Abstract: We describe peptides and their uses for the treatment of autoimmune, inflammatory and metabolic diseases.

Abstract: A system for generating a plasma discharge in liquid utilizes first and second electrodes spaced apart in an interior space of a vessel holding the liquid. A channel can be defined in certain embodiments at least partially by at least one of the first and second electrodes, and an inlet in fluid communication with the interior space is configured to generate a vortical fluid flow in the vessel. A method for generating a plasma discharge in liquid is also provided. A high voltage electrode for generating a plasma discharge in liquid that includes a central solid cylindrical rod is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing at least one tooth of a gear includes an elongate anchoring lip having a laterally extending lip body with at least one anchoring hole extending longitudinally therethrough. The lip body is bounded within a lateral plane by transversely spaced front and rear lip faces and laterally spaced first and second side edges. A tooth block extends longitudinally from a selected one of the front and rear lip faces. The tooth block includes at least one replacement gear tooth extending longitudinally therealong. The tooth block is spaced laterally apart from at least one of the first and second side edges, with at least a portion of the lip body extending laterally between the tooth block and the at least one of the first and second side edges.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to characterization of digital content, such as in a content delivery and/or service provider network. In one embodiment, a method is provided for identifying characteristics of digital content by a first-pass analysis of the content data, and subsequent adjustment of results of the first-pass data analysis based on a heuristic analysis. In one variant, the first-pass analysis is based on an extant (COTS) or off-the-shelf analytics framework which generates a result; artificial intelligence and/or machine learning techniques are utilized for analyzing the result based on a multi-source or multivariate analytical framework to enable convergence of a final result having suitable level of accuracy, yet with optimized temporal and processing overhead characteristics. In one implementation, the methods and apparatus are adapted for use in a content distribution network advertisement ingestion processing system.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatuses are described for determining a position of user equipment by using adaptive phase-changing devices. In aspects, a base station transmits wireless signals for a UE toward respective reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) of adaptive phase-changing devices. The APDs may direct reflections of the wireless signals in a direction, such as toward the UE, based on a configuration of the RIS of the APD. The base station receives, from the UE via a wireless connection, identifiers of the reflections of the wireless signals that are received by the UE. In some cases, the base station also receives a signal quality parameter associated with the reflection reaching the UE. The base station determines angular information based on the respective identifiers and/or signal quality parameters of the reflections. Based on the angular information and known positions of the APDs, the base station determines a position of the UE.

Abstract: A system and method using machine learning prediction that estimates future sport outcomes by mathematically representing current and future match states as a Bayesian network parameterized by underlying machine learning models.

Abstract: A method, computer program, and computer system is provided for an all-deep-learning based AEC system by recurrent neural networks. The model consists of two stages, echo estimation stage and echo suppression stage, respectively. Two different schemes for echo estimation are presented herein: linear echo estimation by multi-tap filtering on far-end reference signal and non-linear echo estimation by single-tap masking on microphone signal. A microphone signal waveform and a far-end reference signal waveform are received. An echo signal waveform is estimated based on the microphone signal waveform and a far-end reference signal waveform. A near-end speech signal waveform is output based on subtracting the estimated echo signal waveform from the microphone signal waveform, and echoes are suppressed within the near-end speech signal waveform.

Abstract: A convertible pillow includes a bedding pillow body and a transforming envelope. The bedding pillow body, having a first portion and a second portion, includes a pillow filler and a pillowcase containing the pillow filler therein to form a bedding pillow and having a skin contacting surface on one side and a covering surface on another side. The transforming envelope, which is integrally provided on the covering surface of the pillowcase and has an envelope opening and an envelope cavity, is shaped and sized to envelope at least a portion of the first portion and the second portion of the bedding pillow body in the envelope cavity via the envelope opening after the first portion and the second portion of the bedding pillow body are folded up on the skin contacting surface of the pillowcase to form a cushion body.

Abstract: A plant stake and display tag holder for use with a nursery container such as a pot or free-standing planter. The display tag is attached to the container and is accessible and visible to the consumer without obstruction from the container or plant contained therein. The bottom of the plant stake inserts into a slit in the rim portion of a nursery container and locks into place to hold the plant stake upright and securely in place. The display tag is held above the soil line and avoids the common problems associated with display tag holders inserted below the soil line.

Abstract: A detection system for a host vehicle includes a camera, global positioning system (“GPS”) receiver, compass, and electronic control unit (“ECU”). The camera collects polarimetric image data forming an imaged drive scene inclusive of a road surface illuminated by the Sun. The GPS receiver outputs a present location of the vehicle as a date-and-time-stamped coordinate set. The compass provides a directional heading of the vehicle. The ECU determines the Sun's location relative to the vehicle and camera using an input data set, including the present location and directional heading. The ECU also detects a specular reflecting area or areas on the road surface using the polarimetric image data and Sun's location, with the specular reflecting area(s) forming an output data set. The ECU then executes a control action aboard the host vehicle in response to the output data set.

Abstract: Generative adversarial models have several benefits; however, due to mode collapse, these generators face a quality-diversity trade-off (i.e., the generator models sacrifice generation diversity for increased generation quality). Presented herein are embodiments that improve the performance of adversarial content generation by decelerating mode collapse. In one or more embodiments, a cooperative training paradigm is employed where a second model is cooperatively trained with the generator and helps efficiently shape the data distribution of the generator against mode collapse. Moreover, embodiments of a meta learning mechanism may be used, where the cooperative update to the generator serves as a high-level meta task and which helps ensures the generator parameters after the adversarial update stay resistant against mode collapse. In experiments, tested employments demonstrated efficient slowdown of mode collapse for the adversarial text generators.

Abstract: A process for producing a crosslinked cellulose ether including the steps of (i) contacting at least one cellulose material with a mixture comprising (ia) at least one crosslinking agent and (ib) at least one alkalization reagent to form an activated cellulose material; and (ii) contacting the activated cellulose material of step (i) with at least one etherification reagent; wherein the at least one etherification reagent reacts with the activated cellulose material to form the crosslinked cellulose ether; and a crosslinked cellulose ether produced by the above process.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system to heat a portion of a gas turbine (GT) engine of a power generation system in a standby mode. The system includes a first heated fluid manifold and a first conduit coupling a heated fluid supply external to the GT engine to one or more fatigue-prone components within the GT engine. A first plurality of valves is configured to control an amount of heated fluid flow through the first conduit between the heated fluid supply and the one or more fatigue-prone components. A controller is in communication with the first plurality of valves. The controller adjusts an open extent of at least one of the first plurality of valves to control a temperature of the one or more fatigue-prone components. The external heated fluid supply may be an auxiliary system or a second GT engine operating in non-standby mode.

Abstract: Locking differential systems, vehicles and methods are provided. An electric vehicle includes an electric motor including a stator and a rotor, wherein the rotor is configured to rotate about a rotor axis; a rotor shaft connected to the rotor for rotation about the rotor axis; a differential located within the rotor shaft; a first input shaft connected to first side of the differential; a second input shaft connected to second side of the differential; a locking system configured to selectively lock rotation of the first input shaft to rotation of the rotor shaft; a control system configured to determine when to lock rotation of the first input shaft to rotation of the rotor shaft; and an actuation system configured to operate the locking system to lock rotation of the first input shaft to rotation of the rotor shaft.

Abstract: A system for recordation and retrieval of incident resolution action information is provided. A recordation system processor is provided with a recordation application configured to receive a response action initiation instruction identifying an action taken to resolve an incident on a target system, The processor determines one or more responsible responders each having a responder data processor that displays a responder dashboard. The processor transmits a recordation instruction to the responder data processor of each responsible responder. The recordation instruction includes an instruction to begin recording responder dashboard information. The recordation application is also configured to receive a response action termination instruction and to transmit a recordation termination instruction to the responder data processor of each responsible responder. A data storage unit is configured for receiving, from the responder data processors, real-time responder dashboard information recordings.