Abstract: A temperature sensing assembly for a milk frothing apparatus. The assembly including: a temperature sensor element and a resilient support element that receives and biases the temperature sensor element towards thermal communication with the underside of a vessel; wherein the assembly is located towards the end of a protruding portion that extends from the body of the a milk frothing apparatus; and wherein an upper surface of the temperature sensor assembly is adapted to promote liquid movement into a drip tray reservoir. The apparatus may include: a steam source; an air source coupled to an air injector module for mixing the air and steam; a user interface for receiving input from a user; and wherein the apparatus is configurable by receiving input parameters through the user interface, whereby the parameters includes final milk temperature, and an indication of froth amount.

Abstract: A method for determining discharge area in hydraulic stimulation operations is provided that includes obtaining one or more treatment data inputs from a well system, and determining a discharge area by applying the one or more treatment data inputs to a function that determines discharge area in terms of volumetric flow rate of the fracturing fluid, wherein the discharge area is a total area of all downhole exits through which the fracturing fluid exits a wellbore into a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Memory devices, controllers and associated methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a memory device is disclosed. The memory device includes storage cells that are each formed with a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor having a floating body. Data is stored as charge in the floating body. A transfer interface receives a read command to access data stored in a first group of the storage cells. Sensing circuitry detects the data stored in the first group of storage cells. The transfer interface selectively performs a writeback operation of the sensed data associated with the read command.

Abstract: A heat exchanging device uses a shell and tube structure whereby a portion of a diesel fuel line with or without a portion of a diesel exhaust fluid line, is placed in heat-exchanging relationship with a portion of the shell. Hot fluid flowing through the shell in a vortex-like fashion heats the diesel fuel line and the diesel exhaust fluid line to improve diesel fuel mileage and diesel exhaust efficiency.

Abstract: A method for modifying a polymeric surface is disclosed. The polymeric surface is activated utilizing atmospheric pressure plasma. An atom transfer radical polymerization initiator is then coupled to the activated surface. A monomer is then polymerized on the activated surface utilizing an activators regenerated by electron transfer (ARGET) atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) process. The method enables brush-modification of the polymeric surface, even if the polymeric surface is substantially chemically inert. By way of example, the method enables a chemically inert, substantially hydrophobic polymer surface to be functionalized with substantially hydrophilic polymer brushes. The methods of the present disclosure have general applicability to a myriad of implementations where tunable surface chemistry is advantageous, such as filtration membranes, marine surfaces, and medical devices seeking a biocompatible coating.

Abstract: A method for controlling a humidifier of a CPAP device including a controller, the method including controlling a heating element in the humidifier with command signals from the controller, sensing a temperature of a fluid in the humidifier with a sensor in the humidifier that transmits signals to the controller, establishing an acceptable operating range for the signal transmitted to the controller, determining whether the transmitted signal is within the acceptable operating range, if the signal is within the acceptable operating range treating the signal as being indicative of the temperature of the fluid in the humidifier and using the signal to control the heating element, and if the signal is outside of the acceptable operating range, the controller determines the humidifier to be unavailable.

Abstract: A method for performing sparse quantum Fourier transform computation includes defining a set of quantum circuits, each quantum circuit comprising a Hadamard gate and a single frequency rotation operator, said set of quantum circuits being equivalent to a quantum Fourier transform circuit. The method includes constructing a subset of said quantum circuits in a quantum processor, said quantum processor having a quantum representation of a classical distribution loaded into a quantum state of said quantum processor. The method includes executing said subset of said quantum circuits on said quantum state, and performing a measurement in a frequency basis to obtain a frequency distribution corresponding to said quantum state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a watersports board rack for attaching to a support member (e.g., hanging down from an overhead support tower) of a boat. The rack may have a low profile, superior padding and an increased contact area compared to current rack systems, as well as at least one strap for securing the board against the padding and a coupler for attaching to the overhead support member. The rack may thus be operable to securely hold up to two watersports boards (e.g., two wakesurf boards) without the usual wear and tear (e.g., dents and scrapes) that occurs from regular contact with the tines of current rack systems. The rack may thus increase the boat's capacity to securely store watersports boards while the boat is in motion, and due to the low profile, the rack will not substantially reduce headroom or require removal from a folding tower before folding the tower down for transporting and storing the boat.

Abstract: Devices, computer-readable media, and methods for presenting segments of at least one video program in accordance with a definition document are disclosed. For example, a processor may load a definition document for at least one video program. The definition document may specify segments of the at least one video program for presentation and further specify segment types for the segments. The segment types may identify whether a segment is to include video content, include audio content, or include both video and audio content. The processor may further obtain the at least one video program, present a first segment of the at least one video program in accordance with the definition document, and present a second segment of the plurality of segments of the at least one video program in accordance with the definition document.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein to enable the automated and/or user-guided creation, collection, and curating of digital content items that represent a user's experiences, personality, interactions, and legacy. A digital rights trustee may be assigned to control access to the content after the death of the user. A user may create a death file with content items to be handled in a specific (e.g., user-specified) manner after the death of the user. For example, the contents of the death file may be released to a family member or deleted by the system entirely. Content items may be secured or encrypted to allow access via the presentation of steganographically encoded objects. An AI-based digital representative may use a machine learning model to act on behalf of a user to create, share, and post content items to a website or social media platform.

Abstract: A method for controlling a humidifier of a CPAP device including a controller, the method including controlling a heating element in the humidifier with command signals from the controller, sensing a temperature of a fluid in the humidifier with a sensor in the humidifier that transmits signals to the controller, establishing an acceptable operating range for the signal transmitted to the controller, determining whether the transmitted signal is within the acceptable operating range, if the signal is within the acceptable operating range treating the signal as being indicative of the temperature of the fluid in the humidifier and using the signal to control the heating element, and if the signal is outside of the acceptable operating range, the controller determines the humidifier to be unavailable.

Abstract: Systems and methods of monitoring the position of semi-autonomous or fully-autonomous devices for safe navigation in a dynamic, unstructured environment can include processes to detect localization errors via an odometry check, a laser map alignment check, or a bimodal distribution check; detect tracking errors to monitor and/or control device trajectory and/or to avoid device rollover; regulate velocity control based on static or dynamic safety zones for collision avoidance; perform system integrity checks to maintain desired performance over time; and/or the like. These processes may interface with and/or utilize sensors on the device and may provide inputs for a safety monitor system that oversees device safety. In addition, an onboard computer system with a real time operating system may be used to enable real time monitoring and response during device navigation and to execute relevant processes associated with this system independent of other processes performed.

Abstract: A steam wand assembly for an espresso machine has features for preventing overheating of the tip of the steam wand. In a first aspect there is provided a steam wand device comprising a metallic main body tube, a steam hose that passes through the tube, the steam hose also passing through a flexible spacer that is within the tube. In a further aspect there is provided a steam wand device comprising a main body tube having a metallic primary tube and a metallic tip, the primary tube and the tip being attached to one another by a polymeric steam nozzle, the nozzle having a central bore that extends from an inlet adjacent to a lower end of a steam hose to an exit opening.

Abstract: Described are techniques for request processing. A request may be received from a requester for first data to be returned to the requester. The request may be in accordance with an application programming interface. The first data may include a plurality of objects each including a value for a first property. The request may include a parameter of the application programming interface indicating to return the plurality of objects sorted in accordance with natural ordering based on the first property of each of the plurality of objects. The natural ordering may be performed as the default ordering. With natural ordering, one or more consecutive digits in a string are treated as a single numeric value rather than individual characters. First processing may be performed to service the request and obtain the first data. A response, including the first data, may be generated in accordance with the first processing.

Abstract: Devices, computer-readable media, and methods for presenting segments of at least one video program in accordance with a definition document are disclosed. For example, a processor may load a definition document for at least one video program. The definition document may specify segments of the at least one video program for presentation and further specify segment types for the segments. The segment types may identify whether a segment is to include video content, include audio content, or include both video and audio content. The processor may further obtain the at least one video program, present a first segment of the at least one video program in accordance with the definition document, and present a second segment of the plurality of segments of the at least one video program in accordance with the definition document.

Abstract: A method for determining discharge area in hydraulic stimulation operations is provided that includes obtaining one or more treatment data inputs from a well system, and determining a discharge area by applying the one or more treatment data inputs to a function that determines discharge area in terms of volumetric flow rate of the fracturing fluid, wherein the discharge area is a total area of all downhole exits through which the fracturing fluid exits a wellbore into a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer program products that can facilitate quantum topological classification are described. According to an embodiment, a system can comprise a memory that stores computer executable components and a processor that executes the computer executable components stored in the memory. The computer executable components can comprise a topological component that employs one or more quantum computing operations to identify one or more persistent homology features of a topological simplicial structure. The computer executable components can further comprise a topological classifier component that employs one or more machine learning models to classify the topological simplicial structure based on the one or more persistent homology features.

Abstract: A method for controlling a humidifier of a CPAP device including a controller, the method including controlling a heating element in the humidifier with command signals from the controller, sensing a temperature of a fluid in the humidifier with a sensor in the humidifier that transmits signals to the controller, establishing an acceptable operating range for the signal transmitted to the controller; determining whether the transmitted signal is within the acceptable operating range, if the signal is within the acceptable operating range treating the signal as being indicative of the temperature of the fluid in the humidifier and using the signal to control the heating element, and if the signal is outside of the acceptable operating range, the controller determines the humidifier to be unavailable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a subpixel circuit 310 comprising: a first switching device 311 responsive to a digital periodic signal VP to provide a digital control signal VC relating to a digital data signal VD, the digital periodic signal VP defining 2N+1 time slots within each frame cycle, where N is a predetermined integer. The digital data signal VD has a predetermined value at a predetermined one of the 2N+1 time slots; and the subpixel circuit 310 further comprises a second switching device 312 responsive to the control signal Vc to drive an associated light emitting element 320.

Abstract: An assembly for securing a probe retention member at a desired location within a tubular interior such as in a drill string collar. The assembly may use one or more securing members external to the retention member. In some embodiments most of the stresses from the probe retention structures of the retention member are isolated.