Abstract: Computing platforms, methods, and storage media for providing multi-channel authentication are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: receive, from a plurality of system access channels, authentication data related to a plurality of data transfers and to a plurality of users; consolidate the authentication data from the plurality of access channels to generate a set of consolidated authentication data; and generate a user interface, based on the set of consolidated authentication data, to enable execution of a centrally-provided authentication function at a selected system access channel for a selected user initiating a data transfer. An authentication hub according to an implementation may provide a common authentication experience and improved authentication for the plurality of access channels, which may include a telephone contact center, an in-person or branch location, and online services such as web-based or app-based.

Abstract: An appliance includes an external communication port, such as an RJ45 port, and a wireless communication module in wireless communication with a remote server through an external network. A controller is configured to receive, using the wireless communication module, a secure unlock command from a remote server, the secure unlock command being generated when a remote service device transmits appliance identification data to the remote server, and unlock the external communication port to permit the remote service device to access operating software through the external communication port.

Abstract: A system for facilitating sender-side granular congestion control is provided. During operation, the first and second processes of an application can run on sender and receiver nodes, respectively. A first buffer on the sender node can be allocated to the first process. For the first process, the system can then identify a second buffer at a last-hop switch of the receiver node. The system can determine, based on in-flight packets, the utilization of the second buffer. The system can also determine a fraction of available space in the second buffer for packets from the first buffer based on the utilization. Subsequently, the system can determine whether the fraction of the available space can accommodate the next packet from the first buffer. If the fraction of the available space can accommodate the next packet, the system can allow the first process to send the next packet to the second process.

Abstract: A system for facilitating sender-side congestion control is provided. During operation, the system, on a sender node, can determine the utilization of a buffer at a last-hop switch to a receiver node based on in-flight packets to the receiver node. The receiver node can be reachable from the sender node via the last-hop switch. The system can then determining a fraction of available space in the buffer for packets from the sender node based on the utilization of the buffer. Subsequently, the system can determine whether the fraction of the available space in the buffer can accommodate a next packet from the sender node while avoiding congestion at the buffer at the receiver node. If the fraction of the available space in the buffer can accommodate the next packet, the system can allow the sender node to send the next packet to the receiver node.

Abstract: A system for facilitating sender-side congestion control is provided. During operation, the system, on a sender node, can determine the utilization of a buffer at a last-hop switch to a receiver node based on in-flight packets to the receiver node. The receiver node can be reachable from the sender node via the last-hop switch. The system can then determining a fraction of available space in the buffer for packets from the sender node based on the utilization of the buffer. Subsequently, the system can determine whether the fraction of the available space in the buffer can accommodate a next packet from the sender node while avoiding congestion at the buffer at the receiver node. If the fraction of the available space in the buffer can accommodate the next packet, the system can allow the sender node to send the next packet to the receiver node.

Abstract: A fitting has a first housing including a first body and a second body. The first body defines a first channel and a second channel, and second body defines a third channel that is co-planar with the first channel and a fourth channel that is co-planar with the first channel. First bearings are disposed within the first channel and the third channel, where the first bearings rotatably coupled the first housing to the second housing. Additionally, second bearings are disposed within the second channel and the fourth channel, the second bearings rotatably coupling the first housing to the second housing. A plug couples to the first housing, a gasket is disposed between the plug and the first housing, and a passage is defined at least in part by the first housing, the second housing, and the plug.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a system and method for predicting network power usage associated with workloads. During operation, the system configures a simulator to simulate operations of a plurality of network components, which comprises embedding one or more event counters in each simulated network component. A respective event counter is configured to count a number of network-power-related events. The system collects, based on values of the event counters, network-power-related performance data associated with one or more sample workloads applied to the simulator; and trains a machine-learning model with the collected network-power-related performance data and characteristics of the sample workloads as training data 1, thereby facilitating prediction of network-power-related performance associated with a to-be-evaluated workload.

Abstract: A system for facilitating sender-side congestion control is provided. During operation, the system, on a sender node, can determine the utilization of a buffer at a last-hop switch to a receiver node based on in-flight packets to the receiver node. The receiver node can be reachable from the sender node via the last-hop switch. The system can then determining a fraction of available space in the buffer for packets from the sender node based on the utilization of the buffer. Subsequently, the system can determine whether the fraction of the available space in the buffer can accommodate a next packet from the sender node while avoiding congestion at the buffer at the receiver node. If the fraction of the available space in the buffer can accommodate the next packet, the system can allow the sender node to send the next packet to the receiver node.

Abstract: A system for facilitating sender-side granular congestion control is provided. During operation, the first and second processes of an application can run on sender and receiver nodes, respectively. A first buffer on the sender node can be allocated to the first process. For the first process, the system can then identify a second buffer at a last-hop switch of the receiver node. The system can determine, based on in-flight packets, the utilization of the second buffer. The system can also determine a fraction of available space in the second buffer for packets from the first buffer based on the utilization. Subsequently, the system can determine whether the fraction of the available space can accommodate the next packet from the first buffer. If the fraction of the available space can accommodate the next packet, the system can allow the first process to send the next packet to the second process.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a system and method for predicting network power usage associated with workloads. During operation, the system configures a simulator to simulate operations of a plurality of network components, which comprises embedding one or more event counters in each simulated network component. A respective event counter is configured to count a number of network-power-related events. The system collects, based on values of the event counters, network-power-related performance data associated with one or more sample workloads applied to the simulator; and trains a machine-learning model with the collected network-power-related performance data and characteristics of the sample workloads as training data 1, thereby facilitating prediction of network-power-related performance associated with a to-be-evaluated workload.

Abstract: Utilities (e.g., systems, methods, etc.) for reducing or limiting slack in stitching or suture constructs secured to tissues in a manner that limits the need for surgeons to physically pull on patients' muscles to remove such slack and that may ultimately reduce recovery time for patients. In one aspect, a method of creating or anchoring a suture construct (e.g., a method of stitching) in tissue in a manner that produces first and second opposite portions of the construct that can be pulled apart in any appropriate manner to apply a tension in the construct to remove slack therein substantially free of pulling on patients' muscles to remove such slack is disclosed. The present utilities also describe a tool that can be used to automatically apply a predetermined level of tension to a suture construct to remove slack therein.

Abstract: Utilities (e.g., systems, methods, etc.) for reducing or limiting slack in stitching or suture constructs secured to tissues in a manner that limits the need for surgeons to physically pull on patients' muscles to remove such slack and that may ultimately reduce recovery time for patients. In one aspect, a method of creating or anchoring a suture construct (e.g., a method of stitching) in tissue in a manner that produces first and second opposite portions of the construct that can be pulled apart in any appropriate manner to apply a tension in the construct to remove slack therein substantially free of pulling on patients' muscles to remove such slack is disclosed. The present utilities also describe a tool that can be used to automatically apply a predetermined level of tension to a suture construct to remove slack therein.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for residential splash pads can include a housing disposed at an interface of the residential splash pad and one or more channels configured to direct a flow of a fluid out of the nozzle assembly and into the residential splash pad. An energy-emitting fixture (such as an LED) can be disposed within the housing and configured to emit energy into the residential splash pad. The nozzle assembly can include a generator and a turbine connected to the generator. The nozzle assembly can further include a flow-diverting mechanism to direct the flow of the fluid to the turbine and increase the velocity of the flow of the fluid at a turbine interface.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing items and storing the sterilized items prior to use includes a container configured to receive items to be sterilized, a trap door coupled with the container, and a mechanism operatively coupled with the trap door and the container. The trap door is reconfigurable between an open configuration providing a fluid passage into the apparatus and a closed configuration in which the items are hermetically sealed within the apparatus. The mechanism is configured for selective reconfiguration of the trap door from the closed configuration to the open configuration and to automatically reconfigure the trap door from the open configuration to the closed configuration after completion of a sterilization of items disposed within the apparatus.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for residential splash pads can include a housing disposed at an interface of the residential splash pad and one or more channels configured to direct a flow of a fluid out of the nozzle assembly and into the residential splash pad. An energy-emitting fixture (such as an LED) can be disposed within the housing and configured to emit energy into the residential splash pad. The nozzle assembly can include a generator and a turbine connected to the generator. The nozzle assembly can further include a flow-diverting mechanism to direct the flow of the fluid to the turbine and increase the velocity of the flow of the fluid at a turbine interface.

Abstract: A toy doll with insertable teeth comprising: a toy doll figure, a pouch or compartment built into the doll to hold a child's real primary tooth until it is removed by the imaginary “tooth fairy” (understood to be an adult), specially-formed jaw pieces (upper and lower) with receptacles to receive simulated teeth, and specially-formed simulated teeth pieces that include a mechanical faster to allow for the one-time insertion of each tooth into the jaw pieces. The toy doll can be used with an evolving story media, that provides an imaginative and tangible conclusion to the “tooth fairy” tradition via a tangible physical representation that a child has given their expelled real primary teeth to the toy doll.

Abstract: Based at least in part on one or more characteristics relating to a measurement system, a polygonal space in a Fourier domain is determined. A representation of a function that is bandlimited within the polygonal space is computed.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing items and storing the sterilized items prior to use includes a container configured to receive items to be sterilized, a trap door coupled with the container, and a mechanism operatively coupled with the trap door and the container. The trap door is reconfigurable between an open configuration providing a fluid passage into the apparatus and a closed configuration in which the items are hermetically sealed within the apparatus. The mechanism is configured for selective reconfiguration of the trap door from the closed configuration to the open configuration and to automatically reconfigure the trap door from the open configuration to the closed configuration after completion of a sterilization of items disposed within the apparatus.

Abstract: Based at least in part on one or more characteristics relating to a measurement system, a polygonal space in a Fourier domain is determined. A representation of a function that is bandlimited within the polygonal space is computed.