Abstract: Disclosed here is a method of matching color and appearance of coatings containing at least one effect pigment. The method involves: obtaining, for a coating sample to be matched, sample color image data having pixel-specific color model properties; creating local binary patterns based on the pixel-specific color model properties; generating a binary pattern histogram for the local binary patterns, wherein the binary pattern histogram arranges the local binary patterns into N distinct bins to obtain N bin counts, and wherein the binary pattern histogram represents an appearance feature descriptor of the coating sample to be matched; and utilizing the binary pattern histogram for comparison against a previously generated binary pattern histogram that serves as an appearance feature descriptor of a candidate coating specimen.

Abstract: Disclosed here is a method of matching color and appearance of coatings containing at least one effect pigment. The method involves: obtaining, for a coating sample, sample color image data having pixel-specific color model properties; generating a characterizing histogram for the sample color image data, wherein the characterizing histogram represents an appearance feature descriptor of the coating sample; creating a sample histogram vector from the characterizing histogram; retrieving a specimen histogram vector for a candidate coating specimen; and calculating a cosine similarity value from the sample histogram vector and the specimen histogram vector, wherein the cosine similarity value indicates how well the candidate coating specimen matches the coating sample to be matched.

Abstract: The invention is related to a dengue virus or chimeric dengue virus that contains a mutation in the 3? untranslated region (3?-UTR) comprising a ?30 mutation that removes the TL-2 homologous structure in each of the dengue virus serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4, and nucleotides additional to the ?30 mutation deleted from the 3?-UTR that removes sequence in the 5? direction as far as the 5? boundary of the TL-3 homologous structure in each of the dengue serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4, or a replacement of the 3?-UTR of a dengue virus of a first serotype with the 3?-UTR of a dengue virus of a second serotype, optionally containing the ?30 mutation and nucleotides additional to the ?30 mutation deleted from the 3?-UTR; and immunogenic compositions, methods of inducing an immune response, and methods of producing a dengue virus or chimeric dengue virus.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring optical cable for disturbance events by providing dual monitoring systems where optical signals are received from at least one optical fiber of the cable which are modified by disturbance events. Two separate and distinct algorithms are applied to the received optical signals to generate first and second outputs related to the disturbance event where in a control system information from the first and second outputs is used to determine if an alarm should be issued. The monitoring systems can use a single DAS system and operate on the same data independently preferably using one algorithm which uses ZONE processes to obtain data about different zones in the fiber. Alternatively two DAS systems can be used, one DAS system and one ZONE system or two ZONE systems. In all cases weather data can be used to assist the two algorithms in determining the presence of false alarms.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring optical cable for disturbance events by providing dual monitoring systems where optical signals are received from at least one optical fiber of the cable which are modified by disturbance events. Two separate and distinct algorithms are applied to the received optical signals to generate first and second outputs related to the disturbance event where in a control system information from the first and second outputs is used to determine if an alarm should be issued. The monitoring systems can use a single DAS system and operate on the same data independently preferably using one algorithm which uses ZONE processes to obtain data about different zones in the fiber. Alternatively two DAS systems can be used, one DAS system and one ZONE system or two ZONE systems. In all cases weather data can be used to assist the two algorithms in determining the presence of false alarms.

Abstract: Methods and systems for robotically painting an object are provided. In one example, the method includes providing a scanner-robot arrangement. The scanner-robot arrangement includes a 3-D scanner, a robot, and at least one processor. The object is detected and an area to be painted is determined with the 3-D scanner in communication with the at least one processor. A robot path for painting the area is produced using the at least one processor. An applicator is held offset from the area of the object with the robot in communication with the at least one processor. The applicator is in fluid communication with a paint source that contains paint. The applicator is moved along the robot path with the robot in communication with the at least one processor while depositing the paint from the applicator onto the area of the object.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for generating data representative of multi-product insurance discounts and related user interface displays. The systems and methods may include receiving personal data from an insurance customer and insurance product data. The systems and methods may further include generating data representative of multi-product insurance discounts based on personal data from an insurance customer and insurance product data. The systems and methods may further include generating displays of the multi-product discounts based on data representative of multi-product insurance discounts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a matting agent level for a clearcoat formulation for repairing an object are disclosed. The method comprises the following steps: a) providing a database with multiple datasets, each dataset including a first gloss level value of a sample coating determined at a first measurement geometry and a matting agent level; b) determining a second gloss level value of the sample coating with a measurement arrangement at a second measurement geometry; c) associating the second gloss level value to the dataset of the sample coating; d) determining a third gloss level value of a target coating with the measurement arrangement at the second measurement geometry; e) selecting, from the database, a target dataset with a second gloss level value that is closest to the third gloss level value; and f) determining, from the target dataset, the matting agent level for the clearcoat formulation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reliably returning a neuromodulation system to a predetermined position relative to a user's head is disclosed. The system includes a neuromodulation device and a stimulation control computing environment. The stimulation control computing environment can be configured with data processing functions to focus ultrasound emission to a target brain region. The system identifies an initial position of one or more ultrasound-emitting elements with respect to the head of a user, uses brain images to identify the target brain region, and performs acoustic simulations to focus ultrasound emissions from the initial position to the target brain region. The distance between an inner surface of the device and a user's head can be measured, and one or more spacing elements can be placed on the inner surfaces based on the measured distances, which enables the reliable return of the neuromodulation device to the initial position with minimal displacement.

Abstract: Materials that are processable as spin coated films with a refractive index of less than about 1.25 are presented. These compositions include metal organic frameworks in a solvent system, with the MOFs including a metal or metal cluster (e.g., zirconium oxide) having organic linkers (e.g., maleic acid, benzene dicarboxylic acid) and optional endcaps to alter pore size, compositional stability, steric, and other properties of the material. The formed films are processable at low temperatures, thus allowing them to be processed on plastics. The provided materials find use in, for example, silicon photonics, augmented reality applications, virtual reality (VR) applications, CMOS image sensors, and micro-OLED applications.

Abstract: A neuromodulation system is disclosed that comprises a neuromodulation device and a stimulation control computing environment. The disclosed device can include at least one ultrasound-emitting element. The stimulation control computing environment can be configured with data processing functions to focus ultrasound emission to a target brain region. The system can identify an initial position of the one or more ultrasound-emitting elements with respect to a temporal window of a user, use brain image to identify the target brain region, and perform first acoustic simulations to determine information for use in focusing ultrasound emissions from the initial position to the target brain region. The system can detect a shift of the one or more ultrasound-emitting elements with respect to the temporal window to a secondary position and perform second acoustic simulations to determine information for use in focusing ultrasound emissions from the secondary position to the target brain region.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for marking an object on an aligner. The aligner surface is modeled. The method includes calculating a normal for each tile in a tessellated surface and disqualifying a tile from being selected. For tiles not disqualified, a patch is identified that produces a markable area. The method includes selecting an object to be marked, calculating a location of the object in the markable area, and providing the location of the object to a marking device. Disqualifying includes comparing an angle between a normal and an orientation of the beam to an origin of the calculated normal on each tile. Disqualifying includes disqualifying the at least one tile when the angle is outside of a range of ?90° to +90°. Identifying the patch includes separating the patch into at least two smaller patches, and one of the two smaller patches of tiles is the markable area.

Abstract: An asset such as a data transmission system, a perimeter security system, an oil well or a pipe line is monitored for events which are potentially damaging or threatening to the asset by installing an optical fiber continuously through the asset. The asset has many different zones of different physical condition, environment and/or of different risk factors which are expected therefore to generate different responses to events. The fiber is monitored using a distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) interrogator by effecting an analysis to determine the presence of an event in one or more of the zones The analysis includes applying different gauge length parameters to received data signals from the different zones at the same time.

Abstract: An optical fiber is monitored for an intrusion event where reflected optical signals are divided into streams each associated with a respective location on the optical fiber. Blocks of the streams are selected each containing a plurality of streams and the streams are collated, for example by averaging, to create a single stream to which an algorithm is applied to create coefficients which are compared with a threshold value to generate an output indicative of disturbance of the fiber by an intrusion event. Each block representative of a length of the fiber is thus treated as a zone and the detection algorithm is applied to each. This creates a DAS system that does not require unique tuning as each zone is independently monitored. Applying the above zone principles and algorithms to the DAS system also provides a high level of nuisance alarm and false alarm rejection.

Abstract: The invention is related to a dengue virus or chimeric dengue virus that contains a mutation in the 3? untranslated region (3?-UTR) comprising a ?30 mutation that removes the TL-2 homologous structure in each of the dengue virus serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4, and nucleotides additional to the ?30 mutation deleted from the 3?-UTR that removes sequence in the 5? direction as far as the 5? boundary of the TL-3 homologous structure in each of the dengue serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4, or a replacement of the 3?-UTR of a dengue virus of a first serotype with the 3?-UTR of a dengue virus of a second serotype, optionally containing the ?30 mutation and nucleotides additional to the ?30 mutation deleted from the 3?-UTR; and immunogenic compositions, methods of inducing an immune response, and methods of producing a dengue virus or chimeric dengue virus.

Abstract: A moisture sensor includes a circuit board and a plurality of circuits monitoring a plurality of moisture probes, wherein at least two sets of a plurality of probes are on the bottom of the sensor, one set in direct contact with the floor, a second set separated from the floor; a set of conductive pins that enable the body of the circuit board to be spaced from the floor to help any moisture accumulation beneath the sensor to evaporate, preventing mold growth; two sets of a plurality of probes along the edge of the sensor, such that when the sensor is installed edge on, these edge sensors will be in direct contact with the floor. The sensor transmits data periodically when sensed resistance is below a predetermined value.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of treating or preventing cancer in a subject comprising administering to a subject having cancer or prone of getting cancer a first agent that depletes the subject's regulatory T cells (Tregs); followed by administering to the subject a second agent comprising a checkpoint inhibitor.

Abstract: A buckle assembly includes a male component with a body portion from which a first latch extends in a first direction and a female component, including a frame member having a first lateral side spaced apart from a second lateral side with a gap positioned therebetween. A first aperture extends through the frame member with the first lateral side extending about and defining a first opening of the first aperture, and the second lateral side extending about and defining a second opening of the first aperture, and with the gap in communication with the first aperture. Inserting of the first latch through the gap and into and extending across at least a portion of the first aperture, access is provided, through one of the first opening or the second opening, to a side, positioned within the first aperture for receiving a force for first latch in a second direction.

Abstract: A buckle assembly includes a male component with a body portion from which a first latch extends in a first direction and a female component, including a frame member having a first lateral side spaced apart from a second lateral side with a gap positioned therebetween. A first aperture extends through the frame member with the first lateral side extending about and defining a first opening of the first aperture, and the second lateral side extending about and defining a second opening of the first aperture, and with the gap in communication with the first aperture. Inserting of the first latch through the gap and into and extending across at least a portion of the first aperture, access is provided, through one of the first opening or the second opening, to a side, positioned within the first aperture for receiving a force for first latch in a second direction.