Abstract: A solid-state thermal battery system is disclosed herein. The system includes a stationary thermal storage medium that can be charged by adding heat to the thermal storage medium. Actuated heat engines can be utilized to discharge the solid-state thermal battery, converting the heat stored in the thermal storage medium into electricity. The heat engines are actuated in a manner that reduces thermal gradients in the thermal storage medium to increase the efficiency of the system. In one embodiment, the thermal storage medium is contained in a main chamber of an insulated container. The heat engines are stored, when idle, in an ancillary chamber adjacent to the main chamber and moved into the main chamber by an actuation system to begin discharging the solid-state thermal battery. The heat engines follow a path during discharge to dynamically move between regions of the thermal storage medium to reduce thermal gradients induced therein.

Abstract: A computer network device (such as an access point, a switch or a router) that has multiple user interfaces is described. During operation, the computer network device may execute program instructions for the user interfaces and a shared messaging module, where a given user interface includes an agent corresponding to an application. When a message associated with the application is received via a user interface in the user interfaces, the corresponding agent in the user interface may extract a command or operation from the message. Then, the shared messaging module may translate the command or operation into a common format of the application. Moreover, the shared messaging module may provide (or route) the translated command or operation addressed to the application via a single communication path associated with the application and the agents for the application in the user interfaces.

Abstract: A blow molded multilayer article with a hollow body defined by a wall with an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface has an axial color gradient. The wall has multiple layers and at least one layer optionally contains an effect pigment and/or an opacifying pigment.

Abstract: A notched filter includes a multilayer having alternating first and second polymer layers, the first polymer layers each including an isotropic polymer thin film having in-plane refractive indices n1x and n1y, and the second polymer layers each including an isotropic or anisotropic polymer thin film having in-plane refractive indices n2x and n2y, where a thickness of each successive first polymer layer decreases with increasing distance from a centerline of the multilayer, and a thickness of each successive second polymer layer increases with increasing distance from the centerline. Such a filter may be configured to reflect incident light having a desired polarization state within a predetermined and relatively narrow band.

Abstract: Antibody molecule-drug conjugates (ADCs) that specifically bind to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are disclosed. The antibody molecule-drug conjugates can be used to treat, prevent, and/or diagnose bacterial infections and related disorders.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, a sensor configured to generate a sensor signal correlated with an air-fuel ratio of first and second cylinders of the plurality of cylinders, and a controller in communication with the sensor and programmed to monitor the air-fuel ratio of the first cylinder in response to an indication that air-fuel ratio measurements of the first cylinder satisfy predetermined criteria for current engine operating conditions while air-fuel ratio measurements of the second cylinder do not satisfy the predetermined criteria for the current engine operating conditions.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for monitoring, detecting, and/or protecting various systems of an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide a multi-tiered system to provide monitoring, detection, and/or initiation of protection protocols in response to detected faults in connection with the electronics associated with UAV systems, such as the motor drive and/or control systems that may drive the propulsion systems of the UAV.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a novel execution engine integration framework for a BFT SMR system. With this framework, execution engines for services can be integrated into the BFT SMR system in a generic manner, thereby avoiding the need to implement a custom request handling code for each individual service/execution engine.

Abstract: Provided is a method of transportation information exchange that includes receiving first data from a first aviation data source, such that the first data is provided in a first data format type and determining, based on a set of routing rules, a first aviation consumer of at least a first portion of the first data. The method further includes processing the first portion of the first data into a second data format type associated with the first aviation consumer and providing the first portion of the first data in the second data format type to the first aviation consumer.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, comprising accessing an image comprising a handheld device, wherein the image is captured by one or more cameras associated with the computing device, generating a cropped image that comprises a hand of a user or the handheld device from the image by processing the image, generating a vision-based six degrees of freedom (6DoF) pose estimation for the handheld device by processing the cropped image, metadata associated with the image, and first sensor data from one or more sensors associated with the handheld device, generating a map-based 6DoF pose estimation using the handheld device, and generating a final 6DoF pose estimation for the handheld device based on the vision-based 6DoF pose estimation and the map-based 6DoF pose estimation generated using the handheld device.

Abstract: An optical system (31) for analysing biological processes comprising: a biological process vessel (33) comprising a chamber and an optical interface element (34) for optically coupling the chamber to an optical emitter, a wavelength discrimination component, and an optical detector when a biological process fluid in the chamber is being analysed, the optical interface element being configured to couple light in the mid-infrared range; an optical emitter (351) configured to emit light in the mid-infrared range; an optical detector (353) configured to detect light in the mid-infrared range; a wavelength discrimination component (352); an alignment component (42) for aligning the optical emitter, optical detector, and wavelength discrimination component with the optical interface element; and a processor (354) configured to: receive outputs from the optical detector; and process the received outputs from the optical detector to provide an indication of the constituents of a biological process fluid in the chambe

Abstract: Operating a gaseous fuel engine includes spark-igniting gaseous hydrogen fuel and air, and propagating combustion gases of the spark-ignited mixture outwardly from a spark gap. The propagating combustion gases are impinged upon a cone surface of a piston so as to limit a flame area of the propagating combustion gases. Additional gaseous hydrogen fuel and air is ignited in the combustion cylinder by way of the propagating combustion gases to urge a piston toward a bottom-dead-center position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, method, or computer program product for cross-channel network security with tiered adaptive mitigation operations. In this regard, the invention is structured for dynamic detection of security events associated with network devices and resources, and triggering real-time mitigation operations across a plurality of resource channels. The invention provides a novel method for employing activity data to construct and implement mitigation actions for de-escalating authorization tiers that are adapted to the specific attributes of the activity data, in order to prevent security exposure associated with the activity. Another aspect of the invention is directed to determining whether to continue the tiered adaptive mitigation actions and/or trigger a security proceed signal.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a smokeless tobacco system include one or more preformed smokeless tobacco products configured to generally retain their shape during processing, shipping, and consumer handling. In particular embodiments, each smokeless tobacco product can comprise a moist smokeless tobacco in combination with a selected binder such that the final product is configured to have material properties providing improved handling, an improved mouth feel, and a satisfying flavor profile.

Abstract: A control system comprises a memory storing a sequence of sensor data received from one or more sensors. The control system has a processor which processes the sensor data to compute a sequence of derived sensor data values. An autoencoder receives the sequence of derived sensor data values and computes a forward prediction of the sequence of derived sensor data values, the autoencoder having been trained imposing a relationship on positions of the derived sensor data values encoded in a latent space of the autoencoder. A processor initiates control of an apparatus using the forward prediction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying, selecting and/or producing a pathogen resistant plant or germplasm (e.g., soybean plant or germplasm) using genes derived from Glycine tomentella. Candidate genes capable of conferring pathogen resistance (e.g., to Asian Soy Rust) are provided. A plant or germplasm that has been identified, selected and/or produced by any of the methods of the present invention is also provided. Pathogen resistant seeds, plants and germplasms are also provided.

Abstract: An appliance is provided including a fluid flow path and a filter receiving portion. The filter receiving portion comprises an installation assistance feature and is configured to receive a water filter such that it is fluidly connected to the flow path. One or more water filter sensors are included that sense when the water filter is in a first position relative to the filter receiving portion so as to enable initiation of an installation procedure to cause the water filter to move to the installed position. The installation procedure utilizes no the installation assistance feature. At least one controller is provided that receives an indication that the water filter is in a first position and causes, based on the indication, activation of the installation assistance feature to reposition the water filter from the first position towards the installed position.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor system for a vehicle includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a scanner. The transmitter is configured to output a transmit beam. The transmitter includes a first grating coupler. The receiver includes a plurality of second grating couplers spaced apart from the first grating coupler.

Abstract: A medical imaging device for use in imaging a subject using both gamma rays and light rays emanating from the subject, the device comprising: separation means to separate gamma rays and light rays emanating from the subject into a gamma ray channel comprising gamma rays and a light ray channel comprising light rays; first sensor means arranged to receive and detect gamma rays from the gamma ray channel and to generate first signals for use in forming a first image of the subject; second sensor means arranged to receive and detect light rays from the light ray channel and to generate second signals for use in forming a second image of the subject; wherein the first sensor means and the second sensor means are arranged to receive gamma rays and light rays, respectively, which propagate from the subject upon substantially coincident paths.