Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis system for a branched body lumen comprises a branch vessel prosthesis. The branch vessel prosthesis is deployable within a branch vessel body lumen and comprises a stent having a generally tubular body portion, a flareable proximal end portion, and a coupling portion disposed intermediate the body portion and the flareable portion. The coupling portion is more crush-resistant than the body portion. The flareable proximal end may be disposed within a fenestrated stent graft with coupling portion disposed in the fenestration of the fenestrated stent graft.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns embodiments of aluminum alloy compositions exhibiting superior microstructural stability and strength at high temperatures. The disclosed aluminum alloy compositions comprise particular combinations of components that contribute the ability of the alloys to exhibit improved microstructural stability and hot tearing resistance as compared to conventional alloys. Also disclosed herein are embodiments of methods of making and using the alloys.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computing system may receive a number of texels organized into a texel array including a number of sub-arrays. The system may determine a number of texel subsets with the texels in each subset having a same position within their respective sub-arrays. The system may store the texel subsets into a number of buffer blocks, respectively, with each buffer block storing one texel subset. The system may retrieve a sampling texel array from the buffer blocks for parallelly determining pixel values of a number of sampling points. Each texel of the sampling texel array may be retrieved from a different buffer block.

Abstract: A foot percussion device can include a rigid board defining an upper surface and a lower surface distal from the upper surface; a spacer secured to and extending from the lower surface of the board, the spacer being compressible and defining a height before compression, the spacer configured to isolate the board from contact with a floor surface on which the device is placed; an audio jack; and a sensor in contact with and secured to one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the board, the sensor configured to convert mechanical vibrations in the board to electrical signals transmittable through the audio jack.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method disclosed herein includes identifying, by a processor, a plurality of participants of a video conference meeting, the plurality of participants comprising a first user of a first user device and a set of scheduled attendees in addition to the first user of the first user device, wherein the first user of the first user device and the set of scheduled attendees were invited to participate in the video conference meeting via a calendar invitation.

Abstract: A speckle reduction system is provided and includes a speckle reduction component and a control module. The speckle reduction component includes electrode layers and a liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the electrode layers and configured to receive light from a coherent light source. The control module is configured to (i) supply a first voltage signal having a first voltage to the electrode layers to provide a first speckle pattern output, and (ii) supply a second voltage signal having a second voltage to the electrode layers to provide a second speckle pattern output, wherein the first voltage and the second voltage are greater than zero. The control module is configured to transition between providing the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal in less than at least one of half an integration time of a human eye or 8 milliseconds.

Abstract: Mowing systems include a mower and, optionally, a remote control unit such as a handheld unit, between which may be provided 1- or 2-way communications. Components and features are included in the mower, the remote control unit, or both to enhance the safety, functionality, or user experience of the system's user/operator. One aspect relates to monitoring a tilt angle of the mower, and defining or executing different system responses as a function of different first and second conditions that relate to the tilt angle. Another aspect relates to automatic adjustment of a speed setting of the mower's drive system as a function of a power takeoff (PTO) unit of the mower.

Abstract: Systems and methods for data collection and processing are described, including a plurality of variable groups of industrial sensor inputs operationally coupled to an industrial environment and a multiplexer communicatively coupled to the industrial sensor inputs; and a controller configured to receive and monitor the data and adaptively schedule the data collector.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing backup and backup discovery operations using change based metadata tracking (CBMT). Specifically, the disclosed method and system entail eliminating the storage and subsequent transmission of redundant asset metadata information to a central coordination point during backup discovery operations, which may strain central coordination point resources, as well as client device resources. Accordingly, rather than re-sharing the same asset metadata information every time a backup discovery initiates, the client device tracks, maintains, and transmits only changes in asset metadata, thereby conserving resource utilization.

Abstract: Generating and aggregating test result data of a distributed system of devices into a test case result for facilitating access of the test case result via a single iterator is presented herein. A coordinator component of the distributed system of devices creates respective context identifiers for each unique phase of a test case of the distributed system of devices, and sends messages including the respective context identifiers to a producer component of the distributed system of devices. In this regard, the producer component includes producers having respective services executing processes corresponding to an execution of the test case. The messages instruct the respective services to associate the respective context identifiers with events representing result data of the processes, and the respective context identifiers facilitate respective accesses of the events representing the result data of the processes.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for combination therapy are provided. The compositions comprise a multiple unit dosage form having both a therapeutic agent and a nutritional supplement. The combination therapy is useful for restoring a nutrient depletion associated with a particular disease state. Additionally, the combination therapy can prevent or attenuate the depletion of a nutrient caused, in whole or in part, by the co-administrated therapeutic drug. Methods of manufacturing the formulations are likewise described.

Abstract: A process for producing solar grade silicon from silica sand employs a plurality of plasma furnaces to perform a sequence of chemical reactions together with other process steps to produce solar grade silicon. The plasma furnace generates a stable dirty air, donut-shaped plasma into which particulate matter can be introduced. The plasma in the first two stages is formed by gases from the chemical reactions and in the third from inert gasses. Cyclone separators are used to extract particulates from the plasma in an inert gas that prevents reverse reactions as the particular cools.

Abstract: A Fiber-fed Pulsed Plasma Thruster (FPPT) utilizes a motor to feed PTFE fiber to its discharge region, enabling high PPT propellant throughput and variable exposed fuel area. A highly parallel ceramic capacitor bank lowers system specific mass. Impulse bits (I-bits) from 0.057-0.241 mN-s have been measured on a thrust stand with a specific impulse (Isp) of 900-2400 s, representing an enhancement from state-of-the-art PPT technology. A 1 U (10 cm×10 cm×10 cm, or 1 liter) volume FPPT thruster package will provide 2900-7700 N-s total impulse, enabling 0.6-1.6 km/s delta-V for a 5 kg CubeSat. A 1 U design variation with 590 g propellant enables as much as ˜10,000 N-s and a delta-V of 2 km/s for a 5 kg CubeSat. Increasing the form factor to 2U increases propellant mass to 1.4 kg and delta-V to 10.7 km/s for an 8 kg CubeSat.

Abstract: A firearm suppressor with a recoil booster may be provided. In one example, the suppressor may include a housing, a back end member coupled to the housing, and a recoil booster coupled to the back end member. The recoil booster may be configured to couple to a firearm. The recoil booster may include a coil spring, a rear cap coupled to the back end member, and a piston configured to slide relative to the rear cap. The rear cap may include a main body at least partially disposed within the back end member and including a first bearing surface to receive a first end of the spring and a flange extending forward from the main body and maintained within an inner circumference of the spring. The piston may include a second bearing surface configured to receive a second end of the spring. Additional embodiments and related methods are provided.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a current trap. In one example, the current trap has a spiral core made of a nonconductive material, a coiled wire having a plurality of turns wound around the spiral core, and one or more tuning capacitors physically attached to the spiral core and electrically connected to the coiled wire to form a resonance circuitry with the coiled wire.

Abstract: A system and method treat oilfield produced water by two-stages of hazardous sulfide treatments. In an embodiment, a two-stage oil and gas field produced water treatment system includes an oil removal vessel. The oilfield produced water is introduced to the oil removal vessel. The oil removal vessel removes a portion of the hydrocarbons from the oilfield produced water to provide a reduced oil produced water. In addition, the system includes an iron sponge. The reduced oil produced water is introduced to the iron sponge, and the iron sponge removes a portion of the hazardous sulfides from the reduced oil produced water to provide a reduced sulfide produced water. The system also includes a stabilized sodium percarbonate solution. The stabilized sodium percarbonate solution is mixed with the reduced sulfide produced water to remove a portion of the hazardous sulfides from the reduced sulfide produced water to provide a treated produced water.

Abstract: Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure enable creation and management of representations of content through the execution of copy actions, paste actions or a combination thereof. An indication of a copy action is received that copies a content portion. The copy action is analyzed to generate a (live) representation of the content portion. Other examples of representations are also generatable including a static representation and/or a live non-editable representation. As an example, a live representation is an editable and synchronized representation of the content portion that is synchronized with original source content. The live representation comprises a selectable data link that links back to the original source content and an editable representation of the content portion. In response to receiving an indication of a paste action, the live representation of the content portion is automatically rendered inline within a graphical user interface of a host application/service endpoint.

Abstract: The disclosure provides devices and methods of use pertaining to extra joint stabilization. Embodiments include a number of suture returning and locking anchors that feature both a suture return element and a suture locking feature that employs an interference fit between a flexible synthetic strand, a receiver of the anchor, and a set screw, where the receiver and the set screw each have a number of gradual, opposing tapers to facilitate gradual proximal-to-distal gripping and releasing of the flexible strand to achieve an optimal locking force while preventing severing of the flexible strand. Embodiments also include a counter-torque anchor driver configured to resist torsional forces generated during and translated to the anchor during set-screw insertion. Further embodiments include extra joint reinforcement, stabilization, and attachment constructs formed using the disclosed devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A composite material for light filtering, comprising: a polymeric matrix material and particles of neodymium compound doped in the polymeric matrix material. A lighting apparatus comprises the composite material, a method for determining a doping concentration of particles of neodymium compound in the composite material, and a method for determining a thickness of the composite material are also described.

Abstract: Connector assemblies including a first subassembly having a recessed portion and a pair of locator tracks and a second subassembly having a pair of locator projections, vacuum assemblies including these connector assemblies, and methods of using the same are provided herein.