Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer program products for determining an ammunition round count by resistive encoding. According to one embodiment, a system for providing an indication of a number of rounds of ammunition in a magazine of a firearm includes a follower for the rounds to rest upon, where the follower is internal to the magazine and pushes the follower and the rounds toward a mouth of the magazine to facilitate feeding the rounds into the firearm. The system also includes a resistive strip membrane potentiometer sensor arranged substantially along a length of the magazine that generates an output voltage when a first and a second circuit are connected by applying pressure to a surface of the sensor. The output voltage varies based on a position where the pressure is applied to the surface of the sensor and the first and second circuits are connected.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for reading and writing data from a database table. In one aspect, a method includes: (1) initiating a read transaction to read from a first non-key column of a row in the database table, the database table having a plurality of rows, each row comprising a primary key and a plurality of non-key columns, the initiating including: (a) determining that a write transaction holds a lock on a second non-key column of the row in the database table, and (b) determining that no lock is held on the first non-key column; and (2) in response, concurrently reading data from the first non-key column and writing a new column value to the second non-key column; where each non-key column includes a last-write timestamp that indicates when the last write occurred for the respective non-key column.

Abstract: In various examples there is a computing device comprising: a first microcontroller comprising a first immutable bootloader and first mutable firmware. The first immutable bootloader uses a unique device secret burnt into hardware of the computing device in order to generate an attestation of the first mutable firmware. The computing device has a second microcontroller. There is second mutable firmware at the second microcontroller. There is a second immutable bootloader at the second microcontroller which sends a measurement of the second mutable firmware to the first immutable bootloader whenever the second microcontroller restarts, such that the first microcontroller is able to include the measurement in the attestation.

Abstract: The disclosure features various embodiments and aspects of a chest for quenching beverages. The chest can include a tank for holding a chilled mixture of ice and water, an ice maker adapted for making ice having an output for ejecting ice into a conduit in fluid communication with the tank, and a plurality of quench trays disposed above the tank for holding containers of beverages located in first and second positions. The trays can be filled with cold water by way of a conduit in fluid communication with the tank. The quench trays can include a compartment defined by a bottom and a plurality of walls, and defining therein a plurality of rows for aligning and containing a plurality of beverage containers. The drawers can further include at least one drain orifice configured to guide water out of the quench tray.

Abstract: An isolation valve system, method, and apparatus are provided that can isolate a wellbore and prevent fluids from exiting the well and prevent seawater from entering the well. The system can be a two-part design in some embodiments where a shear sub is selectively interconnected to a body via shearing screws. A sufficient force on the shear sub destroys the shearing screws and the shear sub is removed from the body. This movement rotates an actuator on the body, which in turn rotates a valve in the body to provide the isolating function during routine operation of a wellbore or during an emergency.

Abstract: A brake pad having a backing plate, friction lining, and a surface coating adhered to the friction lining. The surface coating may be formulated to generate a transfer layer on a brake rotor faster than the friction lining alone. The surface coating may be adhered to the friction lining in a predetermined design.

Abstract: System, method, and apparatus for harnessing geothermal power from superhot geothermal fluid (SHGF) and magma reservoirs. An exemplary apparatus can include a well screen coupled to an end of a casing string. The well screen, which is at least partially submerged within an underground reservoir, defines a volume in the underground reservoir that can be filled with superhot geothermal fluid. A slidable casing is aligned coaxially with the well screen and configured to be repositioned relative to the well screen. A draw pipe extending through the slidable casing is configured to convey SHGF from the underground reservoir towards the surface in response to the slidable casing being repositioned to obstruct more of a set of apertures in the well screen and an increase in pressure within a cavity of the slidable casing.

Abstract: One or more computing devices, systems, and/or methods for video encoding are provided. For example, a video file may be segmented into at least a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may be analyzed to determine that the first portion is associated with a first level of complexity, and the second portion may be analyzed to determine that the second portion is associated with a second level of complexity. A first bitrate associated with the first level of complexity may be determined, and a second bitrate associated with the second level of complexity may be determined. The first portion may be encoded at the first bitrate to generate a first encoded portion, and the second portion may be encoded at the second bitrate to generate a second encoded portion. The first encoded portion and the second encoded portion may be assembled to generate an optimized video file.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media for reducing latency in augmented reality displays. A display controller receives, from a GPU, a stream of image pixels of a frame of virtual content to be presented on a display of a display device. The stream of image pixels is received via a high-speed bulk interface that transfers data at least as fast as can be consumed by the display. As the stream of image pixel is received, the display controller converts each respective image pixel from a data format used to transmit the stream of image pixels via the high-speed bulk interface to a data format that is compatible for display by the display. Each converted image pixel is stored in a pixel cell of the display, after which the frame is presented on the display.

Abstract: A control device configuration system may receive, store, process, and/or display control device configuration information. The control device configuration system may filter the control device configuration information based on user selections of configuration options for configuration parameters. The control device configuration system may identify compatible and incompatible configuration options for various configuration parameters. The control device configuration system may allow selections of the incompatible configuration options. The control device configuration system may adjust how it filters the control device configuration information based on the selections of the incompatible configuration options. The control device configuration system may implement a configuration model that includes configuration parameter groups for efficient evaluation of user selections.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula: where R1-R6, a, b, and X are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds have neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and processes and intermediates for preparing such compounds.

Abstract: An aspiration catheter is provided including a proximal section and a distal section extendable through the proximal section. A vacuum transfer tool may be coupled to a proximal end of the proximal section. The vacuum transfer tool may include a proximal transfer tube and a distal transfer tube, each having an aspiration port in communication with a vacuum source. The proximal transfer tube may be removably received within a proximal end of the distal transfer tube. The distal section of the catheter may be inserted into the proximal section through the proximal transfer tube. The proximal transfer tube may maintain a vacuum around a proximal end of the distal section of the catheter such that when the distal section is removed by decoupling the proximal and distal transfer tubes, the vacuum within the distal transfer tube and proximal section of the catheter is maintained, preventing an escape of any clots.

Abstract: A knee bolster assembly for a vehicle seat includes a knee bolster moveably mounted in proximity to the vehicle seat, the knee bolster selectively moveable between a first position, wherein a passenger is able to enter and exit the vehicle seat, and a second position, wherein the knee bolster is positioned directly in front of a seating surface of the vehicle seat, such that legs of a passenger seated within the vehicle seat are positioned between the seating surface of the vehicle seat and the knee bolster, the knee bolster adapted to prevent an occupant of the vehicle seat from sliding forward off the vehicle seat and restrict any hyper-extending of their lower legs due to forward inertia, and an energy absorbing device adapted to absorb energy when knees or legs of a passenger within the vehicle seat impact the knee bolster.

Abstract: A solution for automated food selection includes: an order processing component operable to receive an order identifying an item; a selection component comprising: a first hyperspectral sensor operable to sense a reflection from the item and produce a sensor output based at least on the reflection; and a picking mechanism; a control component operable to: based at least on identification of the item, select a hyperspectral profile from a set of hyperspectral profiles; compare the sensor output with the selected hyperspectral profile; and based at least on the comparison, determine whether to select the item for fulfillment of the order, wherein the picking mechanism is operable to divert the item to a selection output based at least on a determination to select the item for fulfillment of the order; and a transport component operable to transport the item to an order storage zone.

Abstract: Provided is a novel multi-level inverter with mixed device types and methods of controlling same. This novel multi-level inverter topology and control method allows the use of high frequency switching devices for controlled PWM switching, while also using lower frequency switching devices for directional switches. This combination of high frequency PWM switching devices with low frequency directional switching devices allows a cost reduction without a significant performance degradation.

Abstract: Fluid refining systems and methods are disclosed. A fluid refining apparatus may include an enclosed housing containing a plurality of upper cylinders and a plurality of lower cylinders. The enclosed housing may include at least one inlet port, at least one outlet port, and an inner chamber in fluid communication with the at least one inlet port. The plurality of upper and lower cylinders may be positioned in interlaced relationship to each other, and may be adapted for rotation relative to each other. The plurality of upper cylinders may have gradually increasing diameters extending from an inner upper cylinder to an outer upper cylinder. The plurality of lower cylinders may have gradually increasing diameters extending from an inner lower cylinder to an outer lower cylinder. Each of the cylinders may be spaced apart from its adjacent cylinder(s) and include at least one fluid aperture.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing content are disclosed. Content may be provided to a first device. A manifest file may be generated. The content may be provided to a second device.

Abstract: A system, process, and computer-readable medium for updating an application cache using a stream listening service is described. A stream listening service may monitor one or more data streams for content relating to a user. The stream listening service may forward the content along with time-to-live values to an application cache. A user may use an application to obtain information regarding the user's account, where the application obtains information from a data store and/or cached information from the application cache. The stream listening service, by forwarding current account information, obtained from listening to one or more streams, to the application cache, reduces traffic at the data store by providing current information from the data stream to the application cache.

Abstract: Described herein are neurotrophic and nootropic compositions and methods for treating subjects with such compositions. In one aspect the composition comprises one or more tryptamines or in pure form or extracts from psilocybin containing mushrooms, or combinations thereof optionally combined with one or more phenethylamines or amphetamines in pure form or extracts from a plant or mushroom, or combinations thereof, optionally one or more erinacines or hericenones in pure form, extracts from Hericium mushroom species (e.g., H. erinaceus, H. coralloides, H. ramosum) or combinations thereof, optionally one or more cannabinoids in pure form or extracts from Cannabis sativa, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, or Cannabis ruderalis, optionally, one or more adversive compounds, and optionally one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.