Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for distributed acoustic sensing in a marine environment surrounding a repeater along a fibre-optic submarine communications cable. The system includes at least one distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) unit. Each DAS unit further includes a light source that is configured to transmit outgoing light in at least one fibre-optic sensing cable that is located in the marine environment and a receiver configured to receive reflected light that includes at least one optical property influenced by an acoustic disturbance in the marine environment. Each DAS unit further includes an optical multiplexer for multiplexing optical signals onto the fibre-optic submarine communications cable via the repeater where the optical signals carry information on the at least influenced optical property. A method for distributed acoustic sensing in the marine environment is also disclosed.

Abstract: In an illustrative system, a point-of-sale scanner is equipped to respond to multiple different symbologies printed on a single product. The scanner captures many frames per second, as products are swiped through a viewing volume. Each frame is decoded, yielding one or more payloads. A reconciliation module compares each newly-decoded payload against a list of payloads previously output by the module, to determine if the current payload is semantically-equivalent to a previously-output payload. If so, the previously-output payload is output again, in lieu of the just-decoded payload. If no equivalent is found, the current payload is output and added to the list for comparison against future payloads. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate generally to surgical instruments, tools, and apparatuses for medical use, including, but not limited to, forceps, tweezers, and pincers, as well as other anatomical tools for surgical and medical uses, and, more specifically, to surgical instruments implementing a coupling member to effectuate multiple pivot axes enhance, for example, effective lengths with which to access an internal surgical site. In some examples, a surgical instrument may include lever members, each of which may include a pivot portion, a force application portion, and a contacting portion. The surgical instrument may also include a coupling member configured to position multiple pivot portions adjacent proximal ends of a first and second lever member to effectuate a closing state at which contacting portions are positioned at a second distance, which is less than the first distance, at distal ends of a first and second lever member.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for accurately predicting the dynamics of symptom response to drugs or other interventions for the treatment of major depressive disorder or other psychological conditions. These methods can allow for a shortening of the time period necessary for the evaluation of a drug or other therapeutic intervention. These predictive methods are based on measured and/or self-reported symptom severity measures at two or more points in time. These measures are then discretized into symptom classes (e.g., low, moderate, severe) and the symptom classes are then applied to the predictive model to predict the progression of symptoms and/or the effectiveness of a drug or other therapeutic intervention.

Abstract: An automated electric portable friction welding system is disclosed for friction welding a fixture onto a substrate, the welding system having a linear actuator received to produce a defined stroke within a tool housing and a rotary motor engaged to said linear actuator to slide therewith. A control module controls welding operations as a function of encoded instructions and the sensor data from the linear actuator and the rotary motor, whereby the control module affords both active control of the linear actuator and rotary motor, individually to performance parameter instructions, and in coordination through phases of the weld process in response to linear actuator operation sensors and motor operation sensors. Another feature of some embodiments of the present invention is a portable friction welding network and a method for supporting portable friction welding on the cloud.

Abstract: A method of reducing light pollution in a scene rendered on a display comprises receiving a portion of a scene to be displayed on a display with an initial luminance, adjusting the initial luminance for the portion of the scene to a final luminance based on a light pollution model associated with the display, and rendering the scene to the display with the portion of the scene having the final luminance.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compounds that bind to human GITR, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of using such compounds.

Abstract: Methods and systems for implementing a Jupiter aerospace mission can enable delivery of a science payload to a Jupiter orbit on a direct Earth-to-Jupiter trajectory. Solar power and use of avionics also allow a fast assembly, integration, and test process compared to past outer Solar System missions. The spacecraft can include an aerodynamic forebody, a shell, and a thermal protection system. The spacecraft can manage the radiation environment, generate solar power, and return data to Earth with a robust radio-frequency (RF) amplification and antenna gain.

Abstract: A multi-position clamp is disclosed for positioning and holding a portable friction welding tool adjacent a substrate for friction welding a plurality of fixtures in a precise pattern referenced from a fixed position on a substrate. The clamp has a clamp base temporarily securable at the fixed position on the substrate, a traveling mount comprising a tool mount for receiving said portable friction welding tool, and a connection to the clamp base allowing relative movement of the tool mount over the substrate. Index stops help install the plurality of fixtures in the pattern and an articulated fixture loading system allow positioning and loading successive fixtures without disengaging and removing said portable friction welding tool from connection with the clamp base.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to managing services by a managed service provider (MSP) in a cloud based infrastructure. A control plane of the MSP is established in a first tenancy, and a first access plane of the MSP is established in a second tenancy of a cloud environment. The control plane is configured to manage a plurality of services offered by the MSP to a first host machine included in the second tenancy. A first request is transmitted from the control plane to the first access plane, where the first request is forwarded by the first access plane to the first host machine, and corresponds to a service utilized by the first host machine and managed by the control plane of the MSP. In response to the first request being validated, a first state of the first host machine is modified in the second tenancy based on the first request.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for a user to use a trusted device to provide sensitive information to an identity provider via QR (Quick Response) code for the identity provider to broker a website login or to collect information for the website. A user may securely transact with the website from unsecured devices by entering sensitive information into the trusted device. The identity provider may generate the QR code for display by the website on an unsecured device. A user running an application from the identity provider on the trusted device may scan the QR code to transmit the QR code to the identity provider. The identity provider may validate the QR code and may receive credential information to authenticate the user or may collect information for the website. Advantageously, the user may perform a safe login to the website from untrusted devices using the trusted device.

Abstract: According to various aspects, the invention provides a vehicle security barrier apparatus (100; 200; 300; 400) comprising: (i) a support structure (50; 150; 250; 350) for being disposed at least partially below ground, the support structure having a below ground aspect (70; 170; 270; 370) and an above-ground aspect (60; 160; 260; 360); (ii) a track (55; 155; 255; 355) provided at least in part within the support structure; (iii) at least three upright bollards (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d; 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d; 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d; and 320a, 320b, 320c, 320d) mounted to or partially within the support structure, wherein two bollards (20a, 20d; 120a, 120d; 220a, 220d; 320a, 320d) of the at least three bollards are rigidly fixed to the support structure and at least one of said bollards (20b, 20c; 120b, 120c; 220b, 220c; 320b, 320c) is movably coupled to the support structure; and (iv) a mounting structure (80; 180; 280; 380) anchored to the below-ground aspect of the support structure and comprising a series of co

Abstract: Methods of production of edible filamentous fungal biomat formulations are provided as standalone protein sources and/or protein ingredients in foodstuffs as well as a one-time use or repeated use self-contained biomat reactor comprising a container with at least one compartment and placed within the compartment(s), a feedstock, a fungal inoculum, a gas-permeable membrane, and optionally a liquid nutrient medium.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing data are disclosed. One method can comprise storing first data locally relative to a user device and storing second data remotely relative to the user device. The first data and the second data can relate to the same content. The method can also comprise generating a manifest comprising location information relating to the first data and the second data and receiving a request for transmission of one or more of the first data and the second data based upon the manifest.

Abstract: A computer system may modify the user interactions by receiving, by a computer system, a sequence of image frames in a time period, from a camera application on a mobile device, wherein the time period starts before and ends after a shutter is activated on the camera application; monitoring, by a computer system, movement of the mobile device within the time period; calculating a movement score for a user of the mobile device, by analyzing the sequence of image frames and the movement of the mobile device; and using the movement score to modify the user's interaction with the mobile device interface.

Abstract: A smart sleep system comprising a mattress including a plurality of pressure zones, each pressure zone separately adjustable for firmness, a sensor to sense a user's position on the mattress, a processing system to determine pressure for each of the plurality of pressure zones based on data from the sensor, and a controller to adjust one or more of the pressure zones based on the determination.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to a portable shelter, whether being of the type having a floating canopy or an umbrella. The shelter includes a support including an upright. A canopy is supported by the support. The canopy includes an expandable frame, and a sheet of material supported by the frame. The frame includes retractable ribs supporting the sheet. The frame also includes a stretcher arrangement for stretching out each rib from the support. The shelter further includes a line arrangement extending between the stretcher arrangement and each rib.

Abstract: A flow sensor including a fluid flow path, a first sensor configured to determine a first measurement of a thermal diffusivity and/or a viscosity of a fluid in the fluid flow path, a second sensor configured to determine a second measurement of a fluid flow velocity and/or a volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path, and at least one processor configured to adjust the second measurement based on the first measurement. A method including receiving fluid in a fluid flow path of a flow sensor, determining a first measurement of a thermal diffusivity and/or a viscosity of the fluid in the fluid flow path, determining a second measurement of a fluid flow velocity and/or a volumetric flow rate of the fluid in the fluid flow path, and adjusting the second measurement based on the first measurement.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device includes an optical integrated circuit having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The optical integrated circuit has an optical zone of the first surface of the optical integrated circuit. The device includes an electrically insulating material disposed over the optical integrated circuit, where the electrically insulating material partially covers the first surface so as to expose the optical zone.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed comprising a 3D-printed wall panel having an interior side and an exterior side. The exterior side comprises a textured surface formed by 3D printing the wall panel onto a textured form. In certain embodiments, the textured surface mimics at least one of natural stone, brick, and wood siding, and the medium printed onto the textured form is concrete. The interior side has 3D printed structural elements printed thereon designed to mimic conventional wood-stud framing in at least one of dimensions and spacing. A method for fabricating the 3D printed wall panel as described above is also disclosed.