Abstract: An inspection system includes a thermographic sensor configured to capture thermographic data of a component having holes as a fluid is pulsed toward the holes, and one or more processors configured to temporally process the thermographic data to calculate temporal scores and spatial scores for the corresponding holes. The scores can be used to obtain a reference dataset and a test dataset. A performance score can be assigned to the component based on the difference between the datasets.

Abstract: Techniques are described for generating a virtualized network function (VNF) descriptor (VNFD) indicative of resources for managing VNF components (VNFCs) across a plurality of virtualized infrastructure managers (VIMs) implemented in a virtualized computing environment configured in a user-specific configuration. A VNFD generator receives a solution description file (SDF) encoding user input pertaining to the user-specific configuration, and a VNFC descriptor encoding VNFC specific information. The SDF and VNFC descriptor are validated and translated to generate an abstracted VNFD that is independent of renderers implemented at the virtualized computing environment. The abstracted VNFD is translated to a VNFD that is specific to the renderers and VIM and VNFD-specific information at the virtualized computing environment.

Abstract: Intraluminal imaging devices that include multiple conductor segments having conductors (312, 316) of different sizes at particular locations along the length of the intraluminal imaging device are provided. For example, the intraluminal imaging device may include a cable (310) comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, an electrical connector (314) coupled to the proximal portion of the cable, and a flexible elongate member (320) comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion. A first plurality of conductors extends within the cable and a second plurality of conductors extends within the flexible elongate member. Each conductor of the first plurality of conductors is electrically coupled to a respective conductor of the second plurality of conductors. A conductor of the first plurality of conductors having a first cross section is electrically coupled to a conductor of the second plurality of conductors having a second cross section that is smaller than the first cross section.

Abstract: Techniques are described for upgrading a virtualized network function (VNF) implemented in a virtualized computing environment configured in a user-specific configuration. The virtualized network function is implemented by a plurality of VNF components (VNFCs) executing in a plurality of virtual machines managed by a virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM). An upgrade component is configured to execute as a virtual resource and execute a series of operations that coordinate an upgrade of the VNFCs implementing the VNF and interact with the VIM and the virtual machines to effect the upgrade. A configuration file pertaining to a new software version defining the upgrade and a set of upgrade instructions. Based on the configuration file, the upgrade instructions are translated to a series of operations on the virtual machines and interactions with the VIM to effect the upgrade.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a multi-element fiber scanner includes providing a fiber optic cable having a cladding region and a fiber core and focusing a laser beam at a series of predetermined locations inside the cladding region of the fiber optic cable. The method also includes creating a plurality of damage sites at the predetermined locations, exposing the fiber optic cable to an etchant solution, and preferentially etching the plurality of damage sites to form a base having a base plane and a longitudinal axis orthogonal to the base plane, a retention collar disposed a predetermined distance along the longitudinal axis from the base, a first fiber link including the fiber core, passing through the base plane, and joined to the retention collar, and a plurality of additional links joined to the base, extending from the base to the retention collar, and joined to the retention collar.

Abstract: Provided is a polymeric auricular scaffold for use in auricular implants and methods for making them. The disclosed polymeric auricular scaffold is formed using a biocompatible polymer sheet that is vacuumed formed into a shape representing auricular cartilage using a vacuum forming mold.

Abstract: A system for dynamically load-balancing at least one redistribution element across a group of computing resources that facilitates at least an aspect of an Industrial Execution Process in an M:N working configuration is illustrated.

Abstract: A system for providing an interactive visualization of health resources comprises one or more databases and one or more controllers. The one or more databases may be configured to store geographic data associated with block groups, including geographic coordinates, resources, and population data. The one or more controllers may be configured to (i) receive user selections for simulating the placement of at least one new resource of a given capacity and type on a geographic region-of-interest of a geographic map, and (ii) determine the predicted health outcomes on block group populations affected by the placement of the new resource as well as the predicted costs v. benefit for the new resource at the selected location. The system may be configured to provide real-time simulation results by avoiding recalculation of all of the block groups and resources within the block groups in the United States.

Abstract: A pistol, incudes a slide; a lens attached to and rotatable with respect to the slide; a light source that reflects a light off a reflective surface of the lens to aim the pistol; a hood rotatably mounted and in contact with the lens, wherein the hood folds over the lens in a collapsed configuration and is angled from the lens in a deployed configuration, and the lens, the light source, and the hood fit within an outline profile of the slide in the collapsed configuration.

Abstract: A system for detecting disposal of metallic objects into an opening of a medical waste container, including: an indicator for indicating passage of metallic objects through the opening, a pair of receive coils and a transmit coil spaced therebetween shaped for receiving waste therethrough adjacent to the opening, and a controller in electrical communication with the coils. The controller generates and communicates a transmit signal to the transmit coil, which generates a magnetic field that induces voltage in each of the receive coils, which each generate a receive signal. The controller generates a waveform based on the receive signals with a baseline corresponding to absence of metallic objects, and analyzes the waveform with respect to opposite first and second thresholds. The controller activates the indicator in response to metallic objects passing through the coils when the waveform first exceeds the first threshold and then subsequently exceeds the second threshold.

Abstract: The inventors have unexpectedly discovered that shock and/or potential multi-organ failure due to shock can be effectively treated by administration of liquid high-dose protease inhibitor formulations to a location upstream of where pancreatic proteases are introduced into the gastrointestinal tract. Most preferably, administration is directly to the stomach, for example, via nasogastric tube under a protocol effective to treat shock by such administration without the need of providing significant quantities of the protease inhibitor to the jejunum and/or ileum.

Abstract: An electrode applied in electro-machining processes, where the electrode includes a main body portion and at least one built-in internal flushing passage for introducing a flushing liquid to a volume between the electrode and a workpiece to be machined. The electrode is made by an additive fabrication process that enables specialized flushing for enhancing waste material evacuation and incorporate special material properties like zones of high electrical conductivity and thermal resistance. The fabrication process produces materials and geometries that could not otherwise be made using conventional processing.

Abstract: Electrode for an electro-erosion process, includes a shaft, a body coupled to the shaft, a plurality of machining-inserts, an insulated layer, and a flushing cover disposed on the body and coupled to the shaft. The shaft includes a channel, a plurality of first and second openings, each opening connected to the channel. The body includes a plurality of main-flushing channels, each channel connected to a corresponding first opening. The plurality of machining-inserts is spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction and detachably coupled to a peripheral end portion of the body. Each machining-insert includes at least one third opening connected to a corresponding main-flushing channel. The insulated layer is disposed on top and bottom surfaces of the body. The flushing cover includes a plurality of side-flushing channels and a plurality of fourth openings, each channel connected to a corresponding second opening.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to compositions comprising a cell and a spherical nucleic acid (SNA) comprising a nanoparticle, an oligonucleotide on the surface of the nanoparticle, and an antigen; and to methods for production of such compositions and their applications, including but not limited to adoptive cell therapy.

Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for validating media integrity using asymmetric key cryptography utilizing a public/private cryptographic key pair. The private key is kept secret and is known to an originator and/or publisher of a media file. The public key is added to the media file and is used to validate integrity of the media file, that is, that content of the media file (e.g., portion(s), frame(s)) has not been altered since publication of the media file. By validating integrity of the media file, strong proof that the media file came from an owner of the keypair (e.g., had possession of the private key) can be obtained, for example, resolving issues of trust and/or authenticity common in altered content. In some embodiments, information regarding an origin of the content can further be determined.

Abstract: Chimeric and other variant ?-glucuronidase enzymes with enhanced properties as compared to unmodified enzyme are provided. The enzymes of the invention advantageously exhibit enhanced enzymatic activity, enhanced substrate range, enhanced pH range, enhanced temperature range and/or enhanced enzyme stability. Methods of using the variant enzymes for hydrolysis of glucuronide substrates, including opiates and benzodiazepines, are also provided.

Abstract: Certain aspects provide a method of commissioning a virtualized network function (VNF), including: at a commissioning virtual machine instantiated in a virtualized environment of a customer network, configuring a remote access connection facility for accessing the commissioning virtual machine remotely from outside of the customer network, wherein the commissioning virtual machine has access to a virtual infrastructure manager (VIM) component of the virtualized environment; causing, via the remote access connection facility, configuration of a VNF manager component within the commissioning virtual machine; and causing, via the remote access connection facility, the configured VNF manager component to instruct the VIM component to instantiate one or more virtual machines in the virtualized environment, the one or more virtual machines being operable to perform at least a part of the VNF.

Abstract: This application relates generally to certain substituted pyrrolizine compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions which inhibit HBV replication, and methods of making and using them.

Abstract: A component formed using an additive manufacturing system, the component includes an exterior surface, an interior cavity, at least one powder removal device disposed within the interior cavity and adjacent to the exterior surface, wherein the at least one powder removal device is configured to remove un-sintered and partially sintered powder from the component; and at least one exit port defined in the exterior surface to facilitate egress of the un-sintered and partially sintered powder out of the component.