Abstract: An endoscope comprises a handpiece housing, an elongate flexible shaft extending from the handpiece housing, a pull wire extending from the handpiece housing into the elongate flexible shaft, and a tensioning mechanism configured to adjust tension in the pull wire. A method for adjusting tension in a pull wire of a controller for an endoscope comprises preparing an endoscope for use before a procedure, adjusting tension in a pull wire for deflecting a flexible elongate shaft of the endoscope to reduce knob dwell, and performing an endoscopic procedure with the endoscope.

Abstract: Paper towel rolls that exhibit novel combinations of physical properties, such as Basis Weight, Roll Density, and Roll Diameter, such that the paper towel rolls meet consumers' needs, and method for making such novel paper towel rolls and marketing such novel paper towel rolls are provided.

Abstract: A multipoint lock including a pivoting lock bolt including a fixed pivot point and a sliding pivot point, a translating lock bolt, a linkage coupled to and configured to pivot the pivoting lock bolt and to translate the translating lock bolt, an actuation mechanism configured to actuate the linkage and to effect pivoting of the pivoting lock bolt and translation of the translating lock bolt, and an input mechanism configured to receive user input and transmit the user input to the actuation mechanism, the user unput including shifting the input mechanism between an unlocked position and a locked position.

Abstract: Provided is a disclosure for a cutting device configured to control a linear speed of a cutting wheel as the cutting wheel gets smaller with use. In one example, the cutting device includes a cutting wheel; an actuator to rotate the cutting wheel; a power source configured to provide power to the actuator for rotating the cutting wheel at an adjustable rotational velocity; and control circuitry configured to adjust the rotational velocity of the cutting wheel to maintain a substantially constant surface speed.

Abstract: A needle bending assembly configured to at least temporarily contain a needle can include a first housing section, a second housing section, and a coupling element coupled between the first housing section and the second housing section. The first housing section defines a first cavity configured to at least temporarily contain a first section of the needle. The second housing section defines a second cavity configured to at least temporarily contain a second section of the needle forming a distal tip. The coupling element is configured such that when the needle is contained within the housing sections, movement of the second housing section relative to the first housing section results in a bending of the needle at a location corresponding to the coupling element.

Abstract: A backpack that has a front pocket with an outer shell with an opening that is sealed by a closure mechanism. The closure mechanism can include magnetic strips that are configured to partially or wholly seal the opening, and have hinged couplings of the magnetic strips to internal surfaces of the container.

Abstract: Provided herein are an optical test platform and corresponding method of manufacturing the same. The test platform may include a shell defining a cavity for receiving a sample tube, a first aperture, and a second aperture. The first aperture and the second aperture of the shell may each be configured to optically couple the cavity with an exterior of the shell. The test platform may further include a first window and a second window embedded in the shell. The first window may seal a first aperture and the second window may seal a second aperture. The first window and second window may each permit the optical coupling of the cavity with the exterior of the shell. The first window and the second window may be optically coupled via the cavity, and the shell may prohibit optical coupling between the first window and the second window through the shell.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a tumor in a human patient comprising (i) identifying a patient as having a LAG-3 positive tumor and (ii) administering to the patient a PD-1 pathway inhibitor, a combination of a PD1 pathway inhibitor and an immune checkpoint inhibitor, a combination of a LAG-3 inhibitor and a PD-1 pathway inhibitor, or an anti-CTLA4 antibody. In some embodiments, the method further comprises identifying the patient as having a LAG-3 positive PD-L1 positive tumor. In some embodiments, the LAG-3 inhibitor is an anti-LAG-3 antibody and the PD-1 pathway inhibitor is an anti-PD-1 antibody. The methods of the invention can improve response rates to treatment with a PD-1 pathway inhibitor, a combination of a PD1 pathway inhibitor and an immune checkpoint inhibitor, or a combination of a LAG-3 inhibitor and a PD-1 pathway inhibitor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for matching content elements to surfaces in a spatially organized 3D environment. The method includes receiving content, identifying one or more elements in the content, determining one or more surfaces, matching the one or more elements to the one or more surfaces, and displaying the one or more elements as virtual content onto the one or more surfaces.

Abstract: Example systems, methods, and apparatus, including cognitive platforms, are provided for applying signal detection metrics in computer-implemented adaptive response-deadline procedures to data collected based at least in part on user interaction(s) with computerized tasks and/or interferences. The apparatus can include a response classifier for generating a quantifier of the cognitive abilities of an individual. The apparatus also can be configured to adapt the tasks and/or interferences to enhance the individual's cognitive abilities.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing an elastic composite structure for an absorbent sanitary product includes a bonding unit configured to bond a first web layer to a second web layer via a bond pattern that includes at least one bond line having at least one pair of adjacent bonds. The bonding unit secures an elastic thread within a passage defined by the at least one pair of adjacent bonds. The passage has a cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-sectional area of the elastic thread in a non-tensioned state.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor encased in the housing and configured to capture activity of the smart home environment; (3) a wireless radio configured to transmit video frames captured by the image sensor to an electronic device via a remote server; (4) at least one infrared transmitter configured to selectively illuminate the smart home environment; (5) one or more circuit boards encased in the housing, the one or more circuit boards including at least one processor mounted thereon; and (6) a heating component coupled to the image sensor, the heating component configured to continuously maintain the image sensor at a temperature above a threshold temperature while the image sensor is capturing the activity of the smart home environment.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene in the smart home environment; and (3) a concave-shaped front face positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor; where the front face includes: (a) an inner section corresponding to the image sensor; and (b) an outer section between the housing and the inner section, the outer section having a concave shape that extends from an outer periphery of the outer section to an inner periphery of the outer section; and where the concave shape extends around an entirety of the outer periphery.

Abstract: A system and method for annealing a target substrate such as a semiconductor using industrial microwave heating and parallel plate reaction. Using a uniform microwave field, with the target substrate located between parallel plates controls application of eddy currents to the target substrate. The system may include a uniform microwave field generator, support elements, two plates held in parallel to each other, and a turntable device configured to rotate the two plates and the target substrate within the uniform microwave field. The rotating of the plates and target substrate in the uniform microwave field creates a periodic change in polarity of the microwaves applied to the target substrate. The eddy currents in the uniform microwave field react by flowing perpendicular to the plates, and not parallel to the surface as in traditional microwave reactions of metals. This redirection of the eddy currents provides even heating of the target substrate.

Abstract: Described embodiments relate to a chemical processing instrument configured to receive one or more sample cartridges, to process one or more corresponding fluid samples. The chemical processing instrument comprises: a reagent dispenser configured to dispense one or more fluid reagents into a reagent vessel via an open top of the reagent vessel; and a pneumatic module configured to connect to a primary pneumatic port of a primary reaction vessel and selectively adjust a pressure within the primary reaction vessel when the lid is closed to draw fluid from the reagent vessel through a primary reagent channel into the primary reaction vessel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for matching content elements to surfaces in a spatially organized 3D environment. The method includes receiving content, identifying one or more elements in the content, determining one or more surfaces, matching the one or more elements to the one or more surfaces, and displaying the one or more elements as virtual content onto the one or more surfaces.

Abstract: A system including a host device and an integrated circuit. The host device includes a host memory, the host memory storing configuration data. The integrated circuit device includes an integrated circuit and a direct memory access circuitry. The direct memory access circuitry pulls the configuration data from the host memory. The direct memory access circuitry also programs the integrated circuit based on the configuration data.