Abstract: Embodiments are provided herein describe a proof of majority block consensus method based upon a mutually enforced collaboration between the nodes. A node may maintain a random subset of connected peer nodes, refreshed at every epoch through network gossiping protocols. The node may propagate received transactions to selected peers in the random subset. The node may generate a transaction ballot from received transactions and iteratively update the transaction ballot by mutual exchanges with other nodes until the network converges. The node may generate a block—and a hash thereof—based upon its understanding of the transaction ballot. The node may also receive hashes from other connected nodes and identify a hash generated by the majority of peer nodes. If the node determines that its own hash is the one generated by the majority of peer nodes, the node may update its local copy of the blockchain by appending its block.

Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product or medicinal nicotine product including nicotine and acyl nornicotine. Preferably, the acyl nornicotine is selected from the group consisting of N-Pentanoylnornicotine, N-Hexanoylnornicotine, N-Heptanolynornicotine, N-Octanoylnornicotine, N-Nonanoylnornicotine, N-Decanoylnornicotine, N-Undecanoylnornicotine, and N-Dedecanoylnornicotine. Also disclosed are methods of making such products.

Abstract: Various arrangements are presented for increasing a link margin of a wireless audio link. A short-range wireless communication link having a first physical layer (PHY) symbol rate is established between an audio source device and an audio output device. An audio stream is transmitted using the communication link, which includes a connected isochronous stream (CIS) link. A number of packet retransmissions are detected on the CIS. Based on the detected number of packet retransmissions on the CIS, the first PHY symbol rate of the CIS can be altered to a second PHY symbol rate for transmitting the audio stream.

Abstract: Methods and systems for additively manufacturing a unitary ceramic part and repairing damaged ceramic parts including additively manufacturing a first ceramic green body having a joint surface and a second ceramic green body having a joint surface, wherein the joint surfaces are configured to be interfaced. The first ceramic green body and the second ceramic green body are sintered to form the unitary part. Additional ceramic green bodies may be connected and sintered to form the unitary part. The ceramic green bodies may have defects or may be damaged. A ceramic sheet may be manufactured and applied to the ceramic green bodies to repair the defects or damage. The ceramic sheet may be sintered with the ceramic green bodies to form the unitary part.

Abstract: The techniques described herein disclose a system that is configured to detect and track the three-dimensional pose of an object (e.g., a head-mounted display device) in a color image using an accessible three-dimensional model of the object. The system uses the three-dimensional pose of the object to repair pixel depth values associated with a region (e.g., a surface) of the object that is composed of material that absorbs light emitted by a time-of-flight depth sensor to determine depth. Consequently, a color-depth image (e.g., a Red-Green-Blue-Depth image or RGB-D image) can be produced that does not include dark holes on and around the region of the object that is composed of material that absorbs light emitted by the time-of-flight depth sensor.

Abstract: A speargun and speargun components are disclosed allowing for rapid reloading of the spear, and retaining the spear in the gun with an open track and retention mechanism. A spear retention mechanism is also disclosed, which may be integral with the speargun or interchangeable for different size spears. A phospholuminescent sighting track on one or both sides of the top of the speargun is also disclosed whereby the illuminated portion of the speargun provides a visual sight for a spear once inserted into the track. An interchangeable system of speargun retention mechanisms is also provided.

Abstract: A locking assembly for releasably coupling a first elongate member to a second elongate member is provided. The locking assembly can include a first lumen for anchoring the locking assembly to a catheter and a second lumen for releasably retaining a guidewire to the locking assembly. A release member can interface with the locking assembly and apply a force that decouples the guidewire from the locking assembly.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a method of increasing immunity to a virus in a subject. The method can comprise: administering to the subject one or more effective doses of an immune-enhancing natural-based composition; thereby stimulating increased expression one or more of IFN-?, IL-1B, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-12p70, and TNF-?; inhibiting replication of the virus inside a cell of the subject, and preventing entry of virus into the cell. The method of increasing immunity can further comprise increasing immunity to an upper respiratory tract viral infection. The upper respiratory tract viral infection can be COVID-19. According to some aspects of the method of increasing immunity, the effective dose of the immune-enhancing natural-based composition comprises: 30-70 mgs of cyanidin-3-glucosides; 40-80 mgs of andrographolides; 75-125 mgs of ascorbic acid; 400-600 mgs of beta glucans; 300-500 mgs of polysaccharides; and 75-125 mgs of a blend of antioxidants.

Abstract: Techniques for incorporating sequence encoders into machine-learned models where the sequence encoders operate on bag of words (BOW) input are provided. Tokens that are associated with online activities of an entity are identified. Machine-learned embeddings that correspond to the tokens are identified. Based on one or more ordering criteria that are independent of the temporal occurrence of the online activities of the entity, an order of the machine-learned embeddings is determined. Based on the order, the machine-learned embeddings are inputted to a sequence encoder that generates output. Based on the output, a machine learned model that includes the sequence encoder generates a score. A content item is selected based on the score. The content item is transmitted over a computer network to a computing device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining one or more intrinsic properties of a DNA component from a plurality of measurements obtained over a time period from a cell culture, with each cell comprising the DNA component, wherein the DNA component is involved in transcription of one or more target signals, wherein the plurality of measurements comprises measurements relating to the density of the cell culture over the time period and measurements relating to the amount of the one or more target signals in the cell culture over the time period.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a motor lead cable includes the steps of forming one or more motor leads and placing external armor around the one or motor leads. The step of forming each of the one or more motor leads includes providing an insulated conductor, providing an open capillary tube that has opposing sides that have not been joined together, placing the insulated conductor inside the unclosed capillary tube, approximating the sides of the unclosed capillary tube around the insulated conductor, and welding the sides of the capillary tube together to form a closed capillary tube around the insulated conductor.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for alerting passenger vehicles of approaching emergency vehicles is implemented by an alert management computing device. The method includes receiving an emergency vehicle alert request message from an emergency vehicle transmitter, receiving passenger vehicle location data from a plurality of passenger vehicle user computing devices located in a plurality of passenger vehicles, wherein the passenger vehicle location data includes a present passenger vehicle location and a present passenger vehicle trajectory, identifying an alert zone for the emergency vehicle based on the present emergency vehicle location and the present emergency vehicle trajectory, identifying a vehicle zone for each of the plurality of passenger vehicles, identifying a subset of the passenger vehicles within the alert zone by comparing each vehicle zone to the alert zone, and transmitting a warning to the subset of passenger vehicles via the passenger vehicle user computing devices.

Abstract: A power operated tailgate for a vehicle includes a major gate having a hinge about which the major gate is configured to be coupled to the vehicle for movement between open and closed positions, a minor gate configured to be coupled to the major gate for movement between open and closed positions with respect to the major gate, and a minor gate drive unit configured to drive movement of the minor gate with respect to the major gate. The minor gate is disposed at least partially within an outer profile of the major gate and supported by the major gate for movement therewith.

Abstract: A method of dynamic media generation for presentation via projection on an animated figure includes defining, via processing circuitry, a computer-generated model of the animated figure, operating, via the processing circuitry, a manufacturing system to generate a tangible model based on the computer-generated model, generating, via the processing circuitry, a revised computer-generated model based on the tangible model, simulating, via the processing circuitry, projection of imagery onto the revised computer-generated model, and operating, via the processing circuitry, a projector to project the imagery onto the tangible model based on simulated projection of the imagery onto the revised computer-generated model.

Abstract: A bone graft loading system includes a loading funnel, syringe, cannula, plunger, and loading tool. The loading funnel includes an interior passageway to receive the cannula and a syringe docking portion. The syringe may be coupled to the syringe docking portion so that it extends along a longitudinal axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axes of the cannula and the loading funnel. A user may advance bone graft from the syringe to a holding area of the loading funnel. The user may then move the loading tool through the holding area and into the interior space of the cannula to load the cannula with bone graft. This process may be repeated until the cannula is fully loaded with bone graft. The cannula and the plunger inside the cannula may then be removed from the loading funnel and coupled to an injector assembly for use in surgery.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for dynamically allocating SSB beams. It is determined that a relay device and a plurality of user devices are communicating with a cell site by way of a first beam. A quantity of user devices communicating by way of the first beam is then determined. It is determined that this quantity of user devices exceeds a predetermined threshold. A second beam is identified. At least a portion of the user devices is then dynamically reassigned to the second beam.

Abstract: An animal garment comprises a central portion having a longitudinal axis and including a front end, and a rear end opposite the front end, a first side extending laterally in a first direction from the longitudinal axis, the first side including a free distal end, and a second side extending laterally in a second direction from the longitudinal axis, the second side including a free distal end. When worn, the first side and the second side are configured to extend around the mid-body of the animal and fasten to each other forming a shape conforming to the outside of the mid-body of the animal. The front end of the central portion is positioned proximate to the head of the animal. The garment applies pressure to the animal adequate to reduce anxiety, fearfulness, overexcitement, or a combination thereof in the animal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compounds of Formula (I) and Formula (II). The compounds described herein may be useful in treating proliferative diseases (e.g., cancer). Also provided in the present disclosure are pharmaceutical compositions, kits, methods, and uses including or using a compound described herein.

Abstract: A semicrystalline poly ketone powder useful for additive manufacturing may be made by dissolving a polyketone having differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) monomodal melt peak, at a temperature above 50° C. to below the melt temperature of the polyketone, precipitating the dissolved polyketone by cooling, addition of a nonsolvent or combination thereof. The method may be used to form polyketones having a DSC melt peak with an enthalpy greater than the starting polyketone.

Abstract: A seed orientation system for an agricultural planter includes a seed orientation coil assembly defining a helical pathway. As seed from a seed source enters the seed orientation coil assembly, air flow from an air source is directed toward the seed causing the seed to orient as the seed moves along the helical pathway toward a seed exit. Upon exiting the seed orientation coil assembly, the seed is deposited into the seed furrow with the seed tip-down and with germ of the seed facing an adjacent row. The seed orientation system may be retrofitted onto existing planter row units.