Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for semi-automated, portable, ultrasound guided cannulation. The systems and methods provide for image analysis to provide for identification of anatomical landmarks from image data. The image analysis provides for guidance for insertion of a cannulation system into an airway of a subject which may be accomplished by a non-expert based upon the guidance provided. The system further enables a single person to perform the cannulation rather than the typical 2 or more people. The guidance may include an indicator or a mechanical guide to guide a user for inserting the cannulation system into a subject to penetrate the airway of interest.

Abstract: A high-throughput method for identifying single crystal hexagonal-SiC off-axis surfaces that support surface chemistries and kinetics to selectively produce various epitaxial growth modes of the metastable 3C-SiC polytype is provided. In execution of the aforementioned method, the present invention also encompasses the use of a single crystal hexagonal-SiC domed substrate, and a method for manufacturing thereof. Said method for screening silicon carbide growth surfaces is comprised of: fabrication of a silicon carbide domed substrate; forming a step-terrace growth surface on the domed surface of said silicon carbide domed substrate by hydrogen etching; performing silicon carbide deposition upon said growth surface, thereby creating an silicon carbide epitaxial domed wafer; and characterization of said silicon carbide epitaxial domed wafer. Silicon carbide deposition upon a silicon carbide domed growth surface allows for the modulation of the supersaturation ratio under a single set of growth conditions.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining causal models for controlling environments. One of the methods includes repeatedly selecting, by a control system for the environment, control settings for the environment based on internal parameters of the control system, wherein: at least some of the control settings for the environment are selected based on a causal model, and the internal parameters include a first set of internal parameters that define a number of previously received performance metric values that are used to generate the causal model for a particular controllable element; obtaining, for each selected control setting, a performance metric value; determining that generating the causal model for the particular controllable element would result in higher system performance; and adjusting, based on the determining, the first set of internal parameters.

Abstract: A heart valve sizer and sizer cover are provided for determining the size of a heart valve annulus. The valve sizer can include a handle, a shaft extending distally from the handle, a sizing element coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the sizing element being movable between a first retracted position and a second expanded position, and a sizer cover. The sizer cover can be formed from a continuous sheet of material configured to surround at least a portion of the sizing element of the heart valve sizer so as to guard against entanglement of the sizing element with structures of a human heart.

Abstract: An operating room cable assembly for an electrical stimulation system that includes a lead connector having a housing, a lead lumen extending inwardly from a first opening in the housing and configured and arranged to receive a portion of a lead or lead extension, and a contact assembly disposed within the housing and configured and arranged to move relative to the housing. The contact assembly is configured and arranged to move to a load position and is biased to return to a lock position. The contact assembly includes of contacts that are configured and arranged to engage a portion of any lead or lead extension within the lead lumen when the contact assembly is in the lock position and to disengage from the portion of the lead or lead extension within the lead lumen when the contact assembly is in the load position.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and techniques to optimize processor resources at a user-defined level. In at least one embodiment, priority of one or more tasks are adjusted to prevent one or more other dependent tasks from entering an idle state due to lack of resources to consume.

Abstract: A computerized method is provided for digitally signing a digital document related to a transaction request from a customer. The method includes receiving, by a computing device, data related to the transaction request from the customer via a web-based interface. Receipt of the transaction data initiates a request session. The method also includes recording during the request session a voice signature sample from the customer via the web-based user interface and verifying the customer for the transaction request by comparing the voice signature sample with a stored voice print of the customer. Further, a consolidated record for the transaction request is generated that includes the transaction data and the transaction result. The digital document is populated with the transaction data if the customer is verified, where the digital document is treated as being digitally signed by the customer.

Abstract: Various illustrative aspects are directed to a data storage device comprising one or more disks, an actuator arm assembly comprising a voice coil motor (VCM), the VCM configured to operate in a first mode and a second, different mode, wherein the first mode corresponds to at least a first and a second setting, and a control circuitry configured to cause the VCM to seek towards a target track in the first mode using the first setting for a first duration, control transition of the VCM from the first to the second setting in the first mode, cause the VCM to seek towards the target track using the second setting for a second duration, and control transition of the VCM from the first to a second mode, wherein controlling the transitioning comprises seeking the VCM toward the target track in the second mode for a third duration.

Abstract: Various illustrative aspects are directed to a data storage device comprising one or more disks, an actuator arm assembly comprising a voice coil motor (VCM), the VCM configured to operate in a first mode and a second, different mode, wherein the first mode corresponds to at least a first and a second setting, and a control circuitry configured to cause the VCM to seek towards a target track in the first mode using the first setting for a first duration, control transition of the VCM from the first to the second setting in the first mode, cause the VCM to seek towards the target track using the second setting for a second duration, and control transition of the VCM from the first to a second mode, wherein controlling the transitioning comprises seeking the VCM toward the target track in the second mode for a third duration.

Abstract: Single-stranded oligonucleotide probes, systems, kits and methods for chromosome enumeration, gene copy enumeration, or tissue diagnostics. The probes are particularly suited for detecting gene amplification, deletion, or rearrangement in tissue samples in a single, dual, or multiplexed assay. The probes exhibit improved performance compared to industry leading dual-stranded probes; particularly in terms of the rate of hybridization.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining causal models for controlling environments. One of the methods includes identifying a procedural instance; determining a temporal extent for the procedural instance based on temporal extent parameters for the one or more entities in the procedural instance; selecting control settings for the procedural instance; monitoring environment responses to the control settings that are received for the one or more entities; determining which of the environment responses to attribute to the procedural instance in a causal model; and adjusting, based at least in part on the environment responses that are attributed to the procedural instance, the temporal extent parameters for the one or more entities.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a storage device and a device controller operatively coupled with the storage device. The device controller comprises a memory that stores an application. The application stored on the memory comprises instructions. When executed, the instruction direct the device controller to receive a storage request comprising content. The device controller retrieves a storage device policy from the memory that indicates a set of storage locations on the storage device. The device controller selects one of the storage locations on the storage device based on the storage device policy. The device controller stores the content on the storage device at the selected storage location. The device controller records storage information for the content that indicates the selected location on the memory.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining causal models for controlling environments. One of the methods includes repeatedly selecting control settings for the environment based on (i) a causal model that identifies causal relationships between possible settings for controllable elements in the environment and environment responses that reflect a performance of the control system in controlling the environment and (ii) current values of a set of internal parameters; and during the repeatedly selecting: monitoring environment responses to the selected control settings; determining, based on the environment responses, an indication that one or more properties of the environment have changed; and in response, modifying the current values of one or more of the internal parameters.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for memory with parallel main and test interfaces are described. A memory die may be configured with parallel interfaces that may individually (e.g., separately) support evaluation operations (e.g., before or as part of assembly in a multiple-die stack) or access operations (e.g., after assembly in a multiple die stack). For example, a memory die may include a first set of one or more contacts that support communicating signaling with or via another memory die in a multiple-die stack. The memory die may also include a second set of one or more contacts that support probing for pre-assembly evaluations, which may be electrically isolated from the first set of contacts. By implementing such parallel interfaces, evaluation operations may be performed using the second set of contacts without damaging the first set of contacts, which may improve capabilities for supporting a multiple-die stack in a memory device.

Abstract: An electronic gaming machine includes a display device and a game controller configured to initiate a feature game that uses a plurality of mechanical reels and the display device, identify a number of feature game symbols initially available for use during the feature game, display a plurality of symbol columns, each symbol column of the plurality of symbol columns is associated with a reel, perform a spin of the reels, in response to the player initiating the play, distribute the number of feature game symbols into the plurality of symbol columns based on an output of a random number generator, each feature game symbol being displayed in a determined symbol column of the plurality of symbol columns, evaluate an outcome of the feature game based on attributing the feature game symbols to associated reels, and award credit to the player based on the evaluating.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve holder system includes a prosthetic heart valve having a base at an inflow end, a plurality of commissure posts extending from the base toward an outflow end, and valve leaflets secured to the commissure posts to permit flow through the heart valve. A deflector is provided at the outflow end having a central hub and a plurality of arms extending from the central hub secured to and covering the tips of respective commissure posts. A valve support body is secured to the base and a post connects the valve support body to the hub of the deflector.

Abstract: Various illustrative aspects are directed to a data storage device comprising a first spindle motor configured to rotate one or more disks in a first stack of disks, a second spindle motor configured to rotate one or more disks in a second stack of disks, and one or more processing devices configured to detect back electromotive force (BEMF) voltages generated by the first spindle motor and the second spindle motor. In other aspects the one or more processing devices can control speeds of the first spindle motor and the second spindle motor based on the detected BEMF voltages.

Abstract: Images depicting items in a waste flow on a conveyor belt are provided to two analysis systems. The first system processes images to decode digital watermark payload data found on certain of the items (e.g., plastic containers). This payload data is used to look up corresponding attribute metadata for the items in a database, such as the type of plastic in each item, and whether the item was used as a food container or not. The second analysis system can be a spectroscopy system that determines the type of plastic in each item by its absorption characteristics. When the two systems conflict in identifying the plastic type, a sorting logic processor applies a rule set to arbitrate the conflict and determine which plastic type is most likely. The item is then sorted into one of several different bins depending on a combination of the final plastic identification, and whether the item was used as a food container or not. A variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for multi-purpose signaling for a memory system are described. One or more signal paths of between a host device and a memory device may be configured to support shared pathways between multiple channels and to support multiple functions. For example, a signal path may be configured to communicate a state signal for an initialization sequence of the memory device, an error signal for the memory device to indicate that errors have occurred, or a low-power signal for the host device to request that the memory device enter a low-power mode, or a combination thereof. The signal path may be shared between two or more channels of the memory device.