Abstract: The e-vaping method includes providing a reservoir within a housing, the reservoir being configured to contain a pre-vapor formulation, first configuring ejectors to eject droplets of the pre-vapor formulation towards a vaporizing heater, the ejectors being in fluid communication with the reservoir, and second configuring a vaporizing heater to vaporize at least some of the droplets.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments may include a method of interacting with a multimodal machine learning model; the method may include providing a graphical user interface associated with a multimodal machine learning model. The method may further include displaying an image to a user in the graphical user interface. The method may also include receiving a textual prompt from the user and then generating input data using the image and the textual prompt. The method may further include generating an output at least in part by applying the input data to the multimodal machine learning model, the multimodal machine learning model configured using prompt engineering to identify a location in the image conditioned on the image and the textual prompt, wherein the output includes a first location indication. The method may also include displaying, in the graphical user interface, an emphasis indicator at the indicated first location in the image.

Abstract: A vent system for a motor vehicle includes a vent conduit defining a vent conduit inlet. A vent outlet is separated from the vent conduit inlet. A first vent channel includes a first vent channel inlet in fluid communication with the vent conduit inlet and a first channel nozzle defining a first fluid flow path to the vent outlet along a first direction. A second vent channel includes a second channel inlet in fluid communication with the vent conduit inlet and a second channel nozzle defining a second fluid flow path to the vent outlet along a second direction convergent with the first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for a cartridge extractor to improve the longevity and safety of direct gas operated firearms. The extractor comprises an elongate body having a first end and a second end. The first end comprises a claw portion that grips a rim of an ammunition cartridge. The extractor includes a lug and an elongated rib that reinforce the claw portion. The second end comprises a biased portion that ensures that the rim of the cartridge casing remains within a notch comprising the claw portion until the cartridge casing is ejected from the firearm. A pivot portion is disposed between the first end and the second end. The pivot portion couples the extractor with a bolt and presses the claw portion into a forward recess of the bolt due to spring forces acting on the biased portion.

Abstract: The present invention is a secure work pod that is a flexibly private, moveable, personal office. The secure work pod allows a user to have visual and acoustic privacy in an otherwise open workspace. The secure pod is constructed of flat panels that are constructed in a workspace by connectors that allow for 90-degree connections of the panels. Panels may have windows for visibility inserted in the front and back panels. The windows may have semi-glazed windows for privacy or may be left open. The work pod has an acoustic door that provides privacy for the user. The secure work pods can be organized into small layouts having a few pods or in large layout “neighborhoods” having multiple work pods.

Abstract: A concealed furniture article includes a front storage section and a rear hidden storage compartment that is located behind the front storage section. The concealed furniture also includes a safe for storing articles and a lift mechanism that is fixedly connected to the safe and to a rear wall of the concealed furniture article. The lift mechanism is operable to move the safe between a raised position and a lowered position in which the safe is fully concealed within the rear hidden storage compartment.

Abstract: An example control system includes a set of light fixtures connected to a hub, where each light fixture includes a hub-communication device configured to communicate with the hub and a direct communication device configured to communicate directly with other light fixtures. Together, the light fixtures form a mesh network facilitated by the use of their direct communication devices. An external device communicates an instruction to a light fixture, and the instruction is propagated throughout the mesh network through communications among the light fixtures using their respective direct communication devices. As a result, each light fixture to which the instruction applies receives and complies with the instructions. The light fixtures are also configured to receive instructions from the hub, such that a light fixture is configured to receive instructions over dual networks.

Abstract: Systems and methods for configuration verification using variable inputs and hash functions are disclosed. A computing device may receive, via an operating system user interface, configuration data associated with a configuration setting of the computing device. In response to receiving the configuration data, the computing device may store the configuration data and obtain, based on a hash configuration, a set of inputs and a hash function. The computing device may hash, using the hash function, the set of inputs in an input order indicated by the hash configuration to generate a first verification code based on the configuration data. The computing device may subsequently verify stored configuration data by generating a second verification code based on the stored configuration data and comparing the second verification code to the first verification code.

Abstract: An agricultural baler includes a bale chamber having a discharge outlet and a bale density splitting system. The bale density splitting system includes a splitting mechanism arranged downstream of the discharge outlet, two pivoting doors arranged downstream of the splitting mechanism, and a wedge. The splitting mechanism splits a bale discharged from the bale chamber in half and outputs two smaller bales. The wedge moves the two pivoting doors away from each other to increase the density of the two smaller bales.

Abstract: Unwanted material in water, such as Legionella and scale, may be treated using a combination of technologies. Components of each technology may be controlled using a database, such as an Internet-of-things (IoT) database. An additional advantage of the treatment technologies is an increase in the efficiency of heat transfer components, such as cooling towers, and a related reduction in carbon footprint.

Abstract: A system comprises a donor foil, a carrier substrate disposed adjacent the donor foil, an optical system configured to generate a laser beam through the donor foil and the carrier substrate to create a plurality of cathode voxels, and a current collector foil defined by an X-Y plane and configured to collect the plurality of cathode voxels in the X-Y plane, wherein a first set of the plurality of cathode voxels at a first location on the X-Y plane are diluted with a first amount of a solvent and a second set of the plurality of cathode voxels at a second location on the X-Y plane are diluted with a second amount of a solvent, the second amount of the solvent being less than the first amount of the solvent.

Abstract: The present invention is a scalable integral turntable and trellis. The scalable integral turntable and trellis is comprised of a turntable, a planter base, a first u-shaped trellis base, a second u-shaped trellis base, a first plurality of trellis connectors, and at least a second plurality of trellis extensions. The scalable integral turntable and trellis is constructed so that the trellis arms and planter base rotate in unison with the rotational surface of the turntable.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to automated computer-implemented methods and systems for optimizing and provisioning virtual data storage of virtual machines in a data center. The methods and systems attach virtual disks to virtual machines on the same datastore of the VMs. The methods and systems adjust storage space of the VDs based on storage space available to the VDs, and retains data stored in the VDs in response to receiving a request to delete the VM and the VD identifies as persistent.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating an anode, methods for fabricating a battery, and lithium batteries are disclosed. A method for fabricating an anode includes forming a melt comprising lithium and a surface tension reduction agent, wherein the surface tension reduction agent is selected from the group consisting of silver, tin, gallium, indium, zinc, and combinations thereof; and contacting an anode current collector with the melt, wherein a layer of the melt wets onto the anode current collector to form the anode as a lithium alloy.

Abstract: In a method for video decoding in a video decoder, a maximum transform size associated with a video sequence is determined. The maximum transform size is indicated by a syntax element associated with the video sequence. Whether a coding unit (CU) size of a CU of the video sequence is larger than the maximum transform size is determined. When the CU size is less than the maximum transform size, a sub-block transform (SBT) mode is enabled. When the CU size is larger than the maximum transform size, the CU is split into a plurality of first transform units (TUs) and when intra sub partition (ISP) mode is enabled, one of the plurality of first TUs is split into a plurality of second TUs. The CU is reconstructed based on whether the CU size is larger than the maximum transform size.

Abstract: A safe heating circuit, comprising a PTC electric heating element; a first switching element, configured to switch on-off a power loop of the heating element; a first voltage acquisition circuit, configured to sample a first temperature voltage; an NTC element configured to receive a leakage current; a second voltage acquisition circuit, configured to sample a second temperature voltage; and a controller, configured to compare the first or second temperature voltage to a set temperature voltage and output the on-off signal, the second voltage acquisition circuit comprises a voltage divider circuit and a third current limiting circuit, and a second filter circuit; one signal input terminal is coupled to the second filter circuit to receive a sampling signal; and a current flow-in terminal of the third current limiting circuit is coupled to a power terminal, and a current flow-out terminal is coupled to the connection terminal.

Abstract: A ring includes a controller. The ring can also include a power source configured to power the controller. The ring further can include a charging unit. The charging unit can be configured to convert a first form of energy into a second form of energy. The charging unit also can be coupled to the power source to provide the second form of energy to the power source. The controller can execute instructions to control operation of a user interface. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An aerosol generating system includes a liquid storage portion, a liquid transfer element, a power supply, and a heating element operably coupled to the power supply and configured to heat the aerosol generating substrate. The system also includes a cover over the liquid storage portion.

Abstract: A method of identifying negative beliefs within the subconscious mind includes presenting a mind map to a subject, asking the subject a series of questions based on the mind map, administering muscle response testing, and identifying a negative belief based on the muscle response testing. The method may further include removing the negative belief and installing a positive belief by swiping a magnetic device over the subject's governing meridian while holding the intention to release the negative belief and install the positive belief. In some examples, the method includes using a monitoring device having sensors and software designed to measure physiological responses.

Abstract: Height adjustable seat posts for bicycles are described herein. An example apparatus includes a height adjustable seat post including a valve and an internal actuator to operate the valve to enable the seat post to expand or contract. The apparatus also includes a control device including a housing and a microcontroller in the housing. The control device is outside of the seat post. The microcontroller is to control power to the internal actuator based on wireless signals from a seat post actuator on the bicycle. The apparatus also includes a cable to electrically couple the seat post and the control device.