Abstract: Merchandise security systems and methods are provided. In one example, a merchandise security system includes a plurality of electronic keys and a plurality of merchandise security devices located within a retail store. Each electronic key and each merchandise security device is configured to store one or more serial numbers. In addition, each electronic key is configured to be authorized for communication with one or more merchandise security devices within the retail store. An electronic key is configured to communicate with a merchandise security device for locking, unlocking, arming, and/or disarming the merchandise security device when the serial numbers match.

Abstract: Security systems and methods for protecting retail display merchandise from theft are provided. For example, a security system includes a sensor configured to removably engage an input port of an item of merchandise, and a monitoring component configured to wirelessly communicate with the sensor and to removably support the sensor thereon, wherein the monitoring component and the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine a proximity of the item of merchandise relative to the monitoring component, wherein the monitoring component and/or the sensor is configured to initiate a security signal when the proximity between the monitoring component and the sensor is not within a predetermined range, and wherein the monitoring component and/or the sensor is configured to initiate a security signal in response to the sensor being removed from the input port of the item of merchandise.

Abstract: Security systems and methods for protecting portable electronic devices from theft are provided. For example, a security system includes a sensor configured to be secured to a portable electronic device, and a monitoring component configured to wirelessly communicate with the sensor and to removably support the sensor thereon, wherein the monitoring component and the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine a proximity of the portable electronic device relative to the monitoring component, wherein the monitoring component and/or the sensor is configured to initiate a security signal when the proximity between the monitoring component and the sensor is not within a predetermined range. The sensor and the monitoring component are configured to communicate with one another for initially setting the predetermined range.

Abstract: A method of generating video frames for a cloud-based video game includes obtaining, via a communications network, a plurality of frames of a video game rendered at a cloud device; obtaining a player input received at an input device, the input device being used to play the video game, the player input being received in response to the display of at least one of the obtained video frames; inputting at least one of the obtained video frames and the player input to a prediction model; and synthesizing, based on the output of the prediction model, a subsequent frame for output at a display, and outputting the synthesized video frame at the display.

Abstract: Wearable devices for sensing neuromuscular signals using a small number of sensor pairs are disclosed. One example wrist-wearable device a band. The band includes a plurality of sensors arranged in the band configured to be worn on a wrist of a user, the plurality of sensors configured to sense electrical signals travelling through the wrist of the user and to output signals comprising information indicating a movement of the wrist, a hand, and/or fingers of the user. The band further includes one or more processors configured to determine a gesture of the user based at least in part on the information indicating the movement of the wrist, the hand, and/or the fingers of the user. The one or more processors are further configured to output a flag that identifies the determined gesture.

Abstract: A human CD40L-specific Tn3 molecule and therapeutic uses thereof.

Abstract: Wearable devices for sensing neuromuscular signals using a small number of sensor pairs are disclosed. One example wrist-wearable device includes eight pairs of neuromuscular-signal sensors. Each pair of neuromuscular-signal sensors is positioned over a portion of a wrist of a user while the wrist-wearable device is worn by the user. Each pair of neuromuscular-signal sensors further includes a first and second electrodes configured to be used as a differential sensor of neuromuscular signals travelling through the wrist of the user, and electrical signal-processing circuitry configured to amplify and filter neuromuscular signals received from the first and second electrodes to produce processed neuromuscular signals. The wrist-wearable device also includes a shared ground electrode configured to ground both the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for controlling black sigatoka, or black leaf streak, disease in banana plants using pongamia oil and formulations thereof. The present disclosure also provides formulations comprising pongamia oil, including emulsions and emulsifiable concentrates, for use in the control of black sigatoka.

Abstract: Wearable devices having a primary and secondary power source are disclosed, wherein the secondary power sources are located in links of a band portion of the wearable device and the secondary power sources provide a secondary source of power beyond that provided by the primary power source. One exemplary wrist-wearable device includes a centralized processor pod having a primary power source, a wireless communication radio, and one or more sensors. The exemplary wrist-wearable device further includes a band with a plurality of links. Each of the plurality of links can include a secondary power source. The exemplary wrist-wearable device further includes communicative pathways that can be configured to convey at least power and data between the links and centralized processor pod. The communicative pathways can be configured to convey power from the secondary sources of power to the centralized processor pod beyond the power provided by the primary power source.

Abstract: In a perforating gun, shaped charges can be configured to be rotatable with respect to each other and can be secured in a predetermined phasing by an alignment rod that can be helical with a pitch that defines the phasing. The shaped charges can be supported by holders, which can be directly connected to each other to be infinitely rotatable and can also be attached to and/or retained by the alignment rod via alignment connectors. The alignment connectors can also be configured to hold detonation and signal cords. This shaped charge alignment approach can facilitate manufacturing and assembly, for instance since a single design of holders and other components of the assembly can be used with various different alignment rods to provide the desired phasing based on well design criteria.

Abstract: A setting tool for setting frac plugs and the like can include a mandrel having a chamber for housing expandable gas and a gas port in fluid communication with the chamber; a firing head secured to the mandrel for igniting a power charge to generate pressurized gas within the chamber; a barrel piston housing the mandrel and connected to a sleeve for setting the frac plug; and an expansion region defined between the mandrel and the barrel piston and receiving the pressurized gas which exerts force to cause a stroke of the barrel piston over the mandrel as the expansion region expands axially. The setting tool can include various features, such as certain gas bleed systems, an enhanced shear screw assembly, a bleed port and plug assembly, a scribe line, a particular gas port configuration, a liquid escape conduit, no-shoulder barrel configuration, and/or a low-force design for frac plugs.

Abstract: Various implementations power homes and businesses without needing to connect to electric utility company-provided power, i.e., they can operate off-grid. The system may include a first power source (e.g., solar, generator, fuel cell, etc.) and an enclosure installed at a premises. The enclosure may at least partially enclose or otherwise provide one or more batteries, one or more inverters, one or more switches, and one or more electrical wires. The switches may include an isolation switch, where, when the isolation switch is closed, a second power source separate from the first power source provides power to the building and the one or more batteries. The electrical wires may electrically connect the system to a main panel of the building, where the main panel is configured to provide power received from the system to the building.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of a pressure hose having an improved reinforcement layer. In some embodiments, the reinforcement layer of the pressure hose has a reinforcement volumetric ratio (RVR) of greater than or equal to 110%. The reinforcement layer can include a plurality of braided beams, with each beam comprising a plurality of ends. In some embodiments, the plurality of ends within a beam are arranged in a multi-layer orientation. In some embodiments, the number of ends and the end orientation within each beam is identical amongst all beams in the reinforcement layer. The shape, size, and arrangement of the ends within a beam can all be adjusted to increase the surface area to volume ratio and, correspondingly, the RVR of the reinforcement layer.

Abstract: Wearable devices for sensing neuromuscular signals using a small number of sensor pairs are disclosed. One example wrist-wearable device includes eight pairs of neuromuscular-signal sensors. Each pair of neuromuscular-signal sensors is positioned over a portion of a wrist of a user while the wrist-wearable device is worn by the user. Each pair of neuromuscular-signal sensors further includes a first and second electrodes configured to be used as a differential sensor of neuromuscular signals travelling through the wrist of the user, and electrical signal-processing circuitry configured to amplify and filter neuromuscular signals received from the first and second electrodes to produce processed neuromuscular signals. The wrist-wearable device also includes a shared ground electrode configured to ground both the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A method of deploying autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), the method comprising loading the AUVs into a deployment device; submerging the deployment device containing the AUVs after the AUVs have been loaded into the deployment device; towing the submerged deployment device containing the AUVs with a surface vessel; deploying the AUVs from the submerged deployment device as it is towed by the surface vessel; and operating a thruster of each AUV after it has been deployed so that it moves away from the submerged deployment device. A method of retrieving autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) is also disclosed, the method comprising towing a submerged retrieval device with a surface vessel; loading the AUVs into the submerged retrieval device as it is towed by the surface vessel; and after the AUVs have been loaded into the submerged retrieval device, lifting the submerged retrieval device containing the AUVs out of the water and onto the surface vessel.

Abstract: Wearable devices having a primary and secondary power source are disclosed, wherein the secondary power sources are located in links of a band portion of the wearable device and the secondary power sources provide a secondary source of power beyond that provided by the primary power source. One exemplary wrist-wearable device includes a centralized processor pod having a primary power source, a wireless communication radio, and one or more sensors. The exemplary wrist-wearable device further includes a band with a plurality of links. Each of the plurality of links can include a secondary power source. The exemplary wrist-wearable device further includes communicative pathways that can be configured to convey at least power and data between the links and centralized processor pod. The communicative pathways can be configured to convey power from the secondary sources of power to the centralized processor pod beyond the power provided by the primary power source.

Abstract: Various implementations power homes and businesses without needing to connect to electric utility company-provided power, i.e., they can operate off-grid. Generally the system includes solar panel racks (e.g., photovoltaic cells on sheets stabilized using ballasts, anchors, or mounting) that generate electrical power used to provide power to a building or that is stored on batteries. The system includes the solar panel racks and an enclosure to be installed at the premises and separate from the building. The enclosure includes the batteries and inverters that are electronically connected to the solar panel racks and batteries. The inverters are configured to convert direct current (DC) electricity from the solar power racks and batteries to alternating current (AC) electricity to provide power to the building via wires electrically connecting the inverters to the main panel of the building.

Abstract: A system includes a heat exchanger mounted to the brackets and receiving cryogen, the heat exchanger having a vertical inlet coupled in parallel to a plurality of equal size horizontal tubes each traversing a width of the heat exchanger and further coupled in parallel to a vertical outlet pipe with an outlet diameter at least twice an inlet tube diameter; a temperature sensor; a thermostat that monitors the temperature sensor and maintains a predetermined temperature set point by communicating with a solenoid valve coupled to the heat exchanger; an exhaust line coupled to the outlet pipe that expels exhaust gas outside the enclosed facility; multiple fans attached to the heat exchanger; and a fail-safe oxygen sensor to protect a biological object in the enclosed facility.

Abstract: A system includes a heat exchanger mounted to the brackets and receiving cryogen, the heat exchanger having a vertical inlet coupled in parallel to a plurality of equal size horizontal tubes each traversing a width of the heat exchanger and further coupled in parallel to a vertical outlet pipe with an outlet diameter at least twice an inlet tube diameter; a temperature sensor; a thermostat that monitors the temperature sensor and maintains a predetermined temperature set point by communicating with a solenoid valve coupled to the heat exchanger; an exhaust line coupled to the outlet pipe that expels exhaust gas outside the enclosed facility; multiple fans attached to the heat exchanger; and a fail-safe oxygen sensor to protect a biological object in the enclosed facility.