Abstract: A retractor system and related methods for use in spinal surgery procedures, including but not limited to fusing or repairing damaged or deteriorated intervertebral discs or vertebral bodies in the lower lumbar levels. The retractor system includes a plurality of blade assemblies coupled to a handle assembly, wherein each of the blade assemblies may be independently adjusted (e.g. length blade and/or blade angulation and/or blade rotation relative to the handle assembly) to provide unprecedented customization of an operative corridor extending to the surgical target site of the patient such that any number of spinal surgery procedures may be undertaken by a surgeon, including but not limited to spinal fusion procedures at the L5-S1 disc space.

Abstract: A fluid catalytic cracking unit fractionator comprising a fractionator column having a slurry pumparound section and a bottom liquid section. The slurry pumparound section comprises an upper bed and a lower bed each disposed in the fractionator column. The slurry pumparound section further comprises an upper liquid distributor (such as a spray header comprising a plurality of upper nozzles) disposed above the upper bed and configured to distribute liquid from the bottom liquid section onto the upper bed. The slurry pumparound section also comprises a lower liquid distributor (such as a spray header comprising a plurality of lower nozzles) disposed below the upper bed and above the lower bed and configured to distribute liquid from the bottom liquid section onto the lower bed.

Abstract: A fluid catalytic cracking unit fractionator comprising a fractionator column having a slurry pumparound section and a bottom liquid section. The slurry pumparound section comprises an upper bed and a lower bed each disposed in the fractionator column. The slurry pumparound section further comprises an upper liquid distributor (such as a spray header comprising a plurality of upper nozzles) disposed above the upper bed and configured to distribute liquid from the bottom liquid section onto the upper bed. The slurry pumparound section also comprises a lower liquid distributor (such as a spray header comprising a plurality of lower nozzles) disposed below the upper bed and above the lower bed and configured to distribute liquid from the bottom liquid section onto the lower bed.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments include a valuation system to measure sponsorship exposure in social media, including the ability to use multiple valuation methods, such as CPV, CPM, and CPE, integrated into the valuation system, in a real-time manner, while aggregating the most up-to-date data. It may categorize the social media by media type, image, video or text, and may run different valuation strategies based on the media type. It may adapt a valuation strategy based on the source platform of the publication, detect the sponsorship exposures and inputs into the valuation method, as one or more factors to the valuations system, in the real-time matter. Additionally, granular valuation may be supported, given the output from the AI-driven system, on brand, asset, scene, and media exposure types. It also supports valuation on a real-time ad rate, a device factor, customization based on user configurations, e.g., discounted factor, and/or supports live stream.

Abstract: A cascade auto-review system for automated classification and annotation of input is provided. An example system is structure adaptive and task oriented and includes a communication module configured to receive the input including images, videos, and metadata. The system further includes a plurality of subsystems. Each subsystem has a series of successive classifier stages configured to detect tags in the input and approve or reject the tags based on the images, the videos, and the metadata. The system further includes a database to store results of the classification and annotation. The results are used to train computer vision and machine learning algorithms.

Abstract: A sponsorship exposure metric system and a method for determining sponsorship exposure metrics are provided. An example system includes a processor configured to analyze a source media based on predetermined parameters. The source media may include a sponsor message. The processor is further configured to determine, based on the analysis, sponsorship exposure metrics associated with the sponsor message. The sponsorship exposure metrics may include at least one of the following: a brand exposure, an asset exposure, a scene type exposure, an active exposure, and a passive exposure. The processor is further configured to provide the sponsorship exposure metrics to a sponsor associated with the sponsor message.

Abstract: Physical-layer authentication based on the channel response over a wireless medium are described. In a first authentication scheme, a count is kept of how many significant multipath taps remain empty or occupied from one channel estimate to the next for authentication purposes. In a second authentication scheme, which does not require an alternative means of initial authentication, the presence of a multipath component based on a reported position of a transmitter and the side knowledge of planar reflectors in the environment may be leveraged for authentication purposes.

Abstract: A base filter for a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) filter of a header assembly in a fluid reservoir is disclosed may include first and second semi-cylindrical holder portions having a semi-cylindrical walls concluding at abutment surfaces that face and engage when the base filter is assembled. The semi-cylindrical holder portions have one or more mounting tabs extending inward from inner surfaces of the semi-cylindrical walls. The header assembly may include a header with a cylindrical header boss having mounting recess defined therein. The mounting tabs may be circumferentially spaced about the semi-cylindrical walls to align with and be inserted into the mounting recesses of the header boss the base filter is assembled on the cylindrical header boss. Fasteners may be inserted through fastener bosses of the semi-cylindrical holder portions and into fastener bores of the header boss to hold the semi-cylindrical holder portions together and on the header.

Abstract: A configurator design tool is provided to facilitate the manufacture of pre-configured multi-fiber optical cable and loaded optical fiber cable storage reels. The configurator design tool also facilitates the configuration of fiber-optic data centers or other types of fiber-optic infrastructure. The present disclosure also contemplates methodology for manufacturing pre-configured multi-fiber optical cable and loaded optical fiber cable storage reels, and for configuring fiber-optic data centers or other types of fiber-optic infrastructure. Additional embodiments relate to contemplated pre-configured multi-fiber optical cable loaded optical fiber cable storage reels, and to fiber-optic data centers or other types of fiber-optic infrastructures.

Abstract: Physical-layer authentication based on the channel response over a wireless medium are described. In a first authentication scheme, a count is kept of how many significant multipath taps remain empty or occupied from one channel estimate to the next for authentication purposes. In a second authentication scheme, which does not require an alternative means of initial authentication, the presence of a multipath component based on a reported position of a transmitter and the side knowledge of planar reflectors in the environment may be leveraged for authentication purposes.

Abstract: A base filter for a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) filter of a header assembly in a fluid reservoir is disclosed may include first and second semi-cylindrical holder portions having a semi-cylindrical walls concluding at abutment surfaces that face and engage when the base filter is assembled. The semi-cylindrical holder portions have one or more mounting tabs extending inward from inner surfaces of the semi-cylindrical walls. The header assembly may include a header with a cylindrical header boss having mounting recess defined therein. The mounting tabs may be circumferentially spaced about the semi-cylindrical walls to align with and be inserted into the mounting recesses of the header boss the base filter is assembled on the cylindrical header boss. Fasteners may be inserted through fastener bosses of the semi-cylindrical holder portions and into fastener bores of the header boss to hold the semi-cylindrical holder portions together and on the header.

Abstract: A cuff link that doubles as a multipurpose tool is provided, wherein the multipurpose tool provides both screwdriver and bottle opener functionality. The cuff link tool has a head plat perpendicularly joined to two spaced apart bracket members. Between the two spaced apart bracket members a link post is pivotally connected about an axle that extends between the distal ends of the two spaced apart bracket members. So not only can the link post operate as such, because terminates in a screwdriver interface, can be used as a screwdriver when a user rotates the head plat. An off-center notch is provided in the head plat, so that it too may be discretely used as a bottle opener.

Abstract: A ferrule includes a body extending in a longitudinal direction between a front end and a back end of the ferrule. The front end defines a first end face and a pedestal extending from the first end face in the longitudinal direction. The ferrule also includes first and second groups of micro-holes extending into the body from the first end face. Each micro-hole is configured to receive an optical fiber. The pedestal is positioned between the first and second groups of micro-holes. Optical connectors including the ferrule are also disclosed, as are cable assemblies and related methods.

Abstract: A digital exciter is presented herein for use in RF broadcasting and wherein the exciter employs pilot signal compensation. This includes an input digital circuit for receiving a modulated digital data at an input sample rate for RF broadcasting at a desired RF frequency. The pilot frequency may be displaced from a desired location at the frequency band because of an error in the input sample rate. A digital compensator determines whether the pilot frequency is displaced and provides a digital correction signal in accordance therewith. A digital correction circuit corrects the pilot frequency in accordance with the correction signal.

Abstract: A digital exciter is presented herein for use in RF broadcasting and wherein the exciter employs pilot signal compensation. This includes an input digital circuit for receiving a modulated digital data at an input sample rate for RF broadcasting at a desired RF frequency. The pilot frequency may be displaced from a desired location at the frequency band because of an error in the input sample rate. A digital compensator determines whether the pilot frequency is displaced and provides a digital correction signal in accordance therewith. A digital correction circuit corrects the pilot frequency in accordance with the correction signal.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for image registration and display of relevant information. The method includes identifying one or more anatomical parts in an acquired image, mapping the acquired image to a reference image based on the one or more anatomical parts, storing anatomy information in relation to the acquired image, and displaying the acquired image based on the anatomy information. The method may also include controlling the displaying of the acquired image based on a voice command related to the anatomy information. Anatomy information may be displayed with the acquired image. Anatomy information may include clinical information, reference information, disease process information, a related image, and/or drug interaction information, for example. The acquired image may be displayed according to a display setting, such as a window level setting and/or other display setting, based on the anatomy information.

Abstract: A wire harness grommet assembly includes a sheet metal panel having a speaker hole and a grommet for supporting a wire harness from an audio speaker disposed in the speaker hole. The sheet metal panel has an emboss formed along a peripheral edge of the speaker hole. The grommet has an extension portion and an attachment portion. The extension portion has a tube for supporting the wire harness therein. The attachment portion is disposed within the emboss so that an outer surface of the attachment portion is substantially continuous with an outer surface of the sheet metal panel.

Abstract: This invention provides a mold for forming a contact lens comprising an overflow collector, which causes the overflow reactive mixture to be accumulated, and not to spread out as it would upon the typically flat surface of a prior art mold. This invention further provides a method of preventing the formation of contaminating pieces of overflow reactive mixture comprising the step of: preventing the overflow reactive mixture from spreading out on the mold.

Abstract: A design device and method of manufacturing a vertical cavity surface emitting laser with a visual indicator for determining exposure to electrostatic discharge (ESD) or electrical overstress (EOS). Either an on-chip or off-chip fuse used in series or in parallel with the VCSEL that provides a visual indicator that the device has been subjected to an ESD or EOS event.

Abstract: A fire protection device for holding a fire extinguishing agent. The device is made from a dual-face enclosure coupled to one another through internal ribs, and is configured such that a single chamber defined by the faces and ribs is configured to contain all of the agent. The coupling between the ribs and the two panel faces promotes transfer of an energy source, such as ballistic impact, explosion or excessive temperature, to the front face to promote cracking and subsequent shattering of the front face in a brittle manner. This opening up of the front face releases the fire extinguishing agent in a thorough and well-dispersed manner.