Abstract: The invention generally relates to engineered prephenate dehydrogenases and arogenate dehydrogenases and methods of using the same. More specifically, the invention relates in part to compositions including engineered prephenate dehydrogenases (PDH) polypeptides and engineered arogenate dehydrogenase (ADH) polypeptides with altered substrate preferences and tyrosine sensitivities and methods of using the same.

Abstract: The processes disclosed herein include saccharifying cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic biomass and fermenting the sugars to produce a sugar alcohol.

Abstract: An arrangement for producing a sample of body fluid from a wound opening created in a skin surface at a sampling site includes: a housing, the housing comprising a first opening; a skin interface member disposed in the first opening, the skin interface member comprising an inner member having a second opening, and an outer member at least partially surrounding the inner member and attached to the first opening; and at least one skin-penetration member configured and arranged to project within the second opening. Arrangements having alternatively constructed skin interface members are also described.

Abstract: An aspect includes fetching a computer instruction, the fetching by an instruction fetch unit. It is determined that the instruction is a decimal divide instruction that specifies a decimal divisor and a decimal dividend. The decimal divisor is converted into a floating-point divisor and the decimal dividend is converted into a floating-point dividend. A floating-point division of the floating-point dividend by the floating-point divisor is performed by an instruction execution unit. It is determined that the floating-point division resulted in a quotient overflow. A reduced size floating-point dividend is generated based on the quotient overflow, the floating-point divisor, and the floating-point dividend. The floating point division of the reduced size floating-point dividend by the floating-point divisor is performed by the instruction execution unit, and a specified number of rightmost bits of the result is output as the quotient.

Abstract: A system and method of generating a synthetic time period output signal for a fork density sensor (601) which produces a consistent and low-noise output signal (705) which is identical in frequency to the frequency at which the fork density meter vibrates. Such a synthetic Analog signal generated by a meter signal prevents any real noise from the pickoffs from propagating to the output meter and removes process noise and interference from the produced output signal.

Abstract: A fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack, a coolant loop and a thermal battery. The coolant loop is configured to flow a coolant liquid therethrough. The thermal battery includes a phase change material configured to absorb heat generated by the fuel cell stack or coolant liquid and to latently store the heat during a first mode of operation the fuel cell system.

Abstract: Formulations, kits, and methods for rebuilding the disulfide bonds in keratin found in hair, skin, or nails. Hair that is damaged due to a hair coloring treatment and/or other reducing treatment, such as during a permanent wave, can be treated with the formulations containing one or more active agents. The formulations may be applied subsequent to a hair coloring treatment or simultaneously with a hair coloring treatment. Use of the active agent formulations during a permanent wave treatment prevents the reversion of the hair to its previous state, for at least one week, preferably at least three months, more preferably at least one year, most preferably greater than one year, after one or more than one application of the formulation. Application of the active agent formulation to skin or nails can help repair damaged disulfide bonds due to natural wear and tear or natural aging.

Abstract: A surgical port includes an end face with a channel extending through the end face. The channel has a cross section shaped to receive a surgical instrument cannula. A lateral wall extends around a perimeter of the end face. The lateral wall and end face enclose an open volume. A rim extends radially inward from the lateral wall and projects into the open volume. An apron portion extends radially outward from the lateral wall and in a direction axially away from the end face. Surgical systems may include surgical ports. Methods relate to using surgical ports.

Abstract: A system for tracking and monitoring a game ball, wirelessly gathering data from the ball, game elements, players, officials, to improve timeliness and accuracy of game, includes a wireless tag disposed within ball to provide an identification, wirelessly communicable with a receiver to indicate a position in X, Y, Z coordinates, such that ball edge locations are identified; wireless communication system tag reading devices arranged in an array, each configured to sense and read each wireless communication system tag; a pressure sensor disposed upon player and configured to send signal of sudden pressure change; a computer control center connected to the wireless communication system tag and tag reading devices, configured for receiving, computing, processing a plurality of game data and communicating a decisive signal for exact position for placement of ball; and a personal computing device worn by game official for communications and configured to send, receive data during game.

Abstract: A method and system to optimize future performance of a database management system is provided. When a request to prepare a structured language query statement is received, historical hardware statistics data of operating parameters of a database management system is analyzed for optimization of the structured language query statement. The computer determines whether a prediction module of the computer is enabled to create a prediction of future hardware statistics data of the operating parameters of a database management system for a scheduled execution time using a predetermined data mining technique that analyzes historical statistics data. A prediction is created of the future hardware statistics data for the scheduled execution time, and a structured language query execution plan is generated using the future hardware statistics data. The structured language query statement is executed according to the structured language query execution plan at the scheduled execution time.

Abstract: Methods, compositions, single phase aqueous solutions, process mixtures, and kits are provided relating to decolorizing post-consumer fibers, e.g., from carpet pile, using a single-phase aqueous solution. For example, a method of decolorizing post-consumer fibers may include providing the single phase aqueous solution. The single phase aqueous solution may include water, a stable peroxygen composition, and a surfactant composition. The method may include providing the post-consumer fibers comprising a colorant. The method may include contacting the single phase aqueous solution and the post-consumer fibers to form a process mixture under conditions effective to provide a decolorized portion of the post-consumer fibers.

Abstract: A wedge-based heat switch includes a plurality of wedge segments on a shaft, an energy storage element (e.g., a spring or pressurized cavity) configured to store (and release) energy via compression or expansion of the element along the shaft and a temperature activated phase transition material. A temperature stimulus activates the phase transition material to release the stored energy and move the wedge segments axially along the shaft to expand or contract the plurality of wedge segments. The wedge-based heat switch may be configured as a unidirectional switch, either conductive-to-insulating or insulating-to-conductive, or a bi-directional switch. The specific design of the wedge-based heat switch is informed by such factors as unidirectional or bi-directional, required preloading of a surface, conductance ratio between conducting and insulating states, temperature stimulus, switching speed and form factor.

Abstract: A CNC milling machine and broaching tool for forming a magazine well in a firearm lower receiver, the magazine well having a forward end and a rearward end with a plurality of corners in the forward end and a plurality of corners in the rearward end. The CNC milling machine and broaching tool including a CNC milling machine for shaping a blank into a lower receiver having a guide hole with a length and a width and a broaching tool having a length less than the length of the guide hole and a width less than the width of the guide hole. The broaching tool having a single cutting edge for each of the plurality of corners in the forward end and the plurality of corners in the rearward end.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for controlling a patient's body temperature by endovascular heat exchange.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for providing a benefit to a plant by associating the plant with a beneficial endophyte of the genus Penicillium, including benefits to a plant derived from a seed or other plant element treated with said endophyte. For example, this invention provides purified endophytes, synthetic combinations comprising endophytes, and methods of making and using the same. In particular, this invention relates to compositions and methods of improving soybean and maize plants.

Abstract: An Erythropoietic Stimulating Agent (ESA) dosing system/method determines patient-specific ESA therapies for patients affected by insufficient hemoglobin production that may benefit from ESA treatment. The ESA dosing system includes a model that represents a process by which red blood cells are produced in humans. The model may include one or more parameters, the values of which are patient-specific. The model takes into account patient-specific historical hemoglobin (Hgb) data and corresponding historical ESA dosage data to estimate the patient-specific values of the model parameters, and determines a target therapeutic dose of the ESA that may maintain the patient's Hgb within a target range.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a controlled, predictable, reproducible and variable-size distribution of particulate matter (PM), particle number (PN) and/or facsimile/simulation, derived from vaporizing and condensing a specialized liquid, utilizing a vapor delivery device; a filter capability so as to remove a significant amount of ambient PM/PN as a secondary calibration process for the identification of fine and ultra-fine particles (e.g., 0.3 micrometers and smaller) as well as a computer-controlled ability to perform a pre-determined series of calibration routines, housed in a container.

Abstract: Generally speaking, embodiments of the present disclosure include a network security system that can comprise a hardware appliance installed in a vehicle and connected with the busses, networks, communication systems, and other components of the vehicle. This in-vehicle network security appliance can provide an access point to the networks of the vehicle, such as the Controller Area Networks (CANs), Local Interconnect Networks (LINs) and other networks, monitor inbound and outbound traffic on those networks, and provide a firewall between those networks and external networks or systems as well as between different networks and systems within the vehicle. In this way, the network security appliance can protect the vehicle networks from different sources of attack from outside and inside the vehicle via components that are less secure like the infotainment system or diagnostic port.

Abstract: Track assemblies for power machines include a track frame, including a primary portion and a second portion moveable with respect to the primary portion. A plurality of rollers are positioned along the primary portion of the track frame relative to each other and the center of gravity of the power machine to provide an improved capability to compensate for vibration generated as the power machine moves over a support surface. In some aspects, a portion of a tensioning idler is positioned within a cylinder defined by one of the plurality of rollers.

Abstract: Projector display systems comprising a light dimmer and first modulator are disclosed. The light dimmer may comprise an adjustable iris, adjustable light sources and/or LCD stack that is capable of lowering the luminance of the light source illuminated the first modulator. The first modulator may comprise a plurality of analog mirrors (e.g. MEMS array) and the second modulator may comprise a plurality of mirrors (e.g., DMD array). The display system may further comprise a controller that sends control signals to the light dimmer and first modulator. The display system may render a desired dynamic range for rendering a projected image by a combination of such control signals.