Abstract: A system for autonomous or semi-autonomous operation of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a machine automation portal (MAP) application configured to enable a computing device to (a) display a map of a work site and (b) provide a graphical user interface that enables a user to (i) define a boundary of an autonomous operating zone on the map and (ii) define a boundary of one or more exclusion zones. The system also includes a robotics processing unit configured to (a) receive the boundary of the autonomous operating zone and the boundary of each exclusion zone from the computing device, (b) generate a planned command path that the vehicle will travel to perform a task within the autonomous operating zone while avoiding each exclusion zone, and (c) control operation of the vehicle so that the vehicle travels the planned command path to perform the task.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical granulations having a functional coating surrounding a core containing 4-((L-valyl)oxy)butanoic acid are disclosed. The functional coatings provide for immediate release or modified release of 4-((L-valyl)oxy)butanoic acid. The pharmaceutical granulations can be used in oral pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: A method includes simulating diffraction in a transmission geometry of relativistic electron bunches from a crystallographic structure of a crystal thereby simulating diffraction of the relativistic electron bunches into a plurality of Bragg peaks. The method includes selecting a range of angles between a direction of propagation of the relativistic electron bunches and a normal direction of crystal including an angle at which a diffraction portion is maximized. The method includes sequentially accelerating a plurality of physical electron bunches to relativistic energies toward a physical crystal having the crystallographic structure and diffracting the plurality of physical electron bunches off the physical crystal at different angles and measuring the diffraction portion into the respective Bragg peak at the different angles. The method includes selecting a final angle based on the measured diffraction portion into the respective Bragg peak at the different angles and generating a pulse of light.

Abstract: A system for autonomous or semi-autonomous operation of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a machine automation portal (MAP) application configured to enable a computing device to (a) display a map of a work site and (b) provide a graphical user interface that enables a user to (i) define a boundary of an autonomous operating zone on the map and (ii) define a boundary of one or more exclusion zones. The system also includes a robotics processing unit configured to (a) receive the boundary of the autonomous operating zone and the boundary of each exclusion zone from the computing device, (b) generate a planned command path that the vehicle will travel to perform a task within the autonomous operating zone while avoiding each exclusion zone, and (c) control operation of the vehicle so that the vehicle travels the planned command path to perform the task.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is provided for manipulating light from x-ray sources (e.g., free electron lasers). In some embodiments, the optical apparatus includes a first capillary optic having a first longitudinal axis and a second capillary optic having a second longitudinal axis that is angled with respect to the first longitudinal axis. The second capillary optic is positioned to receive light directly from the first capillary optic.

Abstract: In one embodiment, one or more suspension systems of a vehicle may be used to mitigate motion sickness by limiting motion in one or more frequency ranges. In another embodiment, an active suspension may be integrated with an autonomous vehicle architecture. In yet another embodiment, the active suspension system of a vehicle may be used to induce motion in a vehicle. The vehicle may be used as a testbed for technical investigations and/or as a platform to enhance the enjoyment of video and/or audio by vehicle occupants. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to perform gestures as a means of communication with persons inside or outside the vehicle. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to generate haptic warnings to a vehicle operator or other persons in response to certain road situations.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for use in treating patients with behavioral health indicia. The patient support apparatus includes a support structure with a patient support deck defining a patient support surface having one or more ligature risk locations arranged outside of a ligature safety zone defined relative to the patient support surface. A sensor system is coupled to the support structure to generate data representing load acting on the support structure. A controller is disposed in communication with the sensor system and is configured to issue a ligature risk event alert in response to the data generated by the sensor system satisfying a predetermined load criteria indicating a distribution of load acting on the support structure outside of the ligature safety zone for a predetermined period.

Abstract: A method includes accelerating an electron bunch along a direction of propagation to a relativistic energy and partitioning the electron bunch by transmitting the electron bunch through a grating at the relativistic energy. The grating includes a plurality of alternating narrow portions and wide portions. The narrow portions have a first thickness in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of propagation of the electron bunch, and the wide portions have a second thickness in the direction substantially parallel to the direction of propagation of the electron bunch. The second thickness is greater than the first thickness. The method also includes generating a pulse of light using the partitioned electron bunch.

Abstract: A method of treating a subject having Alzheimer's disease can include assaying a biological medium obtained from the subject for a biomarker selected from the group consisting of Biomarker 1, Biomarker 2, Biomarker 3, Biomarker 4, Biomarker 5, Biomarker 6, Biomarker 7, Biomarker 8, Biomarker 9, Biomarker 10, Biomarker 11, and combinations thereof, where Biomarker 1 has a mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of 229.13, Biomarker 2 has a m/z of 514.38, Biomarker 3 has a m/z of 602.44, Biomarker 4 has a m/z of 620.42, Biomarker 5 has a m/z of 630.47, Biomarker 6 has a m/z of 703.56, Biomarker 7 has a m/z of 724.52, Biomarker 8 has a m/z of 778.54, Biomarker 9 has a m/z of 799.66, Biomarker 10 has a m/z of 824.60, and Biomarker 11 has a m/z of 842.61. The method can also include relating a characteristic of the biomarker to a presence of Alzheimer's disease in the subject and treating the subject for Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method that includes colliding a laser with an electron beam to produce backscattered x-rays while the electron beam is traversing a circular arc. This backscattering process is inverse Compton scattering (ICS). ICS x-rays are emitted in the same direction as the electrons. Because this ICS direction is changing as a function of time, the position of the x-ray beam on a detector will change depending on the timing of electron/laser collision. This position change is easily detected and converted to a timing measurement sensitive at the femtosecond scale, converting a very difficult timing measurement of laser pulse, electron pulse, and x-ray pulse synchronization into a simple and robust position measurement.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for providing a broad range of tools for selecting a route based on road information, vehicle information, and vehicle occupant information. Also disclosed are costs and tradeoffs which may be associated with various choices including wear and tear on vehicle components, occupant discomfort, increased trip duration and efficiency losses.

Abstract: A photoinjector system containing modularly-structured waveguide-mode launcher, which is reversibly connected to the RF gun (containing a tubular construction formed with disattachably-affixed to one another structurally-complementary halves); and a solenoid magnet in operation enclosing such tubular structure in a central hollow. The resulting quality, power, and frequency rate of operation as well as cost of manufacturing and operation of the system are superior as compared with those of a related art system.

Abstract: Methods are provided for proactively controlling a component of a system. The system may comprise a vehicle and the component may comprise a suspension of the vehicle. According to various aspects, methods may include obtaining information regarding a travel surface along a travel path that the system will travel at a future time and, based on the information regarding the travel surface, controlling the component of the system to traverse the travel surface. Controlling the component based on the information regarding the travel surface may comprise comparing the information regarding the travel surface to information regarding at least one physical constraint of the system and/or comparing frequency content of the information regarding the travel surface to a threshold frequency. Proactive control methods may provide improved response to disturbances and improved tracking and isolation because a suspension may be controlled with reduced or substantially zero delay.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprising a base, an intermediate frame arranged for movement relative to the base, a support deck disposed on the intermediate frame to provide support for a patient, and a telescoping assembly operatively attached to the intermediate frame. The telescoping assembly comprises a support movable between a collapsed position and an extended position, a lock operable to releasably hold the support in the extended position, and an accessory manually movable by a user relative to the support between a stowed position and a use position. The accessory comprises a deactivator operable to deactivate the lock remotely from the user in response to the user manually moving the accessory relative to the support toward the stowed position thereby enabling movement of the support from the extended position to the collapsed position.

Abstract: Embodiments related to methods and systems for localizing a vehicle on a road surface are described. In some embodiments, linked reference landmarks present on the road surface may be used to determine a location of a vehicle on the road surface and/or to predict a path of travel of the vehicle along the road surface.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems may be used to control operation of various systems of the vehicle based on road features included in an upcoming portion of a road surface located along a path of travel of the vehicle. This control may either be based on a probability of encountering a road feature on the road surface 5 and/or frequency information related to the upcoming portion of the road surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein include implementation of road surface-based localization techniques for advanced vehicle features and control methods including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), lane drift detection, passing guidance, bandwidth conservation and caching based on road data, vehicle speed correction, suspension and vehicle system performance tracking and control, road estimation calibration, and others.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein include implementation of road surface-based localization techniques for advanced vehicle features and control methods including lane drift detection, passing guidance, bandwidth conservation and caching based on road data, vehicle speed correction, suspension and vehicle system performance tracking and control, road estimation calibration, and others.

Abstract: Localization systems, including road surface-based localization systems, are disclosed that may work in conjunction with less precise systems, such as GPS, to accurately locate a vehicle on a road segment. Methods and apparatus are disclosed for the identification and selection of landmarks, including road surface-based landmarks.

Abstract: In one embodiment, one or more suspension systems of a vehicle may be used to mitigate motion sickness by limiting motion in one or more frequency ranges. In another embodiment, an active suspension may be integrated with an autonomous vehicle architecture. In yet another embodiment, the active suspension system of a vehicle may be used to induce motion in a vehicle. The vehicle may be used as a testbed for technical investigations and/or as a platform to enhance the enjoyment of video and/or audio by vehicle occupants. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to perform gestures as a means of communication with persons inside or outside the vehicle. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to generate haptic warnings to a vehicle operator or other persons in response to certain road situations.