Abstract: An independent product upgrade function is associated with each of multiple software products installed in a set of multiple computing devices. Responsive to a triggering event, each upgrade function determines whether the corresponding product can be updated based on rules for the corresponding product. Upgrade may be dependent on other products, but the upgrade function need not know the conditions for upgrading other products. If a product can be updated, update is performed and all other products are notified. Each of the other product upgrade functions then determines whether its corresponding product can be upgraded as a result of the recent upgrade to the first product, and if so, another set of notifications is sent. This cycle continues until all dependent products have been updated. Upgrade functions preferably operate in a peer-to-peer relationship, and upgrade can be initiated in any node.

Abstract: An independent product upgrade function is associated with each of multiple software products installed in a set of multiple computing devices. Responsive to a triggering event, each upgrade function determines whether the corresponding product can be updated based on rules for the corresponding product. Upgrade may be dependent on other products, but the upgrade function need not know the conditions for upgrading other products. If a product can be updated, update is performed and all other products are notified. Each of the other product upgrade functions then determines whether its corresponding product can be upgraded as a result of the recent upgrade to the first product, and if so, another set of notifications is sent. This cycle continues until all dependent products have been updated. Upgrade functions preferably operate in a peer-to-peer relationship, and upgrade can be initiated in any node.

Abstract: A robotic laser-pointing apparatus has an instrument center, a first rotation axis, a second rotation axis, and a pointing axis, with the first rotation axis, the second rotation axis and the pointing axis in a known relationship to the instrument center. A laser source provides a pointing-laser beam along the pointing axis. A pointing drive system aims the laser beam by rotating the pointing axis about the instrument center in response to a pointing-direction control. Focusing optics having a focusing-optics drive serve to focus the pointing-laser beam in response to a focusing-optics control. A processor, responsive to target-position information, generates the pointing-direction control and the focusing-optics control. Some embodiments include an electronic-distance-measurement system having a measurement beam. Some embodiments provide for compensation of aiming errors of the pointing-laser beam and the measurement beam.

Abstract: A bedding system uses machine vision to makes adjustments for comfort and/or support. In one aspect, a pressure mapping engine measures a two-dimensional pressure image of a sleeper on the bedding system while the sleeper is sleeping on the bedding system. A machine vision process analyzes the pressure image. A comfort and support engine adjusts a comfort and/or support of the bedding system based on the machine vision analysis.

Abstract: A waterproof lighting assembly includes a housing that has a top portion that is hingedly coupled to a bottom portion. The top portion is positionable at a selected angle with respect to the bottom portion. A first cap is removably coupled to the bottom portion. A second cap is removably coupled to the first cap. A retainer is removably coupled to the top portion. A plurality of gaskets is provided. Selected ones of the gaskets are positionable between the first cap and the bottom portion, the first cap and the second cap, and the retainer and the top portion. The gaskets form a fluid impermeable seal. A lighting circuit is positioned within the housing such that the lighting circuit may emit light outwardly from the housing.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to edge sealing techniques for vacuum insulating glass (VIG) units. More particularly, certain example embodiments relate to techniques for providing localized heating to edge seals of units, and/or unitized ovens for accomplishing the same. In certain example embodiments, infrared (IR) heating elements are controllable to emit IR radiation at a peak wavelength in the near infrared (NIR) and/or short wave infrared (SWIR) band(s), and the peak wavelength may be varied by adjusting the voltage applied to the IR heating elements. The peak wavelength may be selected so as to preferentially heat the frit material used to form a VIG edge seal while reducing the amount of heat provided to substrates of the VIG unit. In certain example embodiments, the substrates of the VIG unit do not reach a temperature of 325 degrees C. for more than 1 minute.

Abstract: A method of reducing or preventing conversion of plaque to calculus in a companion animal. The method includes orally administering to the companion animal a composition comprising a zinc salt and one or more chelating agents. The zinc salt and/or the chelating agents can be present in an amount from about 0.01% to about 5.0% of the composition.

Abstract: A system and methods for simulating human usage of mobile devices by simulating human behavior patterns operating mobile devices and using the simulation of human usage to obtain advertising or other online content specific to certain entities that is displayed on the mobile devices. The advertising or other online content specific to the certain entities is transmitted to an analytics server, where the advertising or other online content is interpreted and deciphered to obtain particular elements that relate to the advertising and online content including, but not limited to, an identification of the specific entity, the size of the advertising or other online content, the locations where the advertising or other online content appears, and the path by which the advertising or other online content travels to the mobile devices for display.

Abstract: A system and methods for creating an instant interactive visualization and providing a display of what an advertisement may appear as on any published web page. In some implementations, the system and methods provide an ad-context visualization and mock-up tool that enables a user to view mock-up representations of one or more advertisements and show prospective or current advertising clients with ease what a particular advertisement will ultimately appear as in a context specified by a user.

Abstract: A sacrificial plate extends above a window or door opening and is mounted onto an interior wall to accept mounting screws for window treatment holders. The sacrificial plate is a cost effective alternative to costly repairs ordinarily caused by the installation and removal of multiple window treatments over time. The sacrificial plate may be easily removed and replaced when remodeling.

Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to semiconductor wafer bonding, and more particularly to direct bonding by contacting surfaces of the semiconductor wafers. In one aspect, a method for bonding a first semiconductor substrate to a second semiconductor substrate by direct bonding is described. The substrates are both provided on their contact surfaces with a dielectric layer, followed by a CMP step for reducing the roughness of the dielectric layer. Then a layer of SiCN is deposited onto the dielectric layer, followed by a CMP step which reduces the roughness of the SiCN layer to the order of 1 tenth of a nanometer. Then the substrates are subjected to a pre-bond annealing step and then bonded by direct bonding, possibly preceded by one or more pre-treatments of the contact surfaces, and followed by a post-bond annealing step, at a temperature of less than or equal to 250° C.

Abstract: A thermally insulating panel (e.g., vacuum IG window unit) includes first and second opposing substrates spaced apart from one another by a plurality of spacers. A low pressure space is defined between the substrates, and is hermetically sealed off by at least one edge seal. During evacuation of the space, a plasma is ignited within the space via a static grid assembly in order to reduce the time needed to evacuate the space down and/or to help remove debris from within the space to the desired low pressure.

Abstract: The current disclosure provides binding polypeptides (e.g., antibodies), and effector moiety conjugates thereof (e.g., antibody-drug conjugates or ADCs), comprising a site-specifically engineered drug-glycan linkage within native or engineered glycans of the binding polypetpide. The current disclosure also provides nucleic acids encoding the antigen-binding polypeptides, recombinant expression vectors and host cells for making such antigen-binding polypeptides. Methods of using the antigen-binding polypeptides disclosed herein to treat disease are also provided.

Abstract: A method of making a carbon fiber comprising esterification of a lignin precursor with an acid, acid anhydride, or acyl halide, thereby forming a reduced Tg lignin. Mixing the reduced Tg lignin with a carbon residue selected from the group of coal based raw material, petroleum based raw material and combinations thereof, thereby forming a fiber precursor mixture; and spinning the fiber precursor mixture into a fiber. A method of making a carbon fiber comprising esterification of a lignin with an acid derivative, thereby forming a reduced Tg lignin. Mixing the reduced Tg lignin with a pitch, thereby forming a fiber precursor mixture; and spinning the fiber precursor mixture into a fiber. A method of making a carbon fiber comprising lowering the Tg of a lignin material, thereby forming a reduced Tg lignin. Mixing the reduced Tg lignin with a carbon residue, thereby forming a fiber precursor mixture and spinning the fiber precursor mixture into a fiber.

Abstract: A rinsing station for removing residual materials from a fabric being dyed or bleached. The rinsing station includes a first pair of rinse spray nozzles. One of the first pair directed to spray a rinse fluid downwardly onto incoming dyed fabric. The other of the first pair directed to spray the rinse fluid upwardly onto the incoming dyed fabric. The rinsing station also includes a pair of nip rollers downstream for the first pair of rinse spray nozzles for extracting the rinse fluid.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer storage media are disclosed for headlight setting activation via a stalk switch. An example vehicle includes a stalk switch and a headlamp controller. The example headlamp controller is to monitor the stalk switch and detect, in response to identifying the stalk switch is transitioning to a high-beam position, a number of occurrences the stalk switch is set at the high-beam position in a predetermined time period. Also, the example headlamp controller is to activate, in response to determining the number of occurrences is two, a first headlight setting of headlamps.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds comprising the reaction products of a phenolic ester polyol, a boron containing compound, and optionally, an alcohol. Also disclosed are compounds comprising the reaction products of a polyol, a boron containing compound, and a phenolic acid or ester. Lubricating oil compositions and additive concentrates comprising above compounds, and methods for operating an internal combustion engine using said lubricating oil compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A heating system for a machine includes a tungsten halogen light bulb, a socket, a heat sink, and a reflector. The tungsten halogen light bulb is configured to emit light when connected to an electric power source. The socket is selectively electrically connected to the electric power source. The tungsten halogen light bulb is removeably connected to the socket. The reflector includes a reflecting surface, and is fixedly mounted in relation to the heat sink, such that the reflecting surface reflects at least a portion of the light onto the heat sink.

Abstract: Technical solutions for reducing page invalidation broadcasts in virtual storage management are described. One general aspect includes a method including allocating, by a storage manager, a virtual memory page to a memory buffer that is used by an application being executed by a multiprocessor system, the virtual memory page being allocated from an address space of the application. The method also includes recording, by a memory management unit, a mapping between the virtual memory page and a physical location in a memory. The method also includes in response to a request, from the application, to deallocate the memory buffer, delaying invalidation of the mapping between the virtual memory page and the physical location in a memory, based on a count of free frames in the address space of the application.