Abstract: A wave energy converter that has waveguides affixed radially around a compression chamber to form wave channels to amplify movement of the surface of the ocean in the compression chamber is positioned a distance above a first heave plate. A dock frame is affixed to the bottom of the first heave plate, with a second heave plate comprising ramps extending radially outward and downward from the dock frame, and lobes extending radially outward from the ramps, so that the lobes define V-shaped dock frame channels between the lobes and the ramps define dock frame slots between the ramps. Charging interfaces are provided at the dock frame slots configured to receive an electrically conductive portion of an autonomous underwater vehicle. The V-shaped dock frame channels guide the autonomous underwater vehicle towards and into the dock frame slots, so that the electrically conductive portion is received by a charging interface for charging and communicating with the autonomous underwater vehicle.

Abstract: The improved cathode sub-assembly includes a solid cylindrical cathode of tungsten, a cylindrical holder concentric to the cathode with an internal radially directed rib receiving one end of the cathode, and a cylindrical reflector threadably mounted within the holder in circumferentially spaced relation to the cathode. The holder is threadably mounted in a support plate to be able to be readily removed for servicing and/or replacement.

Abstract: Active ingredient-carrying hydrogels include at least a hydrogel and an active ingredient. The active ingredient is released from the hydrogel onto an agricultural substrate or at an agricultural site in a controlled manner. The hydrogel may include lactose, which may be provided by a milk permeate waste stream from the dairy or food processing industry.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for sealing a catheter insertion site to maintain sterility. In one aspect of the invention, mounting handle/dressing assemblies and kits are disclosed for creating a sterile sealed environment around a catheter insertion site. For example, the dressings of the present invention can be pre-disposed around a mounting handle and connector. The connector is joined to the proximal end of the catheter and then the dressing can be slid along the mounting handle until it surrounds the insertion site. Once the dressing is adhesively applied to the skin and locked into place by an annular fitting between the dressing and the connector, the handle can be removed and discarded, leaving only the dressing, and catheter connector in place. The catheter connector preferably has a needle-free connector port at its proximal end for connection to IV lines or other infusion devices.

Abstract: A method for using a pre-assembled coupling assembly, the method including providing a pipe fitting defining an inner end and an outer end, the pipe fitting defining an axis; axially inserting the inner end of the pipe fitting into a gasket, a portion of the pipe fitting within the gasket positioned radially outward from a portion of the gasket; and assembling a housing around the gasket, the housing and the gasket forming a coupling, the coupling retained on the inner end of the pipe fitting when the coupling is in a relaxed position.

Abstract: A pump system may include a pump, a driveshaft, driving equipment, and a vibration dampening assembly configured to reduce pump-imposed high frequency/low amplitude and low frequency/high amplitude torsional vibrations. The pump may have an input shaft connected to the driveshaft. The driving equipment may include an output shaft having an output flange connected to the driveshaft. The driving equipment may be configured to rotate the driveshaft to rotate the input shaft of the pump therewith. The vibration dampening assembly may include one or more flywheels operably connected to the input shaft and configured to rotate therewith.

Abstract: A method, includes securing a component of an anchor apparatus to a board of a form utilized to form a concrete support structure; coupling an anchor of the anchor apparatus relative to the component by engaging a threaded segment of the component with a cooperative threaded segment of the anchor; depositing concrete within the form to create the concrete support structure, the concrete support structure at least partially enclosing the anchor; removing at least a portion of the board of the form; and accessing the anchor through a cavity in the concrete structure formed by the component.

Abstract: A video encoder is configured to encode a bitstream to be decoded by a compliant decoder receiving the bistream. The bitstream including a first coded picture having a first resolution and a second coded picture having a second resolution, wherein the first coded picture is an intra-coded picture, parameters defining a cropping window. The decoder decodes the first coded picture and stores the first picture as a reference picture, determines a scaling factor from at least one parameter in the bitstream defining the first cropping window, determines a predictor for the second picture from the reference picture and the scaling factor, decodes the second coded picture using the predictor, and outputs for display the first picture as cropped in accordance with the parameters defining the cropping window.

Abstract: Systems and methods to pump fracturing fluid into a wellhead may include a gas turbine engine including a compressor turbine shaft connected to a compressor, and a power turbine output shaft connected to a power turbine. The compressor turbine shaft and the power turbine output shaft may be rotatable at different rotational speeds. The systems may also include a transmission including a transmission input shaft connected to the power turbine output shaft and a transmission output shaft connected to a hydraulic fracturing pump. The systems may also include a fracturing unit controller configured to control one or more of the rotational speeds of the compressor turbine shaft, the power turbine output shaft, or the transmission output shaft based at least in part on target signals and fluid flow signals indicative of one or more of pressure or flow rate associated with fracturing fluid pumped into the wellhead.

Abstract: A method of memory-efficient prediction mode selection includes receiving, by an encoder, a coded bitstream including a current frame, determining, by the encoder, costs of a first prediction mode and a second prediction mode, wherein determining further comprises determining, for the first prediction mode, a first bit cost and a first memory cost and determining, for the second prediction mode, a second bit cost and a second memory cost, selecting, by the encoder, a current prediction mode of the first prediction mode and the second prediction mode as a function of the first bit cost, first memory cost, second bit cost, and second memory cost, and encoding, by the encoder, the current frame using the current prediction mode. The prediction mode may be informed by at least one parameter received from the decoder.

Abstract: A method of decoder-side synthesis of video sequences includes receiving, by an encoder, an input video, detecting, by the encoder and in the input video, a first region including synthesizable content, and encoding, by the encoder and in a bitstream, the video, wherein encoding further comprises signaling the first region.

Abstract: An apparatus for hanging decorations comprising a first member comprising at least one notch, a neck proximal the at least one notch, and a clip coupled to the neck. The clip may comprise a first prong and a second dual-layer prong, the second dual-layer prong configured such that at least a portion of the first prong fits within the channel between the first and second layers of the second dual-layer prong and forms a substantially round structure configured to house a decoration therein. The apparatus further comprises a second member extending from the neck and forming an acute angle relative to the first member, the second member comprising at least one notch, an adapter handle coupled to the second member, the adapter handle positioned substantially parallel to the first member, and a hook comprising a notch, the hook coupled to the second member and the adapter handle.

Abstract: A sectional control funnel box (36) includes a box body having an upper receiving member (44) for receiving particulate matter, a lower manifold (46) configured to be mounted on a distribution plate (24), and a funnel mechanism (42) disposed between the upper receiving member and the lower manifold. The lower manifold includes a plurality of chutes (100) configured to direct the particulate matter to apertures (38) in the distribution plate. The funnel mechanism includes supply sections (54, 76) that include directing slots (56, 90) configured to provide the particulate matter from the upper receiving member to the chutes. An actuator (48) is attached to the funnel mechanism (42) and configured to drive the funnel mechanism between at least a first position, where a first one of the plurality of supply sections is aligned with the upper receiving member (44), and a second position, where a second one of the plurality of supply sections is aligned with the upper receiving member.

Abstract: Embolization particles can be safely delivered to the left gastric artery of a patient by introducing the distal end of a catheter in the patient's left gastric artery, inflating a balloon located near the distal end of the catheter so that the balloon prevents blood from flowing through the left gastric artery, and injecting a mixture of particles and contrast agent into the proximal end of the catheter so that they flow through the catheter. In addition, a path is provided for blood to flow into the catheter through an opening in the sidewall of the catheter at a position that is proximal to the balloon, and out through the distal end of the catheter. This blood flow helps to carry the particles along to their destination in the distal portion of the left gastric artery. The particles are also prevented from flowing into portions of the patient's artery system that are proximal of the balloon.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, a gel formulation in a package, the package may be pressurized. The formulation comprises one or more active agents and is co-mingled with a gas propellant prior to being filled under pressure into the package. The gas propellant is added in sufficient amounts to be dispersed in the formulation; the pressurized package is under sufficient pressure suitable to maintain the first gas propellant dispersed in the formulation. The pressurized package is under sufficient pressure to expel the formulation as a whipped gel formulation upon application of external force on the formulation in the package. The present disclosure also relates to, inter alia, a method of preparing the disclosed formulation; a package comprising the disclosed formulation, and a method of using the disclosed formulation.

Abstract: A system and method for managing virtual queues for providing access control. A cloud-based queue service manages a plurality of queues hosted by one or more entities. The queue service is in constant communication with the entities and sensors located therein providing queue management, queue analysis, and access control to controlled systems. The queue service is likewise in direct communication with queued persons and provides an access key to a user device which can be used to access the controlled system when certain conditions are met.