Abstract: A method begins with obtaining, by a retailing computing device of an exchange item marketplace network from a buyer device of the exchange item marketplace network in accordance with a securely passing process, control over a secure exchange item package for use of an exchange item, where only a device possessing control over the secure exchange item package may modify the secure exchange item package. The method continues by executing, by the retailing computing device, the use of the exchange item by updating the value of the exchange item to produce an updated value, generating an updated secure exchange item package to include identity of the exchange item, identity of the retailing computing device, identity of the buyer device, and the updated value of the exchange item, and securely passing, by the retailing computing device to the buyer device, control over the updated secure exchange item package.

Abstract: Interactions between aqueous fluids and clay-containing subterranean formations may be problematic due to issues associated with clay destabilization and migration. Functionalized dextrin compounds that are partially oxidized and bear at least one amine group at an oxidation site may promote clay stabilization for more effective treatment of a subterranean formation. Subterranean treatment methods may comprise: providing a clay stabilizing composition comprising an amine-functionalized dextrin compound, the amine-functionalized dextrin compound comprising 2 to about 20 glucose units linked together with ?(1,4) glycosidic bonds, and a portion of the glucose units being oxidatively opened and functionalized with at least one amine group at a site of oxidative opening; introducing the clay stabilizing composition into a subterranean formation bearing a clay-containing mineral; and interacting the amine-functionalized dextrin compound with the clay-containing mineral to affect stabilization thereof.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods for sorting sperm cells in a microfluidic chip. In particular, various steps are incorporated to align and orienting sperm in flow channels, as well as, to determining sperm orientation and measure relative DNA content for analysis and/or sorting.

Abstract: A retractable barrier system and method for using the same is described herein. The retractable barrier system can include a retractable barrier made of one or more panels made of bullet resistant material and configured to fit across a doorway of a room. The panels can include one or more docking stations for housing a body armor unit. During a crisis event, the retractable barrier can be extending and secured across a doorway and multiple users can retrieve and don a body armor unit.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a method and an apparatus for video coding. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry decodes encoding information associated with a block of a picture in a coded video bitstream. The encoding information indicates a position of a sub-region in the block, and an area of the sub-region is ¼ of an area of the block. The processing circuitry further reconstructs first samples of the block that are inside the sub-region using residual data of the first samples, and reconstructs second samples of the block that are outside of the sub-region without residue data.

Abstract: A deduplicated microservices-based storage system and method running in a cloud includes frontend and backend microservice nodes that process requests from a plurality of clients and interface with a master node and one or more worker nodes connected as a network for deduplicating, storing and retrieving data from object storage. A custom metric compares demand on system resources to thresholds and dynamically scales resources to add or eliminate resources according to demand. The master node partitions the range of values identifying data similarity groups across the worker nodes, reassigns ranges of values using consistent hashing as worker nodes are scaled, and maintains a mapping of ranges of values to worker IP addresses.

Abstract: A method for detecting a hotword includes receiving a sequence of input frames that characterize streaming audio captured by a user device and generating a probability score indicating a presence of a hotword in the streaming audio using a memorized neural network. The network includes sequentially-stacked single value decomposition filter (SVDF) layers and each SVDF layer includes at least one neuron. Each neuron includes a respective memory component, a first stage configured to perform filtering on audio features of each input frame individually and output to the memory component, and a second stage configured to perform filtering on all the filtered audio features residing in the respective memory component. The method also includes determining whether the probability score satisfies a hotword detection threshold and initiating a wake-up process on the user device for processing additional terms.

Abstract: An implantable fixation device for rejoining opposed portions of a separated bone. The device including two corresponding plates that are configured to be aligned and coupled to a bone, such as a sternum, pre-resection of the bone or prior to cutting/separating the bone. The placement of the corresponding plates provides a gap between the edges of the plates that face one another allowing for and guiding a cutting tool for separating the bone. After the bone has been cut and the desired surgical procedure performed, the plates also assist in realigning and fixation of the bone portions. At least one plate includes a ratchet mechanism that is configured to tighten a locking element and draw the two plates together and into alignment with one another.

Abstract: An assembly includes a seat. The assembly includes a bin adjacent the seat and defining a chamber having an open top. The assembly includes an uninflatable member having a front and a rear and above the open top, the uninflatable member movable to an elevated position with the front and the rear spaced from the bin.

Abstract: Provided is a material handling assembly, such as a plow, that may contain additional features mounted thereon so as to increase the functionality of the assembly, and an apparatus and method for mounting such an assembly or other like structure onto a vehicle, such as a truck. A plow mounting apparatus may be used for automatically mounting and dismounting a plow blade to an end of an associated vehicle. The plow mounting apparatus includes a plow assembly comprising: an expandable plow blade pivotally attached to a front portion of a plow frame; a lift frame attached to a rear portion of the plow frame; an auxiliary light mounting apparatus attached to the plow frame; and a height adjustment mechanism that is operable to raise and lower the plow blade assembly relative to the ground. The height adjustment mechanism may include a hydraulic cylinder having a top portion and a bottom portion.

Abstract: A trocar assembly that includes a trocar and a seal cartridge configured to be releasably coupled to the trocar. The seal cartridge includes a top cap that includes a main body and a latch ring. The latch ring is grounded to the main body at a first angular position and has a latch located at a second angular position angularly offset from the first angular position. Applying a radial load on the latch causes the latch ring to flex in torsion at an intermediate portion that angularly interposes the first and second angular positions.

Abstract: A system for deploying a shape memory catheterization device within a patient, includes a catheter for endovascular insertion of the shape memory catheterization device. A heat source heats the shape memory catheterization device above the transition temperature. A transformation data generator includes a circuit driver for driving a circuit that includes at least one resistive element of the shape memory catheterization device and a detection circuit for generating transformation data based on a resistance of the at least one resistive element, wherein the transformation data indicates a shape transformation of the shape memory catheterization device from a catheterization shape to a transformed shape.

Abstract: A pump set for use with a pumping apparatus to deliver nutrition to an infant includes a first container to receive breast milk; a second container to receive fortifier; tubing extending from the first container and from the second container; and a valve mechanism connected to the first and second containers by the tubing and configured to selectively pass liquid from the first container and the second container.

Abstract: High performance electrodes for electrochemical devices having a polymer network with an electroactive material chemically attached to a crosslinked polymer matrix are disclosed. A method includes mixing an electrode slurry and forming a polymer network within the electrode slurry. The electrode slurry includes an electroactive material, an electrically conductive filler, a plurality of polymer chains, and a plurality of chemical crosslinking precursors. Each chemically crosslinking precursor is configured to (i) chemically crosslink the plurality of polymer chains and (ii) chemically attach the electroactive material to the plurality of polymer chains.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software are disclosed herein to generate a customized view of a blockchain transaction. A blockchain of block entries requested by a plurality of users from user devices is maintained in a distributed network of nodes. The block entries each comprise a plurality of data portions that are each associated with an access level. A request to view one or more data portions of a block entry is received which includes an access code associated with at least one access level. The access code in the request is evaluated with the blockchain of block entries to identify one or more data portions associated with the access level. A customized view of the block entry is generated which includes the one or more data portions associated with the access level.

Abstract: A system for targeting information resources that includes a task point value, and a preference vector comprising plural task designators for system performance and a preference allocation associated with each of said plural task designators. The system deducts from the task point value the preference allocation associated with a select one of the plural task designators upon completion of the select one of the plural task designators, to yield a net task point value. The system determines if the net task point value exceeds zero, and directs the system to terminate execution of tasks if the net task point value is equal to or less than zero.

Abstract: A remote control device having capacitive touch controls may be configured to enter a sleep state (or mode). For example, the remote control device may be configured to enter the sleep state upon expiration of an interval of time since a most recent button press. The remote control may be configured to awaken from the sleep state when one or more portions of a housing of the remote control are deflected, for example, when a user grasps the remote control to actuate one or more of the capacitive touch controls. For example, the remote control device may include a switch. The switch may include a carbon structure that may be configured to contact an open circuit pad on a circuit board to close the corresponding circuit when the housing is deflected and awaken the remote control device from the sleep state.

Abstract: A method for designing new materials for superlubricity comprises developing, on a computational system, a computational supercell comprising x unit cells of a base material, each unit cell comprising y atoms of the base material. The computational system replaces randomly chosen z atoms of the base material with an impurity atom of an impurity material to form a candidate material. The computational system determines volumetric strain of the candidate material. In response to the volumetric strain exceeding a predetermined threshold, the computational system determines that the candidate material has superlubricity. The computational system displays the candidate material to a user if the candidate material has superlubricity.

Abstract: A design software, e.g., a graphical user interface (GUI) software, may be used to design and/or configure a load control system. The design software may be executed on a network device (e.g., a personal computer, a laptop, a tablet, or a smart phone). The design software may allow for easy configuration of load control panels and effortless multiplication of configured panels during the design of the load control system. Each load control panel may have a plurality of control devices, such as load control devices (e.g., power modules, dimming modules, and/or switching modules), system controllers, and/or power supplies. The design software may allow for the configuration of load control panels having different types and numbers of control devices. In addition, the design software may allow for the multiplication of load control panels having the same configuration (e.g., the same type and number of control devices).

Abstract: A system for connecting a fiber optic connector to a fiber optic adapter includes various alternative improvements, including improvements to the shutter, the alignment device, and the adapter in general.