Abstract: A fluid sample collection unit may include a pod configured to receive a plurality of assay pads and a metering stack. The metering stack defines a channel extending longitudinally between an inlet end and dispensing portions. In some instances, the dispensing portions are movable relative to the assay pads, but a support feature within the pod vertically spaces apart the dispensing portions from the assay pads when less than a threshold vertical pressure is applied. In one instance, the pod defines a collection volume, a dispensing volume, and a passage portion, the passage portion connecting the collection and dispensing volumes. The metering stack is at least partially received within the pod, with the inlet end being positioned at the collection volume, the dispensing portions positioned within the dispensing volume above the assay pads, and an air gap being formed within the passage portion around the metering stack.

Abstract: A multi-disc brake is provided. The brake can include a radial wear pin cartridge for wear indication. The brake can include an integrated water jacket for cooling.

Abstract: A ball ramp caliper brake is disclosed. The brake can include a housing having an actuator side with a first pad nearer thereto and a carrier side with a second pad nearer thereto; the actuator side including ball ramps on an inner part, and threaded holes, the carrier side including housing holes therethrough; bolts respectively passing through one of the housing holes and respectively threaded into one of the threaded holes, to thereby compress a respective spring against the first pad; a lever having ball ramps facing the actuator side ball ramps; and a plurality of balls each being between respective ones of the ball ramps; wherein the springs are positioned coplanar with a radial center of the ball ramps, such that force of the springs provides constant compressive load on the ball ramps, and such that the force does not cause the first pad to tip.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for more efficient production of aluminum chlorohydrates, where the systems comprise a support element and/or metal catalyst, where the support element is configured to support the metal reagent in the system. Methods for efficient production of aluminum chlorohydrates are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wearable computing device includes an outer covering defining an outer-most top surface and an outer perimeter and an internal volume defined, at least in part, by an inner surface of the outer covering. The wearable computing device also includes an electronic display and an electronic display module connector arranged within the internal volume. Further, the wearable computing device includes at least one biometric sensor electrode positioned on the outer-most top surface of the outer covering and wrapping around one or more side edges of the outer covering to the internal volume. Moreover, the wearable computing device includes a printed circuit board arranged within the internal volume. In addition, the wearable computing device includes a conductive component electrically connecting the biometric sensor electrode(s) to the printed circuit board through the electronic display module connector.

Abstract: Herein is provided a recombinant tumor-selective viral particle comprising a nucleic acid encoding a recombinant polypeptide for directing an extracellular vesicle (EV) to at least one target cell, said recombinant polypeptide comprising: at least one targeting moiety for directing said EV to said at least one target molecule expressed by said at least one target cell; at least one EV-anchoring polypeptide; and at least one intravesicular polypeptide. The viral particle may be from an oncolytic viruses. Recombinant polypeptides for programming EVs to target particular molecules are also provided. Also described are therapeutic EVs for delivering payload polypeptides (and/or cargo molecules) to target cells, e.g., in vaccine or cell-free “CAR-T”-like applications, along with EVs for recruiting immune cells to target cells in EV-mediated BiTE -like applications. Oncolytic viruses may also be engineered to infect tumor cells and shed programmed EVs, yielding additional therapeutic effects.

Abstract: A method of producing aluminum chlorohydrate comprises adding small form aluminum metal pellets to a reactant receiving space of a reactor tank to form a pellet bed; adding aqueous hydrochloric acid to the reactant receiving space of the reactor tank; and continuously circulating the aqueous hydrochloric acid through the pellet bed. In some embodiments, the continuously circulating aqueous hydrochloric acid dispels reaction gases from the pellet bed. Methods described herein can, in some cases, further comprise consecutively adding additional small form aluminum metal pellets to the reactant receiving space of the reactor tank as the small form aluminum metal pellets are consumed in the pellet bed.

Abstract: A design optimization method and system comprises preparing a symbolic tree, updating node symbol parameters using a plurality of samples, sampling the plurality of samples with a method for solving, the multi-armed bandit problem, promoting each sample in the plurality of samples down a path of the symbolic tree, evaluating each path with a fitness function, and outputting a path of the symbolic tree.