Abstract: Safe addressable firing controls positioned within a reusable housing that only allows voltage and current from the shooting panel to reach the explosive device by addressing the switch to open allowing electricity to pass through it and setting off the chain reaction during detonation, wherein the safe addressable firing controls positioned within a cartridge that creates a safety barrier between the surface equipment and a downhole tool, such as an explosive device.

Abstract: Handheld tools are provided for removing a wire from within an optical cable. For example, the handheld tool may be used to remove a copper wire from a fiber optic drop cable in an efficient manner without damaging other components of the fiber optic drop cable. Advantageously, the optical cable may be used immediately after the wire is removed without further steps by the technician, such as re-applying an outer protective sleeve, as is commonly required with known tools.

Abstract: Various systems, devices, and methods for social interaction measurement that preserve privacy are presented. An audio signal can be captured using a microphone. The audio signal can be processed using an audio-based machine learning model that is trained to detect the presence of speech. The audio signal can be discarded such that content of the audio signal is not stored after the audio signal is processed using the machine learning model. An indication of whether speech is present within the audio signal can be output based at least in part on processing the audio signal using the audio-based machine learning model.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods to produce Ac-225 from Ra-226 using gamma-radiation generator are disclosed herein. The gamma radiation generator can utilize an electronic neutron generator or a nuclear reactor to produce high energy prompt-capture gamma-radiation. The Ra-226 is irradiated by the gamma radiation to produce Ra-225, which decays to produce Ac-225. The method of using electronic neutron generator and an irradiation target material such as Gd-157 to produce high energy gamma radiation without using a continuously decaying radioisotope such as Co-60 could significantly reduce the cost and increase the safety associated with the production of high energy gamma radiation and Ac-225.

Abstract: A method for fabricating carbon cryogel exhibiting high surface area, an increased mesopore ratio, and cost-efficiency, utilizing biomass-derived, low-cost tannin and formaldehyde. Furthermore, this method incorporates calcium salt as a catalyst, a deviation from the widely used sodium carbonate. The resulting carbon cryogel possesses high surface area, an enhanced mesopore ratio, and improved sulfur loading capacity, rendering them ideal sulfur hosts for Li—S batteries. The present method disclosed herein constitutes a significant improvement over the existing state-of-the-art carbon cryogel for Li—S batteries, with potential implications for the progression of high-performance, cost-effective Li—S batteries.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to techniques of generating a unique biometric key, hashing and salting the key, and storing it. Embodiments include techniques to analyze biological information associated with a user and determine one or more biological characteristics from the analyzed information. The biological characteristics may be used to generate a character string unique to the user, which may be used to generate the biometric key based on a cryptographic algorithm. The hash values, salt values, or the hash function may be changed at a predetermined interval.

Abstract: A policy control function device receives, from a mission critical video (MCVideo) application function, a command comprising an attribute value pair (AVP). The AVP comprises an identifier for an MCVideo service. The policy control function device sends, to a network function, one or more QoS policies of the MCVideo service.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a first processor; a first commissioning element to communicate with external devices using wireless communication and a first memory storing programs for commissioning a target device onto a communication network. The communication network has configuration data including a network identifier and a network key. The programs provide a user interface for commissioning the target device. The target device includes a second processor, a second wireless radio, and a second commissioning element to receive the network configuration data. The target device decodes the network configuration data to commission the target device onto the communication network. The electronic device sends the network configuration data to the target device and receives confirmation that the target device has successfully connected to the communication network. The electronic device displays the success in a user interface.

Abstract: A method for video encoding includes determining whether a current block in a picture to be included in a coded video bitstream meets a size requirement and, in response to determining that the current block meets the size requirement, determining an intra block copy prediction mode usage flag for the current block based on a type of a tile group or slice to which the current block belongs. In response to determining that the current block meets the size requirement, the method further includes determining, based on the IBC prediction mode usage flag, an IBC prediction mode that is separate from an inter prediction mode and an intra prediction mode, determining a block vector that points to a reference area in the picture in response to the determination of the IBC prediction mode, and encoding the current block based on reference samples within the reference area in the picture.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for video encoding/decoding. In some examples, an apparatus for video decoding includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry reconstructs a first sample in a video of a coded video bitstream based on a non-linear mapping based filter with a first filter shape configuration of a plurality of filter shape configurations. The plurality of filter shape configurations including at least two filter shape configurations that are based on a same geometric shape. The processing circuitry determines a switch from the first filter shape configuration to a second filter shape configuration. The processing circuitry reconstructs a second sample in the video based on the non-linear mapping based filter with the second filter shape configuration.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for an enhanced valet mode for vehicles. An example method may include receiving a request to enter a valet mode of the vehicle. The example method may also include enabling the valet mode of the vehicle. The example method may also include disabling, based on the valet mode of the vehicle being enabled, a secure idle mode of the vehicle, wherein the secure idle mode of the vehicle includes locking a gear shifter of the vehicle in a park position when an occupant of the vehicle is outside of a cabin of the vehicle.

Abstract: A rotating suspension point assembly permits rotation and other movement of the assembly relative to the axis of an anchor to which it is attached. The rotating suspension point assembly comprises a base, a flanged bushing having a main portion with internal clearance to allow misalignment of an anchor and having a flange portion where the main portion extends away from the flange portion, and a washer aligned with the flange portion of the flanged bushing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for controlling asphaltenes in a subterranean formation. The compositions may include silica, a polymer, and optionally a charged surfactant. The compositions may also include a solvent or other additives. The methods may include injecting the compositions into subterranean formations and inhibiting asphaltene precipitation.

Abstract: A LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) detection system for use with a machine includes a LiDAR sensor disposed overhead and structured to scan and create at least one of a three-dimensional (3D) image or a 3D point map of a machine and surroundings thereof, and (ii) a controller communicatively coupled to the LiDAR sensor and structured to collect data including at least one of the 3D image or the 3D point map from the LiDAR sensor, analyze the data, and detect a human, and determine if a detected human is in the vicinity of a hazardous zone associated with the machine.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for automatically obtaining tax documents. The system includes a taxpayer client device and a server configured to automatically identify tax return items associated with the taxpayer by analyzing a prior year tax return. The server is configured to generate a list of tax return items including the automatically identified tax return items. The server is configured to receive, from the taxpayer client device, authentication data for a third party database. The server is configured to access the third party database using the authentication data. The server is configured to receive a document from the third party database and automatically determine whether the document corresponds to a tax return item from the list of tax return items. The server is configured to automatically store the document when the document corresponds to one of the tax return items from the list of tax return items.

Abstract: The present application discloses a high-power diode laser system configured to generate scalable output power. The laser system comprises a plurality of diode lasers, a fiber beam combiner, and a controller. Each of the plurality of diode lasers is configured to generate an output laser beam. The fiber beam combiner is configured to output a combined laser beam by combining a plurality of output laser beams generated by the plurality of diode lasers. The controller is configured to tune each diode laser in the plurality of diode lasers to align a wavelength of each output laser beam in the plurality of output laser beams.

Abstract: System, method, and instrumentalities are described herein for transmitting information optically. The optical source may be configured to generate a beam. The beam may include a series of light pulses. The beam of light may be modulated. A modulator may be configured to modulate the series of light pulses in response to a data transmission signal, thereby encoding transmission data into the series of light pulses. The modulated beam of light may be received and both amplified and filtered. The filtered beam of light may be transmitted from to a detector having a photoreceiver. The photoreceiver may be configured to extract the transmission data from the filtered beam of light.

Abstract: A load control system may include a network of devices configured to communicate with one another. The load control system may include control devices configured to operate as a leader device or another router device on the network. The control device may process advertisement messages from other router devices in the network. The control device may receive advertisement messages from non-leader router devices and compare the device identifier and the sequence number in the advertisement messages with the device identifier and the sequence number in previously-received advertisement messages from the non-leader router devices. The control device may process each advertisement message received with a different sequence identifier or a different device identifier than previously received advertisement messages from the non-leader router devices.

Abstract: A modular arrangement is provided for housing electronic equipment and associated cooling structure in a data center environment. The modular units provide cooling air on an as—needed basis to individual pieces of equipment by way of individual plenums and associated valves. The units can be interconnected by vertical stacking, in side-to-side arrangements, and back-to-back arrangements. A number of units can be interconnected to form a cell. The cells can be interconnected to form larger units. In this manner, data centers can be configured in any desired arrangement without requiring complicated cooling design.

Abstract: An e-vapor device may include a cartridge configured to hold a pre-vapor formulation therein. The e-vapor device may additionally include a dispensing body including a ratchet assembly and configured to receive a vaporizer to interact with the ratchet assembly. The vaporizer is configured to access the pre-vapor formulation in the cartridge via a coupling action and to heat the pre-vapor formulation to generate a vapor. The ratchet assembly is configured to undergo a mechanical incrementation with each coupling action to facilitate a simultaneous removal of the cartridge with the vaporizer coupled thereto after a designated number of coupling actions. Accordingly, the overuse of the vaporizer and the adverse sensory effects associated therewith can be reduced or prevented.