Abstract: A membrane-based fluid degassing system is arranged for automated control to a degassing efficiency set point, so that fluid is degassed only as necessary. The control variable may be assigned as the degassing environment, to provide the gas transfer driving force suitable to appropriately degas the fluid. By avoiding unnecessary degassing of the fluid, mobile phase pervaporation through the membrane is minimized.

Abstract: A magnetically-coupled torque assist apparatus includes a movable (rotor) magnet configured to rotate about a rotor magnet axis extending through the rotor magnet, and a stationary (stator) magnet. The rotor magnet and the stator magnet have a gap therebetween. There is an equilibrium state position (ESP) of the rotor magnet where forces acting on the rotor magnet are balanced such that the rotor magnet is stationary about the rotor magnet axis. And when the rotor magnet is rotated from the equilibrium state position (ESP) to an elastically stressed state position (SSP), magnetic fields of the rotor magnet and the stator magnet generate a resultant magnetic force on the movable magnet that biases the movable magnet towards the equilibrium state position. In some embodiments, the stator and rotor magnets are configured to create a Halbach-effect magnetic field bloom, which contributes to the magnetic forces.

Abstract: A system and method of displaying, on a touchscreen display of a mobile device, a virtual game controller having at least one virtual button configured to control multiple actions of an avatar representing a player within a video game executed by a remote gaming server. The player's interaction with the at least one virtual button is received through the touchscreen display and used to generate a control signal based on the received player interaction, the control signal being interpretable by the video game as an instruction to perform multiple actions in the video game. The control signal is transmitted from the mobile device for receipt by the remote gaming server executing the video game.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to ambidextrous firearm controls, including an ambidextrous bolt control assembly and/or ambidextrous magazine release and associated methods. The ambidextrous bolt control assembly may include a bolt catch configured to hingedly connect to a firearm to rotate between a disengaged position and an engaged position, the bolt catch may include a first bolt catch engagement button operable from a first side of the firearm and a first bolt catch release button operable from the first side of the firearm; an ambidextrous bolt catch engagement button operable from a second side of the firearm; and an ambidextrous bolt catch release button operable from the second side of the firearm; wherein the ambidextrous bolt catch engagement button and the ambidextrous bolt catch release button may each be separately movable relative to the firearm. The ambidextrous bolt catch assembly may further include an ambidextrous magazine release assembly.

Abstract: A system for interconnecting a plurality of computing nodes includes a plurality of optical circuit switches and a plurality of electrical circuit switches. A first network stage comprises a first plurality of circuit switches selected from among the plurality of optical circuit switches and the plurality of electrical circuit switches. Each computing node among the plurality of computing nodes is optically coupled to at least one of the first plurality of circuit switches. A second network stage comprises a second plurality of circuit switches selected from among the plurality of optical circuit switches and the plurality of electrical circuit switches. Each circuit switch among the first plurality of circuit switches is optically coupled to each circuit switch among the second plurality of optical circuit switches.

Abstract: A polyvinyl halide compound has thermal conductivity and includes polyvinyl halide resin, natural or synthetic graphite of flake or spheroid form, and at least 0.5 weight percent of epoxidized vegetable oil. Selection of types and amounts of graphite and epoxidized vegetable oil provide thermal conductivity while other desirable properties of the compound are suitably maintained. The compound can be used for making any end use article that needs flame retardance and good thermal management and is especially useful as a thermally conductive material to replace die cast or extruded aluminum heat sinks in industrial applications, such as LED lighting fixtures.

Abstract: A weldment support for holding a weldment plate in a precast concrete form is provided. The weldment support holds the weldment plate at a predetermined position so that the weldment plate is exposed on one side of the finished precast concrete panel. Weldment plates have one or more studs extending into the form to anchor the plate in the precast concrete panel. The weldment support has multiple adjustment features to secure the weldment support to different sizes of studs and to set the weldment plate at different positions within the form. In some embodiments, one adjustment feature is a plurality of deflectable fingers that engage the stud of the weldment plate, and another adjustment feature is a plurality of segments that can be broken off of the support to set the position of the weldment plate in the form.

Abstract: A set of reference signals can be received. Each of the set of reference signals can be periodically transmitted by a network entity. Information of a plurality of random access channel preambles and a plurality of reference signals from the set of reference signals can be received via a dedicated radio resource control message. At least one reference signal of the plurality of reference signals can be detected. A reference signal can be selected from the detected at least one reference signal. A random access channel preamble of the plurality of random access channel preambles can be transmitted in a contention-free random access procedure. The random access channel preamble for transmission can be determined based on the selected reference signal.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions for treating, mitigating or preventing autoimmune diseases and associated conditions are described herein. Methods for fabricating the compositions and using them are also described.

Abstract: The described systems and methods determine a driver's fitness to safely operate a moving vehicle based at least in part upon observed impairment patterns. A smart ring, wearable on a user's finger, continuously monitors impairment levels. This impairment data, representing impairment patterns, can be utilized, in combination with driving data, to train a machine learning model, which will predict the user's level of risk exposure based at least in part upon observed impairment patterns. The user can be warned of this risk to prevent them from driving or to encourage them to delay driving. In some instances, the disclosed smart ring system may interact with the user's vehicle to prevent it from starting while the user is in a state of impairment induced by substance intoxication.

Abstract: A system and method of quickly and efficiently generating a series of random numbers from a source of random numbers in a computing system, Steps includes: loading a data loop (a looped array of stored values with an index) with random data from a source of random data; then repeating the following: reading a value from the data loop in relation to the index; operating on the multi-bit value thereby outputting a derived random number; and moving the index in relation to the looped array. The data loop may be a simple feedback loop which may be a shift register loaded by direct memory access (DMA). The operation may be performed by one or more arithmetic logic units (ALU) which may be fed by one or more data feeds and may perform XOR, Mask Generator, Data MUX, and/or MOD.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to methods, devices and systems for improving the performances of a Rod Cluster Control Assembly (RCCA) and/or a Control Element Assembly (CEA) to mitigate clad strain, especially in the high fluence region, during normal operation conditions and accident conditions. One method may include incorporating a device such as a powder collection and blockage device between the ceramic upper and ceramic lower absorber materials of the RCCA and/or CEA. Another method may include increasing the plenum volume by incorporating an axial hole into the top end plug extension. Another method may include increasing the plenum volume by incorporating an axial hole into the bottom end plug and optionally incorporating radial grooves in the bottom of the lower absorber material to provide a flow channel for gas expansion or generation to ensure that the lower absorber does not block the opening in the bottom end plug.

Abstract: An aircraft for vectoring a plurality of propulsors includes a longitudinal component attached to a fuselage, a plurality of downward directed propulsors attached to a plurality of laterally extending elements secured to the fuselage, a sensor attached to the plurality of downward directed propulsors, a flight controller, wherein the flight controller is configured to receive a flight datum as a function of the sensor, and vector the plurality of downward directed propulsors along a boom axis as a function of the flight datum.

Abstract: The present principles are directed to systems and methods for providing a trading system cooperatively integrated with manufacturing control and distribution systems, and, more specifically, to provide a trading, clearance, settlement, and depository for securities, commodities, and their derivatives (collectively “securities”) that utilize asset-backed, virtualized data tokens and blockchain technology to facilitate price discovery and automated transactions at all stages of the asset development, manufacturing, and distribution of commodities.

Abstract: A height-adjustable DAP exercise system is provided having a support platform, an inflatable enclosure secured to the support platform at a base opening through the enclosure and extending vertically therefrom when inflated, and a top frame attached to the enclosure at an enclosure top opening. The DAP system further includes adjustable lift restraints each having a restraint length between first and second ends and configured for adjustment between a first restraint length and at least one second restraint length, in which each first end of each lift restraint is attached to a middle portion of the enclosure and each second end is attached to the top frame or the base. The enclosure height is adjustable between a first and second enclosure height responsive to adjustments for lift restraint lengths. The system also includes a low height safety harness for the top frame and related methods.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems to use p-adic numbers to permit a RSA cryptosystem to send rational numbers or to add randomness to the RSA cryptosystem. An embodiment may convert at the source device a rational number to an integer as p-adic based Hensel code representation of the rational number at the source device and then recover the rational number at the destination device by reversing the Hensel code back to the original rational number. Another embodiment may use a g-adic inverse of a message value together with a random number to obtain a different rational number to encrypt for each different random number resulting in different ciphertexts representing the same message value while still recovering the original message value despite having a different ciphertexts for the same message value. The various embodiments further retain the multiplicative homomorphism of the RSA cryptosystem since the p-adic Hensel codes are also multiplicative homomorphic.

Abstract: A system and method for boosting items or news posts in a news feed on an organization news site. A boost module allows an organization communicator or administrator to set boost parameters for a selected news post. The boost parameters may include boosting a news post until it is viewed, boosting for a number of impressions, boosting until a particular date, and setting a rank for the news post relative to other boosted items. Boosting a news post may be done when the news post is created and published or after it has been published. Boosted items or news posts may include an icon or symbol to indicate the item is boosted in the user's newsfeed.

Abstract: Optic fibers are embedded within the body of a casing section making up a wellbore casing string. The optic fibers are used to detect damage or deformation of the casing string over the lifespan of a wellbore.

Abstract: In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a circuit including: a metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) including a gate, a source, and a drain; and a snubber circuit coupled between the drain and the source, the snubber circuit including: a diode having a cathode and an anode, the cathode being coupled with the drain; a capacitor having a first terminal coupled with the anode, and a second terminal coupled with the source; and a resistor having a first terminal coupled with the anode and the first terminal of the capacitor, and a second terminal coupled with the source.

Abstract: Firearms having threaded barrels with hidden threads. The barrel has a threaded portion disposed within the slide of the firearm when the firearm is in battery so that the muzzle end of the barrel is aligned with the muzzle end of the slide. The barrel is configured to couple with a barrel attachment, such as a thread protector, such that the coupling portion of the barrel attachment is disposed within the slide of the firearm when the firearm is in battery.