Abstract: Methods and materials for the production of compounds involved in the TCA cycle, and/or derivatives thereof and/or compounds related thereto are provided. Also provided are products produced in accordance with these methods and materials.

Abstract: A system includes memory and one or more processors programmed to operate a logical layer, a media link layer, and a slot layer. The logical layer is configured to send and receive object data to a host according to an object storage protocol. The media link layer is configured to map the object data to virtual media addresses. The slot layer is configured to map the virtual media addresses to physical addresses of data storage devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved formaldehyde-free coated fibrous substrate. The coating includes a crosslinked binder system which forms three dimensional networks when heat cured. After the coating is applied to the back of fibrous substrate and cured, the coating is capable of hygroscopic expansion which imparts excellent anti-sag properties. The coating is compatible with other coating systems with neutral or mild alkaline pH. The improvement being the binding system is neutralized with a volatile base so that it evaporates quickly so as not to hinder the cross-linking reaction.

Abstract: The invention includes a dilator comprising a tube and an elastic, unitary sleeve that is slidable both longitudinally and transversely to the cylindrical barrel when disposed on the tube.

Abstract: An air turbine starter comprising a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path, a turbine having a rotor with circumferentially spaced blades extending into the flow path, a drive shaft operably coupled to and rotating with the rotor, and at least one vane located within the flow path, upstream of the blades. The at least one blade being defined by an acute axial angle and an acute tangential angle.

Abstract: A computing device includes a processor and a machine-readable storage storing instructions. The instructions are executable by the processor to: receive an input string including sensitive data to be encrypted; identify a first portion and a second portion of the input string, the first portion comprising the sensitive data; select, from a plurality of hash functions, a hash function based on the second portion; and generate a hash value of the first portion using the selected hash function.

Abstract: In example embodiments, computing systems may be configured to create, transmit, receive, store, and execute an active data executable comprising (i) a representation of given data content that is combined with (ii) an executable kernel that, when executed, causes the given data content to be extracted in a user-specified data format and provided to a user-specified destination location for storage.

Abstract: A polymeric bead having radius R wherein the polymer comprises 0.3% to 20% by weight, based on the weight of the polymer, of polymerized units of one or more multifunctional vinyl monomer and 80% to 99.7% by weight, based on the weight of the polymer, of polymerized units of one or more monofunctional vinyl monomer, (a) wherein the polymerized units of multifunctional vinyl monomer have radial distribution factor MR of 0.9 to 1.1, and (b) wherein some of the vinyl groups in the polymerized units of multivinyl monomer are unreacted, and the unreacted vinyl groups have a radial distribution factor VR of 2.5 or higher.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a greeting card or a postcard with a practical joke feature. The practical joke feature can include a sound that is repeatedly played for several hours, days, weeks, etc. The card can include a mode of operation configured to allow a purchaser to experience the sound without arming the practical joke feature. The card can include a pouch that contains one or more surprises for card recipients that attempt to open or destroy the card. The card can include one or more features that resist destruction of the card and/or internal components of the card that implement the practical joke feature.

Abstract: An adapter holder assembly supports one or more optical adapters. The adapter holder includes first and second holding members spaced from each other. Inner sides of the holding members define one or more mounting channels each having a corresponding latching arm. The optical adapters mount to the holder assembly by sliding over the latching arms towards stop surfaces defined by the holding members. In certain implementations, the optical adapter is releasable by applying sufficient force to the optical adapter along a slide axis away from the respective stop surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing information relating to recycling activities are described. One embodiment described herein is directed to a method for accessing aggregated recycling information for use and/or display in connection with an account-based recycling program. The method comprises receiving first and second container information, the first container information concerning a plurality of first containers for a first recycling transaction and the second container information concerning a plurality of second containers for a second recycling transaction. The first and second container information is stored and associated account information concerning at least one consumer account. The method further comprises accessing, in response to receiving a query relating to a plurality of recycling transactions, information relating to at least the first and second containers so as to enable the use and/or display of aggregated recycling information.

Abstract: A method of attention-based end-to-end (A-E2E) automatic speech recognition (ASR) training, includes performing cross-entropy training of a model, based on one or more input features of a speech signal, determining a posterior probability vector at a time of a first wrong token among one or more output tokens of the model of which the cross-entropy training is performed, and determining a loss of the first wrong token at the time, based on the determined posterior probability vector. The method further includes determining a total loss of a training set of the model of which the cross-entropy training is performed, based on the determined loss of the first wrong token, and updating the model of which the cross-entropy training is performed, based on the determined total loss of the training set.

Abstract: A sheathing panel includes a barrier overlay secured to a panel; wherein the sheathing panel is bulk water resistant and has at least one of the following properties: a water vapor transmission rate of at least 7.0 grams per square meter per 24 hours (grams/m2/24 hours) as determined by ASTM E96-15 procedure A at 73° F. and 50% relative humidity (RH), a water vapor permeance of at least 1.3 perms as determined by ASTM E96-15 procedure A at 73° F. and 50% relative humidity (RH), or an air infiltration rate of less than 0.2 liters per second per square meter (L/s-m2) at 75 pascals (Pa) as determined by ASTM E2357-11.

Abstract: A computing device supports both audible notifications and vibration notifications that are used to notify a user of various different events, such as an incoming voice call or text message. The computing device predicts when a user will have difficulty hearing an audible notification from the computing device due to environmental noise. In response to predicting that a user will have difficulty hearing an audible notification from the computing device due to environmental noise, the computing device enables vibration notifications (if not already enabled) on the computing device. The computing device also optionally communicates with one or more additional devices (e.g., a smartwatch or other wearable device) connected to the computing device to cause those additional devices to also enable vibration notifications. In response to subsequent events for which the user is to be notified, the computing device (and optionally additional devices connected thereto) provides a vibration notification.

Abstract: A wireless device receives configuration parameters of a first bandwidth part (BWP) and a second BWP of an unlicensed cell. A first contention window is determined for a first listen before talk (LBT) procedure for a first channel of the first BWP. Based on switching from the first BWP to the second BWP, a second contention window is determined to be a minimum contention window, of a plurality of contention windows, for a second LBT procedure of a second channel of the second BWP. A transport block is transmitted, via the second BWP, based on the second LBT procedure using the second contention window.

Abstract: A composition for odor control includes (A) from 85 wt % to 99.5 wt % of an olefin-based compound and (B) from 15 wt % to 0.5 wt % of an odor suppressant. The odor suppressant includes a blend of (i) an ionomer, (ii) particles of zinc oxide, and (iii) particles of copper oxide. The composition has a methyl mercaptan odor suppression value of greater than 45% as measured in accordance with ASTM D5504-12.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention improve the performance, safety, and efficiency of the gasification process. Embodiments of the invention improve downdraft gasification by improving upon the systems and methods for fuel preparation and by addressing gasifier bridging and channeling. Unique parts of the system include a unique hearth and grate design, a programmable logic controller and interface for managing the gasification process, an improved filtration system, a unique system for eliminating mist, a unique system for cooling gas, a unique combined flare, an integrated auger system, and a new system and method for sampling gas.

Abstract: A nanovoided spacer material that is used as a mechanical buffer between at least two optical components. The optical components may include gratings (e.g., Bragg gratings, moth-eye surfaces, etc.) having sensitive and fragile surfaces (e.g., patterned surfaces). The nanovoided spacers may have a predetermined thickness and concentration of nanovoids to provide a given optical property (e.g., a reflection coefficient at an interface between two optical elements). The nanovoided spacer may include a multilayer structure (e.g., two or more layers) of varying refractive index (e.g., to reduce reflections between surfaces of the optical elements). The nanovoided spacer may include from about 10% to 90% nanovoids by volume and may have an average index of refraction of about 1.15. Various other methods, systems, apparatuses, and materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device may receive a request from a first user device to access a protected device. The device may verify a user identity of a user of the first device based on user credentials and determine that an authentication code is needed to authenticate the request to access the protected device. The device may dynamically generate multiple codes and transmit the multiple codes to a second user device associated with the user identity of the user of the first device. A first code, of the multiple codes, may correspond to a correct authentication code needed to authenticate the request to access the protected device. The device may transmit a message including an instruction for identifying the correct authentication code from among the multiple codes, receive a second code from the first device, compare the second code and the first code, and selectively authenticate the request to access the protected device.

Abstract: An electrolyte for a lithium ion battery includes a nonaqueous aprotic organic solvent and a lithium salt dissolved in the organic solvent. The organic solvent includes a cyclic carbonate, an acyclic carbonate, and an acyclic fluorinated ether for improved low temperature and high voltage performance as well as enhanced thermostability. The ether group has a general formula of R1—O—[R3—O]n—R2, where n=0 or 1, R1 and R2 are each straight-chain C1-C6 fluoroalkyl groups, and, when n=1, R3 is a methylene group or a polyethylene group.