Abstract: Image sensors with precharge boost are disclosed herein. An example image sensor may include pixels that each include a photodiode to receive image light and produce image charge in response, a floating diffusion to receive the image charge, a transfer gate to couple the photodiode to the floating diffusion in response to a transfer control signal, a reset gate to couple a reset voltage to the floating diffusion in response to a reset control signal, and a boost capacitor coupled between the floating diffusion and a boost voltage source, wherein, during a precharge operation, the boost voltage is provided to the boost capacitor for a portion of time the transfer gate is enabled and while the reset gate is disabled.

Abstract: A method for offering suggestion during conversation, an electronic device using the same, and a non-transitory storage medium are provided. The method includes listening to a conversation on a first electronic device and a second electronic device, and determining whether the conversation satisfies a recommendation criterion. The method also includes determining whether at least one suggestion information exists in a database if the conversation satisfies the recommendation criterion. The method further includes displaying at least one suggestion option related to the at least one suggestion information on the first electronic device if the at least one suggestion information exists in the database.

Abstract: For automatic updates to fabric alert definitions, a method monitors fabric alert definitions defined for a storage area network having a plurality of switches and a plurality of fabrics. The fabric alert definitions define alert conditions within the storage area network relevant to events occurring within one or more of the plurality of fabrics. The method further detects one or more changes to the plurality of fabrics by discovering relationships between each fabric and each switch within the storage area network and comparing current relationships against previous relationships. In addition, the method automatically modifies fabric alert definitions having a reference to changed fabrics responsive to detection of the one or more changes to the plurality of fabrics.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to cool a vehicle heat source are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a first tank and a second tank. The first tank and the second tank are disposed on a vehicle. The second tank is in fluid communication with the first tank. An engine of the vehicle is to be supplied with fuel from at least one of the first tank or the second tank. The example apparatus also includes a cooling system disposed on the vehicle to cool the fuel flowing from the first tank to the second tank. The example apparatus further includes a heat exchanger operatively coupled to a heat source disposed on the vehicle. The fuel from the second tank is to flow to the first tank via the heat exchanger to cool the heat source.

Abstract: A cold drink pack that provides consumers with an independent plastic drink container that they take with them anywhere on the go. The cold drink pack includes a drinking container containing a cold drink, one or more cold chemical icepacks disposed on each one or more interior walls of the drinking container, a drinking stem extending from a top middle portion of the drinking container to prevent spilling the cold drink contained within the drinking container while drinking the cold drink, a vent stem and a cap adapted to be placed over the drinking stem to contain the cold drink within the drinking container. The cold drink pack has one or more cold chemical icepacks that each have an insulated outer wall to retain cold within the drinking container and a non-insulated inner wall to promote chilling the cold drink contained within the drinking container.

Abstract: Electronic voting including a registration authority server, an election authority server, and a voter-host computer connected to an electronic identity card associated with a voter casting a vote. The registration authority server computer and the secure electronic identity card establish a first cross-domain unlinkable pseudonym for the secure electronic identification token, the first cross-domain unlinkable pseudonym being unique to the electronic identity card and the registration authority. The registration authority writes a vote-eligibility attribute on the electronic identity card. The election authority server computer retrieves a second cross-domain unlinkable pseudonym and the vote-eligibility attribute from the electronic identity card, the second cross-domain unlinkable pseudonym being associated with the election authority, and writes an attribute on the electronic identity card indicative of receipt of a vote cast by the voter.

Abstract: A downhole tool (32) comprises a tool housing (34) defining a central bore (35) and including a fluid port (20), and a valve member (40) mounted within the housing (34) and being moveable from a closed position in which the fluid port (20) is blocked to an open position in which the fluid port (20) is opened. The tool (32) further comprises a catching arrangement (41) mounted within the housing (34) and comprising one or more radially moveable seat members (106), and being configurable from a free configuration in which the seat members (106) permit an object (48) to pass through the tool (32), to a catching configuration in which the seat members (106) catch an object (48) passing through the tool (32).

Abstract: This relates to methods and devices for achieving contact between the wall of a cavity or passageway and a medical device when used in tortuous anatomy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for detection and quantification of individual target molecules in biomolecular samples. In particular, the invention relates to improved, stable nanoreporter probes that are capable of binding to and identifying target molecules based on the probes' uniquely detectable signal. Methods for identifying target-specific sequences for inclusion in the probes are also provided, as are methods of making and using such probes. Polynucleotide sequences of certain nanoreporter components are also provided. The probes can be used in diagnostic, prognostic, quality control and screening applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a tooth whitening compositions comprising at least one hydrophobic polymer carrier; cetylpyridinium chloride; and at least one whitening agent, wherein the composition is free of water. Also disclosed herein are methods for reducing microbial growth on the surface of an oral care device comprising contacting the oral care device with saliva and a tooth whitening composition comprising at least one hydrophobic polymer carrier; cetylpyridinium chloride; and at least one whitening agent, wherein the composition is free of water.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a diffuser assembly configured to be disposed in an extraction path of an extracting solvent in an extraction vessel. The diffuser assembly includes a housing configured to be disposed within the extraction vessel, the housing including an inner surface and an outer surface. The diffuser assembly includes an inlet structure disposed within the housing. The diffuser assembly includes an outlet structure disposed within the housing and spaced from the inlet structure to form a mixing chamber between the inlet structure and the outlet structure. The inlet structure and the outlet structure each have a porosity configured for passage of the extracting solvent therethrough. Passage of the extracting solvent through the inlet structure, the mixing chamber, and the outlet structure redistributes flow of the extracting solvent along the extraction path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a resin having a plurality of cyclic carbonate groups comprising the reaction product of: a) an epoxidized sucrose fatty acid ester resin, and b) carbon dioxide where a) and b) are reacted under conditions sufficient to carbonylate a plurality of the oxirane groups of the epoxidized sucrose fatty acid ester resin, and optionally in the presence of a catalyst or of a solvent. In one embodiment the epoxidized sucrose fatty acid ester resin is epoxidized sucrose soyate. The invention also relates to methods for producing a resin having a plurality of cyclic carbonate groups. In a method of the invention, an epoxidized sucrose fatty acid ester resin is contacted with carbon dioxide under conditions sufficient to carbonylate a plurality of the oxirane groups of the epoxidized sucrose fatty acid ester resin, and optionally in the presence of a catalyst or of a solvent.

Abstract: The present application is directed to an aqueous pharmaceutical formulation comprising less than about 5% w/v sodium deoxycholate maintained at a pH sufficient to substantially inhibit precipitation of the sodium deoxycholate. Also disclosed herein, are methods for inhibiting precipitation of sodium deoxycholate in an aqueous solution comprising less than about 5% w/v of sodium deoxycholate, said method comprising maintaining pH of the solution of from at least about 8.0 to about 8.5.

Abstract: A coupon-minter is configured to perform operations including: generating a coupon comprising encrypted discount information, wherein the encrypted discount information is encrypted with a discount key; generating, for the coupon, a hashlock from a preimage; introducing the coupon to a blockchain in association with the hashlock, wherein the blockchain is configured to permit claiming of the generated coupon only upon receiving access to the preimage used to generate the hashlock. A store-manager configured to perform operations including: claiming, using the preimage, the coupon in the blockchain; encrypting the discount key with a clearing-house public key; updating the coupon with the encrypted discount key. A clearing-house-manager configured to perform operations comprising: detecting the store-manager's claiming of the coupon; decrypting the encrypted discount key with a clearing-house private key to re-generate the discount key; and decrypting the encrypted discount information with the preimage.

Abstract: The invention provides polyfunctional bio-based methacrylate oligomers, which are synthesized via the ring-opening reaction between at least one ethylenically unsaturated acid selected from methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, and crotonic acid, and a polyfunctional bio-based epoxy resin, such as epoxidized sucrose soyate. The extent of reaction may be varied to generate a family of methacrylate oligomers with differing degrees of methacrylate. These methacrylate oligomers can optionally be mixed with a reactive diluent, such as styrene, and cured using, for example, a thermally-activated free radical initiator to form a thermoset polymer with high modulus. The thermosets can be used to form composites, adhesives, coatings, and dental restorative materials. Methods of making the methacrylate oligomers are disclosed as are coating compositions and coated objects, such as dental restorative materials, using the methacrylate oligomers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a protein purification system and methods of using the system. In particular, disclosed is a split intein comprising an N-terminal intein segment, which can be immobilized, and a C-terminal intein segment, which has the property of being self-cleaving, and which can be attached to a protein of interest. Through the self-cleaving mechanism of the intein, the protein of interest can be purified.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus of receiving and processing customer support calls. The calls may be initiated from a mobile/wireless device via a call function or via a mobile device application. An example method of operation may provide receiving a call from a mobile device and identifying the call as a customer service support inquiry. The method may further provide intercepting the call and redirecting the call to an interactive voice response proxy device responsive to identifying the call as a customer service support inquiry, accessing a database responsive to receiving the call and retrieving a data record that was created when the call was initiated.

Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear includes a spray formed first layer including a first material, and a second layer including a second material, the second layer being adhered to the first layer. A transition zone is defined at a transition between the first layer and the second layer, and the transition zone includes a mixture of the first and second materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel curable bio-based thermosetting compositions of a) at least one highly-functional bio-based epoxy resin; and b) at least one carboxylic acid crosslinker selected from the group consisting of a water-soluble multifunctional carboxylic acid, a dicarboxylic acid oligomer from a melt reaction between a diol and a dicarboxylic acid or its anhydride, and mixtures thereof and which are curable with water, an alcohol or a water and alcohol mixture. The bio-based thermosets of the invention may be free of VOCs and/or organic solvents. The bio-based thermosets of the invention can be used to form coatings, composites, adhesives, and films. Methods of making the bio-based thermosets of the invention are disclosed as are coating compositions and coated objects, such as coatings, composites, adhesives, and films, using the bio-based thermosets of the invention.

Abstract: A method of forming an upper for an article of footwear includes providing a first material layer over a shoe last, providing a second material layer over the first material layer such that the first and second material layers adhere to each other at an interface between the first and second material layers, where one or both of the first material layer and second material layer is provided by spray forming a polymer material onto the last. The material layers are removed from the last and turned inside out such that the first material layer includes an exposed surface that forms an exterior surface of the upper.