Abstract: A hydraulic actuator for a hydraulic actuation system of an aircraft includes a housing defining a cavity, a piston dividing the cavity into extension and retraction chambers and movable relative to the housing to increase volume of one chamber and decrease volume of another of the chambers. A bypass includes first and second bypass ports and a connecting bypass line, and first and second chamber ports opening into the extension and retraction chambers at all positions of the piston relative to the housing for passage of hydraulic fluid. The first and second bypass ports open into one of the extension chamber and retraction chamber when the piston is at a first position relative to the housing so the first bypass port and the second bypass port open into respective ones of the extension chamber and the retraction chamber when the piston is at a second position relative to the housing.

Abstract: A wood fence post cover or cap is described, that is adapted for being readily installed over the tops of fence posts, even when the posts have an angle of chamfer, and even when such chamfer angles vary from post to post. The invention provides an added layer of environmental protection to outdoor wood fence posts, thereby extending their useable life.

Abstract: A method includes providing a shared secret data to a device and also to a security service; using the provided shared secret data to provide a root key; and using the root key as a basis for a sequence of stages, wherein each stage comprises an operation which converts a start key into a different generated key, and the same stages are carried out in parallel at the device and at the security service. The root key is used as the start key for a first stage of the sequence, and a generated key produced by each stage of the sequence, except for the final stage of the sequence, is used as a start key for a next stage of the sequence. The keys produced by the last sequence stage at the device and at the security service are used to authenticate the device to the security service.

Abstract: A system for removing contaminants from the interior of a camera body. In one version, airflow is generated by an external air bulb. An airflow module attaches to a camera body cap and includes an air intake channel, an air intake filter, at least one sensor channel configured to direct filtered air into the camera interior, and at least one air output channel for discharging air. In another version, an air bulb is mounted to the camera body cap, and a filter frame is sealed to the bulb and the cap to form an air chamber. A cap intake channel and an air intake filter supply filtered air to the air chamber, and at least one sensor channel delivers air into the camera body when the bulb is depressed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of quantum-secure minting and issuing a digital coin by a central bank (CB) using a quantum cloud (QC) platform operable to facilitate an issuing authority (IA), the method includes issuing a command from the CB to the IA to mint a new digital coin, and the command includes: data indicative of a predetermined value of the coin, a unique identifier associated with the coin, and an identifier indicating which endpoint user of the QC platform is to be designated as the owner; in response to receiving the command, signing, by the IA, the coin with an ownership encryption key, wherein the ownership encryption key is known only to the QC platform and the owner; subsequent to signing the coin with the ownership encryption key, signing, by the IA, the coin with an authorising encryption key that is known only to the QC platform and the CB.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of antiviral agents that are cladoniamides and derivatives thereof such as the compound Formula I, for example, for the treatment of viral infections such as those caused by coronaviruses and/or flaviviruses. The present disclosure also includes antiviral agents and methods for their preparation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed technologies include generating a first thread classification prompt based on a first thread portion of an online dialog involving a user of a computing device, sending the first thread classification prompt to a first large language model, receiving a first thread classification generated and output by the first large language model based on the first thread classification prompt, formulating a plan execution prompt based on the first thread classification, sending the plan execution prompt to a second large language model, receiving a second thread portion generated and output by the second large language model based on the plan execution prompt and the online dialog, and generating a label for a third thread portion of the online dialog.

Abstract: A method for preparing silylated cellulose is disclosed. The method includes preparing a reaction product in the form of a paste and removing unreacted starting materials and/or by-products from the paste to form a powdered silylated cellulose.

Abstract: A method for preparing a powdered silylated cellulose is disclosed. The method includes preparing a reaction product in the form of a powder that can be mixed and handled with conventional powder handling equipment.

Abstract: A quantum key distributed (QKD) apparatus for linking endpoint devices in a network, which includes: QKD links each including a quantum channel and a classical channel, wherein each endpoint has a QKD link; quantum transmitters to transmit quantum transmissions over a quantum channel of one of the QKD links; classical transceivers to transmit classical data over a classical channel of one of the QKD links and to receive classical data over the classical channel of said QKD link; and a controller connected to the quantum transmitters and the classical transceivers to route data generated for quantum transmission to an endpoint over a quantum channel of the QKD link of the endpoint; route classical data for classical transmission to an endpoint via a classical transceiver over a classical channel of the QKD link of the endpoint; and route classical data over the classical channel of the QKD link of an endpoint.

Abstract: Techniques to determining a program installed on a computing device may be indicative of performing a targeted intrusion of the computing device is described. A log file associated with the computing device may be generated. Various indicators from the log file may be determined. A security program may determine that the program may be indicative of performing the targeted intrusion based on at least one of the indicators. The security program may determine an action to take based on the indication of performing the targeted intrusion.

Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises: a cushion frame; a backrest frame; at least one main link extending between a first pivot at the cushion frame and a first fixed pivot to be mounted to a vehicle body of a vehicle, wherein the at least one main link is configured to support substantially an entire load on the vehicle seat; and a break link extending between a second pivot at the cushion frame and a second fixed pivot to be mounted to the vehicle body, the break link comprising first and second members joined to each other at a third pivot, wherein one of the first or second members has a pin that extends into an elongate slot on another of the first or second members.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of creating a group key for a group of N parties using an intermediary, the method includes sharing a cryptographic key of a party with an adjacent party in an ordered ring, wherein each party has another cryptographic key of an adjacent party; generating a meeting key for the party based on combining the cryptographic key of the party with a shared cryptographic key from an adjacent party; sending the meeting key to the intermediary and receiving an intermediate key from the intermediary, wherein the intermediary computes the intermediate key by combining at least two meeting keys of corresponding parties; creating the group key by combining the cryptographic key of the party with the received intermediate key, wherein the created group key includes a combination of at least N?1 of the cryptographic keys of the parties; and using the group key with another party of the group.

Abstract: A quantum key distributed (QKD) apparatus for use with at least two endpoint devices, the apparatus including QKD links each having a communication medium with a quantum channel and a classical channel, wherein each endpoint has a QKD link connected to the QKD apparatus; transmitters to transmit quantum transmissions over a quantum channel of one of the QKD links; a classical transceiver component to transmit/receive classical data over a classical channel of one of the QKD links; and a controller to route data for quantum transmission to an endpoint via a transmitter assigned to the endpoint over a quantum channel of the QKD link of the endpoint, route classical data to an endpoint via a classical transceiver assigned to the endpoint over a classical channel of the QKD link of the endpoint, and route classical data over the classical channel of the QKD link of an endpoint.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of establishing a key between a first and a second device in a network including a first and a second key node, the first and second key nodes with access to a same set of keys, the method including receiving, at the first device, data representative of first key establishment data from the first key node and the second device for calculating a Bilocation Key from a selected key from the set of keys; and receiving, at the second device, data representative of second key establishment data from the first device for requesting the Bilocation Key from the second key node, wherein the Bilocation Key is calculated based on the selected key from the set of keys; and wherein the first and second devices use corresponding Bilocation Keys to each generate a Final Key based on an agreed portion of the first and second key establishment data.

Abstract: An aircraft system is disclosed including a hydraulic actuator, an inlet line for supplying hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator, an outlet line for removing hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic actuator, a first one-way valve configured to allow fluid flow along the inlet line in a direction toward the hydraulic actuator, and a second one-way valve configured to allow fluid flow along the outlet line in a direction away from the hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator for a hydraulic actuation system of an aircraft includes a housing defining a cavity, a piston dividing the cavity into extension and retraction chambers and movable relative to the housing to increase volume of one chamber and decrease volume of another of the chambers. A bypass includes first and second bypass ports and a connecting bypass line, and first and second chamber ports opening into the extension and retraction chambers at all positions of the piston relative to the housing for passage of hydraulic fluid. The first and second bypass ports open into one of the extension chamber and retraction chamber when the piston is at a first position relative to the housing so the first bypass port and the second bypass port open into respective ones of the extension chamber and the retraction chamber when the piston is at a second position relative to the housing.

Abstract: A method of encryption key provisioning that includes providing, by a quantum computing safe method, a shared secret data to a device and to a security service; using the provided shared secret data to provide a root key; and using the root key for a sequence of stages, wherein each stage includes an operation which converts a start key into a different generated key, and the same stages are carried out in parallel at the device and at the security service; wherein the root key is used as the start key for a first stage, and a generated key produced by each stage, except for the final stage, is used as a start key for a next stage of the sequence; and wherein the generated keys produced by the last stage of the sequence at the device and at the security service are symmetric keys.

Abstract: A method includes controlling a gloss channel of a color measurement apparatus to measure a surface gloss of a color sample to generate a gloss value for the color sample. A color channel of the color measurement apparatus is controlled to measure a reflectance spectrum of the color sample to generate a first plurality of reflectance values for the color sample under a first measurement geometry. The first plurality of reflectance values are converted to a second plurality of reflectance values representing the reflectance spectrum of the color sample under a second measurement geometry, different from the first measurement geometry. The converting utilizes an adjustment that is a function of the gloss value.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a lentiviral vector for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD) is provided. In certain embodiments, the vector comprises an expression cassette that encodes that an anti-sickling ?-globin gene and an shRNA that inhibits expression of a BCL11A gene (BCL11A shRNA) wherein said expression cassette is in reverse orientation in the vector; a ?-globin locus control region (LCR) comprising a reduced length hypersensitive site 1 (HS1) sequence, a reduced length hypersensitive site 2 (HS2) sequence, a reduced length hypersensitive site 3 (HS3) sequence, and a reduced length hypersensitive site 4 (HS4) sequence, where said anti-sickling ?-globin gene is operably linked to the human ?-globin locus control region.