Abstract: A system and method for algorithmic selection of a consensus from a collection of ideas is disclosed. A group of ideas is provided to a group of participants for voting. Voting may occur in a single round or in several successive rounds, optionally until a consensus idea is chosen. Typically, the votes that are cast use discrete levels, such as “approve”, “disapprove”, “positive”, “neutral” or “negative”. For ideas that receive the same votes, a differentiator may be the time spent casting the vote. A relatively long evaluation time may signal some internal conflict in the mind of the participant, when compared with a relatively short evaluation time, which may signal no such conflict. The evaluation time may be combined with the rating of the participant to form a weighted rating. Consequently, a short evaluation time of a positive rating may yield a more positive weighted rating, while a short evaluation time of a negative rating may yield a more negative weighted rating.

Abstract: Vaporizer devices are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a vaporizer device can include a vaporizer body including a first airflow path extending at least partially therethrough, and a sensor assembly residing at least partially within the vaporizer body. The sensor assembly includes a flexible sensor that is in communication with the first airflow path. The flexible sensor is configured to reversibly deflect from an initial state to a first state in response to a first user-activated force representing air being drawn through the first airflow path, and configured to reversibly deflect from the initial state to a second state in response to a second user-activated force representing an acceleration of the vaporizer body. Sensor assemblies for a vaporizer device are also provided.

Abstract: A smart manifold for use in monitoring a breathable air supply system is provided. The smart manifold pulls data representative of the performance of the breathable air supply system and pushes the data to a remotely located cloud-based computing resource. The cloud-based computing resource presents the data to an operator, or “bottle watcher”, though a first user portal. This permits the operator to monitor the breathable air supply system from a distance. It also furthermore permits the operator to concurrently monitor multiple breathable air supply systems since the operator is located remotely and the cloud-based computing resource is scalable.

Abstract: A system comprises a seed laser diode, a semiconductor optical amplifier, and a driver. The seed laser diode is configured to produce a seed optical signal. The semiconductor optical amplifier is configured to, based on an injected amplifier current pulse, amplify the seed optical signal to produce an emitted optical signal. The driver is configured to provide to the seed laser diode or the semiconductor optical amplifier, a profiled compensation current associated with the injected amplifier current pulse to at least in part control a frequency chirp of the emitted optical signal.

Abstract: A bipod support for a drain cleaning machine is described. The bipod support includes a base, a plurality of legs, a retaining member, and a latch. The retaining member and latch are configured to engage and secure the drain cleaning machine to the bipod support. The bipod support enables rocking movement of the drain cleaning machine while supporting the weight of the machine. Also described are related methods of use of the bipod support.

Abstract: A device includes a button, a base, a haptic engine coupled to the base, and a fastener fastening the button to the base and allowing movement of the button with respect to the base. The movement of the button with respect to the base enables, in part, a better alignment of the button with a device housing to which the base is attached. The haptic engine may include a core, an electric coil wound around a portion of the core, and an attraction plate separated from the core by a gap. The base may include a frame, a set of tabs extending from the core and fastened to the button to allow the movement of the button with respect to the base, and a set of flexures extending from the tabs and coupling the core to the frame. The attraction plate may also be coupled to the frame.

Abstract: A tri-fold machine and process to fold up compressed high expansion force material. The machine includes a left-side horizontal conveyor and a right-side horizontal conveyor with a middle conveyor therebetween. A pair of longitudinal bars are operable between (i) a raised position and (ii) a lowered position. The right-side and left-side conveyors are each movable between a horizontal home position and a folding position. A middle portion of the material is held in longitudinal gaps formed on each side of the middle conveyor. A left side of the material is folded over the middle portion of material. A right side of the material is folded over the left side of the material which is over the middle portion.

Abstract: The disclosure provides systems and methods for conducting and managing integrated laboratory experiments. The system includes a variety of laboratory instruments that are connected to conduct a large number of different types of experiments, and an interface for a user to design experiments and adjust parameters for the experiments. Given the integration, the system can further take data from related samples and instruments for determining or adjusting certain experimental parameters for optimized experimental efficiency and results.

Abstract: An electric powertrain for a machine includes an electric power source. The powertrain further includes an implement pump for powering a work implement and an implement pump electric motor. An electric traction motor is operably coupled to a traction device. An electronic controller stores a plurality of rimpull torque curves. The electronic controller is configured to determine if the electric power source is in a power limited condition and upon determining that the electric power source is in a power limited condition act to derate a rimpull torque of the traction device from a first rimpull torque curve of the plurality of rimpull torque curves to a lower second rimpull torque curve of the plurality of rimpull torque curves, wherein the selection of the second rimpull torque curve is based on a power usage by the implement pump electric motor.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for enhancing handling of a sample cylinder may include first, second, and third stations, each configured to receive a sample cylinder containing a material sample. The first station may include a first mounting fixture configured to be attached to the sample cylinder, a viewing glass to facilitate inspection of a portion of the material sample, and a first valve configured to remove a portion of the material sample from the sample cylinder. The second station may include a second mounting fixture and a second valve to provide fluid flow between a source of pressurized gas and the sample cylinder, thereby to pressurize the sample cylinder. The third station may include a third mounting fixture configured to be attached to the sample cylinder and a third valve to provide fluid flow between the sample cylinder and ventilation ductwork or a receptable.

Abstract: Paper wrapping materials and method to securely wrap a rolled-up High Expansion Force product. The materials include a kraft paper layer encircling a circumference of the product with a leading end of the paper layer adhered to a tail end of the product by a first hotmelt adhesive. A tail end of the paper layer is adhered to a middle portion of the paper layer with a second hotmelt adhesive encircling the product. The paper layer has: (i) a Basis Weight from about 68 pounds per 3000 feet squared to about 84 pounds per 3000 feet squared, (ii) a Tensile Strength (MD) from about 55 pounds per inch to about 70 pounds per inch, (iii) a Stretch (MD) from about 7% to about 11%, and (iv) a fiber content of at least 70% virgin fibers. The second hotmelt adhesive is between about 15% and about 25% thermoplastic elastomer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying one or more points of interest in pipes or drain lines are described. Examples of points of interest include blockages caused by debris in the pipe or drain line. The systems are incorporated into drain cleaning machines. Also described are drain cleaning machines utilizing the systems.

Abstract: A baseband processor includes a memory and is configured to transmit, to a cellular carrier, a request to activate the UE with the cellular carrier. The baseband processor is also configured to, in response to receiving an authentication request for authenticating a user of the UE, transmit, to the cellular carrier, information identifying another UE and authentication information for authenticating the user; obtain verification information transmitted to the other UE; transmit the verification information to the cellular carrier; and after transmitting the verification information to the cellular carrier, receive an embedded subscriber identity module (eSIM) subscription transferred from the other UE.

Abstract: Vaporizer devices are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a vaporizer device can include a vaporizer body including a first airflow path extending at least partially therethrough, and a sensor assembly residing at least partially within the vaporizer body. The sensor assembly includes a flexible sensor that is in communication with the first airflow path. The flexible sensor is configured to reversibly deflect from an initial state to a first state in response to a first user-activated force representing air being drawn through the first airflow path, and configured to reversibly deflect from the initial state to a second state in response to a second user-activated force representing an acceleration of the vaporizer body. Sensor assemblies for a vaporizer device are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for implementing an olfaction training program by an online service executing on a server. A first object and an aroma of the first object is transmitted to the client device of a user that presents the first object in a virtual reality environment and disperses the first aroma. In response, the user interacts with the vital reality environment. The user response is transmitted back to the online service. The user response is stored in a database along with the first data and the first aroma. The online service determines a second object and an aroma of the second object based on the user response. The second object and the aroma of the second object is transmitted to the client device.

Abstract: A method is performed by a set of one or more servers and includes receiving, from a first user equipment (UE) to be activated with a cellular carrier for a user, and at the set of one or more servers, information identifying a second UE of the user and authentication information for authenticating the user with the cellular carrier. The method further includes authenticating the user using the authentication information; transmitting a password to the second UE at least partly in response to authenticating the user; receiving, from the first UE and at the set of one or more servers, the password; validating the password received from the first UE; and initiating a transfer of an embedded subscriber identity module (eSIM) subscription, from the second UE to the first UE, at least partly in response to validating the password.

Abstract: A haptic actuator may include a housing, and a stator fixed to a medial interior portion of the housing. The haptic actuator may also include a field member having an opening receiving the stator therein. The field member may include a frame and at least one permanent magnet carried by the frame. The haptic actuator may also include at least one flexure coupled between an end of the frame and adjacent interior portions of the housing to permit reciprocal movement of the field member within the housing responsive to the stator.

Abstract: Materials and methods are provided for preventing and dispersing biofilms. Methods and compositions are described for preventing and treating dental caries. Materials and methods are provided for producing antibiofilm agents from natural products, including maple (Acer sp.). Compositions are provided for inhibiting Sortase A activity in Bacillota.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for enhancing handling of a sample cylinder may include first, second, and third stations, each configured to receive a sample cylinder containing a material sample. The first station may include a first mounting fixture configured to be attached to the sample cylinder, a viewing glass to facilitate inspection of a portion of the material sample, and a first valve configured to remove a portion of the material sample from the sample cylinder. The second station may include a second mounting fixture and a second valve to provide fluid flow between a source of pressurized gas and the sample cylinder, thereby to pressurize the sample cylinder. The third station may include a third mounting fixture configured to be attached to the sample cylinder and a third valve to provide fluid flow between the sample cylinder and ventilation ductwork or a receptable.

Abstract: A metasurface includes a dielectric material, a ground plane on a back side of the dielectric material; and at least one conductive element on a top surface of the dielectric material, wherein the at least one conductive element includes at least one of a ground-backed dipole or a slot array.