Abstract: In one embodiment, example systems and methods related to a manner of optimizing LiDAR sensor placement on autonomous vehicles are provided. A range-of-interest is defined for the autonomous vehicle that includes the distances from which the autonomous vehicle is interested in collecting sensor data. The range-of-interest is segmented into multiple cubes of the same size. For each LiDAR sensor, a shape is determined based on information such as the number of lasers in each LiDAR sensor and the angle associated with each laser. An optimization problem is solved using the determined shape for each LiDAR sensor and the cubes of the range-of-interest to determine the locations to place each LiDAR sensor to maximize the number of cubes that are captured. The optimization problem may further determine the optimal pitch angle and roll angle to use for each LiDAR sensor to maximize the number of cubes that are captured.

Abstract: Due to geometric discontinuities introduced by welding and joining processes, stresses or strain cannot be calculated reliably calculated using modern analytical and computer methods as result of stress or strain singularity at joint locations, which leads to severe mesh sensitivity. Design and fatigue evaluation of these structures remain empirical. This disclosure addresses mesh insensitivity of stress/strain calculations for welded structures through a cut-plane traction stress method through a novel post processing of conventional finite element computation results, as well as provides a unified fatigue evaluation procedure for fatigue design and structural life evaluation for both low-cycle and high cycle fatigue regime subjected to either proportional or non-proportional multiaxial fatigue loading, as well as a simple and reliable method for treating spot welds.

Abstract: Investigating the permeability and porosity of geological samples is a routine element of geological studies, and is of particular interest in the oil and gas industry. Core-flood experiments are commonly performed on rock samples to measure transport characteristics in the laboratory. This disclosure reports the design and implementation of a high resolution distributed pressure measurement system for core-flood experiments. A series of microfabricated pressure sensors can be embedded in bolts that are housed within the pressurized polymer sheath that encases a rock core. A feedthrough technology has been developed to provide lead transfer between the sensors and system electronics across a 230-bar pressure difference. The system has been successfully benchtop tested with fluids such as synthetic oil and/or gas. Pressure measurements were recorded over a dynamic range of 20 bar with a resolution as small as 0.3 mbar.

Abstract: A method is presented for determining path length fluctuations in an interferometer using a reference laser with an arbitrary frequency with respect to the measured light. The method includes: injecting reference light along signal paths of the interferometer; measuring interference between the reference light at an output of the interferometer; determining an optical phase difference between the reference light in the two signal paths of the interferometer by measuring intensity modulation of the interference between the reference light and subtracting an intended frequency modulation from the measured intensity modulation; accumulating an unwrapped phase difference between the reference light in the two signal paths of the interferometer, where the unwrapped phase difference is defined in relation to a reference; and determining path length fluctuation of light in the interferometer using the unwrapped phase difference.

Abstract: A dynamic balloon angioplasty system for applying a dynamic pressure to fracture hardened materials embedded within an elastic conduit. The system having a pressure source system outputting at least a first predetermined pressure from a pressure source outlet, and an angioplasty unit fluidly coupled to the pressure source outlet receiving at least the first predetermined pressure. The angioplasty unit having an angioplasty inflation device, an angioplasty balloon connector, and an oscillating mechanism selectively actuated to output a plurality of pressure pulses to the angioplasty balloon via a fluid communication path. A control system is configured to determine an optimal hydraulic pressure oscillation frequency and amplitude for a given procedure and output a control signal to the oscillating mechanism, and monitor a pressure signal to detect fracture of the hardened material within the elastic conduit or system failure or leakage.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compounds represented by Formula I and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, and solvates thereof, wherein R1, R2a, R2b, R3a, R3b, R4, Ar, L, X, Y, and B are as defined as set forth in the specification. The present disclosure also provides compounds of Formula I for use to treat a condition or disorder responsive to degradation of BET bromodomains such as cancer.

Abstract: A low-power standard-compliant NB-IoT wake-up receiver (WRX) is presented. The WRX is designed as a companion radio to a full NB-IoT receiver, only operating during discontinuous RX modes (DRX and eDRX), which allows the full high-power radio to turn off while the wake-up receiver efficiently receives NB-IoTWake-Up Signals (WUS). The fabricated receiver achieves 2.1 mW power at ?109 dBm sensitivity with 180 kHz bandwidth over the 750-960 MHz bands. The WRX is fabricated in 28 nm CMOS and consumes 5× less power than the best previously published traditional NB-IoT receivers. This disclosure is the first designed dedicated wake-up receiver for the NB-IoT protocol and demonstrates the benefits of utilizing a WRX to reduce power consumption of NB-IoT radios.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting heavy metals in water is provided. The sensor includes a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode having complementary interdigitated surfaces that are separated from each other by a first gap having a distance of greater than or equal to about 500 nm to less than or equal to about 10 ?m. The sensor also includes a power source connectable to the first electrode and the second electrode. The sensor is configured to continuously monitor water for the presence of heavy metals. Methods of making and using the sensor are also provided.

Abstract: A nasal tissue implant for reconstruction and tissue engineering of nasal tissue in a subject includes a tissue scaffold component comprising a biocompatible polymeric material having a plurality of open pores configured to support cell growth. The tissue scaffold component conforms to a portion of the subject's nasal region and defines at least a portion of the subject's nasal anatomy. A method of making an implantable nasal tissue implant for reconstructing a portion of a nasal anatomy of a human or other animal subject is also provided that includes laser sintering or three-dimensional (3D) printing a biocompatible polymeric material to form a tissue scaffold component comprising a biocompatible polymeric material having a plurality of open pores configured to support cell growth. Again, the tissue scaffold component substantially conforms to a nasal region specific to the human or other animal subject.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for treating, delaying progression of, or reducing the severity of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a subject through administration of therapeutically effective amounts of agents (e.g., JAK kinase inhibitors (e.g., tofacitinib)) capable of interfering with central nervous system related natural killer cell (NK) levels and function.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel metal-organic framework materials (MOFs) useful, for example, for gas adsorption, storage, and/or separation. Also provided are methods of making the MOFs, articles of manufacture incorporating the MOFs and methods for making these, as well as methods of using the MOFs.

Abstract: Methods for multi-component topology optimization for composite structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of designing a structure by computer-implemented topology optimization includes establishing a plurality of design points within a design domain and establishing at least a first orientation field and a second orientation field. The method further includes assigning values for the one or more membership fields, the one or more density fields, the first orientation field and the second orientation field, and projecting the values onto a simulation model. The method includes achieving convergence of an objective function for a design variable by iteratively executing a topology optimization of the simulation model using the values. Each design point of the plurality of design points is a member of no component or a member of one of the first component and the second component.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide containers instantiated for each user equipment (UE), or on “per-UE” bases, which consolidate certain network functions for processing UE traffic into an efficient, in-network, and proximate virtualization to reduce latency and increase customizability.

Abstract: One commonality among most vehicular security attacks reported to date is that they ultimately require write access to the CAN bus. In order to cause targeted and intentional changes in the vehicle behavior, malicious CAN injection attacks require knowledge of the CAN message format. However, since this format is proprietary to OEMs and can differ even among different models of a single make of vehicle, one must manually reverse-engineer the CAN message format of each vehicle they target. To mitigate this difficulty, an automated CAN message translator is presented.

Abstract: A non-thermal plasma reactor system having an outer member; a non-thermal plasma inner member sleeve disposed within the outer member, the non-thermal plasma inner member sleeve having an central core volume, the non-thermal plasma inner member sleeve being smaller than the outer member to define an annular volume there between, the non-thermal plasma inner member sleeve having an inner surface boundary and an outer surface boundary to define a sleeve volume there between, the inner surface boundary and the outer surface boundary being permeable and configured to permit airflow between the annular volume and the central core volume; dielectric material being disposed within the sleeve volume; and at least one electrode extending within the sleeve volume and another electrode coupled to the inner sleeve member generating the non-thermal plasma contacting the airflow as it flows between the annular volume and the central core volume.

Abstract: A polymeric composition includes poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres; and at least one of a discrete RSNO adduct or a polymeric RSNO encapsulated within the microspheres, with the at least one of the discrete RSNO adduct or the polymeric RSNO adduct capable of releasing nitric oxide (NO). The polymeric composition exhibits stability under dry conditions at 37° C. and prolonged and controllable NO release rates, when exposed to light capable of photolyzing an RSNO bond, or when exposed to moisture, for a predetermined amount of time from the at least one of the discrete RSNO adduct or the polymeric RSNO adduct.

Abstract: A method of the disclosure implements a prefix-based estimator system. The method includes: receiving a plurality of vehicle states at a plurality of time points from at least one sensor coupled to a vehicle, wherein each of the plurality of vehicle states includes at least one parameter information and a discrete state; determining a most recent vehicle state of the plurality of vehicle states has at least one parameter information missing; identifying a prefix comprising a missing data pattern that matches a sequence of discrete states of a subset of time-ordered vehicle states including the most recent vehicle state, wherein the subset of time-ordered vehicle states correspond to the prefix; calculating an estimated updated vehicle state of the vehicle using an optimized prefix-based dynamic estimator based on the prefix and the subset of time ordered vehicle states; and providing the estimated updated vehicle state to a driving control system of the vehicle.

Abstract: Due to geometric discontinuities introduced by welding and joining processes, stresses or strain cannot be calculated reliably calculated using modern analytical and computer methods as result of stress or strain singularity at joint locations, which leads to severe mesh sensitivity. Design and fatigue evaluation of these structures remain empirical. This disclosure addresses mesh insensitivity of stress/strain calculations for welded structures through a cut-plane traction stress method through a novel post processing of conventional finite element computation results, as well as provides a unified fatigue evaluation procedure for fatigue design and structural life evaluation for both low-cycle and high cycle fatigue regime subjected to either proportional or non-proportional multiaxial fatigue loading, as well as a simple and reliable method for treating spot welds.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the stimulation of immune responses. In particular, the invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing an immune response to one or more antigens. Compositions and methods of the invention are useful for the treatment and/or prevention of microbial infections, such as infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, as well as the treatment and/or prevention of cancer and malignant diseases. Compositions and methods of the invention include one or more antigens/immunogens together with an adjuvant formulation comprising an emulsion delivery system in combination with one or more immunostimulatory compounds (e.g., a compound that stimulates the innate immune system (e.g., a toll-like receptor antagonist (e.g., synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN)))) that enhance immune responses to the one or more antigens/immunogens when administered to a subject.

Abstract: A composite part is manufactured by an additive process, which includes locating a layer of fibers, selectively depositing a matrix material in a predetermined pattern onto portions of the layer of fibers to form a matrix material layer, repeating these steps to generate a preform of the composite part, and applying heat and pressure to the preform to consolidate the layers of fiber and the layers of matrix material. During the depositing of the matrix material, voids are created within at least one layer of the matrix material by intentionally not depositing matrix material over predetermined areas of the layer of fibers, the predetermined areas configured to be within an outer boundary of the predetermined pattern of the matrix material.