Abstract: The subject matter described herein provides techniques to ensure that queries of a distributed database observe a consistent read of the database without locking or logging. In this regard, next-write timestamps uniquely identify a set of write transactions whose updates can be observed by reads. By publishing the next-write timestamps from within an extendable time lease and tracking a “safe timestamp,” the database queries can be executed without logging read operations or blocking future write transactions, and clients issuing the queries at the “safe timestamp” observe a consistent view of the database as it exists on or before that timestamp. Aspects of this disclosure also provide for extensions, done cheaply and without the need for logging, to the range of timestamps at which read transactions can be executed.

Abstract: A surface-mounted keylessly operated lock (10) comprises a chassis (11) mountable on one of two parts, especially a door and a door surround, to be locked and unlocked relative to one another and carrying locking means (17 to 23) transferrable between a locking state and an unlocking state respectively for the locking and unlocking, the locking means being electrically operable to cause or allow transfer from the locking state to the unlocking state. In addition, the lock includes a control module (16) mounted on the chassis (11) and carrying control means (30) for controlling supply of electrical operating power to the locking means. The chassis has a receptacle (25) for reception of an electrical energy source, especially batteries, for providing the operating power and the module (16) inclusive of the control means (20) is movable relative to the chassis (11) to permit access to the receptacle (25) to enable battery exchange without demounting of the installed lock.

Abstract: A composition is provided for removal of a target substance from a fluid stream. The composition may be used to remove polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) from water. The composition comprises a support material comprising an alumina; and a sorbent molecule that comprises a core polymer; wherein the core polymer is covalently linked to the support material; and wherein the sorbent molecule further comprises one or more covalently linked sorbent groups. Processes for removal of target substances such as PFAS are also provided.

Abstract: A haircare appliance has an air inlet, an air outlet, an airflow generator for generating an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet, and a heater assembly for heating the airflow. The heater assembly has a heater and a heater housing. The heater is mounted to the heater housing at a plurality of discrete mounting points.

Abstract: Described herein is a system for enabling a user to perform complex goals using multiple skills/applications of an intelligent assistant device. Skills may register as consumers of an action or providers of an action, and the consumer skills may be configured to invoke provider skills to perform actions. The system receives a request to perform an action from a skill along with some action data. The system validates the action data, selects another skill to perform the action, and forwards the request to the selected skill to perform the action.

Abstract: There is disclosed system for oxygenating a patient in relation to anaesthesia using high flow gas delivery. The system has a flow source, and a controller for determining oxygenation requirements of the patient before or during anaesthesia. A method of oxygenating a patient in relation to anaesthesia using high flow gas delivery is also disclosed. The method determines oxygenation requirements of the patient before or during anaesthesia.

Abstract: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are destroyed by oxidation in supercritical conditions. PFAS in water is concentrated in a reverse osmosis step and salt from the resulting solution is removed in supercritical conditions prior to destruction of PFAS in supercritical conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus with an integrated circuit (IC) chip can provide protection against attacks on a read-only memory (ROM), such as a boot ROM for security circuitry. An attacker can gain control of an IC by modifying ROM contents and/or redirecting ROM reads. To combat these attacks, example implementations store encrypted ROM data in the ROM array. A ROM controller is used to cryptographically tie the address of each ROM line to the corresponding encrypted ROM datum. To access the encrypted ROM datum, cryptographic circuitry decrypts the encrypted ROM datum using a key that is generated based on the corresponding ROM address. As part of an integrity checking procedure, a digest can be computed based on the encrypted ROM data. To further thwart would-be attacks, the ROM address can be adjusted (e.g., scrambled) before the controller uses the adjusted address to read encrypted data from the ROM array.

Abstract: A computing system for identifying tasks at risk in a collaborative project includes one or more processors configured to execute, during an inference-time phase, a collaborative project management program and a machine learning model. The collaborative project management program is configured to receive telemetry data associated with a task, process the telemetry data based at least in part on one or more task attributes, and output at least one feature associated with the task. The machine learning model is configured to receive, as inference-time input, the at least one feature associated with the task, and, responsive to receiving the at least one feature, output a risk prediction for the task. The system is configured to output an alert when the task is predicted to be at risk of not being completed by a predetermined due date.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a conical-shaped articulated member. The conical-shaped articulated member includes a conical-shaped structure including an inner surface and an outer surface. The conical-shaped articulated member further includes a plurality of rotary actuation units disposed along a length of the conical-shaped structure, where at least two rotary actuation units of the plurality of rotary actuation units are coupled together. The plurality of rotary actuation units are configured to perform one or more motions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for dynamic interaction with an augmented reality environment. In some embodiments, the systems and methods are directed at dynamically interacting with machinery within the augmented reality environment via an augmented reality device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for dynamic interaction with an augmented reality environment. In some embodiments, the systems and methods are directed at dynamically interacting with machinery within the augmented reality environment via an augmented reality device.

Abstract: The invention features a headset, and systems including the headset, equipped with electrical sensors. The headset is suitable for use by a child and suitable for use in a gaming system, e.g., to train attention.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a diagnostic system includes an instrument coupled to a client device and having at least one sample processing bay. The diagnostic system has a software architecture including instrument software (ISW) associated with the instrument. The ISW receives an assay definition file (ADF) that has a control file and an assay analysis module (AAM) file. The processing bay prepares and senses the sample according to parameters in the OPUS file and then generates sensor scan data. The diagnostic system then analyzes the sensor scan data and prepares a report according to the AAM file.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for the production of Cannabis meristem explants from dry seeds. Also described are methods of transforming and gene editing using the Cannabis meristem explants disclosed herein.

Abstract: A Railroad Tie Management System is disclosed that can provide an efficient and organized method of inspecting and auditing ties in a rail system. Tie mark files can be retrieved by a client from a server or database in operable communication with the client, and upon instantiation of an inspection process governed by the system, an inspection information table and tie grid can be generated. The tie grid can operable to receive commands from a user, and the inspection information table is operable to automatically increment and decrement fields contained within in response to changes within the tie grid. The tie grid can also be configured to incorporate data from tie scans and serve the data to the client in a useful and user-friendly manner.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to ion-exchange systems and devices that can monitor key parameters related to the performance of the ion-exchange device. Specifically, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can provide real time voltage drop across groups of membrane pairs using diagnostic spacer borders between the pairs. In addition, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can monitor the compression force applied by the compression plates holding the ion-exchange systems and devices together.

Abstract: A surface profile measuring instrument (1), and method, for measuring the surface profile of a substrate (13). The surface profile measuring instrument (1) comprises an electromagnetic probe (8), the electromagnetic probe (8) comprising a probe tip operable to be brought into proximity with a surface of a substrate (13) to be measured, a drive unit (2) operable to generate a low frequency magnetic field penetrating the surface of the substrate (13), a pick up unit (3) operable to detect the strength of the magnetic field and output a magnetic field strength reading and a computation unit (4) operable to determine a surface profile measurement based on the magnetic field strength reading.

Abstract: A shower assembly. The assembly may include a shower device including a device housing defining an inlet communicating with an inlet chamber, an outlet and a waterway communicating between the inlet chamber and the outlet, the device housing further defining a receptacle having a closed end and an open end, the inlet chamber being behind the closed end, the waterway extending along the receptacle from the closed end toward the open end; and a second device supportable in the receptacle. The outlet may define an outlet plane, and the second device may include a housing providing an outlet, the outlet being one of aligned with and positioned forwardly of the outlet plane when the speaker is supported in the receptacle. The assembly may further include a magnetic connecting structure operable to releasably connect the second device and the shower device.

Abstract: A multi-spectral optical imaging device includes a switchable element configured to be switched between first and second states, one of which alters a polarization of light, and a geometric phase element arranged to receive the light from the switchable element. The geometric phase element is configured to diffract a first wavelength band of the light to alter a direction of propagation thereof based on the polarization and without substantially altering a direction of propagation of a second wavelength band of the light, responsive to the first state of the switchable element. Related optical shutters and multi-spectral optical detectors are also discussed.