Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for optimization of parameters of a system, product, or process. The method includes establishing an optimization procedure for a system, product, or process. The system, product, or process has an evaluable performance that is dependent on values of one or more adjustable parameters. The method includes receiving one or more prior evaluations of performance of the system, product, or process. The one or more prior evaluations are respectively associated with one or more prior variants of the system, product, or process. The one or more prior variants are each defined by a set of values for the one or more adjustable parameters. The method includes utilizing an optimization algorithm to generate a suggested variant based at least in part on the one or more prior evaluations of performance and the associated set of values.

Abstract: Methods and systems described in this disclosure describe an integration of video sessions across platforms, transforming the user experience. In some embodiments, a user can participate in an interaction via a channel. Next, the system can determine whether the interaction is eligible for a video session with a representative. When the interaction is eligible for the video session, an option for the video session can be displayed on a user interface of the device. After receiving a request for the video session, the video session can be routed to a uniquely skilled representative, where the uniquely skilled representative is determined based, at least in part, on the interaction.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes one or more compressors, one or more outdoor heat exchangers, and one or more indoor heat exchangers. The HVAC system also includes a base pan on which the one or more compressors are mounted. The base pan includes a base level and one or more tier levels higher than the base level. The distance from any point on a perimeter of the first-tier level to a nearest point on a perimeter of the base level is based on the smallest bolt circle diameter of the one or more compressors mounted on the base pan. Also, the perimeter lengths of the tier levels are based on a percentage of the base level perimeter length.

Abstract: The present invention is a portable, intelligent, ergonomically adjustable body-seat cushion controlled wirelessly via a smartphone or tablet app. Multiple air bladders embedded in the body-seat cushion inflate/deflate at the direction of the app to manipulate the physical position of the user's neck, back, posterior, legs, and feet in order to: (1) alleviate pressure on the back and sit-bones; (2) lengthen the user from a normal sitting position to a lengthened sitting position; and (3) increase blood flow to the user's extremities. Positioning algorithms in the app use the user's anthropometric data (body measurements) and seat measurements (including available space above and in front of the seat) to generate one or more air bladder fill instructions to lengthen the user. The app then wirelessly transmits the positioning instructions as well as optional motion, temperature, and vibration instructions to one or more wireless receivers in the seat cushion.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a digital beamformed phased array feed. The system may include a radome configured to allow electromagnetic waves to propagate; a multi-band software defined antenna array tile; a power and clock management subsystem configured to manage power and time of operation; a thermal management subsystem configured to dissipate heat generated by the multi-band software defined antenna array tile; and an enclosure assembly. The multi-band software defined antenna array tile may include a plurality of coupled dipole array antenna elements; a plurality of frequency converters; and a plurality of digital beamformers.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods are provided for controlling the shape of an ingot head during formation. At the end of a cast, prior to forming the ingot head, chill bars or other cooling structure may be lowered into an ingot mold and define a reduced casting footprint for forming the ingot head. Supplemental molten metal may be fed into the reduced casting footprint, and the chill bars may be moved laterally towards the center of the ingot, further reducing the casting footprint. As additional molten metal fills the reduced mold footprint, the ingot may be lowered relative to the chill bars to further increase the height of the ingot head. Additional molten metal may be added until the desired shape of the ingot head is formed.

Abstract: An imaging device may include single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs). To mitigate crosstalk, isolation structures may be formed around each SPAD. The isolation structures may include front side deep trench isolation structures that extend partially or fully through a semiconductor substrate for the SPADs. The isolation structures may include a metal filler such as tungsten that absorbs photons. The isolation structures may include a p-type doped semiconductor liner to mitigate dark current. The isolation structures may include a buffer layer such as silicon dioxide that is interposed between the metal filler and the p-type doped semiconductor liner. The isolation structures may have a tapered portion or may be formed in two steps such that the isolation structures have different portions with different properties. An additional filler such as polysilicon or borophosphosilicate glass may be included in some of the isolation structures in addition to the metal filler.

Abstract: A method for bit error rate testing a processing unit using a bit error rate tester (BERT) includes transmitting a signal pair to a receiver of the processing unit, the signal pair having jitter levels complying with a jitter threshold, tuning the signal pair to obtain a first stressed eye measurement for the receiver, wherein the first stressed eye measurement complies with a stressed eye mask, placing the processing unit into a loop-back mode, wherein data transmitted to the processing unit by the BERT is transmitted back to the BERT, transmitting a data pattern to the processing unit, receiving a looped back version of the data pattern from the processing unit, and calculating a bit error rate in accordance with the data pattern and the looped back version of the data pattern.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a money transfer network system that improves the performance of money transfer services provided via the money transfer network system and improves the performance of the underlying devices utilized to provide money transfer services. In particular, disclosed embodiments of a money transfer network system provide money transfer services that enable multiple users to engage in money transfer transactions as either a sending party or a receiving party in a manner that is similar to money transfer transactions executed between two users individually. Disclosed embodiments further enable a receiving party to request payment from a sending party, which may include scheduling recurring payments to be made via money transfer transactions.

Abstract: A computing system and method for determining if a first software component that has shipped separately from a second software component has been updated. An inline expansion process copies a first method of the first software component into a first method of a second software component is performed so that the copied first method is executable when the second method of the second software component is executed. The first method from the first software component is copied into metadata that is attached to the first method of the second software component. The copy of the first method in the metadata is used to validate that the first method in the first software component has not been updated.

Abstract: A set of residual elements useable to reconstruct a rendition of a first time sample of a signal is obtained. A set of spatio-temporal correlation elements associated with the first time sample is generated. The set of spatio-temporal correlation elements is indicative of an extent of spatial correlation between a plurality of residual elements and an extent of temporal correlation between first reference data based on the rendition and second reference data based on a rendition of a second time sample of the signal. The set of spatio-temporal correlation elements is used to generate output data.

Abstract: This disclosure describes chimeric antigen receptors for expression in a Natural Killer (NK) cell, pharmaceutical compositions that include NK cells (and/or iPSCs) modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor, and methods involving such chimeric antigen receptors. Generally, the chimeric antigen receptor includes an ectodomain that includes an antigen recognition region, a transmembrane domain linked to the ectodomain, and an endodomain linked to the transmembrane domain. The endodomain can include a signaling peptide that activates an NK cell.

Abstract: An intraluminal imaging device is provided. In one embodiment, the imaging device includes a flexible elongate member having a distal portion and a proximal portion. The flexible elongate member can be positioned within a vessel. The imaging device has an imaging assembly that can be mounted within the distal portion. The imaging assembly includes a side-looking array of imaging elements and a micro-beamformer IC that is coupled to the side-looking array of imaging elements. The micro-beamformer IC can control the array of imaging elements, can determine a first angle and a second angle, and can perform beam forming for the array of imaging elements. The micro-beamformer IC can receive the first imaging signals associated with a first plane (410) at the first angle (+45°), and the second imaging signals associated with a second plane (420) at the second angle (?45°). In some embodiments, the first and second angles are selected to satisfy predetermined criteria.

Abstract: Methods and related devices for impinging light on tissue, for example within a body of a patient, to induce various biological effects are disclosed. Biological effects may include at least one of inactivating and/or inhibiting growth of one or more pathogens, upregulating a local immune response, stimulating enzymatic generation of nitric oxide to increase endogenous stores of nitric oxide, releasing nitric oxide from endogenous stores of nitric oxide, and inducing an anti-inflammatory effect. Wavelengths of light are selected based on intended biological effects for one or more of targeted tissue types and targeted pathogens. Light treatments may provide multiple pathogenic biological effects, either with light of a single wavelength or with light having multiple wavelengths. Devices and methods for light treatments are disclosed that provide light doses for inducing biological effects on various targeted pathogens and targeted tissues with increased efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a hybrid-electric propulsion system having a first engine, a second engine, a first electric machine coupled to the first engine, and a second electric machine coupled to one of the first engine or the second engine. The method includes: receiving data indicative of a first engine operating parameter, a second engine operating parameter, or both; determining a first engine operating parameter margin, a second parameter operating margin, or both; determining a load share for the first engine, the second engine, or both, or between the first engine and the second engine based on the first engine operating parameter margin, the second engine operating parameter margin, or both; and transferring a first amount of power to or from the first electric machine and a second amount of power to or from the second electric machine in response to the determined load share.

Abstract: An absorbent article having improved handling of body exudates. The absorbent article can minimize the amount of body exudates in contact with a wearer's skin and can minimize the incidence of leakage of body exudates from the absorbent article. In one aspect, the absorbent article comprises a body facing material having a first layer and a second layer with fibers of the layers entangled with each other. The body facing material can further comprise projections and land areas adjacent to the projections along with apertures in the land area.

Abstract: The present application discloses a recycle content cracked effluent composition having a certain compositional profile produced by cracking a cracker feed comprising a recycle content pyrolysis oil composition, and methods of producing the recycle content cracked effluent composition.

Abstract: Example aspects include a method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for surveillance data processing for sanitation verification, comprising determining, by a processor based on area identification information received by a surveillance system of a premises, that an area of the premises requires periodic sanitation. The aspects further include determining, by the processor based on data captured by one or more sensors of the surveillance system, whether one or more persons associated with the cleaning staff profile have visited the area within a threshold period of time. Additionally, the aspects further include sending, by the processor, a first notification to a facilities management device in response to the one or more persons associated with the cleaning staff profile not having visited the area within the threshold period of time.

Abstract: A variable flow area injector for a liquid rocket engine. The injector has a poppet with a variable outer width portion and a housing with a variable inner width portion. An annular flow path is defined between the variable width portions. Increased throttling of the engine passively increases the annular flow area of the injector by forcing the poppet in a distal direction. Decreased throttling allows a restoring spring to move the poppet in a proximal direction to decrease the annular flow area. A bellows can be included to dampen movement of the poppet. The bellows may be in a propellant-filled cavity separate from the main propellant flow path and have a series of openings through which the separate propellant flows.