Abstract: A fiber-optic cable includes an optical fiber that transports a forward-propagating laser beam. The optical fiber includes a core, a cladding, and an output end-face emitting the forward-propagating beam. The fiber-optic cable also includes a mode-stripper, along a segment of the optical fiber, that couples out backward-propagating radiation that has been coupled into the cladding at the output end-face. The fiber-optic cable further includes a waveguide having a waveguide body with a bore containing at least part of the segment of the optical fiber. The bore is defined by an inward-facing surface that guides at least a fraction of the backward-propagating radiation, coupled out of the cladding by the mode-stripper, toward a rear opening of the bore farthest from the output end-face. Additionally, the fiber-optic cable includes one or more sensors or fiber ports that receive portions of the backward-propagating radiation emerging from the rear opening.

Abstract: A system for facilitating efficient hardware-firmware interactions may include (i) a plurality of memory registers, (ii) a hardware module that directly reads from and writes to the plurality of memory registers and is configured to interpret a special marker that distinguishes between register write operations and non-register-write operations, and (iii) a firmware module that directs the hardware module to perform operations at least in part by sending the special marker. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fifth wheel control arrangement (100) for an articulated vehicle comprising a fifth wheel having a biased hinge joint and an actuator (115) arranged to control a biasing force and/or a damping force of the biased hinge joint. The control arrangement comprises a control unit configured to automatically control the actuator in response to one or more input sensor signals associated with a current state of the articulated vehicle, to obtain a target wheel axle load of the articulated vehicle and/or to stabilize the articulated vehicle.

Abstract: A system includes optics for ultraviolet light or electrons. The optics are situated in a chamber and include a surface to control a path of photons or electrons. The system also includes a lubricated component that is distinct from the surface and is situated in the chamber. The lubricated component is lubricated with a lubricant that includes an ionic liquid having a cation and an anion, wherein at least one of the cation or the anion is organic.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application set forth a computer-implemented method for accessing data comprising receiving, by a first storage controller at a first spoke network and from an entity remote to the first spoke network, a message identifying a first content item, where the first content item is identified based on a task that is to be performed by accessing the first content item, determining, by the first storage controller, a first storage partition that stores the first content item, where the first storage partition is included in a tiered group of storage partitions accessible by the first spoke network, retrieving, by the first storage controller from the first storage partition, the first content item, and causing, by the first storage controller, the first content item to be transmitted to a second spoke network for storage in a second storage partition accessible by the second spoke network.

Abstract: An approach for processing an image is presented. A category specifying characteristics of a shape of a license plate of a vehicle is determined. Characteristics of objects in the image are determined to match the characteristics of the shape. The image is determined to include the license plate and an identifier. A category specifying characteristics of an order of alphanumeric characters in the identifier is determined. Characteristics of the objects in the image are determined to not match the characteristics of the order of the alphanumeric characters in the identifier and based on the lack of a match, the image is determined to not include an identifiable license plate. Responsive to determining the image does not include the identifiable license plate, the image is determined to be invalid and a manual character recognition process for determining identifiers on license plates is bypassed.

Abstract: An approach for processing an image is presented. A category specifying characteristics of a shape of a license plate of a vehicle is determined. Characteristics of objects in the image are determined to match the characteristics of the shape. The image is determined to include the license plate and an identifier. A category specifying characteristics of an order of alphanumeric characters in the identifier is determined. Characteristics of the objects in the image are determined to not match the characteristics of the order of the alphanumeric characters in the identifier and based on the lack of a match, the image is determined to not include an identifiable license plate. Responsive to determining the image does not include the identifiable license plate, the image is determined to be invalid and a manual character recognition process for determining identifiers on license plates is bypassed.

Abstract: An approach for processing an image is presented. A category specifying characteristics of a shape of a license plate is determined. Based on the category, characteristics of objects in the image are determined to match the characteristics of the shape of the license plate. Another category specifying characteristics of a font of characters in an identifier included in the license plate is determined. Based on the other category, the characteristics of the objects in the image are determined to not match the characteristics of the font. Based on the characteristics of the objects in the image not matching the characteristics of the font, the image is determined to not include an identifiable license plate. Responsive to determining the image does not include the identifiable license plate, the image is determined to be invalid and a manual character recognition process for determining identifiers in license plates is bypassed.

Abstract: An approach for processing an image is presented. A category specifying characteristics of a shape of a license plate is determined. Based on the category, characteristics of objects in the image are determined to match the characteristics of the shape of the license plate. Another category specifying characteristics of a font of characters in an identifier included in the license plate is determined. Based on the other category, the characteristics of the objects in the image are determined to not match the characteristics of the font. Based on the characteristics of the objects in the image not matching the characteristics of the font, the image is determined to not include an identifiable license plate. Responsive to determining the image does not include the identifiable license plate, the image is determined to be invalid and a manual character recognition process for determining identifiers in license plates is bypassed.

Abstract: An approach for processing an image is presented. A category specifying characteristics of a shape of a license plate of a vehicle is determined. Based on the category, characteristics of objects in the image are determined match the characteristics of the shape of the license plate. Another category specifying characteristics of a background color of the license plate is determined. Based on the other category, the characteristics of the objects in the image do not match the characteristics of the background color. Based on the characteristics of the objects in the image not matching the characteristics of the background color of the license plate, the image is determined to not include an identifiable license plate. Responsive to determining the image does not include the identifiable license plate, the image is determined to be invalid and a manual character recognition process for determining identifiers in license plates is bypassed.

Abstract: Methods for controlling power states in a computing device, and apparatus for performing such methods are disclosed. An example method includes monitoring a plurality of sensors included in a computing device. The method further includes detecting, based on the monitoring, occurrence of at least one of a change in physical orientation of the computing device and one or more changes in an ambient environment of the computing device and, responsive to a detected change, activating a controller of the computing device. The method also includes providing, from the sensors to the controller, data corresponding with the at least one of the detected changes. The method still further includes selecting, by the controller, based on the data provided by the sensors, a power state for the computing device and transitioning the computing device to the selected power state.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a circuit can include a printed circuit board having an opening defined therein and an electrical write line disposed on the circuit board. The electrical write line can be connected to a semiconductor memory device, and be configured to transmit a write voltage signal to the semiconductor memory device to write data therein in a write mode of the circuit. The circuit can also include an input voltage terminal disposed on the circuit board. The input voltage terminal can be configured to receive a write-protection voltage. The circuit can also include a reversible closing element that, when inserted in the opening in the circuit board, electrically connects the electrical write line and the input voltage terminal to pass the write- protection voltage to the electrical write line connected to the semiconductor memory device to reversibly enable a write-protect mode of the circuit.

Abstract: Methods for controlling power states in a computing device, and apparatus for performing such methods are disclosed. An example method includes monitoring a plurality of sensors included in a computing device. The method further includes detecting, based on the monitoring, occurrence of at least one of a change in physical orientation of the computing device and one or more changes in an ambient environment of the computing device and, responsive to a detected change, activating a controller of the computing device. The method also includes providing, from the sensors to the controller, data corresponding with the at least one of the detected changes. The method still further includes selecting, by the controller, based on the data provided by the sensors, a power state for the computing device and transitioning the computing device to the selected power state.

Abstract: An approach for processing an image is presented. A category specifying characteristics of a shape of a license plate of a vehicle is determined. Based on the category, characteristics of objects in the image are determined match the characteristics of the shape of the license plate. Another category specifying characteristics of a background color of the license plate is determined. Based on the other category, the characteristics of the objects in the image do not match the characteristics of the background color. Based on the characteristics of the objects in the image not matching the characteristics of the background color of the license plate, the image is determined to not include an identifiable license plate. Responsive to determining the image does not include the identifiable license plate, the image is determined to be invalid and a manual character recognition process for determining identifiers in license plates is bypassed.

Abstract: Methods for controlling power states in a computing device, and apparatus for performing such methods are disclosed. An example method includes monitoring a plurality of sensors included in a computing device. The method further includes detecting, based on the monitoring, occurrence of at least one of a change in physical orientation of the computing device and one or more changes in an ambient environment of the computing device and, responsive to a detected change, activating a controller of the computing device. The method also includes providing, from the sensors to the controller, data corresponding with the at least one of the detected changes. The method still further includes selecting, by the controller, based on the data provided by the sensors, a power state for the computing device and transitioning the computing device to the selected power state.

Abstract: An approach for processing an image is presented. A category specifying characteristics of a shape of a license plate of a vehicle is determined. Based on the category, characteristics of objects in the image are determined to not match the characteristics of the shape of the license plate. Based on the characteristics of the objects in the image not matching the characteristics of the shape of the license plate, the image is determined to not include an identifiable license plate. In response to determining the image does not include the identifiable license plate, the image is determined to be invalid and a manual character recognition process for determining identifiers in license plates is bypassed.

Abstract: Methods for controlling power states in a computing device, and apparatus for performing such methods are disclosed. An example method includes monitoring a plurality of sensors included in a computing device. The method further includes detecting, based on the monitoring, occurrence of at least one of a change in physical orientation of the computing device and one or more changes in an ambient environment of the computing device and, responsive to a detected change, activating a controller of the computing device. The method also includes providing, from the sensors to the controller, data corresponding with the at least one of the detected changes. The method still further includes selecting, by the controller, based on the data provided by the sensors, a power state for the computing device and transitioning the computing device to the selected power state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to produce gels for electrophoresis, wherein at least two monomer solutions are printed in a pattern on a substrate and the printed substrate is exposed to electromagnetic or ionising radiation so as to initiate polymerisation. The gels are useful for electrophoretic separation of proteins, peptides and/or nucleic acids.

Abstract: Various example embodiments are disclosed. According to an example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may include computer-executable instructions stored thereon. When executed by at least one processor, the instructions may be configured to cause a computing system to receive, by a web browser, a file from a web server, the file including an instruction to launch a plug-in of the browser, launch the plug-in in an active state based on the instruction, provide a message to the plug-in indicating that the plug-in is hidden and is not displayed as visible by the web browser, and modify running of the plug-in from the active state based on the message.

Abstract: An approach for processing an image is presented. A category specifying characteristics of a shape of a license plate of a vehicle is determined. Based on the category, characteristics of objects in the image are determined to not match the characteristics of the shape of the license plate. Based on the characteristics of the objects in the image not matching the characteristics of the shape of the license plate, the image is determined to not include an identifiable license plate. In response to determining the image does not include the identifiable license plate, the image is determined to be invalid and a manual character recognition process for determining identifiers in license plates is bypassed.