Abstract: The invention contemplates a copolymer which is a graft or block copolymer useful to change wettability and surface characteristics of biological surfaces. Methods for use of these formulations and coatings to change wettability and sterically stabilize, and lubricate biological surfaces in a subject, for example, in the treatment of dry eye syndrome, and to prevent adherence of unwanted proteins, for example in the treatment of contact lens intolerance, are provided.

Abstract: An animal relocation system and method comprising a perimeter net system a trapping net system, and a flushing device, wherein the flushing device channels the animal through the perimeter net system and into the trapping net.

Abstract: A system to treat effluent in a septic tank includes filter sections having kerfs. A strainer removes solid debris from the filter for removal without allowing the solid debris to pass. An aerator includes an eight to twelve inch diameter pipe 4 to 6 feet tall matching tank invert height. The aerator has bottom inlet holes, each with an elbow on the outside with a vertical standpipe taking effluent from the clear zone, sending it through the aerator. Air inlet piping is attached to a “T” shaped air diffuser producing bubbles traveling upward through plastic media. Aerator height is field adjusted to approximately 2 inches below static water level. Holes in the upper sidewalls just below the top let air bubbles out sideways. At its top, the aerator has a slotted, sliding, anti-turbulation collar adjusted to be one to two inches above the static water level.

Abstract: A retaining wall assembly includes a concrete retaining wall including a bore, and a cylindrical tube fixed in the bore and sized to fixedly fit to a culvert pipe. The cylindrical tube includes a tube body and a flange extending radially outward from the tube body, and the flange is embedded in the retaining wall. The cylindrical tube, when fixedly fit inside the culvert pipe, supports a full weight of the retaining wall. A method of installing the retaining wall to the culvert pipe includes providing the retaining wall assembly, fixedly fitting the cylindrical tube to the culvert pipe, and providing only native soil directly below a bottom edge of the retaining wall.

Abstract: An optical interconnect device may include a multi-fiber connector at a first end of the optical interconnect device. The optical interconnect device may include an edge coupled connector at a second end of the optical interconnect device. The optical interconnect device may include a plurality of optical fibers disposed inside the multi-fiber connector and the edge coupled connector to optically couple the multi-fiber connector to the edge coupled connector, wherein the multi-fiber connector and the edge coupled connector rigidly interconnect to structurally support the optical interconnect device.

Abstract: Provided are methods, systems, and devices for generating annotations in images that can include receiving image data including images associated with locations. The images can include key images comprising one or more key annotations located at one or more key annotation locations in the one or more key images. At least one image and a pair of the key images that satisfies one or more annotation criteria can be selected based in part on one or more spatial relationships of the plurality of locations associated with the images. An annotation location for an annotation in the image can be determined based in part on the one or more key annotation locations of the one or more key annotations in the pair of the key images that satisfies the one or more annotation criteria. An annotation can be generated at the annotation location of the image.

Abstract: A method of video decoding for a video decoder that includes acquiring a current picture from a coded video bitstream. The method further includes selecting, from a history buffer that stores motion vector predictors of N previously decoded blocks. The method further includes selecting, from the history buffer, a second motion vector predictor of a second neighboring block of the current block. The method further includes selecting a first temporal block included in a previously decoded reference picture associated with the current picture, the first temporal block including a third motion vector predictor, the first temporal block being one of (i) neighboring to a collocated block of the current block and (ii) within the collocated block. The method further including determining a motion vector predictor of the current block using a weighted average of the first motion vector predictor, the second motion vector predictor, and the third motion vector predictor.

Abstract: A cooling module including a module panel comprising a bottom panel with top and bottom surfaces and a set of sidewalls coupled to the entire perimeter of the bottom panel. The bottom panel has openings to receive liquid cooling elements. The liquid cooling elements are inserted into the openings; each has an inlet and an outlet and is positioned so that there is a gap between the edges of the cooling element and the edges of the opening. The inlets and outlets are positioned on the side of the cooling element above the top surface of the bottom panel. A flexible deviation buffer is positioned in each gap and is coupled to the liquid cooling element and to the opening. The deviation buffer allows motion of the cooling element relative to the bottom panel while sealing the gap to prevent liquid from flowing through. The cooling module can improve liquid cooling reliability through quick leakage identification, leakage impact minimization, and segregation of liquid and electronics.

Abstract: Polyurethane foams including a polyurethane prepolymer composition, a catalyst, and a propellant are provided. The polyurethane prepolymer composition is produced from a formulation that includes an isocyanate reactive component in an amount of from about 1% to about 70% by weight based on the polyurethane prepolymer composition and an isocyanate component in an amount of from about 1% to about 70% by weight based on the polyurethane prepolymer composition. The isocyanate component includes toluene diisocyanate biuret in an amount of from about 1 to about 100% by weight based on the isocyanate component. The isocyanate reactive component includes one or more polyols. The polyurethane prepolymer composition has a viscosity of less than about 10,000 mPa*s at 50° C. and is substantially free of monofunctional reactive components. The polyurethane prepolymer composition also includes a free isocyanate monomer content of the toluene diisocyanate biuret of less than about 1% by weight.

Abstract: A method to extract and refine metal products from metal-bearing ores, including a method to extract and refine titanium products. Titanium products can be extracted from titanium-bearing ores with TiO2 and impurity levels unsuitable for conventional methods.

Abstract: A method includes receiving sound by a first audio unit installed in an electrical outlet, routing audio data corresponding to the received sound from the first audio unit to a second audio unit installed in a second electrical outlet, and sending the audio data to a mobile device using a wireless link between the mobile device and the second audio unit. Routing the audio data may include receiving the audio data from the first audio unit by a third audio unit and routing the audio data to the second audio unit by the third audio unit serving as a router. The data may be routed using table driven routing, on-demand routing or some other appropriate routing protocol. The method may also include performing voice recognition on the audio data and detecting a command word and routing command word data to the second audio unit.

Abstract: Methods and systems for rendering virtual displays using cryptographic symbols are disclosed. In one aspect, a display device is disclosed that includes a processor and data storage including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform operations. The operations include emitting infrared light toward a cryptographic symbol associated with a surface, receiving a reflection of the emitted natural or man-made sunlight from the cryptographic symbol, and, based on the reflection, decrypting the cryptographic symbol to determine a unique identifier. The operations further include, based on the identifier, generating a first virtual display, and rendering the first virtual display on an image of the surface, through a heads up display, or projected onto the surface.

Abstract: Functionalized ethylene-based polymers are prepared by a process comprising the step of reacting a first composition comprising an ethylene-based polymer with at least the following: (A) at least one carbon-carbon (C—C) free radical initiator of Structure I: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are each, independently, hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group; and wherein, optionally, two or more R groups (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6) form a ring structure; and with the provisos that (i) at least one of R2 and R5 is a hydrocarbyl group of at least two carbon atoms, and (ii) at least one of R3 and R6 is a hydrocarbyl group of at least two carbon atoms; and (B) at least one free radical initiator other than the carbon-carbon (C—C) free radical initiator of Structure I (a non-C—C free radical initiator), e.g., a peroxide; and (C) at least one functionalization agent, e.g., maleic anhydride.

Abstract: The present invention features methods for treating or reducing the severity of a microbial infection in an infant of a lactating mother. Compositions comprising food products fermented by Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74, International Depository Accession Number LMG P-24778 are administered to a pregnant or lactating mother in order to treat or attenuate the severity of a microbial infection in her offspring.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for fabricating and deploying an implantable device within the body. The invention is particularly suitable for delivering and deploying a stent, graft or stent graft device within a vessel or tubular structure within the body, particularly here the implant site involves two or more interconnecting vessels. The delivery and deployment system utilizes a plurality of strings which are releasably attached to the luminal ends of the implantable device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improved injector balancing. In one example, fuel rail pressure samples collected during a noisy zone of injector operation are discarded while samples collected during a quiet zone are averaged to determine an injector pressure. The injector pressure is then used to infer injection volume, injector error, and update an injector transfer function.