Abstract: A method, comprising amplifying a nucleic acid sequence of interest in a sample comprising genomic DNA of a subject; amplifying a reference nucleic acid sequence in the sample; quantifying the amplified sequence of interest relative to the amplified reference sequence; and determining a copy number of the sequence of interest from the relative quantified amplified sequence of interest. The reference sequence may have at least 80% sequence identity to at least one of SEQ ID NO:1-38, such as SEQ ID NO:1-13. Also disclosed are kits and compositions, each comprising a first probe which specifically hybridizes to at least a portion of at least one reference sequence. Also disclosed is a system configured to perform the above method.

Abstract: A reconfigurable hybrid Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) vehicle includes a turntable bearing coupling a conventional wing to a fuselage. The fuselage, designed to couple to and release a cargo pod from its undercarriage, is configured to accept a high wing juncture such that the wing can rotate from a flight configuration to a transport configuration. The transport configuration aligns the wing with the fuselage sufficient to enable the hybrid VTOL vehicle to fit within a standard intermodal container or transport aircraft.

Abstract: The invention relates, generally, to systems and methods for optimizing the performance of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) by optimizing the UAV's drivetrain, extending the UAV's battery life; by monitoring and reporting on payload imbalance or overweight conditions; and by improving the aerodynamics and streamlining of certain drag-producing elements.

Abstract: A modular aerial cargo aerodynamic encasement and a method for modular aviation cargo transport is provided. The aviation cargo aerodynamic encasement comprises a platform having a planar upper surface configured to accept cargo and a lower surface. The lower surface includes two or more ground supports displacing a portion of the platform from contact with a supporting surface. The platform includes two or more load transfer structures. The aviation cargo aerodynamic encasement further comprises a fairing configured to detachably couple to the platform, wherein the fairing, when coupled to the platform, forms an aerodynamic encasement, and wherein the aerodynamic encasement is detachably mountable to an aircraft by the two or more load transfer structures.

Abstract: Trimming unused blocks from a versioned image backup of a source storage that is stored in a sparse storage. In one example embodiment, a method may include identifying a versioned image backup that is stored in a sparse storage. The sparse may store first and second versions of the versioned image backup representing states of the source storage at successive first and second points in time, respectively. The method may further include deleting the first version, identifying a first set of blocks that were allocated in the source storage at the second point in time, identifying a second set of blocks that are allocated in the sparse storage for the second version, determining a third set of blocks that are included in the second set of blocks but are not included in the first set of blocks, and trimming the third set of blocks from the second version.

Abstract: An autonomous cargo container retrieval and delivery system locates a select cargo container and maneuvers an unmanned aerial vehicle proximate to the container for retrieval. The vehicle positions itself to engage the cargo container using a grasping mechanism, and, responsive to engaging the cargo container, retracts the cargo container toward the vehicle. As the cargo container is retracted toward the vehicle, weight sensors within the retrieval mechanism sense the weight and the weight distribution of the cargo container, and, can modify the cargo container's location on the vehicle to optimize vehicle flight operations or replace the container on the ground and alert the operator that the cargo container is too heavy or has an improper weight distribution. Upon mating the cargo container with the vehicle, a coupling mechanism latches or secures the cargo container to the vehicle for further flight and/or ground operations.

Abstract: A compound aircraft embodies an array of rotors for vertical flight positioned on support booms and wing elements for cruise flight coupled to a central fuselage housing avionics and a pusher propeller for forward propulsion. The aircraft accommodates a cargo-carrying container with mating of the surfaces between container and fuselage and latching mechanisms for attaching and detaching the container and vehicle.

Abstract: A system comprises servers comprising processors and memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processors, cause the processors to perform: receiving, from a content provider, a request to begin a content delivery campaign, the request comprising targeting criteria and a resource amount, prior to beginning the content delivery campaign, determining, based on the targeting criteria, historical results of content item selection events, prior to beginning the content delivery campaign, determining, based on the targeting criteria, a suggested resource reduction request amount using the historical results and the resource amount, causing the suggested resource reduction request amount to be displayed to the content provider, receiving, from the content provider, a particular resource reduction request amount for the content delivery campaign, initiating the content delivery campaign using the particular resource reduction request amount.

Abstract: A portable device which integrates the functionalities of a fire pit and a barbecuing grill. The fire pit and grill are coupled to a transport cart to facilitate movement of the fire pit and grill to a desired location. In this respect, the transport cart may be configured to allow a user to transport the device across sand (e.g., when using the device at a beach) or across a parking lot (e.g., when using the device while tailgating in a stadium parking lot). Thus, the device easily allows for enjoyment of both a fire pit and a grill in remote locations.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various embodiments of methods, systems, and machine-readable mediums which may be used in conjunction with a campaign for distributing content to users of the social network. Among other things, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a number of advantages over conventional systems for content distribution, including a simplified targeting process and increased reach (i.e. distribution) for content providers among users of a social network, as well as improving the utilization of an inventory of content and higher and more efficient engagement with such content by users of the social network.

Abstract: Trimming unused blocks from a versioned image backup of a source storage that is stored in a sparse storage. In one example embodiment, a method may include identifying a versioned image backup that is stored in a sparse storage. The sparse may store first and second versions of the versioned image backup representing states of the source storage at successive first and second points in time, respectively. The method may further include deleting the first version, identifying a first set of blocks that were allocated in the source storage at the second point in time, identifying a second set of blocks that are allocated in the sparse storage for the second version, determining a third set of blocks that are included in the second set of blocks but are not included in the first set of blocks, and trimming the third set of blocks from the second version.

Abstract: One feature pertains to a method for extracting a secret key during a secure boot flow of an integrated circuit. Specifically, the secure boot flow includes powering ON a first volatile memory circuit to generate a plurality of initial logical state values, deriving secret data based on the plurality of initial logical state values, storing the secret data in a secure volatile memory circuit that is secured by a secure execution environment (SEE), clearing the plurality of initial logical state values in the first volatile memory circuit, executing a cryptographic algorithm at the SEE to extract a secret key based on the secret data, and storing the secret key in the secure volatile memory circuit. The secure boot flow controls access to the first volatile memory circuit to secure the secret data and the plurality of initial logical state values from the insecure applications.

Abstract: A first time software is loaded for execution by a device, the software stored in non-secure storage is authenticated. Authenticating the software may involve a cryptographic operation over the software and a digital signature of the software. A verification tag may be generated for the software if authentication of the software is successful, the verification tag based on the software and at least a device-specific secret data. The verification tag may be stored within the device. Each subsequent time the software is loaded for execution it may be verified (not authenticated) by using the verification tag to confirm that the software being loaded is the same as the one used to generate the verification tag while avoiding authentication of the software.

Abstract: A method, comprising amplifying a nucleic acid sequence of interest in a sample comprising genomic DNA of a subject; amplifying a reference nucleic acid sequence in the sample; quantifying the amplified sequence of interest relative to the amplified reference sequence; and determining a copy number of the sequence of interest from the relative quantified amplified sequence of interest. The reference sequence may have at least 80% sequence identity to at least one of SEQ ID NO:1-38, such as SEQ ID NO:1-13. Also disclosed are kits and compositions, each comprising a first probe which specifically hybridizes to at least a portion of at least one reference sequence. Also disclosed is a system configured to perform the above method.

Abstract: Trimming unused blocks from a versioned image backup of a source storage that is stored in a sparse storage. In one example embodiment, a method may include identifying a versioned image backup of a source storage that is stored in a sparse storage. The method may further include deleting the first version of the versioned image backup from the sparse storage during a retention process, identifying a first set of blocks, identifying a second set of blocks, determining a third set of blocks that are included in the second set of blocks but are not included in the first set of blocks, and, after the retention process, trimming the third set of blocks from the second version of the versioned image backup that is stored in the sparse storage.

Abstract: A method is provided for using obtaining a reproducible device identifier from a physically unclonable function. An authentication device may receive a first physically unclonable function (PUF) dataset from the electronic device, the first PUF dataset including characteristic information generated from a physically unclonable function in the electronic device. The authentication device may then identify a pre-stored PUF dataset corresponding to the electronic device. Authentication of the electronic device may be performed by correlating the pre-stored PUF dataset and the first PUF dataset for the electronic device, wherein such correlation is based on a pattern or distribution correlation the pre-stored PUF dataset and the first PUF dataset. Because such correlation is performed on datasets, and not individual points, systematic variations can be recognized by the correlation operation leading to higher correlation than point-by-point comparisons.

Abstract: A first time software is loaded for execution by a device, the software stored in non-secure storage is authenticated. Authenticating the software may involve a cryptographic operation over the software and a digital signature of the software. A verification tag may be generated for the software if authentication of the software is successful, the verification tag based on the software and at least a device-specific secret data. The verification tag may be stored within the device. Each subsequent time the software is loaded for execution it may be verified (not authenticated) by using the verification tag to confirm that the software being loaded is the same as the one used to generate the verification tag while avoiding authentication of the software.

Abstract: Virtualizing multiple networked machines using a predetermined network recovery policy.