Abstract: A system and method are provided for automated engaging of a truck trailer at a loading dock. Sensors measure a distance and an angle of alignment between the incoming trailer and a wall of the loading dock. An outside lighting system guides a truck driver backing the trailer toward the dock door. A vehicle restraint system fixates the trailer within the loading dock in response to signals from the sensors. An overhead dock door opens once the trailer is successfully fixated by the vehicle restraint system. A dock leveler deploys after the overhead dock door opens. An inside dock light indicates to dock personnel that the trailer is ready to be serviced. Once servicing of the trailer is finished, an automated release of the trailer from the loading dock may be initiated by PLC communication.

Abstract: A method of purifying air polluted by smoke and fumes, such as from wildfires and other hazard, may deploy a series of fluid filled vessels that act as filters to trap and/or neutralize components that would foul an aqueous suspension of gold nanoparticles that is effective in converting toxic carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. Non-toxic fluids may be used. As the gold nanoparticles are effective in a basic solution, the solution may contain a visible pH indicator or an apparatus that deploys the method may continuously monitor the pH thereof.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for staging emulated live performance routine competitions. Various emulation methods and apparatus may allow for live conditions to be emulated even in the absence of actual staged live competition. Live performance routines may be recorded and stored as live performance routine data. Competition judging may be input and stored as competition judging input data. Data transformation processors may transform such data into live performance routine competition conditions emulated data that may emulate live performance routine competition conditions. Data may be aggregated into an emulated live performance routine competition for remote spectator access.

Abstract: Technologies are described for a distributed audio system configured to switch operating modes. In some examples, the distributed audio system may include a device configured to execute first instructions from a first memory corresponding to operation in a first mode, receive a signal to switch modes, and, responsive to receiving the signal, switch a select signal corresponding to the first memory to select a second memory. Responsive to selecting the second memory, the device may be configured to execute second instructions from the second memory corresponding to operation in a second mode. The device may enter a registration mode to register portable parts to the device.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for a method of displaying a user interface on a mobile device, comprising: receiving a transaction file; performing text recognition on the transaction file to extract one or more transaction elements; determining a transaction characteristic based on the one or more transaction elements; displaying a transaction characteristic user interface element within an interactive cell displayed in the user interface; receiving a user touch gesture associated with the interactive cell via the user interface; and displaying an action user interface element in response to receiving the user touch gesture, wherein the action user interface element is configured to perform an action based on the transaction characteristic associated with the interactive cell.

Abstract: A latch is provided for latching the doors of cubicles or stalls provided in public washrooms. The latch includes a body mounted within a cavity formed between the inner and outer door surfaces, the body rotatably mounting a spindle having a latching member mounted at one end. Biasing means in the form of one or more cam followers acting on a corresponding number of cam surfaces is provided between the body and the spindle to hold the spindle in a closed position but, once displaced from the closed position, to bias the spindle toward a fully open position.

Abstract: A system includes a first computing device client associated with a first user in a community of users operable to send content to publish to a data aggregation server. The data aggregation server is operable to receive the content to publish from the first computing device client, host a first user profile associated with the first user of the first computing device client, the first user profile identifying a targeted recipient in the community of users, and disseminate automatically the content received from the first computing device client to a second computing device client associated with the targeted recipient, without receiving input from the first computing device client explicitly specifying the targeted recipient to whom the content is disseminated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating access to multiple data stores substantially in real-time are disclosed. The system may include a server coupled to a network, a client device in communication with the server via the network and a plurality of data stores. The server may authenticate access to the data stores and forward information from those stores to the client device. An exemplary authentication method may include receipt of a request for access to data. Information concerning access to that data is stored and associated with an identifier assigned to a client device. If the identifier is found to correspond to the stored information during a future request for access to the store, access to that store is granted.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to managing workloads provided by a plurality of clients to a shared resource. One example provides a computing device comprising a processor and a storage device storing instructions executable by the processor. The instructions are executable to provide a first workload from a first client and a second workload from a second client to a shared memory accessible by the first client, the second client, and a resource configured to process the first workload and the second workload. The computing device is configured to determine that an exception has occurred while processing the first workload, and to take an action to prevent execution of at least some additional work from the first client. The instructions are further executable to receive a result of processing the second workload after taking the action to prevent the execution of the additional work.

Abstract: A system includes a first computing device client associated with a first user in a community of users operable to send content to publish to a data aggregation server. The data aggregation server is operable to receive the content to publish from the first computing device client, host a first user profile associated with the first user of the first computing device client, the first user profile identifying a targeted recipient in the community of users, and disseminate automatically the content received from the first computing device client to a second computing device client associated with the targeted recipient, without receiving input from the first computing device client explicitly specifying the targeted recipient to whom the content is disseminated.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a method for providing a recommended wellness behavior. User data is received for different wellness components, the user data including data related to physical health, finances, and psychology. A user's wellness is assessed by, for each wellness component, determining a difference between the current user score and a relevant demographic standard, and determining a predicted future score based thereon. A recommended behavior is determined based on an identification of the wellness components having greatest differences between the predicted future score and the demographic standard. An indicator of the recommended behavior is then output to the user.

Abstract: A self-charging sensor (SCS) adapted for use in a toilet or the like. The SCS includes a housing having a rechargeable battery; a turbine module having a multilevel impeller having offset wheels that are adapted to be driven by a fluid flow via an inlet port during an event, wherein a rotation of the impeller causes the turbine module to generate electricity that recharges the rechargeable battery; and a processing module that collects count data associated with the rotation during the event; and an attachment component adapted to seat the housing on an overflow tube.

Abstract: A system for generating hazard alerts is provided. The system includes a plurality of sensor units including a plurality of sensors and a locating device, and a hazard analyzing (HA) computing device configured to communicate with the sensor units and including at least one memory device configured to store a scene definition, the scene definition defining a coordinate space of a worksite, and at least one processor configured to receive, from the sensors, a plurality of sensor measurements, receive, from the locating device of each sensor unit, at least one coordinate of the coordinate space, determine, based on the at least one coordinate, a location of the sensor unit during each sensor measurement, and determine, for at least a first sensor unit, that an alert condition is present based on the scene definition, the sensor measurements, and the determined location associated with the first sensor unit.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a wire segment includes an inspection apparatus and a visual imaging device. The apparatus includes an array of mirrors positioned about a centerline of the apparatus, wherein each mirror in the array is oriented such that a reflection of a first inspection zone of the wire segment in the array of mirrors forms a circumferential view of the first inspection zone of the wire segment, and the reflection from each mirror is within a field of view from a single vantage point. The visual imaging device is positioned at the single vantage point and oriented towards the wire segment such that the reflection from each mirror of the array of mirrors is within a field of view of the visual imaging device, the visual imaging device configured to capture at least one image of the reflection of the wire segment from the array of mirrors.

Abstract: A desuperheating spray chamber for use in a rocket exhaust recovery system for a nuclear thermal propulsion rocket, including a substantially-cylindrical outer tank with an upper end including an entrance port and two exhaust ports, a substantially-cylindrical shroud extending downwardly from an inner surface of the upper end of the tank, an annular inner spray ring that is both disposed within and concentric with the shroud; and an annular outer spray ring that is disposed between a side wall of the outer tank and the shroud, the annular outer ring being concentric with the shroud.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to polypeptide modulators of complement activity, including cyclic polypeptide modulators. Included are methods of utilizing such modulators as therapeutics. Also provided are methods of measuring C5 and related complexes using C5 binding agents.

Abstract: Some example product dispensers that accommodate two full paper towel rolls are provided herein. The product dispenser may employ separate dispensing mechanisms for each product roll and may include roll holders that articulate out from the housing to facilitate easy loading and access to replacement and loading of the other product roll. A roll partition may be utilized to separate the web paths of the two product rolls and enable rotation of front roll holders. Example funnel covers and nip covers can aid with intuitive installation. Example roll holders with retention mechanisms help prevent unintentional dropping of the installed product roll. Other beneficial features include utilizing motor operation sensing to dispense a desired sheet length, automatic/assisted loading into the dispensing mechanism, automatic switching between dispensing of product rolls, and always dispensing from the smaller product roll first. Many other features/structures of example product dispensers are also described herein.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for staging emulated live performance routine competitions. Various emulation methods and apparatus may allow for live conditions to be emulated even in the absence of actual staged live competition. Live performance routines may be recorded and stored as live performance routine data. Competition judging may be input and stored as competition judging input data. Data transformation processors may transform such data into live performance routine competition conditions emulated data that may emulate live performance routine competition conditions. Data may be aggregated into an emulated live performance routine competition for remote spectator access.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor transistor device includes etching a vertical gate trench into a silicon region, depositing a silicon gate material on an interlayer dielectric formed in the vertical gate trench so that an upper side of the interlayer dielectric is covered, etching through the silicon gate material in the vertical gate trench to partly uncover the upper side of the interlayer dielectric and so that a silicon gate region of a gate electrode of the semiconductor transistor device remains in the vertical gate trench, and depositing a metal material into the vertical gate trench so that the partly uncovered upper side of the interlayer dielectric is covered by the metal material.