Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of apparatuses and methods that include an improved double sleeve plunger. In an exemplary embodiment, the improved double sleeve plunger includes an outer sleeve, and inner sleeve, and a clutch, whereby the clutch retards movement of the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve between and open and closed position of the plunger.

Abstract: An example portable radiography scanning system includes: a radiation detector configured to generate digital radiography images based on incident radiation; a radiation emitter configured to output the radiation; and a computing device configured to: receive the digital radiography images from the radiation detector; compensate one or more of the digital radiography images for variations in magnification of the digital radiography images; and store one or more compensated radiography images based on the magnification compensation and associated with physical location information.

Abstract: A vehicle register assembly includes a register duct that has an end opening and the register duct directs air. A housing is coupled to the register duct proximate the end opening. A barrel is disposed within the housing and defines an upstream aperture and a downstream aperture. A plurality of vanes includes individual vanes and the individual vanes extend in a first direction between first opposing sides of the barrel. A linking vane is coupled to each of the individual vanes and extends between second opposing sides of the barrel. The linking vane includes a guide body that extends upstream from the plurality of vanes.

Abstract: A thin section bearing assembly is for a gantry assembly and includes inner and outer rings each having inner and outer circumferential surfaces and rolling elements grooves and are each sized such that a ratio of the inside diameter to radial thickness is at least thirty (30). A plurality of rolling elements, preferably balls, are disposed between the outer ring groove and the inner ring groove. At least one elastomeric annular damper is disposed between the outer ring and the housing and/or between the inner ring and the rotor and has first and second axially spaced sections. As such, the first section is compressed more than the second section under bending moments in a first angular direction and the second section is compressed more than the first section under moments in a second angular direction. The one or more annular dampers each have a thickness calculated to optimize vibration reduction.

Abstract: A method of uniquely identifying an item, the item being a member of a batch of nominally identical items. Each item is characterised by variability within the batch with respect to at least one inherent characteristic of the item. The at least one inherent characteristic of the item arises from a material or process used in manufacture of the item. The method includes scanning each item at a point of manufacture with respect to the at least one inherent characteristic. Data is acquired on the at least one inherent characteristic sufficient to uniquely distinguish the item from other items of the batch.

Abstract: Methods and system for securing delivery of a parcel when an intended recipient is unavailable, comprising at least one storage receptacle having an electronically controlled locking mechanism, the storage receptacle comprising an interface for receiving an access code for facilitating unlocking of the storage receptacle, a wireless communication radio, and a processor. The system further comprises a remote service manager comprising an access code generator and a wireless communication radio for transmitting an access code to a mobile computing device operated by a delivery carrier.

Abstract: A computerized-method for calculating an agent skill-satisfaction-index and utilization thereof, is provided herein. The computerized-method includes operating an Agent-Skill-Satisfaction-Index (ASSI)-scoring module.

Abstract: A milling machine may have a frame, first and second ground engagement members connected through respective, vertically adjustable leg columns to a front end of the frame, and third and fourth ground engagement members connected through respective, vertically adjustable leg columns to a rear end of the frame. Each vertically adjustable leg column includes a hydraulic cylinder connecting the frame and the associated ground engagement member. A milling drum is attached to the frame between the front and rear ends. At least one pair of the leg columns connected to the front end of the frame or the leg columns connected to the rear end of the frame includes an accumulator associated with each of the at least one pair of leg columns, a fluid conduit fluidly connecting a bore end of each of the hydraulic cylinders to the associated accumulator, and a control valve disposed in the fluid conduit and configured to control a flow of fluid between the hydraulic cylinders and the associated accumulators.

Abstract: A system and method for removing a bone from a primal or sub primal meat cut that includes a conveyance system having a continuous conveyor extending along a path of conveyance from an upstream point at the loading end to a downstream point at the discharge. The system includes a pair of opposing support surfaces projecting vertically upward from a first position of the continuous conveyor along the path of conveyance whereby each of the opposing support surfaces of the pair inwardly extend one toward the other, from an upper level downward vertically to a lower level. Each opposing support surface of the pair has a downward slope and each opposing surface of the pair converges at a recessed valley at the lower level.

Abstract: An example portable radiography scanning system includes: a radiation detector configured to generate a digital image based on incident radiation; a radiation emitter configured to output the radiation; a frame configured to hold at least one of the radiation emitter or the radiation detector such that the radiation emitter directs the radiation to the radiation detector; a first sensor configured to determine a first distance between the radiation detector and the radiation emitter; and a computing device configured to: determine a second distance between the radiation emitter and an interface between the radiation and the object; determine a magnification correction factor based on the first distance and the second distance; measure a size, in pixels, of a feature of the object in the digital image; and at least one of: calculate an actual size of the feature based on the magnification correction factor and the measured size of the feature, or determine whether the measured sized of the feature satisfies a

Abstract: An example radiography scanning system includes: a radiation detector configured to generate digital images based on incident radiation; a radiation source configured to output the radiation toward the radiation detector; a thermal sensor configured to capture thermal images and having a field of view that at least partially overlaps a projection field of the radiation; and a computing device configured to: control the radiation source; receive the digital images from the radiation detector; receive the thermal images from the thermal camera; and output the digital images and the thermal images, in real-time, to a display device.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for detecting and/or targeting dysfunctional tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment for diagnostic, therapeutic and/or research applications. In particular, dysfunctional tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells are detected and/or targeted via their expression of cell surface receptors described herein, such as 4-1BB, LAG-3, or additional markers that correlate with 4-1BB and LAG-3 expression, such as markers differentially expressed on the surface of the T cells.

Abstract: A method of generating an accurate speaker representation for an audio sample includes receiving a first audio sample from a first speaker and a second audio sample from a second speaker. The method includes dividing a respective audio sample into a plurality of audio slices. The method also includes, based on the plurality of slices, generating a set of candidate acoustic embeddings where each candidate acoustic embedding includes a vector representation of acoustic features. The method further includes removing a subset of the candidate acoustic embeddings from the set of candidate acoustic embeddings. The method additionally includes generating an aggregate acoustic embedding from the remaining candidate acoustic embeddings in the set of candidate acoustic embeddings after removing the subset of the candidate acoustic embeddings.

Abstract: A vent attachment facilitates attaching a coaxial air intake and exhaust vent of a tankless water heater to a Category I vent, such as B-vent. The vent attachment comprises a first end with a coaxial connector comprising a central exhaust pathway and a circumferential air intake pathway. The vent attachment also comprises a second end with a tubular exhaust vent connector in fluid communication with the central exhaust pathway. The vent attachment further comprises a frame that encloses the central exhaust pathway and comprises a mesh configured to provide fluid communication through the frame with the air intake pathway. Additionally, operation of the tankless water heater is modified to ensure that the exhaust generated is suitable for venting through a Category I vent. The tankless water heater maintains a high fuel consumption rate such that the temperature of hot water produced increases throughout each of a plurality of burner stages.

Abstract: A water heater system includes a controller configured to integrate control of both recovery and recirculation operations of a recovery pump and a recirculation pump. As such, a separate device, installation location, and power source (e.g., available outlet) is not needed with the controller. Because a single controller is configured to control both recovery and recirculation operations, additional control functions are available. The controller may be in communication with an internal controller of the water heater and configured to receive an error notification upon abnormal operation of the water heater. The controller can stop recovery and recirculation operations in response to an error notification, unlike with traditional water heating systems which may otherwise continue to function. The recovery and recirculation operations are based on a setpoint temperature of the water heater such that changes made to the setpoint temperature will automatically adjust in the recovery and recirculation operations.

Abstract: An apparatus for improved rendering includes a number of processing channels to receive multiple input content sources and to process that input content. A compositor can composite processed input content to generate a composite output signal. An output adaptation block can adapt the composite output signal along with dynamic metadata for display by a display device. Each processing channel includes a statistics generator and an input adaptation block.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are human antibody molecules that immunospecifically bind to human CXCR2. The disclosed human antibody molecules are potent and selective antagonists of CXCR2 functions and prevent the recruitment of neutrophils into tissues without strongly depleting circulating neutrophil numbers. Pharmaceutical compositions, nucleic acid molecules, vectors, cells, and uses of the disclosed antibodies are also provided.

Abstract: Vertical transmission line probes having alternating capacitive and inductive sections are provided. These alternating sections can be designed to provide a desired transmission line impedance (e.g., between 10 and 100 Ohms, preferably 50 Ohms). Probe flexure in operation is mainly in the inductive sections, advantageously reducing flexure stresses on the dielectrics in the capacitive sections.

Abstract: The invention provides humanized anti-Siglec-8 antibodies and their use in treating and preventing eosinophil-mediated disorders and/or mast cell-mediated disorders, as well as compositions and kits comprising the humanized anti-Siglec-8 antibodies.