Abstract: Methods for forming a composite face image including receiving into a memory unit a first image file including a first face image, receiving into the memory unit a second image file including a second face image, globally aligning orientations and sizes of the first face image and the second face image, locally aligning the first face image with the second face image, creating a composite image file having a virtual canvas for depicting the composite face image, inserting a left half of the first face image on a left side of the virtual canvas, and inserting a right half of the second face image on the right side of the virtual canvas adjacent to and aligned with the left half of the first face image about a seam between the left half of the first face image and the right half of the second face image.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a conjugate comprising a fatty acid moiety and a nucleic acid moiety wherein the fatty acid moiety is conjugated to the nucleic acid via a polyethylene glycol (PEG) and a glutamic acid group. The nucleic acid moiety can be an aptamer or a variant thereof, an oligonucleotide, an antisense oligonucleotide, a CpG oligonucleotide, and a therapeutic RNA such as mRNA, siRNA, shRNA, microRNA, lncRNA, saRNA, circular RNA and the like. Methods for manufacturing the conjugates and use thereof are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified formula to make a hydrophilic foam. In some embodiments this modified formula adds a filler which causes the foam to become less absorptive, which has the benefit of making available to the skin more makeup or other products, while also providing a superior esthetic application of makeup on the skin. In other embodiments the modified formula makes the hydrophilic foam easier to clean and reduces the staining propensity of the foam. In other embodiments the modified formula uses an additive to the properties or usability of the foam in some way. Providing the filler and additive can be done in combination or separately depending on the desired benefits or properties of the foam. In some embodiments the foam is fashioned into shape suitable for makeup application.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments for a deep learning optimizer for fine-tuning while dynamically mitigating catastrophic forgetting. In some aspects, a method includes saving an original state of a model to a buffer, the original state comprising original weights of the model; apply new gradients to intermediate model states of the model during at least one intermediate training step of training of the model; calculate, at a final training step of the training, a displacement vector representing a difference between current weights of the model and the original weights of the model; responsive to the displacement vector and a final gradient of the final training step being inconsistent in terms of gradient direction, perform an orthogonal projection of the final gradient on the displacement vector to generate an orthogonal gradient; and applying the orthogonal gradient to the original state of the model at the final training step of the training.

Abstract: A system for improving personality traits is provided. The system includes at least one processor configured to provide an option to a user for selecting at least one personality trait from a plurality of personality traits. The processor is also configured to suggest at least one alternate personality trait for selection based on the personality trait selected by the user, and allow selection of at least one of the suggested alternate personality traits or proceed with the earlier selection. The processor is further configured to suggest one or more actions based on the personality trait selected by the user, wherein the action is to cause an improvement in the selected personality trait of the user.

Abstract: A method of detecting zero crossings in an AC input voltage at an input of a power converter includes measuring, at a first time, a first voltage. If the first voltage is positive: determining that the first time corresponds to a positive half-cycle of the AC input voltage. If the first voltage is equal to zero: a) determining that the first time corresponds to a negative half-cycle of the AC input voltage; b) turning on a high-side switch of the power converter for a first time period; and c) measuring, during the first time period, a second voltage. If the second voltage is less than a first threshold, turning off the high-side switch and repeating b) and c) after a time delay. If the second voltage is less than a second threshold, maintaining the high-side switch in an ON state for a second time period.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a polarized light microscope comprises placing an optical data storage medium in a sample stage of the polarized light microscope, the optical data storage medium comprising a substrate having birefringent voxels embedded therein; measuring a background birefringence of the optical data storage medium; adjusting the polarized light microscope to compensate for the background birefringence. By correcting for background birefringence, image contrast may be improved. Further improvements may be obtained by optimizing swing angles of measurement states after compensating for the background birefringence. Also provided is a method of reading data from a birefringent optical data storage medium, and a system useful for implementing the methods.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an articulating fifth wheel fixation device that includes a tube and a shaft. The tube includes a slot disposed along the length of the tube. The shaft is positioned inside a hollow portion of the tube. The shafts include a handle attached to a first end of the shaft. The shaft extends outward beyond the outer circumferential edge of the tube through the slot. Further discloses a pneumatic fifth wheel fixation system includes a compressor a pneumatic cylinder, a tube, and a shaft with the hand. The shaft is positioned inside a hollow portion of the tube. The shafts include a handle attached to a first end of the shaft. The shaft extends outward beyond the outer circumferential edge of the tube through the slot.

Abstract: Described herein are coiled tubes with improved and varying properties along the length that are produced by using a continuous and dynamic heat treatment process (CDHT). Coiled tubes can be uncoiled from a spool, subjected to a CDHT process, and coiled onto a spool. A CDHT process can produce a “composite” tube such that properties of the tube along the length of the tube are selectively varied. For example, the properties of the tube can be selectively tailored along the length of the tube for particular application for which the tube will be used.

Abstract: A lift-suspended mower for an agricultural vehicle. The lift-suspended mower includes a frame, one or more cutting devices that are movably mounted with respect to the frame for cutting crop material on a ground surface, a first wheel mounted to the frame for contacting the ground surface and supporting the frame above the ground surface, and a first suspension system interconnecting the first wheel to the frame. The first suspension system includes (i) an actuator that is selectively actuable to either raise or lower to a predetermined degree the first wheel relative to the frame or vice versa, and (ii) a device for permitting the first wheel to move toward the frame when a pressure exerted by the first wheel onto the ground surface increases, wherein the device operates independently of the actuator.

Abstract: As is scientifically well known, magnetic flux is a physical force (i.e. the Lorentz force and Ampere's force). The invention utilizes a plurality of electromagnetic and or plasma coils to create high pressure, high velocity magnetic flux directed through variable exhaust nozzles or a cone shaped electrical coil to create thrust for spacecraft. Electrically charged ions or electrons are collected and propelled along the created magnetic flux lines through the variable exhaust nozzles or electrical coils to create thrust.

Abstract: Composite cellulosic products and processes for making same. In some embodiments, the composite cellulosic product can include a plurality of cellulosic substrates and an at least partially cured binder. Prior to curing, the binder can include a mixture formed by combining magnesium oxide, water, and magnesium chloride. A weight ratio of the magnesium oxide to the magnesium chloride in the binder can be at least 2.2:1 to 8.5:1.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system or method that determines, based on consumption data and location information, groups of access portals, where the consumption data and the location information correspond to a time period in which the access portals are used to access a service using an account. The groups can be adjusted according to an intended benefit unit for the service and a sharing structure can be determined including benefit unit partitions for the account based on the adjusting. Factors can be determined, based on the benefit unit partitions, that are indicative of account sharing, as well as weights for the factors by applying a learning model to the consumption data. An intervention strategy can be selected from a group of intervention strategies according to the factors and the weights for the factors. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are examples of systems, methods and techniques related to delivering a service widget that collects data and provides a service. A service widget is provided in response to a widget delivery request received from a user browser. The delivered service widget enables the user browser to request item-related services from an enterprise. A request for the item-related services is received by an enterprise from the delivered service widget. Provision of the service is enabled upon confirmation that an authentication token fetched from the client backend system is valid for the client backend system, the services request may be delivered to an enterprise server. The enterprise, in response to an analysis of the information related to the item available for purchase, may indicate that the item available for purchase meets a purchase threshold of the enterprise and provide an evaluation result including parameters of the item-related services.

Abstract: Security techniques for device assisted services are provided. In some embodiments, secure service measurement and/or control execution partition is provided. In some embodiments, implementing a service profile executed at least in part in a secure execution environment of a processor of a communications device for assisting control of the communications device use of a service on a wireless network, in which the service profile includes a plurality of service policy settings, and wherein the service profile is associated with a service plan that provides for access to the service on the wireless network; monitoring use of the service based on the service profile; and verifying the use of the service based on the monitored use of the service.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a process and circuit for reintercalating lithium aluminum double hydroxide (LADH) lithium selective adsorbents. The inventive process includes reintercalating the spent LADH adsorbent with lithium salt in a dilute brine under alkaline conditions at a predetermined intercalation temperature, followed by neutralization using an appropriate acid at a predetermined neutralization temperature. The inventive process can be performed to reintercalate the adsorbent and can be performed multiple times over the life of the adsorbent. The reintercalation process can be conducted at a chemical regeneration facility, or alternatively, in situ, such as at an on-site mineral extraction facility, in a mobile reinteractation circuit, or within adsorbent columns of a lithium extraction (e.g., DLE) circuit. In the later arrangement, the invention can be used in fixed beds, stirred tanks, pseudo- or simulated moving bed (SMB) circuits, or other DLE circuits.

Abstract: A forced ventilation woofer or electromechanical transducer (e.g., 200 or 300) includes a motor structure and voice coil winding support structure or former (203 or 303) configured with a vented annular spacer (e.g., 250) and vented distal pole tip member (e.g., 255) having aligned radial channels aimed to transport heat away from a voice coil (202 or 302) during the transducer's reciprocating movement while providing an extended, linear dynamic range and continuous cooling for the voice coil. A dual magnetic gap embodiment has an inside annular spacer member (e.g., 355A) and a co-planar outside annular spacer member (e.g., 350-O), each made of a thermally conductive steel alloy.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery and a controller. The controller, in response to the traction battery having to be charged at a charging station during a vehicle trip for the traction battery to have sufficient energy for the vehicle to complete the vehicle trip, schedules the traction battery for charging during the vehicle trip at a selected charging station from among multiple charging stations in which an overall time of the vehicle trip will be lowest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies which have high anti-RSV neutralizing titers. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. The invention yet further provides for diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention, particularly as a passive immunotherapy agent in infants and the elderly.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for generating a secure communication channel interface.