Abstract: Components, for example, nanoparticles for detecting and/or treating one or more active carious lesions or microcavities in teeth of a subject are provided. The component or nanoparticle may comprise a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer (e.g., a starch) bearing at least one cationic region and/or having a net positive charge and thereby capable of associating with one or more active and/or early carious lesions on a tooth in an oral cavity of a subject. The components or nanoparticles are optionally water soluble or dispersible. The components or nanoparticle also comprises an imaging agent (e.g., a fluorophore or dye) bonded to the biocompatible and biodegradable polymer. The component or nanoparticle is thus capable of indicating the presence of one or more active carious lesions when the component or nanoparticle is associated therewith. Oral care compositions comprising such compounds/nanoparticles and methods of making and using the same are also provided.

Abstract: Floor coverings, such as modular panels or tiles, for installation on interior surfaces include one or more layers, for example, an upper wear layer and a backing layer, where at least one layer includes a filler that includes a carbon negative material, such as concentrated carbon. The carbon negative material can sequester carbon such that the resulting floor covering has a negative carbon footprint when subjected to a Life Cycle Assessment.

Abstract: Floor coverings, such as modular panels or tiles, for installation on interior surfaces include an upper wear layer and a backing layer, where the backing layer includes a filler that includes concentrated carbon. The floor coverings can sequester carbon such that the resulting product has a negative carbon footprint when subjected to a Life Cycle Assessment.

Abstract: A phosphorous compound such as STMP is used as a cross-linking agent while making a starch nanoparticle in an emulsion process. Negative charge of the nanoparticle is reduced or reversed by adding cations and/or cationizing the starch optionally while forming the nanoparticles. Anionic active agents, such as fluoride or fluorescein, are optionally incorporated into the nanoparticle during the formation process. For example, a fluoride salt can also be used, which promotes the crosslinking reaction while also providing fluoride in the nanoparticle. The retention of both calcium and fluoride in the nanoparticle is improved when both salts are used. Alternatively, the nanoparticle may be used without added calcium and/or fluoride. The nanoparticles may be useful for tooth remineralization, the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity, to treat caries, or as a diagnostic agent to locate carious lesions.

Abstract: The invention features a system and method for finely tuning the rate at which ad impressions are delivered to users based on various metrics used to characterize the quality of the ad opportunities. With the present invention, more relevant ads can be selected and delivered to a wide range of recipients while still compensating for the variations in the volume of Internet traffic and usage over the course of the day. The system and method of the present invention employ a plurality of bid boundaries corresponding to different volumes of ad opportunities, thereby enabling the invention to adjust the number of ad opportunities sought over the course of day while consistently targeting the mix of ad opportunities yielding the highest response rates and margin. The bid boundaries are selected in real-time based on the behavior of prior ad recipients. The behavior may include click-through rates or entry into a geo-fence, for example.

Abstract: A method of producing a composite component (10) having a thermal protection layer (24) including the steps of: providing a composite component (10) with a primary fibre material (12) and with a primer layer (16) of alternative fibre material overlying the primary fibre material (12) at an area of the composite component intended for high thermal exposure, said area defining a thermal exposure area (18); applying a metallic bonding layer (22) to the primer layer (16) of the thermal exposure area (18) to create a bonding surface at the thermal exposure area (18); and applying a ceramic thermal protection layer (24) to the bonding surface for insulating the thermal exposure area (18) and/or for reflecting external thermal energy, the thermal protection layer (24) having a higher melting point than the metallic bonding layer (22).

Abstract: Floor coverings, such as modular panels or tiles, for installation on interior surfaces include an upper wear layer and a backing layer, where the backing layer includes a filler that includes concentrated carbon. The floor coverings can sequester carbon such that the resulting product has a negative carbon footprint when subjected to a Life Cycle Assessment.

Abstract: Coordinated operational control of wireless charging includes receiving a notification from a first and second drone requesting charging and responsive to determining that a sufficient amount of charging resources is not available to permit charging both drones simultaneously, prioritizing charging of drones so that at least one drone is instructed to wait. The drones may be a combination of autonomous vehicles, UAVs, and UGVs. A charging corral may be used, and navigation instructions to the charging corral may be provided to a drone. Re-orientable antennas may be used to direct RF charging power in a selected direction, for example, to track the location of a drone.

Abstract: A delivery device for an active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a crosslinker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water. The biopolymer may be functionalized. The aptamer may be conjugated directly to the cross-linked biopolymers. The active agent may be a drug useful for the treatment of cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for the sustained release of a drug and for the transportation and uptake of the conjugate into targeted cells. However, the biopolymer is biocompatible and resorbable.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying delivery locations utilizing scout autonomous vehicles are provided. An example method can include: identifying locations associated with a plurality of delivery locations having addresses stored at a database; filtering the locations to identify a first set of delivery locations; assigning a confidence level to each of the first set of delivery locations; identifying a second set of delivery locations in high confidence landing zones using a geo-spatial data; instructing the scout autonomous vehicle to reconnoiter locations of the second set of the delivery locations having a high confidence level, wherein the scout autonomous vehicle is configured to: record still images and videos of the locations of the second set of the delivery locations; analyze the still images and videos to determine a third set of delivery locations; and suggest landing zones at locations of the third set of the delivery locations.

Abstract: A delivery device for an active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a crosslinker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water. The biopolymer may be functionalized. The aptamer may be conjugated directly to the cross-linked biopolymers. The active agent may be a drug useful for the treatment of cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for the sustained release of a drug and for the transportation and uptake of the conjugate into targeted cells. However, the biopolymer is biocompatible and resorbable.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for detecting music in audio speech processing by decomposing an audio signal into component signals in one or more bandwidths. The invention then detects energy levels across preselected time and frequency windows within the narrowest bandwidth components. A predetermined number of detections at predetermined detection levels will result in the likely characterization of music being present in that window.

Abstract: Tools are provided that communicate to a pattern designer how much yarn is being used on every needle for a given tuft height pattern and permit the designer to adjust the pattern accordingly to balance the yarn usage on the needles. An electronic representation of a pattern design is received for controlling a carpet tufting operation. The pattern design includes a pile height per tuft. A grid is provided for representing the pattern design using different visual cues to represent different pile heights. A graph depicting use-of-yarn per needle for the carpet tufting operation is generated. The grid and the graph can be on a common user interface and can be viewable at the same time on a display device.

Abstract: A method of producing a composite component (10) having a thermal protection layer (24) including the steps of: providing a composite component (10) with a primary fibre material (12) and with a primer layer (16) of alternative fibre material overlying the primary fibre material (12) at an area of the composite component intended for high thermal exposure, said area defining a thermal exposure area (18); applying a metallic bonding layer (22) to the primer layer (16) of the thermal exposure area (18) to create a bonding surface at the thermal exposure area (18); and applying a ceramic thermal protection layer (24) to the bonding surface for insulating the thermal exposure area (18) and/or for reflecting external thermal energy, the thermal protection layer (24) having a higher melting point than the metallic bonding layer (22).

Abstract: Tools are provided that communicate to a pattern designer how much yarn is being used on every needle for a given tuft height pattern and permit the designer to adjust the pattern accordingly to balance the yarn usage on the needles. An electronic representation of a pattern design is received for controlling a carpet tufting operation. The pattern design includes a pile height per tuft. A grid is provided for representing the pattern design using different visual cues to represent different pile heights. A graph depicting use-of-yarn per needle for the carpet tufting operation is generated. The grid and the graph can be on a common user interface and can be viewable at the same time on a display device.

Abstract: Methods for treatment of infections, such as nasal infections, sinus infections, ear infections, and/or lung infections, along with related compositions. In some implementations, a treatment method may comprise delivering a dose of the composition into a subject's nasal passage to treat the infection. The composition may comprise an antibiotic agent, such as ciprofloxacin. The composition may further comprise at least one non-hexose, sugar alcohol, such as xylitol. Preferably, the dose comprises a sub-clinical dose of the ciprofloxacin or other antibiotic agent.

Abstract: Tools are provided that communicate to a pattern designer how much yarn is being used on every needle for a given tuft height pattern and permit the designer to adjust the pattern accordingly to balance the yarn usage on the needles. An electronic representation of a pattern design is received for controlling a carpet tufting operation. The pattern design includes a pile height per tuft. A grid is provided for representing the pattern design using different visual cues to represent different pile heights. A graph depicting use-of-yarn per needle for the carpet tufting operation is generated. The grid and the graph are on a common user interface and are viewable at the same time on a display device.

Abstract: Tools are provided that communicate to a pattern designer how much yarn is being used on every needle for a given tuft height pattern and permit the designer to adjust the pattern accordingly to balance the yarn usage on the needles. An electronic representation of a pattern design is received for controlling a carpet tufting operation. The pattern design includes a pile height per tuft. A grid is provided for representing the pattern design using different visual cues to represent different pile heights. A graph depicting use-of-yarn per needle for the carpet tufting operation is generated. The grid and the graph are on a common user interface and are viewable at the same time on a display device.

Abstract: Components, for example, nanoparticles for detecting and/or treating one or more active carious lesions or microcavities in teeth of a subject are provided. The component or nanoparticle may comprise a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer (e.g., a starch) bearing at least one cationic region and/or having a net positive charge and thereby capable of associating with one or more active and/or early carious lesions on a tooth in an oral cavity of a subject. The components or nanoparticles are optionally water soluble or dispersible. The components or nanoparticle also comprises an imaging agent (e.g., a fluorophore or dye) bonded to the biocompatible and biodegradable polymer. The component or nanoparticle is thus capable of indicating the presence of one or more active carious lesions when the component or nanoparticle is associated therewith. Oral care compositions comprising such compounds/nanoparticles and methods of making and using the same are also provided.