Abstract: A method, computer program, and computer system are provided for load forecasting. Datasets corresponding to source machine learning models and a target domain base model are identified. A set of forecasting models corresponding to the identified datasets are learned. An ensemble model is determined from the learned set of forecasting models based on gradient boosting. An available resource is allocated based on the ensemble model.

Abstract: A method of sensing an interaction with an object using a semitransparent tactile surface (STS) sensor having an image sensor and a semitransparent membrane includes capturing, by the image sensor, a stream of images; separating the stream of images into a visual stream including light traveling through the semitransparent membrane and a tactile stream including light reflecting off of the semitransparent membrane; and processing the visual stream and tactile stream through a multimodal deep neural network.

Abstract: One example includes a scanning system. The system includes a phase-decorrelation optical coherence tomography (PhD-OCT) scanner configured to implement a scanning sequence via an optical signal on a sample medium. The system also includes a scanning controller configured to provide control signals to the PhD-OCT scanner to implement the scanning sequence and to obtain phase and amplitude information associated with a reflected version of the optical signal. The phase and amplitude information can be indicative of microscale dynamics of the sample medium. The scanning controller can also implement an algorithm to calculate a quantitative parameter of the sample medium based on the phase and amplitude information associated with the sample medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods directed to facilitating client to business interactions and transactions are described in this application. Some embodiments include a platform server, a code-presenting apparatus, a point of sale system, an associate device, and a patron-controlled device. When, for example, a patron sits down in a restaurant, they will be able to scan a code from the code presenting device. Once the code is scanned, that patron's device will be able to place orders that the restaurant can fulfill, thereby eliminating a need for dedicated hardware that can quickly become a health hazard if not properly cleaned. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the associate device can be omitted from the system, and it is further contemplated that, in embodiments with an associate device (e.g., a mobile device that a server can use to take orders), the associate device can double as the code-presenting apparatus.

Abstract: A two stage brake actuation system including a push rod, a first actuator coupled to the push rod, and a second actuator. The first actuator may apply a first force to the push rod to move it between a brake clearance position and a brake adjacent position. The second actuator may apply a second force to the push rod to move it between the brake adjacent position and a brake applied position. The first actuator may be a large displacement, low force actuator, and the second actuator may be a small displacement, high force actuator. A method for braking a vehicle by applying a first force to a push rod to move it a first distance from a brake clearance to a brake adjacent position, and applying a second force to the push rod to move it a second distance from the brake adjacent to a brake applied position.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for rendering of an animated avatar. An embodiment of the method includes: determining a first rendering time of a first clip as approximately equivalent to a predetermined acceptable rendering latency, a first playing time of the first clip determined as approximately the first rendering time multiplied by a multiplicative factor; rendering the first clip; determining a subsequent rendering time for each of one or more subsequent clips, each subsequent rendering time is determined to be approximately equivalent to the predetermined acceptable rendering latency plus the total playing time of the preceding clips, each subsequent playing time is determined to be approximately the rendering time of the respective subsequent clip multiplied by the multiplicative factor; and rendering the one or more subsequent clips.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for rendering of an animated avatar. An embodiment of the method includes: determining a first rendering time of a first clip as approximately equivalent to a predetermined acceptable rendering latency, a first playing time of the first clip determined as approximately the first rendering time multiplied by a multiplicative factor; rendering the first clip; determining a subsequent rendering time for each of one or more subsequent clips, each subsequent rendering time is determined to be approximately equivalent to the predetermined acceptable rendering latency plus the total playing time of the preceding clips, each subsequent playing time is determined to be approximately the rendering time of the respective subsequent clip multiplied by the multiplicative factor; and rendering the one or more subsequent clips.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for rendering of an animated avatar. An embodiment of the method includes: determining a first rendering time of a first clip as approximately equivalent to a predetermined acceptable rendering latency, a first playing time of the first clip determined as approximately the first rendering time multiplied by a multiplicative factor; rendering the first clip; determining a subsequent rendering time for each of one or more subsequent clips, each subsequent rendering time is determined to be approximately equivalent to the predetermined acceptable rendering latency plus the total playing time of the preceding clips, each subsequent playing time is determined to be approximately the rendering time of the respective subsequent clip multiplied by the multiplicative factor; and rendering the one or more subsequent clips.

Abstract: A connector has an upper end for connection into the upper part of a drill string. The connector has an outer member that slides over an inner member, the outer member and the inner member having a locked position and an unlocked position. A latch assembly in the connector places the inner member and the outer member in the unlocked position in response to hydraulic fluid pressure applied to the connector. A ball valve assembly has an upper portion for connection with a lower end of the connector and a lower portion for connection into a lower part of the drill string. A ball valve element actuator in the ball valve assembly rotates a ball valve element to the closed position in response to the upper portion of the ball valve assembly moving downward relative to the lower portion of the ball valve assembly.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for rendering of an animated avatar. An embodiment of the method includes: determining a first rendering time of a first clip as approximately equivalent to a predetermined acceptable rendering latency, a first playing time of the first clip determined as approximately the first rendering time multiplied by a multiplicative factor; rendering the first clip; determining a subsequent rendering time for each of one or more subsequent clips, each subsequent rendering time is determined to be approximately equivalent to the predetermined acceptable rendering latency plus the total playing time of the preceding clips, each subsequent playing time is determined to be approximately the rendering time of the respective subsequent clip multiplied by the multiplicative factor; and rendering the one or more subsequent clips.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of initiating and/or routing communications within a system comprised of a plurality of disparate sub-systems is provided. The method includes collecting information from one or more sub-systems regarding participants in the integrated system, wherein collected information includes one or more of schedule, status, and contact information, wherein the collected information is stored in a central directory. A communication initiated by one of the sub-systems is received, and an event is identified within the received communication. A workflow plan is initiated based on the identified event, wherein the workflow plan utilizes collected information to generate workflow-driven communications to one or more participants. The workflow-driven communications is then delivered to the one or more participants.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pet training system that includes a sensing device that is configured to signal a user when a pet is in the proximity of a selected location and a collar module that is configured to be fixed to a collar worn by the pet. A software application is configured to sense a disturbance or permutation in the environmental average magnetic vector, which disturbance is the result of the presence of a localized magnetic field generated by collar module. The pet training system further is configured to warn the user that the pet is within the sensed proximity of the selected location upon confirmation that a determined scaler magnetic state value exceeds a selected scalar threshold value.

Abstract: An unloader valve assembly includes a cylindrical housing defining an annular space, an inner wall thereof including a port that enables fluid communication between the annular space and a location outside the inner wall of the housing. A mandrel having a tubular configuration is positioned inside the housing, the mandrel defining a central bore for receiving fluid and includes a mandrel port enabling fluid communication between the central bore and the annular space. A piston encircling the mandrel is movable along an axis defined by the central bore. A spring is situated between the inner wall of the housing and the mandrel and movable between an extended configuration urging the piston downwardly and a compressed configuration being urged upwardly by the piston.

Abstract: One example includes a scanning system. The system includes a phase-decorrelation optical coherence tomography (PhD-OCT) scanner configured to implement a scanning sequence via an optical signal on a sample medium. The system also includes a scanning controller configured to provide control signals to the PhD-OCT scanner to implement the scanning sequence and to obtain phase and amplitude information associated with a reflected version of the optical signal. The phase and amplitude information can be indicative of microscale dynamics of the sample medium. The scanning controller can also implement an algorithm to calculate a quantitative parameter of the sample medium based on the phase and amplitude information associated with the sample medium.

Abstract: A wind turbine having one or more magnets for reducing friction between the turbine support and a turbine rotor. The reduction of friction between the turbine rotor and the turbine support allows for an increase in energy production and scale of the wind turbines. The magnet configuration employs a ring of cylindrically-shaped magnets at the bottom and opposed by a corresponding number of generally rectangular-shaped magnets. Bearing magnets are also employed for axial stabilization.

Abstract: A fluid flow sampling device comprises an elongate housing and a sleeve disposed in the housing having openings corresponding to an inlet and an outlet of the housing. The sleeve is movable relative to the housing to an open position and a closed position. The open position aligns the openings of the sleeve with the inlet and the outlet to allow fluid to flow into the inlet, through the sleeve, and out of the outlet. The closed position blocks the inlet and/or the outlet with a portion of the sleeve such that fluid is prevented from flowing through the sleeve. Additionally, a coalescent filter is disposed in the sleeve between the inlet and the outlet to allow some fluid to pass through the filter for sampling and to allow another portion of fluid to flow past the filter and out of the outlet to carry away coalescent material on the filter.

Abstract: A connector has an upper end for connection into the upper part of a drill string. The connector has an outer member that slides over an inner member, the outer member and the inner member having a locked position and an unlocked position. A latch assembly in the connector places the inner member and the outer member in the unlocked position in response to hydraulic fluid pressure applied to the connector. A ball valve assembly has an upper portion for connection with a lower end of the connector and a lower portion for connection into a lower part of the drill string. A ball valve element actuator in the ball valve assembly rotates a ball valve element to the closed position in response to the upper portion of the ball valve assembly moving downward relative to the lower portion of the ball valve assembly.

Abstract: A hydrostatically power self-propelled concrete finishing trowel has at least two coolers in a cooling system of the machine's hydraulic circuit. In the most typical case in which the first cooler is a closed loop oil cooler, the second cooler may take the form of an open loop oil cooler disposed in a flow path connecting one or more low-pressure outlets of the hydrostatic drive system to a reservoir. The closed loop oil cooler actively drops the temperature within the trowel's hydrostatic drive system, while the open loop oil cooler supplements that cooling by reducing the oil temperature in the reservoir.

Abstract: A fluid flow sampling device comprises a housing and a sleeve disposed in the housing having openings corresponding to an inlet and an outlet of the housing. The sleeve is movable relative to the housing to an open position and a closed position. The open position aligns the openings of the sleeve with the inlet and the outlet to allow fluid to flow into the inlet, through the sleeve, and out of the outlet. The closed position blocks the inlet and/or the outlet with a portion of the sleeve such that fluid is prevented from flowing through the sleeve. A coalescent filter is disposed in the sleeve between the inlet and the outlet to allow some fluid to pass through the filter for sampling and to allow another portion of fluid to flow past the filter and out of the outlet to carry away coalescent material on the filter. Additionally, a sample outlet port facilitates removal of fluid from the sampling device for sampling.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a mail verification server can use probabilistic methods to determine whether a user's emails should be throttled based on the recipients to which the user sends emails. The mail verification server can estimate a number of unique recipients to which a user has sent emails in the past, and can estimate whether the rate of which the number of unique recipients increases crosses over a predetermined threshold. The mail verification server can determine that a new user has sent emails to 500 unique recipients, and can track the rate at which the number of unique recipients rises. The mail verification server can then throttle the user's emails if the rate at which the number of unique recipients rises exceeds threshold (e.g., if the number of unique recipients the user has contacted rises by 200% and/or a similar threshold).