Abstract: Compounds of the present application or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are capable of interacting with and attenuating the activity of a stimulator of interferon genes (STING) protein. In an embodiment of the invention, antagonist compounds bind to STING protein and attenuate STING downstream signaling. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods involving such compounds as STING modulators are additionally provided herein.

Abstract: A system for bypassing a torque converter in a powertrain is provided. The system includes a torque generating device including an output shaft and a transmission assembly. The transmission assembly includes a transmission output shaft and a torque converter, a torque converter bypass shaft. The transmission assembly further includes a disconnect clutch selectively coupling the torque converter with the torque generating device and a torque converter clutch selectively coupling the torque converter bypass shaft with the torque generating device. Engaging the disconnect clutch and disengaging the torque converter clutch enables the torque generating device to transmit torque to the transmission output shaft through the torque converter. Engaging the torque converter clutch and disengaging the disconnect clutch enables the torque generating device to transmit torque to the transmission output shaft through the torque converter bypass shaft.

Abstract: Provided is a battery module and battery rack having enhanced fire safety features. The battery module includes a swelling/pressure sensor that detects swelling of a battery cell. An output signal of the sensor is used to halt operation of a battery rack/battery system containing the battery module and prevent charging and discharging of the battery module. In an embodiment, the battery module uses an AC-to-AC power supply to provide AC frequency power for balancing battery cells of the battery module. In an embodiment, the battery rack includes an internal water fire suppression system that provides battery cooling in the event of a battery cell fire to prevent the spread and/or reigniting of the fire.

Abstract: The technology relates to keeping sensors of a perception system optically clear and free from condensation. A transparent film, such as Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), acts as a moisture sensor that covers the optical area of interest. When a measured value of the moisture sensor meets a certain threshold that indicates the presence of condensate, power is applied to the sensor, turning it into a heater. When the measured value no longer meets the threshold, power is removed and heating ceases. The ITO layer may be lithographically applied to a glass sensor cover or other window, with interleaved sections of material that are spaced closely to detect a minimum amount of condensate. This arrangement enables the system to be employed in sensor assemblies at various locations along a self-driving vehicle, and can be used with different types of sensors such as lidar sensors, cameras and other imaging devices.

Abstract: An integrated system comprising a barrier, such as a weir with movable gates, controllably blocks water flow in a natural or concrete lined channel. Without substantially impeding flow in normal conditions, the barrier is configured to back up flood waters to spill into an upstream prepared detention basin. Water is thus kept from downstream areas until subsequently drained through a controlled spill. Multiple units installed in a watershed can store significant amounts of flood water, e.g., during a hurricane, protecting life and property downstream. The electromechanically-operated gates can be operated locally or from a remote control center. Gauges and sensors positioned near the weir and/or throughout the watershed can provide data used to control one or more barriers in the watershed, and the data may be used to train a machine learning model to control the system.

Abstract: Techniques and tools for encoding enhancement layer video with quantization that varies spatially and/or between color channels are presented, along with corresponding decoding techniques and tools. For example, an encoding tool determines whether quantization varies spatially over a picture, and the tool also determines whether quantization varies between color channels in the picture. The tool signals quantization parameters for macroblocks in the picture in an encoded bit stream. In some implementations, to signal the quantization parameters, the tool predicts the quantization parameters, and the quantization parameters are signaled with reference to the predicted quantization parameters. A decoding tool receives the encoded bit stream, predicts the quantization parameters, and uses the signaled information to determine the quantization parameters for the macroblocks of the enhancement layer video. The decoding tool performs inverse quantization that can vary spatially and/or between color channels.

Abstract: An electric transmission line support structure. A crossarm depending perpendicularly from a vertical shaft has a first and a second mounting point. A central support depends from the crossarm between the first and the second mounting point. A first conductor bundle is attached to the first mounting point by a first structural string and to the central support by a second structural string. A second conductor bundle is connected to the central support by a third structural string and to the second mounting point by a fourth structural string. A fifth structural string, perpendicular to the crossarm and extending between the first conductor bundle and the second conductor bundle, connects the central mounting point to a third conductor bundle that is further from the crossarm than the first conductor bundle and the second conductor bundle. A sixth structural string connects the vertical shaft to the third conductor bundle.

Abstract: The systems and methods of the invention pertain to analyzing steam generator tube data for the detection of wear. Further, the invention is capable of performing a comparison of current tube signal data to baseline or historic tube signal data, e.g., from previous and/or the first, in-service inspection of the steam generator. The systems and methods are automated and can generate results to show potential tube-to-tube contact wear areas as well as the progression of tube-to-tube gap reduction within a steam generator tube bundle. In certain embodiments, the invention is capable of comparing current and historical eddy current data to determine the difference that may be related to degradation or other interested phenomena, and of processing and trending historical comparison results to establish normal variance and detect abnormal variances.

Abstract: A system and method for making categorized music tracks available to end user applications. The tracks may be categorized based on computer-derived rhythm, texture and pitch (RTP) scores for tracks derived from high-level acoustic attributes, which is based on low level data extracted from the tracks. RTP scores are stored in a universal database common to all of the music publishers so that the same track, once RTP scored, does not need to be re-RTP scored by other music publishers. End user applications access an API server to import collections of tracks published by publishers, to create playlists and initiate music streaming. Each end user application is sponsored by a single music publisher so that only tracks capable of being streamed by the music publisher are available to the sponsored end user application.

Abstract: Assay cartridges are described that have purification, reaction, and detection zones and other fluidic components which can include sample chambers, waste chambers, conduits, vents, reagent chambers, reconstitution chambers and the like. The assay cartridges are used to conduct multiplexed nucleic acid measurements. Also described are kits including such cartridges, methods of using the same, and a reader configured to analyze an assay conducted using an assay cartridge.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve reinforcement ring is disclosed for reinforcing a natural heart valve with leaflets. The prosthetic ring includes a ring body sized and dimensioned to fit around the annulus of the heart valve. The ring body has an inner surface with a plurality of grooves on the inner surface of the ring body, where each of grooves is configured to grasp a suture. A method of reinforcing a natural heart valve is also disclosed. Sutures are provided around an annulus of a natural heart valve with leaflets. A prosthetic ring is selected that is sized to fit around the annulus. The prosthetic ring is attached to the annulus by inserting sutures into the grooves until the leaflets are properly closed. The fit of the prosthetic ring is adjusted by individually manipulating the sutures in the grooves. The sutures are tied, securing the prosthetic ring in place.

Abstract: An interbody device may include a main body and an arm movably connected thereto. The device may have a first end, a second end opposite the first end in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the device, a first side, a second side opposite the first side in a direction of a first transverse axis of the device, a third side, and a fourth side opposite the third side in a direction of a second transverse axis of the device. An overall distance between the first side and the second side may increase along at least a majority of a length of the device in a direction from the first end toward the second end, and an overall distance between the third side and the fourth side may increase along at least a majority of the length in a direction from the second end toward the first end.

Abstract: In one implementation, a stair installation bracket for installing staircases in stairwells is provided. The bracket includes a bracket assembly configured to anchor to a wall of a stairwell, a hanger tool removably connected to the bracket assembly, and a positioning bolt for positioning a staircase relative to the wall. A method of installing a staircase using the bracket assembly includes positioning the staircase on tabs of one or more bracket assemblies, rotating the positioning bolt to vertically positioning the staircase relative to pilot holes of the bracket assembly, anchoring the staircase to the bracket assembly, and removing the hanger tool from the bracket assembly.

Abstract: The automatic detection of inconsistencies in a database system is described. A first signature and a second signature are received. The first signature is a signature of a result of a first execution of the query against a database by a first version of database engine program code. The second signature is a signature of a result of a second execution of the query by a second version of the database engine program code. A determination is made of whether the first signature and the second signature match. In response to the first signature and the second signature failing to match, an inconsistency report regarding at least one of the first or second versions of the database engine program code is generated and remediation regarding at least one of the first or second versions of the database engine program code is performed.

Abstract: Digital imaging systems and methods are described for analyzing pixel data of an image of a shaving stroke for determining pressure being applied to a user's skin. A plurality of training images of a plurality of individuals are aggregated, each of the training images comprising pixel data of a respective individual when shaving with a shaving razor. A pressure model, trained with the pixel data, is operable to determine pressure being applied to the respective individual's skin. An image of a user when shaving with the shaving razor is received and analyzed, by the pressure model, to determine a user-specific pressure being applied to the user's skin by the shaving razor when a user shaving stroke is taken. A user-specific electronic recommendation to address at least one feature identifiable within the pixel data is generated and rendered, on a display screen of a user computing device.

Abstract: A head top has a frame for mounting on a user's head. The frame has a viewing opening for a user to see out of the frame. A shield is mounted to the frame, and can be moved between a open and closed positions. A pivot arm connects the shield to the frame and is mounted to the inside of both the frame and shield to avoid exposure. An outer mount and inner mount can also be provided to automatically adjust the width of the head top. A hinge connects them allowing the inner mount to laterally pivot with respect to the outer mount to accommodate users with different head sizes. A forehead member also adjusts to a user's forehead.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for multichannel audio speech classification. In examples, an audio signal comprising multiple audio channels is received at a processing device. Each of the audio channels in the audio signal is transcoded to a predefined audio format. For each of the transcoded audio channels, an average power value is calculated for one or more data windows in the audio signal. A correlation value is calculated between the average power value for each audio channel and the combined average power value of the other audio channels in the audio signal. Each of the correlation values (or an aggregated correlation value for the audio channels) is then compared against a threshold value to determine whether the audio signal is to be classified as a speech-based communication. Based on the classification, an action associated with the audio signal may be performed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method sends a set of requests for a video using a first protocol. The first protocol is selected from a plurality of protocols available for use in a playback session for the video. The method compares a first performance of the first protocol and a second performance of a second protocol and determines whether to switch from using the first protocol to the second protocol in the playback session based on the comparing.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for displaying a thumbnail preview of video content. In an aspect, one or more mosaic images made up of thumbnails corresponding to frames of the video content at multiple time points can be loaded into the system or created by the methods described. In an aspect, the selected thumbnail, as well as any other thumbnails, can be selected in response to receiving a command (e.g., trick play request) from the viewer. The command can dictate the direction from the selected thumbnail that the next thumbnails will be selected. The command can also dictate the frequency with which thumbnails will be selected from the mosaic image. In an aspect, frames comprised of thumbnails can be encoded to create the video content.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, devices, articles of manufacture, and methods for generating neutrons employing a high energy ion beam target (HEM target) and a target backing configured to be in contact with the bottom surface of the HEIB target (e.g., to generate an ion beam target assembly). In certain embodiments, the HEM target has a thickness that is less than the penetration depth of protons or deuterons in the high energy ion beam that strikes the target. In certain embodiments, the target backing comprises a high hydrogen diffusion metal (e.g., palladium), has open spaces dispersed throughout for reduced proton diffusion distances, and has a shape and thickness such that all, or virtually all, of the protons or deuterons that pass through the HEIB target are stopped. Also provided herein are systems, devices, and methods for changing targets in an ion beam accelerator system.