Abstract: Systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer program products that can facilitate applying a reinforcement learning policy to available actions are described. According to an embodiment, a system can comprise a memory that stores computer executable components and a processor that executes the computer executable components stored in the memory. The computer executable components can comprise a state encoder that maps, based on one or more encoding parameters, a state of an environment on to one or more qubits of a quantum device. The system can further comprise a variational component that combines a reinforcement learning policy with a sampling of the one or more qubits, resulting, based on one or more variational parameters, in a probability distribution of a plurality of available actions at the state of the environment.

Abstract: A process for producing ethylene comprising introducing fuel, ethane/higher hydrocarbons, oxygen, steam to annular jet vortex chamber having combustion upstream of cracking to provide swirling fluid flow pattern producing cracking product (ethylene, acetylene, ethane, methane, 10-60 wt. % water, CO2, CO, hydrogen, oxygenates) having first temperature; cooling cracking product with residence <2,000 milliseconds yielding first cooled product having second temperature lowered by ?30° C.; cooling first cooled product yielding second cooled product having third temperature lowered by ?300° C.

Abstract: A combined ventilation and microwave oven system includes an external enclosure with a top portion defining recirculation vent outlets, a cooling air inlet, a cooling air outlet, and an outside vent outlet, first and second side portions, and a bottom portion defining a vent inlet. The vent inlet is connected with the recirculation vent outlets and the outside vent outlet via airflow pathways. A hood assembly is disposed within the external enclosure and includes a first hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the first side portion and a second hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the second side portion. The hood assembly is configured to direct air through the vent inlet and through an interior of the external enclosure. A cooling fan is disposed between the cooking cavity and the second side portion to direct air through the cooling air inlet and the cooling air outlet.

Abstract: In at least one aspect, a method can include shaping a block of flexible spacer material. The method can include shaping a portion of the block of flexible spacer material to receive a solid metal block. The method can include coupling the solid metal block to the portion of the block of flexible spacer material.

Abstract: An optical system including a dual-layer microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device, and methods of fabricating and operating the same are disclosed. Generally, the MEMS device includes a substrate having an upper surface; a top modulating layer including a number of light modulating micro-ribbons, each micro-ribbon supported above and separated from the upper surface of the substrate by spring structures in at least one lower actuating layer; and a mechanism for moving one or more of the micro-ribbons relative to the upper surface and/or each other. The spring structures are operable to enable the light modulating micro-ribbons to move continuously and vertically relative to the upper surface of the substrate while maintaining the micro-ribbons substantially parallel to one another and the upper surface of the substrate. The micro-ribbons can be reflective, transmissive, partially reflective/transmissive, and the device is operable to modulate a phase and/or amplitude of light incident thereon.

Abstract: An ophthalmic device includes an optic including an optic axis and a closed-loop haptic structure coupled to the optic via a frame surrounding the optic, the closed-loop haptic structure including a closed loop extending from first and second attachment points to the frame. The closed loop includes a first hinge and a second hinge. The first hinge has a first section having a first component extending in a first angular direction, a second section having a second component extending in a second angular direction opposite to the first angular direction, and a first connecting section between the first section and the second section. The second hinge has a third section having a third component extending in the second angular direction, a fourth section having a fourth component extending in the first angular direction, the fourth section being connected to the second section to form the closed loop.

Abstract: Provided are HIV-1 fusion polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding such fusion polypeptides, vectors expressing such fusion polypeptides for use in eliciting an immune response against HIV-1; pharmaceutical and immunogenic compositions and kits comprising such fusion polypeptides, polynucleotides or vectors, and methods of use in treating and/or preventing HIV-1. Further provided are methods for design of antiviral vaccines, including vaccines to elicit an immune response against HIV-1.

Abstract: A video conference call control system is provided with an audio mixer to receive an audio speech signal at one or more network devices connected to the video conference call; to generate first and second talker identification values from the audio speech signal; to compare the first and second talker identification values during a timing comparison window to determine if the first and second talker identification values are identical and received simultaneously or substantially contemporaneously; and to selectively mute one or more audio devices at the network device(s) if the first and second talker identification values are identical and received simultaneously or substantially contemporaneously so that microphone input signals to the audio mixer are muted to prevent “playback” echo effects and so that microphone input and audio loudspeaker output signals to the audio mixer are muted to prevent “double join” echo effects.

Abstract: A device including a housing that is substantially impermeable to ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength of from 280 nm to 400 nm, and at least one window defined in the housing, the window including a UV-C radiation band-pass mirror film having a multiplicity of alternating first and second optical layers collectively transmitting UV-C radiation at a wavelength from at least 100 nm to less than 280 nm and not transmitting UV-A and UV-B radiation at a wavelength of from 280 nm to 400 nm, and an ultraviolet radiation source positioned within the housing, the ultraviolet radiation source being capable of emitting ultraviolet radiation at one or more wavelength from 100 nm to 400 nm. The device optionally further includes an ultraviolet mirror film positioned within the housing so as to reflect ultraviolet radiation emitted by the ultraviolet radiation source. A method of disinfecting a material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A combined ventilation and microwave oven system includes an external enclosure with a top portion defining recirculation vent outlets, a cooling air inlet, a cooling air outlet, and an outside vent outlet, first and second side portions, and a bottom portion defining a vent inlet. The vent inlet is connected with the recirculation vent outlets and the outside vent outlet via airflow pathways. A hood assembly is disposed within the external enclosure and includes a first hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the first side portion and a second hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the second side portion. The hood assembly is configured to direct air through the vent inlet and through an interior of the external enclosure. A cooling fan is disposed between the cooking cavity and the second side portion to direct air through the cooling air inlet and the cooling air outlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel methods and compositions for conferring tolerance to glyphosate to plants. The invention also provides glyphosate-tolerant plants, seeds, tissue, cells, and plant parts comprising modified EPSP synthases and recombinant DNA molecules encoding modified EPSP synthases, as well as methods of producing the same and the use thereof.

Abstract: Integrated circuit structures having uniform grid metal gate and trench contact cut, and methods of fabricating integrated circuit structures having uniform grid metal gate and trench contact cut, are described. For example, an integrated circuit structure includes a vertical stack of horizontal nanowires. A gate electrode is over the vertical stack of horizontal nanowires. A conductive trench contact is adjacent to the gate electrode. A dielectric sidewall spacer is between the gate electrode and the conductive trench contact. A first dielectric cut plug structure extends through the gate electrode, through the dielectric sidewall spacer, and through the conductive trench contact. A second dielectric cut plug structure extends through the gate electrode, through the dielectric sidewall spacer, and through the conductive trench contact, the second dielectric cut plug structure laterally spaced apart from and parallel with the first dielectric cut plug structure.

Abstract: Spatial light modulators (SLMs) and systems using same are described. Generally, the system includes a laser, a fixture holding a workpiece to be processed using the laser, illumination optics to illuminate the SLM with laser light, imaging optics to focus modulated light from the SLM onto the workpiece, and a controller to control the laser, the SLM, imaging optics and the fixture to scan the modulated light across a workpiece surface. The SLM includes an array of microelectromechanical system based diffractors, each including an electrostatically deflectable member coupled to a first light reflective surface and to bring light reflected from the first light reflective surface into interference with light reflected from a second light reflective surface in the SLM. The controller is operable to provide analog gray-scale control of an intensity of modulated light reflected from each diffractor by controlling an electrostatic force generated by a driver coupled thereto.

Abstract: A method of positively detecting a target pathogen/molecule within a fluid sample and related test devices are described. The device includes a plurality of chambers in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship, and a plurality of isolation valves selectively actuatable to control fluid flow into and out of one or more of the plurality of chambers. The method includes providing the fluid sample into a first chamber of the device; opening a first one of the isolation valves to allow the fluid sample to flow from the first chamber into a second chamber, the second chamber containing an amplification reagent; opening a second one of the isolation valves to allow the fluid sample to flow from the second chamber into a third chamber, the third chamber containing a CRISPR/Cas reagent; illuminating the fluid sample in third chamber with light; and determining whether the fluid sample in the third chamber fluoresces in response to the light.

Abstract: A method of video coding, executable by a processor, includes receiving video data having a coding tree unit size, determining whether the coding tree unit size is greater than a predetermined threshold, and in response to the coding tree unit size being greater than the predetermined threshold, signaling, in a sequence parameter set (SPS), a first flag indicating whether a maximum transform size in luma samples is equal to 64. The first flag being equal to 1 specifies that the maximum transform size in luma samples is equal to 64, the first flag equal to 0 specifies that the maximum transform size in luma samples is equal to 32, and when not present, the first flag is inferred to be equal to 0.

Abstract: A system for monitoring organ health during treatment for cancer and the like makes use of physiological imaging of the kind used for treatment monitoring and organ-specific processing to provide a comprehensive assessment of treatment side-effects.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing reduced engine start times for a fumigation type internal combustion engine. A bypass is provided that directly connects the air-fuel mixer upstream of the compressor to the intake manifold, providing the air-fuel mixture to the intake manifold during engine startup.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method to remove metals present in a mixture comprising one or more organic amines comprising the step of contacting the mixture with a silica-polyethyleneimine adsorbent.

Abstract: A footwear component that includes a sole including a recessed area and a support member positioned in the recessed area, where the support member includes a main support, a front support that extends at least partially over a front end of the main support, and a rear support that extends at least partially below a rear end of the main support. A cushion member is positioned between the front support and the main support or the rear support and the main support, where the cushion member is configured to control movement of the front support or the rear support.

Abstract: An article of footwear including an upper, a sole attached to the upper, where the sole has a medial side and a lateral side, and a through-hole extending between the medial side and the lateral side, and a plurality of support members in the through-hole, where at least two of support members are a different size.