Abstract: According to certain aspects, a computer-implemented method for operating an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be provided. With the customer's permission, an identity of a vehicle operator may be identified and a vehicle operator profile may be retrieved. Operating data regarding autonomous operation features operating the vehicle may be received from vehicle-mounted sensors. When a request to disable an autonomous feature is received, a risk level for the autonomous feature is determined and compared with a driver behavior setting for the autonomous feature stored in the vehicle operator profile. Based upon the risk level comparison, the autonomous vehicle retains control of vehicle or the autonomous feature is disengaged depending upon which is the safer driver—the autonomous vehicle or the vehicle human occupant. As a result, unsafe disengagement of self-driving functionality for autonomous vehicles may be alleviated.

Abstract: A bicycle component includes a platform having a mounting arrangement adapted to be mounted to a bicycle. A solar cell array is arranged on the platform. A battery charging unit also is arranged on the platform and is operatively connected to the solar cell array.

Abstract: Presented herein is an interactive platform for judging an activity by a participant in an event. The platform includes a client application program downloadable to a mobile device. The program may include a database storing a mobile device identifier (ID), a user ID, user information, and location data of the device. The application may further be configured to display one or more events of the activity as well as an input for receiving a score of the activity from the user. The platform may additionally include a server system connected with the client application programs via a communication network. The server system may be configured for receiving the mobile device ID, the user ID, the user information, and the location data for the client program, and may further be configured to receive the scores from the users, and to adjust the scores according to determined bias of the associated user.

Abstract: A truck bed camping and storage platform is provided. The platform is capable of being installed and removed from the rear (tailgate) of the pickup truck without the need to enter the truck bed. The platform is capable of providing cargo storage space between the platform support legs below, and a surface to sleep on above that is not constrained by the wheel wells in the truck bed. There may also be small side compartments for storage outside the legs of the baseframe of the platform and in front of and/or behind one or more of the wheel wells of the truck. The platform has the capability to be disassembled when not in use for easier storage and transportation.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and systems for determining an emotional fitness metrics for users. A physiological parameter of the user is measured during a group activity using at least one biosensor to acquire a measured signal. The measured signal of the user is compared to a measured signal for the physiological parameter of one or more additional users as measured when the one or more additional users perform the group activity. An emotional connectivity may be calculated based on a synchronicity of the measured signal of the user with the measured signal of the one or more additional users, as well as a cognitive appraisal metric, a resilience metric and an emotional fitness metric. Connectivity values for user pairings for a group activity can be computed based a synchronicity in a time-series correlation for the physiological parameters for permutations of the user pairings for the group activity.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating mounting of an article to a support having an uneven generally vertical surface is disclosed. The apparatus includes a holder including first, second, and third spaced apart surface engagers configured to abut the uneven generally vertical surface of the support, and an article mount coupled to the first, second, and third spaced apart surface engagers, the article mount configured to hold the article. The apparatus includes at least one flexible tension member configured to couple the holder to the support to draw at least one of the first, second, and third surface engagers into abutment with the uneven generally vertical surface of the support. Other apparatuses and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: An extreme off-axis image projection system substantially compensates for image-quality-degrading aberrations typical to off-axis imaging systems. This is accomplished through the use of a free-form mirror in conjunction with both spherical and aspherical refractive elements and an off-axis placement of the input image source. In some embodiments, the off-axis image projection system contains a free-form mirror and a projection lens system with multiple lenses. The projection system projects light from an image source onto a surface (aka, projection surface). The projection surface is both close to the projector (in z) and extends away from the projector (in x and y).

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating mounting of an article to a support having an uneven generally vertical surface is disclosed. The apparatus includes a holder including first, second, and third spaced apart surface engagers configured to abut the uneven generally vertical surface of the support, and an article mount coupled to the first, second, and third spaced apart surface engagers, the article mount configured to hold the article. The apparatus includes at least one flexible tension member configured to couple the holder to the support to draw at least one of the first, second, and third surface engagers into abutment with the uneven generally vertical surface of the support. Other apparatuses and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: An animal feed trough that includes a base having a triangular configuration defined by a central ridge extending along a length of the base, tapering downwardly and outwardly from the central ridge to define a plurality of feed dishes extending along the length of the base. A body having a side wall panel and opposing, spaced-apart end caps defining an interior for storing a supply of grain is adapted for being mounted on and supported by the base and having an open bottom for gravity flow of grain from the body onto the base and into the plurality of feed dishes. An opening is provided in the body for introducing grain into the interior of the body, and a lid panel is provided for covering and closing the opening in the body.

Abstract: An animal feed trough that includes a base having a triangular configuration defined by a central ridge extending along a length of the base, tapering downwardly and outwardly from the central ridge to define a plurality of feed dishes extending along the length of the base. A body having a side wall panel and opposing, spaced-apart end caps defining an interior for storing a supply of grain is adapted for being mounted on and supported by the base and having an open bottom for gravity flow of grain from the body onto the base and into the plurality of feed dishes. An opening is provided in the body for introducing grain into the interior of the body, and a lid panel is provided for covering and closing the opening in the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in-situ process for preparing an alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The process comprises the step of providing a raw alkylphenol composition. The raw alkylphenol composition comprises one or more alkylphenol compounds and at least about 1 wt % phenol. Each alkylphenol compound has one or more alkyl substituents. The raw alkylphenol composition is reacted directly, without pre-purification, with one or more aldehydes to form an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The invention also relates to an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin formed from the in-situ process, and its use in a tackifier composition and rubber composition. The tackifier composition and rubber composition containing the in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin show, inter alia, improved tack performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in-situ process for preparing an alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The process comprises the step of providing a raw alkylphenol composition. The raw alkylphenol composition comprises one or more alkylphenol compounds and at least about 1 wt % phenol. Each alkylphenol compound has one or more alkyl substituents. The raw alkylphenol composition is reacted directly, without pre-purification, with one or more aldehydes to form an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The invention also relates to an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin formed from the in-situ process, and its use in a tackifier composition and rubber composition. The tackifier composition and rubber composition containing the in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin show, inter alia, improved tack performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in-situ process for preparing an alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The process comprises the step of providing a raw alkylphenol composition. The raw alkylphenol composition comprises one or more alkylphenol compounds and at least about 1 wt % phenol. Each alkylphenol compound has one or more alkyl substituents. The raw alkylphenol composition is reacted directly, without pre-purification, with one or more aldehydes to form an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The invention also relates to an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin formed from the in-situ process, and its use in a tackifier composition and rubber composition. The tackifier composition and rubber composition containing the in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin show, inter alia, improved tack performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in-situ process for preparing an alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The process comprises the step of providing a raw alkylphenol composition. The raw alkylphenol composition comprises one or more alkylphenol compounds and at least about 1 wt % phenol. Each alkylphenol compound has one or more alkyl substituents. The raw alkylphenol composition is reacted directly, without pre-purification, with one or more aldehydes to form an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The invention also relates to an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin formed from the in-situ process, and its use in a tackifier composition and rubber composition. The tackifier composition and rubber composition containing the in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin show, inter alia, improved tack performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in-situ process for preparing an alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The process comprises the step of providing a raw alkylphenol composition. The raw alkylphenol composition comprises one or more alkylphenol compounds and at least about 1 wt % phenol. Each alkylphenol compound has one or more alkyl substituents. The raw alkylphenol composition is reacted directly, without pre-purification, with one or more aldehydes to form an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The invention also relates to an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin formed from the in-situ process, and its use in a tackifier composition and rubber composition. The tackifier composition and rubber composition containing the in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin show, inter alia, improved tack performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in-situ process for preparing an alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The process comprises the step of providing a raw alkylphenol composition. The raw alkylphenol composition comprises one or more alkylphenol compounds and at least about 1 wt % phenol. Each alkylphenol compound has one or more alkyl substituents. The raw alkylphenol composition is reacted directly, without pre-purification, with one or more aldehydes to form an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The invention also relates to an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin formed from the in-situ process, and its use in a tackifier composition and rubber composition. The tackifier composition and rubber composition containing the in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin show, inter alia, improved tack performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for improving the stability of a base-modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resin (such as an amine-modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resin). The process comprises the step of reacting a base-modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resin with a salicylic acid to stabilize the base-modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The invention also relates to a modified alkylphenol-aldehyde resin formed from the stabilizing process, and its use in a tackifier composition and rubber composition.

Abstract: A suturing device is disclosed. The suturing device includes an end effector assembly disposed on a distal end of the suturing device. The end effector assembly includes at least one guide tube housing at least one elongated member, a guide rack, and an anchor configured for disposal in a tubular tissue circumferentially offset from the guide rack. The anchor includes at least one guide tube attached to a suture having a first end and a second end. The at least one elongated member is deployed to puncture tubular tissue and mate with the at least one aperture of the anchor such that extraction of the at least one elongated member simultaneously draws out the suture through the punctured tubular tissue.

Abstract: A suturing device is disclosed. The suturing device includes an end effector assembly disposed on a distal end of the suturing device. The end effector assembly includes at least one guide tube housing at least one elongated member, a clamshell, and a probe configured for disposal in a graft tubular tissue circumferentially offset from the clamshell. The probe includes at least one guide tube attached to a suture having a first end and a second end. The at least one elongated member is deployed to puncture graft tubular tissue and mate with the at least one aperture of the probe such that extraction of the at least one elongated member simultaneously draws out the suture through the punctured graft tubular tissue.

Abstract: A battery management system/method implementing optimal dynamic battery charge/discharge cycling is disclosed. The system utilizes a power source control unit (PSCU) to selectively switch a power supply source to a battery charger that charges a battery servicing a portable computing device. The PSCU is controlled by a power monitor control unit (PMCU) that monitors the battery state and determines the optimal charge/discharge profile for the battery. Depending on the type and current condition of the battery as well as battery charge/discharge history, the PMCU monitors the historical, current, and/or anticipated demand activity of the battery to determine an optimal charge/discharge profile for the battery to enable maximum battery life under a wide variety of environmental and use profiles. Present invention methods control battery charge/discharge activity based on computing device historical/anticipated use characteristics, battery chemistry, and/or optimal battery lifecycle operation.