Abstract: An assembly for two (or more) DC/DC converters located in a common enclosure, where the DC/DC converters share a heat sink assembly, such as a shared dual-sided heat sink assembly. The techniques efficiently package the components of the DC/DC converters within a common enclosure and simplify the cooling lines routed to those components.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes determining a position for a search query and a position for each audience record from multiple audience records in an embedding space. The method further includes receiving multiple device records, each associated with an audience record. The method further includes determining multiple keywords, each associated with an audience record and determining a position for each keyword in the embedding space. The method further includes calculating a first distance between the position of the search query in the embedding space and the position of each audience record in the embedding space. The method further includes calculating a second distance between the position of the search query in the embedding space and the position of each keyword in the embedding space. The method further includes ranking each audience record based on the first distance and the second distance.

Abstract: A catheter stabilization system comprises a catheter and a stabilizer. The catheter has a steerable distal end. The stabilizer is coupled with the catheter at a position that is proximal to the steerable distal end. The stabilizer is movable radially outward relative to the catheter to stabilize the catheter during flexing of the distal end of the steerable catheter.

Abstract: A catheter device includes a tube that has a distal opening that is configured to be transluminally advanced into the subject; and an extracorporeal unit that is coupled to a proximal end of the tube. A series of cartridges is arranged along the extracorporeal unit, each of the cartridges having an initial position in which the cartridge holds a respective anchor. Each of the cartridges is, moveable from the initial position to a deployment position while remaining coupled to the extracorporeal unit. A driver is configured to, for each of the anchors, sequentially, while the respective cartridge is in the deployment position, move the anchor out of the respective cartridge and through the tube toward the distal opening. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A bi-level tank includes a transfer tank and a return tank containing a volume of water, including transfer and return components in the transfer and return tanks, respectively, and a transition component. A bellows couples an upper surface of a piston in the transfer tank to the return component that exerts pressure on the upper surface, while a lower surface of the piston is under pressure from a pressured fluid supplied by a source thereof, producing a pressure differential on the piston. Actuation of a force-applying mechanism on the piston sufficient to overcome the pressure differential displaces the piston for exchanging respective volumes of the return component and the fluid from the source. An extensible and retractable constant-volume boot holds the transition component around the bellows and has valves configured to open and close for equalizing pressure between the boot and the transfer tank.

Abstract: A bi-level tank includes a transfer tank and a return tank containing a volume of water, including transfer and return components in the transfer and return tanks, respectively, and a transition component. A bellows couples an upper surface of a piston in the transfer tank to the return component that exerts pressure on the upper surface, while a lower surface of the piston is under pressure from a pressured fluid supplied by a source thereof, producing a pressure differential on the piston. Actuation of a force-applying mechanism on the piston sufficient to overcome the pressure differential displaces the piston for exchanging respective volumes of the return component and the fluid from the source. An extensible and retractable constant-volume boot holds the transition component around the bellows and has valves configured to open and close for equalizing pressure between the boot and the transfer tank.

Abstract: A bi-level tank includes a transfer tank and a return tank containing a volume of water, including transfer and return components in the transfer and return tanks, respectively, and a transition component. A bellows couples an upper surface of a piston in the transfer tank to the return component that exerts pressure on the upper surface, while a lower surface of the piston is under pressure from a pressured fluid supplied by a source thereof, producing a pressure differential on the piston. Actuation of a force-applying mechanism on the piston sufficient to overcome the pressure differential displaces the piston for exchanging respective volumes of the return component and the fluid from the source. An extensible and retractable constant-volume boot holds the transition component around the bellows and has valves configured to open and close for equalizing pressure between the boot and the transfer tank.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention an apparatus is provided to maintain separate upper and lower water levels in a bi-level tank. The purpose here is to maintain tank configurations for the water portion of an air/water pathway in the tank that will be followed by a buoyant power module during its electricity generating work cycle. During an operation, the module enters the tank and raises the lower water level. The apparatus is then expanded to displace a volume of water in the tank with a volume of air, which raises the upper water level. Subsequently, when the module leaves the tank, the upper water level is lowered. Further, the apparatus is collapsed to drop the lower water level back to its original level in the tank. Thus, the bi-level tank is reconfigured to receive another module, for another duty cycle.

Abstract: A bi-level tank includes a transfer tank and a return tank containing a volume of water, including transfer and return components in the transfer and return tanks, respectively, and a transition component. A bellows couples an upper surface of a piston in the transfer tank to the return component that exerts pressure on the upper surface, while a lower surface of the piston is under pressure from a pressured fluid supplied by a source thereof, producing a pressure differential on the piston. Actuation of a force-applying mechanism on the piston sufficient to overcome the pressure differential displaces the piston for exchanging respective volumes of the return component and the fluid from the source. An extensible and retractable constant-volume boot holds the transition component around the bellows and has valves configured to open and close for equalizing pressure between the boot and the transfer tank.

Abstract: A delivery system includes a handle, a catheter shaft, and a steering mechanism. The catheter shaft extends from the handle to a flexible distal end portion. The steering mechanism is configured to steer the flexible distal end portion. The steering mechanism can include a steering element a control member, and one or more actuation elements. Actuating the control member can move the steering element to increase and/or decrease tension in one or more actuation elements.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of activating immune cells. The method includes providing a population of immune cells and contacting the population of immune cells with a first agent and a second agent. The first agent includes an immune cell activator attached to a first binder moiety, and the second agent includes at least one capture oligomer. The at least one capture oligomer is capable of associating with the first binder moiety. Also provided are kits for activating immune cells.

Abstract: Described are multi-functional beads and methods to capture rare cells directly from low-volume biological samples and perform both functional and genomic assays from those cells. This is accomplished using a multifunctional capture bead that allows co-localization of both the single cell capture element and the molecular assay components. When combined with a digital microfluidic platform this enables encoding and/or barcoding of specific single cells.

Abstract: A cooking implement configured to assist in the cooking process of a hot dog or similar item wherein the present invention facilitates the rotational movement of the food item during the cooking process. The present invention includes a support frame wherein the support frame is comprised of a bottom horizontal member and a vertical support member. The vertical support member includes a plurality of contiguous segments formed in a human outline shape. The frame has a food rod tube coupler secured thereto. A food rod tube is secured to the food rod tube coupler and has a hollow passage therethrough. The food rod tube further includes an engagement tab at an end distal to the support frame. A plurality of food rod support members are provided that operably couple with the food rod tube having a portion egressing therefrom.

Abstract: A bi-level tank includes a transfer tank and a return tank containing a volume of water, including transfer and return components in the transfer and return tanks, respectively, and a transition component. A bellows couples an upper surface of a piston in the transfer tank to the return component that exerts pressure on the upper surface, while a lower surface of the piston is under pressure from a pressured fluid supplied by a source thereof, producing a pressure differential on the piston. Actuation of a force-applying mechanism on the piston sufficient to overcome the pressure differential displaces the piston for exchanging respective volumes of the return component and the fluid from the source. An extensible and retractable constant-volume boot holds the transition component around the bellows and has valves configured to open and close for equalizing pressure between the boot and the transfer tank.

Abstract: A system and method for harvesting electric energy from the earth's gravitational field includes a pneumatic, potential energy (PE) system which cumulatively generates a volume of compressed air with an energy equal to PE, during a predetermined duty cycle. This energy can then be released as an instantaneous burst of energy in the next consecutive duty cycle. Also included is an electro-magnetic system which continuously generates kinetic energy (KE) as a shuttle falls under the influence of gravity during each duty cycle. An interface between the two systems is provided by a water column that separates the two systems yet allows them to be interactive. Specifically, the burst of PE manipulates the water column to maintain its integrity as the shuttle uses the water column as a water pathway for a return to the shuttle's start point under the influence of its buoyancy.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention an apparatus is provided to maintain separate upper and lower water levels in a bi-level tank. The purpose here is to maintain tank configurations for the water portion of an air/water pathway in the tank that will be followed by a buoyant power module during its electricity generating work cycle. During an operation, the module enters the tank and raises the lower water level. The apparatus is then expanded to displace a volume of water in the tank with a volume of air, which raises the upper water level. Subsequently, when the module leaves the tank, the upper water level is lowered. Further, the apparatus is collapsed to drop the lower water level back to its original level in the tank. Thus, the bi-level tank is reconfigured to receive another module, for another duty cycle.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention an apparatus is provided to maintain separate upper and lower water levels in a bi-level tank. The purpose here is to maintain tank configurations for the water portion of an air/water pathway in the tank that will be followed by a buoyant power module during its electricity generating work cycle. During an operation, the module enters the tank and raises the lower water level. The apparatus is then expanded to displace a volume of water in the tank with a volume of air, which raises the upper water level. Subsequently, when the module leaves the tank, the upper water level is lowered. Further, the apparatus is collapsed to drop the lower water level back to its original level in the tank. Thus, the bi-level tank is reconfigured to receive another module, for another duty cycle.

Abstract: A machine for driving an electric generator moves a power module through a DOWN and UP duty cycle along a closed-loop, vertically oriented pathway. In the DOWN portion of the duty cycle, the module falls through air under the influence of gravity and generates kinetic energy for work to drive the electric generator. Upon disengagement of the power module from the electric generator, the kinetic energy of the power module then dives the power module into a bi-level water tank for a subsequent UP portion of the duty cycle. A valve mechanism and a displacement device are submerged in the bi-level tank to cooperate, in combination with each other, to create an unobstructed underwater pathway for the power module through the bi-level tank. The power module then rises under the influence of buoyancy to generate sufficient momentum for exit from the bi-level tank, and a consecutive duty cycle.

Abstract: A machine for driving an electric generator moves a power module through a DOWN and UP duty cycle along a closed-loop, vertically oriented pathway. In the DOWN portion of the duty cycle, the module falls through air under the influence of gravity and generates kinetic energy for work to drive the electric generator. Upon disengagement of the power module from the electric generator, the kinetic energy of the power module then dives the power module into a bi-level water tank for a subsequent UP portion of the duty cycle. A valve mechanism and a displacement device are submerged in the bi-level tank to cooperate, in combination with each other, to create an unobstructed underwater pathway for the power module through the bi-level tank. The power module then rises under the influence of buoyancy to generate sufficient momentum for exit from the bi-level tank, and a consecutive duty cycle.

Abstract: A shoe cover is a sheet made of a water impermeable material formed in a continuous loop and having a shoe shape. The sheet includes a top rim defining an open top end and a bottom rim defining an open bottom end. The open bottom end is substantially larger than the open top end. For example, the open bottom end may be at least twice as large in diameter than the open top end. A first continuous elastomeric band is joined along the entire open top rim, and a second continuous elastomeric band is joined to the entire open bottom rim. The water impermeable material may be a transparent or translucent flexible plastic.