Abstract: Improved devices, circuits and methods of operation in implantable stimulus systems. An implantable defibrillator may comprise a charging circuit using a transformer to store and build up energy on an HV capacitor or capacitor stack, with the HV capacitor in turn coupled to an H-bridge output circuit having low and high sides for issuing therapy. In the output current path, a current controlling circuitry is placed between the H-bridge and ground, allowing the greater flexibility in the selection of switching devices, and drivers for such devices, in the H-bridge circuit and/or enabling circuits between the H-bridge and the HV capacitor or other therapy circuit.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a failure indicator for providing an indicator that a failure has occurred on a capacitor unit of a capacitor bank. In some embodiments, the failure indicator may include a magnetic element, and the failure indicator may be configured to move from a first orientation to a second orientation based on a mechanical or electromagnetic impulse in the capacitor unit resulting from a failure of the first capacitor unit. In some embodiments, the magnetic element may maintain the first failure indicator in the second orientation to indicate the failure of the first capacitor unit.

Abstract: An extracorporeal system for lung assist includes a housing which includes a blood flow inlet in fluid connection with a pressurizing stator compartment, a fiber bundle compartment in fluid connection with the pressurizing stator compartment via a flow channel within the housing, and a blood flow outlet in fluid connection with the fiber bundle compartment. An impeller is rotatably positioned within the pressurizing compartment for pressurizing blood entering the pressurizing stator compartment from the blood flow inlet. The system further includes a fiber bundle positioned within the fiber bundle compartment. The fiber bundle includes a plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers. The plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers is adapted to permit diffusion of gas between blood and an interior of the hollow gas permeable fibers. The plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers is positioned such that blood flows around the plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers when flowing through the fiber bundle compartment.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for analyzing polynucleotides such as genomic DNA. In certain embodiments, the method comprises: (a) treating chromatin isolated from a population of cells with an insertional enzyme complex to produce tagged fragments of genomic DNA; (b) sequencing a portion of the tagged fragments to produce a plurality of sequence reads; and (c) making an epigenetic map of a region of the genome of the cells by mapping information obtained from the sequence reads to the region. A kit for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A blade has an airfoil having a tip. The blade has a metallic substrate and a coating system atop the substrate at the tip. The coating system has: a first layer of at least 99.0% weight nickel; an abrasive layer having a matrix and an abrasive at least partially embedded in the matrix; and a second layer between the first layer and the matrix. The second layer is tougher or more ductile than at least one of the first layer and the matrix.

Abstract: A liftgate structure having a composite inner panel with an outside surface having a lower perimeter surface area extending across the entire width of the composite liftgate structure. Connectable to the inner panel is a composite outer panel that has an inside surface with a lower perimeter surface area extending across substantially the entire width of the liftgate structure. Between the inner panel in the outer panel is a backing curtain. The backing curtain is connected to the outside surface of the inner panel such that the backing curtain is positioned between the outer panel on the inner panel and extends substantially across both the lower perimeter surface area of the inner panel and the lower perimeter surface area of the outer panel. The backing curtain prevents broken pieces of the outer panel for moving past the backing curtain in the event of an impact on the liftgate structure.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a support, a first camera, and second camera, and a processor. The support is configured to be mounted to a head of a user. The first camera is mounted on the support and positioned to capture a first image of a face of the user. The second camera is mounted on the support and positioned to capture a second image of the face of the user that is non-overlapping with the first image. The processor is mounted to the support and programmed to stitch the first image and the second image together to construct an image of the face of the user.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate to systems and methods for using a blockchain to record information related to processes and services in the vehicle industry. The systems methods may include (1) receiving an indication that the insured has filed an insurance claim associated with an insurance policy covering an insured asset and an identifier associated with the insured; (2) transmitting the indication and the insured identifier to a plurality of nodes of a blockchain network; (3) accessing the loss history blockchain associated with the insured using the insured identifier as a key; (4) creating a new block including the indication of the insurance claim and/or the insured identifier; and/or (5) updating the loss history blockchain with the new block by forming a consensus on the new block with the plurality of nodes of the loss history blockchain to facilitate maintaining the loss history blockchain up-to-date.

Abstract: A driving assistance system for a vehicle includes a control operable to control the vehicle in an autonomous or semi-autonomous mode. When operating in the autonomous mode, driving of the vehicle is controlled by the control without human intervention and, when operating in the semi-autonomous mode, an occupant of the vehicle at least partially drives the vehicle. The control learns a driving style of a particular occupant when the vehicle is being driven by that particular occupant and when the control is operating in the semi-autonomous mode. The control, when operating in the autonomous mode, controls the vehicle in accordance with the learned driving style of the particular occupant of the vehicle. Responsive to a determination of a characteristic of an occupant in the vehicle, the control, when operating in the autonomous, may adjust control of the vehicle irrespective of the learned driving style of the particular occupant.

Abstract: A flue gas additive is provided that includes both a nitrogenous component to reduce gas phase nitrogen oxides and a halogen-containing component to oxidize gas phase elemental mercury.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle capable of VTOL operation can include: a vehicle body defining longitudinal and transverse directions and opposing longitudinal sides; a first support boom coupled to the vehicle body at a first transverse axis and extending outwardly from the opposing longitudinal sides; a second support boom coupled to the vehicle body at a second transverse axis positioned rearward from the first transverse axis and extending outwardly from the opposing longitudinal sides; a plurality of electric motors coupled to a one of the first and second support booms, at least two electric motors of the plurality of electric motors positioned on each of the first and second support booms, a rotation axis of each of the at least two electric motors coupled to the second support boom offset in a transverse direction from a rotation axis of each of the at least two adjacent electric motors coupled to the first support boom; a plurality of rotors; and a propulsion system.

Abstract: A propulsion system for an aerial vehicle or toy aerial vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises a ducted fan or shrouded propeller drive system for driving the vehicle along ground, the ducted fan or shrouded propeller drive system operating in a plane and having a peripheral ground-engagement part or hubless wheel. The system further comprises a ducted fan or shrouded propeller comprising one or more blades rotatable about a ducted fan or shrouded propeller axis for producing thrust, wherein the ducted fan or shrouded propeller is mounted as such that it may tilt or rotate so that during ground travel it may be in the same plane as the hubless wheel and during operation of the ducted fan or shrouded propeller for flight the blades pass through the plane and inside the hubless wheel.

Abstract: Emulsions of mobility control polymers can be used to increase recovery of crude oil from a subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation. A flooding fluid comprising the polymer emulsions are injected into a well that is in contact with the subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation. The polymers can be temporarily cross-linked and have protected shear degradation and improved injectivity into the well; the shear resistance can be measured in terms of viscosity loss due to shear, and the improved injectivity can be measured in terms of the flooding fluid's filter ratio, flow rate, and viscosity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for product declaration validation are provided. Aspects include receiving, by a processor, component data for a component. Obtaining, by the processor, environmental compliance data. Obtaining, by the processor, historical component data associated with the component. Determining a risk score for the component based on a feature vector, generated by a machine learning model, comprising a plurality of features extracted from the component data, environmental compliance data, and the historical component data and presenting the risk score for the component to a user.

Abstract: The invention is related to multivalent immunogenic compositions comprising more than one S. pneumoniae polysaccharide protein conjugates, wherein each of the conjugates comprises a polysaccharide from an S. pneumoniae serotype conjugated to a carrier protein, wherein the serotypes of S. pneumoniae are as defined herein. In some embodiments, at least one of the polysaccharide protein conjugates is formed by a conjugation reaction comprising an aprotic solvent. In further embodiments, each of the polysaccharide protein conjugates is formed by a conjugation reaction comprising an aprotic solvent. Also provided are methods for inducing a protective immune response in a human patient comprising administering the multivalent immunogenic compositions of the invention to the patient. The multivalent immunogenic compositions are useful for providing protection against S. pneumoniae infection and diseases caused by S. pneumoniae.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a computing system is configured to execute a quantum approximate optimization algorithm. In some aspects, a control system identifies a pair of qubit devices in a quantum processor. The quantum processor includes a connection that provides coupling between the pair of qubit devices. ZZ coupling between the pair of qubit devices is activated to execute a cost function defined in the quantum approximate optimization algorithm. The cost function is associated with a maximum cut problem, and the ZZ coupling is activated by allowing the pair of qubits to evolve under a natural Hamiltonian for a time period ?. One or more of the pair of qubit devices is measured to obtain an output from an execution of the quantum approximate optimization algorithm.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices such as leadless cardiac pacemakers may include a rechargeable power source. In some cases, a system may include an implanted device including a receiving antenna and an external transmitter that transmits radiofrequency energy that may be captured by the receiving antenna and then be converted into electrical energy that may be used to recharge a rechargeable power source. Accordingly, since the rechargeable power source does not have to maintain sufficient energy stores for the expected life of the implanted device, the power source itself and thus the implanted device, may be made smaller while still meeting device longevity expectations.

Abstract: A nicotine lozenge provided herein includes a body that is partially or wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a soluble-fiber matrix and nicotine or a derivative thereof dispersed in the soluble-fiber matrix. In some cases, a nicotine lozenge provided herein includes at least 40 weight percent of soluble fiber. In some cases, soluble fiber in a nicotine lozenge provided herein can include maltodextrin. The nicotine lozenge is adapted to release the nicotine or a derivative thereof from the body when the body is received within the oral cavity of an adult consumer and exposed to saliva. A method of making nicotine lozenges provided herein includes forming a molten mixture of at least 40 weight percent soluble fiber, nicotine, and less than 15 weight percent water while maintaining a mixture temperature of less than 150° C. and portioning the molten mixture into a plurality of nicotine lozenges. In some cases, the ingredients can be mixed to form the molten mixture in an extruder.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes: a network interface to communicate with: a first display integrated with a robot device; and a second display at a location of a meeting; a memory identifying: a start time of the meeting; and the location of the meeting; and a processor connected to the network interface and the memory, the processor to execute instructions stored in the memory, the instructions to: when the robot device is at the location of the meeting, and at the start time, transmit, using the network interface, an identifier associated with the meeting to both the first display integrated with the robot device and the second display at the location of the meeting, thereby causing both the first display and the second display to simultaneously render the identifier.