Abstract: Methods and computing apparatus are provided for training AI/ML systems and use of such systems for performing image analysis so that the damaged parts of a physical structure can be identified accurately and efficiently. According to one embodiment, a method includes selecting an AI/ML system of a particular type; and training the AI/ML system using a dataset comprising one or more auto-labeled images. The auto-labeling was performed using the selected AI/ML system configured using a parts-identification model. The configuration of the trained AI/ML system is output as an improved parts-identification model.

Abstract: The disclosed invention enables environmentally friendly fluidized catalytic cracking of crude oil. A process of converting a hydrocarbon feedstock to multiple products comprises conveying a starting hydrocarbon feedstock to a riser reactor configured to receive a catalyst to catalytically crack the starting hydrocarbon feedstock, wherein the catalyst is fluidized by a lift gas, and wherein the catalyst cokes; transferring the coked catalyst to a regenerator, configured to oxidize the coked catalyst with a coke-oxidation gas, to form a regenerated catalyst and a carbon-oxides stream, wherein the coke-oxidation gas from 50 mol % to 90 mol % CO2; transferring the regenerated catalyst to the riser reactor; and fractionating the riser-reactor reaction products in a distillation column. CO2 contained within the coke-oxidation gas is obtained from a recycle gas derived from recovering CO2 from the carbon-oxides stream. The recycle gas contains from 80 mol % CO2 to 100 mol % CO2.

Abstract: The disclosed technology is a fundamental improvement to existing art for producing valuable products from kerogen ore (oil shale). The disclosure teaches the techniques and benefits of integrating a pyrolysis process with a fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) unit. Preferred embodiments are based on the use of pyrolysis products from a pyrolysis reactor as feedstock to an FCC unit; within the FCC unit a mixture of high-purity oxygen and carbon dioxide replaces air for coke combustion. To continuously regenerate the FCC catalyst, a coke-oxidation gas contains from 9 mol % to 35 mol % oxygen and from 50 mol % to 90 mol % carbon dioxide. In various embodiments, carbon dioxide is used in place of nitrogen, or used in place of steam, or both of these replacements. Several process configurations are shown, utilizing different recycle schemes and different distillation strategies, among other options. Many valuable co-products are described, including fuels and chemicals.

Abstract: Coated substrates and methods may comprise a multi-unit carbodiimide. The multi-unit carbodiimide may also be combined with a siloxane. The multi-unit carbodiimide and/or the siloxane may be used in a surface coating applied to a substrate, and an overcoat may be applied to the surface coating. The surface coating may chemically interact with the overcoat and/or the substrate to improve corrosion resistance and other properties of the coated substrate.

Abstract: Privacy, protection, and de-anonymization are issues of societal importance that are implicitly at the core of several key information systems, from electronic health records to online reviews. The system and method herein allows for an identification of an author of anonymous writing based on the text and structured data, subject to practical constraints on the intruder's amount of training data and effort using Shapley values.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a connector body defining a terminal cavity in which an electrical terminal is received which has a flexible primary terminal lock arm configured to secure the terminal within the cavity and which has a tab extending from a free end of the primary terminal lock arm. The assembly further includes an independent secondary lock (ISL) defining a window therein, attached to the connector body, and movable from a pre-staged position to a staged position. The tab of the primary terminal lock arm is received within the window when the primary terminal lock arm is in an unflexed condition when the ISL is in the staged position. The tab and window cooperate to inhibit flexing of the primary terminal lock arm when the ISL is in the staged position. Alternatively, the primary terminal lock arm may define the window and the ISL may define the tab.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for the optimal matching of teachers to students using machine learning models and analysis engines (MLMAEs). In an embodiment, historical and biographical teacher and student data is collected through a data ingestion layer. As the data is ingested, a process is spawned that automatically builds MLMAEs using a plurality of algorithms. The MLMAEs are automatically tested for accuracy, and the MLMAE with the highest level of accuracy is promoted as the winner. Students enter information through a user interface to request optimal teachers for a subject area, and this information is run against the winning MLMAE which returns a list of optimal teachers. Also provided are techniques for teachers to enter their availability, techniques for MLMAE creators to seamlessly test prospective new MLMAEs, and techniques for teachers to understand why they are not matches for specific segments of students and to receive associated professional development resources.

Abstract: An object having an outer surface (e.g. a friction-ridge surface of a finger) and internal parts (e.g. tissue layer, papillae, blood vessels, fat, muscle, nail and bone) is scanned by a system having a transmitter, receiver and computer. One such system has a substantially planar piezoelectric transmit-layer, an ultrasonic receiver array having a plurality of receivers, and a platen. The transmit layer is caused to produce an ultrasound plane-wave traveling toward the object residing on the platen. Using the ultrasonic receiver, ultrasonic energy that has been reflected from the object is detected. The detected ultrasonic energy is analyzed to provide an analysis result, and the analysis result is compared to a template. A determination is made as to whether the analysis result and the template are similar, and the object is declared to be alive if the analysis result is determined to be similar to the template.

Abstract: Methods and computing apparatus are provided for training AI/ML systems and use of such systems for performing image analysis so that the damaged parts of a physical structure can be identified accurately and efficiently. According to one embodiment, a method includes selecting an AI/ML system of a particular type; and training the AI/ML system using a dataset comprising one or more auto-labeled images. The auto-labeling was performed using the selected AI/ML system configured using a parts-identification model. The configuration of the trained AI/ML system is output as an improved parts-identification model.

Abstract: Privacy, protection, and de-anonymization are issues of societal importance that are implicitly at the core of several key information systems, from electronic health records to online reviews. The system and method herein allows for an identification of an author of anonymous writing based on the text and structured data, subject to practical constraints on the intruder's amount of training data and effort using Shapley values.

Abstract: An ultrasound cardiovascular measuring device may include an ultrasonic sensor system having an ultrasound transmitter layer configured to generate ultrasonic plane waves and a focusing layer that includes one or more lenses. One or more of the lenses may be configured to generate output signals corresponding to detected ultrasonic reflections. The measuring device may include a control system capable of processing the output signals to calculate values corresponding to one or more cardiovascular properties.

Abstract: An apparatus may include an ultrasonic sensor array and a control system. The control system may be configured to acquire first image data generated by the ultrasonic sensor array corresponding to at least one first reflected ultrasonic wave received by at least a portion of the ultrasonic sensor array from a target object during a first acquisition time window. The control system may be configured to acquire second image data generated by the ultrasonic sensor array corresponding to at least one second reflected ultrasonic wave received by at least a portion of the ultrasonic sensor array from the target object during a second acquisition time window that is longer than the first acquisition time window. The control system may further be configured to initiate an authentication process based on the first image data and the second image data.

Abstract: A method of retorting oil shale is provided, comprising: continuously feeding oil shale into a retorting unit; heating the retorting unit using renewable electrical energy; converting the oil-shale kerogen into kerogen oil; conveying a cross-flow sweep gas across a moving bed of the oil shale, to carry the kerogen oil out of the retorting unit; recovering the kerogen oil; and recovering spent oil shale. The combination of electrical heating and cross-flow retorting achieves uniform heating to optimize the production of hydrocarbons. A system for retorting oil shale is also provided, comprising: a retorting unit; an inlet for continuously feeding oil shale; electrical-energy elements within the retorting unit; an inlet for conveying a cross-flow sweep gas through the retorting unit; and an outlet for the cross-flow sweep gas carrying the kerogen oil. The principles of the invention may be applied to ex situ systems, in situ systems, or hybrid systems.

Abstract: A method of retorting oil shale is provided, comprising: continuously feeding oil shale into a retorting unit; heating the retorting unit using renewable electrical energy; converting the oil-shale kerogen into kerogen oil; conveying a cross-flow sweep gas across a moving bed of the oil shale, to carry the kerogen oil out of the retorting unit; recovering the kerogen oil; and recovering spent oil shale. The combination of electrical heating and cross-flow retorting achieves uniform heating to optimize the production of hydrocarbons. A system for retorting oil shale is also provided, comprising: a retorting unit; an inlet for continuously feeding oil shale; electrical-energy elements within the retorting unit; an inlet for conveying a cross-flow sweep gas through the retorting unit; and an outlet for the cross-flow sweep gas carrying the kerogen oil. The principles of the invention may be applied to ex situ systems, in situ systems, or hybrid systems.

Abstract: Techniques for improving the integrity and performance of biometric security processes on data processing devices are provided. An example of a method of determining a liveness of a biometric input according to the disclosure includes obtaining inquiry image information, obtaining enrollment image information, determining alignment information based on the inquiry image information and the enrollment image information, determining an overlap area based on the alignment information, determining anti-spoofing features based on the overlap area within the inquiry image information and the enrollment image information, and outputting a liveness score based on the anti-spoofing features.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for facilitating editing of generative design geometry of physical structures, include a method including: receiving editable smooth surface(s), e.g.

Abstract: Optimized, heat-integrated methods and systems are provided to produce multiple, high-value products from oil shale, while minimizing overall energy and water usage. A method for producing multiple products from oil shale comprises: feeding raw oil shale into a heated retorting unit, to convert kerogen into a retorted stream; introducing the retorted stream to a distillation column to generate a high-cetane diesel stream, an ?-olefin-containing chemical stream, an asphalt/asphalt additive stream, and an overhead gas stream, wherein heat contained in the retorted stream is harnessed as distillation energy; separating the overhead gas stream into a fuel gas stream and a purge gas stream; combusting the fuel gas stream to generate hot flue gas; heating the purge gas with hot flue gas; feeding the heated purge gas directly to the heated retorting unit; and recovering the high-cetane diesel stream, the ?-olefin-containing chemical stream, and the asphalt/asphalt additive stream as products.

Abstract: A controller monitors temperature in a bio-fuel fired device and automatically controls dampers, blowers and the like to reduce generation of smoke or other pollutants, thereby promoting proper operation of a catalytic converter.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for facilitating editing of generative design geometry of physical structures, include a method including: receiving editable smooth surface(s), e.g.