Abstract: The technology relates to autonomous vehicles having articulating sections such as the trailer of a tractor-trailer. Aspects include approaches for tracking the pose of the trailer, including its orientation relative to the tractor unit. Sensor data is analyzed from one or more onboard sensors to identify and track the pose. The pose information is usable by on-board perception and/or planning systems when driving the vehicle in an autonomous mode. By way of example, on-board sensors such as Lidar sensors are used to detect the real-time pose of the trailer based on Lidar point cloud data. The orientation of the trailer is estimated based on the point cloud data, and the pose is determined according to the orientation and other information about the trailer. Aspects also include determining which side of the trailer the sensor data is coming from. A camera may also detect trailer marking information to supplement the analysis.

Abstract: A method and system for efficient resource usage through intelligent reporting. Specifically, the method and system disclosed herein entail implementing resource-efficient messaging between computing systems engaging in centralized restore operations. A centralized restore operation may refer to the initiation and management of the restoration of data on a remote computing system from a local computing system. Further, conventional management of a centralized restore operation necessitates frequent reporting on the state of the restoration process, which may inefficiently expend memory and network resources.

Abstract: A communicative lighting system may comprise a plurality of network connected light sources. Each light source may possess a unique identifier permitting light sources to be associated with one another. An input received by one light source may alter the light output of that light source as well as other light sources associated with the light source. The light output of a light source may be altered by changing color, brightening or dimming, blinking, adjusting which of a plurality of light emitting diodes are activated, or otherwise modifying the type or amount of light output.

Abstract: This disclosure regards a magnetic resonance imaging system including a scanner, and gradient drivers. The scanner is to be implemented within a scan room that is shielded from electromagnetic interference. Gradient coils are designed to create a linear gradient in the magnetic field generated in the scanner by a primary magnet. These coils are energized by gradient drivers. The gradient drivers use transformers and other electrical devices in a switching stage configured to generate pulse-width-modulated power. The transformers may have non-magnetic cores to facilitate implementing the gradient drivers within the scan room. The gradient drivers also use a filtering stage which uses inductors and other electrical devices to smooth the pulse-width-modulated power. The inductors within the filters may have non-magnetic cores to facilitate implementing the gradient driver within the scan room. Additionally, an inductor with a hollow wire may be used to circulate fluid to facilitate cooling the gradient driver.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method for using dynamic templates to create application containers may include (i) identifying an application that is to be deployed in a container, (ii) creating a dynamic template that comprises at least one variable parameter and that defines at least a portion of an operating environment of the container (iii) generating a value of the variable parameter during deployment of the application, (iv) processing the dynamic template to create a configuration file that comprises the value of the variable parameter, and (v) triggering a container initialization system to create, based on the configuration file, the container such that the container isolates a user space of the application from other software on a host system while sharing a kernel space with the other software. Various other methods systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide sugar alcohol to heat stressed ruminants to improve performance. During periods of high temperature or humidity, heat stressed ruminants may exhibit decreased dry matter intake, and in response, an effective amount of sugar alcohol such as sorbitol may be provided in the ruminant diet to cause performance to increase, which may include increased milk yield, improved feed efficiency or both compared to heat stressed dairy cattle without sugar alcohol in the diet.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to controlling a vehicle in an autonomous driving mode. For instance, a trajectory is identified. The trajectory defines a future desired path for the vehicle and includes a control requirement having a corresponding point in time. A command for achieving the control requirement is generated. A fixed delay value corresponding to a delay caused by transmission of the command to an actuator of the vehicle is generated. A variable delay value corresponding to a delay caused by an amount of time to change a physical state of the actuator to a desired state according to the command is generated. The command is then sent to the actuator based on the fixed delay value, the variable delay value, and so that the actuator causes the vehicle to move according to the command.

Abstract: A hat bracket supports hats having a bill extending from a crown. The bracket has a back plate which may have bores therethrough. The back plate connects at an upper portion to a top arm which extends forwardly and downwardly relative to the back plate. A bottom arm extends forwardly and upwardly relative to the back plate and provides a hat support, such as a whale tail, onto which a rear of the crown is supported with the bill extending upwardly and prevented from outward rotation by the top arm. Multiple brackets may be connected together.

Abstract: A method for optically examining a route such as a track includes obtaining one or more images of a segment of a track from a camera mounted to a rail vehicle while the rail vehicle is moving along the track and selecting a benchmark visual profile of the segment of the track. The benchmark visual profile represents a designated layout of the track. The method also can include comparing the one or more images of the segment of the track with the benchmark visual profile of the track and identifying one or more differences between the one or more images and the benchmark visual profile as a misaligned segment of the track.

Abstract: A data processing method comprises: in response to data to be encrypted or decrypted, determining, at a blockchain node, whether an adapter coupled to the node has been initialized; in response to determining that the adapter has not been initialized, determining an access address of the adapter; initializing the adapter based on the access address; and enabling the initialized adapter to encrypt or decrypt the data. As such, data encryption or decryption at the blockchain node is accelerated via the adapter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for preserving privacy of data collected from a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, privacy preferences entered by a user of the vehicle; receiving, by the processor, the data collected from the vehicle; distorting, by the processor, the data; downsampling, by the processor, the distorted data based on the privacy preferences; and communicating, by the processor, the downsampled, distorted vehicle data to a third-party entity.

Abstract: Polyether diols characterized by a hydroxyl number of 56 or lower, high average functionality and high primary hydroxyl content are prepared by alkoxylating an unsaturated alcohol in multiple steps to form a polyether monol that contains 39% or more primary hydroxyl groups, and then reacting the polyether monol with a mercaptoalcohol that has a primary hydroxyl group.

Abstract: Polymer compositions for coating of metal surfaces including moieties that interact with a metal atom in the metal surface and optionally containing antifoulant moieties. These polymer compositions provide lubricious coatings for medical devices, anticorrosion coatings for metal components, and antifoulant coatings for marine components such as propellers. The polymer composition is synthesized in a safe manner in which the synthesis components are added to a synthesis vat and there is no need for filtration or removal of waste materials in any step including the consumer use. As such this invention provides an environmentally sound approach to composition synthesis, formulation development, and consumer use.

Abstract: Compositions are described that contain treated chitosan, modified chitosan and/or modified and treated chitosan for use in formulations for skin, hair and nails, and in compositions and methods of reducing topical agent-induced skin irritation and inflammation.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to liquids, such as aqueous solutions, that contain hydrogen gas and palmitoylethanolamide. In certain cases, the liquids may also include active pharmaceutical agents (e.g., cannabinoids), noble gases, and/or other additives. Such liquids may be useful, for example, for increasing a subject's physical energy levels, for improvement in athletic performance, for the enhancement of the overall health of a subject, or the like. Some embodiments relate to liquids disposed within a container (e.g., a sealed container), such that the liquid comprises hydrogen gas and palmitoylethanolamide dissolved or otherwise contained (e.g., suspended and/or infused) in the liquid. The liquids (e.g., aqueous solutions) described herein may be orally administered to a subject (e.g., drunk by a subject). In certain embodiments, the hydrogen gas and/or palmitoylethanolamide may be present in the liquid at a particular concentration (e.g., a physiologically relevant concentration).

Abstract: A system includes a learning network having a signal processor configured to: receive learned signaling containing information about representative samples of conditions related to operating states of a hydrocyclone and characterized as learned samples of each condition when the learning network is trained, and raw signaling containing information about raw samples containing information about the current operation of the hydrocyclone; and determine corresponding signaling containing information about an operating state of the current operation of the hydrocyclone based upon a comparison of the learned signaling and the raw signaling.

Abstract: A water treatment system includes an adsorption column including granular activated carbon (GAC) that adsorbs contaminants from untreated water onto the GAC, thereby producing treated water, a first electrode disposed at a proximal side of the adsorption column, with a gap between the first electrode and the GAC, a second electrode disposed at a distal side of the adsorption column, a drain outlet in fluid communication with the adsorption column for draining water out of the adsorption column, a gas inlet in fluid communication with the adsorption column for injecting a displacement gas into the adsorption column, a high voltage power supply electrically connected to one of the first electrode and the second electrode for generating a plasma discharge within the GAC, thereby regenerating the GAC within the adsorption column, and a gas outlet in fluid communication with the adsorption column for venting waste gas produced by the plasma discharge.

Abstract: A fluidic device may include inlet ports, input ports, one or more output ports, fluid channels each configured to route fluid from one of the inlet ports to one of the one or more output ports, and pistons. In some examples, each piston may include (1) a restricting gate transmission element configured to block, when the piston is in a first position, and unblock, when the piston is in a second position, one of the fluid channels, (2) a controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with a first control pressure that, when applied to the controlling gate transmission element, forces the piston towards the first position, and (3) an additional controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with a second control pressure that, when applied to the additional controlling gate transmission element, forces the piston towards the second position. Various other related devices and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein include microRNA antagonists, therapeutic compositions that include one or more of such microRNA antagonists, and methods of treating and/or ameliorating cardiac diseases and/or muscular dystrophy disorders with the microRNA antagonists. Also included are combination therapies, wherein a therapeutic composition disclosed herein and an additional therapy agent are provided to a subject having or suspected of having cardiac disease and/or muscular dystrophy disorder. In particular, some embodiments disclosed herein relate to compositions and methods for transiently administering a mixture of microRNA antagonists for promoting cardiomyocyte proliferation and cardiac regeneration.

Abstract: A multi-function diverter tool is disclosed that allows positive-indication opening and closing of the tool in a downhole environment. The tool includes a first sleeve adapted to open outlet ports in the exterior surface of the tool body. The tool includes a second sleeve which is movable with respect to the first sleeve and is adapted to close the outlet ports when moved from an initial position to a second position.