Abstract: A sterile holder for sterile surgical implants. The implant holder is an ergonomically shaped body of deformable material having an implant-receiving cavity similar in size and shape to the implant. To remove the implant from the holder, the surgeon mates a sterile tool to the implant and gently pries the implant out of the holder by deforming the body. Preferably the tool used to pry the implant out of the body is an insertion tool mated to the implant which is also used to insert the implant in a patient. In this way the surgeon retrieves the implant from its container without touching the container and directly inserts the implant in the patient without risking contamination: sterility is maintained for both the surgeon and the implant. In a preferred embodiment, the implant holder is configured to hold two pedicle screws and their set-screws.

Abstract: A bitstream that includes visual media data is processed according to a format rule. The bitstream includes coding information for a current picture, the coding information indicating that a geometric merge mode is enabled for a coding level higher than a picture level of the current picture and a maximum number of merge candidates satisfies a condition. The format rule specifies that maximum number of geometric merge mode candidates information in the coding information indicates a maximum number of geometric merge mode merge candidates, the maximum number of geometric merge mode candidates information indicating a relation between the maximum number of geometric merge mode merge candidates and the maximum number of merge candidates. The maximum number of geometric merge mode merge candidates is determined by subtracting a value indicated by the maximum number of geometric merge mode candidates information from the maximum number of merge candidates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-implemented method for sequence design, including: obtaining a candidate target sequence set that translates into a source sequence, based on the source sequence; and searching in the candidate target sequence set for a desired target sequence having a sequence structure that minimizes an objective function. The objective function comprises a minimum free energy (MFE) of a candidate target sequence and an additive regularization term.

Abstract: A vehicle having a windshield, a wiper and a vehicle camera is disclosed. The wiper may be configured to clean the windshield and the vehicle camera may be configured to capture a windshield image and a ground image. The vehicle may further include a processor that may obtain the windshield image and the ground image from the vehicle camera at a predefined sampling frequency. The processor may determine that the windshield and ground may be wet based on the windshield image and the ground image. The processor may actuate the wiper at a predefined speed based on a determination that both the windshield and the ground may be wet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining metrics for construction zone detection and evaluating the performance of construction zone detection. A construction zone can be manually labeled, and the human labels are converted to a format that can be input to a neural network. The neural network input represents polygons indicating the construction zone, as well as various construction zone objects. When an AV drives to the construction zone, the AV detects the construction zone objects and generates a predicted construction zone, including, for example, predicted edges. The predicted connectivity of the construction zone objects is evaluated to determine accuracy of the detected construction zone.

Abstract: An image sensor may include a pixel array and associated readout paths calibration circuitry. The image sensor may include first column readout circuits formed along a first edge of the pixel array and second column readout circuits formed along a second opposing edge of the pixel array. The readout paths calibration circuitry may include one or more first calibration readout circuits located by the first edge of the array, one or more second calibration readout circuits located by the second edge of the array, and an error detection circuit configured to output an error signal based on signals output from the one or more first calibration readout circuits and the one or more second calibration readout circuits. The one or more second calibration readout circuits and the second column readout circuits can receive a reference voltage that is dynamically adjusted based on the error signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising computer code configured to cause a processor or processors to obtain, from a bitstream, a mesh representing an encoded volumetric data of at least one three-dimensional (3D) visual content, and decode the encoded volumetric data based on a base mesh quantization of the mesh, and the base mesh quantization includes predicting a current vertex by already coded vertex positions by a multi-parallelogram prediction, quantizing a prediction residue thereof by a quantization step value, and both compressing the quantized prediction residue and reconstructing a position of the current vertex by adding a de-quantized prediction residue of the quantized prediction residue to the multi-parallelogram prediction as a reference for other vertices.

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: An endoscopic surgical instrument has a distal end configured to perform an action on tissue; a proximal end; a beam; a drive rod; and at least one rail supporting at least one bearing, the at least one bearing movable relative to the at least one rail. The distal end of the instrument is configured to receive at least a portion of the beam, the beam movable longitudinally in response to an action on the drive rod. The at least one rail is shaped and configured to contact the beam tangentially to prevent the beam from buckling as the beam is moved longitudinally.

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: An electronic page illumination device including at least one binder, at least one battery disposed inside of said at least one binder and at least one page coupled to said at least one binder. The page includes a bracket, a first translucent sheet and at least one light disposed inside of the bracket. A written page or an image is configured to be placed between or over said first translucent sheet and said second translucent sheet and then illuminated by said light which is disposed inside of the bracket.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a cathode comprising a cathode active material, an anode comprising an anode active material, and an electrolyte comprising a sulfonyl solvent, a terminally fluorinated glycol ether, and a salt. Other electrochemical cells include a cathode, an anode, a separator, and an electrolyte comprising: a lithium salt; a cathode stabilizing additive selected from the group consisting of vinylene carbonate, vinyl ethylene carbonate, LiBF2(C2O4), LiB(C2O4)2, LiPF2(C2O4)2, LiPF4(C2O4), LiPF6, LiAsF6, CsF, CsPF6, Li2(B12X12-iHi), Li2(B10X10-i?Hi?), or a mixture of any two or more thereof, wherein the cathode stabilizing additive is not the same as the lithium salt, wherein each X is independently at each occurrence a halogen, i is an integer from 0 to 12 and i? is an integer from 0 to 10; and a fluorinated organosulfate compound.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for estimating measured depth, rate of penetration, and true vertical depth of a drill bit and bottom hole assembly in a borehole using multiple longitudinally separated sensors for detecting properties of the borehole or formation and an orientation sensor. The multiple sensors may be paired with each pair of sensors including a first sensor and a second sensor. The sensors within a pair may be of the same of different types. The rate of penetration can be determined by comparing trends derived from data gathered by the longitudinally separated sensors and the time at which each records specific features of the formation or borehole. Multi-sensor fusion may be employed to enhance the accuracy of the orientation estimation. Combined with orientation information, a known longitudinal separation, and a measured depth, the true vertical depth can be determined without input from the surface.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a damping unit coupled to a moveable element. An actuator configured to drive the moveable element provides a primary load path, while the damping unit provides a secondary load path that slows uncontrolled motion of the moveable element in the event of failure of the primary load path. To test the working condition of the damping unit, a load on the actuator can be measured when the actuator drives the moveable element. If the load is greater than a predetermined threshold, it can be determined that the damping unit is providing a damping force against the actuator, and therefore the damping unit is operational.

Abstract: A scanner assembly is provided that is configured to be mounted on a scanner manipulator arm, to be placed in proximity to an opening in a vessel or inserted into an opening in a vessel, and to measure distances from a scanner emitter/sensor within the scanner assembly to a plurality of points on the surface of a refractory lining of the vessel to characterize a concave interior of the vessel in a single scan. A scanner manipulator having the manipulator arm attached to the scanner assembly maintains the scanner assembly in measurement positions. A control system controls the position of the scanner assembly, the orientation of the emitter sensor, and the acquisition, storage, processing and presentation of measurements produced by the emitter/sensor. The field of view obtained from the scanner assembly in a single scan exceeds a hemisphere.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure is an article that includes a lumbar support member, internal frame assembly, and sternum strap for improving stability during use.

Abstract: Machine learning models for controlling AV operations may be evaluated based on sliced data. A feature category critical for an environmental condition may be identified. The environmental condition is a condition in an environment where an AV performs an operation. A sub-dataset, which comprises sensor data capturing the environmental feature dataset, may be extracted from a dataset that comprises sensor data capturing the environment. The sub-dataset may be input into machine learning models that can classify the feature category. Performances of the machine learning models can be evaluated based on their outputs, which are generated based on the sub-dataset, and a ground-truth classification of the environmental feature. The output of each machine learning model comprises a classification of the environmental feature. A machine learning model may be selected based on the evaluated performances of the machine learning models and may be used to control driverless operations of AVs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining metrics for lane closure zone detection and evaluating the performance of lane closure zone detection. A lane closure zone can include any area where a lane is closed off. The changes to the typical travel paths for vehicles on the roadway can indicate that vehicles are to travel along a different path than that indicated on the maps the AVs use to operate. Thus, it is important for accurate driving operations of the AVs for the AVs to be able to interpret the changes to the typical travel paths indicated by the lane closure. Navigating through lane closure zones generally includes mapping (by the AV) objects in the lane closure zone, including the objects indicating the lane closure, and understanding related surrounding non-player characters (e.g., other vehicles).

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: Methods and systems for reducing network traffic between a service and client devices. In some aspects, the system receives a first data stream for a first type of communication between a service and a client device for a user. In response to determining that the first data stream includes an unresolved user query, the system determines that a second type of communication occurred between the service and the user. The system processes a second data stream for the second type of communication to determine that the second type of communication includes the unresolved user query and a service response to the unresolved user query. The system provides the unresolved user query and the service response to update a machine learning model used by the service to generate service responses to one or more user queries during a future communication of the first type.