Abstract: The truck bed ladder is configured for use with a pickup truck. The pickup truck is further defined with a bed. The truck bed ladder comprises a collapsible ladder and a bed box. The collapsible ladder is stored in the bed box. The bed box mount underneath the bed of the pickup truck such that the superior surface of the bed box is accessible from the bed. The bed box is accessed through the bed of the pickup truck. The collapsible ladder is a structure used by an individual to change elevation. The collapsible ladder is a collapsible structure. The collapsible ladder collapses into a rectangular block structure that is contained in the bed box. The collapsible ladder deploys into a linear structure used by an individual to change elevation.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for tracking local and remote file usage, and aggregating the resulting file usage statistics for presentation to a user. The operating system of a local computer can track and generate local file usage statistics, such as most recently used files and editing time. A Web application or service, such as an email or word processing application or service, can record the file usage data for a user's remote stored or served files. A file usage aggregator module, which can be located or resident in the operating system of the local computer or hosted at a Web site, can receive and combine the local and remote file usage statistics. The file usage aggregator module can generate a display of the aggregated file usage statistics, so that local and remote files are listed in a most-recently used order, on a combined basis.

Abstract: A reciprocating fluid meter assembly comprises a cylinder housing with two internal chambers separated by a piston. The piston is coupled with a pushrod that reciprocates back and forth between two positions. The piston's position is tracked to measure the volume of fluid passing through the meter. The meter has two inlets, two outlets, two inlet passages, and two outlet passages. A first valve is positioned on the pushrod at a junction between the first inlet passage and first outlet passage. A second valve is positioned on the pushrod at a junction between the second inlet passage and second outlet passage. The pushrod can be positioned in a neutral position to simultaneously close both valves. In some embodiments, the valves comprise a perforated spindle. The meter can also include a driving mechanism, such as an air cylinder or electric motor, for controlling the position of the pushrod.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fusion protein comprising: i) a solubility-enhancing moiety which is derived from the N-terminal (NT) fragment of a spider silk protein; and ii) a C-type lectin polypeptide. The present invention also provides a truncated SP-A polypeptide which lacks the N-terminal domain of full SP-A and is capable of trimerisation, and to the use of such a truncated SP-A polypeptide in treating or preventing a disease.

Abstract: An over-ear headphone system can provide optimal comfort, reliability, and fitment with a headband attached to at least one ear cup. The headband may have a first member and a second member that each extends from a rigid coupler. The rigid coupler can be configured to continuously extend about the periphery of the ear cup so that a gimbal connects the rigid coupler and the ear cup at a lateral position on the ear cup.

Abstract: Disclosed is an online platform for facilitating sharing of data between users. The online platform comprising a communication device, a processing device and a storage device. The communication device configured for transmitting a first account indicator associated with a first user account, receiving a first account selection, receiving a second user profile data associated with a second user account, transmitting the second user profile data, and receiving a modified second user profile data. The processing device is configured for creating an account connection between the first user account and the second user account, associating a copy of the second user profile data with the first user account. The storage device is configured for storing the account connection, storing the copy of the second user profile data and storing the modified second user profile data in association with the first user account.

Abstract: A headphone may employ an ear pad mounted to a housing. Affixing a soft sticky or tacky non-adhesive polymer base to the underside of a headphone ear pad allows easy attachment of ear pads to a headphone with the ability to frequently and non-destructively swap pads, without the weight, bulk and fragility of other pad attachment mechanisms.

Abstract: Surfactant protein A (SP-A) is described for preventing and/or treating a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in a subject. The STI is caused by a DNA virus, such as Human papillomavirus (HPV) and/or Herpes simplex virus (HSV). SP-A can thus be used to prevent cervical cancer, genital warts and/or genital ulcers. Pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising SP-A are also described, as is a method for preventing and/or treating STIs caused by DNA viruses, the method comprising administering an effective amount of SP-A to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for solving a Boolean satisfiability (SAT) problem are described. Specifically, embodiments solve the SAT problem by generating an extended resolution proof. It is well-known that many technological problems can be modeled as SAT problems, and that solving an underlying SAT problem effectively solves the original technological problem. Therefore, embodiments described herein can be used to solve any technological problem that can be modeled as a SAT problem.

Abstract: A planar magnetic loudspeaker may employ an airflow system having a magnet array separated from a diaphragm. The magnet array can have a plurality of airflow apertures that are arranged in a pattern and each continuously extending through a thickness of the magnet array to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the planar magnetic loudspeaker.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods in which an oscillating piston fluid meter assembly comprises a cylinder housing separated by a piston into two chambers and measures the flow volume of a fluid by tracking the distance traveled by the piston along a pushrod running through the cylinder. Preferably, the oscillating fluid meter assembly has two inlets, two outlets, two end-caps, and four passages each coupling one inlet or outlet to a chamber. A valve is positioned at a junction between two passages and can simultaneously control the two passages by shutting them both or allowing only one of them to be open. Magnets, springs, and various damping mechanisms are used to control the movement of the pushrod. Since fluid cannot pass through the system without triggering the traveling of the piston tracked by a tracking device, the oscillating fluid meter is highly sensitive and can detect a very small flow volume.

Abstract: The present invention discloses numerous implementations for IP-based call processing systems that can selectively control an outgoing call initiated by a source device to a destination device. The call processing system causes a Service Switching Point (SSP) associated with the source device to initiate a media connection between the IP-based call processing system and the source device. The call processing system further causes initiation of a call feature for the outgoing call using the media connection with the source device. The call feature may include a call restriction feature, a call feature for conveying an audio element to the source device, a call record feature and a call feature for conveying information to the source device. The call processing system further causes establishment of a media connection between the source and the destination devices.

Abstract: A dual-barrel powder dispenser is provided. The dual-barrel arrangement may offer a highly-accurate, and highly efficient system and method for dispensing a consistent amount of powder. A controller in communication with the interface may determine the speeds at which each barrel rotates in order to dispense a volume and weight of powder from a hopper to a receptacle. A scale may monitor and determine the total weight of powder dispensed into the receptacle resting on the scale. The entire assembly may be self-contained in a single integrated body.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing angular motion using a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) gyroscope are described. These systems and methods may be useful for sensing angular motion in the presence of low-frequency noise, which may be noise below 1 KHz. In a system for sensing angular motion, low-frequency noise may give rise to duty cycle jitter, which may affect the demodulation of the sense signal and cause errors in angular motion estimates. The systems and methods described herein address this problem by relying on double-edge phase detection technique that involves sensing when the rising and falling edges of the resonator signal deviate from their expected values in the idealized 50% duty cycle scenario. To prevent the formation of ripples in the double-edge phase detection that may otherwise affect the demodulation of the sense signal, a switch may be used. The switch may be maintained in a non-conductive state when a ripple is received.

Abstract: Systems, method and computer readable medium are provided for automated storage and retrieval. User authentication information is received via a user interface for a dynamic storage and retrieval device. The user identity is verified based upon the authentication information and previously stored authentication data. order information is retrieved for an order associated with the user following the verifying of user identity, the order information indicating one or more locations for items associated with the order. Instructions are transmitted to initiate a physical opening of at least one of the dynamic storage and retrieval device and at least one static storage location to enable the user to retrieve at least one item of the order, the static storage location including a controller controlling a locking mechanism and communicatively coupled to the dynamic storage and retrieval device.

Abstract: A dual-barrel powder dispenser is provided. The dual-barrel arrangement may offer a highly-accurate, and highly efficient system and method for dispensing a consistent amount of powder. A controller in communication with the interface may determine the speeds at which each barrel rotates in order to dispense a volume and weight of powder from a hopper to a receptacle. A scale may monitor and determine the total weight of powder dispensed into the receptacle resting on the scale. The entire assembly may be self-contained in a single integrated body.

Abstract: Techniques for self-testing of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) inertial sensors are described. Some techniques involve testing inertial sensor characteristics such as an accelerometer's sensitivity to acceleration and a gyroscope's sensitivity to angular motion. The tests may be performed by providing a test signal, which simulates a stimulus such as an acceleration or angular rate, to a MEMS inertial sensor and examining the sensor's output. The efficacy of such self-tests may be impaired by spurious signals, which may be present in the sensor's environment and may influence the sensor's output. Accordingly, the self-testing techniques described herein involve detecting the presence of any such spurious signals and discarding self-test results when their presence is detected. In some embodiments, the presence of spurious signals may be detected using a signal obtained by mixing the response of the MEMS inertial sensor with a reference signal substantially in quadrature with the test signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method, system and apparatus for causing a communication client to join a media-over-packet communication session. The method comprises receiving from a communication client an indication indicative of a desire of the communication client to establish a communication session, the communication client being registered in association with a user account. The method further comprises determining if there exists at least one active communication session established with at least one other communication client registered in association with the user account. Responsive to determining that there does exist at least one active communication session, the method further comprises causing the communication client to join at least one of the at least one active communication session.

Abstract: A blended composition when used for the removal of persistent organic pollutants persistent organic pollutants (POP) such as perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) from water, the blended composition comprising Bauxsol and an additive wherein the additive is selected from activated carbon and an oxidizing agent. Also disclosed is a method of using the blended composition in the treatment of contaminated water.

Abstract: Various embodiments mitigate the risk of frequency-lock in systems having multiple resonators by dynamically changing the frequency at which at least one of the resonators is driven. More particularly, the drive frequency of at least one of the resonators is changed often enough that the multiple resonators do not have time to achieve frequency lock. Changes in the oscillation of the resonators may be analyzed to determine, for example, acceleration of such systems. Some embodiments implement self-test by assessing expected performance of a system with toggling drive frequencies. More particularly, some embodiments implement self-test by artificially inducing displacement of a movable member of a system.