Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method for time shifting when a cold storage facility is cooled that includes determining a thermal model of a cold storage facility, obtaining an energy cost model that describes a schedule of variable energy costs over a predetermined period of time in the future, determining an operational schedule for at least a portion of a refrigeration system based on the thermal model, the energy cost model, and a maximum allowed temperature, and powering on the portion the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule, cooling, by the powered portion of the refrigeration system to a temperature below the maximum allowed temperature, reducing power usage of the powered portion of the refrigeration system based on the operational schedule, and permitting the facility to be warmed by ambient temperatures toward the maximum allowed temperature.

Abstract: There is provided a non-combustible aerosol delivery system for filtering exhaled breath, the aerosol delivery system including a power source; a filter unit; an inhalate airflow path adapted to convey vapor generated by the aerosol delivery system to the user during an inhalation, and an exhalate airflow path adapted to convey breath from the user to the filter unit during an exhalation into the aerosol delivery system; wherein the filter unit contains at least one filter, and wherein the at least one filter comprises glass fiber, polypropylene, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for determining a pick area arrangement for a storage facility. A method can include retrieving, by a computer system, historic pallet information for pallet SKUs and pick area information, determining, based on the information, a number of bays to allocate for each pallet SKU, determining, based on the information, a number of dynamic bays to allocate in the pick area, which receive pallet SKUs in high demand during a particular time, determining, based on the information, quantities of aisles to allocate as pick aisles in the pick area by simulating aisle arrangements with pallet SKUs from the historic pallet information and determining average travel times to complete pick orders having the pallet SKUs in the aisle arrangements, selecting the quantity of aisles providing a lowest average travel time, and assigning each pallet SKU from the historic pallet information to bays in the quantity of aisles.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices and methods for analysis of male fertility. The invention provides self-contained, hand-held receptacles and systems for collection and analysis of semen samples and methods of using such devices to analyze semen samples. Also provided are processor-implemented and machine learning methods of analyzing semen sample data obtained using devices of the invention.

Abstract: A washing agent portion unit including a) at least one first receiving chamber, b) at least one water-soluble film surrounding this first receiving chamber, and c) at least one first flowable washing agent preparation located in the first receiving chamber, which preparation contains, based on the total weight thereof, i) 40 to 80 wt. % surfactant; ii) 2 to 15 wt. % fatty acid; iii) 0.3 to 8 wt. % of salt of a divalent cation; iv) 8 to 35 wt. % solvent; d) at least one second receiving chamber which is surrounded by a water-soluble film and is filled with a second washing agent preparation which differs from the first flowable washing agent preparation, wherein the first receiving chamber and the second receiving chamber are directly adjacent to one another and separated from one another by a water-soluble film, and washing methods using these washing agent portion units.

Abstract: A plug comprising: a plurality of pins or a plurality of sockets; a body portion housing the plurality of pins or the plurality of sockets and the body portion extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the plurality of pins or the plurality of sockets; a connection section connected to the body portion and extending from the body portion at an obtuse angle; and a cord connected to an end of the connection section; wherein the body portion and the connection section are connected at a joint and the joint includes a sub-flush radius on an underside of the joint.

Abstract: A LIDAR unit includes a housing defining a cavity. The LIDAR unit further include a plurality of emitters disposed on a circuit board within the cavity. Each of the emitters emits a laser beam along a transmit path. The LIDAR system further includes a first telecentric lens assembly positioned within the cavity and along the transmit path such that the laser beam emitted from each of the plurality of emitters passes through the first telecentric lens assembly. The LIDAR further includes a second telecentric lens assembly positioned within the cavity and along a receive path such that a plurality of reflected laser beams entering the cavity pass through the second telecentric lens assembly. The first telecentric lens assembly and the second telecentric lens assembly each include a field flattening lens and at least one other lens.

Abstract: A method for producing a liquid, surfactant-containing washing agent containing: i) 20 to 80 wt. % surfactant; ii) 2 to 15 wt. % fatty acid; iii) 0.3 to 8 wt. % of salt of a divalent cation; iv) 8 to 35 wt. % solvent; the method including the steps of: a) providing a first flowable washing agent preparation containing a surfactant, fatty acid and solvent; b) introducing the salt of a divalent cation into the liquid composition so as to form a salt-containing composition; c) mixing the salt-containing composition.

Abstract: A method of making an opacified liquid detergent composition is disclosed. The method includes the steps of combining at least one anionic surfactant, a fatty acid, and water to form a mixture having a transparent optical appearance, then adding divalent cations to the mixture, and opacifying the mixture as the divalent cations interact with the fatty acid to form the opacified liquid detergent composition in the absence of a microplastic opacifier. The opacified liquid detergent composition having a turbidity value of greater than about 250 turbidity units (NTUs) measured utilizing a turbidity meter at about 24° C.

Abstract: A radiation spectrometer includes a scintillator, a photomultiplier, and one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The scintillator receives radiation from the environment and emits light that is indicative of an energy of the radiation. The photomultiplier receives the light and outputs an electrical signal that is in turn indicative of the energy of the radiation. Spectral data can be generated based upon the electrical signal, wherein the spectral data indicates a number of radiation events in each of several energy bins. The one or more LEDs can emit LED light through the scintillator and toward the photomultiplier, wherein the LED light causes an LED peak in the spectral data that can be used to identify an absolute energy of radiation events in the spectral data.

Abstract: An introduced autonomous aerial vehicle can include multiple cameras for capturing images of a surrounding physical environment that are utilized for motion planning by an autonomous navigation system. In some embodiments, the cameras can be integrated into one or more rotor assemblies that house powered rotors to free up space within the body of the aerial vehicle. In an example embodiment, an aerial vehicle includes multiple upward-facing cameras and multiple downward-facing cameras with overlapping fields of view to enable stereoscopic computer vision in a plurality of directions around the aerial vehicle. Similar camera arrangements can also be implemented in fixed-wing aerial vehicles.

Abstract: A position and orientation determining system includes a first radio frequency (RF) device including at least one antenna configured to receive and transmit RF signals, a first radio unit in communication with the at least one antenna, and an inertial measurement unit (IMU).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for assembling, installing, and operating a manually operated gate (e.g., a safety gate) are provided. The manually operated safety gate can include a gate frame and a spring assembly. The gate frame can include a proximal upright member, a distal upright member, an upper arm, and a lower arm. The proximal upright member can be anchored to a stationary surface. The upper arm and lower arm can be pivotably coupled to the proximal upright member and distal upright member to form a parallelogram. The manually operated gate can be configured to pivot between an open position and a closed position at a constant angular velocity. The gate can freely pivot to the closed position from a self-close position. A kit can contain the required structural components and instructions and can be used to assemble the manually operated gate assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to stop both external and internal fraud, ensure correct actions are being followed, and information is available to fraud teams for investigation. The system includes components that can address: 1) behavioral analytics (ANI reputation, IVR behavior, account activity)—this gives a risk assessment event before a call gets to an agent; 2) fraud detection—the ability to identify, in real time, if a caller is part of a fraudster cohort' and alert the agent and escalate to the fraud team; 3) identity authentication—the ability to identify through natural language if the caller is who they say they are; and 4) two factor authentication—the ability to send a text message to the caller and automatically process the response and create a case in the event of suspected fraud.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine comprising: determining a first set point value of a volume of air to be taken into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine within one working cycle thereof by retrieving the first set point value from a first characteristic map stored in a memory device of an electronic computing device as a function of a current engine speed of the internal combustion engine and as a function of a torque to be provided by the internal combustion engine; and determining a second set point value by retrieving the second set point value from a second characteristic map stored in the memory device of the electronic computing device as a function of a current engine speed of the internal combustion engine and as a function of a current volume of air supplied to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A system includes a position indicator and a processing device which enable a user to intuitively and dynamically specify dimensions and shapes of objects. The position indicator transmits a signal indicative of a pressure applied to a part of the position indicator. The processing device receives the signal indicative of the pressure applied to the part of the position indicator and signals indicative of respective positions of the position indicator. The processing device generates visualization data based on the signal indicative of the pressure applied to the part of the position indicator and the signals indicative of the respective positions of the position indicator. The visualization data defines an object that extends from a predetermined position in a direction that is based on the signal indicative of the pressure applied to the part of the position indicator.

Abstract: A configurable printing bed for a 3D printer includes a bed surface and linear actuators. The bed surface includes bed surface portions. Each of the bed surface portions is supported for independent movement. At least one of the bed surface portions includes a head that is twistable. When each of the bed surface portions is positioned at a reference level, the bed surface portions form different parts of a common plane. Each of the linear actuators is connected to at least one of the bed surface portions, respectively. The linear actuators are configured to generate the independent movement of the bed surface portions and to effect positioning of the bed surface portions. The linear actuators are configured to lower the bed surface portions in a staggered manner so that a release wave is generated and used to remove a 3D printed object from the printing bed.

Abstract: An introduced autonomous aerial vehicle can include multiple cameras for capturing images of a surrounding physical environment that are utilized for motion planning by an autonomous navigation system. In some embodiments, the cameras can be integrated into one or more rotor assemblies that house powered rotors to free up space within the body of the aerial vehicle. In an example embodiment, an aerial vehicle includes multiple upward-facing cameras and multiple downward-facing cameras with overlapping fields of view to enable stereoscopic computer vision in a plurality of directions around the aerial vehicle. Similar camera arrangements can also be implemented in fixed-wing aerial vehicles.

Abstract: A method is provided for screening a compound relative to a target biological component. The method includes determining an estimated half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value for the compound relative to the target biological component from three concentrations of the compound. This includes testing the three concentrations on the target biological component to obtain three response measurements of the compound in inhibiting a biological function of the target. A pseudo concentration-response curve (CRC) is constructed from the three concentrations and three response measurements, and the estimated IC50 value is determined from the pseudo CRC. The method includes determining a plurality of concentrations of the compound from the estimated IC50 value, and testing the plurality of concentrations of the compound on the target biological component to obtain a plurality of response measurements of the compound.