Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for implementing hardware backed symmetric operations for password based authentication. In operation, a system receives a request to access software utilizing password-based authentication. Further, the system receives a password for the password-based authentication. The system computes a hash utilizing the password and a hardware-based authenticator associated with hardware of the system utilizing hardware backed symmetric encryption. Moreover, the system verifies that the hash computed utilizing the password and the hardware-based authenticator is correct for accessing the software.

Abstract: A wall-mounted acoustic deadening device includes a mounting device including a mounting plate and a mounting peg extending from the mounting plate and having a first portion adjacent the mounting plate with a first diameter and a second portion opposite the mounting plate having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The device also includes at least two panels, each panel including a plurality of panel holes. A panel hole diameter is less than the first diameter and greater than or equal to the second diameter. A first panel is configured to be attached to the mounting device via the mounting peg extending through one of the plurality of panel holes. A second panel is configured to be attached to the mounting device adjacent to the first panel via the mounting peg extending through the one of the plurality of panel holes.

Abstract: A fueling system can include an electric vehicle (EV) charging station and a non-charging fueling station for fueling vehicles other than EVs. The EV charging station includes a first control unit, a switching unit, and output connections that can be connected to EVs. The non-charging fueling station includes a second control unit and, for example, a liquid fuel pump. An integrated fuel management system is in communication with the EV charging station and the non-charging fueling station. The switching unit can direct a charging current from an input power supply to an output connection in response to commands from the first control unit that are issued according to a charging procedure. The first control unit can send state information for the EV charging station to the integrated fuel management system. The second control unit can send state information for the non-charging fueling station to the integrated fuel management system.

Abstract: A process for purifying a natural gas feed gas stream including methane and hydrocarbons, including step a): cooling the feed gas stream; step b): introducing the cooled stream into a first phase separator vessel in order to produce a liquid stream and a gas stream; step c): separating the gas stream resulting from step b) in a membrane unit from which a methane-enriched permeate stream and one partially condensed residue stream enriched in hydrocarbons exit; step d): introducing the residue stream resulting from step c) into a second phase separator vessel to produce a liquid stream and a gas stream; step e): introducing at least one portion of the liquid stream resulting from step d) into a JT expansion means; step f): heating at least one portion of the expanded by introduction into the heat exchanger used in step a) counter-current to the feed stream.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a monoclonal antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that specifically binds to a Staphylococcus aureus clumping factor A protein (ClfA), as well as compositions comprising the monoclonal antibody. The disclosure also is directed to methods of treating a Staphylococcus aureus infection by administering the anti-ClfA monoclonal antibody alone, or in combination with a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to S. aureus alpha toxin (AT) protein to a subject. Bispecific monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to both ClfA and AT and methods of using the same also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bioactive compositions (including, for example, bioactive serum fractions and bioactive extracts) derived from ginseng (Panax spp.) fresh whole plant, a particular part of the plant (e.g., rhizome, roots, leaves, stems, flowers, fruit) or any combination of these plant parts. The bioactive serum fractions and bioactive extracts are free of or substantially free of pulegone and/or free of or substantially free of proteins. The present invention also provides products comprising the bioactive serum fractions and/or bioactive extracts. The present invention further provides methods of making and using the bioactive serum fractions and/or bioactive extracts. Further, the bioactive serum fractions and bioactive extracts have anti-inflammatory and/or anti-irritant and/or anti-aging activities.

Abstract: A method for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension in a patient can include determining whether a patient with pulmonary arterial hypertension has an enlarged right ventricle or right ventricular dysfunction, where the patient has previously been administered a prostanoid and weaning the patient off of the prostanoid if the patient does not have an enlarged right ventricle or right ventricular dysfunction.

Abstract: A system includes a satellite communications gateway including a first receiver. The first receiver is programmed to receive a first signal including a time-division multiplexed (TDM) return and a time-division multiple access (TDMA) return overlapped in an allocated frequency range. The receiver is further programmed to recover the time-division multiplexed return from the first signal; and output the time-division multiplexed return.

Abstract: One example system comprises a plurality of substrates disposed in an overlapping arrangement. The plurality of substrates includes at least a first substrate and a second substrate. The system also comprises a first waveguide disposed on the first substrate to define a first optical path on the first substrate. The first waveguide is configured to guide light along the first optical path and to transmit, at an output section of the first waveguide, the light out of the first waveguide toward the second substrate. The system also comprises a second waveguide disposed on the second substrate to define a second optical path on the second substrate. An input section of the second waveguide is aligned with the output section of the first waveguide to receive the light transmitted by the first waveguide. The second waveguide is configured to guide the light along the second optical path.

Abstract: An inflatable package enclosure for use on an aerial vehicle including an inflatable exterior chamber, a first inner cavity positioned within the inflatable exterior chamber, an inflation valve positioned on the inflatable exterior chamber, and a handle on the inflatable exterior chamber for securing the inflatable package enclosure to the aerial vehicle, wherein when the inflatable exterior chamber is inflated and when a package is positioned in the first inner cavity, inner surfaces of the inflatable exterior chamber conform to outer surfaces of the package to secure the package within the inflatable exterior chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to underwater wings for providing lift to boats. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a pair of underwater wings that attach to the hulls of a pontoon. The purpose of the wings is to provide a designated amount of lift to reduce drag and improve performance of the watercraft. This is different from a traditional hydrofoil, which is designed to lift a boat completely out of the water. Ideally, the wings are connected to the deck of the pontoon boat via adjustable mounts that allow the wings to be raised or lowered in the water to adjust the amount of drag.

Abstract: Conversational virtual assistance for delivering relevant query solutions is provided. A virtual assistant system comprises various components associated with developing a knowledge database that can be searched for finding documents that fulfill the user's intent. The virtual assistant system further comprises components for receiving a query from a user, extracting entities for understanding the user's intent, and for searching a knowledge database for documents responsive to the query. When additional information is needed for determining more relevant results, a conversation strategy is determined, and a question is formulated for generating a conversation with the user for clarifying the user's intent, confirming a solution, or obtaining additional information. The user is enabled to provide a follow-up response that is related to a previously identified entity. The entity is edited in the query, and responses are refined responsive to the edited query.

Abstract: A query is received from a particular endpoint device identifying a particular wireless access point encountered by the particular endpoint device. Pre-existing risk assessment data is identified for the identified particular wireless access point and query result data is sent to the particular endpoint device characterizing pre-assessed risk associated with the particular wireless access point. In some instances, the query result data is generated based on the pre-existing risk assessment data. In some instances, pre-existing risk assessment data can be the result of an earlier risk assessment carried-out at least in part by an endpoint device interfacing with and testing the particular wireless access point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing the stability of an oscillator circuit by generating a comb of frequencies in a non-linear resonator member in response to a drive frequency, the oscillator circuit including a voltage controlled oscillator which is locked to a particular tooth of the comb of frequencies produced by the non-linear resonator member at a drive frequency for which the absolute value of the first derivative of the drive frequency versus said comb frequency is greater than 1, and wherein the second voltage controlled oscillator is coupled with a phase locked loop circuit which controls the locking of the second voltage controlled oscillator to said particular tooth of the comb of frequencies.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus for measuring a laser focus spot size, which includes a two-dimensional image detector and an imaging system which forms a magnified image of a focus spot located an object plane onto the image detector. The imaging system includes at least an objective lens. A sealed liquid container is secured over a part of the objective lens such as the optical surface of the objective lens is immersed in the liquid (e.g. water) within the container. The liquid container has a window through which the laser beam enters. An image processing method is also disclosed which processes the image obtained by the image detector to obtain the focus spot size while implementing an algorithm that corrects for the effect of ambient vibration.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems, methods and tools that measure ionic concentrations and downhole enthalpy of a flowing geothermal fluid in real-time at high-temperature and pressure. The systems, methods and tools include measuring the concentration of selected naturally occurring ions found in the liquid phase of the geothermal fluid throughout the wellbore using novel electrochemical sensor technologies. The change in liquid-phase ion concentration will be used to calculate the proportion of liquid to steam and allow for accurate enthalpy measurements. The techniques and technologies described here can be applied to any application of electrochemical sensing in extreme environments.