Abstract: A semiconductor device, such as a heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT), having a monocrystalline extrinsic base region may be formed via a method including steps of providing a substrate that includes a dielectric isolation region and a collector region that includes semiconductor material, forming a polycrystalline semiconductor layer over the substrate, forming a monocrystalline intrinsic base layer via epitaxial growth, where the intrinsic base layer is in direct contact with the polycrystalline semiconductor layer, removing the polycrystalline semiconductor layer after forming the monocrystalline intrinsic base layer, and forming a monocrystalline extrinsic base layer via epitaxial growth, where the monocrystalline extrinsic base layer is in direct contact with the monocrystalline intrinsic base layer.

Abstract: Metadata indicating that a virtual traffic hub enabling connectivity between a plurality of isolated networks has been established is stored. A determination is made that a first entry of a first isolated network attached to the hub is to be represented in a second routing table of a second isolated network attached to the hub, e.g., to enable network packets originating at resources of the second isolated network to be transmitted via the hub to the first isolated network. A new entry corresponding to the first entry is included in the second routing table.

Abstract: In a method of managing electrical power consumption by a group of energy storage devices, each energy storage device estimates a forecasted input energy amount for a future time period and communicates the forecasted input energy amount to a system controller. The system controller calculates an aggregate input energy based on a sum of the forecasted input energy amounts, generates a charging schedule identifying a group energy consumption rate for each of a plurality of intervals of the future time period, and communicates the charging schedule to each device controller. Each device calculates a device energy consumption rate based on the corresponding forecasted input energy amount and the group energy consumption rate for each interval, and consumes electrical power based on the device energy consumption rate for the interval. A portion of the consumed electrical power is stored in the storage medium.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method (CIM), according to one embodiment, includes building a first support profile for a first predetermined product that is scheduled to be released. The first support profile is based on historical data of predetermined types. The CIM further includes calculating, based on the first support profile, a number of expected escapes for at least a first functional area of the first predetermined product, and predicting a total number of customer cases that will result from the scheduled release. An indication of the predicted total number of customer cases is added in a cost report about the scheduled release of the first predetermined product.

Abstract: A coupler includes a housing and a contact sub-assembly. The housing includes a channel having openings at first and second ends of the housing. The first end receives a first connector having a first pair of contacts and the second end receives a second connector having a second pair of contacts. The contact sub-assembly includes exactly one pair of coupling contacts and a body portion supporting the pair of coupling contacts. The contact sub-assembly is positioned centrally within the housing and includes an anti-rotation feature and one or more crush ribs to create an interference fit with an interior surface of the housing. The pair of coupling contacts serve to couple the first and second connectors for both power and data transmission. In certain embodiments, contacts sub-assembly utilizes a circuit board to electrically couple contacts.

Abstract: Exemplary battery cell tab terminal and busbar configurations are provided for electrically connecting battery cells within a traction battery pack. An exemplary battery cell may include a tab terminal having a tab end section shaped to provide a local thickness increase that is adapted for reducing weld spatter and increasing weld quality when welding the tab terminal to a busbar. The busbar may include a weld joint backing structure that facilitates positioning and welding the tab terminal to the busbar.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrogen comprising the steps of reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock to form a synthesis gas; subjecting the synthesis gas to one or more stages of water gas shift to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and form a hydrogen-enriched synthesis gas; and treating the hydrogen-enriched synthesis gas to form a purified hydrogen product and tail gas stream containing methane, wherein at least a portion of the tail gas stream is treated by subjecting it to partial oxidation or autothermal reforming to form a partially-oxidised or reformed tail gas, followed by of water gas shift of the partially-oxidised or reformed tail gas to form a hydrogen-enriched tail gas, and a step of carbon dioxide removal from the hydrogen-enriched tail gas to form a hydrogen stream and a carbon dioxide stream, wherein the carbon dioxide stream is recovered and a portion of the hydrogen stream is a fuel.

Abstract: The present invention features a compound of formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, where R1, R2, R3, W, X, Y, Z, n, o, p, and q are defined herein, for the treatment of CFTR mediated diseases, such as cystic fibrosis. The present invention also features pharmaceutical compositions, method of treating, and kits thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting electrode sheets includes a conveyor and a laser device. The conveyor is configured to move an original sheet including an electrode portion and an ear portion extending from an edge of the electrode portion. The laser device is configured to move a laser to cut out a tab connected to the electrode portion from the ear portion of the original sheet. The laser device is also configured to move the laser from one edge of the electrode portion to another edge of the electrode portion to cut and separate a respective electrode sheet including the tab from the original sheet. The laser is configured to cut out the tab from the ear portion and cut and separate the respective electrode sheet including the tab from the original sheet as the conveyor is moving the original sheet.

Abstract: A high density coupling panel of the present disclosure presents a compact grouping of coupler wherein each of the couplers couples a first free connector with a second free connector wherein each of the free connectors is coupled to exactly two electrical conductors. The high density coupling panel can be manufactured in a shielded (e.g., metal) or non-shielded (e.g. non-metal) form as appropriate to a specific application. In the shielded configuration, a bonding strip is used to connect all metal components (e.g., shielded free connectors, shielded couplers, and metal panel of the high density coupling panel) to ground via a shielding tab.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly comprises: an outer door panel skin; and a seal carrier rail, wherein the seal carrier rail is shaped to provide: a first elongate recess at a first face of the seal carrier rail configured to accommodate a waist seal within the first elongate recess; and a second elongate recess at a second face of the seal carrier rail opposite the first face, wherein the second elongate recess is located between the seal carrier rail and the outer door panel skin.

Abstract: Connectivity is enabled between a first and second isolated network using a virtual traffic hub that includes resources of a cloud computing environment. The connectivity may include respective first and second Virtual Private Network (VPN) connections between the hub and the first and second isolated network at respective premises external to the cloud computing environment. At least a portion of a first packet received at the hub from the first isolated network via the first VPN connection is transmitted from the hub to the second isolated network via the second VPN connection.

Abstract: A site network service (SNS) design is deployed in a computing system. A network function (NF) design is received and transferred to a data store. A network service (NS) design is generated that includes a reference to a NF design from the data store and a NS configuration including information for partially configuring the referenced NF design. The NS design is transferred to the data store. A SNS design is deployed that includes a reference to the NS design from the data store and a SNS configuration.

Abstract: An ostomy system includes an adapter. The adapter includes a body defined via a first surface configured to be positioned. When the adapter is in an operative configuration, facing toward a skin of a living body, and a second surface configured to be positioned when the adapter is in the operative configuration, facing away from the skin, an opening extending through the body from the first surface to the second surface, the opening being configured so that, when adapter is in the operative configuration, the body is positioned relative to a stoma such that a portion of the stoma is received within the opening, the body including a chamber configured to receive an odor-absorbing filter and a channel extending between the opening and the chamber to facilitate odor-absorption from intestinal contents passing through the opening into the chamber.

Abstract: Metadata indicating that a virtual traffic hub enabling connectivity between a plurality of isolated networks has been established is stored. A determination is made that a first entry of a first isolated network attached to the hub is to be represented in a second routing table of a second isolated network attached to the hub, e.g., to enable network packets originating at resources of the second isolated network to be transmitted via the hub to the first isolated network. A new entry corresponding to the first entry is included in the second routing table.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for implementing a cloud-platform push for one or more known data breaches includes the step of, for each data breach of the one or more known data breaches, providing a functionality that maps one or more kill chains or Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) for a specified set of security dimensions. A step includes generating a security rule for each mapped kill chain or TTP based on the functionality that maps the one or more kill chains or Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) for a specified set of security dimensions. A step includes pushing the security rule to an enterprise so that the enterprise is aware of a vulnerability in the data breach. A step includes generating a customized posture for a Virtual private cloud (VPC) in the enterprise's cloud-based network. A step includes determining that the data breach can occur within the enterprise's cloud-based network.

Abstract: Network pathways are identified to transfer packets between a pair of regional virtual traffic hubs of a provider network. At a first hub of the pair, a first action is performed, resulting in a transmission of a packet received from a first isolated network to the second hub along a pathway selected using dynamic routing parameters. At the second hub, a second action is performed, resulting in the transmission of the packet to a destination within a second isolated network.

Abstract: A pipe fusion apparatus and method which (a) provide an indexer carriage for the facer and heater and a brake which automatically holds the indexer at predetermined locations, (b) operate to automatically strip the heater from the molten ends of the pipe, (c) also operate to automatically return the heater to its retracted position, and (d) provide a heater retention mechanism for holding the heater at desired downward intermediate positions, so that the operator will have both hands free for cleaning or taking temperature readings, without interfering with the subsequent return of the heater from the fusion zone to the fully retracted position of the heater.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a connector. The connector is suited to connectorizing exactly two conductors. The connector includes a forward connector body, a rear connector body, a metal frame and exactly two electrical contacts. The rear connector body interfaces with the forward connector body. Further, the metal frame, which includes a shielding interface, surrounds at least a portion of both the forward and rear connector bodies. The electrical contacts extend from the rear connector body into the forward connector body. A first of the electrical contacts is electrically coupled to a first conductor of a shielded cable and the second of the electrical contacts is electrically coupled to a second conductor of the shielded cable. The shield interface of the metal frame is electrically coupled to the shield of the shielded cable.

Abstract: Vascular access devices and methods of their use are provided. In one embodiment, a vascular access device includes a catheter and at least one deployable wire. The catheter includes a primary lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the catheter. The at least one deployable wire is secured to the catheter and configured to move relative to the catheter between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration.