Abstract: A portable system and method for detecting drug materials. A portable system may comprise at least one collection lens for collecting a plurality of interacted photons, a tunable filter for filtering the photons, and a SWIR detector for generating at least one SWIR data set representative of a first location comprising an unknown sample. A processor may analyze the SWIR data set to associate the unknown material with a known drug material. A method may comprise collecting a plurality of interacted photons, filtering the interacted photons into a plurality of wavelength bands, detecting the filtered photons to generate a SWIR data set and analyzing the SWIR data set to associate an unknown material with a known drug material.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for forming a rod for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements. A continuous supply of a filter material is formed into a continuous filter rod by a rod-forming unit. An object insertion unit is configured to insert a plurality of first objects and a plurality of second objects into the continuous filter rod. A rod-dividing unit is configured to subdivide the continuous filter rod, at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal axis thereof, into a plurality of filter rod portions such that each filter rod portion includes at least one first object and at least one second object disposed therein, with the first objects being different from the second objects.

Abstract: A computing system for scalable computing on commodity hardware is provided. The computing system includes a first computing device communicatively connected to a second computing device. The first computing device includes a processor, a physical computer-readable medium, and program instructions stored on the physical computer-readable medium and executable by the processor to perform functions. The functions include determining a first task associated with the second computing device and a second task associated with the second computing device are to be executed, assigning execution of the first task and the second task to the processor of the first computing device, generating an aggregated message that includes (i) a first message including an indication corresponding to the execution of the first task and (ii) a second message including an indication corresponding to the execution of the second task, and sending the aggregated message to the second computing device.

Abstract: A method of making extensible web laminates comprising a multilayer film and at least one web layer and the use of such extensible web laminates in personal care articles. The method generally includes activating the multilayer film in a first direction by stretching at least a portion of the multilayer film past the elastic deformation limit of the skin layers and recovering the skin layers with the elastomeric core layer to produce a multilayer film that is elastic in the first direction. The activated multilayer film is subsequently stretched beyond the deformation limit of the skin layers in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. At least one web layer is applied to the multilayer film while in the stretched state. The multilayer film is then recovered to produce an extensible web laminate.

Abstract: A first device is configured to receive, from a second device, an indication of a presence of a third device inside of a vehicle, where the first device is located inside of the vehicle. The first device is further configured to receive data associated with the vehicle, determine a vehicle condition, of the vehicle, based on the data associated with the vehicle, and deactivate a function associated with the third device based on the vehicle condition. The first device may prevent the third device from performing the deactivated function when an instruction to perform the deactivated function is received by the third device via manual input. The first device may permit the third device to perform the deactivated function when the instruction to perform the deactivated function is received by the third device via a hands-free device.

Abstract: Stent delivery systems and associated methods for delivering stents are disclosed herein. In several embodiments, a handle assembly for delivering a stent from a tubular enclosure can include a first lead screw having a first lead thread of a first pitch and first handedness, a second lead screw having a second lead thread of a second pitch and second handedness different from the first handedness, and a housing defining threads of the first and second pitches. The first lead screw can be in mechanical communication with the tubular enclosure, and the second lead screw can be in mechanical communication with the stent. Upon rotation of a portion of the housing, the housing threads can engage the lead screws so as to induce simultaneous translations of the lead screws in opposite directions. The simultaneous translations are configured to deploy the stent from the tubular enclosure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to Cell Death Inducing Molecule (“CDIM”) binding proteins and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Particularly, the disclosure provides CDIM binding proteins that are useful in the selective depleting and killing of B cells, including neoplastic B cells as well as neoplastic cells that are not of B-cell origin that express CDIM-like antigens. In addition, the disclosure encompasses polynucleotides encoding the disclosed antigen binding proteins, and expression systems for producing the same. Further the present disclosure encompasses methods of treating patients with B cell proliferative- and mediated diseases by administering the CDIM binding proteins as well as diagnostic assays for identifying proteins that bind to CDIM. The disclosure further contemplates diagnostic assays for identifying patient populations that can be treated with the CDIM binding proteins.

Abstract: A vascular closure device (20) having a proximal end and a distal end is described. The vascular closure device may include an insertion sheath (28), a handle, and a locator anchor (38) positionable distally outside a distal end of the insertion sheath when the handle is in a first position. The handle may be movable from the first position to a second position located proximally relative to the first position, the locator anchor being configured to expand laterally when the handle is moved from the first position to the second position. Additionally, the handle may be movable from the second position to a third position located proximally relative to the second position to deploy a vascular closure implant in a puncture tract. A vascular closure method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of compressing data output from an acceleration measurement means configured to be transported, carried or worn by a user is provided. Acceleration values indicative of the movement of the user are measured at a first frequency and values representative of the measured acceleration values are generated at a second frequency, which is lower than the first frequency. The step of generating comprises: defining a plurality of time windows, each time window containing a plurality of measured acceleration values; and applying a transformation to the measured acceleration values within each time window to generate a plurality of transformed values. For each time window, storing at least one of said plurality of transformed values and/or one or more parameters associated therewith.

Abstract: A method for detecting unknown materials, such as drugs. A first location is surveyed using a video capture device to identify a second location comprising an unknown material. The second location is interrogated using SWIR spectroscopic and/or imaging methods to generate a SWIR hyperspectral image. The SWIR hyperspectral image is analyzed to associate the unknown material with a known drug material. A system for detecting unknown materials, such as drugs comprising a first collection lens for collecting interacted photons from a first location and a visible imaging device for generating a visible image. A second collection lens may collect a plurality of interacted photons from a second location and a tunable filter may filter the interacted photons. A spectroscopic imaging device may detect the interacted photons and generate a SWIR hyperspectral image. A processor may analyze the SWIR hypespectral image to associate an unknown material with a known material.

Abstract: Stent delivery systems and associated methods for delivering stents are disclosed herein. In several embodiments, a handle assembly for delivering a stent from a tubular enclosure can include a first lead screw having a first lead thread of a first pitch and first handedness, a second lead screw having a second lead thread of a second pitch and second handedness different from the first handedness, and a housing defining threads of the first and second pitches. The first lead screw can be in mechanical communication with the tubular enclosure, and the second lead screw can be in mechanical communication with the stent. Upon rotation of a portion of the housing, the housing threads can engage the lead screws so as to induce simultaneous translations of the lead screws in opposite directions. The simultaneous translations are configured to deploy the stent from the tubular enclosure.

Abstract: A process includes introducing a base polymer into an extruder, heating to a temperature sufficient to form a polymer melt, introducing a liquid comprising water and at least one additive consisting of an NO donating compound with mixing and subsequent vaporization and venting of the liquid to produce an extrudate having a uniform distribution of preferably uniformly small additive particles.

Abstract: A game-interactive customizable companion object includes a body, a communication subsystem housed within the body, and a behavior subsystem configured to control movement of the body. The behavior subsystem may include an initiation module configured to set initial behavioral characteristics of the companion object in accordance with the companion object profile, and an update module configured to change behavioral characteristics of the companion object responsive to control commands received from the entertainment system via the communication subsystem.

Abstract: Information in a diagram is logically structured using lists, containers, and callouts without requiring the diagram author to explicitly define a structure or map any diagram contents to a structure. Logical relationships are inferred based on actions associated with shapes, groupings, and attributes of shapes/groupings taken by the author. Feedback mechanisms are provided to communicate an underlying structure to the author. Intelligent behaviors are enabled to expose manipulation of diagrams based on their logical structure.

Abstract: An approach for connecting the inputs and the outputs of multiple services in such a way that the entire transaction can be tracked from beginning to end and from service to service is provided. The pipeline architecture of the present invention passes information through a sequence of nodes, each node providing some processing or filtering before passing information to the next node in the pipe. A transaction's token passes down a pipe of services. The pipe can have forks and branches, so a transaction's token is passed from node to node carrying messages from one node to another. The overall transactional information is not lost from service to service; instead it is carried up and down the length of the pipeline. As the transaction's token is passed up and down the pipeline, its history passes with it. The pipe links a chain of nodes connected end-to-end.

Abstract: A dwelling assembly that has a continuous sidewall and an opening for a door and a window. A roof assembly is provided with first and second roofs that are spaced apart such that the outer roof acts as a heat shield for the inner roof to ensure the interior of the dwelling is a minimum temperature. In addition, ballast boxes are utilized in order to provide additional weight to the dwelling and a planting area in association with the dwelling assembly.

Abstract: In selected embodiments a repository system correlates user browsing behavior with in-store transactions involving a number of products or product categories. For example, an online portal may receive online transactional data and in-store transactional data and associate particular user identities with such data. The user identities may be correlated by matching online transactional data with in-store transactional data. This correlation identifies a user known to frequent both online and in-store venues of the same retailer. The online portal may maintain browser repository records based on an association of online and in-store identities. In some implementations, the portal measures in-store transactions of a user known to frequent both online and in-store venues. The measurements may be performed for a predetermined time period. Such measurements may be used to extrapolate web influenced in-store transactional data from at least one browser repository record to estimate a transaction for an unknown user.

Abstract: A glucose measuring system includes a glucose meter that incorporates wireless communication capabilities. The meter can advantageously be a low cost meter by eliminating expensive components, such as the display. The user nevertheless is able to retrieve and view his or her glucose values by referring to displays within the glucose measuring local area network. Feedback via these displays can advantageously be used by the diabetic to create a higher level of confidence and safety.