Abstract: A rack and lifter system and method is described. The system includes a rack having at least a first engagement opening, and a lifter having at least a first engagement member and at least a first vertical extension member, wherein in use the at least a first engagement member interlocks with the at least a first engagement opening of the rack, and the at least a first vertical extension member extends to lift the interlocked lifter and rack, wherein the at least a first vertical extension member includes means for movement. The lifter may include a guiding-and-lifting member which lifts the lifter and guides the lifter into an interior space of the rack. The lifter may include a towing machine connection member which connects the lifter to a towing machine which positions the lifter within the rack and tows the connected lifter and rack.

Abstract: A compressor system includes a compression module having an inlet for receiving air; and a filter housing in fluid communication with the compression module. The filter housing is constructed to house a filter, the filter having a sealing feature disposed at a first end of the filter and having an engagement feature disposed at a second end of the filter opposite the first end. The filter housing includes a trap door constructed to contact the engagement feature, and constructed to drive the engagement feature in a direction parallel to an axis of the filter toward the sealing feature and urge the sealing feature into sealing engagement with the filter housing.

Abstract: Examples relate to devices, systems, and methods for fluid collection such as urine. In an embodiment, the urine collection device includes a fluid impermeable barrier and fluid permeable structure. The fluid impermeable barrier is adjustable between an extended configuration and a compact configuration. The fluid impermeable barrier at least partially defines a chamber, an aperture configured to receive a conduit therethrough, and an opening. The fluid permeable structure positioned within the chamber to extend across at least a portion of the opening. The fluid permeable structure configured to wick fluid away from the opening.

Abstract: Monitoring and enhancing performance of containers using a calibration technique is implemented using a computer. Performance of a new container as part of an application running on the computer is checked by comparing a current performance of the new container with baseline data corresponding to the new container. The baseline data is derived from a calibration container corresponding to the new container. The new container is categorized in a category of performance based on the checking of the performance of the new container. An alert can be sent to a device of an administrator regarding the new container meeting a threshold of performance, in response to the new container meeting the threshold of performance. The alert can be sent to the device of the administrator for the administrator to initiate an action pertaining to the new container in response to receiving the alert.

Abstract: An attachment system for a locking system mounted to a closure is provided. A baseplate is fastenable to a mounting surface of the closure, the baseplate including at least one circumferential cutout having an engagement feature, and a locking feature on a surface of the baseplate. A housing has at least one protrusion insertable into the at least one circumferential cutout and is rotatably engageable with the engagement feature to selectively prevent the housing from being withdrawn from the baseplate in a direction normal to the mounting surface. A locking device is disposed inside the housing and is accessible from outside the housing through a cutout defined in at least one of the housing and the baseplate, the locking device operable to rotatably lock and unlock the housing to the baseplate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for receiving user meeting control for network conferences. In an embodiment, a method for receiving user meeting controls includes transmitting a request to participate in a network conference. The request includes an identifier. The method also includes receiving meeting controls for use during the network conference. The meeting controls are determined from a policy database based on the identifier.

Abstract: An optical cable includes a plurality of buffer tubes, each of the buffer tubes includes a flexible ribbon, the flexible ribbon including a plurality of optical fibers, the flexible ribbon being wrapped with a finished tape.

Abstract: A transaction device is described. The device comprises storage configured to store a first data record comprising first value data and a unique identifier associated with one other device; communications circuitry configured to receive an identifier and second value data from a device; and control circuitry configured to compare the received identifier with the unique identifier and in the event of a positive comparison, the control circuitry is further configured to update the stored first value data in accordance with the exchanged second value data.

Abstract: A device for supporting an electronic display includes a base, a display mount having a first position and a second position relative to the base, and a connection mechanism positioned between the base and the display mount. The connection mechanism is configured to rotate and translate the display mount from the first position to the second position according to a torque curve. The torque curve includes a discovery stage adjacent the first position, an initiation stage rotationally after the discovery stage, and an approach stage rotationally after the initiation stage. The connection mechanism applies a force toward the first position in the discovery stage. The connection mechanism having an initiation force applied toward the first position that is greater than the force in the discovery stage. The approach stage having an approach force applied toward the second position.

Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions that are executable by the processor to cause the processor to receive basin data of a target basin including an area of the target basin, a number of exploration wells in the target basin, and a number of discovery wells in the target basin. Additionally, the instructions are executable to cause the processor to provide the basin data as input to a trained machine-learning model to determine a predicted trajectory of exploration efficiency of the target basin. Further, the instructions are executable to cause the processor to, in response to providing the basin data as input to the trained machine-learning model, receive an output from the trained machine-learning model indicating the predicted trajectory of exploration efficiency in the target basin.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing user meeting control for network conferences. In an embodiment, a method includes maintaining a policy database and receiving a request from a requestor to participate in a network conference. The request includes an identifier. The method also includes determining meeting controls from the policy database based on the identifier, and transmitting the meeting controls to the requestor for use during the network conference.

Abstract: A taco shell is produced by applying a plasticizing agent to a targeted region including a base or spine portion of a hard taco shell and lower sections of taco shell sidewalls, thereby softening the targeted region, preferably across a strip width between 16 mm-20 mm, and enabling the sidewalls of the hard taco shell to engage each other without cracking or otherwise breaking the taco shell. As a further result, when the taco shell is bitten, the softened targeted region has some hinging flexibility or pliability which reduces the potential for any crack propagation. Therefore, the structural integrity of the hard taco shell can be better maintained during packaging and while be eaten, resulting in retention of the fillings and less mess. If desired, an anti-migration agent can also be applied to assure containment of the plasticizing agent in the targeted region.

Abstract: Examples relate to devices, systems, and methods for fluid collection such as urine. The urine collection device includes a fluid impermeable barrier and a fluid permeable body. The fluid impermeable barrier at least partially defines a chamber. The fluid impermeable barrier includes at least one elongated portion having a first width and distal to the aperture and a second portion having a second width greater than the first width. The second portion at least partially defines an opening in the fluid impermeable barrier, and the opening has a maximum lateral dimension greater than the first width of the elongated portion. The fluid permeable body is configured to wick fluid away from the opening into the at least one elongated portion.

Abstract: A system for analysis and display of hydrocarbon play information according to some aspects determines a probability of source rock occurrence according to source rock age based on a proven play concept. The system can also determine a relative probability of migration for hydrocarbons from a source rock of a proposed petroleum play concept to a reservoir. A relative probability of wellbore success for the proposed play concept can be determined at least in part based on these probabilities. The system can display the relative probability of wellbore success for the proposed play concept, either alone as part of a displayed inventory of proposed hydrocarbon play concepts. The system can produce accurate results that facilitate rapid play concept investigations for hydrocarbon exploration.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for occluding an anatomical structure including an occlusion apparatus having first and second beams and at least one connector for connecting the respective ends of the beams together. The occlusion apparatus may be adapted for use in a deployment device having a pair of jaws and optionally having a respective pair of shuttle bodies for releasably connecting an occlusion apparatus to the jaws while in an open position and for releasing the occlusion device from the jaws while in a closed position. A system for occluding an anatomical structure is also disclosed that includes an occlusion apparatus and a deployment device for holding the occlusion apparatus in an open position for locating the occlusion device adjacent the anatomical structure to be occluded and then moving the occlusion apparatus to a closed position and locking the occlusion apparatus in the closed position.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for pre-packaging and pre-configuring software products using chatbot message exchanges with users are described. Embodiments may include receiving a user inquiry, initiating a first chat session comprising a primary chatbot within a user interface, receiving user request data corresponding to a first string of communications, and determining a product based on the user request data.

Abstract: An encoder operable to filter audio signals into a plurality of frequency band components, generate quantized digital components for each band, identify a potential for pre-echo events within the generated quantized digital components, generate an approximate signal by decoding the quantized digital components using inverse pulse code modulation, generate an error signal by comparing the approximate signal with the sampled audio signal, and process the error signal and quantized digital components. The encoder operable to process the error signal by processing delayed audio signals and Q band values, determining the potential for pre-echo events from the Q band values, and determining scale factors and MDCT block sizes for the potential for pre-echo events.

Abstract: A medical instrument comprising: (A) a first joint comprising a first member and a second member, the first member configured to be repositionable with respect to the second member in an X-Y plane; (B) a second joint operatively coupled to the first joint, the second joint comprising a third member and a fourth member, the third member configured to be repositionable with respect to the fourth member in a Y-Z plane perpendicular to the X-Y plane; and, (C) a controller operatively coupled to the first joint and the second joint, the controller including a first control configured to direct repositioning of at least one of the first member and the second member, and a second control configured to direct repositioning of at least one of the third member and the fourth member.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism includes an electrostatic clutch for providing active control of a relative angle between two planar components. The hinge mechanism includes two conductive components on opposite sides of a dielectric layer; a relative angle detection mechanism usable to determine a relative angle between the two planar components; and a voltage controller that selectively applies voltage to at least one of the two conductive components when the detected angle between the two planar components satisfies a locking condition, the applied voltage creating an electrostatic force that restricts movement of the two conductive components and fixedly support the two planar components at the detected angle of separation.

Abstract: A medical instrument comprising: (A) a first joint comprising a first member and a second member, the first member configured to be repositionable with respect to the second member in an X-Y plane; (B) a second joint operatively coupled to the first joint, the second joint comprising a third member and a fourth member, the third member configured to be repositionable with respect to the fourth member in a Y-Z plane perpendicular to the X-Y plane; and, (C) a controller operatively coupled to the first joint and the second joint, the controller including a first control configured to direct repositioning of at least one of the first member and the second member, and a second control configured to direct repositioning of at least one of the third member and the fourth member.