Abstract: For communicating securely between network nodes, a method transmits a port knock sequence comprising ordered empty protocol packets from an origination node to a destination Internet Protocol (IP) address of a destination node. The port knock sequence encodes at least one vocabulary phrase. The method transmits the length of the at least one vocabulary phrase to first and second helper nodes. The method generates a corresponding substitute phrase for each at least one vocabulary phrase through communication between the first helper node and the second helper node. The method receives the corresponding substitute phrase for each at least one vocabulary phrase at the origination node and the destination node. The method generates a node nonce based on the at least one corresponding substitute phrase. The method securely communicates between the origination node and the destination node using the node nonce.

Abstract: A method for reducing electrical costs relating to conditioning air in a building with an air handling unit, the method comprising: identifying a starting hour and a corresponding starting temperature; identifying an ending hour and a corresponding ending temperature; identifying a plurality of time increments between the starting hour and the ending hour; for each of the plurality of time increments, identifying a plurality of temperature setpoint nodes; determining a least cost pathway from the starting temperature at the start hour to the ending temperature at the ending hour across the plurality of temperature setpoint nodes; publishing a temperature setpoint schedule for each time increment based on the temperature setpoint nodes included in the least cost pathway; and operating the air handling unit from the starting hour to the ending hour based on the published temperature setpoint schedule.

Abstract: A method for reducing peak electrical demand of a building includes generating a baseline electrical demand profile over a target time period from a model. The baseline electrical demand profile can be used to define a policy including a peak management period having at least a first sub-period and a subsequent second sub-period, the first sub-period having a first temperature set point for at least one air handling system of the building that is different from a normal operating temperature set point, the second sub-period having a second temperature set point different from both the normal operating temperature set point and the first temperature set point, and implementing the policy. The model can be generated from one or more of historical electrical data for the building, weather forecast data, building and equipment operating schedules, sales data, and data based on information received from a video camera located in the building.

Abstract: An ion source including a chamber housing defining an ion source chamber and including an extraction plate on a front side thereof, the extraction plate having an extraction aperture formed therein, and a tubular cathode disposed within the ion source chamber and having an opening formed in a front half thereof nearest the extraction aperture, wherein a rear half of the tubular cathode furthest from the extraction aperture is closed.

Abstract: A slide for a semiautomatic pistol includes features that reduce weight while maintaining structural rigidity and performance of the slide. The semiautomatic pistol slide may include one or more weight-reducing recesses and a structurally supportive insert within each weight-reducing recess. Methods and systems for fabricating semiautomatic pistol slides and other articles of manufacture that include weight-reducing recesses with structurally supportive inserts therein are also disclosed. Such a method may include a compression molding technique. Such a system may include a compression molding assembly.

Abstract: Oleophobic and/or philic surface(s) are utilized for oil separation, direction, and/or collection in a refrigeration system. Surfaces of component(s) of a refrigeration system (compressor, oil separator, evaporator, etc.) are produced to be oleophobic or philic. The oleophobic and/or philic surfaces are utilized to direct a flow path of oil within the refrigeration system or to prevent oil connection in an area. Refrigerant phobic and/or lubricant phobic material(s) also may be utilized to help promote separation of refrigerant vapor from refrigerant liquid and/or from oil in refrigeration systems.

Abstract: In non-limiting examples of the present disclosure, systems, methods and devices for integrating web services in shell constructs are provided. Web browsing data, application activity data, and/or device data for a user may be received. A machine learning model may be applied to the data. One or more recommendations may be surfaced based on application of the machine learning model to the data. The recommendations may comprise one or more of: recommendations to install applications; recommendations to add service extensions; recommendations to pin and/or add a shortcut to a website; and/or recommendations to add platform integration services amongst multiple devices.

Abstract: An ion source including a chamber housing defining an ion source chamber and including an extraction plate on a front side thereof, the extraction plate having an extraction aperture formed therein, and a tubular cathode disposed within the ion source chamber and having an opening formed in a front half thereof nearest the extraction aperture, wherein a rear half of the tubular cathode furthest from the extraction aperture is closed.

Abstract: Oleophobic and/or philic surface(s) are utilized for oil separation, direction, and/or collection in a refrigeration system. Surfaces of component(s) of a refrigeration system (compressor, oil separator, evaporator, etc.) are produced to be oleophobic or philic. The oleophobic and/or philic surfaces are utilized to direct a flow path of oil within the refrigeration system or to prevent oil connection in an area. Refrigerant phobic and/or lubricant phobic material(s) also may be utilized to help promote separation of refrigerant vapor from refrigerant liquid and/or from oil in refrigeration systems.

Abstract: An ion source including a chamber housing defining an ion source chamber and including an extraction plate on a front side thereof, the extraction plate having an extraction aperture formed therein, and a tubular cathode disposed within the ion source chamber and having a slot formed in a front-facing semi-cylindrical portion thereof disposed in a confronting relationship with the extraction aperture, wherein a rear-facing semi-cylindrical portion of the tubular cathode directed away from the extraction aperture is closed.

Abstract: An ion source including a chamber housing defining an ion source chamber and including an extraction plate on a front side thereof, the extraction plate having an extraction aperture formed therein, and a tubular cathode disposed within the ion source chamber and having a slot formed in a front-facing semi-cylindrical portion thereof disposed in a confronting relationship with the extraction aperture, wherein a rear-facing semi-cylindrical portion of the tubular cathode directed away from the extraction aperture is closed.

Abstract: In non-limiting examples of the present disclosure, systems, methods and devices for integrating web services in shell constructs are provided. Web browsing data, application activity data, and/or device data for a user may be received. A machine learning model may be applied to the data. One or more recommendations may be surfaced based on application of the machine learning model to the data. The recommendations may comprise one or more of: recommendations to install applications; recommendations to add service extensions; recommendations to pin and/or add a shortcut to a website; and/or recommendations to add platform integration services amongst multiple devices.

Abstract: In non-limiting examples of the present disclosure, systems, methods and devices for surfacing collaborative recommendations in relation to topically classified resources are presented. Resources may be topically classified based on application of natural language processing and machine learning models. Relationships amongst users that own, authored and/or edited the resources may be identified. Recommendations may be surfaced based on topical and/or user characteristic overlap associated with the resources. The recommendations may relate to group collaboration on resource creation, sharing of related resources, incorporating related resources in existing resources, and/or recommending group creation and/or collaboration associated with resource topics.

Abstract: A system and methodology facilitates the handling of oilfield materials in a space efficient manner. The oilfield materials are delivered without blowers to at least one modular silo. Each modular silo comprises an outer housing defining an enclosed interior. A vertical conveyor is positioned within the enclosed interior and is used to lift the oilfield material from a silo inlet to an upper portion of the modular silo without utilizing airflow to carry the oilfield materials. Once the oilfield materials are disposed within the upright modular silo, the outflow of oilfield materials through a silo outlet may be controlled so as to selectively release the desired amount of material into a blender or other suitable equipment.

Abstract: In non-limiting examples of the present disclosure, systems, methods and devices for assisting with event execution are provided. Data from a productivity application associated with a user may be analyzed. A significant life event associated with the user may be identified based on the analysis. A plurality of sources that each have at least one recommendation for executing a type of event corresponding to the significant event may be identified. An itinerary template for the significant life event may be generated from a plurality of the recommendations. The itinerary template may be surfaced. Additional examples of the present disclosure relate to identifying relevant applications for download to a user's device managed by an administrator device.

Abstract: In non-limiting examples of the present disclosure, systems, methods and devices for assisting with event execution are provided. Data from a productivity application associated with a user may be analyzed. A significant life event associated with the user may be identified based on the analysis. A plurality of sources that each have at least one recommendation for executing a type of event corresponding to the significant event may be identified. An itinerary template for the significant life event may be generated from a plurality of the recommendations. The itinerary template may be surfaced. Additional examples of the present disclosure relate to identifying relevant applications for download to a user's device managed by an administrator device.

Abstract: A mold for making dry cast concrete blocks includes a pair of vertical shoulder forming sections, one along each of the opposite sides of the mold to form vertical front shoulders of a block. Each shoulder forming section has a shoulder roughening arrangement to result in molded, roughened shoulders of the block. Methods of making such blocks and the resulting block are included.

Abstract: Oleophobic and/or philic surface(s) are utilized for oil separation, direction, and/or collection in a refrigeration system. Surfaces of component(s) of a refrigeration system (compressor, oil separator, evaporator, etc.) are produced to be oleophobic or philic. The oleophobic and/or philic surfaces are utilized to direct a flow path of oil within the refrigeration system or to prevent oil connection in an area. Refrigerant phobic and/or lubricant phobic material(s) also may be utilized to help promote separation of refrigerant vapor from refrigerant liquid and/or from oil in refrigeration systems.

Abstract: Oleophobic and/or philic surface(s) are utilized for oil separation, direction, and/or collection in a refrigeration system. Surfaces of component(s) of a refrigeration system (compressor, oil separator, evaporator, etc.) are produced to be oleophobic or philic. The oleophobic and/or philic surfaces are utilized to direct a flow path of oil within the refrigeration system or to prevent oil connection in an area. Refrigerant phobic and/or lubricant phobic material(s) also may be utilized to help promote separation of refrigerant vapor from refrigerant liquid and/or from oil in refrigeration systems.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for maintaining and controlling distributed energy resources (DERs), such as wind, solar, water and storage renewable energy resources, within an acceptable error margin are disclosed. The systems and processes control the energy output of these DERs in real time within the error margin.