Abstract: Modified animal tissues, organs, and organ systems for use in simulated surgical procedures are disclosed. The tissues, organs, and/or organ systems can be modified by enhancing their electrical conductivity, by including simulated contents mimicking what would normally be present in live animals, and by having fake blood perfusing through them. Portions of different tissues, organs, or organ systems, which can be from the same or different animals, can be adhered to provide hybrid/chimeric tissues, organs, or organ systems, and also used for simulated surgical procedures. These modifications can provide surgeons with a more realistic experience during a simulated surgical procedure.

Abstract: Examples described herein relate to a network interface device comprising a multi-stage programmable packet processing pipeline circuitry to determine a path to transmit a packet based on relative network traffic transmitted via multiple paths. In some examples, determine a path to transmit a packet is based on Deficit Round Robin (DRR). In some examples, the programmable packet processing pipeline circuitry includes: a first stage to manage two or more paths, wherein a path of the two or more paths of the first stage is associated with two or more child nodes, a second stage to manage two or more paths, wherein a path of the two or more paths of the second stage is associated with two or more child nodes, and at least one child node is associated with the determined path.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a lock including a blocker (e.g., a bolt) useable to selectively prevent access through a portal such as a door. The blocker can be retained in a blocking position to prevent access through the portal by a retainer. In alternative embodiments, the blocker can also be retained in an open position to allow access through the portal. A retainer can be utilized to retain the blocker in the blocking position preventing access through the portal and can also be utilized, in certain embodiments, to retain the blocker in the open position to allow access through the portal. A retainer blocker can be utilized to maintain the retainer in position to retain the blocker (e.g., bolt) in a fixed position. An actuator may, in certain alternative embodiments, be employed to position the retainer blocker. In certain embodiments, the actuator is controlled by an electronic controller.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and devices processing feed material utilizing a microwave plasma apparatus comprising a powder ingress preventor (PIP). In some embodiments, the microwave plasma apparatus comprises a core plasma tube and a liner; and a ring structure comprising: a bearing surface, the bearing surface contacting an interior diameter of the core plasma tube; and an opening, the opening contacting an outer diameter of the liner.

Abstract: A system for remotely communicating sports instructions that includes a transmitter and an audio receiver. The transmitter includes a transmitter unit configured to transmit wireless signals, a first microcontroller coupled to the transmitter unit, the first microcontroller configured to provide the transmitter unit with a selection signal to wirelessly transmit, and a display screen with plurality of user actuatable input elements coupled to the transmitter unit. The user actuatable input elements respectively correspond to different sports instructions. The first microcontroller is configured to provide the transmitter unit with the selection signal to wirelessly transmit a prewritten text in accordance with actuation of the user actuatable input elements, the selection signal corresponding to a sports instruction.

Abstract: A surgeon training apparatus includes a cassette, which includes biological tissue repurposed into a form consistent with the anatomical configuration of abdominal hernias, affixed into an anatomically correct silicon framework which replicates the abdominal anatomy. The framework positions the cassette in an anatomically correct position within the abdominal cavity, enabling surgeons to train using a properly positioned representation of the target anatomy, thus requiring the surgeon to properly use surgical tools to correct the pathologic condition caused by the hernia. The cassette is formed by applying biologic tissue to a specially designed “plate,” which affixes the tissue block into the anatomic framework, and is adapted for connection to a grounding device so the surgeon can use cautery during the simulated hernia repair.

Abstract: An entryway system includes a divided volute turbocharger having variable turbine geometry (VTG). The turbocharger includes a turbine housing, first and second volutes separated by a wall having a first and second tongue, and a turbine housing outlet. The system also includes a turbine wheel disposed in the turbine housing and a vane ring disposed in the turbine housing between the turbine wheel and the volutes. The system includes design modifications of one or more of the VTG components and/or locations of such components to manipulate the aerodynamic forces and/or subsequent mechanical loads in the VTG mechanism of the entryway system to mitigate VTG component wear during normal usage.

Abstract: An interchangeable electro-mechanical lock core for use with a lock device having a locked state and an unlocked state is disclosed. The interchangeable electro-mechanical lock core may include a moveable plug having a first position relative to a lock core body which corresponds to the lock device being in the locked state and a second position relative to a lock core body which corresponds to the lock device being in the unlocked state. The interchangeable electro-mechanical lock core may include a core keeper moveably coupled to a lock core body. The core keeper may be positionable in a retain position wherein the core keeper extends beyond an envelope of lock core body to hold the lock core body in an opening of the lock device and a remove position wherein the core keeper is retracted relative to the envelope of the lock core body to permit removal.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for detecting the binding of a peptide to an MHC molecule, and the binding of a peptide:MHC complex to a TCR. In preferred embodiments, the compositions and methods are in a highly-multiplexed way. The compositions and methods disclosed herein can be used to provide direct information on which peptides are bound to an MHC molecule. Also provided is a method for simultaneously detecting a large number of peptides for binding to an MHC molecule and/or a T cell. A method for detecting competitive binding of a large number of peptides to an MHC molecule and/or a T cell is also disclosed. Also provided herein is a method for simultaneously detecting a large number of specific TCRs. The compositions and methods of the present invention are useful for vaccine design, research and monitoring of autoimmune and infectious disease, immunogenicity testing of therapeutics, and tissue typing.

Abstract: A modular, electrically chargeable protective barrier that is structured to be coupled to a temporary fence panel is disclosed. The barrier includes a frame comprising multiple side vertical conductive support members and multiple horizontal conductive support members. The frame is electrically chargeable. The barrier includes multiple exposed conductive wires spanning a distance between the side vertical conductive support members. The exposed conductive wires are electrically chargeable, and a charge passes from the wires to the frame. The barrier includes a conductive bracket and a non-conductive bracket.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for brewing a desired portion of a beverage, such as a single-cup portion of coffee, are provided. The system can include one or more hopper assemblies configured to provide a controlled dose of beverage material to a brew chamber. The system can also include a water input system configured to wet the ground beverage material as the grinds enter the brew chamber and substantially prevent steam from reaching grinder components of the system. Further, the system can include an automatic cleaning mechanism such that a user does not need to manually clean components of a brewing machine between brew cycles.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing that defines a fluid reservoir and includes a port that is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. An inlet adapter is removably coupleable to the housing. A user can engage an actuator to move a plunger from a first position in which the fluid reservoir has a first volume, to a second position in which the fluid reservoir has a second volume greater than the first volume, which draws bodily fluid into the fluid reservoir via the inlet adapter. The actuator modulates a plunger rate of motion below a threshold as the plunger is moved. When a predetermined volume of bodily fluid is transferred into the fluid reservoir, a volume indicator transitions from a first state to a second state and the inlet adapter can then be removed to transfer the predetermined volume into a sample bottle external to the housing via the port.

Abstract: A system including a point of load converter module (POL). The POL module includes a point of load printed circuit board. At least one inductor is mounted to the point of load printed circuit board. The POL module includes a power network. The point of load converter module is configured to be surface mounted. The system includes a heat sink including a first leg configured to be surface mounted adjacent the point of load printed circuit board, a second leg configured to be surface mounted adjacent the point of load printed circuit board opposite the first leg, and a cap portion connecting the first leg to the second leg. The heat sink is sized and shaped to encompass the POL and configured to connect to the power network. The power network may be a PGND network.

Abstract: A workstation is described for mounting specimens into a cryotransfer holder at cryogenic temperature. The workstation allows rotation about the cryotransfer holder axis to improve access to the sample placement area on the holder and to facilitate easy removal and retrieval of the sample after imaging. The cryotransfer holder includes a cylindrical dewar configured to maintain a constant center of mass about the holder axis regardless of orientation of the dewar.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure generally relate to an apparatus for large-scale external pressure storage, and more particularly for large-scale storage of liquid hydrogen and other products that require evacuated insulation. In some examples, a plate for a storage apparatus is provided. The plate a body that includes a beveled joint with the body having a nominal thickness at the beveled joint. The beveled joint is configured to be welded to a corresponding beveled joint of an adjacent plate.

Abstract: A container includes a base; side walls extending upwards from an upper face of the base; and at least one support plate which is spaced apart from a lower face of the base and is connected to the lower face of the base by ribs extending transversely to the base and transversely to the at least one support plate. At least two laterally protruding projections are formed at least on an edge portion of the support plate extending along one of the side walls. At least two support recesses for receiving at least two projections of a support plate of an identical container stacked thereon are formed in the upper edge portion of the at least one side wall.

Abstract: A beverage pad (100) for use in a beverage preparation machine for preparing a beverage comprises an amount of extractable and/or soluble beverage preparation product in a compacted puck (130) enclosed between two sheets of filtering material (110, 120) sealed to each other at a periphery edge of the pad. A first sheet of the two sheets has a bottom portion, side portion and a first edge portion. A second sheet of the two sheets comprises a central portion and a second edge portion. The edge portions of the sheets are sealed to each other forming the periphery edge of the pad. The side portion, bottom portion and central portion define a space holding the compacted puck (130) of extractable and/or soluble beverage preparation product which has a uniform thickness.

Abstract: Various aspects include wearable devices and related approaches for stimulating nerves proximate a user's ear, e.g., providing one or more health benefits. In some particular aspects, a wearable device for providing vibrotactile stimulus to at least one nerve proximate an ear of a user includes: an earpiece having a vibration device for application of vibrotactile stimulus proximate at least one of a concha region or an ear canal of the user; and a controller connected with the vibration device, the controller configured to actuate the vibration device according to a modulated pattern to stimulate at least one nerve proximate the ear of the user, where the modulated pattern is characterized by: a peak drive level sufficient to stimulate nerve endings of at least one nerve proximate the ear of the user; and a carrier frequency of approximately 50 Hertz (Hz) to approximately 500 Hz.

Abstract: A covert sports communication system has a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit coded audio track selection signals. The system includes a receiver that may be worn within headgear. The receiver includes stored audio tracks and is configured to receive coded audio track selection signals from the transmitter, decode the audio track selection signals, and play at least one stored audio track in accordance with the decoded audio track selection signals. The audio tracks may include audio instructions to a participant of a sporting event.

Abstract: Interchangeable primary massage heads for therapeutic treatment of body regions are mounted on secondary massage heads partially fitting inside of the primary massage heads. The secondary heads are fixed at proximal ends of intermediate mounting shafts in turn having distal ends fitting in or over drive shafts of percussive massage guns. Either primary or secondary massage head may be shaped as a bullet, disc, ball, spade, scraper, paddle or flexible net. A different embodiment is an adapter converter shaft formed as a secondary massage head shaped as a truncated conical cone with a center top hole sized to receive an intermediate mounting shaft on which a primary massage head is inserted. The adapter shaft has a distal end adapted to slip over short stroke drive shafts of compact massage guns enabling primary massage heads usage with either bigger or compact massage guns.