Abstract: A system for estimating moisture in soil includes a first antenna for transmitting RF signals, second antennas for receiving RF signals, and a controller configured to: emit, via the first antenna, RF signals at a plurality of frequency increments; determine a channel frequency response (CFR) based on amplitude attenuation and phase change of reflected RF signals detected by the second antennas; determine a power delay profile (PDP) for the second antennas based on the CFRs; extract a subset of the reflected RF signals using peak detection on the PDPs; and for each layer of the soil and for each of the subset of reflected RF signals, determine: i) a wavelength of the reflected RF signal in the layer, ii) an estimated depth of the layer, iii) a dielectric permittivity of the layer based on the wavelength, and iv) an estimated moisture content of the layer based on the dielectric permittivity.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a trocar including: a central cylinder defining a central channel and having a distal end adapted and configured for insertion within a subject; one or more gas outlets located within the central cylinder proximate to the distal end of the trocar; and one or more liquid outlets located within the central cylinder on a proximal side of the one or more gas outlets. The one or more liquid outlets are adapted and configured to dispense a liquid when an endoscope is withdrawn from a fully extended position within the central channel of the trocar to a position proximate to the one or more liquid outlets. Distal advancement of the endoscope to a position adjacent to the one or more gas outlets removes liquid from a distal end of the endoscope.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a trocar including: a central cylinder defining a central channel and having a distal end adapted and configured for insertion within a subject; one or more gas outlets located within the central cylinder proximate to the distal end of the trocar; and one or more liquid outlets located within the central cylinder on a proximal side of the one or more gas outlets. The one or more liquid outlets are adapted and configured to dispense a liquid when an endoscope is withdrawn from a fully extended position within the central channel of the trocar to a position proximate to the one or more liquid outlets. Distal advancement of the endoscope to a position adjacent to the one or more gas outlets removes liquid from a distal end of the endoscope.

Abstract: In response to a user selecting a key on a keyboard in a first manner, a first alphanumeric character is displayed on a display device. In response to the user selecting the key on the keyboard in a second manner, a virtual key of a diacritic is displayed on the display device. In response to the user selecting the virtual key of the diacritic on the display device, the diacritic is displayed at a location of a second alphanumeric character on the display device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a biocompatible patch and methods of use thereof. A biocompatible patch and uses thereof for treating a damaged cardiac tissue.

Abstract: An access control system that includes an access control device configured to receive transaction information that identifies a member identifier for a member and a purchased item. The access control device is configured to compare the purchased item to items in an item list and to determine whether the purchased item matches any items in the item list. The access control device is configured to store an authorization for the member identifier to access an augmented reality experience in response to a match.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a trocar including: a central cylinder defining a central channel and having a distal end adapted and configured for insertion within a subject; one or more gas outlets located within the central cylinder proximate to the distal end of the trocar; and one or more liquid outlets located within the central cylinder on a proximal side of the one or more gas outlets. The one or more liquid outlets are adapted and configured to dispense a liquid when an endoscope is withdrawn from a fully extended position within the central channel of the trocar to a position proximate to the one or more liquid outlets. Distal advancement of the endoscope to a position adjacent to the one or more gas outlets removes liquid from a distal end of the endoscope.

Abstract: An access control system that includes an access control device configured to receive transaction information that identifies a member identifier for a member and a purchased item. The access control device is configured to compare the purchased item to items in an item list and to determine whether the purchased item matches any items in the item list. The access control device is configured to store an authorization for the member identifier to access an augmented reality experience in response to a match.

Abstract: An access control system that includes an access control device configured to receive transaction information that identifies a member identifier for a member and a purchased item. The access control device is configured to compare the purchased item to items in an item list and to determine whether the purchased item matches any items in the item list. The access control device is configured to store an authorization for the member identifier to access an augmented reality experience in response to a match. The access control device is configured to receive a number of session points earned by the member from interacting with the augmented reality experience, to add the received number of session points to the cumulative number of session points for the member, to identify a reward based on the cumulative session points, and to send reward information for retrieving the identified reward to the member.

Abstract: An odorant mixture is disclosed. The odorant mixture comprises N odorant components wherein N equals at least 20. Each odorant component is characterized by a multidimensional vector of attributes. A z score of an average of characteristic distances between vectors corresponding to odorant components in the mixture and vectors corresponding to odorant components in a group of M odorant components but not in the mixture is less than 2.

Abstract: An access control system that includes an access control device configured to receive transaction information that identifies a member identifier for a member and a purchased item. The access control device is configured to compare the purchased item to items in an item list and to determine whether the purchased item matches any items in the item list. The access control device is configured to store an authorization for the member identifier to access an augmented reality experience in response to a match. The access control device is configured to receive a number of session points earned by the member from interacting with the augmented reality experience, to add the received number of session points to the cumulative number of session points for the member, to identify a reward based on the cumulative session points, and to send reward information for retrieving the identified reward to the member.

Abstract: In a liveness detection system, a first set of one or more parameters of a first liveness test is selected at random. The first parameter set is transmitted to a user device available to an entity, thereby causing the user device to perform the first liveness test according to the first parameter set. Results of the first liveness test performed at the user device according to the first parameter set are received form the user device. Results of a second liveness test pertaining to the entity are received. The liveness detection system determines whether the entity is a living being using the results of the liveness tests, the results of the first liveness test being so used by comparing them with the first parameter set.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a trocar including: a central cylinder defining a central channel and having a distal end adapted and configured for insertion within a subject; one or more gas outlets located within the central cylinder proximate to the distal end of the trocar; and one or more liquid outlets located within the central cylinder on a proximal side of the one or more gas outlets. The one or more liquid outlets are adapted and configured to dispense a liquid when an endoscope is withdrawn from a fully extended position within the central channel of the trocar to a position proximate to the one or more liquid outlets. Distal advancement of the endoscope to a position adjacent to the one or more gas outlets removes liquid from a distal end of the endoscope.

Abstract: A method of fabricating ICs including thin film resistors (TFRs) depositing a dielectric liner layer on a substrate including a semiconductor surface having a plurality of IC die formed therein each including functional circuitry comprising a plurality of interconnected transistors. A TFR layer comprising chromium (Cr) is deposited on the dielectric liner layer. The TFR layer is plasma treated with atomic nitrogen and atomic hydrogen. A dielectric capping layer is deposited on the TFR layer after the plasma treating. A pattern is formed on the capping layer, and the TFR layer is etched to form at least one resistor that comprises the TFR layer.

Abstract: An odorant mixture is disclosed. The odorant mixture comprises N odorant components wherein N equals at least 20. Each odorant component is characterized by a multidimensional vector of attributes. A z score of an average of characteristic distances between vectors corresponding to odorant components in the mixture and vectors corresponding to odorant components in a group of M odorant components but not in the mixture is less than 2.

Abstract: An odorant mixture is disclosed. The odorant mixture comprises N odorant components wherein N equals at least 20. Each odorant component is characterized by a multidimensional vector of attributes. A z score of an average of characteristic distances between vectors corresponding to odorant components in the mixture and vectors corresponding to odorant components in a group of M odorant components but not in the mixture is less than 2.

Abstract: In a liveness detection system, a first set of one or more parameters of a first liveness test is selected at random. The first parameter set is transmitted to a user device available to an entity, thereby causing the user device to perform the first liveness test according to the first parameter set. Results of the first liveness test performed at the user device according to the first parameter set are received form the user device. Results of a second liveness test pertaining to the entity are received. The liveness detection system determines whether the entity is a living being using the results of the liveness tests, the results of the first liveness test being so used by comparing them with the first parameter set.

Abstract: In a liveness detection system, a first set of one or more parameters of a first liveness test is selected at random. The first parameter set is transmitted to a user device available to an entity, thereby causing the user device to perform the first liveness test according to the first parameter set. Results of the first liveness test performed at the user device according to the first parameter set are received form the user device. Results of a second liveness test pertaining to the entity are received. The liveness detection system determines whether the entity is a living being using the results of the liveness tests, the results of the first liveness test being so used by comparing them with the first parameter set.

Abstract: Structures within a service controller portion of a collaboration system collect and store content captured by a client service module operating within each collaborator's computing device. From commands received from a collaboration director's portable computing device, the service controller selects individual collaborator computing devices from which to capture screen content at selected rates. Collaborator content is sent to the director's portable computing device to be monitored by the director. Under command from the director's portable computing device, the service controller may also send collaborator content to a public display computing device. The collaboration director may designate one or more collaborative participants as “live presenter(s).” A live presenter's screen content may be captured and publicly displayed at higher frame rates and in real time in order to simulate a white board or slide presentation.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and method includes a DEMOS transistor with improved CHC reliability that has a lower resistance surface channel under the DEMOS gate that transitions to a lower resistance subsurface channel under the drain edge of the DEMOS transistor gate.