Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described. A method includes driving a first light source to generate a visible light pulse having a first intensity for a first duration to illuminate a scene. An image sensor is used to record a visible-spectrum image of the scene illuminated by the first light pulse. A second light source is driven to generate a second light pulse having a second intensity that exceeds the first intensity by at least 100% for a second duration that is at most 10% of the first duration to illuminate the scene during the first duration. An image sensor is used to record a monochrome image of the scene illuminated by the second light pulse. Image processing is performed on a visible-spectrum image and the monochrome image to obtain the digital image of the scene.

Abstract: A roller shade mounting element comprising: a bracket having a first end configured to couple to a support surface and configured to support a roller window shade assembly; a first surface carried by the first end configured to bear against the support surface; a second end included in the bracket substantially opposite the first end; a second surface carried by the second end disposed between the first end and the second end, the second surface configured to support an end of the roller window shade assembly; and a member coupled with the bracket and configured to engage the roller window shade assembly, and the member configured to limit rotation of at least a portion of the roller window shade assembly; and, wherein the combination of the bracket and the roller window shade assembly completely obscures at least a portion of the bracket to an observer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a method for minimizing formation damage while drilling an oil or gas well. An Annular Pressure Control Diverter is designed to be positioned below the conventional blowout preventer stack, and is activated during near balanced drilling operations to seal the annulus between the drill pipe and the production casing. Returned drilling fluid and produced fluids are diverted up the annulus between the production casing and intermediate casing and through a well head located below an all-inclusive BOP stack. The seal elements within the Annular Pressure Control Diverter do not rotate. Doors are provided on each side of the Annular Pressure Control Diverter to permit changing of the seal elements. The Annular Pressure Control Diverter also is used to ensure the capture of methane while drilling in a hydrocarbon bearing reservoir.

Abstract: A method of imparting pearlescence to a food product that includes applying a ready-to-use dispersion to a food product using confectionary panning, where the ready-to-use dispersion includes a pearlescent pigment, a cellulose derivative in an amount sufficient to enhance viscosity of the dispersion and impart a barrier coat to the food product, and a wax in an amount sufficient to impart a gloss to the food product. A method of incorporating a pearlescent pigment into a food product that includes applying a dispersion to a food product using panning, where the dispersion includes a pearlescent pigment, a viscosity enhancer, a fluid carrier, and a gloss agent.

Abstract: An electrical-optical modulator may include a first section configured for a first electrical-optical interaction between one or more optical waveguides and one or more signal electrodes. The electrical-optical modulator may include a second section configured to increase or decrease a relative velocity of signals of the one or more signal electrodes to optical signals of the one or more optical waveguides relative to the first section. The electrical-optical modulator may include a third section configured for a second electrical-optical interaction between the one or more optical waveguides and the one or more signal electrodes according to an opposite modulation polarity relative to the first section.

Abstract: Techniques described herein relate to methods for managing backup and restore operations. The method may include obtaining a health data items associated with vProxies; performing a first clustering analysis using the health data items to apply a first vProxy health label to a first portion of the vProxies and a second vProxy health label to a second portion of the vProxies; performing a first confidence analysis to determine a separate vProxy health confidence value for the first vProxy health label assigned to each of the first portion of vProxies; ranking the first portion of vProxies based on the first confidence analysis to obtain a ranked vProxy health list; receiving a request to perform a backup and restore management operation; and providing, in response to the request, a portion of the ranked vProxy health list to an entity requesting the backup and restore management operation.

Abstract: A toll advertisement message (TAM) broadcast from a roadside unit (RSU) is received by a vehicle via V2X communication, the TAM indicating geographic locations of lanes of a roadway for which tolls are due and cost information for traversing the lanes of the roadway. A heading of the vehicle is determined in relation to a TAM reference point indicating a geographic location of a toll gantry. A toll zone boundary region for the vehicle is identified by filtering the geographic locations of the lanes in the TAM to include only those lanes in a travel direction consistent with the heading. A lane straddling algorithm is utilized to identify, for each of the lanes in the travel direction, a respective percentage within each lane that the vehicle is traveling. A tolling usage message (TUM) is sent via the V2X communication, indicating to the RSU the percentage lane usage of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for batch sizing a formula that defines one or more hair dye materials and corresponding recommended amounts for creating an individual batch sized amount of a hair dye mixture. One method includes providing a control system having at least a processor and a computer-readable memory, wherein the memory contains software configured to receive a formula defining instructions for blending a hair dye mixture using one or more colorants and/or dye blending materials and amounts recommended for the hair dye mixture. The method further includes presenting a plurality of batch sizing adjustment criteria on a display; and receiving user input, via a user input device, selecting one or more of the plurality of batch sizing adjustment criteria. The batch sizing adjustment criteria includes customer characteristics.

Abstract: A polyoxymethylene polymer composition is disclosed containing a formaldehyde stabilizer package. The formaldehyde stabilizer package, which contains at least two emission control agents, dramatically and unexpectedly reduces formaldehyde emissions. The formaldehyde stabilizer package includes at least two emission control agents selected from the group of benzoguanamine compounds, a hydantoin, a substituted hydantoin, an amino acid, and an alkylene urea such as ethylene urea.

Abstract: A termination system which improves the consistency and repeatability of the wicking of the liquid potting compound in the transition area between the potted and the imported filaments. The termination system controllably compresses the filaments within the transition area to produce repeatable wicking. The potting compound selected and the degree of compression employed combine to produce a desired wicking effect.

Abstract: A nebulizer having a gas capillary and a liquid capillary that are aligned in the same direction within a nebulizer housing is disclosed. The nebulizer includes a nebulizer tip that is substantially parallel to a cross-section of the liquid capillary and to a cross-section of the gas capillary. The tip includes a liquid opening and a gas orifice. The gas capillary may have a non-tapered body and a tapered end. The tip has a roughened surface that allows wetting of the tip with liquid that exits from the liquid opening to form a thin film. The nebulizer may be formed from glass, quartz, one or more polymers, metals, or alloys, or a combination thereof. The nebulizer is capable of handling high solid content samples, and it also offers precision and sensitivity comparable to concentric nebulizers. Methods of introducing a sample into an instrument using the disclosed nebulizer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A corn head assembly for an agricultural harvester includes a plurality of row units for processing corn plants in rows. Adjustable dividers are provided between adjacent row units to direct laterally adjacent corn plants into adjacent row units. Each adjustable divider has an adjustable divider point with an adjustable operating height profile between a shorter, lowermost position and a taller, uppermost position to adjust the operating height of the adjustable divider for different harvesting conditions.

Abstract: Filter media for a drum filter that includes a plurality of annular frame members, each annular frame member having a circumference is disclosed. The filter media includes a filter sheet with first and second engagement strips having a cord portion and an attachment tab portion connected to the filter sheet. The first and second engagement strips engage with first and second connecting strips located on the annular frame members. Each connecting strip has a receiving portion that receives the cord portion of the associated engagement strip. Each connecting strip also has a body portion configured to engage a drum filter frame. An engagement mechanism configured to attach a filter sheet to a drum filter frame is also disclosed. A system for attaching a filter media to a cylindrical drum filter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A motion conversion apparatus (110) comprises a rodrack assembly (110) and a gearshaft member (150). The rodrack assembly (110) comprises a first gear connection member (120) and two guide members (140). The gearshaft member (150) comprises a second gear connection member (160) configured to engage with the first gear connection member (120), and a guiding surface arrangement (170) configured to contact the guide members (140). The rodrack assembly (110) is configured to provide rotation of the gearshaft member (150) about a rotational axis (A) by reciprocating linear motion of the rodrack assembly (110) along a first spatial dimension (D1) orthogonal to the rotational axis (A), and/or the gearshaft member (150) is configured to provide reciprocating linear motion of the rodrack assembly (110) along the first spatial dimension (D1) by rotational motion of the gearshaft member (150) about the rotational axis (A).

Abstract: A method includes obtaining monitoring data recorded by first and second devices, the first and second devices being attached to the subject at different first and second sties, respectively. The monitoring data comprises signals associated with at least one physiological parameter of the subject. The method also includes extracting one or more features of the signals recorded by the first and second devices during a transitionary period when the first and second devices simultaneously monitor the at least one physiological parameter of the subject. The method further includes generating at least one correlation parameter by analyzing the extracted features of the signals recorded by the first and second devices for at least a portion of the transitionary period, the at least one correlation parameter when applied to signals recorded by the second device at least partially compensating for relative changes in signals recorded by the first and second devices.

Abstract: A utility knife includes a hollow handle having a slot and an opening at each end. A razor is slidable between each end of the handle and may protrude at each opposing end for cutting use. The razor is mounted to a shuttle which includes a tab that is positioned within the slot. The user may use the tab to slide the shuttle and the blade within the handle between the two ends, as desired. A U-shaped blocking component is pivotally attached to the handle and is used to block sliding movement of the tab beyond a midpoint of the handle to prevent the razor protruding into the user's hand. The user must unlock the blocking element to safely allow the shuttle to be slid past.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes techniques and systems for location-based resource scheduling, to reduce or eliminate receiving transmissions, by the base station, over one or more communication resources allocated for another communication. In some aspects, a user device (102) establishes a wireless connection (106) with a base station (104). The user device (102) receives, from the base station (104), a propagation delay message (304). The propagation delay message (304) schedules a delay for a transmission of the user device (102). The delay is based on a location of the user device (1020) being outside of a standard distance (614) from the base station (104). The user device (102) then transmits, to the base station (104), the transmission according to the propagation delay message (304).

Abstract: A relational database system that implements persistent version storage may include an in-row module that is executable by one or more processors to implement an in-row scheme by storing in-row previous version information within a payload of a row within a database page. The relational database system may additionally include an off-row module that is executable by the one or more processors to implement an off-row scheme by storing off-row previous version information in an off-row page that is separate from the database page. The relational database system may additionally include a storage policy that defines when previous version information is stored in accordance with the in-row scheme and when the previous version information is stored in accordance with the off-row scheme. The relational database system may additionally include a cleanup module that cleans up older versions when they are deemed unnecessary by the system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for splitting a transaction among multiple participants. A system configured to practice the method first identifies a group of individuals associated with a shared transaction. Then the system identifies a primary individual from the group of individuals and a non-primary group of individuals from the group of individuals, wherein the primary individual is associated with a primary account that existed prior to the shared transaction, and wherein each individual of the non-primary group of individuals is associated with a respective non-primary account that existed prior to the shared transaction. The system establishes a policy for monitoring the primary account for completion of the shared transaction.