Abstract: A method of writing to a data storage drive having a first media partition having a first write speed and a second media partition having a second write speed slower than the first write speed includes mapping a plurality of logical block addresses (LBAs) to a plurality of physical block addresses (PBAs) of the first media partition, and writing to the plurality of LBAs mapped to the PBAs of the first media partition. It is determined whether the first media partition is at or above a predetermined storage level, and, when the first media partition is at or above the predetermined storage level, data is moved moving data from the first media partition to a plurality of PBAs in the second media partition, and mapping of LBAs and PBAs in the data storage device is updated.

Abstract: A solar tracking carport comprises a supporting structure including a foundation and at least two columns connected or connectable to the foundation; a three-dimensionally rigid canopy deck having a length from a first edge to a second edge of at least one car, the three-dimensionally rigid canopy deck including one or more upper blocks, each of the upper blocks being rigid at least in its longitudinal direction, each of the upper blocks including at least one solar panel; a deck frame configured to support the one or more upper blocks, the deck frame including a torque transmitting member; a rotation enabling connection configured to rotatably connect at least the torque transmitting member of the three-dimensionally rigid canopy deck to the at least two columns of the supporting structure; and a drive system configured to control tilting of the three-dimensionally rigid canopy deck about the supporting structure over one axis of rotation to a first maximum angle in a first direction and to a second maximum

Abstract: A steering column for autonomous vehicles includes a powered actuator controlling rotation of a lower column, an inner column, and an upper column that is movable relative to the lower and inner columns. Rotation of the lower column relative to the upper column moves the upper column lengthwise. A powered lock rotatably interconnects the inner and lower columns when in a first position, and locks the inner column to a base when in a second position. In an autonomous mode, the upper column is stowed, the powered lock is in the first position, and the motor inhibits rotation of the lower column. In a manual mode, the upper column is extended, the powered lock is in the second position, and a sensor detects an angular position of the upper column.

Abstract: Saccharide-polypeptide conjugates, compositions containing these, methods of making and using the conjugates and compositions, and kits containing these, are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of assembling a manufactured item without a guide rail and an assembly system are provided. The method includes disposing a base item on an unmanned independent vehicle system, moving the unmanned independent vehicle system to an assembly station, and attaching an additional item to the base item. The assembly system includes a number of unmanned independent vehicle systems, each unmanned independent vehicle system having at least one wheel. Each unmanned independent vehicle system is configured to be loaded with a base item. A number of assembly stations are provided, each being configured to complete at least one assembly operation. Each unmanned independent vehicle system is configured to independently move to multiple of the assembly stations to have a different assembly operation performed at each assembly station, resulting in additional items being attached to each base item to form each manufactured item.

Abstract: High viscosity fracturing fluids for fracturing a subterranean formulation are prepared by: (i) selecting recovered water; (ii) contacting said recovered water with a viscosifying agent, wherein said viscosifying agent is selected from fenugreek gum, tara gum, locust bean gum, guar gum and derivatives of the aforesaid; (iii) contacting said recovered water with one or more other additives for example with a cross-linking agent (A) for cross-linking said viscosifying agent, wherein contact of said recovered water with cross-linking agent (A) takes place when the pH of said recovered water is less than pH 6.5; (iv) adjusting the pH to pH 6.5-8.8.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an internal combustion engine are described. In one example, an engine's position is adjusted during engine stopping so that the engine may be less likely to stop at a crankshaft angle where rotating a fuel pump may increase engine cranking torque due to work performed by the fuel pump.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a firearm. Components embedded in a portion of the firearm enable the firearm to determine if a user of the firearm is authorized to do so, and either enable or disable a firing mechanism of the firearm accordingly. The firearm may also send communication signals regarding the status of the firearm or events detected by the firearm to a remote device controlled by an authorized user. The system may thereby notify the authorized user of attempted unauthorized use of the firearm, that the firearm has been left behind by the authorized user, or that the firearm is being tampered with. The system may also include multi-tag or a voice-override features that prevent the firearm from being used against the authorized user should the authorized user lose control of the firearm.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for efficiently managing commands in a solid-state storage device that includes a solid-state storage arranged in two or more banks. Each bank is separately accessible and includes two or more solid-state storage elements accessed in parallel by a storage input/output bus. The solid-state storage includes solid-state, non-volatile memory. The solid-state storage device includes a bank interleave that directs one or more commands to two or more queues, where the one or more commands are separated by command type into the queues. Each bank includes a set of queues in the bank interleave controller. Each set of queues includes a queue for each command type. The bank interleave controller coordinates among the banks execution of the commands stored in the queues, where a command of a first type executes on one bank while a command of a second type executes on a second bank.

Abstract: Techniques for generating dynamic challenge questions for use in an authentication process are provided herein. An example computer-implemented method can include outputting a first prompt to a user via a user device interface, wherein the first prompt comprises a first set of information-gathering questions; generating dynamic challenge questions for use in an authentication process, wherein the dynamic challenge questions are generated based on user responses to the first set of information-gathering questions; generating a second prompt in connection with an authentication request, wherein the second prompt is based at least in part on at least one of the dynamic challenge questions; processing a user response to the at least one dynamic challenge question, wherein said processing comprises determining a likelihood that the user response matches an automatically estimated response; and resolving the authentication request based on the processing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems, apparatus and methods for design creation, tracking and management utilizing a system network with a user interface device and a network server. Embodiments further disclose creation, tracking and management of skincare layouts. The device with a network communication component facilitating communication with a server. The device may operate to facilitate the creation of a skincare layout for a person and share the layout with the server. The server may include a database of information related to the users and skincare layouts as well as historical information, and the server may provide reminders, marketing and other communications based upon such information. Reports may be created to reflect the skincare layouts, product purchases, or other analytics regarding the information.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and vehicles for taking a vehicle out-of-service are provided. In one example embodiment, a method includes obtaining, by one or more computing devices on-board an autonomous vehicle, data indicative of one or more parameters associated with the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle is configured to provide a vehicle service to one or more users of the vehicle service. The method includes determining, by the computing devices, an existence of a fault associated with the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the one or more parameters associated with the autonomous vehicle. The method includes determining, by the computing devices, one or more actions to be performed by the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the existence of the fault. The method includes performing, by the computing devices, one or more of the actions to take the autonomous vehicle out-of-service based at least in part on the fault.

Abstract: The present application provides a parasitic patch antenna for radiating or receiving a wireless signal. The parasitic patch antenna includes an antenna module, which has one or more exciter patches, where each exciter patch is respectively coupled to a signal port of one of a transmitter, a receiver, or a transceiver, and has a ground structure. The parasitic patch antenna further includes a separate mechanical part independent of the antenna module. The separate mechanical part includes one or more parasitic patches organized and arranged separate from, and proximate to the one or more exciter patches of the antenna module.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH101192. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH101192, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH101192 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH101192.

Abstract: A configurable fluid delivery system and methods for its use are disclosed. The system may include one or more control units, fluid delivery units, fluid actuator units, and disposable units. Data sources and sensors on each of the delivery units, actuator units, and disposable units may provide data to the control unit, thereby identifying the components along with the manner in which they may be configured. The control unit may notify a user regarding the status of any one or more of the delivery, actuator, and disposable units to indicate their appropriateness for delivering a fluid according to one or more selected procedures and protocols. Also disclosed are methods by which the configurable fluid delivery system may provide data to a user to assist the user in assembling and testing a particular configuration of the fluid delivery system for a specific use.

Abstract: Provided is a portable germicidal apparatus that is, in one embodiment, configured to be moved during operation that can comprise: a frame comprising a base, a distal end, and an elongated structural support member defining a longitudinal axis, wiring providing electrical power to the base and the distal end, wherein the apparatus is configured to permit germicidal UVC radiation to be emitted from the apparatus in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis between the base and the distal end in substantially 360 degrees. A further embodiment of the present invention is described that includes a portable germicidal apparatus comprising a harness configured to be worn by a user of the apparatus, a wand configured to provide UVC radiation, and a free-range motion component that connects the harness and wand, supports the weight of the wand, and provides at least two degrees of freedom for movement of the wand.

Abstract: In a wireless communication network, a primary access node wirelessly serves User Equipment (UEs) over a primary radio channel. A secondary access node wirelessly serves the UEs over a secondary radio channel. The primary access node determines uplink interference. The primary access node processes the uplink interference to select a new primary radio channel size and a new secondary radio channel size. The primary access node wirelessly serves the UEs over the primary radio channel having the new primary channel size. The secondary access node wirelessly serves the UEs over the secondary radio channel having the new secondary channel size.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the cells, compositions and methods for the production of recombinant protein, wherein an f-met group on the 5?-terminus is enzymatically removed. In particular, the invention is directed to a production process for obtaining high levels of soluble recombinant CRM197 protein from E. coli. Cells preferably contain one or more mutations of disulfide reductase genes, so that disulfide reductase activity is reduced. The invention also relates to purification method for CRM197 as well as characterization of properly folded CRM197 protein.

Abstract: Techniques for generating diverse smart replies using a synonym hierarchy are disclosed herein. A computer system may detect that a first set of one or more messages having first content has been transmitted from a first computing device of a first user to a second computing device of a second user, determine a plurality of candidate replies based on the first content of the first set of one or more messages, and then select a plurality of smart replies from the plurality of candidate replies using a hierarchical graph data structure and at least one diversity rule. The selecting of the plurality of smart replies comprises omitting at least one of the plurality of candidate replies from selection based on the at least one diversity rule, which limits a number of the plurality of smart replies that have a common parent node.