Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to arrange data collected by a plurality of sequentially arranged emitters in a sensor according to a nonsequential numerical order of the emitters, transmit the nonsequential numerical order to a vehicle computer according to a secure protocol, and transmit the data to the vehicle computer.

Abstract: A vehicle-to-vehicle communication system includes a controller programmed to digitally sign each of a plurality of basic safety messages (BSMs) using a private key and broadcast each of the BSMs via the transceiver at respective transmit power levels according to a predetermined power level sequence that is defined by one or more values generated from the private key.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a computer-implemented method includes identifying current choices with different verbosity levels for a current turn in a conversation; normalizing multi-dimensional verbosity vectors for each of the current choices to obtain a normalized value for each of the current choices; determining a state definition for the current turn in the conversation, utilizing the normalized values for each of the current choices; providing the state definition for the current turn in the conversation and the normalized values for each of the current choices to a trained reinforcement learning module; receiving, from the trained reinforcement learning module, a score associated with each of the current choices for the current turn in the conversation; and selecting one of the current choices to be entered for the current turn in the conversation, based on the score associated with each of the current choices for the current turn in the conversation.

Abstract: In various embodiments, etchants featuring (i) mixtures of hydrochloric acid, methanesulfonic acid, and nitric acid, or (ii) mixtures of phosphoric acid, methanesulfonic acid, and nitric acid, are utilized to etch metallic bilayers while minimizing resulting etch discontinuities between the layers of the bilayer.

Abstract: A method and system of automatically identifying topics of a conversation are provided. An electronic data package comprising a sequence of utterances between conversation entities is received by a computing device. Each utterance is classified to a corresponding social action. One or more utterances in the sequence are grouped into a segment based on a deep learning model. A similarity of topics between adjacent segments is determined. Upon determining that the similarity is above a predetermined threshold, the adjacent segments are grouped together. A transcript of the conversation including the grouping of the adjacent segments is stored in a memory.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for restricting access to articles on a conveyor. The apparatus includes a locking mechanism configured to move via a plurality of actuators, wherein at least two of the actuators move the locking mechanism in differing directions, and also configured to prevent removal of at least one article from the conveyor while in a locking position against the conveyor, wherein at least one of the actuators is configured to move the locking mechanism into the locking position.

Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to arrange data collected by a plurality of sequentially arranged emitters in a sensor according to a nonsequential numerical order of the emitters, transmit the nonsequential numerical order to a vehicle computer according to a secure protocol, and transmit the data to the vehicle computer.

Abstract: Various embodiments are provided for managing an adapter as a service (AaaS) in a computing environment by a processor. Accesses to one or more of a plurality of identity and access management (IAM) systems may be provided via an adapter as a service (AaaS) functioning as an exchange service between one or more users and one or more providers of a plurality of types of adapters, wherein the plurality of types of adapters in the AaaS enable provisioning and de-provisioning to one or more of the plurality of IAM systems.

Abstract: A weaponized handbag for self-defense includes a purse that defines an interior space. A handle is coupled to a top proximate to a first end of the purse. A weight is coupled to the purse and positioned in the interior space. The weight is positioned proximate to a second end of the purse. The handle is configured to be grasped in a hand of a user, positioning the user to swing the purse to strike an assailant.

Abstract: A front-end method of fabricating nickel plated caps over copper bond pads used in a memory device. The method provides protection of the bond pads from an oxidizing atmosphere without exposing sensitive structures in the memory device to the copper during fabrication.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for server-to-server interaction for content item selection. A system receives a request for one or more content items from a client device. In response to receiving the request, the system generates multiple content requests. Each content request is sent to a different content provider of multiple content providers. At least one of the content requests is transmitted over a network to a content provider that is remote relative to the system. The system receives multiple responses, each of which is from a different content provider of the multiple content providers. Each response identifies a different content item. The system makes a determination that at least one content item is associated with a particular web domain. The system selects, based on the determination, a particular content item of the plurality of content items and causes the particular content item to be transmitted to the client device.

Abstract: A front-end method of fabricating nickel plated caps over copper bond pads used in a memory device. The method provides protection of the bond pads from an oxidizing atmosphere without exposing sensitive structures in the memory device to the copper during fabrication.

Abstract: An optical device includes a stack that includes a first curved optical element stacked with a second curved optical element. The second curved optical element propagates light by total internal reflection. The stack also includes an incoupling diffractive grating that incouples the light into the second optical element and an outcoupling diffractive grating optically coupled to the incoupling diffractive grating through the second curved optical element. The outcoupling diffractive grating directs the light. The first curved optical element has a first refractive index, the second curved optical element has a second refractive index, and the first refractive index is different from the second refractive index by approximately 0.15 to 1.2.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for indirectly measuring a current of a radiation source. In one embodiment, a method comprises generating a scan dataset by transmitting a radiation from a radiation source directly to a detector; calculating a signal to noise ratio of the scan dataset; and determining a current that was used to generate the scan dataset based on the calculated signal to noise ratio. In this way, current of the radiation source may be evaluated without connecting extra equipment to the radiation source.

Abstract: A method of generating a digital audio-visual sequence comprising one or more three-dimensional structures and an audio stream in real time is disclosed, comprising the steps of capturing and processing vocal input from a user, identifying at least one semantic construct from the captured vocal input, matching identified semantic construct with at least one structure tag and at least one case tag, wherein the structure tag is associated with a three-dimensional structure and the case tag is associated with an alphanumerical description of the three- dimensional structure, and generating a sequence based on one or more matched structure tag(s) and one or more matched case tag(s). Generating comprises scheduling synchronous rendering of the three-dimensional structure in a user interface and voice synthesising of the alphanumerical description.

Abstract: A biodegradable food service item is disclosed, which includes a biodegradable substrate having at least one food contact surface. This substrate is made of cellulosic fibers. The food service item also includes a coating applied over the at least one food contact surface. This coating is made up of from about 25 to about 60 weight percent of at least one biodegradable polymer, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates. A method for making the biodegradable food service item is also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques to fabricate and use a nanocomposite coating that includes one or more nanotubes such as carbon nanotubes are disclosed. In some examples, a guidewire may include the nanocomposite material. The guidewire is immune to electromagnetic interference, is thermally robust, and is capable of accommodating inactive markers and active electronics.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a cane end having attachment means and force absorbing means. In some embodiments, the force absorbing means is a blade capable of deflecting, compressing, and/or flexing under load.

Abstract: A patient support system includes a support beam that may translocate along an axial axis of a medical imaging system. At least a portion of the support beam may be disposed within a central bore of the medical imaging system. The patient support system also includes a patient support removably coupled to the support beam and including a backing that may support a patient during an imaging procedure and a restraint extending a longitudinal length of the backing. The restraint includes a first end coupled to the backing and a second end that may be removably coupled to the support beam, and the restraint may secure the patient support to the support beam and to restrain the patient within the patient support.

Abstract: A child seat (56) detecting means employing a magnet and sensor (141) for detecting whether a child seat (56) is mounted on the passenger seat (14, 15). A controller (40) in response to a signal from the sensor (141) will prevent activation of a pretensioner or belt tightener (65) from tensioning the seat belt or webbing (55) which is often positioned about or through the child seat (56) and/or for preventing an inflator (34) from expanding an airbag (26) when a child seat (56) is detected on either the front or rear passenger seat (14, 15).