Abstract: There is described a method for interrogating optical fiber comprising fiber Bragg gratings (“FBGs”), using an optical fiber interrogator. The method comprises (a) generating an initial light pulse from phase coherent light emitted from a light source, wherein the initial light pulse is generated by modulating the intensity of the light; (b) splitting the initial light pulse into a pair of light pulses; (c) causing one of the light pulses to be delayed relative to the other of the light pulses; (d) transmitting the light pulses along the optical fiber; (e) receiving reflections of the light pulses off the FBGs; and (f) determining whether an optical path length between the FBGs has changed from an interference pattern resulting from the reflections of the light pulses.

Abstract: Provided herein are anti-CCR8 antibodies or antigen binding fragment thereof, which bind to CCR8, wherein the CCR8 is a human CCR8 and the antibody does not bind human CCR4. The anti-CCR8 antibodies or antigen binding fragment of the disclosure are useful for the treatment of cancer diseases through the elimination of regulatory T cells. Also provided herein are methods of use for the anti-CCR8 antibodies or antigen binding fragment thereof.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and computer systems for an electronic transaction platform that enables the buying and/or selling of securities by users. The methods and systems relate to controlling communication of information during an electronic communication session for trading a financial instrument between an initiating user and one or more invitee users with the assistance of a dealer user or other intermediate entity. When a dealer with whom the initiating user has a relationship does not have a relationship with invitee users that may desire to trade for the security, a second dealer can be included in the electronic communication session, where the second dealer has a relationship with such invitee users. Various levels of participation are available for each user and correspond to what information each user is provided during the electronic communication session.

Abstract: A crop prediction system performs various machine learning operations to predict crop production and to identify a set of farming operations that, if performed, optimize crop production. The crop prediction system uses crop prediction models trained using various machine learning operations based on geographic and agronomic information. Responsive to receiving a request from a grower, the crop prediction system can access information representation of a portion of land corresponding to the request, such as the location of the land and corresponding weather conditions and soil composition. The crop prediction system applies one or more crop prediction models to the access information to predict a crop production and identify an optimized set of farming operations for the grower to perform.

Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to methods for assessing pulmonary fibrosis disorder disease status in an individual in need thereof. One aspect of the disclosed methods may comprise: detecting a level of one or more biomarkers in a biological sample obtained from an individual, comparing the level of the one or more biomarkers to that of a control value corresponding to the one or more biomarkers, characterizing the disease status in the individual based on the level of the one or more biomarkers as compared to that of a relevant control value; and administering a treatment to said individual based on the assessment of the one or more biomarker levels.

Abstract: Example embodiments involve a metrics collection system for collecting software usage metrics from one or more client devices at deployments. A computer, such as a server configured to execute the metrics collection system, collects software usage metrics (e.g., as a metrics submission from a client device) of the software product at the deployment, identifies a metrics type of the software usage metrics collected, assigns the software usage metrics to a metrics category, and calculates and updates a metrics score of the metrics category, based on the software usage metrics collected.

Abstract: A precise line locator is presented that provides precise line location. The locator includes a housing; a wand attached to the housing, the wand including an array of low frequency antennas arranged along the wand, the array of low frequency antennas defining an electromagnetic locate axis of the line locator system; a real-time kinematic (RTK) Global Navigation Satellite (GNSS) antenna attached to the housing; a user interface positioned in the housing; and a processing circuit coupled to the array of low frequency antennas, the RTK GNSS antenna, and the user interface, wherein the underground line locator determines locate data of the underground line based on signals from the array of low frequency antennas and determines a precise position of the underground line locator from the RTK GNSS antenna.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to methods and systems for cryptographic asset generation using short range wireless communication. The methods and systems enable creation and distribution of cryptographic assets with proof of in-person contact over various wireless technologies, including but not limited to, NFC, low-energy Bluetooth, and others. This is achieved by passing a cryptographic asset template from a creator device to a collector device via NFC. The cryptographic asset template is passed to a server for confirmation and subsequently starts the process of minting a smart contract on a blockchain. The processes disclosed herein include cryptographic asset template creation, template distribution, template-to-cryptographic asset creation, and smart contract execution.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a sensor grid with sensor leads extending through tube restraints for heat exchange tubes in the heat exchanger. The tube restraint includes a body having a plurality of tube openings defined therein with each tube opening receiving one heat exchange tube of the set of heat exchange tubes therethrough. The body also includes a sensor lead opening defined therein to receive a sensor lead therethrough. Each tube opening has a larger dimension than the sensor lead opening. The sensor grid is installed during manufacture rather than in the field, allowing the sensor grid to be on outermost and inner sets of heat exchange tubes in the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Drones are engineered with sensors for use in insurance applications. After locating an object of interest, a drone performs an investigation by probing the object of interest. Sensors receive feedback from the object of interest. An electronic fingerprint of the drone is produced. Afterward, perils are computed based on the feedback and the fingerprint of the drone is used in insuring the object of interest. The act of probing includes thumping, drumming, or radiating ultrasound waves against the object of interest. The sensors can be turned off when they are within a geographic zone of prohibited operations.

Abstract: A computerized method of generating an automated control pathway for a user interface includes displaying a graphical development environment having a palette area and multiple graphical programming elements, displaying a user selected question programming element and multiple associated pathway branches in the palette area, and assigning a received answer field to one of the branches. The method includes associating a selected determination programming element with one of the branches, and assigning a status value to the selected determination programming element that includes a drug request approval indication or a drug request denial indication. The method further includes running the automated control pathway to receive, via the user interface, an answer to a question associated with the selected question programming element, determining one of the branches associated with the received answer, and automatically transmitting an approval status or a denial status according to the determined branch.

Abstract: Styrene-free unsaturated polyester resin and vinyl ester resin compositions are provided which contain low amounts of hazardous air pollutants, good mechanical and physical properties, and good corrosion resistant characteristics. The resin systems are such that minimal or no component is leachable after completion of the curing process. The resins are suitable for repair of sewer pipes and potable water pipe systems as part of a cured-in-place pipe application. Additionally, the invention is suitable for relining of storage tanks. A process for the manufacture of these resin compositions is also provided.

Abstract: A system is provided for load testing a lift beam. The system includes a load testing framework configured to support the lift beam, a first connector configured to couple with a lift connector of the lift beam, and a second connector configured to couple with a load connector of the lift beam. The system also includes at least one drive configured to force the first and second connectors away from one another to load test the lift beam.

Abstract: A precise line locator is presented that provides precise line location. The locator includes a housing; a wand attached to the housing, the wand including an array of low frequency antennas arranged along the wand, the array of low frequency antennas defining an electromagnetic locate axis of the line locator system; a real-time kinematic (RTK) Global Navigation Satellite (GNSS) antenna attached to the housing; a user interface positioned in the housing; and a processing circuit coupled to the array of low frequency antennas, the RTK GNSS antenna, and the user interface, wherein the underground line locator determines locate data of the underground line based on signals from the array of low frequency antennas and determines a precise position of the underground line locator from the RTK GNSS antenna.

Abstract: Determining a bit rate at which to deliver a packet stream over a network link. An origin device transmits over the network link unsolicited data packets to a destination device while contemporaneously transmitting over the network link a first packet stream encoded at an initial bit rate to the destination device. The origin device may be, but need not be, a content delivery network (CDN) edge node and the destination device may be, but need not be, a cable modem (CM). The origin device determines whether the network link supports delivering a second packet stream in lieu of the first packet stream encoded at a higher bit rate based, at least in part, on an amount of retransmission requests the origin device receives for packets in the first packet stream from the destination device.

Abstract: A device is described herein comprising a base unit including at least three transceivers, wherein the at least three transceivers are communicatively coupled with at least one processor of the base unit. The at least one processor and the at least three transceivers are configured to determine locations of a transceiver remote to the base unit, wherein the location determinations comprise a series of transceiver locations along a boundary path, wherein the series of location determinations define a boundary region. The at least one processor determines locations using information of communications between the transceiver and the at least three transceivers and the relative positioning of the at least three transceivers.

Abstract: A method for additively manufacturing a component includes receiving, via an additive manufacturing system, a geometry of the component and melting and fusing, via an energy beam of the additive manufacturing system, material layer by layer atop a build platform according to the geometry so as to build up a plurality of layers that form the component. The method also includes determining a surface area change from one of the plurality of layers to the next based on the geometry. Further, the method includes temporarily discontinuing melting and fusing of the material by the energy beam between building of one or more of the plurality of layers so as to provide a delay after building one or more of the plurality of layers when the surface area change is above a predetermined threshold. As such, the delay allows for one or more previously built layers to at least partially cool so as to eliminate and/or reduce build failures from occurring in the final component.

Abstract: An exemplary motor vehicle includes a first door on a first side of the motor vehicle including a first pad adjacent a rear edge of the first door, and a second door on the first side of the motor vehicle including a second pad adjacent a front edge of the second door. Further, the first pad and second pad are arranged such that, in a first condition, the first pad and second pad are spaced-apart from one another and, in a second condition, the first pad and second pad contact one another to prevent overlap of the first door and second door.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a sensor grid with sensor leads extending through tube restraints for heat exchange tubes in the heat exchanger. The tube restraint includes a body having a plurality of tube openings defined therein with each tube opening receiving one heat exchange tube of the set of heat exchange tubes therethrough. The body also includes a sensor lead opening defined therein to receive a sensor lead therethrough. Each tube opening has a larger dimension than the sensor lead opening. The sensor grid is installed during manufacture rather than in the field, allowing the sensor grid to be on outermost and inner sets of hea exchange tubes in the heat exchanger.