Abstract: A fiber-based accelerometer (FAC) detector includes a base; first and second flexures mechanically coupled to the base; first and second masses mechanically coupled to the first and second flexures, respectively; and a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) fiber mechanically coupled to the first and second masses, wherein the first and second flexures and the first and second masses are configured to move in response to a force and/or acceleration acting upon the first and second masses to produce a compression or expansion of the first FBG fiber.

Abstract: Systems and methods involving biometric authentication of transaction cards including aspects of exception handling, deactivation and other features are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exemplary computer-implemented method may comprise generating a first user interface having one or more interactive UI elements that enable a card owner to manage a plurality of features associated with a transaction card, and determining, if a biometric-activated control is enabled and the vendor is not excluded from the biometric-activated control, whether the transaction card is biometrically-active. Further, the interactive UI elements may include elements such as a first UI element that is configured to allow the card owner to enable a biometric-activated control of the transaction card, and/or a second UI element that is configured to allow the card owner to exclude one or more vendors from the biometric-activated control.

Abstract: An agricultural baler includes a processing conveyance that is positioned between a pickup roll and a main bale chamber for conveying crop material from the pickup roll to the main bale chamber. The processing conveyance includes at least one of a bottom wall and side wall having at least one sieve with a plurality of openings extending through the sieve. The openings are sized and configured for allowing non-crop material to exit from the at least one processing conveyance through the openings.

Abstract: A radio communication system for transmitting data to a ground station includes plural stochastically distributed orbiting satellites with plural antennas traversing a portion of the earth's surface divided into zones. The ground station has a unique address identifying itself and the zone where it is located. A local area network associated with the ground node includes at least one satellite that stores the identity of a satellite antenna paired with a ground station antenna to form a radio link for transmitting data onboard the satellite to the ground station. Other satellites in the local area network store the ground node address and the identity of an antenna paired with an antenna in another satellite that also has stored the ground node address. A wide area network includes at least one satellite, each of which stores the identity of an antenna paired with an antenna of another satellite that has stored the ground node zone to form at least one inter-satellite radio link.

Abstract: A method of preparing a surgical plan comprises video capturing a range of motion of an anatomic joint of a patient to obtain a range of motion video, registering the range of motion video to two-dimensional images of a skeleton of the patient, identifying potential impingement and stability issues in the anatomic joint based on the range of motion video, templating a prosthetic implant on two-dimensional images of the anatomic joint using the identified potential impingement and stability issues of the anatomic joint to obtain position and orientation data, and electronically saving the position and orientation data of the prosthetic implant for use with a surgical navigation system. A system for planning and performing a surgical procedure comprises a motion capture system, an x-ray system, an electronic modeling system, and a surgical navigation system.

Abstract: A furniture item comprises various components for assembly thereof. The furniture items include a substantially flat seat portion, a substantially flat back portion, connectors for securing the flat seat portion to the flat back portion, and a plurality of legs for attachment to the seat portion. Cushions are provided and may be configured to form barriers for use adjacent the seat portion and the back portion when packed in a container. Additionally, compressed and sealed cushions may also be provided to form barriers for use adjacent the seat portion and back portion when packed in a container.

Abstract: A lidar system comprises a light source configured to emit pulses of light, a scanner configured to direct the pulses of light along a scan direction, where each of the pulses of light illuminates a respective field of view of the light source, and a receiver configured to detect the pulses of light scattered by remote targets. The receiver includes a low-gain detector associated with a low gain and a high-gain detector associated with a high gain. The low-gain detector is positioned so that a first scattered pulse of light that returns from a first target, located closer to the receiver than a second target, is detected primarily by the low-gain detector, and a second scattered pulse of light that returns from the second target is detected primarily by the high-gain detector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for surgically repairing a tear in soft tissue is disclosed. A plurality of collapsible tubes are positioned about the suture. The collapsible tubes are pushed through soft tissue and orthopedic mesh on opposite sides of a tear in soft tissue. When tension is applied to the suture, the tubes are compressed to fix the suture to the soft tissue and draw the soft tissue portions together.

Abstract: A scalable analysis system is described herein that performs common data analysis operations such as distinct counts and data grouping in a more scalable and efficient manner. The system allows distinct counts and data grouping to be applied to large datasets with predictable growth in the cost of the operation. The system dynamically partitions data based on the actual data distribution, which provides both scalability and uncompromised performance. The system sets a budget of available memory or other resources to use for the operation. As the operation progresses, the system determines whether the budget of memory is nearing exhaustion. Upon detecting that the memory used is near the limit, the system dynamically partitions the data. If the system still detects memory pressure, then the system partitions again, until a partition level is identified that fits within the memory budget.

Abstract: A Trustonic DRM Plug-in is provided that can be downloaded and operate in conjunction with an Android framework. The solution also includes a PVP with the downloadable DRM. The system includes components that can be added by Trustonic based on the Android 4.3 Framework in addition to current t-base 300 that can be used by any DRM vendor. The system enables the DRM to be downloaded in the field since all DRMs could use the standard API services of the Android 4.3 OS. With a codec component employed like H.264 or HEVC that can use the PVP with the downloaded DRM component, the Android video player can use the component to satisfy HD content security requirements.

Abstract: A micro-endoscope and method of making the same includes a mounting housing, a camera module received within the mounting housing, and an encapsulation material interposed between the camera module and the mounting housing for fixedly mounting the camera module within the mounting housing and/or inhibiting the passage of light between the camera module and the mounting housing. The micro-endoscope further includes a light guide having the mounting housing received therein.

Abstract: Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure describe implementation of an exemplary synchronization protocol to identify file data for synchronization as well as negotiate how to achieve data transport for synchronization of the file data. In one example, a request for synchronization of data is received from a processing device. In response to receiving the request, a response is generated. The response may comprise: identification of file data for synchronization, instructions for accessing the file data and instructions indicating a data transport protocol to utilize to obtain the file data. The response may be transmitted to the processing device, for example, to enable the processing device to synchronize file data. Other examples are also described.

Abstract: Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) mixed salts are formulated to induce or sustain ketosis in a subject. The BHB mixed salts provide a biologically balanced set of cationic electrolytes and avoid detrimental health effects associated with imbalanced electrolyte ratios. BHB mixed salt compositions include two, three or four of sodium BHB, potassium BHB, calcium BHB, or magnesium BHB. BHB mixed salt compositions include R-BHB and/or S-BHB, such as enriched with either R-BHB or S-BHB. BHB mixed salt compositions may include BHB mixed salts and beta-hydroxybutyric acid. BHB mixed salts may be provided as or mixed with a dietetically or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. BHB mixed salt compositions can be a solid, such as a powder, or a liquid, such as a beverage. A mixed salt-acid composition is particularly well-suited for flavored beverages.

Abstract: Ceiling tiles for drop ceilings and drop ceilings with such tiles are disclosed. The ceiling tiles have a main portion that is sized and adapted to fit within a grid of the drop ceiling, and a baffle that hangs down from the main portion. The ceiling tiles may be arranged such that they can be made, shipped, and sold in a flat configuration and folded into a three-dimensional configuration with the down-hanging baffle for installation. For example, a sheet of tile material may have a plurality of fold lines defined in it that allow the sheet to fold in such a way as to define the main portion and the baffle. In the flat configuration, the sheet of tile material may have the dimensions of a standard drop ceiling tile; in the folded configuration, the ceiling tiles may also have standard ceiling-tile dimensions.

Abstract: Ketogenic compositions include a racemic mixture of R- and S-beta-hydroxybutyric acids and a racemic mixture of R- and S-beta-hydroxybutyrate salts. The compositions contain the R-enantiomer to elevate ketone bodies and increase the rate at which ketosis is achieved and yet contain an equivalent amount of the S-enantiomer to provide alternative benefits. The R- and S-beta-hydroxybutyric acids are more rapidly absorbed and utilized by the body than salts or esters, enhance taste, and reduce the need to include citric acid or other edible acids. The R- and S-beta-hydroxybutyrate salts are more slowly absorbed and utilized by the body and can provide one or more electrolytes. The ketogenic composition may contain a dietetically or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a racemic mixture of R- and S-beta-hydroxybutyrate salts and acids. The composition contains less than 100% by molar equivalents of total R,S-beta-hydroxybutyrate salts and more than 0% by molar equivalents of R,S-beta-hydroxybutyric acids.

Abstract: A remote agent for providing backup services to applications includes a persistent storage and a backup manager. The persistent storage stores backup policies for the applications. The backup manager identifies an application of the applications for providing the backup services; generates an application backup template based on a backup policy of the backup policies for the application; sends the generated application backup template to a production host that hosts the application; and makes a determination that the backup policy has been triggered. In response to the determination, the backup manager initiates a native data extraction from the application using the application backup template to obtain a native data dump; stores the native data dump in backup storage; and indexes the stored native data dump as a backup.

Abstract: A wearable wireless device may be configured for control of a parameter of a load control device. The load control device may be responsive to a network device, for example, to provide fine tune adjustment of the parameter. The wearable wireless device may include a touch-responsive visual display for displaying feedback of the parameter of the load control device. The visual display may be configured to be actuated to receive a user input to adjust the parameter of the load control device. An actuation of the visual display of the wearable wireless device may adjust the parameter by a greater percentage than the fine tune adjustment provided by the network device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to adjust vehicle suspension damping are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a sensor interface to obtain wheel position information and vehicle speed information from sensors associated with wheels of a vehicle and obtain throttle position information. The apparatus further includes a parameter analyzer to determine a compression damping command based on the wheel position information, the vehicle speed information, and the throttle position information and an instruction generator to adjust a damping system of the vehicle based on the compression damping command.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions comprising Z-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene and additional compounds that may be useful as refrigerants, heat transfer compositions, aerosol propellants, foaming agents, blowing agents, solvents, cleaning agents, carrier fluids, displacement drying agents, buffing abrasion agents, polymerization media, expansion agents for polyolefins and polyurethane, gaseous dielectrics, power cycle working fluids, extinguishing agents, and fire suppression agents in liquid or vapor form.

Abstract: Digital media assets depicting or otherwise representing portions of a property are captured via a media capture device, such as an unmanned vehicle, at various locations about a property. A positioning receiver tracks the location of the media capture device when each digital media asset is captured. A computing device associated with either the media capture device itself or a network-connected server automatically generates location-based categories—such as “front side” or “rear side” or “living room”—automatically based on the plurality of locations so that each location-based category is associated with multiple digital media assets and their corresponding locations.