Abstract: A method is disclosed for solving the Lagrangian dual of a constrained binary quadratic programming problem. The method comprises obtaining a constrained quadratic binary programming problem; until a convergence is detected, iteratively, performing a Lagrangian relaxation of the constrained quadratic binary programming problem to provide an unconstrained quadratic binary programming problem, providing the unconstrained quadratic binary programming problem to a quantum annealer, obtaining from the quantum annealer at least one corresponding solution, using the at least one corresponding solution to generate a new approximation for the Lagrangian dual bound; and providing a corresponding solution to the Lagrangian dual of the constrained binary quadratic programming problem after convergence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an attenuated virus strain derived from a human metapneumovirus strain comprising the genome sequence represented by sequence SEQ ID NO. 1, said attenuated strain comprising one or more genetic modifications of said sequence SEQ ID NO. 1 attenuating the virulence of said strain.

Abstract: An external controller assembly for a medical device implanted in a patient includes an external controller and an external driveline assembly. The external controller includes an external controller display viewable by the patient. The external driveline assembly includes an external driveline cable and an external driveline distal connector. The external driveline cable is connected to the external driveline distal connector and the external controller. The external driveline cable accommodates positioning of the external driveline distal connector, by the patient, for simultaneous viewing of the external driveline distal connector and the external controller display by the patient. The external driveline distal connector is adapted to be connected to the distal driveline proximal connector by the patient. The external driveline distal connector is adapted to be disconnected from the distal driveline proximal connector by the patient.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a protection device and/or system that may include a thimble capable of being placed over a transmission line, such as an electrical power cord, to provide protection in the form of cut resistance, abrasion resistance, and/or impact resistance. In some embodiments, a plurality of thimbles can be placed over the transmission line to form an overlapping arrangement to protect a desired length of the transmission line. While each thimble may be rigid, semi-rigid, and/or flexible, the arrangement can maintain flexibility to allow for many degrees of movement of the electrical power cord even as it is cladded in the protection system.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel Lactobacillus plantarum strains capable of promoting the growth of a subject, and more particularly the juvenile or prenatal growth of farm animals, and their uses as probiotics.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel biocompatible hybrid nanoparticles of very small size, useful in particular for diagnostics and/or therapy. The purpose of the invention is to offer novel nanoparticles which are useful in particular as contrast agents in imaging (e.g. MRI) and/or in other diagnostic techniques and/or as therapeutic agents, which give better performance than the known nanoparticles of the same type and which combine both a small size (for example less than 20 nm) and a high loading with metals (e.g. rare earths), in particular so as to have, in imaging (e.g. MRI), strong intensification and a correct response (increased relaxivity) at high frequencies.

Abstract: A wireless communication device may receive with one of N antennas a signal processing message indicating a number up to N signals to process. Each of the N antennas may used to receive a communication. The indicated number of up to N signals may be processed and data from the indicated number of up to N signals recovered.

Abstract: A barrier apparatus includes a barrier post mounted to a base and extending upwardly from the base. A brace of the barrier apparatus is configured to restrict relative movement between the barrier post and the base. The brace can be mounted to the base so that it extends upwardly and obliquely toward the barrier post. The brace can include block. A reinforcing tube can extend around the block. A mated connection to the front of the brace can include a first mating protrusion extending into a first mating hole, and a mated connection to the bottom of the brace can include a second mating protrusion extending into a second mating hole. The brace or another brace can extend into a rear corner positioned between the barrier post and the base.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette (10) includes an atomizer (26) having a coil-less heating element (4) with a heating section (6) connected to an electrical power source and two end sections in contact with a liquid supply (34). The heating element (4) is made of one or more woven fiber tubes (2) having a hollow interior such that the liquid can be transported from the liquid supply (34) to the heating section (6) through the hollow interior along the woven fiber tubes (2) or through the fiber materials via capillary action.

Abstract: A catheter pump is disclosed. The catheter pump can include an impeller and a catheter body having a lumen in which waste fluid flows proximally therethrough during operation of the catheter pump. The catheter pump can also include a drive shaft disposed inside the catheter body. A motor assembly can include a chamber. The motor assembly can include a rotor disposed in the at least a portion of the chamber, the rotor mechanically coupled with a proximal portion of the drive shaft such that rotation of the rotor causes the drive shaft to rotate, the rotor including a longitudinal rotor lumen therethrough. The motor assembly can also comprise a stator assembly disposed about the rotor. During operation of the catheter pump, the waste fluid flows from the lumen into the chamber such that at least a portion of the waste fluid flows proximally through the longitudinal rotor lumen.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an outflow graft assembly for an implantable blood pump. The outflow graft assembly includes a graft, a locking nut including a plurality of planar edges and a plurality of corners, and a U-shaped fixation clip. The U-shaped fixation clip includes a first flat segment including a first flexure including a first locking feature, a second flat segment including a second flexure including a second locking feature, an arcuate segment extending between the first flat segment and the second flat segment, and a lip including a first flat and a second flat. The U-shaped fixation clip is configured to engage the locking nut such that the first and second locking features contact associated corners of the plurality of corners and the first and second flats contact associated planar edges of the plurality of planar edges, thereby preventing rotation of the locking nut relative to the fixation clip.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multilayer coated cutting material having increased wear resistance at high temperatures, a method for manufacturing the same, and a cutting tool insert for mechanical machining including the same. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the multilayer coated cutting material includes a cemented carbide, cermet, ceramic, a cubic crystal boron nitride-based material or a hard alloy body of high-speed steel, and a cutting layer positioned on the base material and configured in multiple layers.

Abstract: A catheter pump system is disclosed. The catheter pump system can include a shaft assembly and an impeller coupled with a distal portion of the shaft assembly. The catheter pump system can include a motor assembly, the motor assembly comprising a chamber and a shaft-driving portion disposed in the chamber. The shaft-driving portion can be configured to impart rotation to the impeller through the shaft assembly. The chamber can be filled with a gas that at least partially surrounds the shaft-driving portion. A fluid pathway can convey fluid proximally during operation of the catheter pump system. A bypass pathway can be in fluid communication with the fluid pathway, the bypass pathway configured to direct at least a portion of the fluid to bypass the chamber.

Abstract: A device for generating a rocking movement on a rocker, in particular a baby rocker, includes a driver that can be moved by a power feeder, and drives the rocker in a repeating movement, with a sensor for determining a sensor signal that is influenced by the movement state of the rocker, with a control circuit for controlling the power feeder as a function of the sensor signal. In order to drive the rocker with the frequency of its free oscillation, the movement of the driver is clocked by the sensor signal.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to benzoimidazole derivatives, acting as anticancer drugs, as well as pharmaceutical composition containing the compounds. These compounds are able to firstly inhibit the protein/protein interactions of the MAP Kinase Erk, leading to inhibition of proliferation and secondly to induce apoptosis in human cancer cell lines.

Abstract: An exercise machine creates a simulated continuous resisted climbing motion. The machine includes a floor- or ground-contacting base frame and two or more substantially vertically oriented uprights, wherein at least one upright is rigidly connected to the base frame. The machine further includes two handles and two foot pedals, each handle and each foot pedal being movably engaged with an upright for linear reciprocating motion along the upright. The handles and foot pedals are interconnected so that they move concurrently. An adjustable resistance mechanism may be operatively connected to the interconnection of the handles and foot pedals to provide adjustable resistance for the simulated continuous climbing motion.

Abstract: The invention relates to an active implantable medical device comprising a processing unit able to be alternately operated during a predetermined period of activity and on standby during a standby period in a cyclical manner, and means for acquiring data relating to physiological and/or physical activity. The device also comprises means for calculating a frequency analysis of the data acquired, said calculating means being capable of successively perform part of the frequency analysis during periods of activity of the processing unit.

Abstract: An assembly for producing energy may include a fuel cell, a fluidic cell circuit configured to receive a first heat-transfer fluid and arranged at least partially around the fuel cell, a reversible thermodynamic system configured to alternatively: (i) evacuate the thermal energy produced by the fuel cell and transform it into mechanical energy through the first heat-transfer fluid, and (ii) input thermal energy to the fuel cell through the first heat-transfer fluid, wherein the thermodynamic system includes: (a) a fluidic thermodynamic circuit to receive a second heat-transfer fluid; (b) a first exchanger to exchange thermal energy between the fluidic thermodynamic circuit and the fluidic cell circuit; and (c) a second exchanger configured to exchange thermal energy between the fluidic thermodynamic circuit and an external source.