Abstract: A system and a method for managing a solicitation campaign are disclosed. A solicitor provides a solicitation center with pages of personalized script, which are generated using a first script template. The solicitor receives solicitee responses, analyzes the solicitee responses, and determines whether to continue the solicitation campaign using the current script template or using a second script template for subsequent solicitations.

Abstract: A fuel composition for powering a combustion engine, the composition comprising: a liquid base fuel; and a (co)polymer obtainable by (co)polymerizing at least the following monomers: •at least one bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester •optionally at least one lower-alkyl (meth)acrylate, •optionally at least one aromatic vinyl monomer, and •optionally other ethylenically unsaturated monomers.

Abstract: A fuel composition for powering a combustion engine the composition comprising: a liquid base fuel; and a copolymer obtainable by copolymerizing at least the following monomers: —at least one bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester; —at least one fatty-alkyl (meth)acrylate; —optionally, and preferably, at least one aromatic vinyl monomer; and —optionally other ethylenically unsaturated monomers.

Abstract: A system for providing an automatically focused image comprises an imaging system including a high speed periodically modulated variable focal length (VFL) lens, a VFL lens controller, a VFL-projected light source, a focus determining portion, an exposure timing adjustment circuit, and an exposure strobe time controller. The focus determining portion comprises an optical detector that inputs reflected VFL-projected light that is projected to, and reflected from, a workpiece through the VFL lens, and provides a focus deviation signal. The exposure timing adjustment circuit provides an exposure timing adjustment signal based on the focus deviation signal, which indicates a time when the imaging system focus Z-height approximately coincides with the workpiece surface Z height. The exposure strobe time controller uses the exposure timing adjustment signal to adjust the image exposure time so the imaging system focus Z-height coincides with the workpiece surface Z height at the adjusted image exposure time.

Abstract: A method for providing environment information to a mobile device user is presented. The method comprises receiving a request for target environment information from a mobile device, determining the pose of the mobile interface device relative to the target environment, and obtaining target environment data for one or more measurable environment parameters (e.g., radiation level). The target environment data is used to assemble augmented reality information configured for viewing in conjunction with a real-time view of the target environment captured by the mobile interface device. The target augmented reality information is then transmitted to the mobile device for display to the user.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable medium, and a method including obtaining flight data for a prescribed flight from at least one of an airborne system of a particular aircraft to execute the prescribed flight and a system other than the airborne system of the particular aircraft having a source of data related to the prescribed flight, the flight data including specific details relating to at least one of the particular aircraft and parameters of the prescribed flight; performing, by a processor of an external computational asset and based on the obtained flight data, a control optimization to generate optimized path specific controls for the prescribed flight; transmitting the optimized path specific controls via a communication uplink from the external computational asset to the particular aircraft; and guiding, in response to receiving the optimized path specific controls by the particular aircraft, the particular aircraft in accordance with the optimized path specific controls to execute the prescribed flight.

Abstract: A vehicle and method of operating a vehicle in a vehicle traffic control system includes receiving a grid projection from a grid generator, generating a navigation output, transmitting the navigation output to the vehicle traffic control system, receiving the vehicle traffic control plan from the vehicle traffic control system, and operating the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determine a cost-improved set of control commands for an aircraft based at least in part on deterioration costs are provided. One example computing device is configured to iteratively: input a candidate set of control commands for the aircraft into the deterioration cost model; receive, as an output of the deterioration cost model, an estimated deterioration cost associated with the candidate set of control commands; input the estimated deterioration cost into a cost function to obtain a total estimated cost associated with the candidate set of control commands; and determine an improved set of control commands based at least in part on the total estimated cost and the cost function.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing aircraft performance are provided. In one example, a method can include accessing an initial model that defines operating cost of an aircraft at a series of model operating states. The method also can include identifying one or more sample operating states for analyzing aircraft cost during flight. The method also can include receiving one or more real-time flight performance parameters indicative of aircraft operating cost while the aircraft is operating at the identified sample operating states. The method also can include generating an updated model that defines operating cost of the aircraft using the initial model as well as data defined by the real-time flight performance parameters. The method also can include determining an enhanced operating state based at least in part on the updated model and outputting the enhanced operating state for control of the aircraft.

Abstract: A method for providing information associated with a lift process to a mobile device user is presented. The method comprises receiving a request for lift environment information from a mobile device, determining a pose of the mobile interface device relative to a lift process target area, and obtaining lift environment information for at least a portion of the lift process target area. The lift environment information is used to assemble AR lift information for transmission to and display on the mobile interface device. The AR lift information is configured for viewing in conjunction with a real-time view of the lift process target area captured by the mobile interface device. The AR lift information is then transmitted to the mobile interface device for display.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an aerial vehicle are provided. The method includes receiving a first signal from a first input device, wherein the first signal is related to a mode of a flight director. The method includes outputting a parameter on an output device, wherein the parameter is related to the mode. The method includes receiving a second signal from a second input device, wherein the second signal causes the parameter to change to a new parameter. The method includes outputting, by the one or more processors, the new parameter on the output device. The method includes receiving, by the one or more processors, a third signal from a third input device, wherein the aerial vehicle is controlled by the flight director based on the third signal, and wherein the second input device is mechanically coupled to the first input device and the third input device.

Abstract: A method for providing target object surface information to a mobile device user is presented. The method includes receiving a request for target object surface information from a mobile device, determining the pose of the mobile interface device relative to the target object, and obtaining target object surface information for one or more measurable target object surface parameters. The target object data is used to assemble augmented reality surface information configured for viewing in conjunction with a real-time view of the target object captured by the mobile interface device. The target object augmented reality surface information is then transmitted to the mobile device for display to the user.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable medium, and a method to operate a vehicle in a manner that minimizes a cost to travel from an origin to a destination that includes finding the input to a flight control system that minimizes direct operating cost. The approach described herein employs an energy state approximation (ESA).

Abstract: A hybrid diffusion-brazing process and hybrid diffusion-brazed article are disclosed. The hybrid diffusion-brazing process includes providing a component having a temperature-tolerant region and a temperature-sensitive region, brazing a braze material to the temperature-tolerant region during a localized brazing cycle, then heating the component in a furnace during a diffusion cycle. The brazing and the heating diffusion-braze the braze material to the component, and the localized brazing cycle is performed independent of the diffusion cycle in the hybrid diffusion-brazing process. The hybrid diffusion-brazed article includes a component, and a braze material diffusion-brazed to the component with a filler material. The filler material has a melting temperature that is above a tolerance temperature of the component.

Abstract: A quick-release rigid deflector for a motorcycle is a system with a rigid body (1), which deflects oncoming wind, debris, and rain from the motorcycle and rider(s). The system is mounted so that it can be quickly attached or removed without excessive time or effort immediately before riding at the discretion of the rider.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stabilizing an aircraft in response to a yaw movement are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a yaw movement of the aircraft. The yaw movement can cause a front portion of the aircraft to move towards a first side of the aircraft. The method can further include, in response to the yaw movement, initiating a trim process resulting in a thrust differential. The trim process can include increasing thrust in one or more engines on the first side of the aircraft and decreasing thrust in one or more engines on a second side of the aircraft. The method can include controlling the trim process based at least in part on a detected yaw movement of the aircraft.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of reducing a microbial infection of a heparinized surface wherein heparin precipitation is reduced as compared to a control. In some embodiments a composition comprising ethanol and isopropanol is applied to the surface. In other embodiments, two or more ethanol compositions are applied and removed sequentially from the surface prior to contacting the surface with a biological fluid, tissue or vessel, wherein the composition in each successive administration comprises an increased amount of ethanol. Also provided is a method of reducing a microbial infection of a surface comprising applying a mucilage extract from an Opuntia ficus indica species to the surface.

Abstract: A system and method of generating plan information for vehicles in a vehicle traffic or vehicle parking zone, including projecting into space, from a set of grid generators at the vehicle traffic or vehicle parking zone, a set of lines defining a relative navigation grid and encoded with grid data configured to identify predetermined points on the relative navigation grid, and detecting, with a detector module on a vehicle, a location of the vehicle within the grid.

Abstract: A system for providing an automatically focused image comprises an imaging system including a high speed periodically modulated variable focal length (VFL) lens, a VFL lens controller, a VFL-projected light source, a focus determining portion, an exposure timing adjustment circuit, and an exposure strobe time controller. The focus determining portion comprises an optical detector that inputs reflected VFL-projected light that is projected to, and reflected from, a workpiece through the VFL lens, and provides a focus deviation signal. The exposure timing adjustment circuit provides an exposure timing adjustment signal based on the focus deviation signal, which indicates a time when the imaging system focus Z-height approximately coincides with the workpiece surface Z height. The exposure strobe time controller uses the exposure timing adjustment signal to adjust the image exposure time so the imaging system focus Z-height coincides with the workpiece surface Z height at the adjusted image exposure time.

Abstract: Instruments and methods are disclosed which measure absolute energy and irradiance of UV light sources. The response curves of exemplary optical stacks of the radiometry instruments are substantially rectangular with steep transitions at the cutoff frequencies. Angle of incidence (AOI) control in combination with one or more interference filters in the optical stack enable the full optical stack to produce repeatable and accurate measurements. Inverse response filters are disclosed for leveling optical stack response.