Abstract: This pinching-shaping device includes cylindrical tools, each having a central axis of tool rotation, the central axes being parallel and the outer peripheries of the tools applied tangentially against one another to pinch-shape a strand tangentially introduced between the tools during rotation. The outer periphery of each tool has radially projecting blades distributed around the central axis, each providing a pinching surface. The pinching surface extends between first and second ends inclined to the central axis. The blades of each tool are distributed following the outer periphery, alternating inclination. When a blade of the first tool is radially interposed between the two tools during the rotation, it is radially aligned with one of the blades of the second tool, the pinching surface inclined in a complementary manner to the pinching surface of first tool's blade, pinching the strand between pinching surfaces of these two aligned blades.

Abstract: There is provided a contrast agent for diagnosis of vascular disease containing a gadolinium-based compound as an active ingredient. It has been found that the gadolinium-based compound Gd-DOTA-click-SF of the present disclosure, has a higher molar longitudinal relaxivity (r1) than Dotarem, is stable, and does not affect in vitro cell viability. In addition, it has been found through MRI images that the specific binding of Gd-DOTA-click-SF in an animal model of abdominal aortic aneurysm established using elastase, a serine protease, is remarkable. Also, it has been confirmed that the content of the gadolinium-based compound of the present disclosure that binds to serine protease in the aorta, that is, the content of gadolinium in the aorta, is remarkable. Thus, the Gd-DOTA-click-SF compound according to the present disclosure may be usefully used in MRI and CT imaging diagnosis for vascular disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of treating or preventing fatty liver disease and/or lowering cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in a subject. The present disclosure further provides methods of lowering expression of Pleckstrin and Sec7 Domain Containing 3 (PSD3) in a subject.

Abstract: A hybrid mandrel for forming a composite part may comprise a core and a sleeve located around the core. The core may include a rigid material. The sleeve may comprise an elastomeric material. The part may be formed by locating the hybrid mandrel in an injection mold, depositing a molten resin around the hybrid mandrel, curing the molten resin; and removing the hybrid mandrel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for implementing authentication control protocols via components of entity device. In particular, the system may be configured to determine initiation of a resource interaction by a user at an entity device, control one or more components of the entity device to cause the entity device to capture a real-time image of the user, compare the real-time image captured via the entity device with an updated enhanced user image stored in a data file of the user, in response to comparing the real-time image with the updated enhanced user image, determine if the real-time image matches the updated enhanced user image, and implement one or more authentication control protocols based on determining if the real-time image matches the updated enhanced user image.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for identifying and redirecting incoming unauthorized data access requests. The system is configured for continuously monitoring one or more incoming data access requests from one or more sources, identifying that a data access request of the one or more incoming data access requests is an unauthorized request, redirecting the data access request to a controlled environment, performing one or more actions in the controlled environment to capture one or more interactions associated with the data access request within the controlled environment, and automatically generating one or more controls to secure a real-time environment based on the one or more interactions captured within the controlled environment.

Abstract: A batteryless wireless sensor system includes a data acquisition system, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, and a batteryless wireless sensor device. The RF transceiver is in communication with the data acquisition system, transmits a RF signal, and receives sensor data and provide the sensor data to the data acquisition system. The batteryless wireless sensor device includes a RF transmitter, an analog to digital converter (ADC), and a sensor. The batteryless wireless sensor harvests energy from the RF signal and generates a DC signal based on the energy harvested from the RF signal, powers up and operates the ADC and the sensor based on the DC signal, and generates sensor data. The batteryless wireless sensor then transmits the sensor data via the RF transmitter to the RF transceiver. In certain examples, the ADC is implemented as a current mode ADC.

Abstract: A method of assessing a bodily fluid sample on a test strip may involve applying a periodic signal with a first electrode located at a first location in a microfluidic channel of the test strip, monitoring the applied periodic signal with a second electrode located at a second location in the microfluidic channel, and using a third electrode located at a third location in the microfluidic channel as a reference electrode. The method may also include: collecting the bodily fluid sample in the microfluidic channel; continuing to apply the periodic signal, monitor the periodic signal and use the third electrode as a reference electrode while collecting the bodily fluid sample; and determining that the bodily fluid sample is sufficient for analyzing, based at least in part on the applied and monitored periodic signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate connection of multiple stage completions. A first completion stage is deployed at a wellbore location. Subsequently, the next completion stage is moved downhole into engagement with the first completion stage. The completion stages each have communication lines that are coupled together downhole via a wetmate connection. Systems and methods for determining an orientation of the communication lines relative to the wellbore are also provided.

Abstract: A cable guide can include a first bracket and a second bracket. The first bracket can be configured to be coupled with a reference body The second bracket can be configured to be coupled with a moveable body moveable relative to the reference body. For example, the moveable body may correspond to a slidable server or other appliance receivable in a rack, and the reference body may correspond to a tray in the rack. A conduit structure may extend between the first bracket and the second bracket and include a first conduit laterally joined along a juncture to a second conduit. The first conduit and the second conduit may be separately serviceable. For example, the first conduit and the second conduit may be at least one of releasably separable along the juncture or separately openable along opposite sidewalls of the conduit structure.

Abstract: An analog to digital converter (ADC) that is configured to service a photo-diode includes a capacitor and a self-referenced latched comparator. The capacitor produces a photo-diode voltage based on charging by a photo-diode current associated with the photo-diode and a digital to analog converter (DAC) source current and/or a DAC sink current. The self-referenced latched comparator generates a first digital signal that is based on a difference between the photo-diode voltage and a threshold voltage associated with the self-referenced latched comparator. Also, one or more processing modules executes operational instructions to process the first digital signal to generate a second digital signal and/or a third digital signal. An N-bit DAC generates the DAC source current based on the second digital signal, and an M-bit DAC generates the DAC sink current based on the third digital signal. The DAC source current and/or the DAC sink current tracks the photo-diode current.

Abstract: A test strip for sampling a bodily fluid may include multiple layers of a substrate material, an adhesive between at least some of the multiple layers, and a microfluidic channel formed between at least some of the multiple layers. The test strip may further include multiple electrodes on one of the multiple layers, positioned and partially exposed within the microfluidic channel, an additional material positioned at or near an entrance to the microfluidic channel, to selectively limit the flow of at least one of bubbles or debris into the microfluidic channel, and at least one exit port in at least one of the multiple layers to allow for release of pressure from the test strip. In some embodiments, the test strip is a saliva analysis test strip. In some embodiments, the test strip includes multiple exit ports to prevent blockage of sample flow.

Abstract: A noise canceling audio in/out device includes an audible in/out transducer operable to convert an audible noise signal to a noise signal and convert an audio transmit (TX) signal to an audible output signal. A transducer signal of the audible in/out transducer generated by the audio TX signal is affected by the noise signal. The noise canceling audio in/out device further includes a noise canceling circuit operable to convert a digital TX signal to a TX reference signal, compare the transducer signal with the TX reference signal to produce an analog comparison signal, where the analog comparison signal includes a representation of the audio TX signal and the noise signal, and regulate the transducer signal to substantially match the TX reference signal to remove the effect of the noise signal on the transducer signal.

Abstract: A batteryless wireless sensor system includes a data acquisition system, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, and a batteryless wireless sensor device. The RF transceiver is in communication with the data acquisition system, transmits a RF signal, and receives sensor data and provide the sensor data to the data acquisition system. The batteryless wireless sensor device includes a RF transmitter, an analog to digital converter (ADC), and a sensor. The batteryless wireless sensor harvests energy from the RF signal and generates a DC signal based on the energy harvested from the RF signal, powers up and operates the ADC and the sensor based on the DC signal, and generates sensor data. The batteryless wireless sensor then transmits the sensor data via the RF transmitter to the RF transceiver. In certain examples, the ADC is implemented as a current mode ADC.

Abstract: Anti-BK virus antibody molecules or binding fragments thereof are disclosed. These Anti-BK virus antibody molecules or binding fragments can be used in the treatment or prevention of BK virus infection and/or BK virus associated disorder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying and monitoring a shopping behavior in a user. The method includes capturing images from a depth camera mounted on a shelf unit, identifying a user from the captured image, identifying joints of the identified user by performing a deep neural network (DNN) body joint detection on the captured images; detecting and tracking actions of the identified user over a first time period; tracking an object from the bins over a second time period by associating the object with one or more joints among the identified joints that have entered the bins within the shelf unit, and determining an action of the identified user based at least in part on the associated object with the one or more joints and results from the deep learning identification on the bounding box.

Abstract: A method for online authentication includes receiving membership authenticating information specific to members of a particular affiliation from the members and from one or more remote databases. The information is aggregated and stored in an aggregate database. An individual is authenticated, via a widget at least one of integrated into, and accessible by, at least one of a mobile application and a website of a provider of at least one of a particular program and a particular service, as a member of the particular affiliation based on a comparison of authenticating indicia provided online by the individual and the information stored in at least one of the aggregate database and the remote databases. Digital credentials are provided to the individual for access to the at least one of the particular program and the particular service when the individual is authenticated. The credentials include a unique identifier, a login and password.

Abstract: A method for using saliva to measure at least one substance or physiological parameter of a human or animal subject may involve inserting a first end of a sensor into a handheld saliva testing device. The method may also involve receiving saliva from the subject on a second end of the sensor, moving the saliva from the second end of the sensor to the first end, and processing the saliva with the handheld saliva testing device to provide initial saliva data related to the at least one substance or physiological parameter of the subject. In some embodiments, the sensor remains inserted in the handheld device while the subject deposits saliva on the opposite, free end of the sensor.

Abstract: A method and a system for using a learnable augmentation technique to perform few-shot calibration of a model that is designed to generate time series predictions under distribution shifts with improved accuracy are provided. The method includes: receiving first information that relates to a source distribution of a time series and second information that relates to a target distribution of the time series; extracting a latent code from samples of the target distribution; perturbing the latent code by adding random noise in order to generate augmented samples of the target distribution; training a classifier based on samples of the source distribution; adjusting the classifier based on a combination of the samples of the source distribution and the augmented samples of the target distribution; and using the adjusted classifier to train a machine learning model that is usable for making future predictions that relate to the time series.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for self-contained nucleic acid preparation, amplification, and analysis.