Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for treating a magnesium or a magnesium alloy substrate comprising: a first pretreatment composition comprising a fluorometallic acid and free fluoride in an amount of 10 ppm to 500 ppm based on total weight of the first pretreatment composition and having a pH of 1.0 to 4.0; and a second pretreatment composition comprising a lanthanide series metal, the second pretreatment composition being substantially free of peroxide. Also disclosed are methods of treating a magnesium or magnesium alloy substrate. Treated magnesium and magnesium alloy substrates also are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sealing composition for treating a metal substrate comprising: a polyolefin component; and a colloidal layered silicate. Also disclosed is a system for treating a metal substrate comprising: a cleaner composition; and/or a pretreatment composition for treating at least a portion of the substrate, the pretreatment composition comprising a Group IVB metal; and a sealing composition for treating at least a portion of the substrate treated with the cleaner composition and/or the pretreated composition, the sealing composition comprising a polyolefin component. Also disclosed is a method of treating a substrate comprising contacting at least a portion of a surface of the substrate with any of the compositions disclosed herein or any of the systems disclosed herein.

Abstract: In some examples, a system receives an input graph representation of one or more query plans for one or more database queries, and generates, by an embedding machine learning model based on the input graph representation, a feature vector that provides a distributed representation of the one or more query plans. The system determines, using the feature vector, one or more user behaviors and/or workload characteristics of one or more workloads in one or more database systems.

Abstract: A delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve, the delivery device including an inner shaft, a distal sheath disposed about a portion of the inner shaft and forming a compartment with the inner shaft, the compartment being adapted to receive the prosthetic heart valve, the inner shaft and the distal sheath being movable relative to one another, and a handle including a frame having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end, the handle further including a deployment actuator and a hub, each of the deployment actuator and the hub being independently capable of opening and closing the compartment, the hub further including a hub actuator coupled to the inner shaft.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing ceramic tape includes a step of directing a tape of partially-sintered ceramic into a furnace. The tape is partially-sintered such that grains of the ceramic are fused to one another yet the tape still includes at least 10% porosity by volume, where the porosity refers to volume of the tape unoccupied by the ceramic. The method further includes steps of conveying the tape through the furnace and further sintering the tape as the tape is conveyed through the furnace. The porosity of the tape decreases during the further sintering step.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods employing dual triggered feeding of projectiles from plural or multiple magazine clips with multiple interlock features in a rapid fire toy launcher employing a clips carriage mounted for translatable movement using a carriage selector separately positions clips in line for individual projectile feeding and launch. A propelling mechanism receives projectiles from an elongated projectile checking subassembly using a reversible projectile advancing feeder with a gear combination that advances and returns a pusher extension for feeding projectiles through the clips carriage upper portion. The reversible projectile advancing feeder is positioned in the housing forward the inserted magazine clips. Triggers including a propelling mechanism trigger activates a key and a fire key is activated with a fire trigger.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of characterising a target polynucleotide as it moves with respect to a nanopore using a motor protein. Also provided are polynucleotide adapters and kits comprising such adapters. The methods, kits and adapters find use in characterising polynucleotides, for example in sequencing.

Abstract: Cooking devices, cooking systems, and sensor assemblies for use therewith are provided. In one embodiment, a cooking system is provided and includes a housing, at least one cooking container, and a sensor assembly. The housing can have a sensor port formed in an exterior surface thereof for operably coupling to a connector housing on a sensor assembly. The cooking system can further include a through-passage formed between the housing and the cooking container for receiving a cable extending from the connector housing on the sensor assembly to allow a probe coupled to a distal end of the cable to be positioned within the cooking container for measuring a temperature. In certain exemplary embodiments, the sensor port and connector housing can include features that prevent rotation of the connector housing relative to the sensor port.

Abstract: A system and methods of remotely monitoring and controlling a pool controller for a pool or a spa via one or more remote computing devices is provided. In some embodiments, a remote user can be provided with information about the pool or the spa. The remote user is provided with an ability to remotely optimize a performance of the pool or the spa, including remotely adjusting a chemistry of the pool or the spa, remotely activating a heater of the pool or the spa, and/or remotely activating a pump of the pool or the spa.

Abstract: A torso protection apparatus with a shoulder harness, a shoulder and sleeve assembly, a midsection assembly, a plurality of protective pads, and a back including a plurality of pad housings. The plurality of pad housings includes a stretchable opening and is structured to removably accommodate the plurality of protective pads therein.

Abstract: An aircraft air conditioning pack assembly including an air conditioning pack configured to discharge heat, and an exterior panel positioned in close proximity to the air conditioning pack. The exterior panel includes an opening defined therein, a first side facing towards the air conditioning pack, and a second side defining an exterior surface configured to be in communication with a free stream airflow. At least a portion of the air conditioning pack is disposed within the opening to facilitate transferring heat from the air conditioning pack to the free stream airflow.

Abstract: A network device is configured to route an ingress packet based on its L2 header. In some configurations the ingress packet is routed based only on the destination MAC (DMAC) address in the L2 header, which allows the network device to begin routing as soon as the DMAC is received. The DMAC can be used in a table look up operation to identify routing actions for a nexthop. An egress packet is produced from the ingress packet using the routing actions. The egress packet is then sent on an egress port specified in the routing actions.

Abstract: Cooking devices, cooking systems, and sensor assemblies for use therewith are provided. In one embodiment, a cooking system is provided and includes a housing, at least one cooking container, and a sensor assembly. The housing can have a sensor port formed in an exterior surface thereof for operably coupling to a connector housing on a sensor assembly. The cooking system can further include a through-passage formed between the housing and the cooking container for receiving a cable extending from the connector housing on the sensor assembly to allow a probe coupled to a distal end of the cable to be positioned within the cooking container for measuring a temperature. In certain exemplary embodiments, the sensor port and connector housing can include features that prevent rotation of the connector housing relative to the sensor port.

Abstract: A cooking system positionable on a support surface includes a housing having an internal cooking compartment and an opening formed in the housing for accessing said internal cooking compartment. At least one heating element is provided for heating said internal cooking compartment. The heating element is operable to heat the internal cooking compartment while the opening is at least partially exposed to an ambient environment to allow fluid transfer between the ambient environment and the internal cooking compartment. An output from said at least one heating element is variable across said internal cooking compartment during operation of the system.

Abstract: A cooking system positionable on a support surface includes a housing having an internal cooking compartment and an opening formed in the housing for accessing said internal cooking compartment. At least one heating element is provided for heating said internal cooking compartment. The heating element is operable to heat the internal cooking compartment while the opening is at least partially exposed to an ambient environment to allow fluid transfer between the ambient environment and the internal cooking compartment. An output from said at least one heating element is variable across said internal cooking compartment during operation of the system.

Abstract: Technologies are described for managing metadata associated with external content. For example metadata can be obtained that describes content stored on external systems. The metadata can be obtained without locally storing the content items themselves. For example, the metadata can be retrieved from the external systems while the external content continues to be stored on the external systems. The metadata can also include indications of the actions that can be performed in relation to the external content. For example, actions can be obtained (e.g., locally determined and/or obtained from the external systems) and added to the metadata. The metadata can be stored and used locally. For example, the metadata can be used to locally perform the actions in relation to the external content. The metadata can also be used to locally initiate actions that are then carried out in the external systems.

Abstract: Disclosed are toy battle dart shooting gameplay environments supporting players' dart projectile hits or tags with detectable projectile devices, systems, and methods for resolving hits to a targeted player from a toy projectile during gameplay. In certain configurations interactive shooting battling provide arrangements are between players individually or within an arena architecture facilitated Targeted Player Hit Resolution via data communications with detectable projectiles and interactive shooting systems and methods.

Abstract: Technologies are described for managing metadata associated with external content. For example metadata can be obtained that describes content stored on external systems. The metadata can be obtained without locally storing the content items themselves. For example, the metadata can be retrieved from the external systems while the external content continues to be stored on the external systems. The metadata can also include indications of the actions that can be performed in relation to the external content. For example, actions can be obtained (e.g., locally determined and/or obtained from the external systems) and added to the metadata. The metadata can be stored and used locally. For example, the metadata can be used to locally perform the actions in relation to the external content. The metadata can also be used to locally initiate actions that are then carried out in the external systems.

Abstract: A cooking system positionable on a support surface includes a housing having an internal cooking compartment and an opening formed in said housing for accessing said internal cooking compartment. The housing is positionable about the support surface in both a first orientation and a second, distinct orientation. At least one heating element is associated with said internal cooking compartment. The at least one heating element is operable to heat said internal cooking compartment in both said first orientation and said second orientation.

Abstract: A system and methods of remotely monitoring and controlling a pool controller for a pool or a spa via one or more remote computing devices is provided. In some embodiments, a remote user can be provided with information about the pool or the spa. The remote user is provided with an ability to remotely optimize a performance of the pool or the spa, including remotely adjusting a chemistry of the pool or the spa, remotely activating a heater of the pool or the spa, and/or remotely activating a pump of the pool or the spa.