Abstract: A system including one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions that, when executed on the one or more processors, perform certain acts. The acts can include generating a digital twin network simulation of a physical computer network controlled through a software-defined-network (SDN) control system. The acts also can include training a routing agent model on the digital twin network simulation using a reinforcement-learning model on traffic that flows through nodes of the digital twin network simulation. The routing agent model includes a machine-learning model. The acts additionally can include deploying the routing agent model, as trained, from the digital twin network simulation to the SDN control system of the physical computer network. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A coating-removal apparatus may include a source positioned on a mounting plate, and operable to emit a laser beam at a first path, where the mounting plate is configured to receive an edge of a photovoltaic module in a designated region substantially proximate to the mounting plate, such that the first path intersects the designated region, and where the mounting plate is further configured to reposition the source to create an additional path that intersects with the designated region, where the additional path is distinct from the first path.

Abstract: A coating-removal apparatus may include a source positioned on a mounting plate, and operable to emit a laser beam at a first path, where the mounting plate is configured to receive an edge of a photovoltaic module in a designated region substantially proximate to the mounting plate, such that the first path intersects the designated region, and where the mounting plate is further configured to reposition the source to create an additional path that intersects with the designated region, where the additional path is distinct from the first path.

Abstract: A coating-removal apparatus may include a source positioned on a mounting plate, and operable to emit a laser beam at a first path, where the mounting plate is configured to receive an edge of a photovoltaic module in a designated region substantially proximate to the mounting plate, such that the first path intersects the designated region, and where the mounting plate is further configured to reposition the source to create an additional path that intersects with the designated region, where the additional path is distinct from the first path.

Abstract: A method for removing coating from a substrate may include: locating an edge of a substrate; directing a laser beam along a first path to a first position on a surface of the substrate proximate to an edge of the substrate at an angle of incidence suitable to redirect the laser beam along a second path, through the substrate, to a second position on a second surface of the substrate corresponding to the located edge of the substrate, where the second surface can include a coating; and ablating at least a portion of coating at the second position on the second surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A coating-removal apparatus may include a source positioned on a mounting plate, and operable to emit a laser beam at a first path, where the mounting plate is configured to receive an edge of a photovoltaic module in a designated region substantially proximate to the mounting plate, such that the first path intersects the designated region, and where the mounting plate is further configured to reposition the source to create an additional path that intersects with the designated region, where the additional path is distinct from the first path.

Abstract: A method for removing coating from a substrate may include: locating an edge of a substrate; directing a laser beam along a first path to a first position on a surface of the substrate proximate to an edge of the substrate at an angle of incidence suitable to redirect the laser beam along a second path, through the substrate, to a second position on a second surface of the substrate corresponding to the located edge of the substrate, where the second surface can include a coating; and ablating at least a portion of coating at the second position on the second surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A user is rewarded for actions performed within an entertainment system. Digital content is provided to a client device over a network. Data is then received from the client device over the network. The received data represents an input from a user of the client device in response to the digital content provided to the client device. A value associated with the input from the user is determined. An account balance associated with the user is adjusted by a quantity of credit tokens. The quantity of tokens is determined by the value associated with the input from the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for moving material in a multi-well plate includes applying positive and negative pressure to one or more wells in the plate, e.g., to enhance a flow rate of material from the well through a filter element. Wells requiring application of positive pressure may be identified, e.g., by image analysis performed by a machine vision system. Those wells determined to require enhanced throughput may have negative and positive pressure applied to the well, while other wells have only negative pressure applied.

Abstract: A media based entertainment service provides user requested media to a user. Video, audio, images and other media may be provided to a user for a fee or free of charge. The media may be provided from the service provider to a client device over a network. When providing media without charge, the media service can incorporate one or more ads into the media. The ads may be targeted to the user, media content, and other features using advertisement parameters. The media service provides for revenue generation associated with the viewing of media files. The media service can generate revenue from advertising, pay-per-view, e-commerce, and other financial transactions associated with the media service while focusing on providing the service on user preferences.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying media and associated information are disclosed. A hybrid user interface may include aspects of push and pull interfaces. In some embodiments, media may be characterized by parameters and values for the parameters. Parameters and values may be associated with a user's interests, and a user may identify media by searching for media using one or more preferred values of parameters of interest. In some cases, media are presented to a user. Presented media may share values for parameters associated with the user's interests. Certain embodiments deliver (e.g., play) items of media content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for moving material in a multi-well plate includes applying positive and negative pressure to one or more wells in the plate, e.g., to enhance a flow rate of material from the well through a filter element. Wells requiring application of positive pressure may be identified, e.g., by image analysis performed by a machine vision system. Those wells determined to require enhanced throughput may have negative and positive pressure applied to the well, while other wells have only negative pressure applied.

Abstract: An electronically controlled front wheel drive limited slip differential assembly that is designed to allow an operator to manually or automatically control the limited slip function. The differential control and actuation assembly is located external to the front transaxle and differential case. The assembly includes an electric solenoid that modulates hydraulic pressure produced by a gerotor pump. When the limited slip differential control is in the ON position, hydraulic pressure produced by the gerotor pump engages a friction clutch pack, which couples the differential case to the front axle output shaft. When the limited slip function is in the OFF position, the electrical solenoid does not allow the gerotor pump to generate sufficient hydraulic pressure to actuate the clutch pack.

Abstract: A universal interface system for use with a data acquisition system including a data acquisition device such as a bar code scanner or scanner integrated terminal for providing digital data signals indicative of acquired data for transmission to a host device such as a computer, and a host device having host-specific input/output data format requirements. The universal interface system comprises universal data exchange means located in the data acquisition device for providing digital data signals in a universal data exchange format independent of the data format requirements of the host device; and a host interface cable coupled to the data acquisition device and to said host device, for transmitting acquired digital data from the data acquisition device to the host device, the interface cable comprising means for translating digital data from the universal data exchange format to the host-specific input/output data format requirements.

Abstract: A cigar humidification apparatus comprises a sealed hollow cylindrical container having at least one, and preferably two removable end caps; a porous material contained in the sealed container; and a humidification solution provided in the porous material. The porous material is preferably florists foam. The humidification solution consists of 1-10% propylene glycol; 10-24% water; and 70-80% saturated salt solution. The salt solution is preferably a saturated solution of sodium chloride in water.

Abstract: A universal interface system for use with a data acquisition system including a data acquisition device such as a bar code scanner or scanner integrated terminal for providing digital data signals indicative of acquired data for transmission to a host device such as a computer, and a host device having host-specific input/output data format requirements. The universal interface system comprises universal data exchange means located in the data acquisition device for providing digital data signals in a universal data exchange format independent of the data format requirements of the host device; and a host interface cable coupled to the data acquisition device and to said host device, for transmitting acquired digital data from the data acquisition device to the host device, the interface cable comprising means for translating digital data from the universal data exchange format to the host-specific input/output data format requirements.

Abstract: An optical scanner for reading indicia such as barcode symbols is usable in a first, hand-held mode and in a second, hands-free mode in which the scanner is mounted to a fixed stand. Switching means are provided so that when the scanner is lifted from the stand, for hand-held use, it automatically switches to a first working range, and when it is replaced onto the stand it automatically switches to a second, closer, working range. In the first working range, the software is optimised to read barcode symbols at a relatively long distance from the scanner; in the second working range the software is optimised to read barcode symbols which are relatively close to the scanner. The switching means may comprise any type of contact or non-contact switch such as a reed switch or a Hall effect switch.