Abstract: Cleaning compositions having engineered fatty acid alpha-dioxygenases and methods of using said compositions to provide a benefit by converting long chain fatty acids present in soils into 2-hydroperoxy fatty acids or terminal aldehydes.

Abstract: An extravehicular mobility unit (EMU) includes a resonant coil on a surface of the EMU to be coupled to a second resonant coil affixed to a structure via a resonant magnetic field. The EMU also includes a receiver in the EMU coupled to the resonant coil to provide a direct current (DC) voltage based on the resonant magnetic field. A battery in the EMU is charged based on the DC voltage.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for preparing instant coffee are described. In these processes, brewed coffee is fortified by adding coffee liquids separated from the surface of a separately-brewed batch of coffee. This fortification may increase the levels of lipids and other compounds that tend to be lost in greater amounts during lyophilization and other drying processes. The resulting fortified coffee, separated from coffee grounds and chilled to an appropriate temperature, may be held in a tank that has been washed with an acidifier, such as lemon juice or another fruit-derived citric acid, while awaiting lyophilization or another drying process.

Abstract: A phase change material heat sink including: a carbon graphite matrix having one or more removed portions; and an expanded graphite located within the one or more removed portions.

Abstract: An extravehicular mobility unit (EMU) includes a resonant coil on a surface of the EMU to be coupled to a second resonant coil affixed to a structure via a resonant magnetic field. The EMU also includes a receiver in the EMU coupled to the resonant coil to provide a direct current (DC) voltage based on the resonant magnetic field. A battery in the EMU is charged based on the DC voltage.

Abstract: System that analyzes images of an item from multiple viewpoints to construct a parameterized three-dimensional shape that models the item's shape. The system may search for parameter values that minimize a cost function that measures differences between the observed item images and those that would be expected with those parameter values. One illustrative cost function may measure differences between binary image masks associated with the images and projections of the parameterized shape onto each associated image reference frame. Another illustrative cost function may measure differences between colors from different images at points that are projected from the parameterized surface. These two cost functions may be used together to successively derive the parameterized shape. A byproduct of the shape estimation may include a texture map for the appearance of the item, which may be used for example to read and analyze data from an item label.

Abstract: System that analyzes data from a smart shelf that is monitored by weight sensors and cameras to identify items that are removed from the shelf and the locations of these items on the shelf. By using multiple shelf weight sensors, the location of items removed from or added to a shelf can be calculated from static equilibrium conditions. This weight-based location can be compared to regions of visual change in camera images to cross-check the location of events and to improve accuracy. The location of an item change may also be used in conjunction with a planogram to determine the item expected to be at this location; the expected item can be compared to the item identified using image analysis to further increase item identification accuracy. Weight changes can also be used to determine the quantity of items taken from a shelf.

Abstract: An evaporator includes a housing with a first end and a longitudinally opposite second end, a hydrophobic membrane arranged within the housing fluidly coupling the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing, and a hydrophilic surface. The hydrophilic surface is arranged within the housing between the first end and the second end of the housing and is spaced apart from the hydrophobic membrane to draw liquid water away from the hydrophobic hollow fiber membrane. Spacesuits and environmental control methods are also described.

Abstract: A monolithic open cell structure apparatus including an open cell structure housing including a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first opening located at the first side, and a second opening located opposite the first opening at a second side. The monolithic open cell structure apparatus also including a filtration portion extending from the first side to the second side within the open cell structure housing. The monolithic open cell structure apparatus further including a retaining partition that at least partially encloses the filtration portion within the open cell structure housing. The monolithic open cell structure apparatus is a single piece including a unitary structure.

Abstract: System that facilitates rapid onboarding of an autonomous (cashier-less) store by capturing images of the store's items from multiple angles, with varying backgrounds, and that builds a classifier training dataset from these images. The system may have cameras in different positions, and backgrounds that generate different background colors. It may have a platform for items that can be switched between a transparent and non-transparent state; cameras below the platform may therefore capture images of the bottom side of the item when the platform is transparent. When an item is placed in the imaging system, a fully automated process may generate a sequence of background colors and may capture and process images from all of the cameras to create training images. Images of the item from multiple angles, including views of the entire external surface of the item, may be captured without requiring an operator to move or reorient the item.

Abstract: A heat sink may comprise a core body having a phase change material cavity enclosed therein; and a phase change material disposed within the phase change material cavity comprising a paraffin wax and/or a fatty acid ester.

Abstract: An evaporator includes a housing with an inlet and an outlet, a hydrophobic hollow fiber membrane contained within the housing and fluidly coupling the inlet to the outlet, and a conduit. The conduit extends fluidly along the housing and fluidly couples the inlet to the hydrophobic hollow fiber membrane to heat the housing with water mixture introduced through the inlet of the housing prior to communication of the water to the hydrophobic hollow fiber membrane. Liquid cooling ventilation garments and environmental control methods are also described.

Abstract: An evaporator includes a housing with a first end and a longitudinally opposite second end, a hydrophobic membrane arranged within the housing fluidly coupling the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing, and a hydrophilic surface. The hydrophilic surface is arranged within the housing between the first end and the second end of the housing and is spaced apart from the hydrophobic membrane to draw liquid water away from the hydrophobic hollow fiber membrane. Spacesuits and environmental control methods are also described.

Abstract: A projected image item tracking system that analyzes projected camera images to determine items taken from, placed on, or moved on a shelf or other area in an autonomous store. The items and actions performed on them may then be attributed to a shopper near the area. Projected images may be combined to generate a 3D volume difference between the state of the area before and after shopper interaction. The volume difference may be calculated using plane-sweep stereo, or using convolutional neural networks. Because these methods may be computationally intensive, the system may first localize a change volume where items appear to have been displaced, and then generate a volume difference only within that change volume. This optimization results in significant savings in power consumption and in more rapid identification of items. The 3D volume difference may also indicate the quantity of items displaced, for example from a vertical stack.

Abstract: A case with an integrated or attached credential reader; when a user presents a valid credential (such as a biometric identity like a fingerprint, handprint, or face), the case is unlocked and the user can take items from the case. Sensors in the case such as cameras and weight sensors detect items taken by the user; these are automatically charged to the user or added to the user's shopping cart. The credential reader may be on a door handle so that as the user reaches for the handle the credential is automatically captured. The entire shopping experience may be quick and seamless since the user's credential may be captured automatically and the items the user takes may be accounted for automatically. Embodiments may have a door that opens automatically when the credential is accepted and closes and locks automatically when sensors detect that the user has retracted from the case.

Abstract: A Squalene Hopene Cyclase (SHC) isolated from Gluconobacter morbifer is provided as are variants and a method for using the G. morbifer SHC to biocatalytically convert homofarnesol to ambroxan.

Abstract: A projected image item tracking system that analyzes projected camera images to determine items taken from, placed on, or moved on a shelf or other area in an autonomous store. The items and actions performed on them may then be attributed to a shopper near the area. Projected images may be combined to generate a 3D volume difference between the state of the area before and after shopper interaction. The volume difference may be calculated using plane-sweep stereo, or using convolutional neural networks. Because these methods may be computationally intensive, the system may first localize a change volume where items appear to have been displaced, and then generate a volume difference only within that change volume. This optimization results in significant savings in power consumption and in more rapid identification of items. The 3D volume difference may also indicate the quantity of items displaced, for example from a vertical stack.

Abstract: The invention provides PCSK9 inhibitors, compositions comprising the PCSK9 inhibitors, and methods of identifying and using the PCSK9 inhibitors.

Abstract: System that facilitates rapid onboarding of an autonomous (cashier-less) store by capturing images of the store's items from multiple angles, with varying background colors, and that builds a classifier training dataset from these images. Background surfaces may for example be coated with retroreflective tape or film, and variable-color incident light sources may generate the desired background colors. Embodiments may automatically rotate or otherwise reorient the item placed in the onboarding system, so that a relatively small number of cameras can capture views from multiple angles. When an item is placed in the system, a fully automated process may generate a sequence of item orientations and background colors, and may capture and process images from the cameras to create training images. Images of the item from multiple angles, under varying lighting conditions, may be captured without requiring an operator to move or reorient the item.

Abstract: An automated store that calculates a confidence score for virtual shopping carts of shoppers, and selects carts for manual review based on these scores. Carts with low confidence scores may be more likely to contain errors, so prioritizing manual review of these carts is a cost-effective method of improving overall accuracy. A cart confidence score may be a function of factors such as confidence in the trajectory of the shopper generated by the store tracking system, confidence in the events (such as taking an item from a shelf) that affect the cart, and confidence that events are attributed to the correct shopper. Situations that make tracking, item identification, or attribution more complex may reduce confidence levels. For example, attribution confidence may be low when multiple shoppers are near an event, and item confidence may be low if the probabilistic classifier that identifies the item assigns nontrivial probabilities to multiple items.