Abstract: A detection apparatus includes a resonant electrical circuit supported within an interior of a nuclear fuel rod generates a response pulse in response to an excitation pulse and transmits the response pulse through a cladding of the fuel rod to another location within a reactor in which the fuel rod is housed and without any breach in the cladding. A characteristic of the response pulse is indicative of a condition of the fuel rod. The detection apparatus also includes a transmitter positioned outside the cladding, in the reactor, in the vicinity of the fuel rod and configured to generate the excitation pulse and transmit the excitation pulse through the cladding to the resonant electrical circuit. A receiver is supported within the reactor outside of the cladding and, in response to the response pulse, communicates a signal to an electronic processing apparatus outside of the reactor.

Abstract: Visually undistorted thin film electronic devices are provided. In one embodiment, a method for producing a thin-film electronic device comprises: opening a scribe in a stack of thin film material layers deposited on a substrate to define an active region and an inactive region of the thin-film electronic device, the stack comprising at least one active semiconductor layer. The active region comprises a non-scribed area of the stack and the inactive region comprises a region of the stack where thin film material was removed by the scribe. The method further comprises depositing at least one scribe fill material into a gap opened by the scribe. The scribe fill material has embedded therein one or more coloring elements that alter an optical characteristics spectrum of the inactive region to obtain an optical characteristics spectrum of the active region within a minimum perceptible difference for an industry defined standard observer.

Abstract: An EAS pedestal system includes a video display device and a video camera supported on an EAS pedestal housing. The video camera is oriented to facilitate capture of video images. The video images include facial images associated with a plurality of human faces under conditions where the human faces are positioned to observe the video display device. The system applies an analytical process to determine when an imaged human face is looking toward the video display device. The system then determines one or more human demographic traits based on the facial images and adaptively selects advertising content to be displayed based on information derived from the analytical process.

Abstract: A tool includes a handle and a blade. The handle extends from a handle first end to a handle second end. The blade has a first surface and an opposed second surface and defines a cutting edge between the first surface and the second surface. The blade extends from a blade first end to a blade second end. The blade and the handle are rotatably coupled at the blade first end and the handle first end about an axis extending from the first surface of the blade to the second surface of the blade. The blade is rotatable from a first position to a second position. The blade is lockable in the first position. When in the first position, the blade extends out from the handle second end.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods that allow for secure wireless communication between a contact lens system and an accessory device to protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access to confidential information. In certain embodiments, tampering attempts by potential attackers are thwarted by using a Physically Unclonable Functions (PUF) circuit that is immune to reverse engineering. In addition, sensors monitor a to-be-protected electronic device to detect tampering attempts and physical attacks to ensure the physical integrity of the communication system.

Abstract: A mounting bracket lock may be configured to secure the mounting bracket of a window treatment housing to a rail of the housing. The mounting bracket lock may be slidably attachable to the rail and, when in a locked position, may prevent the mounting bracket from detaching from the rail. The mounting bracket lock may include a body that is mountable to the rail. The body may include a first portion that slidably attaches to the rail, and a second portion that receives a portion of the rail and a portion of the mounting bracket, thereby securing the mounting bracket in a locked position relative to the rail. The body of the mounting bracket lock may define one or more projections that extend therefrom, and that engage in a friction fit between corresponding surfaces of the mounting bracket when the mounting bracket lock is in the locked position.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods suitable for delivering an agent including a plurality of particles to a target site. In example embodiments, a system suitable for delivering an agent to a target site includes a catheter having a first wall defining a lumen sized for delivery of the agent to the target site. The catheter has a distal end terminating with a primary opening of the lumen, an opposing proximal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end. At least one secondary opening is formed at the distal end, wherein the secondary opening is configured to allow fluid to flow through the secondary opening to create a steady flow of fluid at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis and prevent the plurality of particles from flowing through the secondary opening.

Abstract: A thrombectomy removal system includes a catheter having a distal end and defining a lumen filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a vacuum source, a vent liquid source, and a vacuum and vent control system configured to cyclically connect or disconnect the vacuum source and the vent liquid source to change a level of vacuum at the distal end and substantially prevent forward flow. The vacuum source and the vent source are respectively fluidically connected to the vacuum and vent valves. A manifold connects the proximal portion to the vacuum and vent sources through the valves. Control of the valves prevents forward flow of the distal portion out from the distal end during each cycle. Each cycle can have states including vacuum-only, first double-closed, vent-only, and second double-closed. A time of the double-closed states can be no greater than 30 ms.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for ballistically estimating vehicle data. The system may include a communication interface configured to receive a first vehicle measurement taken at a first time point and a second vehicle measurement taken at a second time point. The system may further include at least one processor. The at least one processor may be configured to compute a first set of vehicle data based on the first vehicle measurement, and estimate a second set of vehicle data for the second time point based on the first set of vehicle data and a model. The at least one processor may be further configured to compute a third set of vehicle data based on the second vehicle measurement. The at least one processor may also be configured to update the model based on a comparison between the second set of vehicle data and the third set of vehicle data.

Abstract: A system includes a computer programmed to specify a feedback torque to a steering wheel in a vehicle. The feedback torque is based on a steering torque applied to a steering rack and a deviation of the steering torque below a minimum torque. The computer is further programmed to actuate feedback torque to the steering wheel.

Abstract: A connecting rod includes a shank formed of a composite. The connecting rod also includes a first end portion coupled to the shank and a second end portion coupled to the shank. The first end portion has an annular shaped portion, and the second end portion has an annular shaped portion. The shank defines a channel coupled to the first and second end portions. A method of manufacturing a connecting rod includes placing a plurality of fibers in a predetermined arrangement, and adding a resin to the plurality of fibers to connect the fibers together and form a composite of at least a shank. The method also includes disposing a component inside the shank, and the component is utilized to define a channel in the shank. The method further includes coupling a first end portion to the shank, and coupling a second end portion to the shank.

Abstract: Reductions in latencies and improvements in computational efficiency when analyzing data stored in a relational graph by integrating analytical capabilities into graph queries. Instead of a user having to run a graph query and then perform analytics on the resulting subgraph via separate requests, the user is enabled to run analytics at the time the graph query is run via a single request to the database maintaining the relationship graph, which improves the computationally efficiency of analyzing relational graphs and thereby improves the functionality of the computing devices hosting the relational graphs and running the queries and analytics.

Abstract: Annular metal fuel and fuel rods are described that have improved performance over uranium oxide fuel rods. The annular metal fuel can be made out of porous metal nuclear fuel and will generate more power and operate at a much lower temperature than uranium oxide fuel. The annular metal fuel rods may be used in traveling wave reactors and other fast reactors. Pressurized water reactors may also be retrofit with annular metal fuel rods to improve reactor performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly for modifying a rifle to accommodate various calibers of ammunition and method for changing calibers in a rifle using same.

Abstract: A computer system for a narrational media organizer for transforming digital media into a personal, memorable story with minimal user input having a processor and storage with instructions for creating a narrational media organizer (NMO) environment, where a user can annotate one or more than one digital media file or graphical representations of the digital media files using a user interface; and an NMO data structure for storing the digital media and annotations of the NMO environment.

Abstract: A machine learning application, such as a neural network, is implemented using blockchain technology. The blocks of the blockchain and connection data for the blocks define the machine learning application. Blockchain technology can be used to define changes to the machine learning application and/or propagate these changes from one computer system to other computer systems including the machine learning application.

Abstract: A system for executing tasks can include a processor to detect a plurality of user signals for a user, the plurality of user signals comprising a search history of the user. The processor can also identify activity information from the plurality of user signals, the activity information comprising an action executed by the user. The processor can generate an activity cluster based on the activity information, wherein generating the activity cluster comprises applying a clustering technique and an ordering technique to the activity information. Furthermore, the processor can execute a search query for the user based on the activity cluster comprising a plurality of activities that are clustered and ordered.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for calibrating vehicle cameras. In certain embodiments, a vehicle includes a camera, a memory, and a processor. The camera is disposed onboard the vehicle, and is configured to generate a camera image in which an object is detected onboard the vehicle. The memory is configured to store map data relating to the detected object. The processor is disposed onboard the vehicle, and is configured to perform an initial projection using the map data and initial values of calibration parameters for the camera; and update values of the calibration parameters using a comparison of the initial projection with the camera image.

Abstract: A brain computer interface (BCI) system for modulating cognitive performance. The system includes one or more electrode sets for sensing signals associated with neuronal electrical activity in one or more cortical regions of the user and for providing stimulating signals to one or more target brain regions, at least one processor/controller in communication with the one or more electrode sets, and at least one power source. The processor/controller is programmed to process signals sensed in the one or more cortical regions for detecting an indication associated with an intention to perform a cognitive task and/or the presentation of a cognitive task and/or the performing of a cognitive task, and to control the stimulating of the one or more target brain regions responsive to the detecting of the indication for modulating the cognitive performance of the user. The target brain regions may include cortical regions, deep brain structures, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system for electronic gaming is described which includes a plurality of individual game stations each of which is constructed and arranged with a user interface. Upstream from each game station is a third party subsystem which includes a corresponding database. This third party subsystem is in data communication with each game station. Also upstream from the plurality of game stations is a gaming server subsystem which includes a database. A central determinate translator system is constructed and arranged in communication either directly or indirectly with each game station and provides a communication link and interface between the gaming server subsystem and each game station.