Abstract: A method for forming a point cloud corresponding to the topography of an imaged environment involves acquiring an image of the environment with a camera having a WFOV lens mounted on a vehicle; changing the camera pose by an adjustment greater than a threshold; and acquiring another image of the environment with the camera at the changed pose. The images are mapped onto respective surfaces to form respective mapped images, defined by the same nonplanar geometry. One of the mapped images is divided into blocks of pixels. For each block, a depth map is formed by performing a search through the other mapped image to evaluate a disparity in the position of the location of the block of pixels in each of the mapped images. The depth map is converted into a partial point cloud corresponding to the local topography of the environment surrounding the vehicle as it moves through the environment.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of preparing a thermoresponsive polymer biomacromolecule conjugate, the method comprising: preparing by living cationic ring opening polymerisation a thermoresponsive polymer selected from polyoxazoline, polyoxazine, or copolymer thereof, the so-formed thermoresponsive polymer having a living cation; and reacting the living cation with a nucleophilic functional group selected from carboxylate, amino, sulfate, sulfonate, phosphate, phosphonate and thiol of a biomacromolecule to conjugate the thermoresponsive polymer to the biomacromolecule; wherein in an aqueous liquid the so-formed thermoresponsive polymer biomacromolecule conjugate exhibits a gelation temperature and forms a hydrogel in that liquid above that gelation temperature.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for enabling the emission and reflection of UV-C light to sterilize a patient’s skin. A UV chip can be configured to emit the UV-C light. A UV reflector can receive the UV-C light and divert it toward the patient’s skin. The UV-C light can be directed to shine through a UV window to sterilize the patient’s skin.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure deal with archery sights mounted and/or mountable on an archery bow. The sight incorporates a sight hood with a removable sight level. The sight level is configured to snap-fit into one or more apertures defined the sight hood. To configure the sight for left- or right-handed use, an archer rotates the sight hood to the desired orientation and secures the sight level within the preferred aperture.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively transmitting routing information between separated local area network (LAN) interfaces are disclosed. In exemplary embodiments, a network appliance to update a local routing table with IP subnet, neighbor type, source type, and community identifier of a second network appliance; based at least on the local routing table, receive a customized routing policy and subnet exporting policy that permits the network appliance to export a subset of IP addresses from the local routing table to a permitted community of network appliances, wherein the customized routing policy and subnet exporting policy are configured by a network administrator of the network appliance; match the permitted community of network appliances to a new community identifier of a third network appliance; and export the subset of IP addresses of the local routing table to the third network appliance based on the customized routing policy and subnet exporting policy.

Abstract: An epitaxial structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a dislocation blocking layer; and one or more active layers.

Abstract: A method for enabling transactions may include defining states of a transactional system that implements the method and transitions between the states. Each transition between the states can comprise a data item. The transactional system may determine the states and the transitions between the states used by the first entity, determine the states and the transitions between the states used by the second entity, determine a required state not used by the first entity but is used by the second entity, and determine a required transition between the states. The required transition between the states is not used by the first entity but is used by the second entity. The transactional system may determine a required data item of the required transition between the states and define a handler to enable transactions between the first entity and the second entity in the transactional system.

Abstract: A battery cell capable of self-priming with molten metal produced within the battery cell includes a cathode compartment configured to contain a catholyte that releases metal ions, an anode compartment at least partially containing an anode current collector that receives electrons from an external power supply, an ion-selective membrane positioned between the cathode compartment and the anode compartment and configured to selectively transport the metal ions from the cathode compartment to the anode compartment when self-priming the battery cell, and an electron transport structure extending between the anode current collector and the ion-selective membrane within the anode compartment and configured to transport the electrons from the anode current collector to the ion-selective membrane when self-priming the battery cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a biosensor for the detection of protease activity. The detection of protease activity can be used for the detection of viral infection, in particular coronavirus infection. The biosensor described herein can be used to detect SARS-CoV-2. The present disclosure also provides vectors expressing the biosensor and methods for using the same.

Abstract: A sandbag filling system includes a support frame, a driving unit, a conveyor unit, and a hopper chute. The support frame includes a feed gate and an adjustable mount and is configured to receive a material and guide the material to a conveyor belt. The driving unit is arranged in the support frame and includes a motor connected to a drive shaft. The conveyor unit is arranged in the support frame as well and includes a conveyor belt configured to be moved by the driving unit. The hopper chute is arranged below the feed gate of the support frame and located proximal to the conveyor belt.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a space suit joint is disclosed. The space suit joint includes a contact bearing having a plurality of contact points with an angular offset of a centerline in a radial direction and an angular offset from the centerline in an axial direction. The space suit joint further includes a ferrofluid pressure seal comprising an inner and outer race with a magnetic circuit embedded therein.

Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for generating, maintaining, and using an inventory for insurance purposes. An optimized inventory analysis server may use a demographic classification for a given user along with data related to items owned by other users to determine one or more items for recommendation to the given user. Details associated with existing insurance coverage levels may also be used to recommend new insurance products to the user. In addition, the optimized inventory analysis server may determine a depreciated value of each item within an inventory. These values may be used to assess loss and settle an insurance claim for damage to one or more of the items in the inventory. Finally, the optimized inventory analysis server may recommend incentives on products/services sold by third party entities and may further recommend incentives on insurance products for insuring items purchased by a given user.

Abstract: Artificial Intelligence systems receive two dimensional design plans (e.g., physical, or electronic documents) that are processed to mimic the perception, learning, problem-solving, and decision-making formerly performed by human workers assessing the design plans for compliance with an applicable code. AI analysis converts vector images into patterns that are conducive to machine learning and generates a dynamic interface that allows a user to interact with the AI findings. The AI assesses whether a building described in the design plans complies with a relevant code set forth by an authority having jurisdiction. Codes may include, for example, codes enforcing fire safety and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing transcranial diagnostic procedures using a transcranial ultrasound transducer array. The array elements are positioned and oriented such that far field regions respectively associated therewith spatially overlap within the brain of a patient. The array elements may be oriented approximately normal to the skull, permitting efficient coupling of ultrasound energy into the brain. The array elements are controlled to generate ultrasound pulses, where the timing of the pulses is controlled, based on registration between the array elements and volumetric image data, such that ultrasound energy is focused at a target within spatially overlapping far fields of the array elements. The transcranial ultrasound transducer array elements may be positioned and oriented relative to the skull such that their respective ultrasound beams are focused within the skull and diverging with the brain.

Abstract: Various examples are directed to computer-implemented systems and methods for providing a triage tool for investment advising. A method includes displaying, by a processor of a computer, an image on a graphical user interface (GUI) of a device of a user. The image includes information related to financial account management for the user. Input options are provided to the user on the GUI including at least two directional swipe input options to obtain the user's positive or negative response to the image. The processor receives the user's response to the input options, and determines a profile of the user based on the user's response to the input options. The processor provides directed financial investment advice and tailored financial products, based on the profile of the user, to increase applicability and effectiveness of wealth management for the user.

Abstract: There is an apparatus (1) and a method for providing visual signals relating to a plurality of laboratory sample carriers (2). Laboratory sample carriers (2) are placed on corresponding carrier bays (6) of a tray (4) wherein each sample carrier (2) displays an identification code (5). A digital image of at least part of the tray (4) is taken with a digital camera (11). The digital image is processed with a processing device (13) to read the laboratory sample carrier identification codes (5) in the image. A visual signal emitting device (10) is activated to emit at least one visual signal for each occupied carrier bay (6) included in the image wherein the visual signal emitted for each carrier bay (6) is determined by the sample carrier identification code (5) read by the processing device (13) from a corresponding carrier bay part of the processed image.

Abstract: A show effect system of an amusement park attraction includes a prop component and a linkage system having an extension and a contactor system. The linkage system is configured to move relative to the prop component to move the extension toward the prop component and to cause engagement between the contactor system and the prop component, cause the prop component to move, via the engagement between the contactor system and the prop component, in conjunction with the extension, and block direct contact between the prop component and the extension. The extension is coupled to an animated figure such that the linkage system is configured to cause movement of the animated figure via the extension.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for a multi-frequency sampling system. A system implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes a first bandpass filter to filter a radio frequency (RF) signal to generate a first filtered signal in a first frequency band, and a second bandpass filter to filter the RF signal to generate a second filtered signal in a second frequency band. The system also includes a first analog to digital converter (ADC) operating at a first sampling frequency to convert the first filtered signal to a first digital signal and a second ADC operating at a second sampling frequency to convert the second filtered signal to a second digital signal. The first frequency band is selected to avoid a first Nyquist boundary zone associated with the first sampling frequency and the second frequency band is selected to avoid a second Nyquist boundary zone associated with the second sampling frequency.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure deal with archery sights mounted or mountable on an archery bow. The sight incorporates a sight pin and an adjustment assembly in combination with an electronic module to indicate or control the desired position of the sight pin. The electronic module calculates and displays correlated target distances based on the position of the sight pin.

Abstract: In some implementations, the disclosed systems and methods can capture visual frames and an object manager can recognize a visual signal within the captured visual frames, such as a QR code. In some implementations, the disclosed systems and methods can participate in a private conference within a session.