Abstract: A foam electrode comprising surface treatment by the steps of: 1) impregnating soft compressible polymeric foams with a conductive coating via sequential infiltration synthesis and 2) functionalizing the chemically altered voids with an ultrathin redox coating to enhance capacitive deionization (CDI). The redox coating will allow treated foam to absorb ions under the application of a bias, and mechanical compression/decompression. The CDI apparatus uses the void volume of the foam in the uncompressed state to flow liquids through it while the compressed state is used to enhance desalination by limiting the diffusion pathways for the ions to find an adsorption surface.

Abstract: A system and a method for facilitating a processing of a service request is provided. The method includes: accessing a plurality of previously received service requests; receiving a first new service request; determining a handling protocol for the first new service request; adding the received first new service request to the plurality of previously received service requests to generate an updated list of open service requests; and displaying a listing of a least a subset of the updated list of open service requests. The handling protocol includes a priority ranking of the first new service request and an identification of a proposed technician for resolving the corresponding problem. The determination of the handling protocol is performed by assigning weights to each of a set of predefined parameters and algorithmically combining the assigned weights to obtain an overall priority score.

Abstract: An electrical power supply system for a tethered small unmanned aerial vehicle has a ground station (1) connected to a universal aerial power supply (13) by a tether (10). The universal aerial power supply is capable of installation into the battery dock of a conventional free flying small unmanned aerial vehicle to deliver power to the small unmanned aerial vehicle systems during flight. The universal aerial power supply is compatible with a range of different small unmanned aerial vehicles and a range of classes of small unmanned aerial vehicles.

Abstract: A system and a method for facilitating a processing of a service request is provided. The method includes: accessing a plurality of previously received service requests; receiving a first new service request; determining a handling protocol for the first new service request; adding the received first new service request to the plurality of previously received service requests to generate an updated list of open service requests; and displaying a listing of a least a subset of the updated list of open service requests. The handling protocol includes a priority ranking of the first new service request and an identification of a proposed technician for resolving the corresponding problem. The determination of the handling protocol is performed by assigning weights to each of a set of predefined parameters and algorithmically combining the assigned weights to obtain an overall priority score.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula (I): pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, deuterated derivatives of any of the foregoing, and metabolites of any of the foregoing are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, methods of treating cystic fibrosis using the same, and methods for making the same are also disclosed. Also disclosed are solid state forms of Compound 1 and salts and solvates thereof.

Abstract: A contact center, system, and method of operating a contact center are provided. In one example, the system includes a quantum computing resource and a server. The server is configured to receive a contact from a customer communication device, provide information about the contact to the quantum computing resource, receive a probabilistic output from the quantum computing resource based on the quantum computing resource processing the information about the contact, and make a work assignment decision for the contact based on the probabilistic output.

Abstract: Multiple vendors often contribute a portion of their hardware and/or software to a customer to enable a particular feature. When issues occur, a contact center for more than one vendor may be required to perform an action in order to identify a resolution to the issue and apply the resolution. By coordinating multiple contact centers with smart contracts via a distributed leger, rules may be developed for the creation of blocks for notifications, escalations, tasks, and other actions or informational notifications to resolve the issue. Additionally, the blockchain may serve as a permanent record provide a history of actions taken, by whom, and when.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lathe having a speeder device to increase the speed of a workpiece to be worked on by the lathe as compared to the speed of a workpiece to be worked on by the lathe without the use of the speeder device. The speeder device includes a torque arm, a means for stopping rotation of the torque arm, a planetary gearset assembly, an output spindle assembly, and a collet assembly. The means for stopping rotation of the torque rod is secured to a first end of the torque rod and the planetary gearset assembly is operatively connected to a second end of the torque rod. The output assembly is operatively connected to the planetary gear assembly, and the collet assembly holds the workpiece and is operatively connected to the spindle assembly.

Abstract: Providing a blockchain device enrollment service includes creating an enrollment smart contract that controls access to a service by the device; creating a pools smart contract associated with managing a plurality of different endpoints, wherein the pools smart contract is registered with the enrollment smart contract; registering and configuring a manufacturer smart contract with the enrollment smart contract; and registering and configuring a service provider smart contract with the enrollment smart contract.

Abstract: An antenna includes a dielectric substrate having a planar shape. The dielectric substrate has a first side and a second side. An elongated feed is disposed on the first side of the substrate. A ground plane is disposed adjacent to and spaced apart from the feed on the first side of the substrate. A meander has a first end coupled to the elongated feed. The meander comprises a second end disposed opposite the first end. A first extension extends from the second end adjacent to the meander. A second extension extends from the second end adjacent to the meander.

Abstract: A material (e.g., proppant) handling system includes a storage container, a mechanical conveyor system, and a pneumatic conveyor system. The mechanical conveyor system is configured to convey material from an unloading station to a conveyor system discharge and into an inlet of the storage container (e.g., at an elevation that is higher than the unloading station). The pneumatic delivery system is configured to deliver material from the storage container to an off-system destination (e.g., a silo or the like), pneumatically. In a typical implementation, the storage container, the mechanical conveyor system, and the pneumatic conveyor system are all on, or connected to, or supported by one common chassis.

Abstract: A method and system are described that interact with a self-service system on behalf of a customer and without requiring a presence of the customer during the interactions. An illustrative method includes receiving one or more inputs from a customer, where the one or more inputs define a desired action to take on behalf of the customer with the self-service system in the absence of the customer's presence, obtaining contact information for the self-service system, using the contact information to automatically establish a communication session with the self-service system, receiving a prompt from the self-service system, and performing the desired action as a response to the prompt, where the desired action is performed during the communication session on behalf of the customer and in the absence of the customer's presence.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of diagnosing overactive bladder disorder (OAB), the method comprising: measuring the concentrations of one or more of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), acetylcholine (ACh), nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin 5 (IL-5) in a sample obtained from a subject; normalising the concentrations to the concentration of creatinine (Cr) in the sample; range standardising the normalised concentrations and subject's age to the following values: Age to 120 years old; ATP/Cr to 0.000001; ACh/Cr to 0.1; NO to 20000; IL-5/Cr to 100; wherein the likelihood of having OAB (pOAB)=1/1+e?x, where X=one or more of the following: (a) (?2.688±1.050)+5.472±2.098×subject's age+1.356±0.559×Gender (Female=1, Male=0)+(?7.998±40.273)×[IL-5/Cr]; (b) (?2.141±0.966)+4.506±1.902×subject's age+1.034±0.519×Gender (Female=1, Male=0)+(?5294.063±9075.456)×[ACh/Cr]; (c) (?2.825±1.072)+5.964±2.167×subject's age+1.312±0.562×Gender (Female=1, Male=0)+17.790±58.762×[IL-5/Cr]+(?9180.821±12700.057)×[ACh/Cr]; (d) (?2.993±1.197)+5.

Abstract: Users of a networked communication device may omit updating their availability state, and that of an associated communication device, if the state change is sudden or believed to be of sufficiently short duration. By quickly changing their state, a routing component may more accurately know whether or not a communication routed to the communication device will or will not be answered. By utilizing a camera and gesture processing logic, a user may naturally and quickly update their state without the need to navigate menus or select options with manual, tactile interactions with the communication device.

Abstract: Working from home is becoming more and more commonplace. Ensuring that remote workers are following prescribed data protection measures becomes more important, and challenging. Safe and Secure Remote Working Environment (SSRWE) monitors an environment and determines if a non-compliant element is present. For example, a condition of working from home may be that no notetaking or electronic devices, especially ones comprising a camera, be visible to a system camera capturing the field of view in front of a display. If a non-compliant situation is discovered, the display may be redacted and/or other action taken to protect sensitive information.

Abstract: A material (e.g., proppant) handling system includes a storage container, a mechanical conveyor system, and a pneumatic conveyor system. The mechanical conveyor system is configured to convey material from an unloading station to a conveyor system discharge and into an inlet of the storage container (e.g., at an elevation that is higher than the unloading station). The pneumatic delivery system is configured to deliver material from the storage container to an off-system destination (e.g., a silo or the like), pneumatically. In a typical implementation, the storage container, the mechanical conveyor system, and the pneumatic conveyor system are all on, or connected to, or supported by one common chassis.

Abstract: A method for initiating a virtual currency exchange includes a merchant computing device a) receiving a message including a user account identifier, payment credential data, and a request for an amount of virtual currency to be delivered; b) transmitting a message delivering the requested amount of virtual currency; and c) receiving a user assignment message that assigns to the merchant an amount of assigned virtual currency from the delivered virtual currency. Steps a, b, and c are performed while the merchant computing device is in a first physical location. The method also includes, subsequent to steps a, b, and c, connecting to a payment network while the merchant computing device is at a second physical location and transmitting, to a virtual currency payment system via the payment network, an assignment completion message including the user account identifier, a merchant account identifier associated with the merchant, and the assigned virtual currency.

Abstract: A method of etching an organic or hybrid inorganic/organic material. The method etches molecular layer deposition coatings. An etching cycle comprises a first half reaction exposing the coating to a precursor. A second half reaction exposes a second precursor, removing or etching a portion of the coating.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, providing identity authentication can comprise registering, by an identity server, Proof Of Identity (POI) information in an identity record for a user of a Rich Communications Services (RCS) network in a secure store and a hash of an identity claim token for the user in an identity management blockchain. The identity server can receive a request to authenticate the user and, in response to the request, provide an encrypted identity claim token for the user. The encrypted identity claim token can comprise an attestation of a certifying authority and, when decrypted and hashed can match the hash of an identity claim token in the identity management blockchain when the user is authentic. An authentication score indicating a degree to which received biometric data of the user and device data matches a set of baseline biometric and device date can also be provided in response to the request.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a communication system and method to leverage distributed ledger technology as the basis upon which a trustless method can be deployed to validate file provenance and authenticity, while also supporting a strong form of non-repudiation. In one example, the method includes transferring electronic content from a sending communication device to the receiving communication device via Rich Communication Services. The method includes generating, at the sending communication device, file transfer parameters, identity signature and timestamp that are associated with the transfer of electronic content from the sending communication device. The method then includes causing the identity signature and timestamp to be written as part of a content transfer ledger.