Abstract: A microwave switch. In some embodiments, the microwave switch includes a substrate, a signal conductor, a first ground conductor, on a first side of the signal conductor, and a second ground conductor, on a second side of the signal conductor. The signal conductor, the first ground conductor, and the second ground conductor may be planar conductors on a planar top surface of the substrate. The signal conductor may have a first portion composed of a superconducting material, and a second portion having a reduced cross section, a cross-sectional area of the second portion being less than 120 nm.

Abstract: An inner core barrel assembly incorporates an inner core tube. A body is connected to the inner core tube with a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism is configured to maintain a fixed rotational orientation with the inner core tube. The body includes a flow path for liquid within the inner core tube to flow as the inner core barrel assembly descends through a drill string. a core orientation system is contained within the body and positioned within the inner core tube.

Abstract: A downhole device delivery and drive transfer system includes a sub which is arranged to attach to a drill string and a tool which is configured to enable it to travel through the drill string and releasably couple to the sub. The sub and the tool are arranged so that when they are releasably coupled to each other torque imparted to the drill string is transferred by the sub to the tool. The tool is arranged to carry one or more devices for performing one or more downhole functions such as core drilling, hole reaming or wedge placement for directional drilling. The system also has a guide mechanism that operates between the sub and the tool to guide the tool to a known rotational orientation relative to the sub as the tool travels into the sub. A fluid control system controls the flow of fluid through the tool through a downhole outlet and a plurality of ports intermediate opposite ends of the tool.

Abstract: A method and a system conducts payment transactions via instant messaging. The system includes a messaging interface to receive a payment transaction request at a payment application from a network-based device via a network. The messaging interface facilitates substantially instant communication over the network. The payment application, responsive to receiving the payment transaction request, transfers a payment from a user associated with the network-based device to a third party.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method for forming a surface layer of a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) article. The technique includes depositing a slurry on a surface of an infiltrated CMC. The slurry includes a carrier material, a binder, a plasticizer, and solid particles. The solid particles include a plurality of fine ceramic particles defining a fine particle average size less than about 5 micrometers. The method further includes drying the slurry to form an article having an outer surface layer that includes the solid particles on the infiltrated CMC. The method further includes machining at least a portion of the outer surface layer of the article. The method further includes infiltrating the article with a molten infiltrant to form a composite article.

Abstract: A handgun sear has a sear body extending between a proximal end portion to a distal end portion. The sear defines a first engagement surface adjacent the proximal end portion and a second engagement surface positioned distally of the first engagement surface. The sear can pivot about the distal end portion between a cocked position and a displaced position. The second engagement surface can be used to arrest forward movement of the striker in the event of an impulse that causes the striker to disengage from the first engagement surface. The sear may be incorporated into a fire control assembly of a semiautomatic handgun or other firearm.

Abstract: A vehicle defogging and demisting system includes an air handling system, a first humidity sensor adjacent a second row vehicle window, a second humidity sensor adjacent a third row vehicle window and a controller. The controller is configured to defog and demist the second row window in response to a first data stream received from the first humidity sensor and the third row vehicle window in response to a second data stream received from the second humidity sensor. A method of defogging and demisting second and third row vehicle windows of a motor vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A check valve may be incorporated in an inner core barrel assembly. The check valve has a valve body defining a fluid flow path and provided with a valve seat. A valve member is located in the valve body and is coupled to the valve body by a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism is arranged to allow the valve member to move linearly in an axial direction relative to the valve body on to and off of the valve seat and maintain a fixed rotational relationship with the valve body. A data acquisition system can be held in the valve member and by virtue of the coupling mechanism be maintained rotationally fixed relative to the valve body an inner core tube of an inner core barrel assembly.

Abstract: A microwave switch. In some embodiments, the microwave switch includes a substrate, a signal conductor, a first ground conductor, on a first side of the signal conductor, and a second ground conductor, on a second side of the signal conductor. The signal conductor, the first ground conductor, and the second ground conductor may be planar conductors on a planar top surface of the substrate. The signal conductor may have a first portion composed of a superconducting material, and a second portion having a reduced cross section, a cross-sectional area of the second portion being less than 120 nm.

Abstract: A method is described of supplying liquid to a liquid delivery system in a vehicle. A a replaceable liquid container including a reservoir containing liquid is releasably coupled in the vehicle to provide fluidic communication between the reservoir and a liquid delivery system of the vehicle during operation of the vehicle. The method includes the steps of: (i) prior to establishing liquid communication between the reservoir and the liquid delivery system of a selected vehicle, communicating with a data carrier carried by the container and determining data associated with at least one of the container and its contents; and (ii) using the data in an analysis of suitability of the container and/or content of the container for the selected vehicle and generating a suitability output, and (iii) establishing liquid communication between the reservoir and liquid delivery system of the selected vehicle in dependence on the suitability output.

Abstract: Dynamically detecting abnormalities in otherwise legitimate emails containing Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) is provided. An example method includes determining one or more rules defining normal patterns in a number of sending Top-Level Domains of previously received emails received via a computer network to a user or group of users; generating a trusted trends criteria for a received email, associated with the user or the group of users, by evaluating the received email against the one or more rules; determining whether the trusted trends criteria exceeds a predetermined threshold; in response to exceeding the predetermined threshold, generating a second URL and applying it to the received email by replacing a first URL of the received email with the second URL; and redetermining the one or more rules defining normal patterns in the number of sending Top-Level Domains based on the previously received emails and the received email.

Abstract: A method is described of supplying liquid to a liquid delivery system in a vehicle. A a replaceable liquid container including a reservoir containing liquid is releasably coupled in the vehicle to provide fluidic communication between the reservoir and a liquid delivery system of the vehicle during operation of the vehicle. The method includes the steps of: (i) prior to establishing liquid communication between the reservoir and the liquid delivery system of a selected vehicle, communicating with a data carrier carried by the container and determining data associated with at least one of the container and its contents; and (ii) using the data in an analysis of suitability of the container and/or content of the container for the selected vehicle and generating a suitability output, and (iii) establishing liquid communication between the reservoir and liquid delivery system of the selected vehicle in dependence on the suitability output.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inkjet ink comprising: NVC or NVMO; PEA; 4-methoxyphenol; and a thioxanthone photoinitiator. The present invention also relates to a method of inkjet printing inks of the invention. The present invention further provides the use of 4-methoxyphenol for reducing colour shift in inkjet inks.

Abstract: A child's booster seat is provided and can include a booster seat base and seat back. The booster seat base can be collapsed or folded from an in-use configuration to a collapsed configuration to improve portability of the booster seat base. The booster seat base can include multiple seating surface panels that are rotatably coupled to one another to allow the booster seat base to be collapsed from an in-use width to a collapsed width that is less than the in-use width. The booster seat base can also be coupled and decoupled from the booster seat back. The booster seat base can include tab members that can be inserted into tab receiving cavities of the booster seat back. Adjustment of the booster seat base from the in-use configuration to the collapsed configuration can also facilitate removal of the tab members from the tab receiving cavities of the booster seat back.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically generating scenarios and user interface elements representing valuations of instruments under the scenarios are described. The systems and methods use expert polling systems and machine learning rules to generate tree data storage structures representing different scenarios of macro factors for outcomes of events. Machine implemented interfaces for expert polling, presentment of scenarios, and interaction with scenarios are also provided.

Abstract: A method and a system conducts payment transactions via instant messaging. The system includes a messaging interface to receive a payment transaction request at a payment application from a network-based device via a network. The messaging interface facilitates substantially instant communication over the network. The payment application, responsive to receiving the payment transaction request, transfers a payment from a user associated with the network-based device to a third party.

Abstract: A method is described of controlling at least one operation in at least part of a lifecycle of a replaceable container which is arranged to be removably seated in a dock in a vehicle and which at least before seating in the dock contains an ancillary fluid for use by the vehicle. A controller communicates with a data carrier carried by the container, determines, on the basis of the communication with the data carrier, data associated with at least one of the container, its contents and the vehicle, and controls carrying out of at least one action in relation to at least one of the container and its contents on the basis of the data associated with at least one of the container, its contents and the vehicle.

Abstract: A recoil assembly for a rifle includes a barrel assembly, a bolt, bolt actuator, and a buffer assembly. The barrel assembly includes a barrel secured to a barrel extension. The barrel assembly is configured to be movably received through the fore end of the upper receiver and to move axially relative to the upper receiver when the rifle is fired. The barrel extension is coupled to a hydraulic buffer assembly located below the barrel extension and counteracts recoil forces acting on the barrel extension when the rifle is fired. An op-rod spring is coupled to an op rod extending from a gas piston assembly on the barrel. The op-rod spring counteracts recoil forces acting the bolt actuator when the rifle is fired.

Abstract: A method is described of controlling at least one operation in at least part of a lifecycle of a replaceable container which is arranged to be removably seated in a dock in a vehicle and which at least before seating in the dock contains an ancillary fluid for use by the vehicle. A controller communicates with a data carrier carried by the container, determines, on the basis of the communication with the data carrier, data associated with at least one of the container, its contents and the vehicle, and controls carrying out of at least one action in relation to at least one of the container and its contents on the basis of the data associated with at least one of the container, its contents and the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically generating scenarios and user interface elements representing valuations of instruments under the scenarios are described. The systems and methods use expert polling systems and machine learning rules to generate tree data storage structures representing different scenarios of macro factors for outcomes of events. Machine implemented interfaces for expert polling, presentment of scenarios, and interaction with scenarios are also provided.