Abstract: A method for forming a layered anode material includes contacting a precursor material and a first electrolyte. The precursor material is a layered ionic compound represented by MX2, where M is one of calcium and magnesium and X is one of silicon, germanium, and boron. The method further includes applying a first bias and/or current as the precursor material contacts the first electrolyte to remove cations from the precursor material to create a two-dimensional structure that defines the layered anode material. In certain variations, the method further includes contacting the two-dimensional structure and a second electrolyte and applying a second bias and/or current as the two-dimensional structure contacts the second electrolyte so as to cause lithium ions to move into interlayer spaces or voids created in the two-dimensional structure by the removal of the cations thereby forming the layered anode material.

Abstract: A rotary steerable drilling assembly includes a driveshaft rotatably disposed in a driveshaft housing, a bend adjustment assembly coupled to the driveshaft housing, a bearing mandrel coupled to the bend adjustment assembly, and a torque control assembly including a rotor configured to couple with a drill string; a stator assembly coupled to a downhole motor; and a torque control actuator assembly configured to control the amount of torque transmitted between the rotor and the stator assembly, wherein the torque control actuator assembly includes a spool valve including a cylinder including a port and a hydraulically actuatable piston slidably disposed in the cylinder.

Abstract: A system includes a display screen positioned to display on an exterior of a host vehicle, a user interface of the host vehicle, and a computer communicatively coupled to the display screen and the user interface. The computer is programmed to, in response to detecting a target vehicle having prespecified indicia, instruct the user interface to output an instruction to an occupant of the host vehicle, and in response to detecting personnel from the target vehicle, instruct the display screen to output a message to the personnel.

Abstract: A rotary steerable drilling assembly for directional drilling includes a driveshaft rotatably disposed in a driveshaft housing, a bend adjustment assembly coupled to the driveshaft housing, a bearing mandrel coupled to the bend adjustment assembly, and a torque control assembly including a rotor configured to couple with a drill string, a stator assembly coupled to the downhole motor, and a torque control actuator assembly configured to control the amount of torque transmitted between the rotor and the stator assembly, wherein the bend adjustment assembly includes a first position providing a first deflection angle between a longitudinal axis of the driveshaft housing and a longitudinal axis of the bearing mandrel, wherein the bend adjustment assembly includes a second position providing a second deflection angle between the longitudinal axis of the driveshaft housing and the longitudinal axis of the bearing mandrel, the second deflection angle being different from the first deflection angle.

Abstract: A rotary steerable drilling assembly for directional drilling includes a driveshaft rotatably disposed in a driveshaft housing, a bend adjustment assembly coupled to the driveshaft housing, a bearing mandrel coupled to the bend adjustment assembly, and a torque control assembly including a rotor configured to couple with a drill string, a stator assembly coupled to the downhole motor, and a torque control actuator assembly configured to control the amount of torque transmitted between the rotor and the stator assembly, wherein the bend adjustment assembly includes a first position providing a first deflection angle between a longitudinal axis of the driveshaft housing and a longitudinal axis of the bearing mandrel, wherein the bend adjustment assembly includes a second position providing a second deflection angle between the longitudinal axis of the driveshaft housing and the longitudinal axis of the bearing mandrel, the second deflection angle being different from the first deflection angle.

Abstract: Provided herein are bone anchor devices including embodiments using adaptive materials, including shape memory materials such as shape memory alloys. Embodiments using shape memory alloys may use super-elastic properties of shape memory alloys to provide forces and deflections that actuate bone anchoring element(s) within bones. Embodiments of bone anchoring elements may be created that actuate with respect to one or more pivot point(s), with the bone anchoring elements on an opposite side of the pivot point from the actuating member composed of, for example, shape memory material. The pivot point(s) of a bone anchor device may be positioned in a central portion of the bone anchor device. The central portion of the bone anchor device may span between two pieces of bone or two separate bones (e.g., two bones of a joint) into which bone anchoring elements may be embedded and fixed.

Abstract: A processor-implemented system and method is provided for monitoring patient parameters of engagement plans administered to patients. A builder software application on a first processor-based device is provided for creating an engagement plan from an engagement protocol. An engagement software application on the first processor-based device is configured for monitoring the engagement plan to determine that an administering time for administering the engagement plan has been reached. The engagement software application is further configured for generating a notification message when it is determined that the administering time has been reached. The notification message is transmitted to a registered second processor-based device. The notification message includes an interactive software component for receiving a response message from the second processor-based device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for regasifying liquefied natural gas (LNG) are provided. The LNG is regasified by transferring heat from a steam methane reforming reaction to the LNG. In one embodiment, heat is transferred to the LNG from a synthesis gas produced in a steam methane reforming reaction. In another embodiment, heat is transferred to the LNG from a flue gas provided from a furnace heating a steam methane reforming reactor. By using excess heat from the steam methane reforming process, less energy may be consumed to regasify LNG.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for calculating effort of a software application. The techniques include obtaining a detailed use case model (DUCM) of the software application, computing a multi-dimensional metrics vector (MMV) based on the DUCM, using a size model for the MMV to estimate a size of the software application, and inputting the MMV and the size into an effort model, wherein the effort model is used to calculate the effort required to build the software application. Techniques are also provided for representing a DUCM of a software application.

Abstract: A method for automated software debugging includes steps of: receiving an interface configured for accessing a program; receiving a behavioral model of the program; receiving a failing input sequence from the program; executing the failing input sequence on both the behavioral model and the program; validating, after each executing step, an expected behavior of the program by executing specially constructed test sequences from the behavioral model; performing model mutation for creating a hypothesis of faulty behaviors; verifying hypothesized faulty behaviors; and scoring hypothesized faulty behaviors for producing a ranked list of diagnoses. The method also includes a step of presenting the ranked list of diagnoses to a user.

Abstract: A technique for problem determination in a distributed application is provided. Testing results of the application are first obtained through execution of test cases of a test group in the application. The testing of the application is then adaptively refined when the testing results have one or more failures, to expose problems that caused the one or more failures.

Abstract: A method (and system) for generating a structured representation from an unstructured description includes receiving, by a computer, an unstructured description, and generating, by the computer, a structured representation based upon the unstructured description.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically generating a test case for object-oriented software includes providing a model of the object-oriented software, determining a test state for the object-oriented software, and determining a sequence of test steps for the object-oriented software based upon the test state.

Abstract: A method for assessing computer system conformance with at least one requirement is provided. A first encoding of software commands is translated into a second encoding of software commands for use with a test-automation tool. The second encoding of software commands is processed to simulate at least one user interaction with the computer system through the test-automation tool.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for managing information relating to a wireless service provider enterprise, sites having potential customers are classified based on an ability to obtain legal rights to install a wireless infrastructure at the site and an ability of a wireless service provider network to provide an acceptable signal to the site. Customers at the site are classified according to the site classification. Information in the system is displayed in a site-centric format.

Abstract: A technique for problem determination in a distributed application is provided. Testing results of the application are first obtained through execution of test cases of a test group in the application. The testing of the application is then adaptively refined when the testing results have one or more failures, to expose problems that caused the one or more failures.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for managing information relating to a wireless service provider enterprise, sites having potential customers are classified based on an ability to obtain legal rights to install a wireless infrastructure at the site and an ability of a wireless service provider network to provide an acceptable signal to the site. Customers at the site are classified according to the site classification. Information in the system is displayed in a site-centric format.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is environmentally compatible footwear attachable apparatus for reducing noise caused by a foot walking on ground. The environmentally compatible footwear attachable apparatus includes a frame attachable to the foot, an adjustment member, an attachment member and support members. The support members have a tapered portion, a top portion and a base. The base penetrates ground. The tapered portion displaces the ground. The top portion supports the frame above the ground. When the base penetrates the ground, the tapered portion displaces the ground to reduce noise made by walking.