Abstract: Chitosan-based hybrid composite materials and mesoporous titanium-based hybrid composite materials are disclosed. These hybrid composite materials can be used for the removal of toxic heavy metal ions from both radioactive and non-radioactive liquid waste streams.

Abstract: A repair plate system includes a body having a distal nail portion configured for implantation into a limb bone and a proximal plate portion attached to the distal nail portion. A first plurality of fixation screws are configured for insertion into the distal nail portion and a second plurality of fixation screws are configured for insertion into the proximal plate portion.

Abstract: A high flow capacity flexible earth drainage system and method for relieving and conveying pore water is disclosed. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed high flow capacity flexible earth drainage system and method provide an arrangement of high flow capacity flexible earth drains, wherein each flexible earth drain may include one or more flexible ridged panels, one or more single-sided flexible ridged panels, one or more two-sided flexible ridged panels, and/or one or more flexible zigzag panels arranged longitudinal within a geotextile filter fabric sleeve. Further, a method is provided of installing the high flow capacity flexible earth drains to form the presently disclosed high flow capacity flexible earth drainage system for relieving and conveying pore water.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed herein for expediting blockchain transactions. More specifically, the technology describes techniques for assessing risk associated with expediting processing of blockchain transactions received by a transaction processing platform. When a determination is made that a transaction can be expedited, the transaction processing platform can expedite the transaction, e.g., locally process the blockchain transaction, prior to receiving a verification or confirmation from the consensus network. In this manner, the transaction processing platform can act like a local cache allowing quick access and operation on permanently stored data within the blockchain with minimal or calculated risk.

Abstract: In some embodiments, gaze-tracking-based image downscaling for multi-party video communication may be provided. In some embodiments, a set of gaze locations may be received from a set of receiving devices during concurrent video communication sessions between the receiving devices and a sending device. Different collections of positions may be determined based on the gaze locations, and, for each such collection, a spatial indicator (e.g., a bounded region) may be determined. A first downscaled encoding of the source image (from the sending device) may be generated based on the first spatial indicator, and a second downscaled encoding of the source image may be generated based on the second spatial indicator, etc. The downscaled encodings may then be sent to the respective receiving devices during the concurrent video communication sessions.

Abstract: An apparatus for video decoding includes processing circuitry configured to receive a splitting direction syntax element, a first merge triangle index syntax element, and a second merge triangle index syntax element that are associated with a coding block of a picture. The coding block is coded according to a triangular prediction mode and partitioned into a first prediction unit and a second prediction unit according to a split direction. A first merge index identifies first motion information in a merge candidate list of the coding block. A second merge index identifies second motion information in the merge candidate list of the coding block. The coding block is reconstructed according to first prediction samples of the first prediction unit and second prediction samples of the second prediction unit. A value of the second merge triangle index syntax element is based on the first merge index.

Abstract: A battery charging system includes a charging rack comprising multiple receptacle, multiple battery assemblies. Each of the battery assemblies includes a housing having a handle, rechargeable battery cells disposed within the housing, and a mating feature protruding away from the housing, wherein the mating feature is configured to selectively connect the battery assembly with the receptacle of the charging rack and includes multiple ports electrically connected to the battery cells and configured receive power from the charging rack to charge the battery cells, and wherein the handle comprises a release button configured to selectively disengage the battery assembly from the receptacle of the charging rack.

Abstract: A video encoder is configured to encode a bit stream including a coded picture having a first contiguous region and a second contiguous region, the first contiguous region containing common motion, the second contiguous region containing local motion. The encoded bitstream is provided to a decoder which is configured to decode the first contiguous region of the coded picture to reconstruct the common motion by utilizing a motion model common to all of the coding blocks in the first region. A merge candidate list is selectively created and a merge candidate is selected to decode the first region based on the common motion model. The second contiguous region is decoded using individual motion information for each coding block in the second contiguous region.

Abstract: A power tool includes: an electric motor; an energy storage device (a) that includes hybrid supercapacitors and (b) that has an energy density of at least approximately 150 watt hours per kilogram (Wh/kg); and at least one switch configured to selectively enable power flow from the energy storage device to the electric motor and to selectively disable power flow from the energy storage device to the electric motor.

Abstract: Maxillary devices and mandibular devices each have a first housing connectable to a tooth of a user or connectable or integral with a teeth covering, wherein the housing encloses an on-board circuit board and a power source. The first housing of the maxillary devices has a tooth connecting portion, a palate housing portion and/or a buccal housing portion. The first housing of the mandibular devices has a tooth connecting portion and a sublingual portion. Each of the palate housing portion and the buccal housing portion enclose a stimulator having an electrode electrically connected to the on-board circuit board and the power source, and can enclose a sensor and/or a medicament dispenser. Methods of treatment using the same are disclosed also.

Abstract: Presented are wearable sensor systems for monitoring user movement, methods for making/using such systems, exoskeletons employing such systems, and wireless-enabled wearable sensor devices for performing biometric measurements. A sensor system for monitoring movement of a user includes a wearable sensor device that is communicatively connectable to a sensor linking node. The sensor linking node wirelessly receives sensor data from the wearable sensor device and wirelessly communicates the received sensor data to a remote computing node. The wearable sensor device includes an expandable device body, such as an elastic compression sleeve or an adjustable strap, that is worn on an appendage of the user. The device body includes a mounting interface, such as mating hook-and-loop fastener pads, that removably mounts thereon a biometric sensor core (BSC) unit.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a neutral surfactant or a reaction product thereof and a reaction product of a saccharide polymer and a fatty acid may be obtained in the presence of water and a hydroxide base (optionally in the presence of the neutral surfactant), the saccharide polymer comprising a dextran, a dextrin compound, or any combination thereof. The reaction product of the saccharide polymer and the fatty acid may be present at a concentration effective to lower surface tension of the neutral surfactant. Depending on the fatty acid identity, among other factors, the compositions may promote emulsification or de-emulsification. In addition, the compositions may promote foam formation under appropriate conditions. Treatment fluids comprising the compositions, including foamed treatment fluids, may be introduced into a subterranean formation to perform a treatment operation in which fluid emulsification or de-emulsification may occur.

Abstract: An apparatus for physiologically informed gestational inquiries is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least a processor and memory communicatively connected to the at least a processor. The memory instructs the processor to receive a biological extraction from the user. The memory instructs the processor to receive a gestational inquiry from the user. The memory instructs the processor to separate the gestational inquiry from a description of the gestational inquiry. The memory instructs the processor to determine a gestational target as a function of the gestational inquiry and the biological extraction. The memory instructs the processor to generate a gestational report as a function of the gestational target.

Abstract: Platform behavior may be adapted via machine-learning-based entity lifecycle monitoring. A web crawler agent collects data comprising an entity identifier token. A machine learning model is trained to determine, based at least in part on the entity identifier token, whether a corresponding entity is associated with the computing platform (e.g., whether the corresponding entity is a platform subscriber entity for the computing platform). Based on the output of the machine learning model applied to the entity identifier token (in some embodiments, in combination with other relevant data parsed from the collected data), an indication of an entity lifecycle status and a confidence value therefor are determined. Based on the entity lifecycle status and the confidence value, a listener is bound to the platform subscriber entity. The listener monitors activity of the platform subscriber entity with respect to the platform and identifies platform action to take in response.

Abstract: A wireless device receives a system information block (SIB) comprising a value of a scheduling request (SR) delay timer. The wireless device receives, in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state, an RRC message comprising a parameter indicating the SR delay timer is applied to a logical channel. The wireless device initiates a small data transmission (SDT) procedure in an RRC inactive state, wherein at least one radio bearer, associated with the logical channel, is configured for the SDT procedure. The wireless device, in response to triggering, during the SDT procedure, buffer status reporting (BSR) for the logical channel, start the SR delay timer based on the parameter indicating the SR delay timer is applied to the logical channel and the value of the SIB.

Abstract: An asset management system is described. The system may include a receiver configured to receive a plurality of entities' performance information, margin of safety information, and a user information. The user information may include a user asset portfolio. The system may further include a processor configured to calculate a first quality score for each entity based on entity's performance information. The processor may be further configured to calculate a second user portfolio quality score based on the user asset portfolio and the first quality score. Furthermore, the processor may be configured to obtain a trigger signal when a predefined condition associated with the second user portfolio quality score is met. Responsive to receiving the trigger signal, the processor may be configured to determine a recommendation for the user asset portfolio. The system may further include a transmitter configured to transmit the recommendation to a user device.

Abstract: A connector includes a forward connector body, a rear connector body that interfaces with the forward connector body and a metal frame positioned about the forward and rear connectors bodies. The rear connector body defines a central channel to receive a single pair of conductors. Each of a first and second side face of the rear connector body includes an elongate opening that extends through a front face of the rear connector body to provide access to an upward channel and a downward channel, respectively, of a contact receiving portion of the rear connector body. The metal frame includes a rearward portion and a forward portion. The rearward portion of the metal frame is positioned about the rear connector body as well as a rearward portion of the forward connector body while the forward portion of the metal frame is positioned about a forward portion of the forward connector body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts or prodrug thereof. The present invention also relates to compositions comprising at least one compound of Formula (I), and methods of using the compounds of Formula (I) for treatment or prophylaxis of lysosomal storage diseases, neurodegenerative disease, cystic disease, cancer, or a diseases or disorders associated with elevated levels of glucosylceramide (GlcCer), glucosylsphingosine (GlcSph) and/or other glucosylceramide-based glycosphingolipids (GSLs).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of making barrel stents/flow diverters and braided stents, which artisans may use to resolve tinnitus, inter alia.

Abstract: A tray assembly for a vehicle has a steering wheel rim and a plate-shaped tray unit arranged on the steering wheel rim. The steering wheel rim is mounted to be pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis between a steering position and a tray position arranged at a smaller angle of inclination than in the steering position. In order to provide a tray assembly which can be handled in a manner which is reliable in operation and user-friendly, an edge of the tray unit is matched to a profile of the steering wheel rim such that the tray unit arranged on the steering wheel rim located in the tray position partially or completely covers the steering wheel rim from above, without projecting beyond the steering wheel rim on the outside.