Abstract: Air cleaner assemblies, components, and features are described. The features can be used to provide that the air cleaner assembly cannot be fully closed, even if a cartridge is nested therein, and appears to be sealed, unless that cartridge is a proper one for the system of concern. The effect is to prevent an inappropriate cartridge, that does not properly seal, from being inadvertently installed in the assembly.

Abstract: A microfluidic probe includes a probe head with a processing surface that includes a first aperture and a second aperture. The probe further includes a liquid injection channel, which leads to the first aperture, and a liquid aspiration channel, which extends from the second aperture. The probe also includes a bypass channel, arranged so as to fluidly connect the liquid injection channel to the liquid aspiration channel, as well as a control channel. The latter fluidly connects to the bypass channel, hence forming a junction therewith, so as to define two portions of the bypass channel. These portions includes: a first portion that extends from the junction to the liquid injection channel; and a second portion that extends from that same junction to the liquid aspiration channel. The invention is further directed to methods of operation of a probe as described above, to process a surface.

Abstract: Isolated cells are described that are not embryonic stem cells, not embryonic germ cells, and not germ cells. The cells can differentiate into at least one cell type of each of at least two of the endodermal, ectodermal, and mesodermal lineages. The cells do not provoke a harmful immune response. The cells can modulate immune responses. As an example, the cells can suppress an immune response in a host engendered by allogeneic cells, tissues, and organs. Methods are described for using the cells, by themselves or adjunctively, to treat subjects. For instance, the cells can be used adjunctively for immunosuppression in transplant therapy. Methods for obtaining the cells and compositions for using them also are described.

Abstract: This application relates to systems and methods for scaling and assembling framed images, and to offering the framed images for purchase. In some embodiments, a computing device is configured to receive a first customer selection of a frame style and a frame size, where the frame size indicates dimensions of a frame window. The computing device is also configured to receive a second customer selection of a mat style. Further, the computing device is configured to determine, based at least on the dimensions of the frame window and the mat style, a mat size, where the mat size includes dimensions of a mat window. The computing device is also configured to determine, based at least on the dimensions of the mat window, an image size for an image. For example, the computing device may execute a rule-based model, or a machine learning model, to determine the image size.

Abstract: Technology for managing objects. A method is applied to a set of objects, for example, in view of commissioning such objects. The method includes patterning a surface of each object of a set of objects to be managed. The patterning is accomplished by using hard particles to make indentations in a surface of each object of the set of object, with the pattern formed on each object being a unique physical fingerprint that can be used to identify the object when performing various manage method(s) on the objects.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of synthesizing an organometallic iridium monomer compound includes obtaining a dimeric iridium compound having a halogenated bridge, refluxing a mixture comprising the dimeric iridium compound, a base, an ancillary ligand, and 1,2-dimethoxyethane for forming a precipitate of an organometallic iridium monomer, and filtering the refluxed mixture to collect the organometallic iridium monomer precipitate.

Abstract: Isolated cells are described that are not embryonic stem cells, not embryonic germ cells, and not germ cells. The cells can differentiate into at least one cell type of each of at least two of the endodermal, ectodermal, and mesodermal lineages. The cells do not provoke a harmful immune response. The cells can modulate immune responses. As an example, the cells can suppress an immune response in a host engendered by allogeneic cells, tissues, and organs. Methods are described for using the cells, by themselves or adjunctively, to treat subjects. For instance, the cells can be used adjunctively for immunosuppression in transplant therapy. Methods for obtaining the cells and compositions for using them also are described.

Abstract: A traction inverter circuit includes a first energy storage device configured to output a DC voltage, a first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter coupled to the first energy storage device, and a first electromechanical device. The first electromechanical device includes a first plurality of conductors coupled to the first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter, a second plurality of conductors coupled together, and a plurality of windings coupled between the first plurality of conductors and the second plurality of conductors. The traction converter circuit also includes a charge bus comprising a first conductor coupled to the second plurality of conductors of the first electromechanical device, the charge bus configured to transmit a charging current to or receive a charging current from the first electromechanical device to charge the first energy storage device via the first electromechanical device and the first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter.

Abstract: A control system for an autonomous vehicle can determine a risk value for each respective path segment of a plurality of path segments in a given area that includes a destination of the autonomous vehicle. The risk value can correspond to a cost layer in a map that includes the respective path segment. Based on the risk value for each respective path segment, the control system can determine a travel route for the autonomous vehicle to the destination, and autonomously control the autonomous vehicle to navigate along the travel route to the destination.

Abstract: A system includes a vehicle cover, a mechanical tensioning device, a memory device, storing instructions, and one or more processors configured to execute instructions to perform the steps of a method to secure a vehicle. The mechanical tensioning device may include attachment means to attach the device to a wheel of the vehicle and means to attach a security cable of the vehicle cover integrated into a bottom edge of the vehicle cover to the mechanical tensioning device. The mechanical tensioning device may include a rotational reel connected to either a tensioning motor or a tensioning crank and optionally including either a mechanical bi-stable device or one or more sensors configured to monitor the tension of the security cable when engaged to the mechanical tensioning device. The processor may monitor for a change in tension and execute one or more security measures in response.

Abstract: A drive circuit comprising a DC bus configured to supply power to a load, a first fuel cell coupled to the DC bus and configured to provide a first power output to the DC bus, and a second fuel cell coupled to the DC bus and configured to provide a second power output to the DC bus supplemental to the first fuel cell. The drive circuit further includes an energy storage device coupled to the DC bus and configured to receive energy from the DC bus when a combined output of the first and second fuel cells is greater than a power demand from a load, and provide energy to the DC bus when the combined output of the first and second fuel cells is less than the power demand from the load.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fluidic device is provided. The method comprises providing a capillary, providing a structure having a fluidic channel and an opening, reducing an outer diameter of a portion of the capillary to be smaller than the opening of the structure. Furthermore, the method comprises inserting, at least partly, the portion of the capillary through the opening of the structure into the fluidic channel and applying heat to the structure to expand the inserted portion of the capillary to fit the capillary to the structure.

Abstract: Technology for managing objects. A method is applied to a set of objects, for example, in view of commissioning such objects. The method includes patterning a surface of each object of a set of objects to be managed.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a surface has a vehicle including an extensible boom. A multi-purpose hood is attached to the boom. The hood includes at least one nozzle for spraying a fluid through an outlet of the hood, the nozzle adapted for reciprocating, non-rotational movement in a generally linear direction relative to the opening in the hood. The multi-purpose hood may be adapted for rotating independently about three different axes, and may include a first actuator for controlling a roll of the hood, a second actuator for controlling a yaw of the hood, a third actuator for controlling a pitch of the hood, and a fourth actuator for controlling an extension of the boom and a second actuator for controlling a swing of the boom. The extensible boom may be connected to a telescoping conduit for communicating fluid along the boom to or from the multi-purpose hood. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dispensation system having a hopper that is located remote to the remainder of the dispensation system. The hopper can be located remote from a delivery system and a conveyor or other transmitting device can connect the hopper to the delivery system. The hopper can therefore be located in an area that is more accessible or less valued than the area in which the products or objects are dispensed, allowing a more efficient product distribution system.

Abstract: A method and a system convert the value of a gift card for use with a mobile device. The value of the gift card is determined from an issuer of the gift card. The value of the gift card is stored in a digital payment account in a storage device. The digital payment account stores values of gift cards from issuers. A financial transaction corresponding to the issuer of the gift card is performed on the digital payment account. The value of a first gift card from a first issuer of a first digital payment account is exchanged with the value of a second gift card from a second issuer of a second digital payment account.

Abstract: Isolated cells are described that are not embryonic stem cells, not embryonic germ cells, and not germ cells. The cells can differentiate into at least one cell type of each of at least two of the endodermal, ectodermal, and mesodermal lineages. The cells do not provoke a harmful immune response. The cells can modulate immune responses. As an example, the cells can suppress an immune response in a host engendered by allogeneic cells, tissues, and organs. Methods are described for using the cells, by themselves or adjunctively, to treat subjects. For instance, the cells can be used adjunctively for immunosuppression in transplant therapy. Methods for obtaining the cells and compositions for using them also are described.

Abstract: A drive circuit comprising a DC bus configured to supply power to a load, a first fuel cell coupled to the DC bus and configured to provide a first power output to the DC bus, and a second fuel cell coupled to the DC bus and configured to provide a second power output to the DC bus supplemental to the first fuel cell. The drive circuit further includes an energy storage device coupled to the DC bus and configured to receive energy from the DC bus when a combined output of the first and second fuel cells is greater than a power demand from a load, and provide energy to the DC bus when the combined output of the first and second fuel cells is less than the power demand from the load.

Abstract: A system is configured to perform a method of customizing an application. The method includes receiving a connection from a client machine that is executing an application configurable by configuration information. The method also includes determining that the application has not been customized by the configuration information. The method further includes transmitting the configuration information to the client machine in response to the determining that the application has not been customized by the configuration information. In response to the transmitting of the configuration information, the application is configured to include a category structure for the application. In some example embodiments, the configuration information includes a software module upgrade of the application.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a motor drive circuit includes a first energy storage device configured to supply electrical energy, a bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter coupled to the first energy storage device, a voltage inverter coupled to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and an input device configured to receive electrical energy from an external energy source. The motor drive circuit further includes a coupling system coupled to the input device, to the first energy storage device, and to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter. The coupling system has a first configuration configured to transfer electrical energy to the first energy storage device via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and has a second configuration configured to transfer electrical energy from the first energy storage device to the voltage inverter via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter.