Abstract: Systems and methods for direct air capture of carbon dioxide or other gases utilize a calcium sorbent in a manner that allows for wide scale, relatively low cost implementation. In particular, a calcium sorbent may be provided as a substantially thin coating on one or more substrates and utilized for direct air capture of carbon dioxide through chemisorption. The carbonated sorbent may be disposed of for sequestration of the carbon dioxide or regenerated with capture of carbon dioxide released from the carbonated sorbent during the regeneration process.

Abstract: A system for generating high-resolution video from low-resolution images is configured to access a first video stream and a second video stream capturing an environment. The first video stream is captured by a first video capture device. The second video stream is captured by a second video capture device. Image frames of the first video stream are temporally synchronized with corresponding image frames of the second video stream. The system is also configured to generate a composite video stream with a higher resolution than the first or second video streams. Each composite image frame of the composite video stream is generated using a respective image frame of the first video stream and a temporally synchronized corresponding image frame of the second video stream as input.

Abstract: A vibration reducing system for securing a first member to a second member is disclosed comprising a vibration mat spaces the first member from the second member and reduces vibration therebetween. A fastener secures the first member to the second member. A resilient member is interposed between the first member and the fastener for reducing vibration between the first member and the second member through the fastener.

Abstract: A dishwasher comprises an image sensor, first and second drawers, first and second actuators configured to respectively extend or retract the first and second drawers, and a computer system. The computer system is configured to receive images from the image sensor, determine whether an object is within a threshold distance, and in response to determining that an object is moved to within the threshold distance, use a washwear recognition system to determine whether the object comprises an washwear item. A determined washwear type and a washwear dimension are used to identify an unoccupied location in of a size and configured suitable to receive the washwear item. In response to identifying an unoccupied location of a size and configured suitable to receive the washwear item, an actuator among the first actuator and the second actuator is caused to extend a corresponding drawer to thereby receive the item of dishware.

Abstract: Methods of extracting bone and/or cellular material from a patient for possible use in a later surgical procedure, which involves that patient or even a different patient, are provided. An embodiment of the method generally comprises extracting bone and/or cellular material from a patient undergoing a routine surgical procedure, saving the material, and then sending it to a storage, separation, and processing facility (e.g., a “biobank”) for use in a later surgical procedure involving that patient, or a different patient. The material may be cancellous bone, cortical bone chips, or bone marrow. The extracted bone and/or cellular material can be processed at the biobank and used in a multitude of different medical procedures (e.g., as an allograft infused with stem cells for use in a fusion procedure).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for personalizing channel parameters for streaming content to a client device by dynamically adjusting channel parameters in response to learned user preferences. The devices and methods may receive context information from a client device and may send a rank and reward call to a reinforcement learning system for a recommendation for a value of the channel parameters. The rank and reward call may include the context information, a user vector, an item vector and a reward function error. The reinforcement learning system may use the information provided in the rank and reward call to the provide a recommendation for the value of the channel parameters. The devices and methods may use the recommendation to set the value of the channel parameters to stream the content to the client device.

Abstract: Modified lignin products, processes for making them, and their use to produce rigid polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams are disclosed. The processes comprise heating a lignin source with a nitrogen source and a starved concentration of a C1-C5 aldehyde to give a reaction mixture comprising a Mannich condensation product, neutralizing the reaction mixture, and isolating the modified lignin product. The process is performed at a mass ratio of lignin source to nitrogen source within the range of 1:1 to 1:5 and at a molar ratio of nitrogen source to C1-C5 aldehyde within the range of 3.5:1 to 1:1. Polyol blends and performance additives that contain the modified lignin products are described. Rigid foams that process well and incorporate up to 60 wt. %, based on the amount of polyol component, of the modified lignin contribute to excellent flame retardancy and low-temperature R-value performance.

Abstract: A vehicle trim assembly includes a trim panel, which defines a retaining member that includes a connector and an engagement plate. The engagement plate has a width greater than a width of the connector. The engagement plate includes a locking arm. A first attachment feature is engageable with the retaining member in a first use condition. A second attachment feature is engageable with the retaining member in a second use condition. The first and second attachment features each include a base having a proximal support and a distal support, a clip coupled to the distal support and configured to engage a vehicle body, and guide features coupled to the proximal support. The guide features are configured to receive the engagement plate of the retaining member. A protrusion is coupled to the proximal support. The locking arm is configured to engage the protrusion to lock the base on the retaining member.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods and apparatus for manufacturing a microtablet from a precursor material such as a pharmaceutical powder. Various embodiments provide a method which includes compressing the powder to form a compressed mass of a selected density and repeatedly compacting the compressed mass to increase the density of the compressed mass and form a microtablet. Related methods and apparatus are provided.

Abstract: An article includes at least first and second members. A decorative object is within the second member. Interlocking features are adapted to removably interlock the first and second members together. The interlocking features include a channel and a rail that are complementarily shaped so that the rail is receivable within the channel to removably interlock the rail with the channel. At least the second member is formed of a translucent or transparent material so that the decorative object within the second member is visible through the member.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle roof, a liftgate rotatably connected to the vehicle roof, and an airbag. The airbag has a first segment supported by the vehicle roof and a second segment supported by the liftgate. The first segment of the airbag defines a first inflation chamber and the second segment of the airbag defines a second inflation chamber. The airbag includes a conduit fluidly connecting the first inflation chamber and the second inflation chamber.

Abstract: Techniques described herein enable a user to interact with an automated assistant and obtain relevant output from the automated assistant without requiring arduous typed input to be provided by the user and/or without requiring the user to provide spoken input that could cause privacy concerns (e.g., if other individuals are nearby). The assistant application can operate in multiple different image conversation modes in which the assistant application is responsive to various objects in a field of view of the camera. The image conversation modes can be suggested to the user when a particular object is detected in the field of view of the camera. When the user selects an image conversation mode, the assistant application can thereafter provide output, for presentation, that is based on the selected image conversation mode and that is based on object(s) captured by image(s) of the camera.

Abstract: An image of a virtualization software and firmware in a plurality of hosts are upgraded by: retrieving metadata of a base image based on a first input that specifies a version of the base image, metadata of an add-on image based on a second input that specifies a server of an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in which the virtualization software is to be installed, and metadata of drivers and agents based on a third input that specifies a firmware package for the server of the OEM; validating a desired image of the virtualization software by extracting dependencies and conflicts defined in metadata of all payloads of the desired image of the virtualization software, and confirming there are no violations of the extracted dependencies and conflicts; and upgrading the current image of the virtualization software to the desired image and upgrading the current version of the firmware to the desired version.

Abstract: A tether kill switch for a motorcycle includes a sensor module and a key. The sensor module is adapted to receive the key and includes a magnetic substrate and at least one sensor. The key is adapted to magnetically couple with the sensor module. A vehicle control system includes a tether kill switch having a sensor module including a magnetic substrate and at least one programmable sensor. A first key and a second key each include at least one unique identifier, wherein the sensor module is adapted to receive either the first key or the second key that are each adapted to magnetically couple with the sensor module. The control system also includes a control unit, wherein the programmable sensor is adapted to identify at least one of the keys by the unique identifier, and send at least one information signal to the control unit based upon the unique identifier.

Abstract: A system for preparing a brewed beverage from at least one flavorant includes a housing, a receptacle connectable to the housing for holding the at least one flavorant and a reservoir connectable to the housing. The receptacle including a first fluid inlet and a second fluid inlet and a first fluid flow path fluidly connects the reservoir to the first fluid inlet and a second fluid flow path fluidly connects the reservoir to the second fluid inlet.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed for provisioning cloud infrastructure resources, the apparatus comprising: resource bundling circuitry to select cloud infrastructure resources to bundle as a virtual private zone; provisioning circuitry to provision the cloud infrastructure resources; and allocation circuitry to allocate the virtual private zone to a first tenant, the first tenant authorized to access the cloud infrastructure resources bundled in the virtual private zone.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an additive manufacturing (AM) method for making a three-dimensional (3D) object, using a part material (M) comprising at least one poly(ether ketone ketone) (PEKK) polymer, in particular to a 3D object obtainable by Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) or Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) from this part material (M).