Abstract: The present disclosure provides a list of genes, and the proteins encoded by these genes, that modulate and/or participate in the synthesis of the biopolymer suberin. The genes described here are useful in methods for producing genetically modified plants or breeding plants with increased or decreased suberin. Such plants can contain modified, mutated, or engineered candidate peptides; or have disrupted or enhanced expression using methods such as clustered regularly-interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR associated (Cas) nuclease, an antisense nucleic acid, a zinc finger nuclease (ZFN), or a transcription activator-like effector (TALE) nuclease. Increased suberin has a positive influence on response to plant water stress and pathogen protection, and a long-lasting role as a carbon sink in soil; and decreased suberin encourages symbioses and nutrient uptake.

Abstract: This application relates to methods and materials for providing a benefit to a seed or seedling of an agricultural plant (e.g., an agricultural grass plant), or the agricultural plant derived from the seed or seedling. For example, this application provides purified bacterial populations that include novel seed-origin bacterial endophytes, and synthetic combinations of seeds and/or seedlings (e.g., cereal seeds and/or seedlings) with heterologous seed-derived bacterial endophytes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically scheduling breaks for drivers in a ride-sharing service are disclosed. Driver breaks may be scheduled dynamically in the context of a ride-sharing service in which rides may be requested ad hoc and drivers are rerouted accordingly. An allocation system may optimize a drive itinerary to service passengers requesting rides and breaks for drivers. A break request comprising break parameters may be received. The allocation system may attempt an insertion of the break request into the drive itinerary. The drive itinerary may then be validated to determine if all rides can be serviced with the break request entered into the itinerary. If the drive itinerary is not validated, the drive itinerary is modified until the break request is successfully inserted into the drive itinerary. The drive itinerary and driver breaks may be continuously modified and optimized in response to real time events and conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically scheduling breaks for drivers in a ride-sharing service are disclosed. Driver breaks may be scheduled dynamically in the context of a ride-sharing service in which rides may be requested ad hoc and drivers are rerouted accordingly. An allocation system may optimize a drive itinerary to service passengers requesting rides and breaks for drivers. A break request comprising break parameters may be received. The allocation system may attempt an insertion of the break request into the drive itinerary. The drive itinerary may then be validated to determine if all rides can be serviced with the break request entered into the itinerary. If the drive itinerary is not validated, the drive itinerary is modified until the break request is successfully inserted into the drive itinerary. The drive itinerary and driver breaks may be continuously modified and optimized in response to real time events and conditions.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for electronically booking ride share trips. The systems and methods can involve a data storage device storing ride sharing records with itineraries including a plurality of legs. The systems and methods can involve at least one processor configured to receive a trip booking request for a passenger, the trip booking request defining passenger constraints including a desired pickup time or drop off time.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for electronically booking ride share trips. The systems and methods can involve a data storage device storing ride sharing records with itineraries including a plurality of legs. The systems and methods can involve at least one processor configured to receive a trip booking request for a passenger, the trip booking request defining passenger constraints including a desired pickup time or drop off time.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for electronically booking ride share trips. The systems and methods can involve a data storage device storing ride sharing records with itineraries including a plurality of legs. The systems and methods can involve at least one processor configured to receive a trip booking request for a passenger, the trip booking request defining passenger constraints including a desired pickup time or drop off time. The at least one processor is configured to generate trip booking options from available ride sharing itineraries, each trip booking option including a leg that satisfies the passenger constraints of the trip booking request. The at least one processor is configured to compute objective values for the trip booking options and remove at least one trip booking option based on a comparison of its objective value and temporal proximity to at least one other trip booking option.

Abstract: An electrically actuated aircraft brake with a carbon-carbon composite heat pack and an electrical actuator for engaging the heat pack and operating the brake. When the brake is not being applied, the brake actuator is adjusted in dependence upon temperature, for example, by controlling the actuator to maintain a temperature regulated position.

Abstract: A method for determining the likelihood of a medical event occurring, comprising the steps of applying a data mining technique to a dataset containing temporal patient data, wherein the data mining technique provides information regarding the likelihood of a medical event occurring.

Abstract: A method for charging an aircraft braking system for use includes monitoring actuations of an aircraft braking system to identify where generating usage and non-wear generating usage of the aircraft braking system, and charging the aircraft braking system for use based on the identified usage of the aircraft braking system. An apparatus for monitoring usage of aircraft brakes and charging the aircraft brakes for usage includes at least one sensor for sensing a brake output parameter when the aircraft brakes are actuated and providing signals indicative of values of the sensed brake output parameter. The apparatus further includes a processing system for processing the signals and determining whether an actuation of the aircraft brakes is a wear generating usage or a non-wear generating usage and operating a pricing scheme based on actuation of the aircraft brakes and the associated usage.

Abstract: A method for charging an aircraft braking system for use includes monitoring actuations of an aircraft braking system to identify where generating usage and non-wear generating usage of the aircraft braking system, and charging the aircraft braking system for use based on the identified usage of the aircraft braking system. An apparatus for monitoring usage of aircraft brakes and charging the aircraft brakes for usage includes at least one sensor for sensing a brake output parameter when the aircraft brakes are actuated and providing signals indicative of values of the sensed brake output parameter. The apparatus further includes a processing system for processing the signals and determining whether an actuation of the aircraft brakes is a wear generating usage or a non-wear generating usage and operating a pricing scheme based on actuation of the aircraft brakes and the associated usage.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the usage of brake members of an aircraft braking system. The system makes a separate record of each brake actuation in which there is relative movement of the brake member's facing friction surfaces which causes wear, determines the types of brake usage and operates a pricing/payment scheme to charge for brake usage.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring electrically-actuated aircraft brakes includes measuring the break heat pack thickness to determine wear of the brake discs and adjusting the measurement so as to give ongoing compensation for temperature variations and hence expansion of the heat pack.

Abstract: An electrically actuated aircraft brake with a carbon-carbon composite heat pack and an electrical actuator for engaging the heat pack and operating the brake. When the brake is not being applied, the brake actuator is adjusted in dependence upon temperature, for example, by controlling the actuator to maintain a temperature regulated position.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the usage of brake members of an aircraft braking system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring electrically-actuated aircraft brakes includes measuring the break heat pack thickness to determine wear of the brake discs and adjusting the measurement so as to give ongoing compensation for temperature variations and hence expansion of the heat pack.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the usage of brake members of an aircraft braking system. The system makes a separate record of each brake actuation in which there is relative movement of the brake member's facing friction surfaces which causes wear, determines the types of brake usage and operates a pricing/payment scheme to charge for brake usage.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the applications of carbon-carbon brakes of an aircraft to determine brake condition and operate a brake maintenance program or charge a brake system user. The system and method includes monitoring each actuation of the brakes and making a separate record of each actuation of the brakes in which there is relative movement of the facing friction surfaces that cause wear, and from that separate record determining brake usage. The monitoring may include measuring changes and processing the signals to distinguish between those which fall below and those which are above a threshold value. The method and system may comprise sensing a plurality of braking parameters having values dependent upon the wear in the system and different faults of the system, and identifying and recording wear and faults based on combinations of values of the parameters.

Abstract: A metal pallet (1) having: a top deck (5), a bottom deck (10) and at least two elongate bearers (15) securing the decks (5, 10) together. Each bearer (15) having a first portion (16) and a second portion (17), each portion (16, 17) extends separately between the decks (5, 10) and has a top web (20) and a bottom web (25) connected to a central web (30) by inclined portions (35).

Abstract: System and method for monitoring the applications of the brakes, e.g. of an aircraft to determine brake condition and operate a brake maintenance programme or charge a brake system user. It is desirable to have accurate information for determining the condition and predicting the life of carbon-carbon brake discs. This is important for safety as well as commercial reasons. The number of landings of an aircraft is often used as a determinant for such as lifetime warranties for brake discs and recommended maintenance periods. However, at least for carbon disc brakes, this may not be entirely accurate. For example such brake discs also wear during taxiing. The system and method herein includes monitoring each actuation of the brakes and making a separate record of each actuation of the brakes in which there is relative movement of the facing friction surfaces that cause wear, and from that separate record determining brake usage.