Abstract: Embodiments provide for a tunable driving circuit by monitoring a frequency of a ring oscillator of an electrical integrated circuit connected to an optical modulator to determine operational characteristics of the electrical integrated circuit; setting, based on the operational characteristics, a driving voltage for a plurality of tunable inverters and a plurality of fixed gain inverters that control the optical modulator, wherein each tunable inverter of the plurality of tunable inverters is connected in parallel with a corresponding fixed gain inverter of the plurality of fixed gain inverters on one of a first arm and a second arm connected to the optical modulator; and setting an amplification strength for the plurality of tunable inverters based on the operational characteristics.

Abstract: A roller reamer for downhole operations in boreholes, such as are drilled for oil and/or natural gas production, or as injection wells. An elongated main body has preferably three circumferentially spaced pockets. A roller assembly is preferably disposed in each pockets, the roller rotating in roller blocks at each end of the roller disposed within the roller blocks. Mating locking profiles, such as dovetails, lock the roller blocks within the pockets, as the roller blocks are moved longitudinally into the locking profiles, preventing any radially outward movement of the roller assembly. The roller assembly is prevented from longitudinal movement within the pockets by lock blocks also positioned within the pockets.

Abstract: An article that includes: a glass-based substrate comprising opposing major surfaces; a crack mitigating composite over one of the major surfaces, the composite comprising an inorganic element and a polymeric element; and a hard film disposed on the crack mitigating composite comprising an elastic modulus greater than or equal to the elastic modulus of the glass-based substrate. The crack mitigating composite is characterized by an elastic modulus of greater than 30 GPa. Further, the hard film comprises at least one of a metal-containing oxide, a metal-containing oxynitride, a metal-containing nitride, a metal-containing carbide, a silicon-containing polymer, a carbon, a semiconductor, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Methods and structures are provided for implementing embedded wire repair for printed circuit board (PCB) constructs. A repair wire layer is provided within the PCB stack with reference planes on opposite sides of the repair wire layer. When a repair connection is required, an appropriate plated through hole (PTH) is drilled to form the repair connection using the repair wire layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various technologies pertinent to jettisonable battery systems for use in rocket engine-based launch vehicles. Such systems may feature battery units that are configured to be used to power one or more electric turbopumps that may be used to supply fuel to a rocket engine or engines. One or more of the battery units may be jettisoned during flight in order to reduce weight and as they are depleted. In some implementations, the battery units may be connected in parallel with the turbopump(s), with a depleted battery unit being electrically disconnected from the parallel circuit and jettisoned.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided that relate to a computer system, a computer program product, and a machine-implemented method for improving performance of a dialog system employing an automated virtual agent. Embodiments involve clustering traces of dialog conversation logs into sets, and searching the traces for one or more contrastive temporal patterns between the sets.

Abstract: A catheter adapter may include a distal end, a proximal end, a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, and a side port. A central axis of a fluid path extending through the side port may be disposed at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the catheter adapter. The angle may be less than 45°. Additionally or alternatively to the angle being less than 45°, the catheter adapter may include a wedge and/or an insert configured to facilitate instrument delivery to the catheter assembly via the side port.

Abstract: A microprocessor system comprises a computational array and a vector computational unit. The computational array includes a plurality of computation units. The vector computational unit is in communication with the computational array and includes a plurality of processing elements. The processing elements are configured to receive output data elements from the computational array and process in parallel the received output data elements.

Abstract: A modular PC cooling pump for use in a personal computer is disclosed, according to certain embodiments. The modular PC cooling pump comprises a plurality of stackable interchangeable modules, according to certain embodiments.

Abstract: A robot having a transportation assembly, a robotic arm, and control systems is disclosed. A positioning control system for the robot is configured to communicate with the transportation assembly to provide commands to the transportation assembly such that the robot moves to a plurality of stations or along a path during the task. A robotic arm control system for the robot is configured to communicate with the robotic arm to provide commands to the robotic arm such that the robotic arm performs a series of operations to complete a task specific to a station or along the path.

Abstract: Described herein is an array of finished products, each finished product in said array may have a Percent Compressibility of greater than 3.00% and an actual length ranging from about 10.955 inches to about 11.045 inches. The finished products may be paper towels, where the actual length is different for at least two finished products of the array and where at least one of the finished products of the array of finished products may comprise a protruding core and where at least one of the finished products may comprise a hidden core, and where each of the finished products are in a package.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed that allow a patient to self-treat neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, ischemic stroke, post-concussion syndrome, chronic traumatic encephalopathy and the like by electrical noninvasive stimulation of a vagus nerve. The system comprises a handheld stimulator that is applied to the surface of the patient's neck, wherein the stimulator comprises or is joined to a smartphone. A camera of the smartphone may be used to position and reposition the stimulator to a particular location on the patient's neck. The system may also comprise a base station that is used to meter the charging of a rechargeable battery within the stimulator. The base station and stimulator transmit data to one another regarding the status of a stimulation session.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dithering hydraulic valves to mitigate static friction (“stiction”) associated with the hydraulic valves. A first hydraulic valve and a second hydraulic valve are dithered to mitigate stiction associated with those valves. The dithering of the first and second hydraulic valves also cause dithering of a main hydraulic valve associated with the first and second hydraulic valves. Accordingly, stiction of three hydraulic valves of a hydraulic system is mitigated.

Abstract: An electronic invoicing system performs a method of processing electronic invoices. A portal is provided by the system. The portal has respective views for a supplier submitting electronic invoices and an administrator of an enterprise submitting and/or reviewing electronic invoices. An administrator of the enterprise can create and maintain supplier groups in the portal, assign security permissions to the supplier groups in the portal; and assign users to the supplier groups in said portal. The users thereby receive security permission assigned to the supplier group to which they are assigned. The processing of electronic invoices by users is controlled in accordance with the assignments of security permissions to the supplier groups.

Abstract: Software that performs the following operations: (i) receiving descriptive information associated with a domain expert; (ii) receiving a question and a corresponding candidate answer for the question; (iii) determining a set of scoring features to be used to evaluate the candidate answer, wherein the set of scoring features includes: at least one scoring feature pertaining to the question, at least one scoring feature pertaining to the candidate answer, and at least one scoring feature pertaining to the descriptive information; (iv) receiving a score from the domain expert, wherein the score is based, at least in part, on the domain expert's evaluation of the candidate answer; (v) generating a feature vector based on the set of scoring features; (vi) cross-correlating the feature vector with the score; and (vii) clustering the domain expert with one or more other domain experts according to the cross-correlation, thereby creating a first cluster.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a material having: a first surface with an orifice; a second surface opposite the first surface; a first endface comprising an annular opening; a second endface opposite the first endface; a cavity defined by the above. An actuator is anchored to the second surface and has at least a portion of a pressing pad extending through the orifice in the first surface. An inner side of the second surface comprises a contoured portion within the cavity, the contoured portion having a first end positioned toward the second endface and a second end positioned toward the first endface, wherein the contoured portion has a maximum height at or near the first end, and a minimum height at a position between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems and methods for monitoring the use of a nebulized medication, such as can be administered using a nebulizer. These can be used for monitoring a patient undergoing treatment for COPD and improve compliance to the recommended therapy. Monitored parameters include flow, humidity and acceleration and provide data as to the quantity and quality of nebulizer use.