Abstract: Non-aqueous membrane emulsion methods for producing polymeric and polymer-coated microparticles are provided. Some embodiments provide methods for producing a sustained release or controlled release microparticle by combining micronized protein powder and a polymer into a hydrocarbon solvent to form a non-aqueous first solution, agitating the first non-aqueous solution to form a suspension, feeding the suspension into a dispersion pump, wherein the suspension is infused through a porous membrane into a continuous phase comprising a fluorocarbon liquid and a fluorosurfactant to form a hydrocarbon-in-fluorocarbon emulsion. The hydrocarbon solvent, the fluorocarbon liquid, and the fluorosurfactant are removed, and the microparticles are collected.

Abstract: Among other things, we describe techniques for implementing a vehicle response to sensor failure. In general, one innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include receiving information from a plurality of sensors coupled to a vehicle, determining that a level of confidence of the received information from at least one sensor of a first subset of sensors of the plurality of sensors is less than a first threshold, comparing a number of sensors in the first subset of sensors to a second threshold, and adjusting the driving capability of the vehicle to rely on information received from a second subset of sensors of the plurality of sensors, wherein the second subset of sensors excludes the at least one sensor of the first subset of sensors.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods of analyzing a post-translationally modified protein of interest using electrophoresis, the methods comprising deglycosylating the protein of interest after labeling.

Abstract: Non-aqueous emulsion methods for producing polymeric or polymer-coated microparticles are provided. One method produces a sustained release microparticle composition by combining protein powder and a polymer into a hydrocarbon solvent to form a non-aqueous first solution and adding the first solution to a second solution, wherein the second solution comprises a fluorocarbon liquid and a fluorosurfactant to form a non-aqueous emulsion comprising multiple emulsion hydrocarbon droplets in the fluorocarbon liquid. The subsequent microparticle hardening process includes the steps of removing the hydrocarbon solvent from the formed emulsion droplets, which can be achieved through evaporation the hydrocarbon at ambient condition under stirring, or accelerated hardening through vacuum, or through adding hydrofluoroester into the fluorocarbon as a cosolvent.

Abstract: The subject matter described in this specification is generally directed control architectures for an autonomous vehicle. In one example, a reference trajectory, a set of lateral constraints, and a set of speed constraints are received using a control circuit. The control circuit determines a set of steering commands based at least in part on the reference trajectory and the set of lateral constraints and a set of speed commands based at least in part on the set of speed constraints. The vehicle is navigated, using the control circuit, according to the set of steering commands and the set of speed commands.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods of analyzing a post-translationally modified protein of interest using electrophoresis, the methods comprising deglycosylating the protein of interest after labeling.

Abstract: The subject matter described in this specification is generally directed control architectures for an autonomous vehicle. In one example, a reference trajectory, a set of lateral constraints, and a set of speed constraints are received using a control circuit. The control circuit determines a set of steering commands based at least in part on the reference trajectory and the set of lateral constraints and a set of speed commands based at least in part on the set of speed constraints. The vehicle is navigated, using the control circuit, according to the set of steering commands and the set of speed commands.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a helmet with a split type skeleton structure. The helmet includes a helmet body; the helmet body is composed of a head guard and a chin guard which are separated; the head guard and the chin guard are mounted through cooperation between a fastened spliced skeleton and a plug pin; the spliced skeleton is composed of two skeleton connection members arranged inside the head guard and a chin skeleton arranged inside the chin guard; and hollows of a surface of the chin skeleton are fixedly connected with a plurality of one-piece structured reinforcing ribs.

Abstract: Non-aqueous emulsion methods for producing polymeric or polymer-coated microparticles are provided. One method produces a sustained release microparticle composition by combining protein powder and a polymer into a hydrocarbon solvent to form a non-aqueous first solution and adding the first solution to a second solution, wherein the second solution comprises a fluorocarbon liquid and a fluorosurfactant to form a non-aqueous emulsion comprising multiple emulsion hydrocarbon droplets in the fluorocarbon liquid. The subsequent microparticle hardening process includes the steps of removing the hydrocarbon solvent from the formed emulsion droplets, which can be achieved through evaporation the hydrocarbon at ambient condition under stirring, or accelerated hardening through vacuum, or through adding hydrofluoroester into the fluorocarbon as a cosolvent.

Abstract: Among other things, we describe techniques for implementing a vehicle response to sensor failure. In general, one innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include receiving information from a plurality of sensors coupled to a vehicle, determining that a level of confidence of the received information from at least one sensor of a first subset of sensors of the plurality of sensors is less than a first threshold, comparing a number of sensors in the first subset of sensors to a second threshold, and adjusting the driving capability of the vehicle to rely on information received from a second subset of sensors of the plurality of sensors, wherein the second subset of sensors excludes the at least one sensor of the first subset of sensors.

Abstract: A system includes different types of downhole sensing tools deployed in a borehole, wherein the different types of downhole sensing tools are optimized to identify a downhole condition based on a predetermined downhole evaluation plan that accounts for sensing tool availability and performance constraints. The system also includes at least one processing unit configured to analyze measurements collected by the different types of downhole sensing tools, wherein the collected measurements are analyzed together to identify the downhole condition. The system also includes at least one device that performs an operation in response to the identified downhole condition.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include systems and methods to improve downhole drilling. In one embodiment, a method to improve downhole drilling includes receiving a well plan, where the well plan is indicative of a well path to form a borehole of a hydrocarbon well is provided. The method also includes receiving measurements indicative of a previously-drilled section of the borehole. The method further includes generating, based on the measurements, a trajectory of the borehole, where the trajectory is a function of a depth. The method further includes providing the trajectory of the borehole to a Model Predictive Controller. The method further includes steering a tool towards the well path based on an output of the Model Predictive Controller.

Abstract: Among other things, we describe techniques for implementing a vehicle response to sensor failure. In general, one innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include receiving information from a plurality of sensors coupled to a vehicle, determining that a level of confidence of the received information from at least one sensor of a first subset of sensors of the plurality of sensors is less than a first threshold, comparing a number of sensors in the first subset of sensors to a second threshold, and adjusting the driving capability of the vehicle to rely on information received from a second subset of sensors of the plurality of sensors, wherein the second subset of sensors excludes the at least one sensor of the first subset of sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which includes a processing circuit and a plurality of sensors connected to a vehicle, where at least one of the plurality of sensors is positioned on an undercarriage of the vehicle. The plurality of sensors can detect variations in a road on which the vehicle is traveling. The plurality of sensors can also generate information corresponding to the variations of the road. The plurality of sensors can also transmit the information corresponding to the variations in the road to the processing circuit. The information collected by the plurality of sensors may then be used to augment a driving capability of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for fabricating protein-encapsulating microgels using hydrocarbon-in-fluorocarbon emulsions. The non-aqueous emulsion-based microgel fabrication methods can be used for the encapsulation of a wide range of proteins and peptides, including antibodies and antibody-fusion proteins, for therapeutic use with ease of administration.

Abstract: Non-aqueous membrane emulsion methods for producing polymeric and polymer-coated microparticles are provided. Some embodiments provide methods for producing a sustained release or controlled release microparticle by combining micronized protein powder and a polymer into a hydrocarbon solvent to form a non-aqueous first solution, agitating the first non-aqueous solution to form a suspension, feeding the suspension into a dispersion pump, wherein the suspension is infused through a porous membrane into a continuous phase comprising a fluorocarbon liquid and a fluorosurfactant to form a hydrocarbon-in-fluorocarbon emulsion. The hydrocarbon solvent, the fluorocarbon liquid, and the fluorosurfactant are removed, and the microparticles are collected.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a helmet with a split type skeleton structure. The helmet includes a helmet body; the helmet body is composed of a head guard and a chin guard which are separated; the head guard and the chin guard are mounted through cooperation between a fastened spliced skeleton and a plug pin; the spliced skeleton is composed of two skeleton connection members arranged inside the head guard and a chin skeleton arranged inside the chin guard; and hollows of a surface of the chin skeleton are fixedly connected with a plurality of one-piece structured reinforcing ribs.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which includes a processing circuit and a plurality of sensors connected to a vehicle, where at least one of the plurality of sensors is positioned on an undercarriage of the vehicle. The plurality of sensors can detect variations in a road on which the vehicle is traveling. The plurality of sensors can also generate information corresponding to the variations of the road. The plurality of sensors can also transmit the information corresponding to the variations in the road to the processing circuit. The information collected by the plurality of sensors may then be used to augment a driving capability of the vehicle.

Abstract: Non-aqueous emulsion methods for producing polymeric or polymer-coated microparticles are provided. One method produces a sustained release microparticle composition by combining protein powder and a polymer into a hydrocarbon solvent to form a non-aqueous first solution and adding the first solution to a second solution, wherein the second solution comprises a fluorocarbon liquid and a fluorosurfactant to form a non-aqueous emulsion comprising multiple emulsion hydrocarbon droplets in the fluorocarbon liquid. The subsequent microparticle hardening process includes the steps of removing the hydrocarbon solvent from the formed emulsion droplets, which can be achieved through evaporation the hydrocarbon at ambient condition under stirring, or accelerated hardening through vacuum, or through adding hydrofluoroester into the fluorocarbon as a cosolvent.

Abstract: Vibrational behavior of a wellbore operation can be characterized as a vibrational map relating a modeled or sensed vibration level of the operation's equipment to operational parameters of the wellbore operation. The operational parameters can be controllable by settings of the equipment. The map can include multiple contour lines, each representing a set of adjacent coordinates of operational parameters that have the same vibrational level. Tracing a contour line can include determining vibration at a pre-tracing coordinate, adjusting the operational parameters until the vibration level to be mapped is reached at a tracing origin coordinate, then varying the operational parameters while keeping the vibration level constant until the tracing origin or a bound of the operational parameters is reached. Vibration levels having multiple, non-intersecting contour lines can be found by repeating tracing from a different pre-tracing coordinate.