Abstract: Methods for producing hydrocarbons from subterranean reservoirs utilizing a production well having a plurality of fluid-inlet components spaced apart to define a plurality of production-well fluid-inlet zones. An injection fluid comprising a solvent is injected into the reservoir, resulting in a drainage fluid with a liquid phase and a gas phase occupying one or more of the production-well fluid-inflow zones. The production fluid is produced at a production-flow rate via a pump, and the gas phase:liquid phase ratio of the production fluid is modulated by orchestrating variations in the pump speed and one or more of the plurality of fluid-inlet components to prioritize hydraulic communication with a subset of the plurality of production-well fluid-inlet zones.

Abstract: A method of delivering an order to a customer of a quick service restaurant can include transmitting, from a first beacon to a receiver adjacent the customer, a first signal; transmitting, from a second beacon to the receiver adjacent the customer, a second signal; from the first signal received by the receiver, a first timestamp reflective of a time the first signal is received by the receiver, the second signal received by the receiver, and a second timestamp reflective of a time the second signal is received by the receiver, determining a location of the customer within a zone surrounding the quick service restaurant; communicating the location of the customer to a display within the quick service restaurant; and delivering the order to the customer at the location.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods to detect and quantify low levels of methylated DNA in biological samples.

Abstract: A method of detecting inappropriate imagery in a customer user profile image intending to be displayed on digital signage at a quick service restaurant can include identifying the presence of a customer adjacent a digital sign; associating the customer with a customer user profile; analyzing, by a computer processor, the customer user profile image for inappropriate imagery in the customer user profile image; in response to the detection of inappropriate imagery, displaying on the digital sign either no image or a different image that does not contain inappropriate imagery; and, in response to the detection of inappropriate imagery, displaying on the digital sign the customer user profile image.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for recording time, latitude, longitude, frequency, and amplitude data to ascertain information about the radio frequency (RF) environment (e.g., RF emitter locations), where the apparatus is also easily transportable. The location determination method using this simple hardware solution may occur in two processes or phases: (1) a data collection phase; and (2) a data processing phase, although these two phases may also be combined in time for a real time solution. During the data collection phase, a user may select a desired frequency range and step size for analysis. A software defined radio (SDR) sweeps through the desired frequencies and records the amplitude associated with each frequency. Each of the recorded points are stamped with their time and geolocation (i.e., latitude and longitude coordinates) and processed using amplitude measurements to ascertain the locations of unknown emitters.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents a method of predicting an amount of time needed to complete preparation of an order at a quick service restaurant. The order includes at least one food item in need of preparation. The method can include receiving the order from a customer, and predicting the amount of time needed to complete preparation of the order using a machine-learning model, based on the food item(s) ordered and on at least one of the following: a time-of-day that the order was placed, a number of employees on duty at the quick service restaurant, a number of other orders currently pending at the quick service restaurant, and inventory of each ingredient needed to complete preparation of the at least one food item.

Abstract: A method of delivering an order to a customer of a quick service restaurant can include identifying a vehicle of the customer that enters a zone surrounding the quick service restaurant and displaying, on at least one digital sign able to be viewed by the customer, information specific to the customer.

Abstract: A method of delivering an order to a customer of a quick service restaurant can include identifying, by computer vision using at least one camera, a vehicle that enters a zone surrounding the quick service restaurant; associating, by a computer processor, the vehicle with a profile of the customer that includes the order; directing the vehicle to a location within the zone; and delivering the order to the customer in the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of delivering an order to a customer of a quick service restaurant can include receiving, from the customer, an order that includes at least one food time in need of preparation; determining, by a computer processor, an amount of time needed to prepare the at least one food item; identifying a vehicle of the customer that enters a zone surrounding the quick service restaurant; depending on an amount of time needed to complete preparation of the at least one food item at the moment when the vehicle is identified within the zone, directing the customer to either at least one drive-through lane or a waiting spot; and delivering the order to the customer either in the at least one drive-through lane or at the waiting spot.

Abstract: A method of preparing an order placed by a customer distant from a quick service restaurant includes receiving, from the customer, an order that includes at least one food item in need of preparation; determining, by a computer processor, an amount of time needed to prepare the at least one food item; positioning, dependent upon the amount of time needed to prepare the at least one food item, a geofence around the quick service restaurant; tracking a position of the customer; and, in response to the customer crossing the geofence, beginning preparation of the at least one food item.

Abstract: A sensor pod system includes one or more sensor pods with a plurality of sensors configured to collect data from an environment. A sensor pod may have an effective field of view created by individual sensors with overlapping fields of view. The sensor pod system may include sensors of different types and modalities. Sensor pods of the sensor pod system may be modularly installed on a vehicle, for example, an autonomous vehicle and collect and provide data of the environment during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and materials for modulating low light and/or shade tolerance, and red light specific responses in plants are disclosed. For example, nucleic acids encoding low light and/or SD+EODFR-tolerance polypeptides are disclosed as well as methods for using such nucleic acids to transform plant cells. Also disclosed are plants having increased low light and/or SD+EODFR tolerance. In addition, methods and materials involved in increasing UV-B tolerance in plants and methods and materials involved in modulating biomass levels in plants are provided.

Abstract: A third rail paddle system includes a support assembly configured for attachment to a vehicle, a pivot connection attached to the support assembly and that defines a range of up and down movement, and a third rail paddle assembly having an arm unit and a paddle. The paddle assembly is attached to the pivot connection for the paddle to contact a third rail and move up and down relative to the third rail when the support assembly is attached to the vehicle. One of the pivot connection, the paddle assembly, or the support assembly includes a stop element that limits the range of the up and down movement and prevents the paddle assembly from moving downwards to a bottom of the range of movement.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to techniques for providing a liquid metal alloy in a light-emitting diode device that can both heal cracks formed in solder joints on the light-emitting diode (LED) device as well as improve thermal energy dissipation from the LED chips to improve the performance, reduce wear, and prolong the life of the LED chips. In an embodiment, a light-emitting diode device can include a liquid metal alloy containing gallium next to a solder joint, and when one or more cracks form, the liquid metal alloy can enter the cracks and solidify, healing the cracks. The liquid metal alloy can also be placed adjacent to, and in contact with the LED chip to transfer energy away from the LED chips.

Abstract: Methods and materials for modulating low light and/or shade tolerance, and red light specific responses in plants are disclosed. For example, nucleic acids encoding low light and/or SD+EODFR-tolerance polypeptides are disclosed as well as methods for using such nucleic acids to transform plant cells. Also disclosed are plants having increased low light and/or SD+EODFR tolerance. In addition, methods and materials involved in increasing UV-B tolerance in plants and methods and materials involved in modulating biomass levels in plants are provided.

Abstract: A gun safety system can include a mount assembly comprising a mounting rail and a first lock mechanism, the mount assembly configured to secure the mounting rail to a support structure; and a gun safe assembly comprising an outer housing and an inner housing assembly disposed within the outer housing, the inner housing assembly including a sleeve at least partially defining a gun storage cavity, the outer housing comprising a first mounting rail guide, the first lock mechanism being accessible through the gun storage cavity in response to the gun safety system being in a docked configuration.

Abstract: A histotripsy therapy system configured for the treatment of tissue is provided, which may include any number of features. Provided herein are systems and methods that provide efficacious non-invasive and minimally invasive therapeutic, diagnostic and research procedures. In particular, provided herein are optimized systems and methods that provide targeted, efficacious histotripsy in a variety of different regions and under a variety of different conditions without causing undesired tissue damage to intervening/non-target tissues or structures.

Abstract: A histotripsy therapy system configured for the treatment of tissue is provided, which may include any number of features. Provided herein are systems and methods that provide efficacious non-invasive and minimally invasive therapeutic, diagnostic and research procedures. In particular, provided herein are optimized systems and methods that provide targeted, efficacious histotripsy in a variety of different regions and under a variety of different conditions without causing undesired tissue damage to intervening/non-target tissues or structures.

Abstract: Novel compounds and analogues that exhibit antimicrobial activity—particularly against Gram-negative pathogens—are producible from bacterial isolate Photorhabdus australis DSM 17609 and some related bacterial species of the genus. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the novel compound and its analogues are useful for treating or preventing a bacterial infection. Compounds in accordance herewith include ribosomally produced and post-translationally modified cyclic peptides useful for the treatment, amelioration, and prevention of bacterial infections by Gram-negative pathogens, in addition to other indications.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing hydrocarbons and recovering solvent from a subterranean reservoir that is penetrated by an injection well and a production well, in which a production phase involves injecting solvent (and optionally steam) to mobilize viscous hydrocarbons and a solvent-recovery phase involves non-condensable gas injection. The production phase and the solvent-recovery phase are each defined by an injection profile. The solvent-recovery-phase injection profile is selected: (i) based on the production-phase injection profile, and (ii) to ensure the pressure/temperature conditions in proximity to the production well favor gas-phase solvent recovery.