Abstract: A spacecraft trash disposal apparatus and method are disclosed. The spacecraft trash disposal apparatus includes an airlock, an inflatable trash enclosure holding trash, and a pressure regulating system. The spacecraft trash disposal apparatus permits wet and dry trash to be transported from the inside of a spacecraft via the inflatable trash enclosure holding the trash. The inflatable trash enclosure is ejected to the surrounding vacuum of space without causing trash or liquids to escape from the inflatable trash enclosure. The pressure regulating system permits reduction of pressure inside the inflatable trash enclosure from typically atmospheric to a lower pressure while the airlock is depressurizing without going to a full vacuum. This lower pressure is such that, at a given temperature, the liquid trash is prevented from boiling. The lower pressure permits a lightweight inflatable trash enclosure for low cost spacecraft trash disposal.

Abstract: A multi-unit abutment aligning a dental implant and a screw-attached prosthesis with copings is disclosed. The multi-unit abutment has a threaded base post for attachment to the implant and a ball portion. A swivel shell surrounds the ball and may be fixed in position with a lock screw. A drive feature on the ball allows a tool passing through the lock screw to drive the base post into the implant with the multi-unit assembly in a linear configuration. The swivel shell is then positioned and fixed at a desired tilt and azimuthal angle. The swivel shell has a mating surface for a coping. The lock screw remains accessible through an aperture in the coping when the prosthesis is positioned on the implant abutments. Different embodiments are disclosed for capturing the swivel shell on the ball. Methods for improving passive alignment of the prosthesis to the implants are described.

Abstract: A video encoder and decoder system employing a compression-decision generative adversarial model (“CDGAM”) has an encoder with a compression network and a decoder with a task network. The compression network is a generator portion of a pretrained CDGAM and the task network is a discriminator portion of the pretrained CDGAM. The compression network and task network are trained using common image data wherein the compression network is trained to a generate minimal compressed representation that results in a substantially similar loss as the original image at the discriminator.

Abstract: A universal hardware nut that may be adaptable for use with various mating fasteners (e.g., bolts and screws). In one embodiment, the universal hardware nut comprises a nut body, wherein the nut body is manufactured from a pliable material; and one or more slots, wherein the one or more slots allow the nut body to accept fasteners of different sizes and shapes. In alternate embodiments, the universal hardware nut may comprise a sized hole instead of the one or more slots, or may comprise a combination of a sized hole and one or more slots.

Abstract: Systems and methods for software development using machine learning models are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for programmatically generating source code using a machine learning model includes obtaining a set of project configuration information that defines a programming task, indexing original source code in a code repository, advancing the programming task by constructing a prompt to a machine learning model to obtain new source code as an output, writing the new source code to the code repository, identifying an intervention request that requires human input to complete the programming task, obtaining human input for the intervention request from a human using digital communications as an outcome, and writing the intervention request and outcome to an intervention database.

Abstract: A video encoder includes circuitry to generate an encoded bitstream for decoding by a compliant decoder, the encoded bitstream including a first picture to be used as a reference picture, a current picture comprising a first coded block and a second coded block, a signal indicating that a block-based mode when a reference picture and a current picture have different resolutions is enabled, and information including an index useful for determining a scaling constant. The compliant decoder has circuitry configured to receive the bitstream; determine whether the block-based mode is enabled, and if enabled utilizing the mode to reconstruct the first block and reconstruct the second block without using the mode.

Abstract: A computerized method and apparatus are disclosed for determining the accuracy of written characters input by a user and whether the characters were formed with the correct strokes and complied with applicable rules and providing visual and audio feedback to the user. A computing device comprises a character comparison engine, rules engine, stroke engine, art rendering engine music engine, and vocalization engine and has access to a character library, rules library, stroke library, art library, and audio library. The computing device shows the user the appropriate way to write a character, allows the user to then write the character, assesses the quality of the character, and provides audio and/or visual feedback to the user in response to the quality of the user's work to provide positive feedback. The visual feedback can include step-by-step instruction on how to paint using the traditional Chinese outline or no-outline painting techniques.

Abstract: Drift reduction adjuvant composition and agricultural sprays containing such agricultural compositions contain water, a rheology modifier (e.g., guar gum or polyacrylamide), an emulsifier such as a polyoxyethylene sorbitan emulsifier, and an oil. When the agricultural spray containing the drift reduction adjuvant composition and a pesticide is delivered from an agricultural nozzle, it produces fewer droplets less than 150 ?m in diameter and either reduces, maintains or increases (e.g., by up to 30 percentage points) the number of ultra-coarse droplets above 622 ?m in diameter compared to an agricultural spray of the pesticide without the drift reduction adjuvant composition sprayed under the same conditions.

Abstract: A cerebral spinal fluid shunt plug includes a shunt plug housing having a recess formed therein and a shunt valve shaped and dimensioned for positioning within the recess of the shunt plug housing.

Abstract: A closure device for sealing an atrial septal defect is provided. The closure device includes a distal closure portion and a proximal closure portion. The distal closure portion includes a distal membrane covering a plurality of distal fingers that extend in a distal plane. The proximal closure portion includes a proximal membrane covering a plurality of proximal fingers that extend in a proximal plane. The closure device also includes a waist section extending axially between the plurality of distal fingers and the plurality of proximal fingers. The distal closure portion is configured to sealingly engage one of the left or right side of a septal wall, the proximal closure portion is configured to sealingly engage the other of the left or right side of the septal wall, and the waist section is configured to be positioned and centered in an atrial septal defect between the left and the right septal wall.

Abstract: Data associated a plurality of user interface elements may be retrieved from at least one database associated with a service business, such as a casino. At a first time, a first indication to turn on a first subset of the plurality of user interface elements may be received. The user interface elements may include content management, task management, property management, action management, player profiling, comp management, player development, asset tagging and flagging, profitability and comparative analysis, etc. Each of the first subset of user interface elements may be populated with the respective data associated that user interface element.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cellular foam composition, a method for producing and using the same. One particular aspect of the disclosure provides a cellular foam composition comprising a plurality of foam layers, where each foam layer is made from a hollow microstructure material. In particular, the density of the hollow microstructure material in each foam layer is different from the density of the hollow microstructure material that forms the adjacent foam layer. In some embodiments, cellular foam compositions of the disclosure further include an interfacial layer comprising interfacial voids in between adjacent layers.

Abstract: A secure education system including a secure education application, an education content database and a student profile database having a plurality of student profiles that include identification data that identifies a person associated with the student profile and evaluation data that valuates an academic proficiency of the person. The application both providing and dynamically adjusting the educational content based on an associated student profile of a user as well as securely determining the identity of the user in order to validate interactions of the user with the educational content. The verified identity and academic proficiency of a person can be compiled into an academic profile and submitted to academic institutions to support the user as a candidate for admissions.

Abstract: An accessory holder includes a base portion configured to mount to a mounting surface. The accessory holder further includes an extension extending from the base portion and having a channel defined therein. The channel is configured to receive an accessory. The accessory may be a ski pole where the mounting surface is a snow sport equipment.

Abstract: A medical station includes a movable cart, a cassette system, and a computer system with a configuration map. The cassette system including a plurality of drawers. The configuration map includes, for each respective one of the drawers, a unique drawer identifier and an indicator of a location of the respective one of the drawers at the cassette system.

Abstract: A method for monitoring intoxication of a user, the method including: receiving a set of samples from a body region of a user; generating an intoxication metric based on the set of samples; and providing a notification to the user based on the intoxication metric. The method can additionally or alternatively include: modifying operation of the transdermal alcohol sensing device based on the intoxication metric; determining contextual data; maintaining a hydration level of the transdermal alcohol sensing device; and any other suitable processes. A system for monitoring intoxication of a user including a sensor and a housing. The system can additionally or alternatively include any or all of: an inlet, a fastener, an electronics subsystem, a user device, and/or any other suitable component.

Abstract: A decoder includes circuitry configured to receive a bitstream, extract a header associated with a current frame and including a signal characterizing that global motion is enabled and further characterizing parameters of a global motion model, and decoding the current frame, the decoding including using a motion model for each current block having a complexity that is less than or equal to a complexity of the global motion model. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.

Abstract: Drift reduction adjuvant composition and agricultural sprays containing such agricultural compositions contain water, a Newtonian responding polymer such as guar gum, an emulsifier such as a polyoxyethylene sorbitan emulsifier, and an oil. When the agricultural spray containing the drift reduction adjuvant composition and a pesticide is delivered from an agricultural nozzle, it produces fewer droplets less than 150 ?m in diameter and either reduces, maintains or increases (e.g., by up to 30 percentage points) the number of ultra-coarse droplets above 622 ?m in diameter compared to an agricultural spray of the pesticide without the drift reduction adjuvant composition sprayed under the same conditions.

Abstract: A mobile tower for transportation to and rapid deployment at remote sites where the mobile tower can be engaged with the ground, the mobile tower including an extendable and retractable tower secured to a mobile support structure including a frame having a plurality of rapidly deployable outriggers, wherein the tower includes three series of pivotally interconnected tower sections or segments, sections or segments of which engage with segments of each of the other series when the tower is assembled; the mobile tower including a plurality of guy wires secured between the extendable and retractable tower and the respective outriggers to stabilize the tower after the tower is assembled. The guy wires are preferably secured to the extendable and retractable tower at first and second connecting positions that are displaced from one another about an outer perimeter. Methods of deploying the mobile tower are also disclosed.

Abstract: A first conveyor for conveying foodstuff, a second conveyor separated from the first conveyor by a gap of free space, a top camera positioned above the gap and above the first conveyor and the second conveyor, a bottom camera positioned below the gap and below the first conveyor and the second conveyor, wherein the top camera and the bottom camera capture images of the foodstuff in the gap between the first conveyor and the second conveyor for analysis.