Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for treating cancers, inflammatory diseases, rasopathies, and fibrotic disease involving aberrant Ras superfamily signaling through the binding of compounds to the GTP binding domain of Ras superfamily proteins including, in certain cases, K-Ras and mutants thereof, and a novel method for assaying such compositions.

Abstract: A high speed granule delivery system and method is disclosed for dispensing granules in intermittent patterns onto a moving asphalt coated strip in the manufacture of roofing shingles. The system includes a granule hopper and a rotationally indexable pocket wheel in the bottom of the hopper. A series of pockets are formed in the circumference of the wheel and the pockets are separated by raised lands. A seal on the bottom of the hopper seals against the raised lands as the wheel is indexed. In use, the pockets of the pocket wheel drive through and are filled with granules in the bottom of the hopper. As each pocket is indexed beyond the seal, it is exposed to the moving asphalt coated strip below and its granules fall onto the strip to be embedded in the hot tacky asphalt.

Abstract: Biomass combustion processes may be controlled to intentionally generate a carbon-containing ash, from which activated carbon is produced according to the methods disclosed. Some variations provide an economically attractive process for producing an activated carbon product, the process comprising combusting a carbon-containing feedstock to generate energy, combustion products, and ash, wherein the ash contains at least 10 wt % carbon; separating and recovering carbon contained in said ash; and further activating or treating the separated carbon, to generate an activated carbon product. Many process variations are disclosed, and uses for the activated carbon product are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of dynamically charging coal in coke ovens related to the operation and output of coke plants including methods of automatically charging a coke oven using a charging ram in communication with a control system to increase the coke output and coke quality from coke plants. In some embodiments, the control system is capable of moving the charging ram in a horizontal first direction, a horizontal second direction and a vertical third direction while charging coal into the oven. In some embodiments, the coal charging system also includes a scanning system configured to scan an oven floor to generate an oven floor profile and/or oven capacity. The scanning system used in combination with the control system allows for dynamic leveling of the charging ram throughout the charging process. In some embodiments, the charging ram includes stiffener plates and support members to increase the mechanical strength of the charging ram and decrease the sag of the charging ram at a distal end.

Abstract: A water barrier system to protect a roof surface from environmental conditions is disclosed. In one embodiment, the water barrier system includes an underlayment layer and a liquid applied coating. In use, the underlayment is coupled to the roof surface. Thereafter, the liquid coating is applied to the underlayment to form a barrier layer. The underlayment may be manufactured from a porous material so that the liquid applied coating is at least partially absorbed by the porous underlayment. In this manner, direct application of the liquid coating to the roof surface is eliminated. In one embodiment, the underlayment may be provided with a load bearing component/layer and a coating absorbing component/layer. For flat roof applications, the load bearing component/layer may be provided with increased rigidity for dimensional and installation stability.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes displaying a bot client application including an active channel indicator, receiving bot input, analyzing the bot input, generating an output, and displaying the output. A smart building system includes a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to display a bot client application including an active channel indicator, receive bot input, analyze the bot input, generate an output, and display the output. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing program instructions that when executed, cause a computer to display a bot client application including an active channel indicator, receive bot input, analyze the bot input, generate an output, and display the output.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an autonomous vehicle that may detect other nearby vehicles and designate stationary vehicles as being in one of a short-term stationary state or a long-term stationary state. This determination may be made based on various indicia, including visible indicia displayed by the detected vehicle and traffic control factors relating to the detected vehicle. For example, the autonomous vehicle may identify a detected vehicle as being in a long-term stationary state based on detection of hazard lights being displayed by the detected vehicle, as well as the absence of brake lights being displayed by the detected vehicle. The autonomous vehicle may then base its control strategy on the stationary state of the detected vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for germanium-on-silicon photodetectors without germanium layer contacts are disclosed and may include, in a semiconductor die having a photodetector, where the photodetector includes an n-type silicon layer, a germanium layer, a p-type silicon layer, and a metal contact on each of the n-type silicon layer and the p-type silicon layer: receiving an optical signal, absorbing the optical signal in the germanium layer, generating an electrical signal from the absorbed optical signal, and communicating the electrical signal out of the photodetector via the n-type silicon layer and the p-type silicon layer. The photodetector may include a horizontal or vertical junction double heterostructure where the germanium layer is above the n-type and p-type silicon layers. An intrinsically-doped silicon layer may be below the germanium layer between the n-type silicon layer and the p-type silicon layer. A top portion of the germanium layer may be p-doped.

Abstract: A technique includes intercepting, by a computer, an input/output (I/O) request that is directed to a file; and in response to the interception of the I/O request, accessing, by the computer, file system attributes that are associated with the file and are stored separately from the file. The technique includes classifying, by the computer, the I/O request based on the file system attributes; and performing, by the computer, a data transformation that is associated with the file based on the classification.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a core-roll that contains areas of anti-slip material and methods of making the core-roll. The core-roll has one or more anti-slip zones to allow a continuous paper web to be wound around the core without the need for additional physical restraint to keep the paper from shifting laterally along the core. In another embodiment, the disclosure describes a parent roll having an anti-slip core-roll that does not interfere with other operations that occur during converting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to analyte detection devices and methods of using such devices to detect minute quantities of a target analyte in a sample. In particular, the invention provides a method of detecting a target analyte in a sample comprising mixing the sample with a first detection conjugate and a second detection conjugate in solution, wherein the first and second detection conjugates comprise metallic nanostructures coupled to binding partners that are capable of specifically binding to the target analyte if present in the sample to form a complex between the first detection conjugate, the analyte, and the second detection conjugate, wherein a change in an optical signal upon complex formation indicates the presence of the target analyte in the sample. Methods of preparing nanostructures and nanoalloys, as well as nanostructures and nanoalloys conjugated to binding partners, are also described.

Abstract: Provided are peptide biomarkers for diagnosis of allergy, monitoring development of clinical tolerance in an allergic individual, and predicting whether an allergic subject is likely to develop clinical or natural tolerance over time. The invention also relates to diagnostic methods and diagnostic kits employing the peptide biomarkers.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell that converts chemical energy to electrical energy includes a cathode with an active material of fluorinated carbon on a perforated metal cathode current collector, a lithium anode on a perforated metal anode current collector, a stepped header, a stable electrolyte, and a separator. In various embodiments, an anode current collector design, a cathode current collector design, a stepped header design, a cathode formulation, an electrolyte formulation, a separator, and a battery incorporating the electrochemical cell are provided.

Abstract: A method for analyzing data from data sources includes receiving user selection of a data source and displaying an interface that includes a schema region and a plurality of shelf regions. Each data field in the schema region is associated with a respective system-defined object from the data source. In a first display mode, each data field is displayed as associated with a respective system-defined object. The method also includes receiving, in the first display mode, user placement of a first data field into a first shelf region. In a second display mode, each data field is displayed in a respective user-defined folder. The user-defined folders are distinct from the system-defined objects. The method also includes generating a data visualization according to the user placement of the first and second data fields into the first and second shelf regions.

Abstract: An automation system employing multiple automated devices can establish and utilize two-way communication independent of a network controller by generating a unique network address with respective local circuitry. The local circuitry can be incorporated into a device or physically installed on-site in the form of an attachment, which allows automated devices to be upgraded and supplemented without altering the programming of a network controller.

Abstract: A near-eye-display (NED) includes a tracking system and a waveguide assembly. The waveguide assembly includes an infrared (IR) light source and an output waveguide. The output waveguide includes at least a decoupling element that outcouples the IR light emitted by the IR light source to form the structured light pattern. The structured light pattern is projected toward one or more regions of a user's face, for example, the user's eyes. The structured light pattern is reflected off the one or more regions of the user's face and captured by the tracking system. The tracking system can determine tracking information such as eye tracking information as well as face tracking information based on the captured reflected structured light pattern.

Abstract: In general, the present disclosure is directed to a hand-held surface cleaning device that includes a relatively compact form-factor to allow users to store the same in a nearby location (e.g., in a drawer, in an associated charging dock, on a table top) for easy access to perform relatively small cleaning tasks that would otherwise require retrieving a full-size vacuum from storage. A hand-held surface cleaning device consistent with aspects of the present disclosure includes a body (or body portion) with a motor, power source and dust cup disposed therein. The body portion also functions as a handgrip to allow the hand-held surface cleaning device to be operated by one hand, for example.

Abstract: A messaging system interacts with the messaging applications of customer, admin, and agent clients to support encrypted communications among customers and businesses. To register as an agent of the business, an agent client sends registration information to the messaging system and receives a barcode in response. The messaging system validates information about the barcode received from the admin client and sends a validation code to the admin client. The admin client displays the validation code, and the validation code is entered into the agent client. The admin client generates a membership list including an agent client identifier, digitally signs the membership list, and provides the signed membership list to the messaging system. When a customer messages the business, the messaging system forms a customer group using the signed membership list and distributes the message to the agent clients in the group.