Abstract: The exit area of a nozzle assembly is varied by translating a ring assembly located at a rear of the engine nacelle. The ring may be axially translatable along the axis of the engine. As the ring translates, the trailing edge of the ring defines a variable nozzle exit area. Translation of the ring creates an upstream exit at a leading edge of the ring assembly. The upstream exit can be used to bleed or otherwise spill flow excess from the engine bypass duct. As the engine operates in various flight conditions, the ring can be translated to obtain lower fan pressure ratios and thereby increase the efficiency of the engine. Fairings partially enclose actuator components for reduced drag.

Abstract: A tracking insert adapted, in an exemplary embodiment, to be inserted into and received by the collar connector of a state-of-the-art pet collar, such that the tracking insert becomes an extension of the pet collar is provided. The tracking insert comprises a linear band housing a linear array of electronic modules in electronic communication with one another. For instance, the modules include, in an exemplary embodiment, a GPS radio receiver, one or more modules adapted to communicate with a mobile device by known protocols such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or mobile communication protocols in a manner readily understood and implementable by those skilled in the art, and other modules such as a light, a camera and/or a communication module to allow the owner to communicate with the pet.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting, localizing and quantifying stator winding faults in AC electrical machines is disclosed. A diagnostic system configured to detect a stator winding fault in an AC electrical machine includes a processor programmed to receive measurements of three-phase voltages and currents provided to the AC electrical machine from voltage and current sensors associated with the electrical distribution circuit, compute positive, negative and zero sequence components of voltage and current from the three-phase voltages and currents, and calculate a fault severity index (FSI) based on at least a portion of the positive, negative and zero sequence components of voltage and current, wherein calculating the FSI further comprises identifying a voltage gain in one or more phases of the AC electrical machine due to a stator winding fault and localizing the stator winding fault to one or more phases in the AC electrical machine.

Abstract: A smart junction box for a photovoltaic solar power module, and related method of operation. The junction box includes a plurality of active bypass circuits for protecting the solar cells from reverse bias, a novel power supply circuit in several embodiments that can operate with input voltages of either positive or negative polarity, a capacitor for storing and supplying energy, and a master control circuit. The master control circuit is able to enable/disable the power supply, force the bypass switches to open, and modulate the on-resistance of the bypass switches. The master control circuit performs these functions in a coordinated way to maintain the voltage across the capacitor within predetermined limits, thereby ensuring the internal circuitry is powered under all operating conditions including: full sunlight, partial shading, full shading, and safe mode for reducing the risk of electrical shock to firefighters.

Abstract: A narrative includes a number of serially connected narrative segments combined by a director or editor in a defined sequence to tell a story. Quite frequently a number of different narrative segments are available to the director or editor. A content delivery editor provides editors and directors with the ability to augment a standard with additional narrative segments that provide alternate perspectives, view, or insights to the narrative consumer. Such provides the ability to convey the same narrative to the narrative consumer using a number of plots, storylines, or perspectives. Branch points in the narrative, defined by the editor or director, provide the narrative consumer the opportunity to follow a storyline they find interesting. Each narrative consumer follows a “personalized” path through the narrative. Through social media, narrative consumers are able to discuss the narrative path with other narrative consumers who have taken a different path through the narrative.

Abstract: The turbine assembly includes a shaft, a plurality of rotor disks, a plurality of blades, and at least one cutting mechanisms. The rotor disks are spaced axially along, and coupled to, the shaft and include a radially outer portion. The blades are spaced circumferentially around the radially outer portion. The cutting mechanisms are configured to cut the blades from the rotor disk during a disk over speed condition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for determining a concentration of a glycopeptide antibiotic containing a phenol moiety such as Vancomycin in a complex sample matrix by extracting the glycopeptide antibiotic from a metered portion of the complex sample matrix by exposing said metered portion to an extraction material having an affinity with the glycopeptide antibiotic; and exposing the extraction material to a metered portion of an eluent for releasing the glycopeptide antibiotic from the extraction material; and by determining a concentration of the glycopeptide antibiotic by adding a Gibbs reagent (2,6 dichloroquinone-4chloroimide) to the metered portion of the complex sample matrix or the eluent; activating the Gibbs reagent and, after the reaction between the activated Gibbs reagent and the antibiotic has stabilized; detecting the reaction product of the activated Gibbs reagent and the antibiotic in said eluent; and determining the concentration of the antibiotic in the complex sample matrix from the

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a combination of molecular barcoding and emulsion-based microfluidics to isolate, lyse, barcode, and prepare nucleic acids from individual cells in a high-throughput manner.

Abstract: A communication system and method receive, at an energy management system disposed onboard a vehicle system formed from a lead vehicle and one or more remote vehicles, trip data that represents one or more characteristics of an upcoming trip of the vehicle system along a route. A selected portion of the trip data is communicated from the energy management system to a distributed power system also disposed onboard the vehicle system. The selected portion includes identifying information and one or more orientations of the one or more remote vehicles. Using the distributed power system, communication links between the lead vehicle and the one or more remote vehicles are established using the identifying information and the one or more orientations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for playing a wagering game on a gaming apparatus enables different paytables and related volatility wagers on at least one of an underlying wagering game and a side bet wager against a paytable. The method allows a player placing a wager on the underlying wagering game; and the player placing a wager on the side bet. The method further allows providing a physical random event outcome in the underlying wagering game on which both the underlying game and the side bet are based. At least one of the wager on the underlying wagering game and the wager on the side bet is made on at least one of two available wagers having differing volatilities from each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to clonal expansion of somatic cells in subjects, and acquired selective advantage of cell clones during the lifetime of a subject. In particular, the invention relates to methods for predicting the development of cancer based on the observation of specific genetic mutations in somatic cell clones, as well as to methods for treating or preventing cancer in a subject, in which clonal expansion of cells comprising specific modifications is observed.

Abstract: The invention comprises: a smart junction box with a safe mode for photovoltaic solar power modules; and the related method of operation. Power MOSFETs are used as active bypass diodes during the normal operation of the smart junction box, but in safe mode the power MOSFETs are turned on continuously, thereby reducing the output voltage to a safe level of approximately 200 mV. A Non Volatile Memory (NVM) keeps the module in the safe mode after power from the PV cells is interrupted by momentary shading or night. The smart junction box includes transmitter and receiver circuits for wirelessly communicating with other smart junction boxes. The smart junction box enters safe mode in response to receiving a shut-down signal, and exits safe mode in response to receiving a restart signal. The smart junction box acts as a signal repeater, thereby ensuring that the shut-down and restart signals propagate to all junction boxes in the solar array.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and localizing excess voltage drop in single or multiple phases of three-phase AC circuits is disclosed. An electrical distribution circuit is provided that includes an input connectable to an AC source, an output connectable to terminals of an electrical machine, the output configured to provide three-phase voltages and currents to the electrical machine, and a diagnostic system configured to detect an excess voltage drop (EVD) in the electrical distribution circuit. The diagnostic system includes a processor that is programmed to receive measurements of the three-phase voltages and currents provided to the electrical machine, compute a negative sequence voltage from the three-phase voltages and currents, determine a localization reference phase angle for each phase based in part on the three-phase voltages and currents, and calculate an EVD in the electrical distribution circuit based on the negative sequence voltage and the localization reference phase angles.

Abstract: A bracket useful for seismic bracing of conduits is described. The bracket is placeable over a threaded rod and includes sidewalls for accepting a fastener and a pair of apertures for attaching to a brace. Certain brackets are stackable, allowing for the attachment of multiple braces from a single anchored rod. Other brackets include two parts that allow the bracket to be assembled about a threaded rod without removing elements which might previously be attached to the rod.

Abstract: An inner tube moves axially between an outer tube and a support, all of which are concentrically arranged, to a desired telescopic position, relative to the outer tube and the support, and can be locked in the desired telescopic position by applying radial force between the support and the inner surface of the inner tube. The radial force generates a frictional force acting on the inner surface of the inner tube, which resists longitudinal movement of the inner tube. A bicycle actuator cable is coupled to an actuator connector for a tension-controlled actuator by a bicycle cable connector which has a fixed longitudinal position on the bicycle actuator cable. The bicycle cable connector is longitudinally consistently removably repeatably interengageable with the actuator connector to maintain longitudinal alignment of the bicycle actuator cable with the actuator through repeated engagement and disengagement of the bicycle cable connector and the actuation connector.

Abstract: In one embodiment at least one user profile of a user may be obtained. Information may be provided to the user by one or more personalization engines based, at least in part, upon the at least one user profile. Each of the one or more personalization engines may be configured to operate according to a different one of a plurality of personas.

Abstract: A narrative includes a number of serially connected narrative segments combined by a director or editor in a defined sequence to tell a story. Quite frequently a number of different narrative segments are available to the director or editor. A content delivery editor provides editors and directors with the ability to augment a standard with additional narrative segments that provide alternate perspectives, view, or insights to the narrative consumer. Such provides the ability to convey the same narrative to the narrative consumer using a number of plots, storylines, or perspectives. Branch points in the narrative, defined by the editor or director, provide the narrative consumer the opportunity to follow a storyline they find interesting. Each narrative consumer follows a “personalized” path through the narrative. Through social media, narrative consumers are able to discuss the narrative path with other narrative consumers who have taken a different path through the narrative.

Abstract: A mechanical steering system for a wheelchair to permit a user's foot to pivotably adjust a pair of caster wheels of the wheelchair is provided. The system includes a platform coupled to a frame of the wheelchair, a foot controller assembly pivotably mounted to the platform and having a foot plate to receive the user's foot and a rod coupled to the foot plate, a drag linkage member coupled to the rod of the foot controller assembly, and a pair of lever arm assemblies pivotably mounted to the drag linkage member, each lever arm assembly having a lever rod coupled to a fork member, the fork member being coupled to one of the caster wheels. Pivotable movement of the foot plate is transferred through the drag linkage member to permit both lever rods of the lever arm assemblies to pivot, thereby enabling simultaneous pivotal adjustments of the caster wheels.

Abstract: A brake monitoring system and method determine one or more characteristics of a conduit in a first air brake system of a first vehicle system, compare the one or more characteristics of the first air brake system with one or more designated waveform signatures, and distinguish between communication of a brake application signal that is propagated along the vehicle system through the conduit as a decrease in pressure in the conduit and a change in the pressure in the conduit that is not representative of the communication of the brake application signal based on comparing the one or more characteristics with the one or more designated waveform signatures.

Abstract: A closure is provided. The closure is configured to be coupled to a container having a sidewall extending along a longitudinal axis and defining an open end and an interior. The closure includes a sidewall. The sidewall includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface includes a coupling feature configured to couple the closure to the sidewall of a container. The closure includes an intermediate wall extending radially inwardly from the sidewall including a first vent aperture. The closure includes an upper closure portion including a second vent aperture. The closure includes a filter layer located between the upper closure portion and the intermediate wall. The closure is configured to prevent gas from travelling in a path generally parallel to the longitudinal axis from the first vent aperture to the second vent aperture.