Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for wide scan phased array fed reflector systems using ring-focus optics to significantly improve the scan volume of such systems. The subject system includes a reflector having a focal plane and a parabolic curvature configured to receive electromagnetic radiation having a first gain and provide reflected electromagnetic radiation having a second gain greater than the first gain that collimates into a focal ring. The subject system includes a feed array having feed elements positioned about the focal ring, in which each feed element is configured to receive the reflected electromagnetic radiation from the reflector and collimate the reflected electromagnetic radiation into a scanned beam for scanning an annular region. In some aspects, the feed array is centered on the focal ring such that at least one feed element overlaps with the focal ring and remaining feed elements are non-overlapping with the focal ring.

Abstract: Injection device (2) comprising a housing (3), a syringe cradle (12) for removably receiving a syringe (1) having a needle (7), a container (10) with a flange (11), a plunger (9) and a removable needle cap (8) in the housing, and a system for performing automated injection comprising: —a cap actuation mechanism (4) for gripping, storing and retrieving the needle cap, —a syringe actuation mechanism (5) for moving the syringe in an injection direction (Id) from a position where the needle is inside the housing to an injection position where the needle projects out of a needle port of the housing on a skin contact face of the housing, and —a plunger actuation mechanism (6) for advancing the plunger for administration of the liquid drug.

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: The disclosure relates to cationic boronic acid containing polymers and to methods of using the same to treat metabolic and gastrointestinal disorders.

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: A method of generating droplets from a liquid sample is described and is characterised by the steps of a) locating the sample at a first electrowetting location and applying an electrowetting force to cause a region of the sample to become elongated in a direction in which the electrowetting force is applied; b) temporarily altering the electrowetting force on the sample and accumulating electrostatic surface charge on the sample to counter surface tension forces between the bulk of the sample and the elongated sample region; c) restoring the electrowetting force; d) further elongating the charged elongated sample region using the electrowetting force and e) severing a droplet from the charged elongated sample region. A corresponding droplet generator is also described.

Abstract: A system and method of power mode management for a processor providing safe and robust transitioning between normal and low power modes to meet low current requirements and to ensure accurate power mode transition communications. A two step process includes receiving a digital code, starting a standby entry timer, and receiving a low power request indication before timeout of the standby entry timer to ensure a valid request, and otherwise resetting upon timer timeout. A watchdog timer ensures that a maximum standby duration is not exceeded. An acknowledge timer ensures valid communication between modules of a power management IC. Memory elements ensure and maintain valid states of reset and safe state pins during standby. Self tests are performed in which test failure prevents transition to the low power mode. A power good indication ensures the processor that the supply voltages are suitable for both low power and normal operation.

Abstract: An isolation sleeve for a wellbore includes a sleeve body and a torque sleeve. The torque sleeve threadedly couples to the sleeve body. The torque sleeve includes a compression shoulder. The isolation sleeve includes a compression seal positioned about the torque sleeve between the compression shoulder and the sleeve body. The isolation sleeve also includes a lock ring coupled to the sleeve body that engages a packoff. The lock ring is urged into engagement with the packoff by an energizing ring.

Abstract: A fully digital integrated circuit apparatus (200) and method (300) are provided for generating a test mode enable signal with a digital non-resettable state retention storage circuit (210) connected to store an authentication control pattern for authorizing test mode access to a secure circuit, a digital safety interlock gate circuit (220) connected to store a safety interlock gate setting that may be accessed independently from a test mode enable signal, and combinatorial logic circuitry (205) for generating the test mode enable signal only when the interlock safety gate setting is set to a first value and the digital non-resettable state retention storage circuit stores the authentication control code.

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: A gap control device that works with a plug on a valve assembly for use in high-temperature applications. The plug may include two parts and a compressible seal that, when compressed, engages with an adjacent wall of a cylinder or “cage” typical of a trim assembly. In one embodiment, the gap control device forms a hard stop that expands in response to high temperatures. This feature prevents excess over-travel between the two parts of the plug in the high-temperature applications so as to limit stress and wear on the compressible seal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a plurality of external terminal circuits, each having an external terminal. The integrated circuit includes a wakeup detector including a plurality of inputs. Each input of the plurality of inputs is coupled to an external terminal circuit. The wakeup detector generates an output signal indicative of an external terminal of the plurality of external terminal circuits being placed at a wakeup voltage. The integrated circuit includes a trigger generation circuit having a plurality of outputs in which each output is coupled to an external terminal circuit to generate a wake-up voltage at an external terminal of the external terminal circuit by coupling the external terminal to a power supply terminal of the integrated circuit to generate an indication of the external terminal being at the wakeup voltage at the wakeup detector when at least a portion of the integrated circuit is in a low power mode.

Abstract: A system to determine a binocular alignment, comprises a first optical unit, including a first display, to display images for a first eye, actuatable along a longitudinal direction according to a simulated distance and an optical power of the first eye, and a first eye tracker assembly, to track a gaze direction of the first eye, adjustable in a horizontal lateral direction to accommodate a pupillary distance of the first eye; and a second optical unit, including a second display, to display images for a second eye, actuatable along the longitudinal direction according to a simulated distance and an optical power of the second eye, and a second eye tracker assembly, to track a gaze direction of the second eye, adjustable in the horizontal lateral direction to accommodate a pupillary distance of the second eye; and a computer, to determine the binocular alignment based on the gaze directions.

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: A manufacturing process for a one piece tank that involves three steps results in a consistently watertight and structurally stronger unit than previous tanks. The three steps comprise a process for producing the body of the tank, a process for producing a preliminary lid, and a process for producing the final tank. An important step in the process for producing the body of the tank is extending reinforcing steel (rebar) a distance above the concrete walls of the tank. After the preliminary lid is placed into a groove of the tank, the rebar is bent over the lid and a water stop is applied between the walls of the tank and the preliminary lid. The water stop can be any of several forms. In one form, the water stop is in the form of butyl or rubber strip which projects from the walls of the tank above the walls with the rebar. In an alternate form, the water stop is in the form of a gasket of plastic or other suitable material inserted in a groove at the top of the tank.

Abstract: A fully digital integrated circuit apparatus (200) and method (300) are provided for generating a test mode enable signal with a digital non-resettable state retention storage circuit (210) connected to store an authentication control pattern for authorizing test mode access to a secure circuit, a digital safety interlock gate circuit (220) connected to store a safety interlock gate setting that may be accessed independently from a test mode enable signal, and combinatorial logic circuitry (205) for generating the test mode enable signal only when the interlock safety gate setting is set to a first value and the digital non-resettable state retention storage circuit stores the authentication control code.

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 system and method of power mode management for a processor providing safe and robust transitioning between normal and low power modes to meet low current requirements and to ensure accurate power mode transition communications. A two step process includes receiving a digital code, starting a standby entry timer, and receiving a low power request indication before timeout of the standby entry timer to ensure a valid request, and otherwise resetting upon timer timeout. A watchdog timer ensures that a maximum standby duration is not exceeded. An acknowledge timer ensures valid communication between modules of a power management IC. Memory elements ensure and maintain valid states of reset and safe state pins during standby. Self tests are performed in which test failure prevents transition to the low power mode. A power good indication ensures the processor that the supply voltages are suitable for both low power and normal operation.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a plurality of external terminal circuits, each having an external terminal. The integrated circuit includes a wakeup detector including a plurality of inputs. Each input of the plurality of inputs is coupled to an external terminal circuit. The wakeup detector generates an output signal indicative of an external terminal of the plurality of external terminal circuits being placed at a wakeup voltage. The integrated circuit includes a trigger generation circuit having a plurality of outputs in which each output is coupled to an external terminal circuit to generate a wake-up voltage at an external terminal of the external terminal circuit by coupling the external terminal to a power supply terminal of the integrated circuit to generate an indication of the external terminal being at the wakeup voltage at the wakeup detector when at least a portion of the integrated circuit is in a low power mode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-invasive, specific and rapid diagnostic method of Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) in a subject said method comprising the step of measuring the level of cytokine (IL-18 or IL-1 beta) secreted by immune primary cells (or cell death level of these cells) obtained from said subject, which have been beforehand treated with a Protein Kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, and optionally beforehand treated with a NF-kB activator such as LPS. Inventors show based on the extensive study of the inflammasome process of the monocytes, that PKC superfamily inhibitors trigger inflammasome activation in monocytes from FMF patients while they are not sufficient to do so in monocytes from healthy donors (HD) or from patient having hyperimmunoglobulinemia D syndrome (HID S).