Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a device from a first media device, audio data and image information. The audio information indicates vibrations of an object caused by sound in a vicinity of the object. The method includes generating, at the device, an audio signal based on the audio data. The method includes transmitting the audio signal from the device to a second media device conditioned upon a quality of the audio signal satisfying a threshold. Conditioned upon the quality of the audio signal failing to satisfy the threshold, the method further includes generating audio information based on the vibrations, generating audio content associated with the first media device from the audio information, and transmitting the audio content from the device to the second media device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems for providing a durable water-resistant as fire-resistant foam-based seal in the joint between adjacent panels. An expansion joint seal which may be fire-resistant and/or water-resistant, is provided which includes one or more body members, a fire retardant member, which may be of an intumescent member, interspersed within the body member or members, a plurality of resilient members to provide a spring recovery force and fire resistance, and a connector of at least two of the resilient members, which connect each of the resilient members to a cover plant or may connect the two resilient members to one another.

Abstract: A metal article including an at least partially heat treated metal composition, and a method for treating the metal article are provided. The method for treating the metal article may include heating the metal article to a first holding temperature of about 690° C., and holding the metal article at the first holding temperature for at least about 10 hours. The method may also include cooling the metal article from the first holding temperature to a first cooling temperature of about 65° C. or less. The method may further include heating the metal article to a second holding temperature of about 615° C., and holding the metal article at the second holding temperature for at least about 10 hours. The method may also include cooling the metal article from the second holding temperature to a second cooling temperature of about 65° C. or less.

Abstract: In this invention, we disclose methods for enabling ad hoc cellular base station functionality within a user equipment when the connection quality between a base station and the user equipment is limited or nonexistent. These methods include measuring a connection quality between a user equipment and its serving base station. If the connection quality is below a threshold, the user equipment can enable its internal ad hoc cellular base station functionality. This is done by running a software within the user equipment that (a) checks the connection quality periodically, and (b) enables ad hoc cellular base station functionality of the connection threshold dips below a certain value. In one embodiment, that threshold could be the same threshold value that a user equipment would use if it were making a decision to handoff to another base station based on poor connection quality.

Abstract: We disclose a window blind which includes a metamaterial film on the slats. The metamaterial film reflects solar irradiance and is infrared emissive. The metamaterial fabric may contain silicon dioxide microspheres embedded in a polymer and the polymer may be coated with a silver coating. The long edges of the slats of the blinds may be attached to a sheet of substantially transparent infrared reflective optical interference film. When the slats of the blinds are open, the infrared reflective optical interference film may reflect infrared radiation thus preventing it from passing into the adjacent room while still permitting light to enter the room. The metamaterial film may inhibit both solar and infrared radiation from heating the adjacent room. Consequently, the disclosed window blinds promote radiative cooling instead of impeding heat transmission into an adjacent room.

Abstract: A microporous structure includes an array of nano wires and a coating about the nano wires of the array. The coating defines pores between the nano wires.

Abstract: A serpentine turbine blade can include: a platform having a top surface; an air foil on the top surface of the platform; a trailing edge turnaround formed in the platform; and a filmhole formed in the platform, wherein the filmhole is connected to the trailing edge turnaround through an impingement cavity in the platform. The air foil includes an internal cooling cavity providing a coolant to the trailing edge turnaround. The impingement cavity comprises a pre-impingement cavity connected to the trailing edge turnaround, a post-impingement cavity connected to the filmhole, and an impingement slot connecting the pre-impingement cavity and the post-impingement cavity to each other.

Abstract: A method of repairing damage to a composite material having a composite substrate and at least one layer of shielding material includes: a) removing damage to the at least one layer of shielding material by creating a hole in the at least one layer of shielding material; b) applying a patch of shielding material in the region of the hole via a resin, wherein a ratio of a resin weight to a weight of the patch of shielding material lies in a range between about 0.45-0.55; and c) curing the resin, wherein an absorptive, consumable material is positioned in contact with the resin during at least a portion of the curing.

Abstract: A viscous clutch (20; 120; 220) includes an input member (24; 126; 224), an output member (26; 124; 226), a working chamber (38; 138; 238), a reservoir (36; 136; 236; 504; 604; 704; 804; 904; 1004; 1104) to hold a supply of a shear fluid, an outlet (36-2; 182; 236-2; 512; 612; 712; 812; 912; 1012; 1112), a return bore (26-2; 124B; 226-2), an accumulator (72; 502; 602; 702; 802; 902; 1002; 1102), and a first wall (70-1; 170; 270; 506; 606; 706; 806; 906; 1006; 1106) having an arcuate segment (70-1A; 506B; 606B; 706B; 806B; 906B; 1006B; 1106B). The reservoir is connected to the working chamber by a fluid circuit, along which the outlet passes the shear fluid from the reservoir to the working chamber and the return bore returns the shear fluid pumped out of the working chamber to the accumulator. The accumulator is arranged in series with the reservoir in the fluid circuit. The first wall is positioned within the reservoir to separate a first portion from a second portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a contact mechanics test in a substrate includes a stylus having at least two contact elements. Each contact element has a contact profile, and the contact elements are disposed in the stylus to define a stretch passage therebetween. The stylus is configured to deform the substrate so as to cause the substrate to flow between the contact elements and induce tension in the substrate in order to generate and preserve micromodifications in the substrate. Methods of performing a contact mechanics test using the apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: Biological activity in holding pens in a micro-fluidic device can be assayed by placing in the holding pens capture objects that bind a particular material of interest produced by the biological activity. The biological material of interest that binds to each capture object can then be assessed, either in the micro-fluidic device or after exporting the capture object from the micro-fluidic device. The assessment can be utilized to characterize the biological activity in each holding pen. The biological activity can be production of the biological material of interest. Thus, the biological activity can correspond to or arise from one or more biological cells. Biological cells within a holding pen can be clonal cell colonies. The biological activity of each clonal cell colony can be assayed while maintaining the clonal status of each colony.

Abstract: An electron beam plasma reactor includes a plasma chamber having a side wall, an upper electrode, a workpiece support to hold a workpiece facing the upper electrode with the workpiece on the support having a clear view of the upper electrode, a first RF power source coupled to said upper electrode, a gas supply, a vacuum pump coupled to the chamber to evacuate the chamber, and a controller. The controller is configured to operate the first RF power source to apply an RF power to upper electrode, and to operate the gas distributor and vacuum pump, so as to create a plasma in an upper portion of the chamber that generates an electron beam from the upper electrode toward the workpiece and a lower electron-temperature plasma in a lower portion of the chamber including the workpiece.

Abstract: A circuit including: input and output nodes and first and second feedback nodes; a first input amplifier having an input connected to the input node and an output connected to the first feedback node; a second input amplifier having an input connected to the input node and an output connected to the second feedback node; a capacitor connecting the first feedback node and the second feedback node; an amplifier having an input connected to the first feedback node and an output connected to the output node; a base feedback amplifier with an input connected to the output node and an output connected to the first feedback node; a tunable feedback amplifier with an input connected to the output node and an output connected to the second feedback node; and a tuning circuit for varying a transconductance of the tunable feedback circuit and operational frequency of the peaking amplifier circuit.

Abstract: Automatic emitter point cleaners are disclosed. An automatic emitter point cleaning system includes: a fan configured to direct a stream of air through an air path; a point emitter configured to produce at least one of positive ions or negative ions within or proximate to the air path; a brush; a first gear coupled to the brush and configured to move the brush into contact with the point emitter; a second gear to engage the first gear; and a motor to actuate the second gear such that the second gear actuates the first gear to move the brush past the point emitter.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for securely authorizing a financial transaction utilizing an electronic payment credential. According to one embodiment, a method of authorizing a financial transaction utilizing an electronic payment credential can comprise maintaining information identifying an account associated with the electronic payment credential. The information can also identify one or more electronic devices authorized to use the electronic payment credential. A request to authorize the transaction can be received. The request can include information identifying an electronic device presenting the payment credential. The transaction can be authorized based at least in part on the information identifying the account. Authorizing can comprise determining the electronic device presenting the payment credential is one of the electronic devices authorized to use the electronic payment credential.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the treatment of a patient comprising administering to the patient an initial dose of between about 1 mg and about 150 mg of a MAdCAM antagonist antibody. Biomarkers for assessing a patient's response to anti-MAdCAM treatment are also provided.

Abstract: A clamping device secures an equipment rack during shipping. The clamping device includes a gripping portion having first and second surfaces positionable along opposing sides of a respective one of a front and rear lateral logistic bar. The clamping device also includes a clamp mechanism attached to the gripping portion for movement between a disengaged position and an engaged position to selectively engage the first and second surfaces to the opposing sides of the respective one of the front and rear lateral logistic bars positioned adjacent to an equipment rack within a carrier shipping enclosure. A mounting feature is attached to the gripping portion to hold one end of a longitudinal logistic bar positioned along a lateral side of the equipment rack.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first motor to control a rotation and a second motor to control a vibration of a moving portion of the apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a controller to control of a ratio between the rotation and the vibration.

Abstract: Disclosed are tumor necrosis factor receptor 1B (TNFR-1B) signaling targets and TNFR-1B mutants and their uses for treatment of diseases and disorders.

Abstract: An apparatus including a processor to index data records within a data cell, wherein for each data record, the processor retrieves data values from first and second data fields; determines whether the first and second data fields store unique data values; in response to the first data field storing a unique data value, adds an identifier of the data record to a first unique values index, in response to the second data field storing a unique data value, adds the identifier to a second unique values index, wherein identifiers of data records within the unique values indexes are ordered based on corresponding unique data values; and generates an indication of ranges of data values of the first and second data fields to enable a determination of whether a data value specified in search criteria is present within at least the data cell.