Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a boost phase of a procedure to close a driveline disconnect clutch may be cut short in response to an engine changing state from not rotating to rotating so that the engine may be restarted in an alternative way. The system and methods may also predict a degraded engine start from a low engine cranking speed or a long cranking time duration so that the engine may be started in an alternative way to increase a possibility of starting the engine and decrease the severity of degraded driveline disturbance.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides the identification of genes involved in sucker growth in tobacco. Also provided are promoters that are preferentially active in tobacco axillary buds. Also provided are modified tobacco plants comprising reduced or no sucker growth. Also provided are methods and compositions for producing modified tobacco plants comprising reduced or no sucker growth.

Abstract: Systems and methods to perform sensor fusion with a depth imager and a radar system involve transmitting radio frequency (RF) energy from the radar system to a region and simultaneously emitting light to the region using a light source, Reflected light is received at a depth imager aligned with the light source, and RF reflections are received at the radar system. The reflected light is processed to obtain azimuth, elevation, range, variance in range, and reflectivity to each pixel that makes up the region. Processing the RF reflections provides azimuth, elevation, range, variance in range, velocity, and variance in velocity to a subset of the pixels representing a region of interest. Performing the sensor fusion includes using the azimuth, the elevation, the variance in range, and the reflectivity resulting from the depth imager and the range, the velocity, and the variance in velocity resulting from the radar system.

Abstract: A sucker rod cleaning system includes an inductive heating device, a feed mechanism, a first support and a second support. An electromagnet of inductive heating device includes a wire coil head that is configured to inductively heat a sucker rod positioned within a heating zone. The feed mechanism is configured to feed a sucker rod through the heating zone in a feed direction. The first support is positioned on an upstream side of the wire coil head, and is configured to support a portion of a sucker rod as it is fed through the heating zone by the teed mechanism. The second support is positioned on a downstream side of the wire coil head, and is configured to support a portion of a sucker rod as it is fed through the heating zone by the feed mechanism.

Abstract: Sampling devices for sampling an aqueous source (e.g., field testing of ground water) for multiple different analytes are described. Devices include a solid phase extraction component for retention of a wide variety of targeted analytes. Devices include analyte derivatization capability for improved extraction of targeted analytes. Thus, a single device can be utilized to examine a sample source for a wide variety of analytes. Devices also include an isotope dilution capability that can prevent error introduction to the sample analysis and can correct for sample loss and degradation from the point of sampling until analysis as well as correction for incomplete or poor derivatization reactions. The devices can be field-deployable and rechargeable.

Abstract: A display comprises a polarised output spatial light modulator, switchable liquid crystal retarder, absorbing polarizer and touch panel electrodes. The switchable liquid crystal layer is stabilised by a cured reactive mesogen material during application of an applied voltage. Light scatter in privacy mode is reduced and visual security level enhanced. Visibility of disclinations during application of applied pressure, for example from a finger on a touch screen is minimised.

Abstract: In this disclosure, quantum algorithms are presented for simulating Hamiltonian time-evolution e?i(A+B)t in the interaction picture of quantum mechanics on a quantum computer. The interaction picture is a known analytical tool for separating dynamical effects due to trivial free-evolution A from those due to interactions B. This is especially useful when the energy-scale of the trivial component is dominant, but of little interest. Whereas state-of-art simulation algorithms scale with the energy ?A+B???A?+?B? of the full Hamiltonian, embodiments of the disclosed approach generally scale linearly with the sum of the Hamiltonian coefficients from the low-energy component B and poly-logarithmically with those from A.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing an aggregated and interactive content service over a network. In one embodiment, extant high-bandwidth capabilities of a managed network are leveraged for delivering content downstream to network users or subscribers, and standards-compliant ultra-low latency and high data rate services (e.g., 5G NR based) are leveraged for (i) uploading content, and (ii) enabling interaction with the content based on user input. In one embodiment, the exemplary apparatus and methods are implemented to aggregate content from various third-party sources at a managed content delivery network (CDN) and deliver it as a combined or fused single stream (versus multiple distinct content streams), and allow interaction with the aggregated content stream via the low-latency connection to the aggregation processing entity.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for tracking amounts of wires provided to a winding head during a winding operation of a wire distribution system. The wires can be tracked using one or more wire tracking devices that can be disposed at one or more locations within the wire distribution system. The wire tracking devices can provide information related to the amounts of wires and the types of wires being used to wind about a winding head/form. The information can be used to check for errors during a winding operation and indicate the progress of the winding operation. The information can also be used to update wire-availability data to reflect the amount of wire that has been provided during the winding operation.

Abstract: A solid, multi-plastic handlebar is provided. The handlebar includes an inner substrate component made of a load-bearing, structural plastic material. In one embodiment, the substrate component includes a first set of circumferentially-spaced, longitudinally-extending locking members. The handlebar also includes an outer component overlying the substrate component and made of a plastic material less rigid than the plastic material of the substrate component. The outer component is configured to be gripped by a human hand. The outer component includes a second set of circumferentially-spaced, longitudinally-extending locking members which interlock with the first set of locking members to mechanically lock the substrate component and the outer component together.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods, devices, and systems for blending geographic data when combining geographic data sources. The methods, devices, and systems identify a blend region for transitioning between a first dataset and a second dataset. The methods, devices, and systems extrapolate geographic data from the second dataset to blend with the geographic data from the first dataset to create blended elevation data in the blend region. The methods, devices, and systems may generate an image for a geographic region with the first set of geographic data, the second set of geographic data, and the blended elevation data.

Abstract: Implementations of various methods and systems of a network, GPS system, mobile computing devices, servers, forward commodity market servers, grouping software for hubs, transparent open access pricing systems, blockchain audit and safety methods and systems, virtual hub systems, algorithm methods for no arbitrage conditions in a simple easy to use graphical user interface format for mobile or virtual computing over various mediums which are connected via a network to transact and trade transportation seats or capacity units in airline transport, subway transport, train transport, automobile transport, autonomous vehicle transport, taxi transport, space transport, package freight transport, tractor trailer freight transport, cargo freight transport, container freight transport, virtual transport, underground transport, ship or sea transport, public transport, private transport or drone transport on a computer, mobile computer device, audio computer device, virtual reality computer device or mixed reality comp

Abstract: A port fuel injection system includes a fuel pump configured to produce a flow of pressurized liquid fuel at a pressure between 10 and 50 bar. A fuel rail is connected to receive the flow of pressurized liquid fuel from the fuel pump, the fuel rail. A plurality of fuel injectors, including one fuel injector positioned in the intake port of each engine cylinder upstream of the intake valve for the engine cylinder are connected to receive pressurized fuel from the fuel rail. An engine control unit (ECU) receives signals from sensors on the internal combustion engine and is programmed to actuate the fuel injectors to deliver fuel to each engine cylinder over a full range of engine operating conditions. A port fuel injection system with high pressure and fast acting fuel injectors improves fuel delivery and performance over the full range of engine operating conditions.

Abstract: A split coupler, and methods of making and using such a split coupler, whereby the split coupler includes a first semi-cylindrical member, a second semi-cylindrical member, and an interlocking assembly configured to interlock the first and second semi-cylindrical members to form a substantially cylindrical coupler having a coupler inner surface which defines a throughbore. Additionally, the split coupler can include spiral threads coupled to the coupler inner surface. Furthermore, the split coupler can include a flange inwardly extending from the coupler inner surface.

Abstract: Some storage systems are configured with VDL (valid data length) type controls that are implemented on a per cluster basis and, in some instances, on a sub-cluster basis, rather than simply a per file basis. In some instances, per-cluster VDL metadata for the storage clusters is stored and referenced at the edge data volume nodes of a distributed network for the storage system rather than, and/or without, storing or synchronizing the per-cluster VDL metadata at a master node that manages the corresponding storage clusters for the different data volume nodes. Sequence controls are also provided and managed by the master node and synchronized with the edge data volume nodes to further control access to data contained in the storage clusters.

Abstract: A method of providing a spatial light modulator comprising: providing a substrate; providing a first phase change material cell on the substrate, the first phase change material cell comprising: a first electrical heater on the substrate; a first optical reflector layer on the electrical heater; and a first phase change material layer on the optical reflector layer; and providing at least a second phase change material cell on the substrate, the second phase change material cell comprising: a second electrical heater on the substrate; a second optical reflector layer on the second electrical heater; a second phase change material layer on the second optical reflector layer; and providing a light absorber layer between the first phase change material cell and the second phase change material cell.

Abstract: An impact protection device includes a first shell configured to be disposed on a body portion of a user, a second shell spaced at a distance from the first shell, and a set of elastomeric members spanning the distance between the first shell and the second shell. Each elastomeric member includes a first end and an opposing second end, each first end comprises a first end portion disposed within a corresponding opening defined by the first shell and a terminal portion disposed against an inner wall of the first shell and each second end connected to the second shell. The set of elastomeric members are configured to stretch between the first shell and the second shell in response to a translation of the second shell relative to the first shell and at a location that is substantially opposite to an impact receiving location of the second shell.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing coverage access for wireless devices. A method includes setting a retransmission rate threshold within a wireless network and monitoring a retransmission rate within the wireless network. The method further includes comparing the monitored retransmission rate to the retransmission rate threshold and restricting wireless device access to at least one selected area within the wireless network when the monitored retransmission rate meets the retransmission rate threshold. The area is selected based on signal performance parameters.

Abstract: A method for brand identification of an electric vehicle to a charging station includes connecting a plug of the charging station to a socket of the electric vehicle, receiving a control pilot signal at the socket from the charging station, terminating the control pilot signal in a variable resistance in the electric vehicle, and toggling the variable resistance in a vehicle pattern that transitions between two charging state resistances. The charging station detects the vehicle pattern and maps the vehicle pattern to a vehicle brand of the electric vehicle. The method includes receiving electrical current to recharge the electric vehicle at the socket.

Abstract: A fastener for use in joining dissimilar materials manufactured by the process of producing the fastener with an external surface that forms an electrically insulating oxide layer when subjected to oxidation and, after manufacture and prior to use, subjecting the fastener to a pre-oxidation process to grow the desired oxide layer in situ on the external surface of the fastener. The present invention also provides a dissimilar material joint in which the pre-oxidized fastener is used to mechanically join dissimilar materials with the oxide layer electrically insulating the fastener from at least one of the dissimilar materials. The fastener may be a rivet used in friction self-piercing riveting (F-SPR). The fastener may be fabricated from an alloy capable of forming Al2O3 or Cr2O3 by thermal oxidation. The fastener may be pre-coated with Al or Cr that functions as a seed layer to form Al2O3 or Cr2O3.