Abstract: A high stiffness substrate for optical elements is described. The substrate includes a graphite finishing layer and a non-oxide ceramic base substrate. The non-oxide ceramic base substrate is preferably a carbide, such as boron carbide or silicon carbide. The graphite finishing layer may include a surface with low finish. Low finish may be achieved by diamond turning the graphite surface. The graphite finishing layer may be joined to the non-oxide base ceramic with a solder. A supplemental finishing layer may be formed on the graphite finishing layer. A reflective stack may be formed on the graphite or supplemental finishing layer. Methods for making the substrate are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided and arranged with an air control system to alternately direct a first and a second airflow to a first and a second energy-absorbing body in order to achieve a heat and moisture transfer between the two airflows. The energy exchange bodies alternate between recovery and release modes such that when one energy exchange body is in the release mode the other is in the recovery mode. Each of the first and second energy absorbing bodies is divided into a first latent energy recovery portion which includes a moisture absorbent material so that it is arranged to absorb latent energy and a second sensible energy recovery portion which is substantially free from moisture absorbent material so as to absorb primarily sensible energy. The second portion is arranged to supply heat to freezing air entering the energy absorbing body to prevent condensation and frosting damage to the first portion.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computer system for identifying, by a computing device, at least one language model component of a plurality of language model components in at least one application associated with automatic speech recognition (ASR) and natural language understanding (NLU) usage. A contribution bias may be received for the at least one language model component. The ASR and NLU may be aligned between the plurality of language model components based upon, at least in part, the contribution bias.

Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the inventive concept, provided is a monitoring and alert system that enables one or more monitoring individuals, e.g., parents, to monitor social media usage, Internet usage, application usage, content, communications, location, and/or other aspects of one or more other monitored users, e.g., their children. The monitoring and alert system can utilize social media, electronic communications, cellular data, positioning data, and navigation data, as examples, relating to and/or generated from a monitored user's activity on its mobile device to acquire data used to generate alerts to the corresponding monitoring users.

Abstract: A system and method for transmission of a video stream are provided. The system may include: an encoder adapted to generate a video stream comprising a plurality of encoded frames, encoded according to at least one encoding parameter; a comparator in communication with the encoder, the comparator adapted to compare encoded frames of the plurality of encoded frames with input frames to determine a fitness metric reflective of visual quality of the encoded frames; and a controller in communication with the comparator, the controller adapted to adjust the at least one encoding parameter based on the fitness metric.

Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and computer readable media are provided for distributing data with multi-tiered encoding. For example, a system for communication of data streams to endpoints is provided that includes: encoders, each encoder configured to encode a data stream according to at least one encoding parameter; transmitting devices organized into groups based on at least one communication characteristic; each group of transmitting devices configured to receive encoded data from an associated one of the encoders; each transmitting device of the plurality of transmitting devices configured to transmit the encoded data to an associated one of the plurality of endpoints; and at least one controller configured to monitor communication characteristics of the plurality of transmitting devices and to adjust membership of the transmitting devices in the plurality of groups based on the monitored communication characteristics.

Abstract: Methods and devices for locking and tagging a medical tube are disclosed. The locking device connects to a medical tube and restricts full manipulation of the medical tube. The locking and tagging devices can communicate instructions or notices relevant to the medical tube, including its placement, purpose, function, operation, care, maintenance, removal, replacement, indication of manipulation or tampering, as well as the patient's healthcare information and health care provider information. In some configurations, the tagging device may be configured to communicate instructions and notices as a primary function, with or without a locking function.

Abstract: A system and method for transmission of a video stream are provided. The system may include: an encoder adapted to generate a video stream comprising a plurality of encoded frames, encoded according to at least one encoding parameter; a comparator in communication with the encoder, the comparator adapted to compare encoded frames of the plurality of encoded frames with input frames to determine a fitness metric reflective of visual quality of the encoded frames; and a controller in communication with the comparator, the controller adapted to adjust the at least one encoding parameter based on the fitness metric.

Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and computer readable media are provided for distributing data with multi-tiered encoding. For example, a system for communication of data streams to endpoints is provided that includes: encoders, each encoder configured to encode a data stream according to at least one encoding parameter; transmitting devices organized into groups based on at least one communication characteristic; each group of transmitting devices configured to receive encoded data from an associated one of the encoders; each transmitting device of the plurality of transmitting devices configured to transmit the encoded data to an associated one of the plurality of endpoints; and at least one controller configured to monitor communication characteristics of the plurality of transmitting devices and to adjust membership of the transmitting devices in the plurality of groups based on the monitored communication characteristics.

Abstract: The invention provides a curing system that is useful for curing materials that consume carbon dioxide as a reagent. The system has a curing chamber that contains the material to be cured and a gas that contains carbon dioxide. The system includes apparatus that can deliver carbon dioxide to displace ambient air upon loading the system, that can provide carbon dioxide as it is needed and as it is consumed, that can control carbon dioxide concentration, temperature and humidity in the curing chamber during the curing cycle and that can record and display to a user the variables that occur during the curing process. A method of curing a material which requires CO2 as a curing reagent is also described.

Abstract: An example device capable of predicting print substance end-of-life (EOL) comprises a container to hold a print substance, the container comprising a refill port through which print substance is to be introduced into the container. The example device also comprises a processor to receive signals indicative of an amount of print substance introduced via the refill port. The processor is also to predict a print substance end-of-life (EOL) based on the amount of print substance introduced.

Abstract: A support for optical elements is described. The support includes a base substrate with high specific stiffness and a finishing layer. The base substrate is Al, an alloy of Al, Mg, or an alloy of Mg. The finishing layer is preferably an alloy of Al and Si. The finishing layer is or is capable of being processed to provide a surface with low finish. Low finish is achieved by diamond turning or polishing the finishing material. The finishing layer has a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the base substrate. The optical element optionally includes a reflective stack on the finishing layer.

Abstract: A support for optical elements is described. The support includes a base substrate with high specific stiffness and a finishing layer. The base substrate is a non-oxide ceramic material, preferably a carbide, such as boron carbide or silicon carbide. The finishing layer is preferably Ge or an alloy of Al and Si. The finishing layer is or is capable of being processed to provide a surface with low finish. Low finish is achieved by diamond turning or polishing the finishing material. The finishing layer has a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the base substrate. The optical element optionally includes a reflective stack on the finishing layer.

Abstract: The invention provides novel paving stones and construction block composite materials and methods for preparation thereof. The paving stones and construction block composite materials can be readily produced from widely available, low cost precursor materials by a production process that involves compacting in a mold that is suitable for large-scale production. The precursor materials include calcium silicate, for example, wollastonite, and particulate filler materials which can comprise silicon dioxide-rich materials. Additives can include calcium carbonate-rich and magnesium carbonate-rich materials. Various additives can be used to fine-tune the physical appearance and mechanical properties of the composite material, such as colorants such as particles of colored materials, such as, and pigments (e.g., black iron oxide, cobalt oxide and chromium oxide).

Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the inventive concept, provided is a monitoring and alert system that enables one or more monitoring individuals, e.g., parents, to monitor social media usage, Internet usage, application usage, content, communications, location, and/or other aspects of one or more other monitored users, e.g., their children. The monitoring and alert system can utilize social media, electronic communications, cellular data, positioning data, and navigation data, as examples, relating to and/or generated from a monitored user's activity on its mobile device to acquire data used to generate alerts to the corresponding monitoring users.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to real-time streaming of large quantities of time critical data over multiple distinct networks from a communications device. More specifically, embodiments described herein may address challenges and problems of maintaining consistent data reception quality when faced with the anomalies of a moving sender that is sending data using a relatively unstable method. This may be achieved by converting single source data into multiple data streams, placing them in transport buffers and storing them for forwarding.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to real-time streaming of large quantities of time critical data over multiple distinct networks from a wireless communications device. More specifically, embodiments described herein may address challenges and problems of maintaining consistent data reception quality when faced with the anomalies of a moving sender that is sending data using a relatively unstable radio frequency (RF) method. This may be achieved by converting single source data into multiple data streams, placing them in transport buffers and storing them for forwarding. A plurality radio frequency interface modules provide wireless connectivity to a plurality of wireless networks for transmission over the plurality of networks. Links are maintained to provide feedback on network connections to allow for the transfer of data from one network to another, from one radio frequency interface module to another, and to adjust the amount of data being transmitted.

Abstract: The invention provides novel paving stones and construction block composite materials and methods for preparation thereof. The paving stones and construction block composite materials can be readily produced from widely available, low cost precursor materials by a production process that involves compacting in a mold that is suitable for large-scale production. The precursor materials include calcium silicate, for example, wollastonite, and particulate filler materials which can comprise silicon dioxide-rich materials. Additives can include calcium carbonate-rich and magnesium carbonate-rich materials. Various additives can be used to fine-tune the physical appearance and mechanical properties of the composite material, such as colorants such as particles of colored materials, such as, and pigments (e.g., black iron oxide, cobalt oxide and chromium oxide).

Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and computer readable media are provided for distributing data with multi-tiered encoding. For example, a system for communication of data streams to endpoints is provided that includes: encoders, each encoder configured to encode a data stream according to at least one encoding parameter; transmitting devices organized into groups based on at least one communication characteristic; each group of transmitting devices configured to receive encoded data from an associated one of the encoders; each transmitting device of the plurality of transmitting devices configured to transmit the encoded data to an associated one of the plurality of endpoints; and at least one controller configured to monitor communication characteristics of the plurality of transmitting devices and to adjust membership of the transmitting devices in the plurality of groups based on the monitored communication characteristics.

Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the inventive concept, provided is a monitoring and alert system that enables one or more monitoring individuals, e.g., parents, to monitor social media usage, Internet usage, application usage, content, communications, location, and/or other aspects of one or more other monitored users, e.g., their children. The monitoring and alert system can utilize social media, electronic communications, cellular data, positioning data, and navigation data, as examples, relating to and/or generated from a monitored user's activity on its mobile device to acquire data used to generate alerts to the corresponding monitoring users.