Abstract: A gaming system is provided. The gaming system allows users to access applications via gaming communication devices coupled to a communication network. At least a portion of the network may be wireless. The gaming applications include gambling, financial, entertainment service, and other types of transactions. The system may include a user location determination feature to prevent users from conducting transactions from unauthorized areas. The gaming system may incorporate a user profile feature according to which certain information regarding users of the system may be maintained. Such information can include, without limitation, information relating to preferences, finances, activities participated in by the users, and trends and habits of the users.

Abstract: ALD and p-CVD methods to generate MgB2 and MgB2-containing films in the growth temperature range of 250-300° C. The thermal ALD and p-CVD methods shown herein ensure that the high-temperature-induced roughening, which causes high surface resistances in MgB2 coatings grown by the mentioned conventional techniques, is avoided. The MgB2 and MgB2-containing films exhibit superconductive properties at above 20° K.

Abstract: A lighting device comprises a support comprising a mounting section having at least one mounting face. The at least one mounting face has an arrangement direction and comprising at least two contact sections along the arrangement direction. The support further comprises a body section adjacent to the mounting section. The support further comprises a plurality of layered conductors connecting the body section to the at least one mounting face. The lighting device comprises at least one light-emitting element mounted along the arrangement direction of the at least one mounting face such that the at least one light-emitting element is in electrical contact to the at least two contact sections.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for detecting leakage of computing resources in cloud computing architectures are described. In some implementations, first data may be obtained that indicates usage of a computing resource, such as non-volatile memory, volatile memory, processor cycles, or network resources, by a group of computing devices included in a cloud computing architecture. The first data may be used to determine reference data that may include a distribution of values of usage of the computing resource by the group of computing devices. Second data may also be collected that indicates usage of the computing resource by the group of computing devices during a subsequent time frame. The second data may be evaluated against the reference data to determine whether one or more conditions indicating a leak of the computing resource are satisfied.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed a distributed storage system that supports query data. One embodiment provides, at a front-end node, a method comprising receiving a query regarding data stored in an object, obtaining information identifying data nodes at which blocks of the object are stored, sending, to a first data node, a query regarding data in a first block, and receiving results for the query regarding the data in the first block comprising an incomplete record. The method further comprises sending, to a second data node, a query regarding data in a second block comprising the incomplete record, the second block being stored on a different physical device than the first block, and receiving results for the query regarding the data in the second block. The method further comprises outputting the results for the queries regarding the data in the first block and the data in the second block.

Abstract: Formulations for promoting honeybee health include an aqueous solution having an organic acid, one or more buffering agents, one or more coloring dyes, and one or more strains of probiotic bacteria. The formulations can be in the form of syrup additives or sprays. The formulations can have additional active ingredients, inert ingredients, or both.

Abstract: A shoe-clip fastener for securing components in a vehicle includes a stop member having a wall portion and a slot defined in the wall portion and an insertion element coupled to the stop member. The insertion element includes a base member and a clip member cantilevered from the base member. The clip member includes an actuator section that projects proudly of the slot.

Abstract: The technology relates to enhancing the operation of autonomous vehicles. Extendible sensors are deployed based on detected or predicted conditions around a vehicle while operating in a self-driving mode. When not needed, the sensors are fully retracted into the vehicle to reduce drag and increase fuel economy. When the onboard system determines that there is a need for a deployable sensor, such as to enhance the field of view of the perception system, the sensor is extended in a predetermined manner. The deployment may depend on one or more operating conditions and/or particular driving scenarios. These and other sensors of the vehicle may be protected with a rugged housing, for instance to protect against damage from the elements. And in other situations, deployable foils may extend from the vehicle's chassis to increase drag and enhance braking. This may be helpful for large trucks in steep descent situations.

Abstract: An impact or extension handle for a needle assembly such as a jamshidi needle can include an attachment portion and a handle portion. The impact or extension handle can also include an impact strikeplate. The attachment portion is configured to couple to the jamshidi needle. A user can use the impact or extension handle to manipulate the position or angle of the needle assembly. A user can tap a mallet or similar instrument on the impact strikeplate to drive the needle assembly into a target location in a patient's body. The impact or extension handle can allow the user to hold his or her hands out of the way of equipment used during the procedure and away from potentially harmful radiation from imaging equipment used during the procedure.

Abstract: Various implementations of an illumination system include a light guide, a housing having a ceiling and defining a window, and a base coupled to the housing. The light guide is supported between the base and the ceiling. At least one light source is disposed adjacent a first end of the light guide. The light guide transmits the light from the light source through at least a portion of the outer surface of the light guide and the window. One or more tabs extending from the base each define at least one opening, and the at least one opening defined by each tab is alignable with an opening in a spoke portion of a frame. The openings receive a fastener to couple the base to the spoke portion. The housing may be integrally formed with a trim cover coupled to the frame.

Abstract: The present inventive subject matter provides systems, methods, software, and data structures for patent mapping, storage, and searching. Some such embodiments include mapping patent documents, claims, and claim limitations. Some further embodiments provide for searching a universe of patent documents by patent document, claim, limitation, class, element, or concept.

Abstract: A facile solvothermal method can be used to synthesize metal alkanoate nanoparticles using a metal nitrate precursor, alcohol/water, and alkanoic acid. The method can produce lanthanide (e.g., La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, or Yb) and transition metal (e.g., Ag, Co, Cu, or Pb) alkanoate nanoparticles (<100 nm) with spherical morphology. These hybrid nanomaterials adopt a lamellar structure consisting of inorganic metal cation layers separated by an alkanoate anion bilayer and exhibit liquid crystalline phases during melting. The metal alkanoate nanoparticles can be calcined to produce metal oxide nanoparticles.

Abstract: A support facility for a binocular has a base, the base including a tripod connection facility, a flexible strap having a first strap end connected to the base, and an opposed second strap end, a tensioner connected to the base and to the second strap end, the flexible strap, the base, and the tensioner defining an opening configured to receive a first barrel of the binocular, and the flexible strap including a length adjustment facility adjustable over a range of length adjustment positions. The length adjustment facility may be configured to provide a selected strap length based on the diameter of the first barrel. The tensioner may be configured to operate between a released position in which the length adjustment facility is removable from or movable along the flexible strap and an engaged position in which the support facility is engaged to the first barrel.

Abstract: Disclosed are cable types, including a type THHN cable, the cable types having a reduced surface coefficient of friction, and the method of manufacture thereof, in which the central conductor core and insulating layer are surrounded by a material containing nylon or thermosetting resin. A silicone based pulling lubricant for said cable, or alternatively, erucamide or stearyl erucamide for small cable gauge wire, is incorporated, by alternate methods, with the resin material from which the outer sheath is extruded, and is effective to reduce the required pulling force between the formed cable and a conduit during installation.

Abstract: Methods of encoding and decoding for video data are described for encoding or decoding multi-level significance maps. Distinct context sets may be used for encoding the significant-coefficient flags in different regions of the transform unit. In a fixed case, the regions are defined by coefficient group borders. In one example, the upper-left coefficient group is a first region and the other coefficient groups are a second region. In a dynamic case, the regions are defined by coefficient group borders, but the encoder and decoder dynamically determine in which region each coefficient group belongs. Coefficient groups may be assigned to one region or another based on, for example, whether their respective significant-coefficient-group flags were inferred or not.

Abstract: A wireless communication network serves user communication devices using Internet Protocol (IP) and Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB). An IAB Mobile Termination (MT) and an IAB donor establish a wireless IAB link. The IAB MT and a Centralized Unit (CU) establish IP links over the wireless IAB link. The IP links have different QoS levels. The IAB MT exchanges data streams with the user communication devices. The data streams have different QoS requirements. The IAB MT and the CU correlate the QoS requirements of the data streams with the QoS levels of the IP links. The IAB MT and the CU exchange individual ones of the data streams over individual ones of the IP links based on the QoS correlations. The CU exchanges the data streams with a data communication network based on the QoS requirements.

Abstract: A solderless plug-in coaxial connector attachment is provided. Elements are configured to engage and capture a coaxial grounding layer (or braid) as the connector is installed on the cable. The engagements between elements enhance axial and radial captivation for mechanical robustness and electrical connectivity while minimizing the overall length of the connector. An installation tool aids in the installation of the coaxial connector.

Abstract: A mast assembly for a hydrofoil watersports board system includes a mast, a fuselage adapter, and a watersports board mount. The mast has a fuselage end coupled with the fuselage adapter and a board end coupled with the watersports board mount. The mast includes a side profile having width dimensions in portions of the mast that are greater than at its fuselage end and its board end. The fuselage adapter couples to a fuselage of a lower assembly, which further includes a front wing and a tail wing. The watersports board mount couples to a watersports board. The mast includes internally integral stringers to improve structural integrity.

Abstract: Systems and methods using IOT input to validate a loan guarantee are disclosed. An example system may include an Internet of Things (IoT) data input circuit to interpret a loan guarantee parameter; an IoT data collection circuit to collect data using at least one algorithm that is configured to monitor IoT information collected from and about an entity involved in a loan in response to the loan guarantee parameter; and a guarantee validation circuit to validate a guarantee for the loan in response to the monitored IoT information.

Abstract: A method for obtaining nuclear measurement data includes measuring a burst gate source intensity. The method also includes measuring at least one of burst gate neutron count rate or a capture gate neutron count rate at a neutron detector arranged proximate a gamma ray detector. The method further includes determining, based at least in part on the burst gate source intensity and at least one of the burst gate neutron count rate or the capture gate neutron count rate, a normalized neutron count rate. The method also includes determining at least one of an inelastic spectrum or a capture spectrum. The method includes determining based at least in part on the normalized neutron count rate, at least one of a corrected inelastic spectrum or a corrected capture spectrum.