Abstract: A method of forming a liquid lens, comprising the steps of: positioning a first substrate defining a hole over a second substrate, wherein a cavity is defined within the second substrate and aligned with the hole; dispensing a second liquid into the cavity defined within the second substrate; capping the second liquid with a first liquid dispensed through the hole, wherein the first liquid and the second liquid have different refractive indices than each other; and translating at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate such that the hole is not aligned with the cavity.

Abstract: A system and method include a controller configured to obtain or receive a predicted weather event along a route during a current or upcoming trip based on weather data. The controller determines a weather fitness of a first vehicle for traveling on the route during the trip based on the predicted weather event and equipment characteristics of equipment disposed onboard the first vehicle. The controller assigns one of the first vehicle or a different, second vehicle to complete the trip based at least in part on the weather fitness of the first vehicle.

Abstract: A shiftable backing feed is utilized with a tufting machine having reciprocating needles and gauge parts for seizing yarns at a plurality of fixed heights, wherein fabric support apparatus reciprocates in synchronization with the cycles of the needle bar to support the backing during penetration of the backing fabric yet allow backing shifts between stitches.

Abstract: A shiftable backing feed or shiftable needle assembly is utilized with a tufting machine having reciprocating needles and gauge parts for seizing or cutting yarns wherein yarn placement patterns can be utilized to tuft at different gauge densities while maintaining the same pattern sizes and appearance, and gauge parts are adapted for high density stitching.

Abstract: A system hosts a file system representing a replica of file systems hosted on a plurality of nodes, each node storing data on a first storage medium. The system stores data on a second storage medium that is slower than the first storage medium. The system stores on the second storage medium a file received from one of the nodes when the file remains un-accessed by the nodes for a predetermined period of time. The first storage medium on the plurality of nodes stores a pointer to the file and not the data content of the file stored on the second storage medium. The system provides the file from the second storage medium to the first storage medium on one of the nodes while providing the plurality of nodes read and write access to the file stored on the second storage medium using the pointer on the first storage medium.

Abstract: A method may include serially joining different video clips from videos of different historical competitions to form a composite video competition, the different video clips comprising an indeterminate subset of clips drawn from a larger pool of clips, wherein each clip from a historical competition has an associated partial result contribution to a final result of the historical competition further include presenting a result during the composite video competition, the result comprising a linked combination of the partial result contributions from the different video clips.

Abstract: Provided herein include methods and compositions for analyzing nucleic acid in individual cells. In some embodiments, the methods herein include generating, within individual cells, fragmented cellular genomic DNA and cDNA copies of cellular RNA molecules, barcoding the fragmented genomic DNA and the cDNA within each cell such that the genomic DNA and the cDNA from the same cell receive the same unique barcode sequence, isolating the barcoded genomic DNA and cDNA, and characterizing one or more features of the individual cells based, at least in part, on sequencing of the isolated barcoded genomic DNA and the cDNA.

Abstract: A backing feed is utilized with a tufting machine having reciprocating needles and gauge parts for seizing yarns wherein the needles are configured in consecutive gauge positions in alternate segments in front and rear transverse rows of needles, and the position of the needles is shiftable transversely with respect to the backing.

Abstract: A laser structure may include a substrate, an active region arranged on the substrate, and a waveguide arranged on the active region. The waveguide may include a first surface and a second surface that join to form a first angle relative to the active region. A material may be deposited on the first surface and the second surface of the waveguide.

Abstract: A method may include serially joining different video clips from videos of different historical competitions to form a composite video competition, the different video clips comprising an indeterminate subset of clips drawn from a larger pool of clips, wherein each clip from a historical competition has an associated partial result contribution to a final result of the historical competition further include presenting a result during the composite video competition, the result comprising a linked combination of the partial result contributions from the different video clips.

Abstract: A system hosts a file system representing a replica of file systems hosted on a plurality of nodes, each node storing data on a first storage medium. The system stores data on a second storage medium that is slower than the first storage medium. The system stores on the second storage medium a file received from one of the nodes when the file remains un-accessed by the nodes for a predetermined period of time. The first storage medium on the plurality of nodes stores a pointer to the file and not the data content of the file stored on the second storage medium. The system provides the file from the second storage medium to the first storage medium on one of the nodes while providing the plurality of nodes read and write access to the file stored on the second storage medium using the pointer on the first storage medium.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of queues configured to hold tasks and state information associated with such tasks. The system further includes a plurality of listeners configured to query one of the plurality of queues for a task, receive, in response to querying one of the plurality of queues for a task, a task together with state information associated with the task, effect processing of the received task, and communicate a result of the received task to another queue of the plurality of queues, the another queue of the plurality of queues being selected based on the processing of the received task.

Abstract: A shiftable backing feed or shiftable needle assembly is utilized with a tufting machine having reciprocating needles and gauge parts for seizing or cutting yarns wherein yarn placement patterns can be utilized to tuft at different gauge densities while maintaining the same pattern sizes and appearance.

Abstract: Introduced here are computer programs and associated computer-implemented techniques for purchasing, selling, and/or transferring cryptocurrency to be disbursed as a reward for using a specialized payment card. The technology allows cardholders to receive cryptocurrency for completing transactions with specialized payment cards without requiring the card-issuing financial institution directly issue the cryptocurrency.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a magnetic coupling system to improve stability at low magnetic docking forces, such as docking between a hand held device (102) and its base (104), where the hand held device and the base each contain a magnet (112, 108) with the same direction of polarity, arranged so that the two magnets attract each other when the hand held device is docked to the base. An auxiliary magnet (114) is included in the magnetic coupling system. In one example, the auxiliary magnet may be arranged within the hand held device at a predetermined distance from the other magnet within the hand held device and is arranged with polarity in the opposite directions as the other two magnets. In another example, the auxiliary magnet may be arranged within the base at a predetermined distance from the other magnet within the base and is arranged with polarity in the opposite direction as the other two magnets.

Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear, the upper including a base layer defining a least a portion of the upper and polymer threads stitched to the base layer. The polymer threads may include a core composed of a first material and a coating composed of a second material, where the melting point of the first material is higher than the melting point of the second material. The polymer threads may be bonded to the base layer by the coating of the polymer threads. The polymer threads may include one or more polymer thread sets stitched in pattern(s) on area(s) of an outer surface of the base layer to provide targeted characteristics to area(s) on the upper. In some embodiments, the polymer threads may be bonded to the base layer with heat and/or pressure.

Abstract: A pallet reassembly system includes at least one block installation mechanism configured to install a block within a partially assembled pallet, at least one board installation mechanism configured to install a board within the partially assembled pallet, and at least one transport assembly for transporting the partially assembled pallet to each of the at least one block installation mechanisms and each of the at least one board installation mechanisms. The transport assemblies are arranged into a loop including at least two perpendicular arranged legs.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for battery cells with positive polarity rigid containers. In accordance with disclosed embodiments, the cell may include a container and a lid piece that couple together to form a rectangular prismatic geometry. An electrode assembly having positive and negative coils may be disposed within the cell, and the positive coil may be conductively coupled to the cell. In this way, the cell (e.g., both the lid and the container) may be positively polarized. Further, the electrode assembly may incorporate a jelly-roll or a stacked structure. In one embodiment, the lid piece may include a vent that opens in response to pressure in the cell surpassing an established threshold. The lid may further include a positive terminal, negative terminal, and a method for filling the cell with electrolyte. Another embodiment may provide a battery module include multiple cells with positive polarity rigid containers.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to mechanisms for oral irrigator fluid channels which provide back flow prevention. The oral irrigator comprises: an irrigator tip; a tether having a first end and a second end, a third channel arranged between the first end and the second end, where the first end of the tether is in fluid communication with the second channel; a reservoir containing a fluid, the reservoir in fluid communication with a pump, the pump in fluid communication with the third channel and the second end of the tether; and an arrowhead check valve comprising a resilient element and an elastic head element, the arrowhead check valve arranged within the first channel, the second channel, or the third channel. The irrigator tip comprises: a nozzle comprising a first channel; and a handle comprising a second channel in fluid communication with the first channel.

Abstract: A monitoring system and method determine a consumption metric representative of one or more of an amount of fuel consumed or an amount of energy consumed by a vehicle during travel over a route. The consumption metric is independent of one or more of vehicle load or elevation change over the route. The system and method optionally can determine a route condition metric representative of a condition of a route traveled upon by a vehicle. The route condition metric is based on a comparison between an actual grade of the route at one or more locations along the route and an estimated grade of the route at the one or more locations.