Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for rendering a visual effect on a graphical element, including: generating an initial visual effect based on the graphical element; computing a mask shape based on the graphical element; generating a mask based on the mask shape from the graphical element; masking the initial visual effect based on the mask to generate a masked visual effect; and combining the masked visual effect with the graphical element into a combined graphical element and visual effect.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an energy storage system for an aircraft includes a pump circulating a thermal management fluid through the thermal management system and an energy storage device of the aircraft. A controller circuitry may control a variable pumping capacity of the pump based on sensing pressure or temperature of the thermal management fluid at the energy storage device. The controller circuitry may default operation of the pump to a first pumping capacity in response to the pressure or temperature being within a predetermined operating range and a predetermined failure condition or a power demand of an aircraft engine supply bus exceeding a predetermined threshold. The controller controlling operation of the pump to a second pumping capacity in response to absence of the power demand signal of the aircraft engine supply bus and the pressure or temperature being within the predetermined operating range.

Abstract: A self-clinching fastener for attachment to a plastically deformable metal substrate includes a body portion with a central axis, the body portion has an annular-shaped surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the central axis The annular-shaped surface includes a first annular face, a second annular face, and a third annular face. The third annular face lies on an imaginary horizontal plane. A punch portion extends from the body portion. A plurality of spaced apart lugs encircle the punch portion. The first annular face extends from an outer peripheral surface of the punch portion in a radially outwards direction, and the second annular face is radially disposed between the first annular face and the third annular face. One of the lugs declines to the second annular face.

Abstract: A method includes determining, using a processing device, a set of observations from coolant data, the coolant data being received from one or more sensors in an environment associated with a coolant. The method further includes determining, using a machine learning model and the set of observations, a contamination level of the coolant. The method also includes initiating an operation, using the processing device, responsive to determining the coolant contamination level.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and devices processing feed material utilizing a microwave plasma apparatus comprising a powder ingress preventor (PIP). In some embodiments, the microwave plasma apparatus comprises a core plasma tube and a liner; and a ring structure comprising: a bearing surface, the bearing surface contacting an interior diameter of the core plasma tube; and an opening, the opening contacting an outer diameter of the liner.

Abstract: An interchangeable electro-mechanical lock core for use with a lock device having a locked state and an unlocked state is disclosed. The interchangeable electro-mechanical lock core may include a moveable plug having a first position relative to a lock core body which corresponds to the lock device being in the locked state and a second position relative to a lock core body which corresponds to the lock device being in the unlocked state. The interchangeable electro-mechanical lock core may include a core keeper moveably coupled to a lock core body. The core keeper may be positionable in a retain position wherein the core keeper extends beyond an envelope of lock core body to hold the lock core body in an opening of the lock device and a remove position wherein the core keeper is retracted relative to the envelope of the lock core body to permit removal.

Abstract: A series of fused pentacyclic imidazole derivatives, being potent modulators of human TNFa activity, are accordingly of benefit in the treatment and/or prevention of various human ailments, including autoimmune and inflammatory disorders; neurological and neurodegenerative disorders; pain and nociceptive disorders; cardiovascular disorders; metabolic disorders; ocular disorders; and oncological disorders. In particular, the present invention is concerned with 6, 7-dihydro-7, 14-methanobenzimidazo[1, 2-b][2,5]benzodiazocin-5(14H)-one derivatives and analogs thereof.

Abstract: Methods and systems described in this disclosure are directed to authentication of calling parties. The authentication of calling parties applies to simultaneous voice and/or data communications with multiple parties over multiple electronic mediums including a variety of electronic devices. A user can continue to maintain a data exchange session with a representative of an entity offering the goods or services of interest to the user across more than one user device. In some embodiments, a user can invite other parties in a multi-party call involving the user and the representative. Various embodiments for multi-party and multi-device authentication mechanisms are described herein. In some embodiments, the system calculates an estimated call waiting time for a user to speak with the representative.

Abstract: A self-clinching and self-piercing construction element for attachment to a plastically deformable metal panel. The construction element includes a body portion with a central axis and a punch portion being coaxial with the central axis and extending from the body portion. A pilot embossment is coaxial with the central axis and extends from the body portion such that the pilot embossment is concentrically disposed between an annular-shaped surface of the body portion and the punch portion. The pilot embossment being configured to engage and plastically deform the metal substrate such that the metal substrate flows into a recessed pocket defined in an outer peripheral surface of the punch portion. A plurality of spaced apart lugs axially project outwards from the annular-shaped surface and extend radially outwards from the pilot embossment.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an additive for an iron negative electrode of an alkaline electrochemical cell may include a powder of discrete granules including agglomerated particles, the agglomerated particles including at least one metal sulfide.

Abstract: At least some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to pump assemblies. In some embodiments, the pump is a high-pressure pump for an engine. The pump includes: an inlet valve configured to receive fuel; an armature coupled to the inlet valve and configured to actuate the inlet valve; and a pump barrel comprising a barrel guide, the barrel guide comprising a protrusion and configured to guide a motion of the armature.

Abstract: Implementations are directed to using an assistant to initiate automated telephone calls with entities. Some implementations identify an item of interest, identify a group of entities associated with the item, and initiate the calls with the entities. During a given call with a given entity, the assistant can request a status update regarding the item, and determine a temporal delay before initiating another call with the given entity to request a further status update regarding the item based on information received responsive to the request. Other implementations receive a request to perform an action on behalf of a user, identify a group of entities that can perform the action, and initiate a given call with a given entity. During the given call, the assistant can initiate an additional call with an additional entity, and generate notification(s), for the user, based on result(s) of the given call and/or the additional call.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed, including transistors, semiconductor devices and systems with isolation structures. Example semiconductor devices and methods include isolation structures with tapered sidewalls that intersect along a line at a trench bottom. Example semiconductor devices and methods are shown with different isolation structures in peripheral circuitry compared to isolation structures in a memory array.

Abstract: A rotary valve including a port housing, a port, an axially actuated rotary sleeve disposed within the port housing, the sleeve having a plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the port; and an insert disposed within the sleeve, the insert having an opening, the sleeve being rotatable to align one of the plurality of apertures with the opening. A rotary valve including a port housing, having a port, an axially actuated rotary sleeve disposed within the port housing, the sleeve having an aperture; and an insert disposed within the sleeve, the insert having a plurality of openings of distinct size from one another, the aperture of the sleeve being selectively alignable with one of the plurality of openings.

Abstract: A system describing Unlimited Range Drive capabilities of electric vehicles using machine learning techniques, assisted by intelligent battery modules and high voltage continuous variable power plant, the intelligent battery and power plant modules work in harmony and continuously provide feedback to each other, causing a battery to recharge while the other is in use to drive, this charging/recharging process and dynamically switching battery in use is continued until physical life of batteries is exhausted approximately 10 to 15 years, dynamic coordination of modules with dynamic switching of batteries, achieves unlimited range drive capabilities which may exceed 1 million mile drive on a single high voltage battery charge, the system provides clean environment and cost effective solution, this platform can be implemented in larger chassis including, but not limited to light duty trucks and vans up to heavy duty cargo tractor trailer and commercial public transportation buses.

Abstract: Implementations relate to generating multi-modal response(s) through utilization of large language model(s) (LLM(s)). Processor(s) of a system can: receive natural language (NL) based input, generate a multi-modal response that is responsive to the NL based output, and cause the multi-modal response to be rendered. In some implementations, and in generating the multi-modal response, the processor(s) can process, using a LLM, LLM input (e.g., that includes at least the NL based input) to generate LLM output, and determine, based on the LLM output, textual content for inclusion in the multi-modal response and multimedia content for inclusion in the multi-modal response. In some implementations, the multimedia content can be obtained based on a multimedia content tag that is included in the LLM output and that is indicative of the multimedia content. In various implementations, the multimedia content can be interleaved between segments of the textual content.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and tangible non-transitory computer readable media for saliency visualization are provided. The disclosed technology can include receiving a data input including a plurality of features. The data input can be segmented into regions. At least one of the regions can include two or more of the features. Attribution scores can be respectively generated for features of the data input. The attribution scores for each feature can be indicative of a respective saliency of such feature. A respective gain value for each region can be determined over one or more iterations based on the respective attribution scores associated with the features included in the region. Further, at each iteration one or more of the regions with the greatest gain values can be added to a saliency mask. Furthermore, at each iteration a saliency visualization can be produced based on the saliency mask.

Abstract: A smoking article is provided, having a component housing including a power source, and a tubular housing having a first end and a longitudinally-opposed second end, wherein the first or second end is configured to receive the component housing. The tubular housing includes an outer wall defining a cylindrical cavity. An aerosol-generating element is configured to be received within the cylindrical cavity, wherein the aerosol-generating element is configured to produce an aerosol in response to heat. An associated aerosol-generating element and related production methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method includes determining, by an assistant executing at one or more processors, a default group of actions that the assistant is configured to execute in response to receiving a particular audible command. The method includes determining, by the assistant, based on the default group of actions and a user profile associated with a particular user, a custom group of actions that the assistant is configured to execute in response to receiving the particular audible command from the particular user. The method also includes receiving, by the assistant, an indication of the particular audible command, and determining, by the assistant, whether the indication of particular audible command originated from the particular user. The method further includes, responsive to determining that the indication of particular audible command originated from the particular user, executing, by the assistant, each action from the custom group of actions.