Abstract: Charge adapters for use with batteries and AC power adapters are described. Also described are systems and related methods using the charge adapters and particularly tool systems with detachable batteries.

Abstract: Smartcard (SC) having a metal card body (MCB) which is a coupling frame (CF) with a slit (S), and a coupling loop antenna/structure (CLA, CLS) connected to termination points (TP) on each side of the slit (S) and coupled with the module antenna (MA) of a transponder chip module (TCM). A portion of the card body (CB) may be metal and another, coplanar portion of the card body may be a synthetic material which may be transparent or translucent. Currents may be collected from the interface between the two portions. The card body (CB) may have two metal layers of different materials, adhesively joined to each other using a thermosetting epoxy that converts from B-stage to C-stage during lamination.

Abstract: Methods for the formulation of biodegradable microparticles for delivery of protein drugs, such as botulinum toxin, have been developed. The methods include the steps of precipitating and washing proteins with organic solvent to remove water prior to dispersing in polymer-dissolved organic solvent to prevent exposure to water/solvent interfaces and maintain bioactivity of the protein drugs and fabrication of microparticles by either template or emulsion method. Biodegradable microparticles, formed of one or more biodegradable polymers having entrapped in the polymer one or more protein agents, such as botulinum toxin, are also provided. Precipitated botulinum toxin and botulinum toxin-loaded microparticles can also be formulated into thermogels or crosslinked hydrogels. The stability of the protein within these microparticles, as well as the controlled release of the entrapped agents, provides for sustained efficacy of the agents.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette comprises a battery portion which is operable to provide power to a heating element of the electronic cigarette, and a cartomizer coupled with the battery portion. The cartomizer comprises a liquid container which provides a liquid toward the heating element wherein the liquid is used for producing and flavoring a vapor of the electronic cigarette when the liquid is heated by the heating element, and a memory which is operable to record and store an amount of the liquid remaining in the liquid container.

Abstract: A multi-task text infilling system receives a digital image and identifies a region of interest of the image that contains original text. The system uses a machine learning model to determine, in parallel: a foreground image that includes the original text; a background image that omits the original text; and a binary mask that distinguishes foreground pixels from background pixels, The system receives a target mask that contains replacement text. The system then applies the target mask to blend the background image with the foreground layer image and yield a modified digital image that includes the replacement text and omits the original text.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an automotive component and method of finishing such component including a polymer substrate, a tinted primer disposed over a first surface of the polymer substrate, a semi-transparent metallic coating disposed over the tinted primer. The semi-transparent metallic coating and tinted primer define at least one discontinuity. The automotive component further includes a top-coat disposed over the semi-transparent metallic coating and fills in the discontinuity. In aspects, the automotive component is back-lit and includes a light emitting source optically coupled to a second surface of the polymer substrate.

Abstract: A Smart Optical Character Recognition (SOCR) Trainer comprises software developed for automating Quality Control (QC) using unsupervised machine-learning techniques to analyze, classify, and optimize textual data extracted from an image or PDF document. SOCR Trainer serves as a ‘data treatment’ utility service that can be embedded into data processing workflows (e.g., data pipelines, ETL processes, data versioning repositories, etc.). SOCR Trainer performs a series of automated tests on the quality of images and their respective extracted textual data to determine if the extraction is trustworthy. If deficiencies are detected, SOCR Trainer will analyze certain parameters of the document, perform conditional optimizations, re-perform text extraction, and repeat QA testing until the output meets desired specifications. SOCR Trainer will produce audit files recording the provenance and differences between original documents and enhanced optimized document text.

Abstract: A method of controlling attenuation in a fermentation process includes culturing a fungus in a medium to produce a fermented liquid and adding a killer toxin to the fermented liquid. The killer toxin is added in an amount effective to deactivate the fungus.

Abstract: A flip socket is disclosed. The flip socket including a socket body having a central section extending between a first socket positioned on a first end of the central section and a second socket positioned on a second end of the central section, wherein a centerline extends through a longitudinal axis of the socket body; and a coupler adapted to engage one of the first and second sockets, the coupler connecting the flip socket to a driving device to drive a fastener or device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for using a self-illuminating harp to calibrate for distortion. In particular, apparatus, methods and systems are provided for imaging and analyzing self-illuminated harp in order to correct for lens distortion. In various implementations, an array of media is strung plumb which resembles a harp. The media can be light fibers or other suitable material which can be strung in a straight line. The cores of translucent fibers are illuminated. These are configured to scatter light throughout their bulk which escapes the core by egressing along the length of fiber. This light produces plumb lines which can be imaged, analyzed and model. In some implementations, imaging is performed by rotation to include a full FOV.

Abstract: Quat-free surface treatment powders comprising a peroxide source, an acyl group donor and an alkalinity source are used to disinfect and/or sanitize hard surfaces. The surface treatment powders can be applied to a hard surface and left there for a period of time. The surface treatment powders are ambient moisture activated, which means that they can generate peracetic acid when a portion or all of the powder that is on the hard surface adsorbs water from the atmosphere. In addition or alternatively, the surface treatment powders are activated, i.e., generate peracetic acid through the incidental or purposeful addition of liquid thereto.

Abstract: This disclosure is related to plant-optimized recombinant nucleic acids encoding Cpf1 and their use in planta. Also disclosed are compositions, expression cassettes, and plant cells comprising the recombinant nucleic acids as well as methods and kits for modifying a target sequence in a plant genome using the recombinant nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present disclosure contemplates a method for synchronizing a large number of generators on an AC bus by synchronizing each generator's output to a nominal output that is generated from a common external source. For example, each generator, using a high speed communication signal, can synchronize to a nominal output provided by a master generator, or centralized command module. In another example, each generator can generate its own nominal output referenced to a common external time signal, such as a global positioning system (GPS) signal, or other reference. By synchronizing independently of bus voltage and frequency, the generators are able to synchronize in parallel, instead of serially.

Abstract: A fabric control protocol (FCP) is a data transmission protocol that enables spraying of individual packets for a given packet flow across a data center from an ingress interface of the source data processing unit (DPU) across a plurality of parallel data paths of a logical tunnel in the network fabric to the egress interface of the destination DPU. The FCP has congestion control mechanisms used to determine a degree of congestion at the egress interface of the destination DPU and to modify a send window size at the source DPU based on the degree of congestion. Reliable FCP (rFCP) extensions provide reliability enhancements and improved failure resilience within the data center. The rFCP extensions provide an unsolicited mode for low latency operation with enhanced reliability mechanisms. The rFCP extensions provide failure resilience mechanisms to identify and avoid failed paths among multiple parallel data paths within the logical tunnel.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, by a first encoder, an original speech segment, receiving, by a second encoder, an augmented speech segment of the original speech segment, generating, by the first encoder, a first speaker representation based on the original speech segment, generating, by the second encoder, a second speaker representation based on the augmented speech segment, and generating a contrastive loss based on the first speaker representation and the second speaker representation.

Abstract: A multiple balloon catheter designed to quickly and easily obtain hemostasis during open and minimal access surgery in the event of venous injury.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a housing. A first cable is configured to extend from the housing between a retracted position and an extended position. A second cable is configured to extend from the housing between a retracted position and an extended position. The first cable and the second cable independently move between the extended position and the retracted position.