Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure may be directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods that include a medical device including an elongate body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and three mutually perpendicular planes. The medical device may include a first steering line and a second steering line and a first stiffening material and a second stiffening material. The first stiffening material and the second stiffening material may be configured to maintain planarity of deflection of at least the distal portion of the elongate body.

Abstract: The present invention features assays for co-culturing primary cells while maintaining key biological activities specific to the primary cells. The invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that compositions and methods for primary cells in a high-throughput co-culture platform, image analysis for distinguishing cells in co-cultures and assays that are suitable for screening of agents in epithelial cells, such as hepatocytes.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a laser system that includes a first fiber having an output end and situated to propagate a first laser beam with a first beam parameter product (bpp) and a second fiber having an input end spliced to the output end of the first fiber at a fiber splice so as to receive the first laser beam and to form a second laser beam having a second bpp that is greater than the first bpp, wherein the output end of the first fiber and the input end of the second fiber are spliced at a tilt angle so as to increase the first bpp to the second bpp.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to an automated validation tool for migration from a source system to a target system. The system comprises: a memory component; an interactive interface that receives one or more user inputs; and a validation engine comprising a processor, coupled to the memory component and the interactive interface, the validation engine configured to perform the steps comprising: initiating a migration process from a source system to a target system; identifying a source identifier of the source system and a target identifier of the target system; performing validation of the migration process; comparing project configuration data of the source system and the target system; comparing project data of the source system and the target system; and providing, via the interactive interface, validation results.

Abstract: The present invention features assays for co-culturing primary cells while maintaining key biological activities specific to the primary cells. The invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that compositions and methods for primary cells in a high-throughput co-culture platform, image analysis for distinguishing cells in co-cultures and assays that are suitable for screening of agents in epithelial cells, such as hepatocytes.

Abstract: A strut insulator for an overhead rail contact system includes a first end fitting, the first end fitting defining an inner side pocket, and a second end fitting spaced from the first end fitting, the second end fitting defining an inner side pocket. The strut insulator further includes a rod extending between the first end fitting and the second end fitting and extending into the inner side pockets of the first and second end fittings, the rod defining a length. The strut insulator further includes a shell surrounding a portion of rod, the shell extending along a portion of the length of the rod, the shell formed from a fluoropolymer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a laser system that includes a first fiber having an output end and situated to propagate a first laser beam with a first beam parameter product (bpp) and a second fiber having an input end spliced to the output end of the first fiber at a fiber splice so as to receive the first laser beam and to form a second laser beam having a second bpp that is greater than the first bpp, wherein the output end of the first fiber and the input end of the second fiber are spliced at a tilt angle so as to increase the first bpp to the second bpp.

Abstract: The present invention features assays for co-culturing primary cells while maintaining key biological activities specific to the primary cells. The invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that compositions and methods for primary cells in a high-throughput co-culture platform, image analysis for distinguishing cells in co-cultures and assays that are suitable for screening of agents in epithelial cells, such as hepatocytes.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a laser system that includes a first fiber having an output end and situated to propagate a first laser beam with a first beam parameter product (bpp) and a second fiber having an input end spliced to the output end of the first fiber at a fiber splice so as to receive the first laser beam and to form a second laser beam having a second bpp that is greater than the first bpp, wherein the output end of the first fiber and the input end of the second fiber are spliced at a tilt angle so as to increase the first bpp to the second bpp.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for managing and facilitating the provision of a variety of real estate related services via an IOS/Android application with internet/website administration. Specifically, licensed real estate agents purchase and download the iOS/Android platform application and sign up to be verified users of the system. Based on information provided by the agent, the system verifies and authorizes the agents to use the system. Authorized agents can then submit requests for real-estate related services to be completed for pay, such as hosting open houses, meeting contractors, appraisers, or other service providers at a property, ordering gifts and/or delivering gifts to real estate clients. Other verified users, either real estate agents or other trusted individuals, can bid to complete posted tasks. The system will collect funds from the job posting agent and provide payment to the job completion agent.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to an automated validation tool for migration from a source system to a target system. The system comprises: a memory component; an interactive interface that receives one or more user inputs; and a validation engine comprising a processor, coupled to the memory component and the interactive interface, the validation engine configured to perform the steps comprising: initiating a migration process from a source system to a target system; identifying a source identifier of the source system and a target identifier of the target system; performing validation of the migration process; comparing project configuration data of the source system and the target system; comparing project data of the source system and the target system; and providing, via the interactive interface, validation results.

Abstract: A strut insulator for an overhead rail contact system includes a first end fitting, the first end fitting defining an inner side pocket, and a second end fitting spaced from the first end fitting, the second end fitting defining an inner side pocket. The strut insulator further includes a rod extending between the first end fitting and the second end fitting and extending into the inner side pockets of the first and second end fittings, the rod defining a length. The strut insulator further includes a shell surrounding a portion of rod, the shell extending along a portion of the length of the rod, the shell formed from a fluoropolymer.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilize a distributed server network to allow for the optimization of the upload of a data stream from a computing device. Performance metrics are estimated for different network paths from the computing device to a variety of entry servers in the distributed server network. Based on the estimated performance metrics, one or more entry servers are then selected to receive the data stream from the computing device. As a result, the systems and methods described herein allow for high quality upload performance which addresses the first mile vulnerability issues of the data stream. The distributed server network can then transmit copies of the data stream in real-time to other computing devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein utilize a distributed server network to allow for the real-time distribution of copies of a data stream uploaded from a computing device. The uploaded data stream corresponds to an environment surrounding a user (exam taker) of the computing device during execution of a testing routine for an examination. Providing copies of the data stream in real-time allows proctors as well as other test assessment authorities to ‘peek in’ on the exam taker's environment surrounding the exam. As a result, the environment surrounding the exam taker can be monitored in real-time to determine whether any visual or audio activity in the environment constitutes activity not in accordance with the exam protocol. Following an affirmative determination that the exam taker violated an exam taking protocol, the proctor or other test assessment authority can then make a final or early decision regarding disciplinary action.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilize a distributed server network to allow for the optimization of the upload of a data stream from a computing device. Performance metrics are estimated for different network paths from the computing device to a variety of entry servers in the distributed server network. Based on the estimated performance metrics, one or more entry servers are then selected to receive the data stream from the computing device. As a result, the systems and methods described herein allow for high quality upload performance which addresses the first mile vulnerability issues of the data stream. The distributed server network can then transmit copies of the data stream in real-time to other computing devices.

Abstract: A dead-end termination clamp including a cast body, a clamping end, and a connection end. The dead-end clamp may be scaled to support various size wires or cables. The dead-end clamp may be able to provide a support strength less than, equal to, or exceeding the breaking strength of a supported cable. A collet with a length, two ends, a central cavity and at least one helical slot running along the length of the collet. The at least one helical slot may have a varying width or pitch along the length. The at least one helical slot may terminate before reaching one or both ends. The collet may have one helical slots which runs the entire length of the collet. The collet may be substantially cylindrical or another shape. The center cavity may be substantially cylindrical or another shape.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilize a distributed server network to allow for the optimization of the upload of a data stream from a computing device. Performance metrics are estimated for different network paths from the computing device to a variety of entry servers in the distributed server network. Based on the estimated performance metrics, one or more entry servers are then selected to receive the data stream from the computing device. As a result, the systems and methods described herein allow for high quality upload performance which addresses the first mile vulnerability issues of the data stream. The distributed server network can then transmit copies of the data stream in real-time to other computing devices.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a laser system that includes a first fiber having an output end and situated to propagate a first laser beam with a first beam parameter product (bpp) and a second fiber having an input end spliced to the output end of the first fiber at a fiber splice so as to receive the first laser beam and to form a second laser beam having a second bpp that is greater than the first bpp, wherein the output end of the first fiber and the input end of the second fiber are spliced at a tilt angle so as to increase the first bpp to the second bpp.

Abstract: An improved loudspeaker system includes an asymmetrical array of dissimilar drivers, namely a first driver and a second complementary driver configured in an array and driven in parallel so that the measured on-axis frequency response and the output power (SPL) is improved as compared to a symmetrical array (with similar or matched midrange or mid-bass drivers), while retaining a flat tonal balance. This speaker system and method for voicing was discovered to provide lower distortion, improved frequency response and greater clarity as compared to the prior art or traditional (e.g., MTM) loudspeaker configurations.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein utilize a distributed server network to allow for the real-time distribution of copies of a data stream uploaded from a computing device. The uploaded data stream corresponds to an environment surrounding a user (exam taker) of the computing device during execution of a testing routine for an examination. Providing copies of the data stream in real-time allows proctors as well as other test assessment authorities to ‘peek in’ on the exam taker's environment surrounding the exam. As a result, the environment surrounding the exam taker can be monitored in real-time to determine whether any visual or audio activity in the environment constitutes activity not in accordance with the exam protocol. Following an affirmative determination that the exam taker violated an exam taking protocol, the proctor or other test assessment authority can then make a final or early decision regarding disciplinary action.