Abstract: The present invention provides novel, serum-stable lipid particles comprising one or more active agents or therapeutic agents, methods of making the lipid particles, and methods of delivering and/or administering the lipid particles. More particularly, the present invention provides serum-stable nucleic acid-lipid particles (SNALP) comprising a nucleic acid (e.g., one or more interfering RNA molecules), methods of making the SNALP, and methods of delivering and/or administering the SNALP (e.g., for the treatment of cancer). In particular embodiments, the present invention provides tumor-directed lipid particles that preferentially target solid tumors. The tumor-directed formulations of the present invention are capable of preferentially delivering a payload such as a nucleic acid to cells of solid tumors compared to non-cancerous cells.

Abstract: One example method includes receiving, from an entity, a proposed entry for a ledger, where the ledger is shared and accessible by multiple users and includes a whitelist and a blacklist, determining, or assigning, a credibility score and rate limiter value for the entity, comparing the credibility score and rate limiter value with respective credibility score and rate limiter value thresholds, determining that the credibility score and rate limiter value meet or exceed the respective credibility score and rate limiter value thresholds, and submitting the proposed entry to the ledger.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a visual communication system for a helmet comprising: an array of light emitting devices arranged inside the helmet in a manner such that light emitted by the light emitting device is visible by a user of the helmet; a data communication interface arranged to receive situational related data from one or more sources; and a processing module arranged to process the situational related data and generate a light signal providing driving or riding guidance to the user of the helmet.

Abstract: A scope system includes a processor and a scope device. The scope device includes a handle configured to remain outside of the body and an elongated shaft extending from the handle to a distal tip and including a working channel extending therethrough. The working channel is open at the distal tip of the shaft. The shaft is inserted through a bodily lumen to a target surgical site. The shaft includes at least one sensor transmitting to the processor sensor data relating to the target surgical site.

Abstract: In order to facilitate electronic meeting scheduling and coordination, systems and methods are disclosed including receiving, by a processor, a plurality of electronic meeting requests to schedule a meeting. The processor determines, for each electronic meeting request, meeting room needs. A meeting scheduling machine learning model is utilized to predict parameters of meeting room objects representing the candidate meeting rooms based at least in part on the meeting room needs, schedule information associated with a respective electronic meeting request and location information associated with the respective electronic meeting request. The processor causes an indication of the candidate meeting rooms to display in response to the electronic meeting request on a screen of computing devices associated with the respective attendees based at least in part on the predicted parameters.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automatically preparing food for consumption in which preparation comprises dispensing, manipulation, heating, and other operations using a wide variety of ingredients. The methods and apparatus described use ingredients efficiently and maintain their quality, while avoiding contact between ingredients and apparatus to minimize the risk of system contamination.

Abstract: A modular surgical instrument system that comprises modular components and a control circuit electrically couplable to the modular components. The modular components comprise a shaft and a handle assembly. The handle assembly comprises a disposable outer housing. The disposable outer housing is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The handle assembly further comprises a control inner core receivable inside the disposable outer housing in the open configuration. The disposable outer housing is configured to isolate the control inner core in the closed configuration. The modular components further comprise a loading unit releasably couplable to the shaft and a staple cartridge releasably couplable to an end effector. The loading unit comprises the end effector.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods relating to adaptive virtual services. In an example, a user specifies a device configuration for a platform device. As a result, a service provider installs selected virtual-network functions and defines network connections as specified by the device configuration. Management software may also be installed, thereby enabling the service provider to communicate with and remotely manage the platform device. The installed virtual-network functions are activated on the platform device once it is delivered to the user. In some instances, the user changes the device configuration. For example, the user may install new virtual-network functions, reconfigure or remove existing virtual-network functions, or change defined network connections. As a result, the service provider reconfigures the platform device accordingly. Thus, the user need not purchase new specialized hardware in order to change the available functions of the computer network.

Abstract: Methods for detecting contaminants on optical fiber connectors incorporate statistically based routines that include processing of one or more digital images to dynamically determine fiber locations and boundaries, detect contamination in fiber locations, dynamically detect ferrule boundaries, detect contamination in ferrule locations, and collect resulting data. Sequential masking and detection permits detection of contaminants in a first region non-coincident with a first mask image, and in a second region non-coincident with a second mask image. Dynamic determination of locations and boundaries for structures such as fibers, ferrules, and pins or pinhole features address limitations associated with static determination of locations and boundaries for these structures. Specific routines or routines are provided for single- and multi-fiber connectors, including single fiber connectors having physical contact and angled physical contact polishes.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general to agents that modulate the pharmacological activity of siRNAs. In addition, the invention relates generally to methods and systems for use in assessing the efficacy and safety of a pharmaceutical composition for use in the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease.

Abstract: A piston engaging member of a piston assembly for engaging a pressure plate of an aircraft brake system, the engaging member comprising a body having a first side configured to selectably engage with the pressure plate, and a mount on a second side of the body configured to mount the piston engaging member with a piston of the piston assembly wherein the body comprises a cellular structure between the first and second sides.

Abstract: Computing systems and methods of visually creating and visually analyzing proposed insurance or reinsurance constructs by providing an overall insurance or reinsurance structure creation and analysis system that includes an insurance/reinsurance visual design structure interface displayed to a user on a design construction user interface display presented to a user via a display of a user computing device having a user input device and the display having a plurality of coverage layer types visually illustrated on the design construction user interface display outside of a graphical diagram. The graphic diagram depicts at least one rectangular-shaped coverage structure layer that creates a proposed insurance or reinsurance construct and corresponds to one of the plurality of coverage layer types visually illustrated on the design construction user interface display outside of the graphical diagram.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and component parts of a system for the external fixation of bones. The component parts include fixation plates such as a C-shaped Plate, an N-shaped Plate, a J-shaped Plate, a K-shaped Plate, an I-shaped Plate, a Foor Plate, a Z-shaped Plate and a T-shaped Plate. Two or more fixation plates are configured along an axis, the two or more fixation plates; a plurality of telescoping adjustable struts that connect a first fixation plate along the axis with a second fixation plate of the plurality of fixation plates along the axis, wherein the first and second fixation plates are adjacent plates along the axis; and a plurality of posts, each post connecting two adjacent fixation plates of the plurality of fixation plates along the axis.

Abstract: A device for distending a body lumen for enhanced visualization with a capsule endoscope includes a plurality of struts configured to extend from the capsule endoscope, a retention mechanism configured to attach the plurality of struts to the capsule endoscope, and a trigger configured to release the retention mechanism.

Abstract: A method includes: rendering a field of view of a virtual environment for a first user of a head mounted display, rendering a view of the virtual environment outside the field of view of the first user at a lower resolution, outputting the rendered field of view for display to the first user, and recording the combined render as a video for subsequent viewing by a second user. A corresponding method includes requesting to download or stream the video from a remote source, receiving the download or stream of the video from the remote source, and outputting at least part of the stream or video for display to a second user wearing a head mounted display.

Abstract: An exercise machine includes a shaft configured to rotate about an axis; a spool configured to receive a strap and drive rotation of the shaft about the axis in response to movement of the strap; a flywheel configured to rotate about the axis; one or more conductive coils arranged to generate magnetic fields that induce eddy currents in the flywheel; a clutch configured to engage and disengage transmission of torque between the spool and the flywheel; and a spring arranged around the axis, the spring configured to exert a return torque on the spool about the axis in response to rotation of the shaft.