Abstract: An electronic device, such as a watch, has a crown assembly having a shaft and a user-rotatable crown. The user-rotatable crown may include a conductive cap that is mechanically and electrically coupled to the shaft and functions as an electrode. The conductive cap may be coupled to the shaft using solder or another conductive attachment mechanism. The shaft may electrically couple the conductive cap to a processing unit of the electronic device. One or more additional electrodes may be positioned on the exterior surface of the electronic device. The conductive cap is operable to be contacted by a finger of a user of the electronic device while another electrode is positioned against skin of the user. The processing unit of the electronic device is operable to determine a biological parameter, such as an electrocardiogram, of the user based on voltages at the electrodes.

Abstract: A fiber alignment device is provided that includes a curable refractive index-matching gel that exhibits self-cleaning and self-healing characteristics upon multiple cycles of insertion and removal of an optical fiber.

Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to a fiber alignment device that includes curved-type alignment bores. Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to methods of forming the fiber alignment device with curved-type alignment bores.

Abstract: A vertically-oriented interactive treat dispensing device for animals provides for storage of treats in a top portion, which then dispenses a treat through an input buffer into a middle portion with a set of adjoining ramps. The treat is initially retained at a resting point at a top of each ramp before it is advanced down the ramps upon physical interaction between the treat and the animal via an interaction opening adjacent the resting point. Once the treat advances down the lowest ramp, it exits the device and can be retrieved by the animal. Additional features may include electronic dispensing of treats from the top portion, incorporation of the device into a play or animal house structure, the use of an interaction lever for advancing the treats, an access arm for accessing the interior housing, and specially-designed disc-shaped treats to roll easily through the device.

Abstract: Methods for treating acute respiratory distress syndrome are disclosed. Light energy is applied externally to a patient at or near targeted areas including the lungs, the vagus nerve, and spinous process to stimulate different neurological pathways and reduce inflammation. The wavelength of the applied light ranges from about 400-700 nm, and in a preferred embodiment uses two wavelengths, 405 nm and 635 nm. The applied light energy can be applied in pulses or as a constant wave. The light energy is applied at dosages that cause no detectable temperature rise of the treated tissue and no macroscopically visible changes in tissue structure. Preferably the power is 500 mW or less. The light can be emitted from the same light emitter or from multiple emitters and is preferably laser light.

Abstract: A sprinkler includes a compartment that surrounds its riser portion in an offset or asymmetrical configuration. More specifically, the distance of the compartments walls from those of the riser vary (i.e., increase or decrease) at different locations surrounding the riser. Put another way, the riser is closer to one side of the compartment than other sides of the compartment. This non-concentric configuration allows larger components to fit inside the compartment than would otherwise fit if the riser was symmetrically surrounded by the compartment.

Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor device with fluorine-incorporated metal nitride films are described. A substrate surface is exposed to a metal fluoride precursor to form a metal-fluorine species on the substrate surface. The substrate surface is exposed to a nitriding agent to react with the metal-fluorine species to form a fluorine-incorporated metal nitride film.

Abstract: An intra-abdominal liver retraction device and methods of use. The device includes a flexible sling, an anchor and a filament. The sling has a base edge and a pair of side edges tapering toward a leading edge. The sling also includes a stiffener extending across it adjacent the base edge to enable it to be gathered and inserted through a port into the abdomen, whereupon it can be opened. The anchor is configured to be releasably secured to the diaphragm with the base edge adjacent the diaphragm so that the liver can be disposed on the sling. The filament is connected to the sling adjacent the leading edge and configured to be drawn through an aperture in the abdominal wall to lift the sling with the liver thereon upwards.

Abstract: An aircraft wing configuration for a vertical or a short take-off and landing aircraft having a plurality of propeller-blown wings mounted at different longitudinal locations along a fuselage of the vertical take-off and landing aircraft, producing two or more lifting surfaces, fixed at a predetermined acute wing angle greater than 0° and substantially less than 90° relative to a horizontal plane, and having a plurality of flaps disposed behind the wings. The configuration has a plurality of propellers distributed in front of the plurality of wings producing two or more lifting surfaces and mounted such that the wings are externally blown by forced airstreams from the propellers. The propellers produce distributed thrust components, and the plurality of flaps are in the forced airstreams of the propellers when one or more of the flaps is in an extended position.

Abstract: A method for generation of blocks for a partitioned blockchain includes: storing blocks comprising a partitioned blockchain, wherein each block includes a header and transaction entries; receiving transaction data entries for each of a plurality of subnets; generating a hash value of the header included in the most recently added block; generating a new block header, the new block header including the generated hash value, a timestamp, and a sequence of pairs including a pair for each of the plurality of subnets, each pair including a subnet identifier associated with the respective subnet and a merkle root of each of the transaction data entries received for the respective subnet; generating a new block, the new block including the generated new block header and the transaction data entries for each of the plurality of subnets; and transmitting the new block to a plurality of nodes associated with the partitioned blockchain.

Abstract: A method for estimating position of a mobile device which includes receiving, from a network server, observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) assistance data for a first plurality of cells from a base station almanac (BSA) accessible to the network server. The OTDOA assistance data is stored, within a memory of the mobile device, as a first micro-BSA. A position estimate for the mobile device is determined based upon time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurements associated with an initial subset of the first plurality of cells and initial OTDOA assistance data corresponding to the initial subset of the first plurality of cells. The initial OTDOA assistance data may be generated by the micro-BSA based upon an initial seed estimate.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing Cu2-xS/PbS core/shell nanocrystals. Pb-oleate is mixed with 1-octadecene and heated to 60° C. Cu2-xS core solution and bis(trimethylsilyl)sulfide stock solution are added and the mixture is stirred at 60° C. for 6 minutes to form the PbS shell around the Cu2-xS nanocrystal cores. The flask is cooled and acetonitrile and toluene is added and the mixture is centrifuged to precipitate and remove the Cu2-xS/PbS core/shell nanocrystals from the reaction mixture. The reaction also produces homogeneously nucleated PbS nanocrystals, which are removed from the Cu2-xS/PbS core/shell reaction mixture via size-selective precipitation. By tailoring the amounts of Pb-oleate and bis(trimethylsilyl)sulfide stock solution in the reaction vessel, while maintaining their molar ratio of 1.5:1 and the number of Cu2-xS cores in the reaction, Cu2-xS/PbS core/shell nanocrystals having a predetermined shell thickness of PbS, and thus a predetermined level of chemical stability, can be obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices, methods and surgical procedures for altering and/or correcting the alignment of adjacent bones, including bones of the spine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for control systems for facilitating situational awareness of a vehicle are provided. Sensors located around a vehicle may detect moving objects located in one or more vehicle blind spots. These moving objects pose potentially dangerous situations for the vehicle occupants and for the object. The sensors may further determine that the moving object is a cyclist approaching a vehicle blind spot, and that the vehicle is parked. Processors associated with the vehicle may then direct a corrective action, such as automatically locking the vehicle doors, to prevent a vehicle-cyclist collision. The systems and methods provided herein may thereby make these and similar situations safer.

Abstract: A method includes immersing a wafer in an electrolyte including a plurality of compounds having elements of a thermally stable soft magnetic material. The method also includes applying a combined stepped and pulsed current to the wafer when the wafer is immersed in an electrolyte. The wafer is removed from the electrolyte when a layer of the thermally stable soft magnetic material is formed on the wafer.

Abstract: A large-scale Ethernet mesh network is provided, which includes a group connectivity association (CA) including at least thirty-one authenticated supplicant nodes. An authenticator module authenticates each of the authenticated supplicant nodes, and distributes a shared group encryption key to each of the authenticated supplicant nodes. Each of the authenticated supplicant nodes encrypt data using the shared group encryption key, and exchange the encrypted data with any other remaining authenticated supplicant node.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount includes a core, a first elastomeric member, a second elastomeric member connected to the first elastomeric member, a third elastomeric member connected to the core, a housing including a first housing member connected to the first elastomeric member and a second housing member connected to the second elastomeric member, a first ring, and a second ring connecting the first ring with the third elastomeric member. The first elastomeric member, the second elastomeric member, the third elastomeric member, the first ring, and the second ring may cooperate to provide a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. fluid path connects the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein include a method to validate supply chains for electronic devices using side-channel information in a signature analysis. The method includes sending, to a target device, a first signal associated with a set of codes to be executed by the target device, and then receiving first side-channel information associated with the target device in response to the target device executing the set of codes. The method also includes determining second side-channel information associated with a simulated device in response to the set of codes. The method further includes comparing a discriminatory feature of the first side-channel information with a discriminatory feature of the second side-channel information to determine a characteristic of the target device based on a pre-determined characteristic of the simulated device. Finally, the method includes sending, to a user interface, a second signal associated with the characteristic of the target device.

Abstract: An industrial data presentation system leverages structured data types defined on industrial devices to generate and deliver meaningful presentations of industrial data. Industrial devices are configured to support structured data types referred to as basic information data types (BIDTs) comprising a finite set of structured information data types, including a rate data type, a state data type, an odometer data type, and an event data type. The BIDTs can be referenced by both automation models of an industrial asset and non-automation models of the asset, allowing data points of both types of models to be easily linked using a common data source nomenclature.

Abstract: A system and method for connecting architects and design professionals with building product suppliers or manufacturers in the construction industry is disclosed. An example embodiment is configured to: establish a data connection with at least one architect or design professional (A/DP) platform and at least one building material supplier, building product manufacturer, and other building product expert (BPE) platform; match an A/DP at the A/DP platform with a BPE at the BPE platform based on a correlation between the project geographical location, the project type, and the project section as related to specific building product genres and geographical locations in which the BPE has represented possession of product expertise; and enable communication between the A/DP and the matched BPE, the communication including an option of either an open or veiled chat session, the veiled chat session preventing the BPE from viewing private information of the A/DP and/or their project.