Abstract: A loop back connector and methods for testing lines in a fiber optic network are disclosed. The loop back connector includes a ferrule having an interface side constructed for optical connection to a multifiber optical cable. The loop back connector also includes first and second optical loop back paths, each having first and second terminal ends positioned at the interface side. The terminal ends of each loop back path are adapted to be aligned to fibers in the multifiber optical cable. The method includes injecting a signal on a first optical path at a first location, looping back the signal at a second location onto a second optical path, and receiving the signal on the second optical path at the first location.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computing system receives one or more signals indicative of light intensities captured by one or more cameras. These signals are captured in a plurality of frames at a first frame rate. The computing system calculates light intensity metrics for each frame of the plurality of frames based on the one or more signals captured in the respective frames. The computing system detects one or more peaks based on the light intensity metrics associated with one or more frames of the plurality of frames. The one or more frames were captured in a predetermined time period. The computing system determines a likelihood of perceptible flicker based on the detected one or more peaks. The computing system generates a notification indicating the likelihood of perceptible flicker in response to a determination that the likelihood of perceptible flicker exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01078115. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01078115. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01078115 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01078115 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for assisting a physically handicapped individual to obtain a ride in an autonomous vehicle. In one exemplary embodiment, a physically handicapped individual can use a helper application installed in a smartphone to initiate a request for an autonomous vehicle. Upon receiving the request, the helper application determines a first set of location coordinates of the physically handicapped individual and a second set of location coordinates of an autonomous vehicle that is available to provide the ride. The helper application may use the first set and/or the second set of location coordinates to identify a parking spot for the autonomous vehicle. The smartphone then transmits to the autonomous vehicle, a first set of instructions directing the autonomous vehicle to drive to the parking spot, and a second set of instructions to the physically handicapped individual to assist in moving to the parking spot.

Abstract: A heatsink comprising a heat exchange device having a plurality of heat exchange elements each having a surface boundary with respect to a heat transfer fluid, having successive elements or regions having varying size scales. According to one embodiment, an accumulation of dust or particles on a surface of the heatsink is reduced by a removal mechanism. The mechanism can be thermal pyrolysis, vibration, blowing, etc. In the case of vibration, adverse effects on the system to be cooled may be minimized by an active or passive vibration suppression system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling access to one or more media devices that may be shared among multiple users, such as multiple residents in a controlled-environment facility, are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes operating at least one computer system. Operating the at least one computer system includes checking out a media device. Checking out the media device comprises enabling the media device for use for a first duration of a first timer. Operating the at least one computer system further includes, upon expiration of the first duration of the first timer, disabling use of the media device, and checking in the media device. The media device is prohibited from being checked out for a second duration of a second timer.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a floor and a roof. A panel is removably attached to and supported by the floor. The panel is designed to engage a personal mobility device. An airbag housing is supported by the roof and moveably relative to the roof along a cross-vehicle axis and along a vehicle-longitudinal axis. An airbag is supported by the airbag housing. The airbag is inflatable to an inflated position that extends from the airbag housing towards the panel.

Abstract: A transportation system comprising a logic node configured to determine an optimized rendezvous location for a vehicle in an area based at least in part on traffic data associated with a plurality of vehicles in the area; and a communication element adapted to communicate the optimized rendezvous location to the vehicle.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to apply a transform function to a plurality of images from a real-world dataset to generate a plurality of feature vectors, to apply a subspace generation algorithm to generate basis vectors of a subspace, and to project a simulated image onto the subspace to generate a realistic synthetic image.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for using microlens arrays for parallel micropatterning of features. A method includes emitting a laser beam providing the laser beam to a lenslet array including a plurality of lenslets, and generating, from the laser beam, a plurality of laser sub-beams using the lenslet array. Each one of the plurality of laser sub-beams is generated by a corresponding one of the plurality of lenslets. Each lenslet of the plurality of lenslets has the same shape.

Abstract: A torsion shaft for a seat belt retractor assembly, the torsion shaft being connectable at a first location to a spool for receiving a seat belt and connectable at a second location to a locking mechanism, the first and second locations being spaced apart along a length of the torsion shaft, wherein the torsion shaft is configured to deform when a torsion force is applied between the first and second locations during an impact event, wherein the torsion shaft comprises a cavity and a fluid is provided in said cavity so as to support the torsion shaft as the torsion shaft deforms during the impact event.

Abstract: The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01078550. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01078550. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01078550 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01078550 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for balancing a plurality of fuel injectors. In one example, a method includes adjusting direct injector parameters in response to a learned direct injector fueling error. The pulse-width supplied to the direct injectors is adjusted to balance cylinder fueling.

Abstract: Methods for reducing read disturb using NAND strings with poly-silicon channels and p-type doped source lines are described. During a boosted read operation for a selected memory cell transistor in a NAND string, a back-gate bias or bit line voltage may be applied to a bit line connected to the NAND string and a source line voltage greater than the bit line voltage may be applied to a source line connected to the NAND string; with these bias conditions, electrons may be injected from the bit line and annihilated in the source line during the read operation. To avoid leakage currents through NAND strings in non-selected memory blocks, the threshold voltages of source-side select gate transistors of the NAND strings may be set to a negative threshold voltage that has an absolute voltage value greater than the source line voltage applied during the read operation.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to minimizing delay when a customer seeks a ride in a ride-hail vehicle at a crowded venue where multiple customers are attempting to obtain rides in ride-hail vehicles. In an example procedure, a ride-hail service provider responds to a ride request originated from a personal device of the customer by providing a ride-ID code or some other form of ride-confirmation data. The customer enters any ride-hail vehicle at the crowded venue without interacting with the driver of the vehicle prior to getting into the vehicle. The personal device of the customer then uses communications such as Bluetooth® to execute a triangulation procedure for determining whether the personal device is inside the vehicle. Upon confirming that the personal device is inside the vehicle, the ride-ID code is automatically transmitted to a personal device of the driver and further communications may then be carried out for authenticating the ride.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive memory device includes a magnetic tunnel junction including a free layer, at least two tunneling dielectric barrier layers, and at least one metallic quantum well layer. The quantum well layer leads to the resonant electron tunneling through the magnetic tunnel junction in such a way that it strongly enhances the tunneling probability for one of the magnetization states of the free layer, while this tunneling probability remains much smaller in the opposite magnetization state of the free layer. The device can be configured in a spin transfer torque device configuration, a voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy, a voltage controlled exchange coupling device configuration, or a spin-orbit-torque device configuration.

Abstract: A data storage device includes at least one data storage disc, at least one head supported by a rotatable actuator arm, an elevator configured to move the rotatable actuator arm in a z direction, a first vertical guide post, a ramp assembly configured to support the head on a movable ramp, and a bracket attached to the movable ramp. The at least one head is configured to communicate with the at least one data storage disc when positioned over the at least one data storage disc. The movable ramp is moveable in a z direction parallel to the first vertical guide post. The bracket is engageable to the rotatable actuator arm so that the bracket moves along the first vertical guide post in unison with z direction motion of the rotatable actuator arm via the elevator, and the bracket is disengageable from the rotatable actuator arm.

Abstract: The method of monitoring an operation includes acquiring data from sensors including images of a workspace in which the operation is to be performed, identifying a human operator and a controlled element within the workspace using the acquired images, determining whether the operation has initiated based on a known activation trigger, estimating pose of the human operator using the images, monitoring state of the controlled element based on acquired data, and determining whether an abnormality occurred based on the estimated pose, the state of the controlled element, a duration of the operation, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A soybean cultivar designated 91041800 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 91041800, to the plants of soybean cultivar 91041800, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 91041800, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 91041800. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 91041800. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 91041800, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 91041800 with another soybean cultivar.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a first reflector and a second reflector. The first reflector is positioned to receive first light having a first polarization and provide the first light toward a first direction, and receive second light having the first polarization and provide the second light toward a second direction. The second reflector is positioned to receive the second light from the first reflector and reflect the second light back toward the first reflector. The first reflector receives light having a second polarization, having been reflected by the second reflector, and provide the light toward the first direction so that a first image corresponding to the first light and a second image corresponding to the second light are projected on a common image plane where at least a portion of the second image is located between two portions of the first image.