Abstract: A multi use pacifier including a teething ring, where the teething ring includes a twist top; a nipple, where the nipple includes a plurality of orifices over the surface of the nipple; a mouth guard at one end of the nipple; a receiver extending beyond the mouth guard, where the twist top attaches the ring to the pacifier; an opening in the receiver for inserting a food product; and safety tabs, where the safety tabs lock the teething ring to the nipple. The safety tabs may be placed on each side of the receiver. The receiver includes an opening that is used to insert food into the receiver and passed through to the interior of the nipple. The nipple includes a first end and tabs are provided at the first end to prevent retraction of food out of the nipple near the mouth guard.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for cell transfection and regulating cellular behavior. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods of non-viral cell transfection and regulating cellular behavior using mineral coatings that allow for the enhanced transfection of cells. The mineral coatings bind polynucleotides and provide a source of calcium and phosphate ions to enhance transfection. The present disclosure also provides a high throughput platform for screening non-viral transfection of cells. The methods of the present disclosure also provide an advantageous polynucleotide delivery platform because the mineral coatings may be deposited on various medical device materials after being specifically developed using the high throughput screening platform.

Abstract: A method for identifying charitable organizations to receive the proceeds generated from the sale of merchandise includes communicating information to purchasers of the merchandise including a price, identities of charities to which donations can be allocated, and a donation amount. An offer to purchase the merchandise and the identities of two or more charities to which the donation is to be allocated is received.

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing a key from a key kiosk disposed at a realtor's office near a real property based on a showing appointment scheduled with a showing scheduling system. The appointment, including a date and time, as well as an authorized user is communicated from the showing scheduling system to the key kiosk. The user then authenticates herself or himself to the kiosk at the appropriate time, and the key is dispensed. The kiosk authenticates the user by scanning a QR code or using the physical location of the user. The kiosk will not dispense the key if the user has a different key that is checked out, but not returned yet. The key can be returned to the kiosk where it is dispensed, or a different key kiosk. The kiosk also dispenses a single common key when the user shows multiple properties.

Abstract: A computer receives data from a keyboard having one or more keys which cause generation of keyboard data that quantitatively describe the relative force applied to those keys. The keyboard data are transmitted in an HID report containing identifiers for one or more keys that have been pressed and force data for each key. The force data may be a multi-bit value quantifying the key force, or a null indicator signaling that the key is not force-sensing. Keyboard data messages are then prepared which identify keys pressed, contain force data, and may indicate whether the force data updates previous force data. Force updates are only provided to application programs registering for key force data. In other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, key repeat messages are automatically generated for a key held pressed by a user. The key repeat messages are generated at a rate controlled by the amount of force applied to the key.

Abstract: Techniques are described for transmitting a packet from a source switch module to a destination switch module. Embodiments receive, at the source switch module, from the destination switch module, path information specifying a path from the source switch module to the destination switch module. Upon detecting an occurrence of a predefined event, a packet is generated that includes (i) the received path information and (ii) payload data to be processed at the destination switch module. Embodiments determine an Ethernet port of the source switch module on which to transmit the packet, based on the received path information. The packet is transmitted to a second switch module using the determined Ethernet port.

Abstract: An axle lift assembly includes a beam slidably coupled with and extending on a longitudinal extent of a vehicle frame. A trailing arm has a first end pivotably coupled with the beam. An axle is rotatably coupled with an intermediate portion of the trailing arm. An air spring is disposed between a second end of the trailing arm and the beam for absorbing an upward force from the axle. A support bracket extends down from the beam proximate the first end of the trailing arm. A pneumatic actuator is disposed between the support bracket and the trailing arm for raising the axle from a deployed position to a retracted position that substantially eliminates the upward force on the air spring from the axle.

Abstract: A method of painting a five-sided container, which includes applying a water-based paint to the interior surfaces and the exterior surfaces of the container, and forcing heated air into the open side of the container to at least partially dry the paint on the interior surfaces and the exterior surfaces of the container.

Abstract: Techniques for audio control for an electronic device are discussed. The audio control for front and rear speaker channel configuration facilitates supporting proper audio stereo sound based at least in part on an orientation of the electronic device.

Abstract: A waste processing system includes a receptacle for waste material, including bags of waste, and a liquid to be mixed with the waste. The receptacle has an inlet, a waste outlet, and at least one nozzle opening with at least one slicing nozzle that sprays a slicing fluid under pressure sufficient to manipulate the waste material. The system includes a pump for chopping the waste material and circulating and mixing the liquid and waste material, a waste inlet conduit, and a waste outlet conduit. The receptacle, pump, waste inlet and waste outlet conduits define a closed, pressurized waste processing circuit for circulating the liquid and waste. The system also includes a heating system to heat the liquid and waste to effect biological neutralization of the liquid and waste material, and all surfaces of the waste processing system with which the waste material being processed comes into contact.

Abstract: The invention relates to stent-grafts having a continuous anchoring machine stitching and methods of attachment of a stent to the graft material. The continuous anchoring machine stitching includes a series of loop points used to attach the stent to the graft material.

Abstract: This disclosure describes related novel methods for Recombinase-Polymerase Amplification (RPA) of a target DNA that exploit the properties of recombinase and related proteins, to invade double-stranded DNA with single stranded homologous DNA permitting sequence specific priming of DNA polymerase reactions. The disclosed methods have the advantage of not requiring thermocycling or thermophilic enzymes. Further, the improved processivity of the disclosed methods may allow amplification of DNA up to hundreds of megabases in length.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting and/or quantifying the amount of analyte in a sample, the sensor including: a sensing region; and a barrier layer including a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-quenching, analyte-permeable membrane having an ROS-quenching agent adsorbed to the membrane; wherein the sensor is adapted so that the sample enters the sensing region of the sensor through the barrier layer.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for sensing current. A current source is configured to generate a current and a pulsed sense enable signal is generated. A sense voltage across a resistive sense mechanism is sampled according to the sense enable signal, where the sense voltage represents a measurement of the current. A system includes the current source and a current sensing unit. The current source is configured to generate a current. The current sensing unit is coupled the current source and is configured to generate a pulsed sense enable signal and sample the sense voltage across a resistive sense mechanism according to the pulsed sense enable signal.

Abstract: A manifold trailer comprises at least one main line having a plurality of discharge connectors and a plurality of articulating arm assemblies which are each connected to a corresponding discharge connector. Each arm assembly comprises a connector member which includes an inlet port, an outlet port and a third port which is located generally opposite the outlet port and is closed by a removable plug member. Each arm assembly also includes an articulating conduit assembly which comprises a first end that is connected to the inlet port and a riser swivel which is connected to the outlet port. During deployment of the arm assembly, a second end of the conduit assembly is connectable to a pumping unit to thereby fluidly connect the pumping unit to the main line.

Abstract: A limb brace used to promote blood flow is provided. The limb brace may be made of a semi-rigid skeleton made of a plurality of intersecting ribs. A padded lining may surround the skeleton for comfort. The limb brace may be tubular, may be attachable to a user's upper arm.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a flex mount for a fan drive gear system. A very high speed fan drive turbine drives the fan drive gear system.

Abstract: A vessel-occluding medical device for the use in diagnosis and/or treatment of cardiovascular disease in the human body includes an outer tube, an inner tube slidably housed within the outer tube, and a tubular sleeve comprising a generally U-shaped, direction reversing region, which moves along the length of the tubular sleeve, to assume radially contracted and radially expanded state as the inner and outer tubes move between the first and second positions. When the tubular sleeve is in the radially expanded state, the inner portion of the tubular sleeve has a funnel-shaped surface and a longitudinally-extending opening to permit material to pass therethrough for receipt of material into the inner tube.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a compound power converter in which the majority of power passes from input to output through only a single stage of power conversion. At least one embodiment includes a main converter with an auxiliary output. The auxiliary output energizes a reservoir that provides input power for a supplemental converter capable supplying the main output. The supplemental converter improves regulation and can provide holdover power for Power Factor Correction (PFC) or Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) operation.

Abstract: A pet carrier includes a bottom panel having a pair of end edges and a pair of side edges that are longer than the end edges, a pair of side panels attached to the side edges of the bottom panel, a pair of end panels attached to the end edges of the bottom panel, and a top panel. The bottom panel, the side panels, the end panels, and the top panel enclose an interior area for carrying a pet when the pet carrier is in a closed configuration. One of the side panels is an openable side panel structured to fold downward and form a flush surface with the bottom panel when the pet carrier is in an open configuration.