Abstract: As may be implemented in accordance with one or more aspects characterized herein, a wall patch is adhered to a wall surface having a damaged region. The wall patch has a base layer and a plurality of layers of transparent material stacked on the base layer, with the base layer being visible through the transparent material and therein aligned around the damaged region. A surface coating is applied to an area of the wall surface around the wall patch and to the wall patch, after which a top removable layer of the wall patch is removed to expose a top surface of an underlying one of the layers. A further coating is applied to the exposed top surface of the underlying layer, and to the area of the wall surface around the wall patch.

Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling inflation and deflation is provided. The valve assembly includes a rapid-deflate valve cover having a central passage extending through the annular body; an internally threaded portion positioned within the central passage configured to threadingly interface with an externally threaded portion of a valve stem; and a pressure relief formed in the internally threaded portion. The rapid-deflate valve cover can include a valve core positioned within the central passage near the proximal end and configured to selectively permit gas flow from the proximal end into the central passage past the valve core. When the rapid-deflate valve cover is in a closed position, the annular body contacts the valve stem to prohibit gas flow through the central passage. When the rapid-deflate valve cover is in the open position, the body is positioned away from the valve stem to permit gas flow into the central passage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a community security system capable of monitoring multiple, generally adjacent, consecutive private security areas to confirm human activity and engage sensory alerts. The community security system includes at least two private security areas having the capability of being networked together to enable information sharing. Each private security area is monitored by a private security system and contains one or more detection devices for monitoring and detecting activity occurring within the boundaries of the private security area. Information detected by detection devices within the private security areas can then communicate with other detection devices within the private security area or with the community security system to confirm activity, track activity across adjacent boundaries, engage sensory alerts and notify community members or authorities, as needed.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument capable of performing both thermal ablation and electroporation in a minimally invasive manner. The instrument is dimensioned to fit within an instrument channel of an endoscope to enable non-percutaneous insertion. The instrument comprises a radiating tip mounted at a distal end of a coaxial transmission line to receive microwave EM energy from the coaxial transmission line and emit it as a field around the radiating tip. The instrument further comprises an auxiliary transmission line arranged to convey electromagnetic energy having an electroporation waveform to a microelectrode array mounted on the radiating tip. The electroporation waveform may be a radiofrequency or low frequency electromagnetic (EM) signal. The microelectrode array may comprise a plurality of nanoscale conductive electrode elements.

Abstract: Instruments, methods, and kits are disclosed for performing fast thermocycling.

Abstract: A braided carbon structure and methods of forming and processing are presented. The braided carbon structure comprises axial tows comprising carbon filaments; braid tows at a braid angle relative to the axial tows, the braid tows comprising carbon filaments; and thermoplastic material within at least one of the axial tows or the braid tows, wherein the thermoplastic material makes up less than 40 of each of the at least one of the axial tows or the braid tows.

Abstract: Disclosed is a platform that manages worker users in a temporary staffing environment via an artificial machine learning model. The temporary staffing platform matches available workers to available shifts/gigs. Additional features include generating provisional or near-miss matches and informing workers how to turn those near-misses into full matches, plotting a gig-career path to develop additional skills, gamify development, and automatically generate resumes. The platform generates a set of skill tags associated with each shift/gig performed by the user. Designing of resume text files by the artificial machine learning model includes procedurally generated descriptions of experience the user has based on the recording of each shift/gig performed by the user and the skill tags associated with each recorded shift/gig, wherein a format of the resume text file is formulated by the artificial machine learning model evaluating a mix of skill tags and employers amassed by the user.

Abstract: A lignocellulosic mixture comprising: (a) a binder composition comprising: (i) an isocyanate compound; (ii) a sulfonic acid compound; and optionally, (iii) a catalyst compound, (iv) an acidifying compound different from Component (ii), and (v) other additive compounds; and (b) one or more lignocellulosic particles wherein at least a portion of the lignocellulosic particles is partially coated with the binder composition wherein the ADHESIVE MEMORY LOSS of the binder composition is less than or equal to 50 and the METAL LOSS on a surface of a metallic article that comes into contact with the binder composition is greater than or equal to ?0.00009.

Abstract: Determining an instantaneous vehicle characteristic (e.g., at least one yaw rate) of an additional vehicle that is in addition to a vehicle being autonomously controlled, and adapting autonomous control of the vehicle based on the determined instantaneous vehicle characteristic of the additional vehicle. For example, autonomous steering, acceleration, and/or deceleration of the vehicle can be adapted based on a determined instantaneous vehicle characteristic of the additional vehicle. In many implementations, the instantaneous vehicle characteristics of the additional vehicle are determined based on data from a phase coherent Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) component of the vehicle, such as a phase coherent LIDAR monopulse component and/or a frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) LIDAR component.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a sterilization apparatus which uses thermal or non-thermal plasma to disinfect surgical scoping devices such as endoscopes, gastroscopes, laparoscopes and the like. Aspect of the disclosure provide: (i) an apparatus for sterilizing inside an instrument channel formed with an insertion tube of a surgical scoping device, (ii) a whole-device sterilization apparatus for treating the entire exterior surface of a surgical scoping device, and (iii) an apparatus for cleaning and sterilizing a distal end face of an insertion tube of a surgical scoping device.

Abstract: A cockpit for a micromobility transit vehicle may include a camera and a cockpit housing. The cockpit housing may be configured to couple to a handlebar of the micromobility transit vehicle. The cockpit housing may include a first portion and a second portion where the second portion extends from the first portion. The first portion of the cockpit housing may include a surface configured to wrap at least partially around the handlebar. The second portion of the cockpit housing may be configured to secure the camera disposed therein such that the camera is oriented to have a field of view in front of the micromobility transit vehicle. The camera may be disposed in the second portion and configured to capture a scene in the field of view in front of the micromobility transit vehicle. Related systems and methods are additionally disclosed.

Abstract: An anti-theft device for securing an article of merchandise against unauthorized removal from a display counter. The anti-theft device comprises a latch plate and a pedestal having a quick-release interface. The latch plate is configured to selectively couple to the quick-release interface. A latch bolt is disposed within the pedestal. The latch bolt locks the latch plate relative to the quick-release interface. A plurality of retaining arms is configured to receive and retain an article of merchandise. The retaining arms cannot be disengaged from the article of merchandise while the latch plate is locked relative to the quick-release interface. A solenoid is housed within the pedestal and operationally connected to the latch bolt. The solenoid is configured to retract the latch bolt into a position in which the latch bolt disengages the latch plate, thereby releasing the latch plate from the quick-release interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to treatments of hereditary angioedema (HAE). In particular, the present invention provides on-demand treatments of hereditary angioedema (HAE) by orally administering a plasma kallikrein inhibitor to a patient in need thereof on-demand.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to determining a next vehicle task for a vehicle of a fleet. Vehicle data from the vehicle, charger data about at least one charger, and demand data may be received and used to determine the next vehicle task. The vehicle may be directed to the next vehicle task. Determining a next vehicle task may further be based on predictions made using the vehicle data, the charger data, and the demand data. Heuristics may also be used in determining a next vehicle task.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system or method that determines, based on consumption data and location information, groups of access portals, where the consumption data and the location information correspond to a time period in which the access portals are used to access a service using an account. The groups can be adjusted according to an intended benefit unit for the service and a sharing structure can be determined including benefit unit partitions for the account based on the adjusting. Factors can be determined, based on the benefit unit partitions, that are indicative of account sharing, as well as weights for the factors by applying a learning model to the consumption data. An intervention strategy can be selected from a group of intervention strategies according to the factors and the weights for the factors. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to processing and executing digital asset transfers between two users. An example method includes receiving a data object defining a digital asset transfer, and the data object may be a query from the first user to initiate an outbound transfer to a second user or an approval of a request for digital asset units from the second user. The method further includes retrieving account balance data objects associated with the digital asset accounts for the first and second users. The method further includes, responsive to determining that the digital asset transfer satisfies one or more transfer conditions, executing the digital asset transfer by executing a closed-loop debit from the first user and executing a closed-loop credit to the second user. The method further includes updating the account balance data object to reflect the resulting balances of each digital asset account.

Abstract: Methods for managing non-player characters and power centers in a computer game are based on character hierarchies and individualized correspondences between each character's traits or rank and events that involve other non-player characters or objects. Players may share power centers, character hierarchies, non-player characters, and related quests involving the shared objects with other players playing separate and unrelated game instances over a computer network, with the outcome of the quests reflected in different the games. Various configurations of game machines are used to implement the methods.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus which uses thermal or non-thermal plasma to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) by destroying bacteria. The apparatus comprises an elongate probe that includes a coaxial cable for conveying radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and/or microwave EM energy, a probe tip connected at the distal end of the coaxial cable for receiving the RF and/or microwave EM energy, and a gas conduit for conveying gas to the probe tip. The probe tip comprises a first electrode connected to the inner conductor of the coaxial cable, and a second electrode connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial cable, and wherein the first electrode and second electrode are arranged to produce an electric field from the received RF and/or microwave EM energy across a flow path of gas received from the gas conduit to produce a thermal or a non-thermal plasma.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to anti-cancer compounds derived from a payload which binds to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and a nuclear steroid-targeting epitope (B of Formula I), which components are covalently linked via a linker, to products containing the same, as well as to methods of their use and preparation.