converter stage in the event of one or more fluctuations in an operating range of the DC voltage from the battery.

Abstract: A method performed by a node (111) supporting operation on a Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP), but incapable of supporting operation on a Domain Name System (DNS) protocol. The node (111) encodes (402) a DNS query into a first message (601, 701), which has a format supported by the CoAP. The DNS query is mapped to the CoAP format of the first message (601, 701) based on a mapping scheme. The node (111) then initiates sending (403) the first message (601, 701) to another node (112) operating in the communications network (100). The another node (112) supports operation on the CoAP and on the DNS protocol. The node (111) finally receives (404) a second message (620, 706) from the another node (112), which has the format supported by the CoAP. The second message (620, 706) comprises the DNS response to the sent DNS query. The DNS response is mapped to the CoAP format of the second message (620, 706) based on the mapping scheme.

Abstract: A new intermediate is useful in the synthesis of elagolix. A process for obtaining the intermediate includes reacting a precursor with iodine monochloride in the presence of an organic solvent. A process for preparing elagolix makes use of the intermediate. The intermediate can be 3-((R)-2-(amino-2-phenylethyl)-1-(2-fluoro-6-trifluoromethylbenzyl)-5-iodo-6-methyl-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione or a salt thereof, such as a hydrochloride.

Abstract: Described herein are examples of medical devices which include a rigid dome and a torus channel. The rigid dome has a hemispherical geometry with an open side to surround a surgical site. The rigid dome has a concave geometry to bound the surgical site, a dome vacuum port to provide fluid communication for a vacuum source to reduce a pressure within the rigid dome, an aperture to provide access to the surgical site, and a septum to form a penetrable barrier at the aperture to access the surgical site. The torus channel is coupled to the rigid dome to extend along a periphery of the rigid dome. The torus channel has a partial toroidal geometry forming a ring around the rigid dome. The torus channel includes a channel vacuum port to provide fluid communication for a vacuum source to reduce a pressure within an interior of the torus channel.

Abstract: Medical devices for use in the creation of a temporary pneumoperitoneum include a rigid dome, a sealing element, a retaining band, a septum, and a vacuum port. The rigid dome includes first and second dome sections. The first dome section engages with the second dome section to form the rigid dome. The retaining band applies a force to secure the first dome section relative to the second dome section. The sealing element seals the first and second dome sections. The septum engages at an aperture between the first and second dome sections. The vacuum port connects a vacuum source to the rigid dome to reduce a pressure on an interior of the rigid dome.

Abstract: A new intermediate is useful in the synthesis of elagolix. A process for obtaining the intermediate includes reacting a precursor with iodine monochloride in the presence of an organic solvent. A process for preparing elagolix makes use of the intermediate. The intermediate can be 3-((R)-2-(amino-2-phenylethyl)-1-(2-fluoro-6-trifluoromethylbenzyl)-5-iodo-6-methyl-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione or a salt thereof, such as a hydrochloride.

Abstract: Medical devices include a rigid dome, a viewing window, a vacuum port, a vacuum pressure regulator, an aperture, and a septum. The rigid dome is hemispherical and includes a first dome stage, a second dome stage distal on the first dome stage, and a transition between the first dome stage and the second dome stage. The viewing window is acoustically and\or optically transparent to allow for inspection of the surgical site. The vacuum port allows for a reduction of a pressure on the interior of the rigid dome. The vacuum pressure regulator regulates the pressure on the interior of the rigid dome. The aperture provides access to the interior of the rigid dome and the surgical site. The septum engages with the second dome stage to allow for insertion of a surgical instrument with resistance to loss of the pressure on the interior of the rigid dome.

Abstract: A cook top with at least two heating elements includes a power electronics arrangement connected to a domestic single phase AC supply. The power electronics arrangement includes several power supply units, which each supply heating currents to one or more heating elements, and a switch arrangement with several electromechanical relays for connecting/disconnecting the power supply units to/from the heating elements. Output poles of at least two electromechanical relays associated with different power supply units are connected in parallel, wherein the parallel connection is permanently connected to at least one of the heating elements. This arrangement reduces the number of switching processes required for alternating use of a power supply device with several heating elements, and simplifies compliance with electromagnetic compatibility standards.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring attendance of people at organizer events, via payment networks, based on authorization messages generated in connection with such attendance. One exemplary method includes identifying an authorization message as an attendance message based on a program code included in the authorization message, where the authorization message further includes an organizer identifier indicative of an organizer associated with a location of the attendance. The method also includes identifying a person associated with the attendance based on the authorization message, and appending an attendance entry to an attendance profile associated with the person, based on the authorization message, whereby an incentive associated with the attendance of the person at the organizer is able to be allocated.

Abstract: A cooktop apparatus, in particular an induction cooktop apparatus, includes a switching unit configured to interrupt and establish current flow from a current supply, a first switching element receiving the current flow during an operating process, a control apparatus, which controls the switching unit during the operating process such that the switching unit interrupts the current supply during a first time interval which has a duration of less than of half a period of the power supply voltage. The control apparatus causes the current supply to be connected during the operating process immediately before and immediately after the first time interval. The first switching element begins switching and ends switching during the first time interval.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring attendance of people at organizer events, via payment networks, based on authorization messages generated in connection with such attendance. One exemplary method includes identifying an authorization message as an attendance message based on a program code included in the authorization message, where the authorization message further includes an organizer identifier indicative of an organizer associated with a location of the attendance. The method also includes identifying a person associated with the attendance based on the authorization message, and appending an attendance entry to an attendance profile associated with the person, based on the authorization message, whereby an incentive associated with the attendance of the person at the organizer is able to be allocated.

Abstract: A heating apparatus, in particular a hob heating apparatus, with at least one heating connection for at least one heating element and at least one frequency unit. In order to provide a heating apparatus of the generic type with relatively high operational reliability, it is proposed that the heating apparatus comprises a protective unit, which is provided for determining the existence of a conducting path between the frequency unit and the at least one heating connection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cartridge-in-chamber detection system for firearms which is independent in situations where the user comes into contact with metal parts of the weapon or situations where said contact does not exist, to provide a reliable indication of the presence or absence of the cartridge in the chamber, where the system comprises means to, through a supply voltage, determine the variation of the electrical capacity between two possible states of the system, when there is no cartridge in the chamber and when there is a cartridge in the chamber, making use of at least one electrode, regardless of the grip performed by the user.

Abstract: The method for making a reinforced balloon for a balloon catheter involves blending a polymer with a nano composite to form a composite matrix, extruding a parison from the composite matrix, blow molding the parison into a balloon and orienting the nano composite generally axially with respect to the balloon. The balloon formed has a high strength for resisting bursting. The nano composite may be carbon nanotubes, nano-ceramic fibers or a nano clay.

Abstract: The method for making a reinforced balloon for a balloon catheter involves blending a polymer with a nano composite to form a composite matrix, extruding a parison from the composite matrix, blow molding the parison into a balloon and orienting the nano composite generally axially with respect to the balloon. The balloon formed has a high strength for resisting bursting. The nano composite may be carbon nanotubes, nano-ceramic fibers or a nano clay.

Abstract: The intravascular catheter has a polymeric inner tube, a reinforcing inner jacket which is spirally wound over the inner tube and which becomes progressively softer from a proximal end to a distal end, and a polymeric outer sheath extruded over the inner jacket. The reinforcing jacket includes helical coiled wires wound over the inner tube in order to provide improved multi-axial mechanical properties.

Abstract: The intravascular catheter has two segments; a proximal segment with high stiffness and a distal segment with lower stiffness. The catheter can also have an intermediate segment of lower stiffness than the proximal segment and higher stiffness than the distal segment. The catheter comprises a polymeric inner tube, a reinforcing inner jacket which is spirally wound over the inner tube and which becomes progressively softer from a proximal end to a distal end, and a polymeric outer sheath extruded over the inner jacket according to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,624. The reinforcing jacket comprises helical coiled wires or fibers of various materials and layers wound over the inner tube in order to provide improved multi-axial mechanical properties, such as torque, compression, tension and anti-kinking characteristics.