Abstract: A method for identifying, locating, and mapping targets of interest using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) camera footage in GPS-denied environments. In one embodiment, the method comprises obtaining UAV visual data, passing the UAV visual data through a convolutional neural network (CNN) in order to detect targets of interest based on visual features disposed in the UAV visual data, wherein the detection by the CNN defines reference points and pixel coordinates for the UAV visual data, applying a geometric transformation to known and defined pixel coordinates to obtain real-world orthogonal positions; and projecting the detected targets of interest onto an orthogonal map based on the obtained real-world orthogonal positions, all without GPS data.

Abstract: Chalcogenide waveguides with high width-to-height aspect ratios and a smooth exposed surfaces can serve as mid-infrared evanescent-absorption-based sensors for detecting and identifying volatile organic compounds and/or determining their concentration, optionally in real-time. The waveguide sensors may be manufactured using a modified sputtering process in which the sputtering target and waveguide substrate are titled and/or laterally offset relative to each other and the substrate is continuously rotated.

Abstract: A method for creating a space-filling solid model includes (a) defining a three-dimensional (3D) domain, (b) defining a Voronoi site geometry for each of a plurality of Voronoi sites, (c) defining a spatial arrangement of the plurality of Voronoi sites, (d) arranging the plurality of Voronoi sites within the 3D domain according to the defined spatial arrangement, and (e) partitioning the 3D domain based on the Voronoi site geometry of each the plurality of Voronoi sites defined in (b) and the spatial arrangement of the plurality of Voronoi sites defined in (c) using a distance function to create the space-filling solid model.

Abstract: A nanoscale positioning system for positioning a positionable component includes a motion platform including a first end, a second end, a shuttle positioned between the first end and the second end and configured to support the positionable component, a flexure member, and a fluid passage extending through the flexure member from the first end to the second end of the motion platform, and a pressure controller coupled to the motion platform and fluidically connected to the fluid passage, wherein the pressure controller is configured to selectably provide a fluid pressure in the fluid passage to flex the flexure member whereby the shuttle is displaced along a motion axis of the motion platform.

Abstract: In some examples, a method performed by a drilling rig control center, includes receiving raw data for a first time segment, the raw data related to a drilling operation. In addition, the method includes deriving first drilling state measurements based on the raw data of the first time segment. Further, the method includes deriving first formation state measurements based on the raw data of the first time segment. The method also includes correlating the first derived drilling and formation state measurements of the first time segment with a second derived drilling and formation state measurements of a second time segment. Still further, the method includes generating a control response based on the correlation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the claimed invention are directed to a device, comprising: an anode that includes a lithiated silicon-based or lithiated carbon-based material or pure lithium metal or metal oxides and a sandwich-type sulfur-based cathode, wherein the anode and the cathode are designed to have porous structures. An additional embodiment of the invention is directed to a scalable method of manufacturing sandwich-type Li—S batteries at a significantly reduced cost compared to traditional methods. An additional embodiment is directed to the use of exfoliated CNT sponges for enlarging the percentage of sulfur in the cathode to have large energy density.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of a method and system that uses a vertical or upward facing imaging sensor to compute vehicle attitude, orientation, or heading and combines the computed vehicle attitude, orientation, or heading with range bearing measurements from an imaging sensor, LiDAR, sonar, etc., to features in the vicinity of the vehicle to compute accurate position and map estimates.

Abstract: A system for generating a dynamic tree trimming schedule, comprising a network vegetation model system operating on a first processor and configured to receive a network vegetation model and weather forecast data and to generate a real-time tree trimming schedule as a function of the network vegetation model and weather forecast data and a remote user interface operating on a second processor and configured to receive the real-time tree trimming schedule and to generate one or more user interface controls as a function of the real-time tree trimming schedule.

Abstract: Methods for disinfecting a surface are provided which include contacting a surface with a solution comprising Fe(VI)O42?, thereby disinfecting the surfaces. In some cases, the surface to be contacted with the solution is in a space suitable for human occupancy and the surface is arranged in the ambient of the space. In addition, solutions comprising Fe(VI)O42? are provided. The solutions may additionally include a hypohalite salt and a surfactant.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical or nutraceutical formulations are provided for treating inflammation in a subject in need thereof, as well as methods of treating inflammation in a subject in need thereof by administering one of the formulations. In some aspects, the pharmaceutical or nutraceutical formulation includes an effective amount of (i) palmitoylethanolamide or a derivative thereof, and (ii) one, two, three or more different small-molecule polyphenols or derivatives thereof to alleviate one or more causes or symptoms of the inflammation in the subject. In some aspects, the formulations include all three, e.g. the formulations includes (i) palmitoylethanolamide or a derivative thereof, (ii) quercetin or a derivative thereof, and (iii) curcumin or a derivative thereof. In some instances, the components (i)-(iii) discussed above are present at a mass ratio of about (i) 4 mg to 6 mg of palmitoylethanolamide or a derivative thereof to (ii) about 0.5 to 2.5 mg curcumin or a derivative thereof, and (iii) about 0.5 mg to 1.

Abstract: A method of applying a gas-impermeable coating includes forming a polyelectrolyte complex suspension. The polyelectrolyte complex suspension is applied to a substrate. The substrate having the polyelectrolyte complex applied thereon is treated. The treating reduces salt content of the polyelectrolyte complex. The treating results in a gas-impermeable coating being formed on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for increasing lignin degradation to produce a biological product. Also provided are methods for increasing expression of laccase in a bacterial species to produce increased lignin degradation. Also provided are bacterial cells and commodities or commodity produces produced from such methods.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for reinforcement learning-based irrigation control to maintain or increase a crop yield or reduce water use. A computing device may be configured to determine an optimal irrigation schedule for a crop planted in a field by applying reinforcement learning (RL), where, for a given state of a total soil moisture, the computing device performs an action, the action comprising waiting or irrigating crop. An immediate reward may be assigned to a state-action pair, the state-action pair comprising the given state of the total soil moisture and the action performed. The computing device may instruct an irrigation system to apply irrigation to at least one crop in accordance with the optimal irrigation schedule determined, where the optimal irrigation schedule includes an amount of water to be applied at a predetermined time.

Abstract: A hybrid bearing assembly includes a bushing. A sleeve is rotationally disposed within the bushing and a support layer is disposed around an outer perimeter of the bushing. A protective sleeve is disposed abutting the sleeve. A protective bushing is disposed abutting the bushing.

Abstract: Provided herein is an electrodialysis metathesis system that has at least one stack or quad of compartments arranged so each compartment is in fluid communication with its adjacent compartment via alternating cation—and anion-exchange membranes. The compartments in a stack are a feed compartment, a substitution salt solution compartment, a first concentrated compartment and a second concentrated compartment. Also provided are processes and methods for separating or recovering a metal, for example, a rare earth element, or a salt or a combination thereof from a salt-containing water. Simultaneous metathesis reactions and electrodialysis across the stack recovers one or more metal or salts from the salt-containing water which desalinates the salt-containing water.

Abstract: A flapping-wing aircraft includes a support frame, a motor coupled to the support frame, a pair of wings coupled to the support frame, and a linkage assembly coupled to the support frame and configured to translate an output torque of the motor into flapping motion of the wings, wherein the linkage assembly includes a first link coupled to a rotational output of the motor, a second link pivotably coupled to the first link at a first pivot joint, a third link pivotably coupled to the second link at a second pivot joint, and a fourth link pivotably coupled to the support frame and slidably coupled to the third link, and wherein the fourth link is coupled to a first wing of the pair of wings.

Abstract: NR4A1 ligands, pharmaceutical compositions including the NR4A1 ligands, and related methods of use are described. Methods of treating a disease or condition in an individual treatable by modulation of NR4A1 activity, comprising administering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or a pharmaceutical composition described herein.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a stator having a stator winding disposed thereon. A rotor is electromagnetically exposed to the stator. A field winding and an induction winding are disposed on the rotor. A rectifier is electrically coupled to the induction winding and the field winding. Upon application of a voltage to the stator winding, the stator winding produces a first rotating magnetic field and a second rotating magnetic field that has a different spatial frequency than the first rotating magnetic field. The first rotating magnetic field interacts asynchronously with the induction winding to produce an alternating current in the induction winding. The rectifier changes the alternating current to a direct current that is supplied to the field winding. The field winding interacts synchronously with the second rotating magnetic field.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for performing page fault handling are disclosed. According to one method, the method includes: after a translation lookaside buffer (TLB) miss associated with a virtual memory page occurs, identifying, in a page table, a page table entry (PTE) associated with the virtual memory page; determining, using a first indicator in the PTE, that the virtual memory page is not present in a main memory; determining, using a second indicator in the PTE, that the virtual memory page is associated with a valid memory address and that the virtual memory page is capable of using pre-allocated pages; obtaining, from a pre-allocation table, a page frame number associated with a pre-allocated page; and updating the PTE to indicate the page frame number.

Abstract: ‘DALBG 1201’ is an F1 hybrid bluegrass with exceptional turfgrass quality, dark green color, high shoot density, medium-fine leaf texture, and ability to persist under a range of environmental stresses typically encountered in the southern United States.