Abstract: Provided herein are methods, reagents, and kits for the isolation of sperm cells from other cell types and the purification of sperm-associated DNA from a complex sample. In particular, methods, reagents, and kits are provided for the separation of intact sperm cells from epithelial cells via binding of sperm cells to a cellulose material, and the extraction of sperm-associated DNA therefrom.

Abstract: The technology relates to detecting and responding to sounds for a vehicle having an autonomous driving mode. In one example, an audible signal corresponding to a sound received at one or more microphones of the vehicle may be received. Sensor data generated by a perception system of the vehicle identifying objects in an environment of the vehicle may be received. A type of sound may be determined by inputting the audible signal into a classifier. A set of additional signals may be determined based on the determined type of sound. The sensor data may be processed in order to identify one or more additional signals of the identified set of additional signals. The vehicle may be controlled in the autonomous driving mode in order to respond to the sound based on the one or more additional signals and the type of sound.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that may distinguish between dynamic obstacles and static obstacles. Given a detector for a class of static obstacles or objects, the vehicle may receive sensor data indicative of an environment of the vehicle. When a possible object is detected in a single frame, a location of the object and a time of observation of the object may be compared to previous observations. Based on the object being observed a threshold number of times, in substantially the same location, and within some window of time, the vehicle may accurately detect the presence of the object and reduce any false detections.

Abstract: Systems and method for performing X-ray computed tomography (CT) that can improve spectral separation and decrease motion artifacts without increasing radiation dose are provided. The systems and method can be used with either a kVp-switching source or a single-kVp source. When used with a kVp-switching source, an absorption grating and a filter grating can be disposed between the X-ray source and the sample to be imaged. Relative motion of the filter and absorption gratings can by synchronized to the kVp switching frequency of the X-ray source. When used with a single-kVp source, a combination of absorption and filter gratings can be used and can be driven in an oscillation movement that is optimized for a single-kVp X-ray source. With a single-kVp source, the absorption grating can also be omitted and the filter grating can remain stationary.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to training and using a phrase recognition model to identify phrases in images. As an example, a selected phrase list may include a plurality of phrases is received. Each phrase of the plurality of phrases includes text. An initial plurality of images may be received. A training image set may be selected from the initial plurality of images by identifying the phrase-containing images that include one or more phrases from the selected phrase list. Each given phrase-containing image of the training image set may be labeled with information identifying the one or more phrases from the selected phrase list included in the given phrase-containing images. The model may be trained based on the training image set such that the model is configured to, in response to receiving an input image, output data indicating whether a phrase of the plurality of phrases is included in the input image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for engaging, on behalf of a client computing device, one or more remote computing devices to perform a client directed task for a fee. The method comprising the steps of: receiving, from a client computing device, data indicative of a task to be performed; reviewing capabilities of the remote computing devices; selecting one or more suitable remote computing devices for performing at least a first subtask; negotiating, and reaching agreement, with selected remote computing devices on terms for performing the first subtask; verifying receipt of payment from a client, being associated with the client computing device; dispatching the first subtask; receiving a first result, from respective remote computing device; and providing payment to a remote provider, being associated with the remote computer device.

Abstract: The technology relates to determining general weather conditions affecting the roadway around a vehicle, and how such conditions may impact driving and route planning for the vehicle when operating in an autonomous mode. For instance, the on-board sensor system may detect whether the road is generally icy as opposed to a small ice patch on a specific portion of the road surface. The system may also evaluate specific driving actions taken by the vehicle and/or other nearby vehicles. Based on such information, the vehicle's control system is able to use the resultant information to select an appropriate braking level or braking strategy. As a result, the system can detect and respond to different levels of adverse weather conditions. The on-board computer system may share road condition information with nearby vehicles and with remote assistance, so that it may be employed with broader fleet planning operations.

Abstract: A transdermal dosing unit may include a first segment having a first pharmaceutical in a first reservoir, a first releasing compound, and a first adhesive component, a second segment removably connected to the first segment, the second segment having a second pharmaceutical in a second reservoir, a second releasing component, and a second adhesive component, and a backing component. The transdermal dosing unit may further include additional segments, and may include a perforated section between each segment. The first adhesive component may have a first adhesion strength, and the second adhesive component may have a second adhesion strength that is either different from or approximately equal to the first adhesion strength. A method of titrating a dose of such a transdermal dosing unit may include applying the transdermal dosing unit to a subject, and removing the first segment while leaving the second segment on the subject.

Abstract: A system includes a client device capable of being associated with a number of networked devices through a computer network to: process an embedded object, constrain an executable environment in a security sandbox, and execute a sandboxed application in the executable environment. The embedded object is processed through the sandboxed application. The system also includes a relevancy-matching server to: receive primary data generated from fingerprint data of each of the number of networked devices, match the primary data with targeted data based on a relevancy factor, search a storage for the targeted data, and cause rendering of the targeted data through the embedded object processed through the sandboxed application of the client device. The primary data is any one of a content identification data and a content identification history.

Abstract: The technology relates to identifying and addressing aberrant driver behavior. Various driving operations may be evaluated over different time scales and driving distances. The system can detect driving errors and suboptimal maneuvering, which are evaluated by an onboard driver assistance system and compared against a model of expected driver behavior. The result of this comparison can be used to alert the driver or take immediate corrective driving action. It may also be used for real-time or offline training or sensor calibration purposes. The behavior model may be driver-specific, or may be a nominal driver model based on aggregated information from many drivers. These approaches can be employed with drivers of passenger vehicles, busses, cargo trucks and other vehicles.

Abstract: The technology relates to detecting and responding to sounds for a vehicle having an autonomous driving mode. In one example, an audible signal corresponding to a sound received at one or more microphones of the vehicle may be received. Sensor data generated by a perception system of the vehicle identifying objects in an environment of the vehicle may be received. A type of sound may be determined by inputting the audible signal into a classifier. A set of additional signals may be determined based on the determined type of sound. The sensor data may be processed in order to identify one or more additional signals of the identified set of additional signals. The vehicle may be controlled in the autonomous driving mode in order to respond to the sound based on the one or more additional signals and the type of sound.

Abstract: A method of a capture infrastructure includes determining a content identifier by applying a first automatic content recognition algorithm to fingerprint data of an audio-visual data rendered on a networked media device, and associating the content identifier with additional data derived from information other than the fingerprint data.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compounds of Formula (I): and to their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, pharmaceutical compositions, methods of use, and methods for their preparation. The compounds disclosed herein are useful for inhibiting the maturation of cytokines of the IL-1 family by inhibiting inflammasomes and may be used in the treatment of disorders in which inflammasome activity is implicated, such as autoinflammatory and autoimmune diseases and cancers.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to detecting and responding to stop signs. An object detected in a vehicle's environment having location coordinates may be identified as a stop sign and, it may be determined whether the location coordinates of the identified stop sign correspond to a location of a stop sign in detailed map information. Then, whether the identified stop sign applies to the vehicle may be determined based on the detailed map information or on a number of factors. Then, if the identified stop sign is determined to apply to the vehicle, responses of the vehicle to the stop sign may be determined, and, the vehicle may be controlled based on the determined responses.

Abstract: A system includes a networked device generating a fingerprint of media data rendered thereon, with the networked device having an identification data associated therewith, and a first set of computer implemented instructions executing to generate content identification data from the fingerprint. The system also includes a second set of computer implemented instructions executing to associate the content identification data with the identification data of the networked device, and associate the identification data of the networked device with an identification data of a user of the networked device involved in an interaction with the networked device. The interaction is associated with the rendering of the media data on the networked device.

Abstract: The technology relates to determining the current state of friction that a vehicle's wheels have with the road surface. This may be done via active or passive testing or other monitoring while the vehicles operates in an autonomous mode. In response to detecting the loss of traction, the vehicle's control system is able to use the resultant information to select an appropriate braking level or braking strategy. This may be done for both immediate driving operations and planning future portions of an ongoing trip. For instance, the on-board system is able to evaluate appropriate conditions and situations for active testing or passive evaluation of traction through autonomous braking and/or acceleration operations. The on-board computer system may share slippage and other road condition information with nearby vehicles and with remote assistance, so that it may be employed with broader fleet planning operations.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to detecting unmapped drivable road surfaces. In one instance, sensor data captured by a sensor of an autonomous vehicle may be projected onto a grid having a plurality of cells. The plurality of cells may be classified by generating a label for each of the plurality of cells. Each label may identifies whether or not a corresponding cell contains a drivable surface. Ones of the plurality of cells may be clustered based on the labels to form a cluster of cells. An area of the cluster of cells may be compared to a map. Whether the area of the cluster of cells is an unmapped drivable road surface may be determined based on the comparison.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of machine learning includes identifying, by an auto encoder network, a simulator feature based, at least in part, on a received first simulator data set and an emulator feature based, at least in part, on a received first emulator data set. The method further includes determining, by a synthesis control circuitry, a synthesized feature based, at least in part, on the simulator feature and based, at least in part, on the emulator feature; and generating, by the auto encoder network, an intermediate data set based, at least in part, on a second simulator data set and including the synthesized feature. Some embodiments of the method further include determining, by a generative artificial neural network, a synthesized data set based, at least in part, on the intermediate data set and based, at least in part, on an objective function.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to detecting and responding to objects in a vehicle's environment. For example, an object may be identified in a vehicle's environment, the object having a heading and location. A set of possible actions for the object may be generated using map information describing the vehicle's environment and the heading and location of the object. A set of possible future trajectories of the object may be generated based on the set of possible actions. A likelihood value of each trajectory of the set of possible future trajectories may be determined based on contextual information including a status of the detected object. A final future trajectory is determined based on the determined likelihood value for each trajectory of the set of possible future trajectories. The vehicle is then maneuvered in order to avoid the final future trajectory and the object.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to training and using a phrase recognition model to identify phrases in images. As an example, a selected phrase list may include a plurality of phrases is received. Each phrase of the plurality of phrases includes text. An initial plurality of images may be received. A training image set may be selected from the initial plurality of images by identifying the phrase-containing images that include one or more phrases from the selected phrase list. Each given phrase-containing image of the training image set may be labeled with information identifying the one or more phrases from the selected phrase list included in the given phrase-containing images. The model may be trained based on the training image set such that the model is configured to, in response to receiving an input image, output data indicating whether a phrase of the plurality of phrases is included in the input image.