Abstract: A method includes virtually dividing a cargo area of a vehicle into a plurality of virtual cells. The method also includes creating, by implementing machine learning, a load profile for the cargo area. The load profile indicates a weight estimate at each of the plurality of virtual cells based on a load in the cargo area. Guidance on moving the load within the cargo area is provided based on the load profile to balance the load in the cargo area.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed are directed to a computing system that performs steps for entity integration. The computing system receives, from a user device, an electronic request to associate a first online account of a user associated with a first entity with a second online account of the user associated with a second entity. The computing system authenticates the user device to verify that an identity of the user is authentic. The computing system determines whether the second online account exists and, if so, identifies a match between a first user property of the first online account and a second user property of the second online account. Based on the identified match, the computing system links the first online account with the second online account and updates, based on a first online account property of the first online account, a second online account property of the second online account.

Abstract: Systems and methods for content selection and presentation are disclosed. Training data including indicating one or more interactions with one or more content elements and associated with one of a plurality of individual contexts is received. A selection model is trained by applying a reinforcement learning mechanism and an individual explore-exploit mechanism. A context for a user is selected by applying the selection model, which is configured to determine an expected future reward value of at least one of the plurality of individual contexts, determine an expected future reward value of a global context based on a past click-through rate, a reward value, and a future click-through rate, and, select the global context or one of the one or more individual contexts based on a comparison of the expected future reward values.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system that manages reuse of mobile subscriber identity information. Further aspects may include mobile subscriber identity information used in a device having multiple device profiles indexed, directly or indirectly, by multiple ki (e.g. shared secret keys). Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for efficiently estimating vehicle tire wear. Vehicle kinetics (first) data are provided via one or more sensors associated with the vehicle and/or at least one associated tire. The vehicle kinetics data are locally processed to compress or otherwise generate second data as a reduced subset thereof, said second data representative of the first data and comprising any one or more predetermined wear-specific features extracted therefrom. The second data are selectively transmitted via a communications network to a remote computing system, which processes the second data to estimate a wear characteristic for the at least one tire. Alternatively, the second data processed to generate third data as a reconstruction of the first data, and the third data and the any one or more extracted features are processed to estimate a wear characteristic for the at least one tire.

Abstract: A screw-top closure cap having a collapsible spout nesting within a cap and with a portion of the spout seated coaxially within the container neck itself is disclosed. Both the spout and the cap incorporate child-resistant features to prevent unwanted removal of the closure and/or use of the spout.

Abstract: Ladders and ladder components are described herein, including multipurpose and adjustable ladders. In one embodiment, a ladder includes a first assembly having rails and rungs, a second assembly having rails and rungs, and one or more hinges coupling the first and second assemblies together such that the first and second assembly may be positioned relative to one another in at least a position or state and at least a second position or state. A top cap is coupled to the rails of the first assembly, such that when the first and second assemblies are in the first position, the rails of the second assembly do not contact the top cap. When the first and second assemblies are in the second position, each rail of the second assembly is at least partially nested in one of a pair of channels formed in the top cap.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for treating or reducing susceptibility of bees for mites in an ecosystem on bees in an ecosystem with a bee feeding apparatus having labyrinthine passages. The apparatus is useful for dispensing water, bee feeding supplements, or treatments to wild or domesticated bees. The circuitous entryway hinders or inhibits other insects such as wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets from entering the innermost regions of the feeder and accessing the bee feeding supplements. The method includes providing a bee feeding medium to the apparatus, providing the apparatus to an ecosystem, and exposing bees to the bee feeding medium in the apparatus.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, mechanisms for seamless audio melding between audio items in a playlist are provided.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments relate to entertainment systems and, more particularly, to systems that incorporate digital downloading jukebox features and improved user interfaces. For instance, a smart search may be provided, e.g., where search results vary based on the popularity of songs within the venue, in dependence on songs being promoted, etc. As another example, a tile-based approach to organizing groupings of songs is provided. Groupings may involve self-populating collections of songs that combine centrally-promoted songs, songs in a given genre that are popular across an audiovisual distribution network, and songs that are locally popular and match up with the given genre (e.g., because of shared attributes such as same or similar genre, artist, etc.). Different tile visual presentations also are contemplated, as are different physical jukebox designs. In certain example embodiments, a sealed core unit with the “brains” of the jukebox is insertable into a docking station.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing a first valve connected to a water main with a second valve is disclosed and methods of use. The apparatus may comprise a housing including a top, a bottom, and at least one side. The housing may further include an access opening in the bottom providing access to an interior of the housing and a plurality of openings in the at least one side. The interior of the housing may include a plurality of workspaces, the plurality of workspaces including a first workspace and a second workspace. The first workspace being positioned closer to the top of the housing than the second workspace. The apparatus may further comprise a first movable barrier coupled to the housing and covering at least a first opening of the plurality of openings in the at least one side of the housing in a first configuration and allowing access to the first workspace of the interior of the housing in a second configuration.

Abstract: A method for generating schemas to compress storage of denormalized data includes receiving user selection of an initial data table and constructing a snowflake schema to decompose the initial data table into a plurality of tables. Tables in the plurality of tables that are related to one another are connected by foreign keys. The snowflake schema is constructed according to a cost model that balances the cost of storing the plurality of tables and the cost of storing the foreign keys. The method also includes transforming data in the initial data table into the plurality of tables according to the snowflake schema.

Abstract: A flow rate control method for solicited data communications includes receiving, at a first node of a communications network, a request-to-send (RTS) signal from a second node of the communications network, the RTS signal indicating a size of a solicited data transmission of the second node, determining, by the first node, whether a rate-limiting counter is above zero, wherein the rate-limiting counter is programmed to increase at a programmed rate and in response to the rate-limiting counter being above zero, scheduling, by the first node, a clear-to-send (CTS) signal to be sent from the first node to the second node over the communications network, and subtracting, by the first node, a value corresponding to the size of the solicited data transmission of the second node from the rate-limiting counter.

Abstract: A multifunctional manifold for use with electrochemical devices having a spiral cross-section, such as spiral solid-oxide fuel cells, includes an interface that is configured to be placed in operative communication with such devices. The interface includes a fuel interface section and an oxidant interface section that are each configured as spirals. The spiral interface sections also include channels that are configured to be placed in operative communication with corresponding spiral channels of the electrochemical device to deliver operating gases, such as fuel gas and oxidant gas, thereto. In addition to delivering operating gases to the fuel cells, the multifunctional manifold is also configured to act as an electrical current collector and a heat exchanger.

Abstract: Methods for imaging a sample using fluorescence microscopy, systems for imaging a sample using fluorescence microscopy, and illumination systems for fluorescence microscopes. In some examples, a method includes positioning the sample such that a plane of interest of the sample is coplanar with a focal plane of a detection objective of a microscope; positioning a mirror around the sample; directing a beam of annularly collimated excitation light on the mirror to focus a disc of light on the sample; and imaging the sample through the detection objective.

Abstract: A virtual presence system and method integrates multiple virtual presence technologies, including the ability to enable a user to experience a remote location through a plurality of different types of virtual presence devices. The different types of virtual presence devices might include virtual presence robots, as well drones, land vehicles, devices arranged to be worn by a human, and other virtual presence devices, all of which are accessible through a single website hosted on a server that provides links to the different types of virtual presence devices at selectable locations through a hierarchical query database that stores geographic coordinates, types, and features of the virtual presence devices, GIS to analyze and display geographic information, and communication methods, together with IP addresses and/or aliases that enable the devices to be accessed and controlled.

Abstract: A method for implementing a software-based (SB) radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is disclosed. The method comprises storing first RFID identity data in a memory of the SB RFID tag, storing second RFID identity data in the memory of the SB RFID tag; and receiving via an antenna coupled to the SB RFID tag an RFID interrogation signal from an RFID reader and, in response determining by a processor of the SB RFID tag a status of an RFID identity selection criterion, selecting one of the first RFID identity data and the second RFID identity data, based on the status of the RFID identity selection criterion; and sending the selected one of the first RFID identity data and the second RFID identity data to the RFID reader via an antenna coupled to the SB RFID tag.

Abstract: A method for processing a query for data stored in a distributed database includes receiving, at an edge device, the query for data stored in the distributed database from a query device. The method includes causing, by the edge device, the query to be stored on a dynamic ledger maintained by the distributed database. The method includes detecting, by the edge device, that summary data has been stored on the dynamic ledger. The method includes generating, by the edge device, an approximate response to the query based on the summary data stored on the dynamic ledger. The method includes transmitting, to the query device, the approximate response.

Abstract: A sacroiliac joint fusion procedure using surgical instruments specifically designed for access and treatment at a posterior inferior access region to the cartilaginous portion of the SI joint. The system allows for fewer devices implanted in the patient to reduce potential risks which are increased when having to place three or more implants. Due to the special design which resists the shear and nutational forces present at the SIJ, just a single implant can be used therefore reducing the amount of metal implanted into the patient while allowing for a great area for bone healing and bridging which provides a lasting relief to the otherwise excruciating low back, buttock and leg pain originating from the degenerative sacroiliac joint.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for forming a reference electrode for use in electrochemical testing applications. The method may involve positioning a porous frit against one end of a hollow tube, and securing the frit and the hollow tube to one another to form an assembly. The method may further involve forming a silver sulfide coating on a silver wire to produce a silver sulfide coated silver wire. The method may further involve filling the hollow tube with a non-aqueous solution, and inserting at least a portion of the silver sulfide coated silver wire into the non-aqueous solution in the hollow tube.