Abstract: In one embodiment, a coupler includes a glass tube having a refractive index n3 and a passageway, a first optical waveguide and a second optical waveguide positioned within the passageway, each of the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide comprising a core surrounded by a cladding. The glass tube further includes a tapered region having a taper length. A coupling region is present between the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide within the tapered region. A refractive index of the cladding is less than a refractive index of the core, and a lowest refractive index of the cladding of the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide is n2. Additionally, n3 is lower than n2 such that a value of ?2-3 is 0.07%??2-3?0.125, where ?2-3 equals (n22?n32)/2n22.

Abstract: A polarization-multiplexed radiator system, preferably including one or more electron splitters, undulator networks, electron combiners, and/or optics, and preferably integrated into a light source system that can include one or more accelerator modules and/or radiator modules. A method of operation, preferably including receiving high-energy electrons, separating electrons, and/or generating optical outputs S330, and optionally including separating outputs, providing the optical outputs, and/or outputting electrons.

Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques for interacting with visitors at a visitor interaction system. A method includes obtaining video data captured by the visitor interaction system, identifying an approach of a person, and analyzing the video data to determine an identity of the person. The method includes automatically and without user intervention determining that the person belongs to a visitor groups of a plurality of visitor groups. Each of the visitor groups corresponds to a response model that includes a plurality of response actions. At least one of the response actions includes an autonomous response action. The method includes identifying a response model corresponding to the visitor groups and initiating an autonomous response action associated with the response model. Initiating the autonomous response action including presenting a message to the person, monitoring a response to the message, and sending a report message to the user via a client device.

Abstract: A hard surface cleaning composition, methods of cleaning a hard surface with a low hysteresis composition and disposable premoistened pads for cleaning hard surfaces are provided. The hard surface cleaning composition includes from 0.01 wt. % to 7 wt. % of a solvent selected from the group consisting of a propylene glycol phenyl ether, a dipropylene glycol phenyl ethers and mixtures thereof and at least 92% water. The cleaning composition has a pH from about 3.5 to 9.5 and is free of anionic surfactant and alkanolamine.

Abstract: A hard surface cleaning composition, methods of cleaning a hard surface with a low hysteresis composition and disposable premoistened pads for cleaning hard surfaces are provided. The hard surface cleaning composition includes from 0.01 wt. % to 7 wt. % of a solvent selected from the group consisting of a propylene glycol phenyl ether, a dipropylene glycol phenyl ethers and mixtures thereof and at least 92% water. The cleaning composition has a pH from about 3.5 to 9.5 and is free of anionic surfactant and alkanolamine.

Abstract: Embodiments are for processor cross-core cache line contention management. A computer-implemented method includes sending a cross-invalidate command to one or more caches based on receiving a cache state change request for a cache line in a symmetric multiprocessing system and determining a retry delay based on receiving a cross-invalidate reject response from at least one of the one or more caches. The computer-implemented method also includes waiting until a retry delay period associated with the retry delay has elapsed to resend the cross-invalidate command to the one or more caches and granting the cache state change request for the cache line based on receiving a cross-invalidate accept response from the one or more caches.

Abstract: A system is provided that can provide a virtual assistant that can receive inputs from a user and can provide responses to the user. The system can perform natural language processing on the inputs to process the inputs into inputs that are comprehendible by the virtual assistant. Additionally, the system can determine the live agent that can be best suited to assist the user based on the processed inputs. The system can connect the user and the live agent. The virtual assistant can facilitate the connection by providing information to the user and to the live agent.

Abstract: A tailsitter aircraft includes an airframe, a thrust array attached to the airframe and a flight control system. The thrust array includes propulsion assemblies configured to transition the airframe from a forward flight orientation to a VTOL orientation at a conversion rate for an approach to a target ground location in a forward flight-to-VTOL transition phase. The flight control system implements an adaptive transition system including a transition parameter monitoring module configured to monitor parameters including a ground speed and a distance to the target ground location. The adaptive transition system includes a transition adjustment determination module configured to adjust the conversion rate of the airframe from the forward flight orientation to the VTOL orientation based on the ground speed and the distance to the target ground location such that the airframe is vertically aligned with the target ground location in the VTOL orientation of the forward flight-to-VTOL transition phase.

Abstract: Navigation and simulation systems and methods for minimally invasive therapy in which the navigation system imports a planning method using patient specific preoperative images. The navigation system uses intraoperative imaging during the medical procedure to update the preoperative images and provides images of tracked surgical tools along the surgical path prepared from the preoperative images.

Abstract: An electrode lead comprises an elongated lead body, at least one lead connector terminal affixed to the proximal end of the lead body, and an electrically insulative cuff body affixed to the distal end of the lead body. The cuff body is configured for being circumferentially disposed around a nerve. The cuff body comprises cutouts, slits, a wrinkled portion, a thin stretchable portion, and/or a serpentine strap, which increases that increase the expandability of the cuff body when disposed around the nerve. The electrode lead further comprises at least one electrode contact affixed to the cuff body, and at least one electrical conductor extending through the lead body between the at least one lead connector terminal and the electrode contact(s). If the cuff body comprises cutouts or slits, the electrode lead can further comprise a thin stretchable film affixed to the cuff body over cutouts or slits.

Abstract: A method of creating a digital activity may include selecting an interactive digital design element to be added to the digital activity, the interactive digital design element configured to allow multiple users to interact with the interactive digital design element when deploying the digital activity. The method may include generating a data structure, the data structure representative of a repository into which data representative of user inputs are stored when interacting with the interactive digital design element when deployed. The method may include deploying the interactive digital design element in a visual space shared between the multiple users.

Abstract: A system that implements a data storage service may store data for a database table in multiple replicated partitions on respective storage nodes. In response to a request to back up a table, the service may back up individual partitions of the table to a remote storage system independently and (in some cases) in parallel, and may update (or create) and store metadata about the table and its partitions on storage nodes of the data storage service and/or in the remote storage system. Backing up each partition may include exporting it from the database in which the table is stored, packaging and compressing the exported partition for upload, and uploading the exported, packaged, and compressed partition to the remote storage system. The remote storage system may be a key-value durable storage system in which each backed-up partition is accessible using its partition identifier as the key.

Abstract: A tool interchange for a submersible remote operated vehicle (ROV) arm includes a first interchange body that affixes to an ROV arm. A second interchange body is carried by the first interchange body to rotate on a rotation axis. The second interchange body includes a tool mount actuable between gripping an ROV tool to the second interchange body and releasing the ROV tool from the second interchange body. An inductive power coupling part is provided in the tool mount. The inductive power coupling part is presented outwardly in the tool mount opposite the first interchange body, resides on the rotation axis and is fixed with respect to the first interchange body while the second interchange body rotates. The inductive power coupling part is adapted to inductively communicate power with a corresponding inductor power coupling part of the ROV tool when the ROV tool is docked in the tool mount.

Abstract: A lower-level cache managing cross-core invalidation (XI) snapshots in a shared-memory multiprocessing system, wherein the management of XI snapshots reduces an amount of required snapshots while allowing shared lower-level caches, comprising: the lower-level cache maintaining respective response sync state for at least one processor in a plurality of processors signifying that a line may have been changed by another processor since last fetched by a requesting processor.

Abstract: A secure digital network environment is provided by integrating OTP keys as part of quantum-safe data systems solutions (QPN Solutions), including the use of one-time-pad (OTP) keys to encrypt data, support multi-factor authentication and secure all communications between devices in the secure digital network environment. The OTP keys are “pre-loaded” to endpoint (EP) devices to render them quantum-safe (QS) when connected into the secure digital network environment, or are otherwise provided through removable media to be loaded into user supplied appliances, devices and accessories to render them QS when connected into the secure digital network environment. The application of QPN Solutions refers to the application of QPN enabled technologies to provide a secure digital network environment includes risk assessment and management solutions for establishing and managing cyber security insurable risks and policies.

Abstract: A lift cart includes a lift table that moves between a raised position and a lowest position and a braking device attached to the lift cart. A braking device includes an actuator, a linkage bar, and a first brake assembly. The linkage bar connects to the actuator. The linkage bar translates in a first direction upon activation of the actuator. The first brake assembly connects to the linkage bar. The first brake assembly moves from a deployed state to a retracted state as the linkage bar translates in the first direction.

Abstract: A method for managing designated authority status in a cache line includes identifying an initial designated authority (DA) member cache for a cache line, transferring DA status from the initial DA member cache to a new DA member cache, determining whether the new DA member cache is active, indicating a final state of the initial DA cache responsive to determining that the new DA member cache is active, and overriding a DA state in a cache control structure in a directory. A method for managing cache accesses during a designated authority transfer includes receiving a designated authority (DA) status transfer request, receiving an indication that a first cache will invalidate its copy of the cache line, allowing a second cache to assume DA status for the cache line, and denying access to the first cache's copy of the cache line until invalidation by the first cache is complete.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided. The method includes determining whether a rejection of a request is required and determining whether the request is software forward progress (SFP)-likely or SFP-unlikely upon determining that the rejection of the request is required. The method also includes executing a first pseudo random decision to set or not set a requested state of the request in an event the request is SFP-likely or SFP-unlikely, respectively, and rejecting the request following execution of the second pseudo random decision.