Abstract: Sub-diffraction limited fluorescent images using a fiber-based stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscope are reported. Both excitation and depletion beams are transported through polarization-maintaining fiber and a lateral resolution of 100 nm has been achieved.

Abstract: Compressor rotor structure and methodology for harmonizing compressor aerodynamics and rotordynamics are provided. Disclosed embodiments benefit from a compressor design effective for improving rotordynamics (e.g., stiffer rotor structure) without reducing a usable aerodynamics range of the compressor. This design may involve variation of the rotor structure along the rotor axis to locate respective surfaces defined by respective inlets of the one or more impellers at a varying distance relative to the rotor axis based on respective ratios selected for the configuration of the impeller bodies. This arrangement may be effective for improving rotordynamics while satisfactorily meeting the respective varying aerodynamics requirements at the various compression stages by the impeller bodies.

Abstract: A game system operates by: receiving character attribute selection data to be associated with a game character, wherein the character attribute selection data indicates a unique subset of a set of character attributes of a character attribute database; generating, based on the character attribute selection data, display data associated with the game character; facilitating, based on the display data associated with the game character, generation of a player token NFT associated with the game character; and preventing use of the unique subset of character attributes of the character attribute database in generating other game characters. Facilitating play of a game when the player token NFT is validated.

Abstract: A method performed by a computer is disclosed. The method comprises receiving color data for input pixels of an input image and an input set of features used to render the input image of a three-dimensional animation environment, wherein the input pixels are of a first resolution. The computer may then load into memory a generator of a generative adversarial network including a neural network used to scale the input image, the neural network trained using training data comprising color data of training input images and training output images and a training set of the features used to render the training input images. After the generator is loaded into memory, the computer may generate an output image having a second resolution that is different than the first resolution by passing the color data and the input set of features through the generator.

Abstract: Systems and methods generate a modified three-dimensional mesh representation of an object using a trained neural network. A computer system receives a set of input values for posing an initial mesh defining a surface of a three-dimensional object. The computer system provides the input values to a neural network trained on posed meshes generated using a rigging model to generate mesh offset values based upon the set of input values and the initial mesh. The neural network includes an input layer, an output layer, and a plurality of intermediate layers. The computer system generates, by the output layer of the neural network, a set of offset values corresponding to a set of three-dimensional target points based on the set of input values. The offset values are applied to the initial mesh to generate a posed mesh. The computer system outputs the posed mesh for generating an animation frame.

Abstract: A horticultural lighting fixture including a light bar including a plurality of solid state light sources arranged in a linear array along a longitudinal axis of the light bar; and a light bar support structure that couples with the light bar to support the light bar in a fixed spaced relationship with the light support structure, the light bar support structure including at least two fasteners at opposing terminal ends of the light bar support structure to attach to a vertical support.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine block, a crankshaft configured to rotate about a crankshaft axis, a flywheel coupled to the crankshaft and positioned above the engine block, an outer housing positioned above the engine block and the flywheel, and an electric starting system. The electric starting system includes an electric motor and an energy storage device positioned above the flywheel and below the outer housing. The energy storage device is electrically coupled to the electric motor to power the electric motor. When the electric starting system is configured to rotate the crankshaft to start the engine when the electric starting system is activated.

Abstract: A non-fungible token (NFT) platform operates by: receiving, via a processor, player data to be associated with a non-player character NFT corresponding to a multiplayer game; receiving, via the processor, other data, wherein the other data includes non-player character data to be associated with the non-player character NFT; and facilitating creation of the non-player character NFT, based on the player data and the non-player character data.

Abstract: A client device operates by: providing a wallet associated with the user configured to store non-fungible tokens (NFTs); reading, via the camera, an optical code associated with a game token; sending, via the network interface and in response to reading the optical code, a request to download a game token NFT associated with the game token from an NFT distribution platform; receiving from the NFT distribution platform, via the network interface, the game token NFT associated with the game token; and storing the game token NFT in the wallet associated with the user.

Abstract: A client device operates by: reading an optical code associated with a coupon; sending, in response to reading the optical code, a request to download a coupon NFT associated with the coupon from an NFT distribution platform; downloading from the NFT distribution platform, via the client device, the coupon NFT associated with the coupon; and storing the coupon NFT in a wallet associated with a user of the client device.

Abstract: A soap dispenser mounting collar includes a lower surface in contact with a countertop and an upper surface in contact with a soap dispenser mounting shank. The mounting shank extends through the mounting collar. The mounting collar further includes an outer surface aligned with a first outer surface of the mounting shank directly above the outer surface of the mounting collar, and an inner surface in contact with a second outer surface of the mounting shank extending through the soap dispenser mounting collar. The inner surface of the mounting collar includes a plurality of contour features configured to interfit with a plurality of corresponding contour features of the mounting shank in order to maintain alignment of the mounting collar and the mounting shank.

Abstract: A soap dispenser system includes a fixture disposed above a countertop and a soap container disposed below the countertop. The fixture includes a main body and a mount attached to the countertop. The main body includes a soap dispensing element that is fluidically coupled to the soap container via a fluid supply line. The mount includes an indication system and a refill port for accessing the soap container. The main body is removably coupled to the mount in order to expose the refill port and access the soap container. The indication system is configured to indicate a power status of the system and a soap level status of the soap container.

Abstract: A non-fungible token (NFT) platform operates by: receiving image data to be associated with a player token NFT corresponding to a multiplayer game; receiving other data, wherein the other data includes player attribute data to be associated with the player token NFT; and facilitating creation of the player token NFT, based on the image data and the player attribute data.

Abstract: An authentication system (AS) includes a radio frequency (RF) tag reader and operates by: assigning pairing data to be associated with an RF tag and a corresponding object to be authenticated wherein the pairing data includes a tag identifier, a private key, a public key, a first random number and a first AS hash based on the first random number; pairing the authentication system to the RF tag associated with the object; receiving a request to authenticate the object; when first tag hash matches first tag hash check data, generating first read event data that indicates authentication of the object; and facilitate updating, via a blockchain system and based on the first read event data, a non-fungible token (NFT) containing a registry of read events.

Abstract: An NFT system operates by: receiving a transaction request corresponding to an item, wherein the item is associated with a POS NFT minted via a blockchain, wherein the transaction request includes POS NFT identification data identifying the POS NFT, and a unique identifier associated with the item; determining when the NFT is authenticated; determining, based on the unique identifier associated with the item, when the POS NFT is associated with the item; and generating credentials data to grant the transaction request when the POS NFT is authenticated and when the POS NFT is associated with the item.

Abstract: An NFT system operates by receiving NFT data and NFT metadata associated with a manufacturing system, wherein the NFT metadata includes conditions data associated with use conditions; and facilitating, based on the NFT data and the NFT metadata, generation of an NFT associated with the manufacturing system; wherein the manufacturing system enables manufacture of at least one manufactured item via the manufacturing system when the use conditions are met.

Abstract: An authentication system (AS) includes a radio frequency (RF) tag reader and operates by: assigning pairing data to be associated with an RF tag and a corresponding object to be authenticated wherein the pairing data includes a tag identifier, a private key, a public key, a first random number and a first AS hash based on the first random number; pairing the authentication system to the RF tag associated with the object; receiving a request to authenticate the object; and when first tag hash matches first tag hash check data, generating first read event data that indicates authentication of the object.

Abstract: A game system operates by receiving a start game request for a game corresponding to a game application having a player token NFT associated therewith; generating launch metadata; sending the launch metadata to a wallet associated with a user of a client device, the wallet containing a private key associated with the player token NFT; receiving, from the wallet, a launch response that is generated based on the private key; generating, based on the launch response, ownership check data; sending the ownership check data to a blockchain system that stores the player token NFT; receiving, from the blockchain system, an ownership validation response; enabling, via the game application, play of the multiplayer game associated with the game application when the ownership validation response indicates ownership of the player token NFT is verified; and preventing, via the game application, the play of the multiplayer game when the ownership validation response indicates the ownership of the player token NFT is not ver

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for adaptive sampling for rendering using deep learning. This includes receiving, at a sampler in a rendering pipeline, a plurality of rendered pixel data, wherein the sampler includes a first machine learning (ML) model. It further includes generating a sampling map for the rendering pipeline using the first ML model and the plurality of rendered pixel data, including predicting a plurality of pixel values in the sampling map based on a generated distribution of pixel values. It further includes rendering an image using the sampler, the sampling map, and a denoiser in the rendering pipeline.

Abstract: An NFT system operates by receiving NFT data and NFT metadata associated with a manufacturing system, wherein the NFT metadata includes conditions data associated with use conditions; and facilitating, based on the NFT data and the NFT metadata, generation of an NFT associated with the manufacturing system; wherein the manufacturing system enables manufacture of at least one manufactured item via the manufacturing system when the use conditions are met.