Abstract: This disclosure relates to genetically modified animal expressing human or chimeric (e.g., humanized) programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1, PDL1, or B7-H1), and methods of use thereof. In one aspect, the disclosure relates to genetically-modified, non-human animals whose genome comprises at least one chromosome comprising a sequence encoding a human or chimeric programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to genetically modified non-human animals that express a human or chimeric (e.g., humanized) glucocorticoid-induced TNFR-related protein (GITR), and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to genetically modified non-human animals that express a human or chimeric (e.g., humanized) CD3e (T-cell surface glycoprotein CD3 epsilon chain), and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Provided are a humanized transgenic non-human animal, especially a rodent, in particular a transgenic mouse containing a human interleukin 17A (IL-17A) gene, a human gene 17RA (IL-17RA) and/or a human TNF-alpha gene, and a preparation method therefor and the use thereof.

Abstract: Methods and devices for placing an Access Point (AP) are provided. In one aspect, a method includes obtaining a sampling point matrix by performing sampling in a locating area based on a preset sampling spacing, wherein the locating area comprises: a valid area to be covered by a WLAN and an invalid area outside the valid area, calculating a maximum valid signal strength, sequentially selecting a sampling point without placing AP is placed from the sampling point matrix to be a first sampling point at which an AP is to be placed, calculating a newly-added valid signal strength and a newly-added invalid signal strength in a case that the AP to be placed is placed at the first sampling point, and placing the AP to be placed at the first sampling point when preset conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to genetically modified non-human animals that express a human or chimeric (e.g., humanized) IL15, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: An approach is provided for determining a negative observation of a road feature (e.g., traffic sign). The approach involves, for example, querying a spatial data structure for a set of location points based on a spatial radius around a location of the road feature. The spatial data structure stores a plurality of location points from a plurality of location traces that did not have a road feature observation. The approach also involves map matching each location trace in the set of location points to a matched path of road links. The approach further involves determining that said each location trace is a negative observation of the road feature based on determining that the location of the road feature falls between two map-matched location points of said each location trace that are on the matched path of road links.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the genetically modified non-human animals that express a human or chimeric (e.g., humanized) Lymphocyte Activation Gene 3 (LAG-3), and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Methods employ sensors in portable devices (e.g., smartphones) both to sense content information (e.g., audio and imagery) and context information. Device processing is desirably dependent on both. For example, some embodiments activate certain processor intensive operations (e.g., content recognition) based on classification of sensed content and context. The context can control the location where information produced from such operations is stored, or control an alert signal indicating, e.g., that sensed speech is being transcribed. Some arrangements post sensor data collected by one device to a cloud repository, for access and processing by other devices. Multiple devices can collaborate in collecting and processing data, to exploit advantages each may have (e.g., in location, processing ability, social network resources, etc.). A great many other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to genetically modified non-human animals that express a human or chimeric (e.g., humanized) LAG3, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to genetically modified non-human animals that express a human or chimeric (e.g., humanized) IL4R and/or IL4, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to genetically modified non-human animals that express a human or chimeric (e.g., humanized) CD47, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing a PD-1 gene-modified humanized animal model. The method utilizes the CRIPSR/Cas9 technique to replace partial fragments of a mouse PD-1 gene with fragments of a human PD-1 gene using homologous recombination by constructing a targeting vector, thereby preparing a gene-modified humanized mouse. This mouse can normally express a PD-1 protein containing the functional domain of the human PD-1 protein, and can be used as an animal model for mechanism research regarding PD-1, PD-L1 and other signals, for screening regulators, and for toxicological research. The method has an important and high application value in studies on functions of the PD-1 gene and in the development of new drugs.

Abstract: Disclosed are a laser heterodyne interferometric apparatus based on plane mirror reflection and a corresponding method. The interferometric apparatus includes a dual-frequency laser, a first photoelectric receiver, a second photoelectric receiver, a first polarizing beamsplitter, a second polarizing beamsplitter, a third polarizing beamsplitter, a quarter-wave plate, a right angle mirror, an optical compensator, and a measured plane mirror. The method performs heterodyne interferometry with two spatially separated beams of different frequencies and balances the optical path lengths of the measurement beam and the reference beam with the optical compensator. In the method, the measured plane mirror moves back and forth along the propagation direction of the input beams. The disclosure suppresses optical non-linearity and optical thermal drift in laser heterodyne interferometry, simplifies the optical path structure, and improves accuracy of laser heterodyne interferometry.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to detecting digital watermarking from retail items such as from packaged items, containers, bottles, cans or boxes. One claim recites a method utilized at a retail checkout location comprising: receiving imagery representing a retail item from a digital camera, the retail item including digital watermarking encoded thereon, the retail item moving relative to the digital camera; determining a region in the imagery corresponding to at least one faster moving object relative to background imagery, said determining yielding a determined region; arranging digital watermark detection blocks over the determined region; and analyzing data representing imagery from within the digital watermark detection blocks to detect the digital watermarking. Of course other claims and combinations are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are a laser heterodyne interferometric apparatus based on plane mirror reflection and a corresponding method. The interferometric apparatus includes a dual-frequency laser, a first photoelectric receiver, a second photoelectric receiver, a first polarizing beamsplitter, a second polarizing beamsplitter, a third polarizing beamsplitter, a quarter-wave plate, a right angle mirror, an optical compensator, and a measured plane mirror. The method performs heterodyne interferometry with two spatially separated beams of different frequencies and balances the optical path lengths of the measurement beam and the reference beam with the optical compensator. In the method, the measured plane mirror moves back and forth along the propagation direction of the input beams. The disclosure suppresses optical non-linearity and optical thermal drift in laser heterodyne interferometry, simplifies the optical path structure, and improves accuracy of laser heterodyne interferometry.

Abstract: In some arrangements, product packaging is digitally watermarked over most of its extent to facilitate high-throughput item identification at retail checkouts. Imagery captured by conventional or plenoptic cameras can be processed (e.g., by GPUs) to derive several different perspective-transformed views—further minimizing the need to manually reposition items for identification. Crinkles and other deformations in product packaging can be optically sensed, allowing such surfaces to be virtually flattened to aid identification. Piles of items can be 3D-modelled and virtually segmented into geometric primitives to aid identification, and to discover locations of obscured items. Other data (e.g., including data from sensors in aisles, shelves and carts, and gaze tracking for clues about visual saliency) can be used in assessing identification hypotheses about an item. Logos may be identified and used—or ignored—in product identification. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the technical field of oil and gas drilling, and particularly relates to a modified silicon dioxide material of a fluorocarbon active agent type super-amphiphobic cutting-carrying agent suitable for a water-based drilling fluid, and a preparation method thereof. The preparation method of the modified silicon dioxide material comprises the following steps: subjecting silicon dioxide and a silane coupling agent represented by Formula (1) to a first contact reaction in a mixed solvent containing alcohol and water; subjecting the product of the first contact reaction, the compound represented by Formula (2) and the compound represented by Formula (3) to a second contact reaction; subjecting the product of the second contact reaction and the compound represented by Formula (4) to a third contact reaction. The modified silicon dioxide material can be used as a cutting-carrying agent in a water-based drilling fluid and produce an excellent cutting-carrying effect.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of drilling fluid, and provides a multi-functional weighting agent for drilling fluid and preparation method thereof, and water-based drilling fluid and use thereof, wherein the multi-functional weighting agent is an polyacrylamide/modified barium sulfate composite multi-functional weighting agent prepared by sequentially dropwise adding acrylamide and ammonium persulfate to a mixture of modified barium sulfate and deionized water in a presence of an initiator.

Abstract: In some arrangements, product packaging is digitally watermarked over most of its extent to facilitate high-throughput item identification at retail checkouts. Imagery captured by conventional or plenoptic cameras can be processed (e.g., by GPUs) to derive several different perspective-transformed views—further minimizing the need to manually reposition items for identification. Crinkles and other deformations in product packaging can be optically sensed, allowing such surfaces to be virtually flattened to aid identification. Piles of items can be 3D-modelled and virtually segmented into geometric primitives to aid identification, and to discover locations of obscured items. Other data (e.g., including data from sensors in aisles, shelves and carts, and gaze tracking for clues about visual saliency) can be used in assessing identification hypotheses about an item. Logos may be identified and used—or ignored—in product identification. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.