Abstract: The disclosure relates to cationic polymers functionalized with substituted phenylboronic acid groups and to methods of using the same to treat metabolic and gastrointestinal disorders.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a request for generating a simulation scenario or digital media that includes one or more entities and one or more assets in an environment, the request including contextual information. The method further includes selecting three-dimensional (3D) digital twins based on the contextual information, wherein one or more of the 3D digital twins correspond to the assets, one or more of the 3D digital twins correspond to the one or more entities, and one of the 3D digital twins corresponds to the environment. The method further includes generating the simulation scenario that initializes the 3D digital twins and establishes a spatial relationship between the 3D digital twins based on the contextual information. The method further includes controlling behavior of the 3D digital twins in the simulation scenario based on the contextual information.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for forming an array of emulsions. An exemplary device comprises a frame and at least one or a plurality of separate microfluidic modules mounted to the frame and each configured to form an array of emulsions. In some embodiments, each module may be mounted by snap-fit attachment. The device also may include the same sealing member bonded to a top side of each module and hermetically sealing each of the modules. Another exemplary microfluidic device for forming an array of emulsions comprises a stack of layers bonded together. The stack may comprise a port layer forming a plurality of ports. Each port may have a top rim formed by a protrusion that encircles the central axis of the port. The rims may be coplanar with one another to facilitate bonding of a sealing member to each rim.

Abstract: Distributed gain equalization circuits for use with radio frequency (RF) devices are provided. The distributed gain equalization circuits include a substrate layer, multiple transverse electromagnetic (TEM) line circuits disposed on the substrate layer and multiple traces disposed on the substrate layer, each trace connected to one or more of the TEM line circuits. The traces and TEM line circuits are configured to provide resistances, inductances and capacitances to eliminate the need for lumped or packaged resistors, inductors and capacitors. The distributed gain equalization circuit operates at millimeter wave frequencies and provides a compensating gain slope to counteract a negative gain slope of the RF device. Methods of manufacturing distributed gain equalization circuits are also provided.

Abstract: Beverage coolers for storing and cooling bottled beverages. A beverage cooler may include a cooling chamber cooled by a refrigeration system, and openings in the cooling chamber for receiving bottled beverages to be chilled. The openings may have doors and/or seals to minimize heat exchange between the cooling chamber and the environment with or without bottles disposed in the openings. Each of the openings may have a visual indicator, such as a plurality of LEDs, configured to indicate the temperature of the bottle disposed in the opening.

Abstract: A method for manipulating a microdroplet of a reaction medium in an immiscible carrier medium with a target molecule bound to a solid support for the purposes of effecting a chemical transformation is provided. It is characterised by the steps of (a) bringing the microdroplet into contact with the solid support under conditions where the microdroplet and solid support are caused to combine, (b) allowing the reaction medium to react with the target molecule and (c) thereafter exerting a force to induce the reaction medium to become detached from the solid support and reform a microdroplet in the carrier fluid. In one embodiment the solid support is a particle, bead or the like.

Abstract: Monitoring for an over-voltage condition based on a regulated voltage is disclosed. A first terminal of a voltage regulator receives a first voltage which is based on a regulated voltage input to a controller. A second terminal of the voltage regulator receives a second voltage indicative of the voltage input to the controller. A determination is made whether the first voltage exceeds the first voltage reference for a first time window and the controller is reset based on the determination that the first voltage exceeds the first voltage reference. A determination is also made whether the second voltage exceeds the second voltage reference for the second time window and the voltage regulator is powered down on based on the determination that the second voltage exceeds the second voltage reference.

Abstract: A device for dispensing one or more microdroplets is provided. The device comprising a microfluidic chip having an oEWOD structure configured to create an optically-mediated electrowetting (oEWOD) force, the microfluidic chip includes a first region and a second region, wherein said first and second regions are separated by a constriction; wherein the first region is adapted to receive and manipulate one or more microdroplets dispersed in a carrier fluid at first flow rate; and wherein the second region is configured to receive the microdroplet via the constriction from the first region and transfer said microdroplet to an outlet port of the microfluidic chip in a second flow rate; wherein the second region is configured to receive said microdroplet via the constriction from the first region by application of an optically -mediated electrowetting (oEWOD) force; and wherein the second flow rate in the second region is higher than the first flow rate in the first flow region.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for semantically contextualizing structured and unstructured data, extracting and making sense of domain knowledge, and performing semantic-driven optimization to provide generic, scalable, autonomous and real-time performance management within a built environment domain.

Abstract: A method for determining an interaction between a medicament and a cell type comprising an array of first microdroplets, each containing a cell type derived from a biological sample, an array of second microdroplets, each containing one or more medicaments at one or more predetermined concentrations, merging the array of first microdroplets and the array of second microdroplets to form an array of merged microdroplets, and monitoring the characteristics of one or more cells in the merged microdroplets using an optical detection system configured to detect an interaction between a cell type and a medicament.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for manipulating and interrogating the contents of large numbers of microdroplets in parallel on a surface of a microfluidic chip. According to one aspect of the invention a method is provided for manipulating and inspecting microdroplets on a microfluidic chip by optically- mediated electrowetting (oEWOD), the method comprising forming, using a first optical assembly, a plurality of oEWOD traps on a surface of the chip and forming, using a second optical assembly, a second array of oEWOD traps on the surface of the chip, and making an adjustment to the first optical assembly whilst one or more of the microdroplets are held in place by second array of oEWOD traps. Apparatus comprising a microfluidic chip and first and second optical assemblies is also provided.

Abstract: Beverage coolers for storing and cooling bottled beverages. A beverage cooler may include a cooling chamber cooled by a refrigeration system, and openings in the cooling chamber for receiving bottled beverages to be chilled. The openings may have doors and/or seals to minimize heat exchange between the cooling chamber and the environment with or without bottles disposed in the openings. Each of the openings may have a visual indicator, such as a plurality of LEDs, configured to indicate the temperature of the bottle disposed in the opening.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for improved real-world environment simulation and processing thereof. Some embodiments enable real-time simulating of a real-world environment, and/or visualization of portion(s) of the corresponding simulated environment. Some embodiments enable accurate testing of alteration(s) to a real-world environment utilizing simulated environment(s) to determine the effects of such alteration(s), and apply alteration(s) that are determined from said simulations to improve operation of the real-world environment. Such alteration(s) may be applied automatically to enable a self-optimizing environment based on such simulation(s).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for improved model training and utilization. Embodiments of the present disclosure utilize high-fidelity data to train individual models across a plurality of computing devices, and utilize high-throughput communications networks (such as 5G communications networks) to enable continuous training of such models and/or central models based on the plurality of individual models (e.g., a federated centralized model optimized based on the individual models). Some embodiments provide the updated central model to one or more computing devices for use in processing further data and/or performing one or more subsequent tasks.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system is provided with a central drive unit that supports and operates one or more robotic tools and a robotic arm and boom assembly that movably supports the control unit assembly in space. The robotic arm and boom assembly selectively allows movement of the control unit assembly along a plane, as well as in pitch and yaw, upon actuation of one or more actuators of the robotic arm and boom assembly to allow movement of the central drive unit.

Abstract: Changes in ambient light intensity are detected by processing image data from an image capture device to determine, iteratively, a signal-to-noise ratio of the image data. The signal-to-noise ratio is a ratio of average to variance of pixel values for some of the pixels forming the image. A control outputis generated, based on the signal-to-noise ratio, that is responsive to changes in ambient light intensity. The control output is used control a light source of a vehicle.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to cationic polymers functionalized with substituted phenylboronic acid groups and to methods of using the same to treat metabolic and gastrointestinal disorders.

Abstract: A device for manipulating microdroplets using optically-mediated electrowetting comprising: a first composite wall comprising: a first transparent substrate; a first transparent conductor layer on the substrate having a thickness of 70 to 250 nm; a photoactive layer activated by electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range 400-1000 nm on the conductor layer having a thickness of 300-1000 nm; and a first dielectric layer on the conductor layer having a thickness of 120-160 nm; a second composite wall comprised of: a second substrate; a second conductor layer on the substrate having a thickness of 70 to 250 nm; and an A/C source to provide a voltage across the first and second composite walls connecting the first and second conductor layers; at least one source of electromagnetic radiation having an energy higher than the bandgap of the photoexcitable layer; and means for manipulating the points of impingement of the electromagnetic radiation on the photoactive layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining groundwater levels based upon crop classification are provided. A set of aerial images are collected via satellite, manned aircraft or drones. They are filtered by a time domain, and a sufficiently high-resolution image is selected. If there isn't an image with sufficient resolution, a series of lower resolution images may be combined to generate a ‘fused’ image suitable for analysis. The image is then subjected to pre-processing. Crop boundaries within the image are determined, and areas outside of the crop boundary are masked off. The resulting image is subjected to a sliding window algorithm to generate discrete “patches” of the image suitable for analysis by a trained neural network. The neural network generated a classification for the crop. This data may be combined with surface water data, precipitation data, and weather pattern data to determine groundwater levels.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to benzoxaborole containing polymers and to methods of using the same to treat metabolic and gastrointestinal disorders.