Abstract: Methods for manufacturing electrodes include applying a fluoropolymer film to a lithium-based host material, defluorinating the fluoropolymer film by heating to produce a lithium electrode having a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer including defluorinated fluoropolymers and at least about 5 wt. % LiF. The fluoropolymers can include one or more of fluorinated ethylenepropylene, perfluoroalkoxy alkanes, vinylidenefluoride, and copolymers of perfluoromethylvinylether and tetrafluoroethylene. The fluoropolymers can include one or more fluorinated monomers, including hexafluoropropylene, tetrafluoroethylene, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoroethers, and vinylidene fluoride. The —CF3 functional groups of the defluorinated fluoropolymers can be about 3 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of the SEI layer. The SEI layer can include about 30 wt. % to about 50 wt. % LiF.

Abstract: An example plasma confinement system includes an inner electrode having a rounded first end that is disposed on a longitudinal axis of the plasma confinement system and an outer electrode that at least partially surrounds the inner electrode. The outer electrode includes a solid conductive shell and an electrically conductive material disposed on the solid conductive shell and on the longitudinal axis of the plasma confinement system. The electrically conductive material has a melting point within a range of 170° C. to 800° C. at 1 atmosphere of pressure. Related plasma confinement systems and methods are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for securities claims identification, optimization and recovery are disclosed herein. The disclosed system may maximize returns on security claims assets arising from alleged fraud in the purchase or sale of securities in a securities portfolio. In one embodiment, the disclosed system monitors data, including unstructured data, relating to a plurality of entities' securities, and creates an aggregated data set to which machine learning may be applied to identify characteristics indicative of an event of interest, such as fraud. The systems and methods of the present invention may be used to monitor an investor portfolio using analytic tools to identify asynchronous activity or movements in portfolio securities associated with the event of interest, and perform loss and damages valuation analysis, and assist with identifying securities claims and optimize recovery of revenue associated with the securities claims.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a remote automated dispensing unit (ADU) may include an enclosed cabinet, one or more locking mechanisms to keep the cabinet secure, one or more doors on the cabinet to allow access to the internal components, and a computer system that manages the dispensing of inventory. The ADU may include a mechanism for the dispensing of medications for individual patients including: one or more canisters for storing medications, one or more canister base stations for securing the one or more canisters to the ADU, and a chute and funnel system for the guidance of medications as they fall from the canisters into a packaging station for packaging medications into packages for particular patients. One or more sensors may be used to detect misdispensing of medications, and a combination of sensors and operating sequences may be used to reduce the amount of misdispensed medication.

Abstract: An autonomous distress tracking system for an aircraft is described. The system can include a transponder configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) emissions and an RF detector unit configured to detect the RF emissions. The system can further include an alert system that is in communication with the RF detector unit and be configured to activate a distress radio beacon if no RF emissions are detected within a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for resisting intrusion by a pest include a reservoir extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and the reservoir defining an interior. A basin is mounted to the reservoir. The basin has a basin body and a basin surface. A sleeve assembly has a sleeve body and a port defined in the sleeve body. A tensioner translationally mounts the sleeve body relative to the basin body. The sleeve body translates distally from an accessible position to an occluded position when a weight applied to the sleeve assembly exceeds a weight threshold set by the tensioner. The accessible position includes bird food on the basin surface being accessible through the port. The occluded position includes the port being disposed distal to the basin surface such that the bird food on the basin surface is inaccessible through the port.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first guide and a second guide. The first guide includes an arcuate horizontal body portion. A rear surface of the horizontal body portion is configured to closely mate with a front-facing bone structure of an alveolar arch of a patient. The second guide includes a body and a coupling member. The body defines a passageway that is configured to receive a bone reducing instrument. The coupling member is configured to mate with the horizontal body portion of the first guide. The body and the coupling member are configured to position the passageway along a second horizontal plane that is parallel with the first horizontal plane. The coupling member is configured to enable the second guide to move relative to the first guide along the second horizontal plane and thereby guide the bone reducing instrument along the second horizontal plane.

Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing and utilizing multimedia-based analytics to generate predictions about game-play in computer-based games and contests. In an embodiment, a video feed analyzes one or more video feeds frame by frame to determine one or more features within each video frame. Each feature may be collected in a central data collector and converted to one or more metrics about each collected parameter or feature. These metrics may be used to analyze and predict various aspects of the underlying game or contest, such as probability of winning by one side or the other. Further, the predictive data and analytical data may be displayed on a display separate from actual gameplay or may be overlaid upon the game play video feed. In this manner, the overlay video may be synchronized with the original video feed to present predictive data in conjunction with the video data used to influence the predictive data at the time.

Abstract: It is recognized herein that current LTE reference signals may be inadequate for future cellular (e.g., New Radio) systems. Configurable reference signals are described herein. The configurable reference signals can support mixed numerologies and different reference signal (RS) functions. Further, reference signals can be configured so as to support beam sweeping and beamforming training.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for blockchain-based payment transactions, alerts, and dispute settlement, using a blockchain interface server.

Abstract: A multi-compartment bottle includes an upper compartment having a bottom, an open mouth opposite the bottom, and a sidewall cooperating with the bottom to bound an internal reservoir. A lid is fit to the open mouth to enclose the internal reservoir. The bottle further includes a lower compartment separate from the upper compartment, having a base, an open top opposite the base, and a wall cooperating with the base to bound an internal chamber. The bottom of the upper compartment is applicable to the open top of the lower compartment to enclose the internal chamber. The lower compartment includes engagement structures which extend into the internal chamber from the wall to define a hold in the lower compartment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a single piece polymer ammunition cartridge and polymer ammunition and methods of forming a single piece polymer ammunition cartridge and polymer ammunition.

Abstract: A depth camera assembly is used to obtain depth information describing a local area. The depth camera assembly includes a sensor having a plurality of pixels. Some or all of the pixels are divided into groups that are coupled to respective multi-purpose time-to-digital converters. Each multi-purpose time-to-digital converter comprises an oscillator and a counter. Each pixel in a group is associated with a multiplexer that is configured to select between inputs coupled to the pixel, the oscillator, or a counter associated with a different pixel. The multiplexer outputs the signal to the counter for the time-to-digital converter associated with the pixel. A time-of-flight measurement is taken during a first portion of an image frame. During a second portion of the image frame, the sensor may be used as an intensity counter. During a third portion of the image frame, the depth sensor may be calibrated.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and reception apparatus for extracting metadata, and an information providing apparatus for providing the metadata. The method for extracting metadata includes processing, by circuitry of the reception apparatus, content that includes the metadata embedded therein. The metadata is embedded as a watermark in a first portion of a video frame of the content. The circuitry determines symbol values of the watermark from the video frame based on luminance values in pixels of the first portion of the video frame of the content to extract the metadata. At least one of the luminance values is less than 16.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for inhibiting cancer cell metastasis and inflammation are disclosed. The methods generally involve administering to a subject a composition containing an agent that selectively inhibits the binding of p68 RNA helicase to calmodulin (CaM) in the cells.

Abstract: A container closure and methods are disclosed for providing visible evidence of removal of the closure from a container after installation by a manufacturer. The closure includes tamper evidence bridges comprising small tabs of material that extend from a bottom-most edge of the closure to a tamper evidence ledge of the container. The bridges break when the closure is rotated relative to the tamper evidence ledge, thereby providing readily visible evidence that the closure has been removed after installation by the manufacturer. In some embodiments, a tamper evidence closure engages with threads of a finish of the container. Cam locks around the perimeter of the tamper evidence closure are permanently flared by cams on the finish during loosening of the closure. Outward flaring of the cam locks provides a visual indication that the tamper evidence closure has been loosened after installation by a manufacturer.

Abstract: An example method for assisting autonomous vehicle (AV) riders reach their destination after drop-off can include receiving, by an autonomous vehicle (AV), a ride service request from a user, the ride service request specifying a pick-up location, a pick-up time, and a destination of a trip associated with the ride service request; navigating the AV to the pick-up location; providing the user a recommendation for where to sit within the AV, the recommendation being based on at least one of the destination of the trip, a drop-off location associated with the trip, environment conditions associated with the drop-off location, and an estimated egress location; receiving sensor data from one or more sensors associated with the AV; determining, based on the sensor data and the drop-off location, a pull-over location for dropping off the user; and navigating the AV to the pull-over location.

Abstract: Diagnostic data characterizing operation of a flow meter in an industrial plant monitoring can be received. An asset state object characterizing a state of the flow meter can be determined. The determining can be performed by a data processor configured within the flow meter. The asset state object can be provided by the data processor. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.