Abstract: The invention relates to the alfalfa variety designated R414W277. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the alfalfa variety R414W277. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the alfalfa variety R414W277 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing alfalfa plants by crossing the alfalfa variety R414W277 with itself or another alfalfa variety and plants produced by such methods.

Abstract: A system for cleaning water can include an intake configured to receive input water, a pump configured to move the input water through at least a portion of the system, a discharge for discharging output water, an electromagnet configured to expose the input water to a magnetic field fluidically between the intake and the discharge, a course filter unit configured to filter the input water fluidically between the intake and the discharge, a nano-bubble injector configured to inject nanobubbles into the input water fluidically between the intake and the discharge, and an ultrafiltration filter configured to filter the input water fluidically between the intake and the discharge. A system for cleaning water can include a system for producing potable fresh water from seawater.

Abstract: An electronic transaction verification system for use with transaction tokens such as checks, credit cards, debit cards, and smart cards that gathers and transmits information about the transaction token and biometric data. Customers can be enrolled in the system by receiving customer information that includes at least a biometric datum, associating the received customer information with a transaction instrument issued to the customers and storing the received customer information and the issued transaction instrument information in a database for future reference.

Abstract: A method of simulating physics in a virtual worlds system includes: instantiating a multi-user virtual environment; selecting a plurality of physics hosts from a plurality of client devices based on predefined selection criteria; obtaining a request to modify an object within the multi-user virtual environment; in response to obtaining the request to modify the object, providing the request to the plurality of hosts and instructions to determine a candidate subsequent state of the object; obtaining a plurality of candidate subsequent states of the object, including a respective candidate subsequent state from each of the plurality of physics hosts; determining a subsequent state of the object based on the plurality of candidate subsequent states of the object; and providing the subsequent state of the object to the plurality of client devices and instructions to update their versions of the multi-user virtual environment based on the subsequent state of the object.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various aspects of crank-based lighting, which may improve visibility of pedal-based vehicles or conveyances. In some aspects, a light generating apparatus includes a crank interface and lighting system. The crank interface may facilitate mounting of the apparatus to a crank (or crankarm) of a bicycle or other pedal-based vehicle. The lighting system may generate or emit light based on information indicating an angle, movement, and/or position of the crank, such as to cause light emission to emulate or project leg movement of a rider.

Abstract: A lift assembly including a lifting structure, a lifting arm, a yoke structure fixed to the lifting structure, a pin pivotally coupling the lifting arm with the yoke structure, and an integrated anti-rotational assembly associated with both the yoke structure and the pin. The lifting structure can actuate relative to the ground between a lowered position and a raised position. The lifting arm is configured to actuate with the lifting structure between the lowered position and the raised position. The integrated anti-rotational assembly can inhibit rotation of the pin relative to the yoke structure about the longitudinal axis of the pin.

Abstract: Systems and methods for converting metal oxide to metal using metal carbide as an intermediate, include: reacting the metal oxide with carbon to produce the metal carbide, wherein the metal carbide is in a form of powder or pellets; and subjecting the metal carbide produced from the metal oxide and the carbon to electrolysis in an electrorefiner to produce and purify the metal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a patio screen shaver for cutting pine needles that are impaled in a patio screen. The patio screen shaver includes a blade, a handle adapter, a handle, and a blade mount. The blade is secured in the blade mount and positioned to slide along the surface of the patio screen during use. The handle adapter interconnects with the blade mount adapter and has a geared ring. A handle interconnects with the handle adapter, and a button with a geared end engages the geared ring securing the handle and the handle adapter together in a movable manner. A user can press the button, allowing the handle adapter to rotate, changing the angle of the blade with respect to the handle. Releasing the button interlocks the geared end and the geared ring setting the angle of the blade for use by the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a blended fuel and methods for producing the blended fuel, wherein a low carbon fuel derived from a renewable resource such as biomass, is blended with a traditional, petroleum derived fuel. A blended fuel which includes greater than 10% by volume of low carbon fuel has an overall improved lifecycle greenhouse gas content of about 5% or more compared to the petroleum derived fuel. Also, blending of the low carbon fuel to the traditional, petroleum fuel improves various engine performance characteristics of the traditional fuel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for handling and packaging instruments are fully automated thereby eliminating human handling and increasing accuracy of packaging and labeling of the instruments. One system includes an instrument identification element, an element that determines packaging requirements, an element that creates the packaging such as a labeled peel pouch. The system makes the package including the instrument or instruments. The completed packaging is ready of next steps including sterilization.

Abstract: A seed sorting system for sorting seeds includes a seed transfer station configured to move seeds through the system. An imaging assembly includes a first camera mounted above the seed transfer station and configured to acquire images of the seeds as the seeds move through the system and a second camera mounted below the seed transfer station and configured to acquire images of the seeds as the seeds move through the system. A sorting assembly is configured to sort the seeds into separate bins based on the acquired images of the seeds.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for generating a list of predicted contacts that can be provided to a client device. The predicted contacts can be generated based upon an analysis of user interaction data. The predicted contacts can be made available to a phone application or messaging application on a client device so that contact information can be displayed in response to an incoming call or a message.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for ground plane estimation (GPE) using a LiDAR semantic network. In an embodiment, a method comprises: obtaining a point cloud from a depth sensor of a vehicle operating in an environment; encoding the point cloud; estimating, using a deep learning network with the encoded point cloud as input, a ground plane in the environment; planning a path through the environment based on a drivable area of the estimated ground plane; and operating the vehicle, the vehicle along the path. The deep learning network includes a two-dimensional (2D) convolutional backbone, a detection head for detecting objects and a GPE head for estimating the ground plane. In an embodiment, point pillars are used to encode the point cloud.

Abstract: A fiber optic cassette includes a body defining a front and an opposite rear. A cable entry location, such as a multi-fiber connector, is defined on the body for a cable to enter the cassette, wherein a plurality of optical fibers from the cable extend into the cassette and form terminations at one or more single or multi-fiber connectors adjacent the front of the body. A flexible substrate is positioned between the cable entry location and the connectors adjacent the front of the body, the flexible substrate rigidly supporting the plurality of optical fibers. Each of the connectors adjacent the front of the body includes a ferrule. Dark fibers can be provided if not all fiber locations are used in the multi-fiber connectors. Multiple flexible substrates can be used with one or more multi-fiber connectors.

Abstract: A clamp for a line including a body, and a control line contact surface, the clamp being responsive to a selected input to facilitate displacement of the line. An expandable tool including a component having a first dimension prior to activation and a second dimension after activation, a control line disposed adjacent the component, and a clamp initially securing the control line, the clamp comprising at least one of 1) a fastener and 2) a body, at least a portion of either of which being responsive to a selected input to facilitate displacement of the control line. A method for deploying a tool with a control line including securing the control line to the tool, reacting the at least a portion of the clamp to the input, and displacing the control line. A borehole system including a borehole in a formation, and an expandable tool disposed in the borehole.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a method and an apparatus for video decoding. The apparatus includes processing circuitry that can determine multiple transform selection (MTS) selection information of a plurality of transform coefficient blocks in a coded video bitstream. The MTS selection information indicates at least one of (i) threshold information or (ii) a plurality of MTS candidate subsets for a transform coefficient block in the plurality of transform coefficient blocks. The processing circuitry can determine which MTS candidate subset in the plurality of MTS candidate subsets is selected for the transform coefficient block based on the MTS selection information and inversely transform the transform coefficient block based on an MTS candidate included in the determined MTS candidate subset.

Abstract: A completion string for running gas-lift operations in a hydrocarbon well has a bypass string with a central bore for flowing production fluids to the surface and an annular passageway for flowing gas-lift gas downwards to a gas-lift assembly in the wellbore.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle vendor lot may include a plurality of vehicle selection indicators, a visual navigation system, and a control system. The indicators may be distributed in the lot, associated with a respective parking spot in the lot, and operable to generate a visual indication indicative of a selection of a vehicle in the respective parking spot. The navigation system may be operable to generate a visual indication of a route between various locations in the lot. The control system may be operatively connected to the indicators and the navigation system, and configured to: receive a vehicle search query; identify at least one vehicle in the lot corresponding to the query; operate each vehicle selection indicator corresponding to each identified vehicle; identify a respective location in the lot for each identified vehicle; and operate the visual navigation system to generate a visual indication of a route to at least one identified vehicle.