Abstract: Cards having a hybrid construction including a biodegradable portion and related methods are disclosed. A card can include a card body having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, the top and bottom surfaces meeting at a peripheral edge of the card body; and a first portion secured to a second portion such that the top surface of the card body spans both the first and second portions and the bottom surface is formed entirely of the second portion. The card can further include a chip secured to the first portion of the card body; wherein the peripheral edge includes at least an insertion edge of the first portion; wherein the second portion of the card body comprises a biodegradable material; and wherein the first portion and a recyclable portion meet at a frangible junction on the top surface of the card body.

Abstract: Implementations of a cover for an image sensor may include an optically transmissive portion and a black mask layer applied as a strip adjacent a perimeter of a largest planar surface of the optically transmissive portion. The first edge of the strip closest to the perimeter may be separated from the perimeter by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: Footwear, such as slides, are shown and disclosed. In some embodiments, the footwear may include an insole having an insole base and at least one strap formed with the insole base. The footwear may additionally include a midsole having an elongate midsole base. The midsole may be separate and distinct from the insole. The midsole base may have an elongate cavity that receives the insole base.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include methods and apparatuses for video coding. One of the apparatuses includes processing circuitry that receives a bitstream of a current block in a current picture. The current block is coded with a directional nearest neighbor prediction (DNNP) mode. The processing circuitry selects a prediction value for a sample in the current block from a top-left value, a top value, or a left value based on one or more difference values between respective paired values of (i) the top-left value associated with a top-left reference sample that is a top-left neighbor of the current block, (ii) the top value associated with a top reference sample that is a top neighbor of the sample in the current block, and (iii) the left value associated with a left reference sample that is a left neighbor of the sample in the current block. The processing circuitry reconstructs the current block using the selected prediction value for the sample in the current block.

Abstract: A faceplate assembly may include a faceplate having an opening configured to receive an electrical device insert, and an adapter that is disposed between the faceplate and a structure. The adapter may abut a surface of the structure. The one or more biasing members may apply forces against the faceplate that may cause the faceplate to be biased outward relative to the surface of the structure.

Abstract: A method for inter-coding video in which encoder and decoder memory requirements associated with storage of motion information related to collocated coding units is reduced. In the method motion information related to only a single or reduced set of collocated coding unit(s) may be stored at the encoder and decoder. In operation, if the encoder determines that motion information for a current coding unit should replace a currently stored motion information for currently stored motion information for the collocated coding unit, then the encoder can replace the motion information at the encoder and transmit an indicator with the current coding unit to signal to the decoder that currently stored motion information currently should be updated or replaced with the motion information associated with the current coding unit.

Abstract: A photographic stage and photographic system is provided that produces consistent diffused lighting of an object or subject that is virtually shadow free for obtaining rotational views of the object in a time efficient manner. The photographic stage may be used with a camera array, or a single camera may be moved around the circumference of the photographic stage to obtain a series of images needed to form a rotational view of an object or subject. Alternatively, the photographic stage may be rotated to pass by a single fixed camera to obtain a series of images needed to form a rotational view of an object or subject.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing irradiated Co-60 capsules from a plurality of burnable absorber rodlets. The apparatus comprises a solenoid that induces an electromagnetic flux into a Co-60 capsule and locks the Co-60 capsule in parallel with the apparatus. The apparatus is slideable along a longitudinal axis of the burnable absorber rodlet and causes the Co-60 capsule to overcome a plurality of forces exerted on it.

Abstract: A boring bar system sized and configured for removable in-situ placement within a cylindrically-shaped worksite, such as a hydro turbine-powered dam. The system configured for use in inspecting or maintaining a fixedly and non-removably located work surface at the work site comprises a boring bar. The boring bar includes a vertically oriented rotating main shaft, a pair of stationary spiders, a pair of supports, and a tool arm. The tool arm contains a tool and a variety of mounting locations, or machine slides, to selectively vertically and radially position the tool. The system further comprises a drive control unit (DCU) configured to rotate the main shaft using a drive unit and a variable control drive logic that continuously alters a frequency of the DCU to produce a non-uniform pulsation of the drive unit. As the DCU rotates the main shaft, the tool contacts the work surface.

Abstract: A mobile response unit can include a processing circuit. The processing circuit can include a processor and memory. The memory can have instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a request to transfer a resident associated with a displacing facility, provide the request to transfer the resident, receive an indication to accept the request, associate the resident with the receiving facility, update a record associated with the resident, provide the record associated with the resident, provide an alert that the resident will be transferred to the receiving facility.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage devices are disclosed for simulated choral audio chatter in communication systems. One method including: receiving audio data from each of a plurality of users participating in a first group of a plurality of groups for an event using a communication system; generating first simulated choral audio chatter based on the audio data received from each of the plurality of users in the first group; and providing the generated first simulated choral audio data to at least one user of a plurality of users of the event.

Abstract: This invention relates to the compositions and methods for labeling antibodies and other proteins and targeting agents with a helical bundle protein that is functionalized with cargo. Cargos can include but are not limited to fluorescent dyes, haptens (e.g. biotin), contrast agents (e.g. gadolinium, radionuclides), chelated metals, therapeutic agents, sensitizers, or other small molecules. Specifically, provided herein are compositions having a helical bundle, that has been labeled at precisely defined locations with cargo, and that can be conjugated, attached or fused to an antibody or other targeting agent.

Abstract: A venue includes an exterior structure having a spherical-like shape, a theater area inside the exterior structure, an audience seating area positioned in the theater area, a first plurality of light-emitting diodes, and a second plurality of light-emitting diodes. The theater area includes an interior curved surface. The audience seating area has a plurality of levels of seating. The first plurality of light-emitting diodes are positioned to facilitate providing a first display along the interior curved surface and in front of, to the side, above, and behind at least a portion of the audience seating area, and a second plurality of light-emitting diodes positioned to facilitate providing a second display around at least a majority of the spherical-like shape of the exterior structure.

Abstract: An example system includes a light source coated with a phosphor layer, a laser emitter to output a laser beam, and a controller to control a direction of the laser beam so that the laser beam hits a location on the phosphor layer. The laser beam excites the location on the phosphor layer to produce a spotlight at the location.

Abstract: A method includes positioning a substrate at an initial position. The method also includes placing a filter onto the substrate. The filter is configured with a first set of layers with a maximized index and a second set of layers with a maximized index. The index for the first set of layers is greater than the index for the second set of layers. The filter has a reduced/minimal dependence on an angle of incidence (AOI) and reduced/minimal thermal dependence. The filter transmits signal photons onto a photon detector, rejects ambient photons, and increases signal-to-noise ratio of the photon detector.

Abstract: Glutathione support compositions and methods for increasing glutathione levels, especially intracellular glutathione levels, and/or methods for improving vaccine therapy and reducing gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels in an individual. In addition, the disclosure describes methods for boosting immunity, treating and preventing infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and MRSA, and combating the effects of aging and age-related stress, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The glutathione support compositions include a collagen source, a glutamate source, a cysteine source, and a selenium source, and, optionally, a boron source.

Abstract: A technique for encoding video for machine vision and human/machine hybrid vision, including receiving image data. The technique may also include detecting a plurality of bounding boxes associated with a plurality of objects of interest in a frame of the image data and detecting a frame-level bounding box for the frame based on coordinates of the plurality of bounding boxes. Then, the technique may include encoding the frame-level bounding box using a first bitrate.

Abstract: A locking belt slide assembly is used to mount and to support an implement (such as a handgun, for example) or an implement holster (such as a handgun holster, for example), or the like (e.g., various pouches, holders, accessories, etc.), in a variety of configurations. The locking belt slide assembly includes at least two pivotally coupled hard mount components with features that form a locking receiver when pivoted into a parallel arrangement. A mounting adapter may be inserted into the receiver.

Abstract: Multiple autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are operated by a host platform by configuring the AUVs with intermediate nodes (such as unmanned surface vehicles (USVs)) so as to allow the host platform to manage multiple AUVs. The intermediate nodes act as a relay for communications between the host platform and the AUVs allowing the host platform to scale to higher numbers of vehicles thus simultaneously operating the entire fleet of AUVs. The AUVs may provide underwater mapping data. The host platform may be stationary. The host platform may communicate with the intermediate nodes by satellite.

Abstract: A drop thigh mount assembly is used to mount and to support an implement (such as a handgun, for example) or an implement holster (such as a handgun holster, for example), or the like (e.g., various pouches, holders, accessories, etc.), in a variety of configurations. A mounting plate of the drop thigh mount is configured to be worn at a user's thigh and the mount includes at least two pivot points for articulation.