Abstract: The invention relates to a preform (1) for a container (2) made of plastic, wherein the preform (1) comprises a body part (3) comprising a wall having a thickness (e1) which extends along a longitudinal axis (X) and which is connected, via a periphery (8), to a closed bottom part (5) which has an apex (10). According to the invention, the bottom part (5) has ribs (11) which each extend from the apex (10) of the bottom part (5) to the periphery (8) so as to form a star, and a substantially triangular zone (12) arranged between two adjacent ribs (11) and a portion (8a) of the periphery (8) has a thickness (e3) which is less than the thickness (e1).

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to an optical transmitter and/or receiver comprising an electrical signal generator configured to generate an electrical signal that is unshielded or unshieldable at a predetermined frequency, a filter downstream from the electrical signal generator configured to reduce an amplitude of electromagnetic interference (EMI) at the predetermined frequency below a predetermined maximum value, an interface through which the EMI can pass in the absence of the filter, and an optical component configured to receive the electrical signal or provide an input signal to the electrical signal generator. A method of reducing EMI in an optical transmitter and/or receiver using the electrical signal generator, the filter and the optical component is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system includes simulated virtual users that are generated to register for personal email accounts. The virtual users are generated using behavior, demographic, and sociographic profiles. The email accounts receive and interact with email using a server and a simulator according to profile data for the simulated virtual users. The interactions are monitored to determine and simulate deliverability and other information for the personal email accounts. Further, the server and simulator are specific to a certain country or location to act as users in those locations.

Abstract: A method for producing a labeled image is provided. The method includes steps of: a labeling server (i) providing an image modifying interface to a user device to generate at least one anonymized image by anonymizing the original image except a specific labeling region among at least one labeling region, or generate at least one cropped image by cropping the labeling region, thus generating at least one transformed image by applying at least one transform function to the anonymized image or the cropped image, (ii) acquiring an obfuscated image by obfuscating the original image, (iii) acquiring at least one partial labeled image by allowing labelers to label the transformed image, and (iv) inversely applying the transform function received from the user device to the partial labeled image, thus generating at least one piece of adjusted partial labeling information and combining thereof with the obfuscated image to generate the labeled image.

Abstract: Systems and methods of generating water for growing or vitally supporting plants, fungi, and/or aquatic animals are provided herein. The systems include a water generating unit that utilizes process fluid produced by plant transpiration or fungus respiration to generate water. Nutrients may be added to the water through hydroponic and aquaponic systems, then provided back to the plants in a closed loop. The systems may be monitored, optimized, and controlled remotely.

Abstract: A system and method of managing chargeback risk may include: receiving one or more projected transaction data elements, each comprising information pertaining to projection of future transactions among nodes of a computer network; receiving a plurality of actual transaction data elements, each comprising information pertaining to a respective plurality of actual transactions among nodes of the computer network; receiving one or more merchant profile data elements, each pertaining to a profile of one or more merchants, associated with nodes of the computer network; computing a distribution of chargeback risk for each actual transaction, based on the one or more actual transaction data elements and respective one or more merchant profile data elements; computing a clearance-period (CP) chargeback overage based on distribution of chargeback risk of actual transactions and the projected transaction data elements; and producing a suggestion for managing chargeback risk based on the CP chargeback overage.

Abstract: Solar thermal units and methods of operating solar thermal units for the conversion of solar insolation to thermal energy are provided. In some examples, solar thermal units have an inlet, and a split flow of heat absorbing fluid to either side of the solar thermal unit, along a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Optionally, one or more photovoltaic panels can be provided as part of the solar thermal unit, which may convert solar insolation to electric power that may be used by a system connected to the solar thermal unit.

Abstract: Protective combat clothing (PCC) may include a shirt and trousers, wherein the shirt and the trousers are at least partially made of woven fabric made of a composition of the materials comprising flame-resistant fiber, flame-resistant meta-aramid fiber, heat-resistant fiber, polyamide and anti-static fiber.

Abstract: Solar thermal units and methods of operating solar thermal units for the conversion of solar insolation to thermal energy are provided. In some examples, solar thermal units have an inlet, and a split flow of heat absorbing fluid to either side of the solar thermal unit, along a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Optionally, one or more photovoltaic panels can be provided as part of the solar thermal unit, which may convert solar insolation to electric power that may be used by a system connected to the solar thermal unit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to an optical transmitter comprising a laser configured to generate an optical signal from a single-ended electrical signal, a housing or (sub)assembly containing the laser, a driver configured to generate the single-ended electrical signal, a direct current (DC) return path, and an alternating current (AC) return path. The laser has a DC power pin, and the DC power has a DC component and an AC component. The driver has a first impedance at a first output through which the single-ended electrical signal passes. The housing or (sub)assembly has a second impedance matching the first impedance. The DC return path comprises an inductor and is configured to carry or conduct the DC component of the DC power from the laser (e.g., to an input pin on the driver). The AC return path is configured to carry or conduct the AC component of the DC power from the laser. Methods of using and manufacturing the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system to increase life of a direct current (DC) battery that powers an electronic device is disclosed.

Abstract: An omni, bollard speaker has circular, cylindrical lower and upper housings. A domed driver is mounted within the top wall of the lower housing and a speaker is rotatably mounted in the internal space in the upper housing, between the top wall of the lower housing and the speaker cover of the upper housing. The speaker is rotatable from a first horizontal position directly over the domed driver to reflect wide dispersion acoustical output directly over the driver to disburse sound evenly within the listening area. The speaker can be quickly rotated downward and converted from this down-firing omni reflecting position to a side firing position or an up-and-out, direct radiating position. Thus, the same speaker serves many different sound coverage applications and can be customized on site for best use.

Abstract: A smart charging method can supply a charging device with power, and the charging device includes charging regions disposed inside thereof, and each charging region includes sockets for charging mobile electronic devices. The charging device includes a control circuit to perform automatic charging control on the mobile electronic devices plugged into the charging regions. During process of the automatic charging control, inrush current is filtered out, and when the total current required by at least two charging regions is higher than a maximal current supply value, the at least two charging regions take turn to charge for a first charging period; otherwise, the charging regions satisfying the condition, and remaining charging region can take turn to charge for a second charging period until the mobile electronic devices are fully charged. The smart charging method can filter out inrush current and effectively increase the charging efficiency.

Abstract: A high dose output, through transmission and reflective target x-ray tube and methods of use includes, in general an x-ray tube for accelerating electrons under a high voltage potential having an evacuated high voltage housing, a hemispherical shaped through and reflective transmission target anode disposed in said housing, a cathode structure to deflect the electrons toward the hemispherical anode disposed in said housing, a filament located in the geometric center of the anode hemisphere disposed in said housing, a power supply connected to said cathode to provide accelerating voltage to the electrons.

Abstract: An orthotic ankle garment is integrally knit of a body yarn, and comprises at least one compression zone incorporating elastic yarns integrated with the body yarn. A lateral fabric brace strap is integrally formed with the body yarn within the compression zone, and is adapted to extend vertically on an outside of the lower leg between the open leg end of the garment and a termination point proximate a lateral malleolus of the ankle. A medial fabric brace strap is integrally formed with the body yarn within the compression zone, and is adapted to extend vertically on an inside of the lower leg between the open leg end of the garment and a termination point proximate a medial malleolus of the ankle. The lateral and medial brace straps define vertically-disposed areas of reduced fabric stretch relative to directly adjacent areas of the compression zone.

Abstract: A system and a method of detection of an attack on a computer network including a plurality of nodes, the method including: associating the plurality of nodes with each other in a distributed ledger configuration; producing, by a requesting node of the plurality of nodes, a request to set a value of at least one key derivation parameter; performing a vote of confidence among a subset of the plurality of nodes regarding the validity of the request; and detecting an attack on at least one node of a plurality of nodes according to the vote of confidence.

Abstract: A lighting device 1 includes a circuit board that is long and flexible, light emitters mounted in a row on the circuit board, and an elongated cover. The cover includes (i) a translucent member that is made of translucent soft material and that covers the circuit board and the light emitters, and (ii) a phosphorescent member containing a phosphorescent material that is to be excited by light emitted by the light emitters. The phosphorescent member is arranged on a second area portion of the cover other than a first area portion of the cover that is located in an emission direction of light from each of the light emitters and a luminous intensity is equal to or greater than a standard luminous intensity in the emission direction.

Abstract: In a three-phase, four-wire electrical distribution system, a zig-zag transformer and at least one Cascade Multilevel Modular Inverter (CMMI) is coupled between the distribution system and the neutral. A controller modulates the states of the H-bridges in the CMMI to build an AC waveform. The voltage is chosen by the controller in order to control an equivalent impedance that draws an appropriate neutral current through the zig-zag transformer. This neutral current is generally chosen to cancel the neutral current sensed in the line. In other embodiments, the chosen neutral current may be based on a remotely sensed imbalance, rather than on a local value, determined by the power utility as a critical load point in the system. The desired injection current is then translated by the controller into a desired zero-sequence reactive impedance, based on measurement of the local terminal voltage, allowing the controller to regulate the current without generating or consuming real power.