Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and non-transitory computer readable memory for an elastic software process execution environment using an object-based model. For instance, a system may include an elastic executor and elastic datastore. The system may assign a first process node of a plurality of process nodes of a software process to a first executor of a plurality of executors, such that tasks associated with the first process node will be executed by the first executor; and assign a second process node to a second executor of the plurality of executors, such that tasks associated with the second process node will be executed by the second executor. The tasks may cause updates to variables shared between the tasks and/or executors.

Abstract: A one-piece linkage assembly (20) includes a linkage base (120, 122, 22) for securement to a structure and a linkage follower (124, 24) fixed to the linkage base (120, 122, 22) with a stainless steel first pivot pin in a hinged configuration. The linkage base (120, 122, 22) and the linkage follower (124, 24) each are made of a molded material, such as plastic, and are formed together with the first metal pivot pin (126, 130, 132, 136, 26, 32, 36) insert molded there between. A linkage coupler (130, 30) and a linkage drive (134, 34) are similarly pivotably secured to the linkage follower (124, 24) in a chained configuration and are also made of the molded material and are formed together with the linkage base (120, 122, 22) and the linkage follower (124, 24), with additional stainless steel pivot pins insert molded between the linkage follower (124, 24) and the linkage coupler (130, 30) and between the linkage coupler (130, 30) and the linkage drive (134, 34).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to multilayer films. Embodiments of the multilayer films may include a first layer comprising a polyethylene composition having a density of 0.924 g/cm3 to 0.936 g/cm3 and a melt index (I2) of 0.25 g/10 minutes to 2.0 g/10 minutes, a second layer comprising a first polyolefin, a third layer comprising a second polyolefin. The first layer may be positioned between the second layer and the third layer. The first polyolefin and the second polyolefin may be the same or different.

Abstract: A method for producing surface modified nanocellulose material is described comprising: (i) providing a mixture of an organic acid and at least one solvent; (ii) providing a fibrous cellulosic material is an unprocessed form: (iii) suspending the fibrous cellulosic material in the mixture of the organic acid at a temperature of less than 100° C. to form a suspension; (iv) maintaining the suspension for a period of time to provide a surface modified fibrous cellulose material; and (v) passing the suspension through at least one chamber having a large gap, at a high shear to produce surface modified cellulose nanofibrils, wherein the organic acid is a dicarboxylic acid, a tricarboxylic acid or a mixture thereof. Also described are surface modified cellulose nanofibrils, surface modified nanocrystals and uses of the same.

Abstract: A sodium-cooled nuclear reactor includes at least one electromagnetic pump assembly and a backflow reduction pipe. The backflow reduction pipe may include an inlet, an outlet, at least one tubular section having a first length and a first diameter, and at least one fluid diode section between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: A sodium-cooled nuclear reactor includes at least one electromagnetic pump assembly and a backflow reduction pipe. The backflow reduction pipe may include an inlet, an outlet, at least one tubular section having a first length and a first diameter, and at least one fluid diode section between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical waveguide including a waveguide core and waveguide cladding surrounding the waveguide core. The waveguide cladding includes at least one stack of cladding material layers positioned laterally adjacent to a sidewall of the waveguide core such that each cladding material layer in the stack abuts the sidewall of the waveguide core. Each of the cladding material layers in the stack has a smaller refractive index than the waveguide core and at least two of the cladding material layers in the stack have different refractive indices, thereby tailoring field confinement and reshaping the optical mode. Different embodiments include different numbers of cladding material layers in the stack, different stacking orders of the cladding material layers, different waveguide core types, symmetric or asymmetric cladding structures on opposite sides of the waveguide core, etc. Also disclosed is a method of forming the optical waveguide.

Abstract: A power generation system includes a shroud that defines a fluid flow path. A gas turbine engine is in the fluid flow path, and the gas turbine engine includes a compressor, a combustor downstream from the compressor, and a turbine downstream from the combustor. An electric generator is in the fluid flow path upstream from the turbine, and the electric generator includes a rotor coaxially aligned with the turbine. A plurality of non-lubricated bearings rotatably support the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to database query optimizers. In some embodiments, a query parser of a database system receives a query requesting data from a multi-tenant database. The query includes a first constraint that restricts a query optimizer's selection of a set of execution plans available to implement the query. The database system determines whether an override has been specified for a particular tenant associated with the received query, the override indicating that the first constraint is to be replaced with a second constraint for the particular tenant. In response to determining that the override has been specified for the particular tenant, the database system replaces the first constraint in the query with the second constraint and provides the query with the second constraint to the query optimizer for selection of an execution plan in accordance with the second constraint.

Abstract: A blown film having a bimodal ethylene-based polymer including a high density fraction (HDF) from 3.0% to 25.0%, an I10/I2 ratio from 5.5 to 7.5, a short chain branching distribution (SCBD) less than or equal to 10 C, a zero shear viscosity ratio from 1.0 to 2.5, a density from 0.902 g/cc to 0.925 g/cc, and a melt index (I2) from 0.5 g/10 mins to 2.0 g/10 mins.

Abstract: A power generation system includes a shroud that defines a fluid flow path. A gas turbine engine is in the fluid flow path, and the gas turbine engine includes a compressor, a combustor downstream from the compressor, and a turbine downstream from the combustor. An electric generator is in the fluid flow path upstream from and coaxially aligned with the turbine. The turbine includes an integrally bladed rotor.

Abstract: The method includes configuring a nuclear reactor to at least partially mitigate liquid metal coolant backflow in the nuclear reactor in response to an at least partial failure of a primary electromagnetic pump (EMP) within a reactor pressure vessel of the nuclear reactor, the nuclear reactor being liquid metal-cooled, the primary EMP configured to circulate liquid metal coolant through at least a reactor core of the nuclear reactor, the configuring including, installing a backflow EMP within the reactor pressure vessel, such that when selectively activated, the backflow EMP at least partially mitigates liquid metal coolant backflow through the primary EMP.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical waveguide including a waveguide core and waveguide cladding surrounding the waveguide core. The waveguide cladding includes at least one stack of cladding material layers positioned laterally adjacent to a sidewall of the waveguide core such that each cladding material layer in the stack abuts the sidewall of the waveguide core. Each of the cladding material layers in the stack has a smaller refractive index than the waveguide core and at least two of the cladding material layers in the stack have different refractive indices, thereby tailoring field confinement and reshaping the optical mode. Different embodiments include different numbers of cladding material layers in the stack, different stacking orders of the cladding material layers, different waveguide core types, symmetric or asymmetric cladding structures on opposite sides of the waveguide core, etc. Also disclosed is a method of forming the optical waveguide.

Abstract: Customized assistive gripping devices in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a customized assistive gripping device, comprising a body comprising an outer surface that conforms to an interior contour of a user's hand in a gripping configuration; and a slot located inside the body, wherein the slot comprises a first opening for receiving an object.

Abstract: An imaging device may capture images of a scene, where the scene includes retroreflective materials. Where visual images and depth images are captured from a scene, and the depth images have ratios of supersaturated pixels that are less than a predetermined threshold, a location map of the scene is generated or updated based on the depth images. Where the ratios are greater than the predetermined threshold, the location map of the scene is generated or updated based on the visual images. Additionally, where each of a plurality of imaging devices detect concentrations of supersaturated pixels beyond a predetermined threshold or limit within their respective fields of view, an actor present on the scene may be determined to be wearing retroreflective material, or otherwise designated as a source of the supersaturation, and tracked with the scene based on coverage areas that are determined to have excessive ratios of supersaturated pixels.

Abstract: A gas turbine propulsion system includes a shroud that defines a fluid flow path. A gas turbine engine in the fluid flow path includes a compressor, a combustor downstream from the compressor, and a turbine downstream from the combustor. An electric generator in the fluid flow path defined by the shroud includes a rotor coaxially aligned with the turbine. A propulsor is upstream from the gas turbine engine, and an electric motor is operably coupled to the propulsor to rotate the propulsor. The propulsor is rotationally isolated from the gas turbine engine so that the propulsor rotates independently from operation of the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: Provided are films made from polymer blends including post-consumer resin (PCR). The films are formed from a polymer blend that includes a PCR, a low density polyethylene and/or ethylene/carbon monoxide copolymer (ECO copolymer), and a modification agent. The films, which include a PCR, contribute to improved sustainability and in aspects maintain or minimize the reduction of desirable properties, such as elastic recovery.

Abstract: A laminate includes multiple paper layers, with at least one induction coil comprising first and second sets of windings. Two or more paper layers include the sets of windings comprising an electrically-conductive material. The sets of windings may be distributed throughout the laminate layers and provide good wireless induction charging performance in a compact space.

Abstract: A laminate includes multiple paper layers, with at least one induction coil comprising first and second sets of windings. Two or more paper layers include the sets of windings comprising an electrically-conductive material. The sets of windings may be distributed throughout the laminate layers and provide good wireless induction charging performance in a compact space.

Abstract: A vehicle system may include an impact screen for reducing damage in a collision involving the vehicle. The impact screen may be disposed in a cavity of the vehicle system between a motor unit and a battery to reduce a likelihood of impact and/or a force of an impact between the motor unit and the battery. The impact screen may be fixed at opposite sides of the vehicle, such that motor unit moves relative to the impact screen during the collision.