Abstract: Disclosed herein are innovations for bitstreams having clean random access (CRA) pictures and/or other types of random access point (RAP) pictures. New type definitions and strategic constraints on types of RAP pictures can simplify mapping of units of elementary video stream data to a container format. Such innovations can help improve the ability for video coding systems to more flexibly perform adaptive video delivery, production editing, commercial insertion, and the like.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system includes a support structure having a first area at a first height and a second area at a second height, the first and second areas adjacent one another. The system also includes an electric powered, multi-plunger pump with an odd number of plungers, arranged in the first area, the electric powered pump coupled to a well, via outlet piping, and powered by at least one electric motor, also arranged in the first area. The system further includes a variable frequency drive (VFD), arranged in the second area, connected to the at least one electric motor, the VFD configured to control at least a speed of the at least one electric motor. The system also includes a transformer, arranged in the second area, the transformer positioned within an enclosure with the VFD, the transformer distributing power to the electric pump.

Abstract: A portable toilet includes a waste material receiving bowl having an inwardly sloping cross-section. The inwardly sloping cross-section has a plurality of angular flat sidewalls structured to direct toilet treatment and waste material solutions towards a storage zone of the bowl. The portable toilet also includes a plurality of agitators tethered within the bowl. The agitators may have a plurality of angular surfaces that aid in the formation of turbulent eddies within the toilet treatment solution. The toilet treatment and waste material solutions disposed within the bowl are agitated or dislodged, respectively, within an interior surface of the bowl by contact with the agitators while the portable toilet is manually oscillated.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a route can include: identifying, by one or more processors, one or more indications of calmness associated with one or more route segments between an origin location and a destination location by analyzing sensor data associated with the one or more route segments; determining one or more calmness scores associated with the one or more route segments based upon the one or more indications of calmness, as identified, associated with the one or more route segments; and generating, by the one or more processors, a route between the origin location and the destination location, wherein the route is selected based at least in part upon the one or more calmness scores associated with the one or more route segments. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides desensitized fertilizer compositions that are resistant to detonation. The desensitized fertilizer compositions of the present disclosure are formed, under heat, from a reaction product of a base fertilizer material, such as ammonium nitrate, and a phosphate-based additive, such as ammonium polyphosphate. The resulting compositions include monoammonium phosphate (MAP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), and polyphosphate crystals distributed throughout the crystalline fertilizer material. The presence of the distributed MAP and DAP crystals is believed to stabilize the base fertilizer material and reduce or eliminate the detonation potential of the fertilizer material.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first channel layers disposed over a substrate, a first source/drain region disposed over the substrate, a gate dielectric layer disposed on and wrapping each of the first channel layers, a gate electrode layer disposed on the gate dielectric layer and wrapping each of the first channel layers, and a liner semiconductor layer disposed between the first channel layers and the first source/drain region.

Abstract: Implementations described herein relate to methods, computing devices, and non-transitory computer-readable media to generate an output image. In some implementations, a method includes estimating depth for an image to obtain a depth. The method further includes generating a focal table for the image that includes parameters that indicate a focal range and at least one of a front slope or a back slope. The method further includes determining if one or more faces are detected in the image. The method further includes, if one or more faces are detected in the image, identifying a respective face bounding box for each face and adjusting the focal table to include the face bounding boxes. The method further includes, if no faces are detected in the image, scaling the focal table. The method further includes, applying blur to the image using the focal table and the depth map to generate an output image.

Abstract: A device for use in laparoscopic surgery is provided. The device has a plurality of telescoping sections positioned in and movable relative to a protective sheath between an extended configuration, wherein a body section of a first one of the telescoping sections is spaced apart from a body section of a second one of the telescoping sections, and a retracted configuration wherein the body section of the first one of the telescoping sections is in contact with the body section of the second one of the telescoping sections. A tissue interaction portion is configured to interact with tissue in response to the manipulation of a device actuator.

Abstract: A solution is disclosed comprising a moveable point frog friction-reducing assembly configured for installation at or near a moveable point frog (also referred to as a swing nose crossing). In one aspect, the moveable point frog friction-reducing assembly is configured to use a plurality of roller assemblies to reduce friction. In another aspect, the moveable point frog friction-reducing assembly is configured to use a sliding block to reduce friction. Some of the many benefits of the disclosed solution are to increase the operational life of a moveable point frog, reduce the maintenance costs of a moveable point frog, and to protect property, and more importantly human lives.

Abstract: A content delivery network (CDN) includes UE gateways, a service switch (SS) mesh network, and server gateways. The CDN nodes maintain cache lists of mappings identifying corresponding upstream system nodes for content items available at content servers connected to the server gateways. When a CDN node receives an upstream service instance request for a specific content item by a corresponding UE connected to a UE gateway, upon determining that a mapping for the specific content item is in its cache list, the CDN node forwards the upstream service instance request to the corresponding upstream system node as part of a process of defining a downstream data path for the specific content item from the corresponding content server to the corresponding UE. The CDN enables service-level content delivery at lower levels of latency than conventional DNS-based systems.

Abstract: A composite can include: a skeleton comprising skeleton material arranged at predetermined locations; and deposited material deposited on and around the skeleton wherein the deposited material forms a unified material. A method for making a fabricated material can include: receiving a skeleton, depositing material on the skeleton, and optionally processing the fabricated material.

Abstract: A hood device for reducing screen glare of a handheld electronic device includes a lower device holder including a first holder sidewall portion, a second holder sidewall portion opposite the first holder sidewall portion, and a rear holder wall portion that extends between the first and second holder sidewall portions. A bottom holder wall portion extends between the first and second holder sidewall portions and outward from the rear holder wall portion. A top holder wall portion is opposite the bottom holder wall portion and extends inward from the first and second holder sidewall portions and inward from the rear holder wall portion defining a storage volume sized and configured to hold the handheld electronic device therein. The top holder wall portion includes a viewing area where the storage volume can be viewed through the top holder sidewall portion. An upper hood extends outward from the lower device holder beyond the top holder wall portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for air recovery are disclosed. The diverted pressurized air may be used to supply a hydrostatic purge to the unutilized portion of a turbine engine fuel manifold circuit to ensure that exhaust gases from the utilized side of the fuel manifold circuit do not enter the portion of the alternative fuel manifold circuit rack. The assembly used to remove compressor section pressurized air may include a flow control orifice, line pressure measuring instrumentation, non-return valves, isolation valves and hard stainless-steel tubing assemblies. In some embodiments, a turbine compressor section diverter system may include a small air receiver used to increase the volume of air supplying the manifold to aid in potential pressure and flow disruptions from a turbine engine compressor section.

Abstract: A method of separating a rare earth element from coal and clay ores includes subjecting a raw coal to a liquefaction process to form a pitch or a pitch resin and filtering the pitch or pitch resin to capture the rare earth element. The method further includes refining the pitch or pitch resin to produce a mesophase pitch. The method also includes subjecting the mesophase pitch or pitch resin to a low-crystallinity spinning process to form a carbon fiber.

Abstract: An agricultural crop conditioner comprising: a frame with a first conditioner roll rotatably mounted to the frame, and a second conditioner roll rotatably and movably mounted to the frame. A tensioner is connected between the frame and the second roll, and configured to generate a first force to bias the second roll towards the first roll. The conditioner has a roll drive circuit comprising a hydraulic pump configured to drive a hydraulic motor. A hydraulic actuator is operatively connected to a forward supply line between the pump and the motor. The hydraulic actuator is configured to change the first force as an inverse function of changes in a pressure of hydraulic fluid in the forward supply line during operation of the hydraulic motor in a forward processing direction.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for enabling mobile device-based item acquisition and tracking. One exemplary method performed on a mobile device comprises entering a wireless scan mode, detecting a signal from a tag associated with an item in a first area and in proximity to the tag, presenting information associated with the tag, and adding the information to a list. The method further comprises detecting a second tag in a second area, and sending the list to a second device. A second exemplary method performed by a processing terminal comprises receiving the list from a mobile device, entering a wireless scan mode, detecting a signal from a tag associated with an item in proximity to the tag, determining whether the item associated with the detected tag is present on the received list, and enabling the mobile device to complete a transaction to purchase the item.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a region of semiconductor material having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. Active device structures are adjacent to the first side, the active device structures comprising source regions and gate electrodes. A first gate conductor is at the first side electrically connected to the gate electrodes, a drain region is at the second side, a second gate conductor is at the second side, and through-semiconductor vias extending from the first side towards the side and electrically connecting the first gate electrode to the second gate electrode. A source electrode is at the first side electrically connected to the source regions, and a drain electrode is at the second side electrically connected to the drain region. The through-semiconductor vias are electrically isolated from the source regions and the drain region. The structure provides a gate/drain up with a source-down configuration.

Abstract: A computer that includes a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions executable by the processor to receive an image in a first neural network that outputs a first prediction based on the image, wherein weights applied to layers in the first neural network are determined by minimizing a sum of a first loss function and a second loss function. The first loss function can be determined from the first features determined in the first neural network trained to output a first prediction and from second features determined in a second neural network trained to output a second prediction. The second loss function can be determined based on comparing the first prediction to ground truth. The first prediction can be output.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enforcing compliance-program conformity during authorization-token generation are presented. Applications may be registered with an identity and access management (IAM) system. The registration of the application may include whether the application is subject to one or more compliance program(s). When an authorization token is requested from the IAM system, the IAM system may (a) determine the set of authorization information needed in the token, and (b) determine whether the application is subject to a compliance program. The IAM system may then check an approval source of record to determine whether the user was legitimately approved for the required authorization prior to granting an authorization token. If there is a mismatch between the approval source of record and the authorization information associated with the user identity, then the mismatch may cause certain mitigation actions to be performed.

Abstract: An approach to facilitating provisioning of in-vehicle services is provided. Trip-identifying information may be obtained from a user-provided device. The trip-identifying information may identify a trip that is to occur on the vehicle. A list of in-vehicle services, which are available for the trip on the vehicle, may be determined based on the trip-identifying information. The list of in-vehicle services may be provided to the user-provided device. A selection of at least one in-vehicle service that is to be provided during the trip may be received from the user-provided device. A request for the at least one in-vehicle service may be generated based on the selection.