Abstract: Described are shoes for ball sports including an upper having an outer surface. An actuator is configured to change at least one surface property of a portion of the outer surface of the upper, and a sensor is configured to be sensitive to movements of the shoe. A processing unit is connected to the actuator and the sensor and configured to process sensor data retrieved from the sensor and to cause the actuator to change the at least one surface property of the portion of the outer surface of the upper if a predetermined event is detected in the sensor data.

Abstract: A server system receives a request to generate a playlist. The playlist includes a sequence of media items. The server system receives a plurality of constraints that define disqualification criteria for excluding media items from a respective slot in the sequence of media items. The plurality of constraints for the respective slot in the sequence of media items includes at least one constraint that is based on already-populated slots in the sequence of media items. The server system generates the playlist by sequentially populating each respective slot in the sequence of media items, including selecting, for the respective slot, a respective media item that meets the plurality of constraints for the respective slot in the sequence of media items. The server system provides the playlist to a user of the media providing service.

Abstract: A system and method generate a trip plan for a trip of a vehicle system along a route. The usage of an engine during the trip is determined based on engine operational parameters, energy storage device operational parameters, and one or more objectives of the trip desired to be achieved. The usage of the energy storage device during the trip is also determined based on the engine operational parameters, the energy storage device operational parameters, and the one or more objective, including when to charge or discharge the energy storage device during the trip.

Abstract: Techniques for cryptographic authentication of a physical asset are disclosed, including: operating a trusted application, provided by a trusted entity, on a computing device equipped with an NFC reader to: (a) obtain a single-use authentication link from a cryptographically-secure NFC chip attached to a physical asset; (b) obtain a metadata pointer and a hash digest from the single-use authentication link; (c) obtain, via the metadata pointer, metadata associated with the physical asset, the metadata including a cryptographic signature; (d) obtain a public authentication key associated with the trusted entity; and (e) authenticate the cryptographic signature against the public authentication key and verify whether the hash digest is a cryptographic hash of the metadata obtained via the metadata pointer to obtain an authentication result for the physical asset.

Abstract: A processor may analyze one or more unread messages. The one or more unread messages may be from one or more respective conversations. The processor may generate, from the analyzing, an ambiguous strings model. The processor may summarize, via utilization of the ambiguous strings model, the one or more unread messages. The processor may genericize the ambiguous strings model.

Abstract: A fishing lure graphic application assembly includes a reservoir having a bottom wall and a perimeter wall that attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall. A dipping system is positioned adjacent to the reservoir and engages a fishing lure blank and a dissolvable film, places the dissolvable film in a quantity of water positioned in the reservoir such that graphic is released onto a surface of the water, extend the fishing lure blank through the graphic such that the graphic adheres to the fishing lure blank, and lifts the fishing lure blank upwardly out of the water.

Abstract: A processor may analyze one or more unread messages. The one or more unread messages may be from one or more respective conversations. The processor may generate, from the analyzing, an ambiguous strings model. The processor may summarize, via utilization of the ambiguous strings model, the one or more unread messages. The processor may genericize the ambiguous strings model.

Abstract: There is provided a catalyst composition including a hydrogen oxidation catalyst and an oxygen reduction catalyst. Heat exchange reactors including the catalyst are also provided. The catalyst is adapted for low temperature activation of a hydrogen combustion reaction.

Abstract: There is provided a catalyst composition including a hydrogen oxidation catalyst and an oxygen reduction catalyst and a process for applying the catalyst composition to a substrate. Heat exchange reactors including the catalyst composition and methods for heating a heat exchange medium are also provided. Catalytic combustors including a catalytic surface including the catalyst composition are further provided. The catalyst is adapted for low temperature activation of a hydrogen combustion reaction.

Abstract: Techniques for cryptographic authentication of a physical asset are disclosed, including: operating a trusted application, provided by a trusted entity, on a computing device equipped with an NFC reader to: (a) obtain a single-use authentication link from a cryptographically-secure NFC chip attached to a physical asset; (b) obtain a metadata pointer and a hash digest from the single-use authentication link; (c) obtain, via the metadata pointer, metadata associated with the physical asset, the metadata including a cryptographic signature; (d) obtain a public authentication key associated with the trusted entity; and (e) authenticate the cryptographic signature against the public authentication key and verify whether the hash digest is a cryptographic hash of the metadata obtained via the metadata pointer to obtain an authentication result for the physical asset.

Abstract: There is provided a catalyst composition including a hydrogen oxidation catalyst and an oxygen reduction catalyst and a process for applying the catalyst composition to a substrate. Heat exchange reactors including the catalyst composition and methods for heating a heat exchange medium are also provided. Catalytic combustors including a catalytic surface including the catalyst composition are further provided. The catalyst is adapted for low temperature activation of a hydrogen combustion reaction.

Abstract: A charging device is configured to deliver power to a portable, power-consuming device, having a profile sensor which can detect information relating to the identity of power-consuming device to which the charging device is connected and may also have a communication channel configured to transmit said information to a remote server. In use, data can be collected or aggregated relating to power-consuming devices by connecting the charging device to the portable power-consuming device; sensing, by a profile sensor in the charging device, information relating to the identity of the power-consuming device; and transmitting the information to a remote server over a communication channel. Collected data may, for example, be used to identify when fuel for a charging device may need replenishment.

Abstract: A microvalve assembly (30) is integrated into a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate (31). An aperture (32) in the PCB substrate includes a closure member (33) extending into the aperture. A flexible fluid pipe (38) is disposed between the closure member and a closure edge (37) of the aperture. A displacement member (34) is coupled to the PCB and is configured for thermal actuation to displace the closure member so as to vary the cross-sectional profile of the flexible fluid pipe. The closure member may be a cantilever section of the PCB substrate. Displacement of the closure member to vary the cross-sectional profile of the flexible fluid pipe can occur entirely within the plane of the PCB substrate and movement of the displacement member to displace the closure member can also occur entirely within the plane of the PCB substrate, providing a very low profile of microvalve particularly suited for integration into a fuel cell stack (1).

Abstract: A system for testing an individual for illicit or other substances is described. The system operates in tandem with a mobile device (smartphone) application, which employs a camera of the mobile device to capture and record the self-administered specimen collection process for verification and rule compliance. The system guides the user through the process via on-screen prompts on the mobile device, and includes tracking of the collected specimen from the moment of collection until it is sealed in a tamper-proof container to be mailed for external testing at a lab. A breathalyzer may also be used with the system to test for the presence of alcohol in the user's body, the use of which is also monitored and recorded via the on-board camera of the mobile device for verification.

Abstract: A centraliser comprises two collars that are connected by asymmetric spring bows. The spring bows each comprise two arcs, where the curvature of one arc is inverted with respect to the curvature of the other arc, one being concave and the other convex. The spring bows are in sets that are equidistantly spaced around the circumference of the collars, each set having the same configuration, and the opposite configuration to the spring bows in the other set. Upon insertion into a wellbore, one set of spring bows is therefore compressed before the other set. Upon compression, the deformation of the concave arc leads to mutual deformation of the convex arc, and the spring bows adopt a flatter configuration, enhancing the rotational freedom of the tubular.

Abstract: A centralizer comprises two collars that are connected by asymmetric spring bows. The spring bows each comprise two arcs, where the curvature of one arc is inverted with respect to the curvature of the other arc, one being concave and the other convex. The spring bows are in sets that are equidistantly spaced around the circumference of the collars, each set having the same configuration, and the opposite configuration to the spring bows in the other set. Upon insertion into a wellbore, one set of spring bows is therefore compressed before the other set. Upon compression, the deformation of the concave arc leads to mutual deformation of the convex arc, and the spring bows adopt a flatter configuration, enhancing the rotational freedom of the tubular.

Abstract: A rectangular shaped animal trapping cage with one side of the cage configured in two segments that can be swung toward the inside of the cage and locked to facilitate the immobilization of sheep and goat sized animals.

Abstract: The invention relates to fuel cell assemblies, and in particular to improvements relating to sealing of such assemblies, embodiments of which include a fuel cell assembly (200) comprising a membrane electrode assembly (104), a cathode separator plate (208) having a series of corrugations extending, and providing air flow paths, between first and second opposing edges of the plate, a gasket (105) providing a fluid seal around a peripheral edge of the membrane electrode assembly (104) between the separator plate (208) and the membrane electrode assembly (104) and a metal shim (107) disposed between the gasket (105) and the separator plate (208) over the peripheral edge of the membrane electrode assembly (104).

Abstract: A multipurpose, hand-held device comprises a focused light source and a ducted fan. The device produces and directs light and airflow, for the purpose of illuminating an area while starting and maintaining a fire. The airflow feature rapidly accelerates combustion. With the added safety and convenience of a hand-held, integrated flashlight, the device's controllable airflow delivers the capability to rapidly ignite and maintain fires made with charcoal, wood, coal, fire starters, paper, newspaper, cardboard, dung, etc.