Abstract: A system includes a medium disposed on a base, a plurality of transducers coupled to the base, and a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of transducers such that each individual transducer of the plurality of transducers is individually addressable by the controller. The controller is configured to receive feedback and to instruct at least some of the individual transducers of the plurality of transducers to activate to move the medium on the base to create a shaped surface based on the feedback.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, the operating status of the features, the identity of a vehicle operator, risk levels for operation of the vehicle by the vehicle operator, or damage to the vehicle may be determined based upon sensor or other data. According to further aspects, decisions regarding transferring control between the features and the vehicle operator may be made based upon sensor data and information regarding the vehicle operator. Additional aspects may recommend or install updates to the autonomous operation features based upon determined risk levels. Some aspects may include monitoring transportation infrastructure and communicating information about the infrastructure to vehicles.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, with the customer's permission, a vehicle operator in an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be determined by a sensor disposed within the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle or a mobile computing device associated with the vehicle operator. A determination may be made as to whether the vehicle operator is authorized to operate the vehicle based upon the determined identity of the vehicle operator; and if the vehicle operator is not authorized, an alert may be generated and/or the vehicle may be caused to not operate. Alternatively, autonomous operation features may be automatically engaged to automatically drive the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to a safe location when the operator is not authorized. Insurance discounts may be provided based upon the anti-theft functionality.

Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to an alignment device that includes a groove-type alignment structure with a support region for receiving an optical fiber inserted along a fiber insertion axis. The optical fiber has a first side and a second, opposite side. The groove-type alignment structure engages the first side of the optical fiber. The alignment device includes a stabilization structure that engages the first side of the optical fiber and a first angled transition surface that engages the second, opposite side of the optical fiber. The present disclosure also relates to an alignment system that includes a first housing piece; a second housing piece adapted to mate with the first housing piece; and a flat structure positioned between the first and second housing pieces.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper, an outsole, and a midsole. The upper is configured to receive a foot, and the outsole is secured to the upper. The outsole defines a plurality of apertures extending entirely through the outsole. In addition, the outsole has a ground-engaging surface positioned at a first elevation. The midsole is positionable such that a lower surface of the midsole extends into the apertures of the outsole and is exposed by the apertures.

Abstract: The occupancy status of a building space may be determined by sensing an indication of motion in the building space, in response to sensing the indication of motion in the building space, starting an occupied time period having a length during which the building space is indicated as being occupied, determining a measure related to a number of subsequent sensed indications of motion in the building space during the occupied time period, and selectively adjusting the length of the occupied time period based on the measure related to the number of subsequent sensed indications of motion in the building space during the occupied time period.

Abstract: An atrial appendage closure device is provided that includes an occluding portion having a distal surface and a proximal surface opposite the distal surface, the occluding portion being moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position such that, in the deployed position, the occluding portion is configured to provide a seal between a left atrial appendage and a left atrium of a heart. An anchoring portion is operably connected to the occluding member with the anchoring portion being moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position. Methods for occluding a left atrial appendage that make use of the closure devices are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a mixture of at least one cyclodextrin, a carrier, and optionally one or more vitamins and/or nutrients to improve at least one health factor of a beehive is disclosed. Methods of improving beehive health and apparatuses including such compositions are also disclosed.

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 copolyamide composition comprising a statistical copolyamide containing 70-99 wt % of diamine and dicarboxylic acid repeat units and 1-30 wt % of lactam or AA-BB repeat units, whereby incorporation of the comonomer lactam or AA-BB unit reduces the crystallization rate (longer crystallization times) while maintaining (1) high melting point, (2) low potential plate out, (3) low oxygen permeation, (4) high tensile strength and (5) puncture/tear resistance.

Abstract: A method for verification of a data value via a Merkle root includes: storing, in a memory of a processing server, a Merkle root; receiving at least a data value, a nonce, and a plurality of hash path values; generating a combined value by combining the data value and the nonce; generating a first hash value via application of a hashing algorithm to the combined value; generating a subsequent hash value via application of the hashing algorithm to a combination of the first hash value and a first of the plurality of hash path values; repeating generation of the subsequent hash value using a combination of the next hash path value of the plurality of hash path values and the most recent subsequent hash value; and verifying the data value based on a comparison of the Merkle root and the last generated subsequent hash value.

Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to systems and methods of providing in-flight entertainment related content. A content server may upload first content to in-seat client terminals for local storage and subsequent playback. The content server may upload second content to overhead client terminals for local storage and subsequent playback. Each client terminal may synchronize to a defined reference point for initiating playback of the first content and of the second content. Each client terminal may operate independently of each other and the content server subsequent to initiation of the playback. Subsequent to the initiation of the playback and in response to a system disruption to the playback at a client terminal, the client terminal may resume the playback of the corresponding content at the client terminal at a point at which the disruption occurred. The resumption may be independent of the playback in other client terminals.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for educating vehicle drivers. Auto insurance claim data may be analyzed to identify hazardous areas associated with an abnormally high amount or severity of vehicle collisions. A virtual navigation map of roads within the hazardous areas may be built or generated. A common cause of several vehicle collisions at a hazardous area may be identified, and a virtual reconstruction of a scenario involving the common cause and/or a road map of collisions locations of may be created. The virtual reconstruction of the scenario may be displayed on a driver education virtual simulator to enhance driver education and reduce the likelihood of vehicle collisions.

Abstract: An electrostatic sprayer system for dispensing and dispersing a liquid containing a spray compound includes a spray cloud dispersal feature that reduces the time that a residual spray cloud containing droplets including the spray compound remains suspended after spraying. A method of dispersing the residual spray cloud is implemented by a control system that causes a flow control system to deliver a non-active gas or liquid in conjunction with stopping delivery of the liquid containing the spray agent and charged with the same polarity, so that a charged cloud of the non-active gas or liquid, which may be air, displaces the suspended active fluid particles. The non-active gas or liquid may be dispensed for a predetermined time interval as determined by the control system, or the operator may control the time interval during which that the non-active fluid is dispensed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to intraductal methods and compositions for treating subjects having breast disorders. Compositions comprise repolarizing agents and polarization blockading agents capable of repolarizing M2-macrophages to M1-macrophages in the tumor microenvironment, decreasing M2-macrophages, increasing M1-macrophages and/or increasing sensitivity to chemotherapy in the subject.

Abstract: A multi-fiber cable assembly includes an optical connector and a cable. The optical connector includes a connector body; an optical ferrule body, and alignment elements. The optical ferrule body has an end face defining a plurality of alignment openings arranged in rows and has a plurality of buckling chambers. Each buckling chamber is aligned with one of the rows of the alignment openings. The optical fibers of the cable have bare portions secured at a first end of the optical ferrule body using rigid epoxy. Each of the optical fibers is routed through one of the buckling chambers to one of the alignment holes.

Abstract: Provided are methods of treating an HHLA2-bearing tumor in a subject with a fusion protein comprising an IgV-like domain of a TMIGD2 sufficient to treat the HHLA2-bearing tumor. A fusion protein comprising an IgV-like domain of a TMIGD2 and related compositions and encoding nucleic acids are also provided.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of training a user to effectively apply makeup using a computerized makeup brush, the method comprising the steps of receiving, from a makeup brush movement tracking system that comprises one or more sensors for sensing the movement of the makeup brush relative to a particular portion of a user's body, data representing a movement of the makeup brush relative to the particular portion of the user's body over a particular period of time as the makeup brush is used to apply makeup brush to the particular portion of the user's body, and using the data to generate and display, to a user, a visual representation of the movement of the makeup brush over the particular period of time on a suitable display (e.g., while providing appropriate visual or audio feedback on the user's performance in applying makeup and/or proper makeup application techniques).

Abstract: A method of controlling a power supply in a multi-input power supply system includes retrieving a prior input state flag from a memory of the multi-input power supply system, determining a first dimmer input of the multi-input power supply system based on the prior input state flag, determining whether the first dimmer input is currently valid, and in response to determining that the first dimmer input is not valid, determining whether a second dimmer input of the multi-input power supply system is currently valid, and in response to determining that the second dimmer input is valid, controlling the power supply based on a second input signal received through the second dimmer input.

Abstract: A method of controlling a power supply electrically coupled to a dimmer includes receiving a current pulse-width-modulated (PWM) pulse of a plurality of PWM pulses corresponding to a dimmer level, calculating a current duty cycle of the current PWM pulse, comparing the current duty cycle with a window of validity to determine whether the current duty cycle is within the window of validity, and in response to determining that the current duty cycle is not within the window of validity, determining whether a count of out-of-range PWM pulses having duty cycles not within the window of validity is greater than a threshold, and in response to determining that the count of out-of-range PWM pulses is greater than the threshold generating a sample value corresponding to the current duty cycle for transmission to the power supply.