Abstract: In embodiments there is described a method for reducing false positives and negatives in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in suspected patients using mass spectroscopy employing the steps of mixing samples of collected saliva and nasopharyngeal secretions in a single sample container; adding universal transport medium to the mixed samples in said single sample container; transporting the single sample container at a temperature above 0° C. to a remote location; deactivation of viral content of the mixed sample; protein digestion of the mixed sample; concomitant separation of peptides, ionization by mass spectroscopy of the separated peptides, and comparison of peptide patterns to known SARS-CoV-2 peptides. Also set forth in an embodiment is a collection container for collecting saliva and/or sputum, as well as a swab member, with universal transport medium and/or virus inactivating agent housed in separate compartment communicable with sample compartment through a one-way valve.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator includes an electrically insulating rod, an electrically insulating cover at least partly encompassing the electrically insulating rod, and an elastomeric diaphragm. The electrically insulating rod has a body, a first actuation portion connected to an electromechanical drive mechanism arranged in a first region, and a second actuation portion for actuating an electromechanical actuation mechanism arranged in a second region. The elastomeric diaphragm unit is arranged between the body and the cover. The elastomeric diaphragm unit has a flexible membrane electrically separating the first region from the second region. The elastomeric diaphragm unit is coated on at least one surface of the membrane with a semiconductive layer.

Abstract: The present invention in an embodiment relates generally to an air purifier having an ultraviolet wave chamber which is accessible from the exterior designed for the placement of masks/respirators in need of decontamination. Such device preferably makes use of filters comprising copper foam.

Abstract: Methods and systems for provisioning different services on passive optical networks or forecasting service profiles for passive optical networks. The provisioning may be based on location, guaranteed bandwidth, or the like.

Abstract: A configurable security light is described. The configurable security light may include a first and a second separable lamp head, each of which may include both an upper illumination segment and a lower illumination segment. The lower illumination segment may be affixed to the upper illumination segment through a multi-axis hinge so that the lower illumination segment may be redirected to a secondary light output direction as compared to a primary light output direction of the upper illumination segment.

Abstract: This document relates to materials and methods involved in providing a substrate (e.g., tooth, tooth component, inorganic dental material, skin, hair, nails, hair, lips, and eyelashes) with a desired benefit (e.g., appearance, flavor, breath freshening, and/or medicament). For example, materials and methods for contacting a tooth, tooth component, or inorganic dental material with a polyelectrolyte adhesive containing a conjugate of a polyamine (e.g., a naturally-derived polyamine and/or a synthetic polyamine), a polyphosphate, and one or more whitening agents to provide the substrate with a change in appearance (e.g., a whiter appearance, a more natural appearance, and/or a glossy appearance) are provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for provisioning different services on passive optical networks or forecasting service profiles for passive optical networks. The provisioning may be based on location, guaranteed bandwidth, or the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor arrangement on a process installation comprising at least two sensor tiles, wherein each sensor tile comprises a support which can be arranged on the process installation and a plurality of sensors arranged on the support for determining a physical or chemical variable of a measuring medium found in the process installation, a process characteristic of the measuring medium and/or a state of the process installation, wherein a first of the sensor tiles comprises a control and/or evaluation unit having at least one transmit and receive module for data exchange with a first control and/or evaluation unit of a second sensor tile, wherein the first control and/or evaluation unit of the first sensor tile and/or a second control and/or evaluation unit allocated to the sensor arrangement is designed to determine the physical or chemical variable of the measuring medium, the process characteristic of the measuring medium and/or a state of the process installation by weighting the valu

Abstract: An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon has a footprint that substantially corresponds to a perimeter of a vertebral endplate. An inflatable device is inserted through a cannula into an intervertebral space and oriented so that, upon expansion, a natural angle between vertebrae will be at least partially restored. At least one component selected from the group consisting of a load-bearing component and an osteobiologic component is directed into the inflatable device through a fluid communication means.

Abstract: A method and system for docking a robot with a charger docking station, including receiving an initial pose and receiving a mating pose associated with the robot charger docking station, performing a first navigation from a location to the initial pose, and performing a second navigation of the robot from the initial pose to the mating pose. The second navigation may proceed substantially along an arc path from the initial pose to the mating pose, thereby, upon arriving at the mating pose, an electrical charging port of the robot mates with an electrical charging assembly. The arc path may be associated with a section of a unique circle having a radius and a center equidistant from the initial pose and the mating pose. Controlling for error may include a proportional control and/or weighted control or switching between the controls to maintain an error below a threshold.

Abstract: The present disclosure comprises a method for managing a plant of the automation technology, including a step of acquiring and storing all data transmitted via a communication network, consisting of process values, control variables and status data, and operating telegrams by a field detection unit, and providing the data and the operating telegrams with time stamps. The method also includes steps of temporally assigning the operating telegrams to the data, and analyzing the assignment and creating an intervention system. The intervention system contains plant states and interventions, wherein a plant state is created on the basis of transmitted data from a sensor unit and from an actuator unit, and wherein an intervention consists of at least one operating telegram following the transmitted data from the sensor unit and from the actuator unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for contextually mapping zones within a space for regulating robotic navigation within the space include defining, by at least one fiducial marker positioned within the space, a zone within the space, associating a rule with the zone, the rule at least partially dictating operation of one or more robots within the zone, and operating the one or more robots within the zone consistent with the rule.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for growing photosynthetic organisms lacking Photosystem II (PSII) function using externally supplied electrons shuttled into the organism using redox mediators to improve photosynthetic output and to produce and recover chemicals of interest. By removing PSII, all PAR photons are funneled toward Photosystem I, thereby significantly increasing the theoretical photon utilization efficiency for CO2 fixation, energy storage and the capacity to synthesize valuable chemicals. Additional genetic modification can be performed to insert or enhance specific metabolic pathways to generate products of commercial interest.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for growing photosynthetic organisms lacking Photosystem II (PSII) function using externally supplied electrons shuttled into the organism using redox mediators to improve photosynthetic output and to produce and recover chemicals of interest. By removing PSII, all PAR photons are funneled toward Photosystem I, thereby significantly increasing the theoretical photon utilization efficiency for CO2 fixation, energy storage and the capacity to synthesize valuable chemicals. Additional genetic modification can be performed to insert or enhance specific metabolic pathways to generate products of commercial interest.

Abstract: A method and system for navigation of a robot along a goal path and avoiding obstacles. The method includes receiving goal pose for one or more robots and determining a goal path for a first robot while avoiding moving and fixed obstacles of a received obstacle map. A first objective function is evaluated to select a preferred velocity from a generated set of candidate velocities, the selecting based on one or more weighted cost functions. A set of velocity obstacles created based on the poses of the one or more robots and the preferred velocity is used in evaluating a second objective function to determine the motion of the robot in the next time cycle. Creating the set of velocity objects includes converting the preferred velocity from a non-holonomic to a holonomic velocity.

Abstract: A lifting device with a head cavity in the lifting member shaped to accept a removable lifting head. The head cavity in the lifting device—e.g., the piston of a bottle jack—may be provided with threads, or may have the threads removed. A yoke fitted on the lifting head provides registration, horizontal restraint, or both against a lifted object, component, or surface to prevent sliding off the lifting head while in use. In a smooth-walled-shaft embodiment, a set of risers (spacers, adjusters, trims, or shims) serves to adjust an extension height of the shaft, elevating the lifting head with respect to the piston prior to beginning to lift the hydraulic piston.

Abstract: An electrical charging station for charging an autonomous robot with first and second cameras used for docking the autonomous robot with the electrical charging station. There is a front side cover with a surface, the front side cover including a first charging member configured to receive a second charging member on the autonomous robot when the autonomous robot is docked with the charging station for charging. There is a first fiducial surface including a first fiducial marker affixed to the first surface. The first fiducial surface defines a plane disposed at a first non-zero angle relative to a plane defined by the surface of the front side cover. There is a second fiducial surface including a second fiducial marker affixed to the second surface. The second fiducial surface defines a plane disposed at a second non-zero angle relative to the plane defined by the surface of the front side cover.

Abstract: A method for navigating a robot from a current pose to a goal pose. A map represents obstacles and free space within an area for robot navigation. A matching map pyramid and an exclusion map pyramid are constructed based on the map and decimations from a highest resolution to successively lower resolutions of the map pyramids. Current pose for navigating from a current location to a goal pose along a goal path includes determining a search area and creating a search heap. Scoring of search tasks on the search heap determines a best candidate pose at a highest resolution matching map, or expands the search heap with search tasks at the next higher resolution matching map. Expanding the search heap at the next higher resolution matching map avoids search tasks that would localize the robot in an exclusion zone.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for growing photosynthetic organisms lacking Photosystem II (PSII) function using externally supplied electrons shuttled into the organism using redox mediators to improve photosynthetic output and to produce and recover chemicals of interest. By removing PSII, all PAR photons are funneled toward Photosystem I, thereby significantly increasing the theoretical photon utilization efficiency for CO2 fixation, energy storage and the capacity to synthesize valuable chemicals. Additional genetic modification can be performed to insert or enhance specific metabolic pathways to generate products of commercial interest.

Abstract: A method, system, and wheeled base for navigating a robot for docking with a charger docking station. The robot receives an initial pose associated with a robot charger docking station and a mating pose associated with the robot charger docking station. The robot first navigates from a location to an initial pose using scan matching to a first map. The robot performs a second navigation from the initial pose to the mating pose using scan matching to a second map, thereby causing an electrical charging port of the robot to mate with an electrical charging assembly of the robot charger docking station. Localization during charger docking may use a higher resolution map than when navigating to the docking station. Localizing against the robot charger docking station may be performed on a higher resolution map of the docking station alone.