Abstract: This invention provides a module/base assembly for a handheld device. The module includes an imager with optics and image acquisition/processing processors that provide high speed acquisition and handling of acquired image data. The acquired image data is processed by the device processor using a module application that resides within the device. A removable retaining component mounts within the base. The base houses a battery and charging assembly e.g. an inductive charging unit. The inductive charging unit can be adapted to pass data, in addition to power, between the inductive coils and the charging unit can be interconnected to a data network with attached devices that employ data from the module. The base can charge the device via a connector and/or wireless charging arrangement. Data communication between the base and mobile device can occur using an RF link, e.g. an integrated Bluetooth® functionality.

Abstract: Various methods and compositions are provided for identifying and/or selecting a soybean plant or soybean germplasm with one or more preferred or desired reproductive growth phenotypes. In certain embodiments, the method comprises detecting at least one allele of one or more marker locus within or linked to a QTL associated with days to initiation of flowering. In other embodiments, the method additionally comprises detecting at least one allele of one or more marker locus within or linked to a QTL associated with days to maturity. In further embodiments, the method comprises crossing a selected soybean plant with a recurrent soybean parent plant. Further provided herein are marker loci, marker alleles, primers, probes, and kits suitable for identifying and/or selecting soybean plants or soybean germplasms with one or more reproductive growth phenotypes.

Abstract: An resistive switch having a first platinum layer, an electrolyte layer that is formed by extrusion based additive manufacturing, a silver layer, and a second platinum layer, and methods of manufacturing and using the resistive switch.

Abstract: Various implementations include devices and approaches for managing multimedia communications. In one aspect, a computer-implemented method of controlling a device connection includes: receiving audio data and video data from an input device connected with a peripheral bus input port; converting the audio data for transmission over an audio over internet protocol (IP) connection or a balun connection and converting the video data for transmission over a video over internet protocol (IP) connection or the balun connection; and transmitting the converted audio data and the converted video data for decoding and output to at least one output device via a multimedia audiovisual interface output port, where the peripheral bus input port is configured to support bidirectional audio and bidirectional video exchange with the input device and bidirectional exchange of IP-based control signals or balun-based control signals with the input device.

Abstract: Silicone-containing light fixture optics. A method for manufacturing an optical component may include mixing two precursors of silicone, opening a first gate of an optic forming device, moving the silicone mixture from the extrusion machine into the optic forming device, cooling the silicone mixture as it enters the optic forming device, filling a mold within the optic forming device with the silicone mixture, closing the first gate, and heating the silicone mixture in the mold to at least partially cure the silicone. Alternatively, a method for manufacturing an optical component may include depositing a layer of heat cured silicone optical material to an optical structure, arranging one or more at least partially cured silicone optics on the layer of heat cured silicone optical material, and heating the heat cured silicone optical material to permanently adhere the one or more at least partially cured silicone optics to the optical structure.

Abstract: Methods for treatment for patients having depression and/or pain are contemplated as including an administration of first preparation comprising an antiemetic agent, preferably ondansetron, followed by a second preparation of a synergistic combination of ketamine and a benzodiazepine, preferably lorazepam, administered via a continuous intravenous infusion. Such methods may be seen to better alleviate depression and pain symptoms, and may result in reduced need for other medications.

Abstract: Methods for treatment for patients having depression and/or pain are contemplated as including an administration of first preparation comprising an antiemetic agent, preferably ondansetron, followed by a second preparation of a synergistic combination of ketamine and a benzodiazepine, preferably lorazepam, administered via a continuous intravenous infusion. Such methods may be seen to better alleviate depression and pain symptoms, and may result in reduced need for other medications.

Abstract: Various methods and compositions are provided for identifying and/or selecting a soybean plant or soybean germplasm with improved resistance to Brown Stem Rot infection. In certain embodiments, the method comprises detecting at least one allele of one or more marker locus within or linked to a QTL associated with Brown Stem Rot resistance. In further embodiments, the method comprises crossing a selected soybean plant with a recurrent soybean parent plant. Further provided herein are marker loci, marker alleles, primers, probes, and kits suitable for identifying and/or selecting soybean plants or soybean germplasms with improved resistance to Brown Stem Rot infection.

Abstract: In some examples, a system may receive, from a plurality of merchant devices associated with a plurality of merchants, transaction information of transactions performed between the plurality of merchants and a plurality of customers. The system may determine for a first merchant, based on the transaction information received from a first merchant device of the first merchant, one or more factors indicative of a business of the first merchant, and may compare the transaction information received from the plurality of merchant computing devices with the one or more factors determined for the first merchant to generate a custom financing offer for the first merchant. In addition, the system may send the custom financing offer to the first merchant device and, in response to an indication of acceptance of the custom financing offer, may send an instruction to provide a financed amount to an account of the first merchant.

Abstract: An audio system and method for enhancing audio quality in telecommunications applications. Specifically, a graphical user interface (GUI) is provided to allow an observer to visualize pickup zones within an environment that schematically represent areas of heightened microphone sensitivity. A microphone array and camera are arranged to obtain an audio signal and an image which correspond to a talker within the environment. The images are displayed via a first device or are transmitted to a second device and are displayed to the observer, while the audio signal is converted into an audio output by the second device. Visual overlays are provided, via the visualization window, corresponding with pickup zones within the environment corresponding to areas of heightened microphone sensitivity. The observer may adjust the visual overlay corresponding with each pickup zone using the GUI provided, resulting in an adjustment of the pickup zones by the microphone array within the environment.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to compositions and methods for strengthening wellbores. Specific embodiments include compositions and uses for self-degrading WBS materials which do not damage a wellbore, thus, leading to increased production.

Abstract: A luminaire includes a housing, a luminous zone coupled with the housing, and one or more transition zones coupled with the housing and disposed adjacent to the luminous zone. The luminous zone provides a first light to an illuminated area, and the one or more transition zones provide a second light to the illuminated area. The first light is harsher than the second light. A method of illuminating an area includes providing a first light to the area from a luminous zone of a luminaire and providing a second light to the area from one or more transition zones disposed adjacent to the luminous zone within the luminaire. The first light is a harsher light than the second light.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and compositions for identifying and/or selecting soybean plants that have resistance to lodging, have improved resistance to lodging, or are susceptible to lodging. The methods use molecular genetic markers to identify, select and/or construct resistant plants or identify and counter-select susceptible plants. Also provided are soybean plants that display resistance or improved resistance to lodging that are generated by the methods described herein. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Silicone-containing light fixture optics. A method for manufacturing an optical component may include mixing two precursors of silicone, opening a first gate of an optic forming device, moving the silicone mixture from the extrusion machine into the optic forming device, cooling the silicone mixture as it enters the optic forming device, filling a mold within the optic forming device with the silicone mixture, closing the first gate, and heating the silicone mixture in the mold to at least partially cure the silicone. Alternatively, a method for manufacturing an optical component may include depositing a layer of heat cured silicone optical material to an optical structure, arranging one or more at least partially cured silicone optics on the layer of heat cured silicone optical material, and heating the heat cured silicone optical material to permanently adhere the one or more at least partially cured silicone optics to the optical structure.

Abstract: An audio system and method for enhancing audio quality in telecommunications applications. Specifically, a graphical user interface (GUI) is provided to allow an observer to visualize pickup zones within an environment that schematically represent areas of heightened microphone sensitivity. A microphone array and camera are arranged to obtain an audio signal and an image which correspond to a talker within the environment. The images are displayed via a first device or are transmitted to a second device and are displayed to the observer, while the audio signal is converted into an audio output by the second device. Visual overlays are provided, via the visualization window, corresponding with pickup zones within the environment corresponding to areas of heightened microphone sensitivity. The observer may adjust the visual overlay corresponding with each pickup zone using the GUI provided, resulting in an adjustment of the pickup zones by the microphone array within the environment.

Abstract: In some examples, a payment processing system may receive, from a plurality of merchant computing devices associated with a plurality of merchants, respectively, transaction data of transactions performed between the plurality of merchants and a plurality of customers. Based at least on the transaction data, the payment processing system may provide financing to an account of a first merchant, the financing including repayment terms for repayment of the financing. In addition, the payment processing system may determine that the first merchant is predicted to have a change in sales during an upcoming time period. Based on the predicted change in sales, the payment processing system may determine updated repayment terms for repayment of the financing from the first merchant, and may apply the updated repayment terms for repayment of the financing.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying content of interest. Accessed textual information is processed by at least one of character unification, phrase unification, and concept unification. A configured processor executes at least one predefined rule to determine whether the unified content includes certain types of information. Unified content that matches may be subject to further action such as alerts, encryption, logging, etc.

Abstract: Determining dimensions of an object can include determining a distance between the object and an imaging device, and an angle of an optical axis of the imaging device. One of more features of the object can be identified in an image of the object. The dimensions of the object can be determined based upon the distance, the angle, and the one or more identified features.

Abstract: Silicone-containing light fixture optics. A method for manufacturing an optical component may include mixing two precursors of silicone, opening a first gate of an optic forming device, moving the silicone mixture from the extrusion machine into the optic forming device, cooling the silicone mixture as it enters the optic forming device, filling a mold within the optic forming device with the silicone mixture, closing the first gate, and heating the silicone mixture in the mold to at least partially cure the silicone. Alternatively, a method for manufacturing an optical component may include depositing a layer of heat cured silicone optical material to an optical structure, arranging one or more at least partially cured silicone optics on the layer of heat cured silicone optical material, and heating the heat cured silicone optical material to permanently adhere the one or more at least partially cured silicone optics to the optical structure.

Abstract: A payment processing system is configured to expose an API to provide financing terms to a financial institution. The payment processing system receives, via the API, a request from the financial institution to calculate financing terms for providing capital to a merchant based on the merchant's financial history with the payment processing system and/or the financial institution. The payment processing system calculates the financing terms including an approved financing amount and repayment terms, which may include a portion of the transaction processed by the payment processing system or the financial institution to be withheld for repayment of the approved financing amount. The payment processing system transmits the financing terms to the financial institution via the API.