Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-destructive method for quantitatively determining at least one performance indicator in rearing a population of live insects in a complex medium, the method comprising the following steps: (i) a step of irradiating the complex medium comprising the population of live insects with a light comprising one or more wavelengths within a range from 420 nm to 2500 nm, (ii) a step of collecting the light reflected by the complex medium to obtain a reflectance spectrum of the medium; and (iii) a step of correlating said spectrum with a quantitative value of at least one performance indicator. The present invention also relates to the uses of the method and to the use of a spectrophotometer to quantitatively determine at least one performance indicator of a population of live insects in a complex medium.

Abstract: A valving arrangement is provided herein for regulating fluidics of modules usable in a combinatorial drug delivery device. The valving includes a slidable piston valve, adjustable to selectively seal an outlet path from a drug vial and a sealing port, in parallel to a vent, for selectively sealing an inlet path to the drug vial. Advantageously, the subject invention allows for applied negative pressure to adjust the valving to allow flow between serially-connected modules forming a drug delivery device.

Abstract: An exemplary shingle includes at least one coated shingle sheet defining a headlap portion and a tab portion each having opposed upper and lower surfaces. A first line of adhesive is adhered to one of the upper surface of the headlap portion and the lower surface of the tab portion, and includes a first thermally activated adhesive material. A second line of adhesive is adhered to one of the upper surface of the headlap portion and the lower surface of the tab portion, and includes a second thermally activated adhesive material having a minimum activation temperature less than a minimum activation temperature of the first thermally activated adhesive material.

Abstract: An adjustable animal vest and methods of using same, the vest including an attachment panel for placement between a neck and a waist of an underside of an animal, a first fastening panel for placement on a first lateral side of the animal, a second fastening panel for placement on a second lateral side of the animal, a first cover panel for placement over the first fastening panel on the first lateral side of the animal, and a second cover panel for placement over the second fastening panel on the second lateral side of the animal. Upon proper panel placement on the animal, complementary attachment features located on inner and outer surfaces of the panels are fastened to each other to form the adjustable animal vest assembly.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for verifying fingerprints associated with components to be installed on printed circuit boards (PCBs). In at least one embodiment, one or more processors determine whether a component fingerprint associated with a component to be installed on the PCB corresponds to an expected fingerprint, the component fingerprint based, at least in part, on a firmware version associated with the component.

Abstract: A portable web widget for distribution of multimedia content over a computer communications network, the web widget adapted for viral distribution and execution in a web browser on a client device wherein the widget includes a content retrieval component communicatively coupled to an application server over the computer communications network, the content retrieval component configured to retrieve one or more multimedia display files and metadata into an embedded electronic commerce store in the web widget after it enters an active operational mode, the widget also including a content preview component configured to enable a streamed execution of a portion of the multimedia content files associated with each of the multimedia display files from a multimedia content distribution system executing on the application server, and a transaction processing component operative to execute and complete a commercial transaction in the embedded electronic commerce store pertaining to the multimedia content files.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photochemical process for the manufacturing of a C-terminal ?-amide, which are a class of compounds that represent up to half of all biologically relevant peptide hormones. The invention provides mild, broad in scope, economically efficient process, which is suitable for large scale manufacturing.

Abstract: A programmable motion robotic system is disclosed that includes a plurality of arm sections that are joined one to another at a plurality of joints to form an articulated arm; and a hose coupling an end effector of the programmable motion robotic system to a vacuum source, the hose being attached, in a joint portion of the hose, to at least two adjacent arm sections of the plurality of arm sections mutually attached to a joint of the plurality of joints such that the joint portion of the hose remains substantially outside of any plane defined by motion of the mutually adjacent arm sections when rotated about the joint.

Abstract: A maintenance system is disclosed for assisting in maintaining an automated carrier system for moving objects to be processed. The maintenance system includes a plurality of automated carriers that are adapted to move on an array of discontinuous standard track sections, each said automated carrier including a carrier body that is no larger in either a length or width direction that a standard track section, and an automated maintenance carrier that is adapted to move on the array of discontinuous track sections, said automated maintenance system including a maintenance body that is larger in at least one of a length or width direction than the standard track section.

Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects is disclosed. The storage, retrieval and processing system includes a plurality of storage bins providing storage of a plurality of objects, where the plurality of storage bins is in communication with a bin conveyance system for moving selected storage bins to a storage bin processing location, a programmable motion device in communication with the bin processing location for receiving a selected storage bin from the plurality of bins, where the programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected storage bin, and a plurality of destination bins in communication with the bin conveyance system for moving a selected destination bin from a destination bin processing location that is proximate the programmable motion device to the plurality of destination bins.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing cardiac devices comprises an inflow and an outflow chamber, a mount for supporting a prosthetic valve, and a fluid driving device operable to vary a pressure differential of a fluid between the inflow chamber and the outflow chamber in repeating cycles. The apparatus can comprise a bypass valve to modulate pressure characteristics across the prosthetic valve, reservoirs to maintain a pressure inside the apparatus, and compliance elements to modulate pressure characteristics in the apparatus. Methods for operating the apparatus include controlling the bypass valve to control testing characteristics across the prosthetic device, and methods for monitoring the pressure inside of the apparatus.

Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system is disclosed for processing objects. The system includes a plurality of bins including objects to be distributed by the processing system, said plurality of bins being provided in at least a partially generally circular arrangement, a programmable motion device that includes an end effector for grasping and moving any of the objects, said programmable motion device being capable of reaching any of the objects within the plurality of bins, and a plurality of destination containers for receiving any of the objects from the plurality of bins, said plurality of destination containers being provided in a region that is generally within the at least partially generally circular arrangement of the plurality of bins.

Abstract: Embodiments of the systems described herein can implement one or more visitor tearing processes. Visitor tearing can include, among other things, one or more processes by which multiple visitors that may appear to be the same visitor may be separated into different visitor profiles due to the leveraging of one or more unique persistent identifiers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I that function as inhibitors of BCL6 (B-cell lymphoma 6) activity: wherein X1, X2, R1, R2 and R3 are each as defined herein. The present invention also relates to processes for the preparation of these compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and to their use in the treatment of proliferative disorders, such as cancer, as well as other diseases or conditions in which BCL6 activity is implicated.

Abstract: Biodegradable copolymers obtainable via radically initiated emulsion polymerization processes are provided. The biodegradable copolymers contain one or more monomer units of the formula I, and vinyl acetate units. In formula I, n=1 to 3, X1 and X2 independently of one another are the atoms O or S or the group N—R7, R1 and R2 independently of one another are hydrogen, an alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy or aryl radical or a spirocyclic aliphatic group, and R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 independently of one another are hydrogen or an alkyl or aryl radical.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I that function as inhibitors of BCL6 (B-cell lymphoma 6) activity: wherein X1, X2, R1, R2 and R3 are each as defined herein. The present invention also relates to processes for the preparation of these compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and to their use in the treatment of proliferative disorders, such as cancer, as well as other diseases or conditions in which BCL6 activity is implicated.

Abstract: A hair care accessory is provided for use in drying and/or styling hair. The hair care accessory can include an elongate frame having a longitudinal axis and an inner lumen extending there through along the longitudinal axis. The hair care accessory can also include a plurality of plates disposed on the elongate frame. The plurality of plates can include a first row of plates that can be spaced circumferentially around a first longitudinal portion of the elongate frame, and at least one second row of plates that can be spaced circumferentially around a second longitudinal portion of the elongate frame. Each plate in the first row of plates can define a first longitudinally extending outlet and each plate in the second row of plates can define a second longitudinally extending outlet. The second longitudinally extending outlet being circumferentially offset from the first longitudinally extending outlet.

Abstract: A hair care accessory is provided for use in drying and/or styling hair. The hair care accessory can include an elongate frame having a longitudinal axis and an inner lumen extending there through along the longitudinal axis. The hair care accessory can also include a plurality of plates disposed on the elongate frame. The plurality of plates can include a first row of plates that can be spaced circumferentially around a first longitudinal portion of the elongate frame, and at least one second row of plates that can be spaced circumferentially around a second longitudinal portion of the elongate frame. Each plate in the first row of plates can define a first longitudinally extending outlet and each plate in the second row of plates can define a second longitudinally extending outlet. The second longitudinally extending outlet being circumferentially offset from the first longitudinally extending outlet.

Abstract: Various exemplary attachments for hair care appliances and methods of using attachments for hair care appliances are provided. In general, a hair care appliance in an exemplary embodiment is in the form of a hair dryer that has an air inlet and at least one air outlet, and various internal components that facilitate use and operation of the hair care appliance, such as a fan, motor, and heater. In an exemplary embodiment, the hair care appliance is configured to releasably couple to an attachment so that the hair care appliance and the attachment are in electrical communication.

Abstract: A hair care accessory is provided for use in drying and/or styling hair. The hair care accessory can include an elongate frame having a longitudinal axis and an inner lumen extending there through along the longitudinal axis. The hair care accessory can also include a plurality of plates disposed on the elongate frame. The plurality of plates can include a first row of plates that can be spaced circumferentially around a first longitudinal portion of the elongate frame, and at least one second row of plates that can be spaced circumferentially around a second longitudinal portion of the elongate frame. Each plate in the first row of plates can define a first longitudinally extending outlet and each plate in the second row of plates can define a second longitudinally extending outlet. The second longitudinally extending outlet being circumferentially offset from the first longitudinally extending outlet.