Abstract: A method and apparatus may be provided for building a linear media source extension (MSE) buffer from two or more nonlinear media sources using MPD chaining. The method may include parsing at least one obtained media presentation segment (MPD), and obtain a live MPD based on the at least one URL, the live MPD comprising one or more live media segments. The method may include appending the one or more ad media segments to a first MSE source buffer based on a first timing model and chaining the one or more live media segments to the one or more ad media segments by appending the one or more live media segments to the first buffer based on a second timing model. The one or more ad media segments may be dispatched and the one or more live media segments based on the first timing model and the second timing model.

Abstract: A media processing tool adds custom data to an elementary media bitstream or media container. The custom data indicates nominal range of samples of media content, but the meaning of the custom data is not defined in the codec format or media container format. For example, the custom data indicates the nominal range is full range or limited range. For playback, a media processing tool parses the custom data and determines an indication of media content type. A rendering engine performs color conversion operations whose logic changes based at least in part on the media content type. In this way, a codec format or media container format can in effect be extended to support full nominal range media content as well as limited nominal range media content, and hence preserve full or correct color fidelity, while maintaining backward compatibility and conformance with the codec format or media container format.

Abstract: A system for preventing unauthorized replay of a software container is disclosed. The system comprises a container manager configured to receive a software container from a customer and send a software container validation request comprising a software container identity in response. The software container enables delivery of a network slice and comprises a plurality of elements. The system also comprises an anti-rollback platform that is configured to receive the validation request from the container manager, search a data store for the software container identity, compare the elements of the software container to corresponding elements stored in the data store as associated with the software container identity in response to locating the software container identity in the data store, and validate the software container based on the comparison. The container manager provides the network slice to the customer in response to the validation.

Abstract: An application window divider control is shared by a first application window and a second application window in a user interface. Based on a received directional instruction that moves the application window divider control along an axis of the user interface, placement of the first application window and the second application window may be positioned across a range of consistently spaced points along an axis of the user interface. Placement adjustment can also impact other application windows in the user interface. The application window divider control may also snap to provide “magnetic” points along the axis when certain conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: A system comprises a processor and a memory storing instructions. The processor receives an image for processing using a reinforcement learning based agent comprising a neural network trained using a reward function. The image includes N lane lines of a roadway, where N is a positive integer. The instructions configure the processor to traverse the image using the agent at least N times from a first end of the image to a second end of the image by: incrementally moving the agent from a first side of the image to a second side of the image after each traversal; and maximizing rewards for the agent using the reward function during each traversal of the image using the agent. The instructions configure the processor to identify the N lane lines of the roadway as a single cluster of lane lines after traversing the image using the agent at least N times.

Abstract: A flush mount fog pod is front-mounted through a hole in a vehicle or bumper frame. A bracket is inserted through the hole and turned 90 degrees for mounting to a bezel, which is attached to the front of the hole with bolts and nuts. A light pod is then snapped into the bracket. An adjustor bolt adjustably attaches to the back of the light pod through an access hole in the bezel and controls the tilt of the light pod by screwing and unscrewing the head of the adjustor bolt from the front of the light. A protective cover rotates over the head of the adjustor bolt when not in use to protect it from dirt and debris.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for shale pyrolysis. A retort may include a first side and a second side opposite the first side, where the first side and the second side include descending angled surfaces at alternating angles to produce zig-zag motion of shale descending through the retort. Steam distributors may be coupled to the first side, with collectors coupled to the second side, to produce crossflow of steam and heat across the descending shale. A steam temperature control subsystem may be coupled to the steam distributors and may deliver higher-temperature steam to an upper portion of the retort and lower-temperature steam to a lower portion of the retort.

Abstract: A metal furnace header gate system haying a recirculation port in the furnace, a hot gas generator, a gas blower, and a furnace door. The door has an embedded gas manifold and outlet ports that each connect the manifold to a directional nozzle. The blower draws exhaust from the recirculation port into the hot gas generator, which generates additional exhaust and mixes the exhaust gases together. The blower forces this exhaust mixture into the manifold, through the nozzles, and into the furnace. A computer controls the blower and the hot gas generator to regulate the system.

Abstract: The present disclosure is to determine a probable root cause of a performance issue. For example, a method can include processing, using a processor, a set of calls for a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) transaction wherein individual calls of the set of calls have a set of parameters; and identifying, using the processor, that the HTTP transaction has a performance issue that falls below a predetermined level of a performance metric. Further steps can include separating, using the processor, the set of calls into a first group with the performance issue and a second group without the performance issue; discovering, using the processor, a common subset of parameters among the first group; and determining that the common subset of parameters is a probable root cause of the performance issue if the common subset of parameters is not found in the second group.

Abstract: A method for routing electronic payment transactions includes receiving transaction-related information from a merchant, extracting transaction routing criteria from the received transaction-related information, dynamically identifying one or more eligible payment networks based on extracted transaction routing criteria, predicting a likelihood of authorization acceptance for each identified network based on the transaction-related information, dynamically identifying one or more breakeven transaction amounts for each identified eligible payment network, each breakeven transaction amount defining a point at which two or more eligible payment networks have the same expenses for a given transaction amount, the expenses including costs associated with a low predicted likelihood of authorization acceptance, and routing signature debit transactions from the merchant to a least cost PIN-less debit network selected from the eligible payment networks based on identification of a desired breakeven transaction amount f

Abstract: Nasal respiratory assembly includes flexible tubing connected to a fluid source. The flexible tubing includes a pair of receptacles through which the fluid is dispensed, a pair of posts, and a connector with a central opening sized and shaped to cooperate with one of the receptacles. Each post includes a flange sized and shaped to fit over the nostril of a patient; a main body comprising a passageway configured therein.

Abstract: A first wireless device may determine a number of sidelink slots, configured in a sidelink resource pool configuration, over a fixed duration. The first wireless device may determine a reservation period in units of slots based on a first reservation period in milli-second (ms) and the number of sidelink slots. The first wireless device may transmit a transport block via one or more transmission resources selected based on the reservation period.

Abstract: An aqueous coating compositions including a coalescent represented by Formula I: R1—O—(A)n—R2, where R1 is hydrogen, a C1-C12 linear aliphatic, or a C1-C12 branchedaliphatic, A is an alkylene oxide, R2 is a hydrogen group, a C1-C4 linear aliphatic or branched aliphatic group, a C1-C4 linear or branched carbonyl group, or a benzyl group, and n has an average value from 3 to 25.

Abstract: A detector of thermal neutrons, fast neutrons and gamma photons that is based on a Cherenkov radiation detector in water and that allows large active volumes of detection at a relatively low cost and higher intensity signals, wherein said detector comprises a container comprising at least a lid; a photon reflective and diffusive coating inside the container; an aqueous solution contained in the container, which comprises sodium chloride (NaCl); and a light sensing device optically coupled to the aqueous solution.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and compositions for protein and peptide sequencing.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes an engine, a transmission, an exhaust system, an adjustable valve, a sensor, and a controller. The engine is configured to propel a vehicle. The transmission is configured to transfer power from the engine to at least one drive wheel. The exhaust system is configured to route exhaust away from the engine. The exhaust system has a catalyst and an outlet. The adjustable valve is disposed within the exhaust system proximate to the outlet. The sensor is configured to observe human gestures. The controller is programmed to receive signals from the sensor indicative of the human gestures while the transmission is in a parked gear. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the sensor observing a first human gesture, increase an operating speed of the engine or adjust the valve to increase a noise output from the outlet of the exhaust system.

Abstract: Methods for marking a seat belt webbing with an infrared compound are described herein. The methods comprise ablating a surface of the seat belt webbing by directing one or more laser pulses toward the seat belt webbing; and coating the ablated surface of the seat belt webbing with the infrared compound, wherein the infrared compound increases absorptivity or reflectivity of the seat belt webbing to infrared radiation. Methods for optically monitoring operation of the seat belt webbing in a vehicle and distinguishing between proper positioning and improper positioning of the seat belt webbing are also disclosed.

Abstract: An aircraft may include a body structure, a tail section articulatably coupled to the body structure and including a tail structure, a propulsion system coupled to the tail structure and configured to produce thrust for the aircraft, and a stabilizer coupled to the tail structure, and an actuation system configured to articulate the tail section relative to the body structure to change a thrust vector of the propulsion system and an angle of attack of the stabilizer during flight. The actuation system may be configured to articulate the tail section about at least two perpendicular rotational axes. The propulsion system may be configured to produce the thrust in a first thrust direction in a first flight mode (e.g., a rotor-borne flight mode) and to produce the thrust in a second thrust direction in a second flight mode (e.g., a wing-borne flight mode).

Abstract: Technologies are provided for a multi-cloud bursting service. An example method can include receiving, via a cloud bursting service associated with different clouds, a cloud bursting configuration enabling the cloud bursting service for a local compute environment; based on the cloud bursting configuration, determining a number of jobs in a jobs queue associated with one or more cloud environments from the different clouds; determining a number of nodes available to process the number of jobs in the jobs queue; based on the number of jobs in the jobs queue and number of nodes available, determining whether to spin up a new node, take offline an existing node, or shutdown the existing node to yield a determination; and based on the determination and cloud bursting configuration, performing a cloud bursting action including spinning up the new node, taking offline the existing node, or shutting down the existing node.

Abstract: A portable incentive spirometry monitoring device and method of use. The device connected to the base of an incentive spirometer and is capable of monitoring inspiration within the incentive spirometer. The portable incentive spirometry monitoring device has a user interface for inputting a variety of different parameters, including a desired air volume, as well as attempt thresholds. Results can be stored such that medical personnel can review attempts by a patient to monitor therapeutic use, as well as encouraging patient use. The portable incentive spirometry monitoring device may be reused with different incentive spirometers without the need for extensive sterilization.