Abstract: The present invention generally relates to assays of enzymes responsible for phosphoregulation including kinases (such as protein kinases, which mediate protein and peptide phosphorylation) and phosphatases (such as protein phosphatases, which mediate protein and peptide dephosphorylation). Certain aspects of the invention use lanthanide ions such as europium ions that exhibit chelation-enhanced luminescence. Phosphorylation of a peptide by a kinase may cause a complex to form between the lanthanide ion, the phosphate group, and a reporter group such as a hydroxyquinoline, which results in luminescence when in the complexed state. Thus, in certain embodiments, determination of luminescence may be indicative of kinase activity. Certain embodiments also include the use of substrates for detection of phosphatase activity, where dephosphorylation results in a loss of signal assay.

Abstract: A hair towel having a towel, and a tightening assembly with a cord assembly and a fastener. The cord assembly has an external and internal cord section, first and second ends, and a knot. The fastener has a body, an actuator, and a hole. The towel has an elongated channel to receive the cord assembly. The elongated channel has lateral ends, and defines a hole to receive the cord assembly. The elongated channel has at least one edge with stitching, whereby the stitching secures the elongated channel to the towel. The towel has exterior and interior faces, lateral edges, and first and second edges. The elongated channel is closer to the first edge than to the second edge, whereby the elongated channel is a first predetermined distance from the first edge without reaching the second edge. Furthermore, the elongated channel is approximately parallel to the first edge.

Abstract: A portable liquid dispensing device which includes a liquid cartridge containing a prefilled desired liquid supported within the dispensing device. A dispensing mechanism is positioned within the device for engagement with the liquid cartridge for dispensing a desired amount of liquid from the liquid cartridge to an outlet exiting the device. An actuator button is also provided for actuating the dispensing mechanism and dispensing the desired amount of liquid through the outlet of the dispensing device. The dispensing mechanism includes a central shaft with a first end engaged with the actuator button, a second end is positioned adjacent the outlet, and a plunger assembly is supported on the central shaft intermediate the first and second ends for substantially sealed engagement with an internal surface of the liquid cartridge and central shaft to move the plunger assembly and liquid toward the outlet upon actuation of the actuator button.

Abstract: Mechanical elastic device designed for the closing and opening of bags manufactured from flexible material an indefinite number of times via the pressure exerted by this piece (through taking the form of a Fermat's spiral) on the area of contact with the bag inserted into the same. Its method of operation consists of positioning the part of the bag we wish to fasten inside the closed area of the spiral and then aligning the two hooks which the piece has on its surface until they lock together, this produces a reduction in the interior space of the spiral and, as a result, this part of the bag is tightened to remain hermetically sealed. To open it one simply has to release the joined hooks with an external force, the spiral will then return to its relaxed position and we can extract the bag from the device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for decomposing a sequential program into multiple threads, executing these threads, and reconstructing the sequential execution of the threads are described. A plurality of data cache units (DCUs) store locally retired instructions of speculatively executed threads. A merging level cache (MLC) merges data from the lines of the DCUs. An inter-core memory coherency module (ICMC) globally retires instructions of the speculatively executed threads in the MLC.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for controlling access to a medical device are provided. One example system includes an access card configured to wirelessly transmit user identification information and a medical device configured to receive the user identification information from the access card, and enable access to one or more components of the medical device based on permission information associated with the received user identification information. One example medical device includes a plurality of device components; a data receiver configured to wirelessly receive user identification information; a memory configured to store permission information in association with the user identification information; and a processor configured to retrieve the permission information from the memory in response to receiving the user identification information from the data receiver, and enable access to the one or more device components based on the retrieved permission information.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to various methods for determining a neuromuscular blockade status and systems suitable for performing such methods. The present disclosure further relates to electro-stimulation electrodes for stimulating a muscle of a patient, optionally in the context of at least some of the mentioned methods. The present disclosure still further relates to hybrid air-signal connectors for use in an electro-stimulation cuff which can be used in the context of at least some of the cited methods. The present disclosure also relates to electro-stimulation circuits comprising an electrode portion and a track portion suitable for pressure cuffs for electro-stimulation, and to pressure cuffs configured to be arranged around a limb of a patient and comprising an active electro-stimulation electrode and a passive electro-stimulation electrode. These electro-stimulation circuits and pressure cuffs may also be used in the context of at least some of the mentioned methods.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to disabling one or more cache portions during low voltage operations are described. In some embodiments, one or more extra bits may be used for a portion of a cache that indicate whether the portion of the cache is capable at operating at or below Vccmin levels. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for controlling access to a medical device are provided. One example system includes an access card configured to wirelessly transmit user identification information and a medical device configured to receive the user identification information from the access card, and enable access to one or more components of the medical device based on permission information associated with the received user identification information. One example medical device includes a plurality of device components; a data receiver configured to wirelessly receive user identification information; a memory configured to store permission information in association with the user identification information; and a processor configured to retrieve the permission information from the memory in response to receiving the user identification information from the data receiver, and enable access to the one or more device components based on the retrieved permission information.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to assays of enzymes responsible for phosphoregulation including kinases (such as protein kinases, which mediate protein and peptide phosphorylation) and phosphatases (such as protein phosphatases, which mediate protein and peptide dephosphorylation). Certain aspects of the invention use lanthanide ions such as europium ions that exhibit chelation-enhanced luminescence. Phosphorylation of a peptide by a kinase may cause a complex to form between the lanthanide ion, the phosphate group, and a reporter group such as a hydroxyquinoline, which results in luminescence when in the complexed state. Thus, in certain embodiments, determination of luminescence may be indicative of kinase activity. Certain embodiments also include the use of substrates for detection of phosphatase activity, where dephosphorylation results in a loss of signal assay.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for controlling access to a medical device are provided. One example system includes an access card configured to wirelessly transmit user identification information and a medical device configured to receive the user identification information from the access card, and enable access to one or more components of the medical device based on permission information associated with the received user identification information. One example medical device includes a plurality of device components; a data receiver configured to wirelessly receive user identification information; a memory configured to store permission information in association with the user identification information; and a processor configured to retrieve the permission information from the memory in response to receiving the user identification information from the data receiver, and enable access to the one or more device components based on the retrieved permission information.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for decomposing a sequential program into multiple threads, executing these threads, and reconstructing the sequential execution of the threads are described. A plurality of data cache units (DCUs) store locally retired instructions of speculatively executed threads. A merging level cache (MLC) merges data from the lines of the DCUs. An inter-core memory coherency module (ICMC) globally retire instructions of the speculatively executed threads in the MLC.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for controlling access to a medical device are provided. One example system includes an access card configured to wirelessly transmit user identification information and a medical device configured to receive the user identification information from the access card, and enable access to one or more components of the medical device based on permission information associated with the received user identification information. One example medical device includes a plurality of device components; a data receiver configured to wirelessly receive user identification information; a memory configured to store permission information in association with the user identification information; and a processor configured to retrieve the permission information from the memory in response to receiving the user identification information from the data receiver, and enable access to the one or more device components based on the retrieved permission information.

Abstract: Presented is a method of improving the incorporation of recycled bituminous products by using at least one surfactant as an alternative to the known rejuvenating oils, for the preparation of asphalt mixes containing recycled bituminous products. The use of such alternative surfactant(s) results in better mechanical properties of the asphalt mix, while using smaller amounts of fresh bitumen and greater amounts of recycled bituminous products.

Abstract: A first electrical response of a capacitor bank is accessed, the capacitor bank including a plurality of capacitor units arranged in a fixed spatial relationship with each other, each capacitor unit having a nominal impedance; a test electrical signal is provided to the capacitor bank; a second electrical response of the capacitor bank is measured after providing the test electrical signal to the capacitor bank; the first electrical response of the capacitor bank and the second response of the capacitor bank are compared; and whether an impedance of one or more capacitor units in the capacitor bank has changed relative to the nominal impedance is determined based on the comparison.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for controlling access to a medical device are provided. One example system includes an access card configured to wirelessly transmit user identification information and a medical device configured to receive the user identification information from the access card, and enable access to one or more components of the medical device based on permission information associated with the received user identification information. One example medical device includes a plurality of device components; a data receiver configured to wirelessly receive user identification information; a memory configured to store permission information in association with the user identification information; and a processor configured to retrieve the permission information from the memory in response to receiving the user identification information from the data receiver, and enable access to the one or more device components based on the retrieved permission information.

Abstract: A combination of hardware and software collect profile data for asynchronous events, at code region granularity. An exemplary embodiment is directed to collecting metrics for prefetching events, which are asynchronous in nature. Instructions that belong to a code region are identified using one of several alternative techniques, causing a profile bit to be set for the instruction, as a marker. Each line of a data block that is prefetched is similarly marked. Events corresponding to the profile data being collected and resulting from instructions within the code region are then identified. Each time that one of the different types of events is identified, a corresponding counter is incremented. Following execution of the instructions within the code region, the profile data accumulated in the counters are collected, and the counters are reset for use with a new code region.

Abstract: This document discloses both a method for visual field examination that makes it possible to perform eye sensitivity examinations and an instrument that is configured to perform said method for visual field examination. The method is based on absolute conditions, i.e. absolute differences in the differential luminous thresholds between symmetrical points with respect to the vertical meridian or the horizontal meridian are used; in this way, unlike with already-known methods, it is possible to study the symmetry and/or the harmony of the subjects themselves, without having to compare them to a reference population with all that this entails.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of improving the incorporation of recycled bituminous products by using at least one surfactant as an alternative to the known rejuvenating oils, for the preparation of asphalt mixes containing recycled bituminous products. The use of such alternative surfactant(s) results in better mechanical properties of the asphalt mix, while using smaller amounts of fresh bitumen and greater amounts of recycled bituminous products.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to various methods for determining a neuromuscular blockade status and systems suitable for performing such methods. The present disclosure further relates to electro-stimulation electrodes for stimulating a muscle of a patient, optionally in the context of at least some of the mentioned methods. The present disclosure still further relates to hybrid air-signal connectors for use in an electro-stimulation cuff which can be used in the context of at least some of the cited methods. The present disclosure also relates to electro-stimulation circuits comprising an electrode portion and a track portion suitable for pressure cuffs for electro-stimulation, and to pressure cuffs configured to be arranged around a limb of a patient and comprising an active electro-stimulation electrode and a passive electro-stimulation electrode. These electro-stimulation circuits and pressure cuffs may also be used in the context of at least some of the mentioned methods.