Abstract: A MEMS switch that includes a substrate with a first insulating layer and a silicon layer thereabove, a fixed portion and a movable switching portion being formed in the silicon layer. A first metal layer is situated in recesses in the silicon layer at a side of the silicon layer facing away from the substrate, the first metal layer forming at least one switchable electrical contact between the fixed portion and the switching portion. A method for manufacturing a MEMS switch including at least one embedded metal contact is also described.

Abstract: There is provided a nozzle for a fan assembly. The nozzle comprises a nozzle body, an air inlet for receiving an air flow, and one or more air outlets for emitting the air flow. The nozzle body has the general shape of a truncated ellipsoid, with a first truncation forming a face of the nozzle body and a second truncation forming a base of the nozzle body. The one or more air outlets are provided on the face of the nozzle body. Preferably, the air inlet is provided at the base of the nozzle body.

Abstract: A variety of systems, methods and compositions are disclosed, including, in one method, a method may comprise providing a proppant-free fracturing fluid; providing a proppant composition, wherein the proppant composition comprises proppant particulates and degradable thermoplastic particulates; introducing the proppant-free fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation at an injection rate above a fracture gradient to create or enhance at least one fracture in the subterranean formation; introducing the proppant composition into the at least one fracture; and allowing the proppant composition to form a proppant pack in the fracture, wherein the degradable thermoplastic particulates are degradable to generate voids in the proppant pack.

Abstract: A MEMS switch having a substrate, a micromechanical function layer situated above the substrate, and a fixed part and an electrically operable, deflectable switch element are developed in the micromechanical function layer, the switch element for closing an electrically conductive contact with the fixed part being suspended on at least one first spring in a deflectable manner. In a first operating state, the switch element is in a first position at a first distance from the fixed part, and the electrical contact is open. In a second operating state, the switch element is in a second position at a second distance from the fixed part, and the first spring is deflected and exerts a first restoring force, and the switch element establishes an operative connection with at least one second spring and the electrical contact is open. In a third operating state, the switch element is in a third position.

Abstract: In one aspect, a computer system for vehicle configuration verification, and/or detecting unauthorized vehicle modification may be provided. In some exemplary embodiments, the computer system may include a processor and a non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including: (1) receiving a vehicle image, including a vehicle identifier and at least one software module; (2) calculating a configuration hash value of the at least one software module; generating a first data block including the configuration hash value, a first index value, the vehicle identifier, and a digital signature; (3) storing the first data block in a memory; and/or (4) transmitting the first data block to any number of network participants using a distributed network to facilitate vehicle software configuration verification.

Abstract: A blockchain-based social insurance (“BBSI”) computer system for creating a social insurance group is provided. The BBSI computer system includes at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device. The processor is programmed to receive social insurance group data and define at least one qualifying rule for joining the social insurance group. Each member of the social insurance group must satisfy the at least one qualifying rule to become a member of the social insurance group. The processor is programmed to generate at least one social insurance group blockchain including the qualifying rule and cause to be displayed on a user device the social insurance group data for review by a candidate member. The processor is also programmed to receive a registration message from the candidate member including a request to become a member of the group.

Abstract: A movable rack assembly may include an input shaft, a driven gear, an adjustable rack, an interference plate, and a contact tab. The input shaft may extend along an input axis. The input shaft may include a worm gear segment disposed along the input axis between a first end and a second end. The driven gear may be enmeshed with the worm gear segment, define a maximum outer circumference, and be rotatable about a driven axis nonparallel to the input axis. The interference plate may be fixed to the driven gear. The interference plate may include a radial arm extending past the maximum outer circumference of the driven gear. The contact tab may extend from the input shaft and be axially offset from the worm gear segment in selective engagement with the radial arm at a predefined travel limit of the driven gear to halt rotation at the input shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer-implemented system and method for automatic collection, analysis and reporting of data relating to a cybersecurity threat. The method may comprise the steps of: presenting an interface through which an executable can be configured and automatically generated; transmitting the executable to a client to enable the client to execute the executable on client systems to automatically collect forensic data; receiving from the client an encrypted data package that includes the forensic data; using a forensic toolset to automatically analyze the forensic data; presenting an option to select one or more of at least two types of output reports designed for different types of readers; inputting the analysis files into an automatic report generator to automatically generate the types of output reports selected by the client; and sending the output reports selected by the client to the client.

Abstract: A wood burning grill includes a cabinet that defines a coal support platform for supporting burning wood during a grilling process. A grate is positioned above the coal support platform and a grate positioning assembly mechanically couples the grate to the cabinet. The grate positioning assembly includes two four-bar linkage systems positioned on opposite sides of the grate for suspending the grate in cantilevered manner from the cabinet. Each four-bar linkage system includes a drive arm that is mechanically coupled to the drive gear and a support arm that maintains the grate in a substantially horizontal orientation while moving between the raised position and the lowered position. A hand wheel is rotatably mounted to the cabinet and is coupled to the drive gear through a rotating shaft and a worm gear such that rotating the hand wheel moves the grate between the raised position and the lowered position.

Abstract: In one aspect, a computer system for vehicle configuration verification, and/or detecting unauthorized vehicle modification may be provided. In some exemplary embodiments, the computer system may include a processor and a non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including: (1) receiving a vehicle image, including a vehicle identifier and at least one software module; (2) calculating a configuration hash value of the at least one software module; generating a first data block including the configuration hash value, a first index value, the vehicle identifier, and a digital signature; (3) storing the first data block in a memory; and/or (4) transmitting the first data block to any number of network participants using a distributed network to facilitate vehicle software configuration verification.

Abstract: A method described herein involves various operations directed toward network security. The operations include accessing a traffic attribute describing a feature of network traffic. The operations further include determining a baseline distribution for the traffic attribute of a baseline set of transactions involving an online system over a baseline period and, additionally, determining an observed distribution for the traffic attribute of an observed set of transactions involving the online system over an observed period. Using the observed distribution and the baseline distribution, an attribute risk value for the traffic attribute is computed. The operations further include detecting that an anomaly exists in the traffic attribute of the observed set of transactions, based on the attribute risk value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer-implemented system and method for automatic collection, analysis and reporting of data relating to a cybersecurity threat. The method may comprise the steps of: presenting an interface through which an executable can be configured and automatically generated; transmitting the executable to a client to enable the client to execute the executable on client systems to automatically collect forensic data; receiving from the client an encrypted data package that includes the forensic data; using a forensic toolset to automatically analyze the forensic data; presenting an option to select one or more of at least two types of output reports designed for different types of readers; inputting the analysis files into an automatic report generator to automatically generate the types of output reports selected by the client; and sending the output reports selected by the client to the client.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to adjust the behavior of a cache based on a count of cache misses for items recently evicted. In an embodiment, a computer responds to evicting a particular item (PI) from a cache by storing a metadata entry for the PI into memory. In response to a cache miss for the PI, the computer detects whether or not the metadata entry for the PI resides in memory. When the metadata entry for the PI is detected in memory, the computer increments a victim hit counter (VHC) that may be used to calculate how much avoidable thrashing is the cache experiencing, which is how much thrashing would be reduced if the cache were expanded. Either immediately or arbitrarily later, the computer adjusts a policy of the cache based on the VHC's value. For example, the computer may adjust the capacity of the cache based on the VHC.

Abstract: A wireless drink container can monitor a person's hydration and prompt him or her to drink more if appropriate. The drink containers as described herein can monitor liquid levels and communicate with external devices about the liquid levels and rate of consumption. One or more sensors in the drink container monitor the liquid level within the container. A processor coupled to the sensor(s) estimates how much liquid has been removed from the container from changes in the liquid level and transmits a signal representing the change in liquid level to a smartphone or other external device. It also triggers an audio or visual indicator, such as an LED, that prompts the user to drink more based on the user's estimated liquid consumption and on the user's liquid consumption goals, which may be based on the user's physiology, activity level, and location.

Abstract: A ventilation assembly for a vehicle includes a duct disposed between a seating assembly and a vehicle floor having a first end with a first opening disposed at a first area of the vehicle and a second end with a second opening disposed at a second area of the vehicle. An air mover is disposed at one or more of the first and second ends of the duct, wherein the air mover is operable to move air along the duct.

Abstract: A variety of systems, methods and compositions are disclosed, including, in one method, a method may comprise providing a proppant-free fracturing fluid; providing a proppant composition, wherein the proppant composition comprises proppant particulates and degradable thermoplastic particulates; introducing the proppant-free fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation at an injection rate above a fracture gradient to create or enhance at least one fracture in the subterranean formation; introducing the proppant composition into the at least one fracture; and allowing the proppant composition to form a proppant pack in the fracture, wherein the degradable thermoplastic particulates are degradable to generate voids in the proppant pack.

Abstract: There is provided a nozzle for a fan assembly. The nozzle comprises a nozzle body, an air inlet for receiving an air flow, and one or more air outlets for emitting the air flow. The nozzle body has the general shape of a truncated ellipsoid, with a first truncation forming a face of the nozzle body and a second truncation forming a base of the nozzle body. The one or more air outlets are provided on the face of the nozzle body. Preferably, the air inlet is provided at the base of the nozzle body.

Abstract: There is provided a nozzle for a fan assembly. The nozzle comprises an air inlet for receiving an air flow, a first air outlet for emitting an air flow and a second air outlet for emitting an air flow. The first and second air outlets comprise a pair of curved slots that are provided on a face of the nozzle, and the first and second air outlets are oriented towards a convergent point. The first air outlet and the second air outlet may be oriented towards a convergent point that is located on a central axis of the face of the nozzle.

Abstract: In one aspect, a computer system for verifying vehicle software configuration may be provided. In some exemplary embodiments, the computer system may include a processor and a non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to: (1) transmit an authentication request to a vehicle computing system including a hash algorithm specification; (2) receive, from the vehicle computing system, a current configuration hash value and a vehicle identifier; (3) retrieve a trusted data block from a memory based upon the vehicle identifier; (4) compare the current configuration hash value to a stored configuration hash value included in the trusted data block; and (5) transmit an authentication response to the vehicle computing system based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A method for hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation includes sending a first command from a controller to a pump to achieve a first target flow rate for a fracturing fluid being injected into a subterranean formation during a fracturing operation. Monitoring an injection property of the fracturing operation. Determining a rate of change of the pressure over a first time period. Determining, by the controller, a second target flow rate based, at least in part, on the rate of change of the pressure. Sending a second command from the controller to the pump to achieve the second target flow rate for the fracturing fluid.