Abstract: Techniques for generating a driving surface cost landscape for determining costs for vehicle positions in an environment are described herein. A planning component within a vehicle may determine a non-preferred surface associated with a type of non-preferred area of an environment along a route of a vehicle, determine a preferred surface associated with a preferred area of the environment, determine an adjusted non-preferred surface by removing an overlapping area of the non-preferred surface that overlaps the preferred surface and determine a cost associated with a vehicle position based at least on the preferred surface and the adjusted non-preferred surface. The planning component may then determine a control trajectory for the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the cost associated with the vehicle position.

Abstract: Soil Monitoring Soil testing apparatus (101), for use in determining an indicator of soil health, comprises a probe (102) having a penetrating tip (107) for insertion in soil (100) to be tested, a sensor (106) operatively connected to the probe (102) and configured to provide an output indicative of sensed vibration, and a processing unit (103), operatively connected to the sensor (106), configured to acquire data indicative of vibration sensed in the soil (100) to be tested after the probe (102) has been located in a sensing position in the soil (100), the processing unit (103) configured to receive the output indicative of sensed vibration and store data derived therefrom for processing to determine an indicator of soil health based on the sensed vibration. A soil bioacoustic or ecoacoustic meter that comprises the soil testing apparatus (101). A method of determining an indicator of soil health using the soil testing apparatus (101).

Abstract: Techniques and methods for crosswalk handling for vehicles. The vehicle may identify a crosswalk and an object associated with the crosswalk in the environment. The vehicle may determine a heatmap based on sensor data and map data. The vehicle may determine a factor associated with the crosswalk relative to one or more of the vehicle and/or object based on the heatmap associated with the crosswalk. The vehicle may determine a cost associated with the crosswalk based on the factor. The vehicle may determine a trajectory for the vehicle to operate in the environment based on the cost associated with the crosswalk and follow the trajectory to travel in the environment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cohort of anti-proliferative microRNAs (miRs) wherein each member of the cohort (or combinations thereof) represent a target for modulating cell proliferation (and migration), influencing (or modulating) vascular remodelling and the treatment of various vascular complications, vascular injury vascular disease and (for example) disorders, diseases, syndromes and/or conditions which affect vessels and/or vascular systems of the human or animal body.

Abstract: Techniques for generating a local graph are described herein. A vehicle may receive a destination and generate a preferred path thereto. The vehicle may generate a local graph based on the preferred path which may define a subregion of the environment within which the vehicle may perform dynamic routing operations. For example, the vehicle may determine a local boundary which may define the subregion. Further, the vehicle may identify one or more junction(s) located within the local boundary and identify candidate (or alternative) driving lane(s) exiting such junction(s). The vehicle may generate a lane reference (e.g., optimized trajectory for the vehicle to follow to the destination) for each candidate driving lane. In such cases, the local boundary, the candidate driving lanes, and/or lane reference(s) may be data represented in the local graph. The vehicle may be controlled based on the local graph.

Abstract: Disclosed is a construct for use in a method of transcriptional activation of a complex genomic locus. The construct comprises a single guide RNA (sgRNA) binding a regulatory element of the said complex genomic locus, and a deactivated Cas. The construct may be introduced into cells including the genomic locus of interest in order to activate the regulatory element to transcribe multiple transcripts within said complex genomic locus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a nanoparticle composition comprising cyanine dye nanoparticles. The present invention also relates to said nanoparticles and their uses for detecting senescent cells and determining senescent burden.

Abstract: Techniques and methods for crosswalk handling for vehicles. The vehicle may identify a crosswalk and an object associated with the crosswalk in the environment. The vehicle may determine a heatmap based on sensor data and map data. The vehicle may determine a factor associated with the crosswalk relative to one or more of the vehicle and/or object based on the heatmap associated with the crosswalk. The vehicle may determine a cost associated with the crosswalk based on the factor. The vehicle may determine a trajectory for the vehicle to operate in the environment based on the cost associated with the crosswalk and follow the trajectory to travel in the environment.

Abstract: Techniques for generating a driving surface cost landscape for determining costs for vehicle positions in an environment are described herein. A planning component within a vehicle may determine a non-preferred surface associated with a type of non-preferred area of an environment along a route of a vehicle, determine a preferred surface associated with a preferred area of the environment, determine an adjusted non-preferred surface by removing an overlapping area of the non-preferred surface that overlaps the preferred surface and determine a cost associated with a vehicle position based at least on the preferred surface and the adjusted non-preferred surface. The planning component may then determine a control trajectory for the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the cost associated with the vehicle position.

Abstract: Improved membrane electrode assemblies, cation-associating components thereof, and methods of making and treating the same are provided. Membrane electrode assemblies may include an ionomer having a first pKa value, and a water-insoluble net polymer having a weakly-acidic functional group, wherein the weakly-acidic functional group has a second pKa value greater than the first pKa value.

Abstract: Improved membrane electrode assemblies, cation-associating components thereof, and methods of making and treating the same are provided. Membrane electrode assemblies may include an ionomer having a first pKa value, and a water-insoluble net polymer having a weakly-acidic functional group, wherein the weakly-acidic functional group has a second pKa value greater than the first pKa value.

Abstract: Methods and systems to de-identify a longitudinal dataset of personal records based on journalistic risk computed from a sample set of the personal records, including determining a similarity distribution of the sample set based on quasi-identifiers of the respective personal records, converting the similarity distribution of the sample set to an equivalence class distribution, and computing journalistic risk based on the equivalence distribution. In an embodiment, multiple similarity measures are determined for a personal record based on comparisons with multiple combinations of other personal records of the sample set, and an average of the multiple similarity measures is rounded. In an embodiment, similarity measures are determined for a subset of the sample set and, for each similarity measure, the number of records having the similarity measure is projected to the subset of personal records. Journalistic risk may be computed for multiple types of attacks.

Abstract: Methods and systems to de-identify a longitudinal dataset of personal records based on journalistic risk computed from a sample set of the personal records, including determining a similarity distribution of the sample set based on quasi-identifiers of the respective personal records, converting the similarity distribution of the sample set to an equivalence class distribution, and computing journalistic risk based on the equivalence distribution. In an embodiment, multiple similarity measures are determined for a personal record based on comparisons with multiple combinations of other personal records of the sample set, and an average of the multiple similarity measures is rounded. In an embodiment, similarity measures are determined for a subset of the sample set and, for each similarity measure, the number of records having the similarity measure is projected to the subset of personal records. Journalistic risk may be computed for multiple types of attacks.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide and nitrogen infused wine product includes wine infused with both carbon dioxide and nitrogen. A ratio of carbon dioxide to nitrogen in the wine can be in a range of 80% CO2/20% N2-60% CO2/40% N2.

Abstract: Improved membrane electrode assemblies, cation-associating components thereof, and methods of making and treating the same are provided. Membrane electrode assemblies may include an ionomer having a first pKa value, and a water-insoluble net polymer having a weakly-acidic functional group, wherein the weakly-acidic functional group has a second pKa value greater than the first pKa value.

Abstract: Provided herein are chimeric adenoviral vectors. The provided chimeric adenoviral vectors can be used to induce a protective immune response and/or express a transgene in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: A microfluidic device has a cavity in which a functionalized mesh is arranged in a layered configuration to provide a high surface area. The cavity is housed in a body that is easily configured for sample flow to concentrate the analyte, heat release of the analyte from the mesh, and elution of the released analyte. The microfluidic device can be used in a variety of applications by functionalizing the mesh with a suitable affinity media.

Abstract: Improved membrane electrode assemblies, cation-associating components thereof, and methods of making and treating the same are provided. Membrane electrode assemblies may include an ionomer having a first pKa value, and a water-insoluble net polymer having a weakly-acidic functional group, wherein the weakly-acidic functional group has a second pKa value greater than the first pKa value.

Abstract: Methods and systems to de-identify a longitudinal dataset of personal records based on journalistic risk computed from a sample set of the personal records, including determining a similarity distribution of the sample set based on quasi-identifiers of the respective personal records, converting the similarity distribution of the sample set to an equivalence class distribution, and computing journalistic risk based on the equivalence distribution. In an embodiment, multiple similarity measures are determined for a personal record based on comparisons with multiple combinations of other personal records of the sample set, and an average of the multiple similarity measures is rounded. In an embodiment, similarity measures are determined for a subset of the sample set and, for each similarity measure, the number of records having the similarity measure is projected to the subset of personal records. Journalistic risk may be computed for multiple types of attacks.

Abstract: Improved membrane electrode assemblies, cation-associating components thereof, and methods of making and treating the same are provided. Membrane electrode assemblies may include an ionomer having a first pKa value, and a water-insoluble net polymer having a weakly-acidic functional group, wherein the weakly-acidic functional group has a second pKa value greater than the first pKa value.