Abstract: An agent application executing on a client device retrieves an execute command from a command queue managed by a server and retrieves certificates and configuration settings for establishing a virtual private network (VPN) connection. An enrollment application resident on the client device executes in response to the execute command to modify a network setting of a network interface card (NIC) of the client device and establish a VPN connection with a domain controller located within the corporate domain using the certificate and configuration settings. The enrollment application further transmits a request over the VPN connection to the domain controller to join the corporate domain, wherein a corporate account in a directory service is established for the client device; reverts back to the prior network setting of the NIC and terminates the VPN connection and reboots the client device.

Abstract: A method of supplying water using a natural water pipeline includes withdrawing impaired water from an impaired water body connected to a waterway and treating the impaired water from the impaired water body to produce treated water. The method also includes discharging the treated water into the waterway and conveying the treated water via the waterway to one or more locations proximate to one or more remote operational facilities that withdraws water from the waterway at the one or more locations. The method further includes receiving a monetary value from one or more operational entities operating the one or more remote operational facilities and providing at least a portion of one or more water access rights to the one or more operational entities in exchange for the monetary value.

Abstract: Techniques for request processing may include: receiving, at a data storage system, a plurality of requests from one or more clients, wherein the plurality of requests are in accordance with an application programming interface (API); collecting usage information regarding the plurality of requests; and periodically transmitting portions of the usage information to a data center. The usage information may include usage statistics regarding usage aspects of the API with respect to different types or classes of components in the data storage system. The usage information may be further analyzed for any suitable purpose such as to prioritize and identify existing features, services and/or commands for further development and improvement; identify unused or infrequently used features, commands, and/or parameters; and identify potential user interface enhancement.

Abstract: An apparatus to preserve liquid from a medicine vial may include a vial coupling member forming a vial coupling member cavity and a container forming a cavity. The apparatus may further include a first fluid pathway forming a first lumen that is in fluid communication with the vial coupling member cavity and the cavity and a second fluid pathway forming a second lumen that is in fluid communication with the vial coupling member cavity and the cavity. The vial coupling member cavity, the cavity, the first lumen, and the second lumen may form a sterile environment that is sealed from contaminants in an ambient environment. The apparatus may include a disengaging member configured to permit the container to disengage from the first fluid pathway and the second fluid pathway while permanently sealing at least one of the first lumen or the second lumen.

Abstract: A system includes a frame and a first pair of rollers coupled to a first side of the frame. The first pair of rollers is configured to support a first end of a pipe reel. The system also includes a first cradle disposed longitudinally between the first pair of rollers and a second pair of rollers coupled to a second side of the frame. The second pair of rollers is configured to support a second end of a pipe reel. The system also includes a second cradle disposed longitudinally between the second pair of rollers, a pipe guide coupled to a third side of the frame between the first and second sides, a pipe brake coupled to the frame, and a pipe re-spooler coupled to the frame.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to securely generating and managing passwords using a near-field communication (NFC) enabled contactless smart card. For example, a secure password may be generated by generating a random number via a random number generator of the contactless smart card and converting the random number to one or more human-readable characters. In another example, a secure cryptographic hash function of the contactless smart card may generate a hash output value, which may be converted to one or more human-readable characters. The human-readable characters may be used as the secure password or it may be transformed to add more layers of security and complexity.

Abstract: A system and process for producing carbon nano-materials is disclosed. A carbonate material such as Li2CO3 is heated via a furnace to transform into molten carbonate. CO2 is bubbled into the molten carbonate. The molten carbonate is subjected to electrolysis by passing current from an anode to a cathode. A transition metal nucleation agent is added to result in nucleation sites that grow carbon nano-materials at the cathode. This process separates oxygen at the anode and carbon nano-materials at the cathode. The characteristics of the carbon nano-material may be controlled by varying current density, feed gas, transition metal composition, temperature, viscosity and electrolyte composition.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing cooling to vehicle systems on an autonomous vehicle from a plurality of cooling sources are provided. A cooling system can include a thermal interface configured to provide cooling to one or more vehicle systems of the autonomous vehicle, a plurality of cooling sources coupled to the thermal interface, and a controller configured to control each cooling source to provide a respective cooling to the thermal interface to meet a total cooling parameter for the one or more vehicle systems. Each cooling source can be configured to provide a respective cooling capacity to the thermal interface. The thermal interface can be configured to receive the respective cooling provided by each of the cooling sources. The thermal interface can be further configured to provide the respective cooling received by each of the cooling sources to the one or more vehicle systems to meet the total cooling parameter.

Abstract: A method for data storage includes assigning multiple different portions of a given object, which is stored in non-volatile storage, for access by multiple respective software modules running on one or more processors. Storage operations are performed by the software modules in the portions of the given object. Respective local values, which are indicative of most-recent times the storage operations were performed in the given object by the respective software modules, are updated by the software modules. A global value is updated for the given object, by consolidating updates of the local values performed by the software modules.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosures is a method that includes applying a perovskite precursor solution to a first solid conductor and treating the perovskite precursor solution such that a first portion of the perovskite precursor solution is converted to a first solid perovskite, where the first solid conductor comprises a first charge transport characteristic, which is predominantly p-type or predominantly n-type, and the treating results in the first solid perovskite having a second charge transport characteristic that is substantially the same as the first charge transport characteristic.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for pulsed charging applications comprises a bulk capacitor operably connected to a power source, an inductor connected to the bulk capacitor with a charge switch, a pulse capacitor connected to the inductor, a freewheeling diode connecting a point between the charge switch and the inductor to a point after the pulse capacitor, a second diode connecting the inductor to the pulse capacitor, and a pulse switch connecting the pulse capacitor to a load.

Abstract: A bowed barrier extends across a passageway to prevent pets or children from moving through the passageway. The bowed barrier has a barrier panel, such as a plastic sheet, and a perimeter retainer, such as foam, that extends along the left and right sides of the barrier panel. The perimeter retainer interfaces with the sides of the passageway to retain the bowed barrier in place. The stress induced in the bowed barrier panel creates a force that retains the bowed barrier in a bowed configuration across the passageway. The convex side of the bowed barrier faces a barrier area, or area where a pet or small child may be confined to. If the child or pet pushes on the convex side of the bowed barrier, the bowed barrier has increased force against the passageway, thereby preventing the bowed barrier panel from being dislodged.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation is disclosed. In an embodiment, the system may include a plurality of electric pumps configured to pump fluid into a wellbore associated with a well at a high pressure; at least one turbine generator electrically coupled to the plurality of electric pumps so as to generate electricity for use by the plurality of electric pumps, each turbine generator having at least one air intake channel; and an air chiller system associated with the at least one turbine generator, the air chiller system comprising: a chiller unit configured to chill a fluid; and at least one coil in fluid communication with the chiller unit and positioned adjacent to the at least one air intake channel, wherein the air chiller system is configured to increase a power output of the at least one turbine generator.

Abstract: A high voltage electric power switch with an anti-flashover nozzle that suppresses the likelihood of a flashover occurring between switch components other than the switch contactors, such as the nozzle casing around the first contactor (e.g., female or socket) and the casing around the second contactor (e.g., male or pin) during an opening stroke of the contactors. The anti-flashover features include a corona ring positioned at the proximal end of the nozzle casing and a nozzle clamp ring positioned to the distal side of a nozzle casing abutment that mates with a nozzle receiver. The conventional nozzle includes a nib-shaped proximal end of the nozzle casing carrying a clamp ring positioned on the proximal side of the abutment. The new nozzle design reduces the high level of electric field stress created by the conventional nozzle casing to suppress the likelihood of a flashover occurring between the contactor casings.

Abstract: A quantitative method for performing an automated diagnostic assay, comprising: incubating a capture reagent with a streptavidin-coated medium to form a solid phase complex; washing the solid phase complex to remove excess capture reagent; incubating the solid phase complex with a serum sample to form an immune complex; washing the immune complex to remove any unbound sample; incubating the immune complex with a conjugate to create an immune-conjugate complex; washing the immune-conjugate complex to remove any unbound conjugate; introducing a substrate capable of generating a quantifiable response; and calibrating the response generated from introducing the substrate.

Abstract: A drive shaft includes an extruded internal tube having teeth formed thereon. The drive shaft also includes an extruded external tube having teeth formed therein and coaxially receiving the internal tube. The teeth of the internal tube engaging the teeth of the external tube, wherein the internal tube and the external tube are aluminum.

Abstract: An example method can comprise receiving an encoding parameter associated with a first content transmission. The encoding parameter can indicate a level of complexity to encode the first content transmission. The method can comprise selecting, based on the encoding parameter, a second content transmission. The second content transmission can be encoded at a second bit rate that is different than a first bit rate of the first content transmission. The method can also comprise generating a third content transmission. The third content transmission can comprise the second content transmission.

Abstract: A sports bar in a truck is provided. The sports bar may comprise a base including a first member and a second member coupled to the first member via a pivot bracket, and a hoop pivotally connected to the pivot bracket to be rotatable between an open position and a closed position. A top of the hoop is adjacent to a cabin of the truck at the closed position and the top of the hoop is at a rear of a truck bed at the open position.