Abstract: A sphincter augmentation device includes a plurality of interlinked bodies and a pair of device ends configured to releasably couple together to secure the bodies in a loop formation sized to fit around an internal anatomical passageway of a patient. The device further includes a plurality of resilient members, with each resilient member extending between an adjacent pair of the bodies. The resilient members are configured to elastically deform to permit the device to transition between a radially contracted state and a radially expanded state. The resilient members bias the device toward the radially contracted state in which the device exerts an inwardly directed force on the anatomical passageway to selectively limit passage of fluids therethrough. The device further includes an expansion limiting member that extends between and is slidably received by an adjacent pair of the bodies, and is configured to limit radial expansion of the device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved gypsum board and a method of making such gypsum board. For instance, the method comprises: providing a first facing material, depositing a gypsum slurry comprising at least stucco and water on the first facing material, providing a second facing material on the gypsum slurry, and allowing the stucco to convert to calcium sulfate dihydrate, wherein the method further comprises a step of providing a dry starch layer including a dry starch at an interface between the first facing material and the gypsum slurry, the second facing material and the gypsum slurry, or both.

Abstract: A method of making an adhesive article is described comprising melt extruding a core film layer comprising a composition comprising at least 50% of a polylactic acid polymer. The method further comprises melt extruding an adhesive layer on a major surface of the core film layer such that regions of interdiffusion are present between the core film layer and adhesive layer. The adhesive layer may comprise C1-C10 (meth)acrylic acid or ester thereof, vinyl acetate, ethylene vinyl acetate, hydrolysed polyvinyl alcohol and combinations thereof. The adhesive layer may also be a pressure sensitive adhesive. The method further comprises melt extruding a release film layer on an opposing major surface of the core film layer. The layers are sequentially extruded or co-extruded and can be uniaxially or biaxially oriented.

Abstract: A multi-layered lip seal comprising a dynamic layer optionally having a filler incorporated therein and a static layer optionally having a filler incorporated therein is described. The lip seal has an annular ring shape, wherein an inner diameter of the ring shape is curved in an axial direction so as to give the lip seal a J-shape when viewed from a cross-sectional perspective. Fillers that can be included in static layer include stiffening filler, reinforcement fillers, conductive fillers and/or abrasion resistance fillers. Fillers that can be included in the dynamic layer include wear resistance fillers. The use of specific fillers in specific layers of the multi-layered lip seal allows for certain segments of the lip seal to be imparted with the benefits of the filler without negatively impacting other segments of the lip seal.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly comprises a trocar and a surgical instrument. The trocar comprises a housing and an access tube extending distally from the housing. The housing comprises a hollow light emitter. The housing and the access tube define a lumen extending through the housing and the access tube. The hollow light emitter is configured to project light in the lumen. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector and a shaft extending proximally from the end effector. The shaft comprises an optical receiver positioned within reach of the light from the hollow light emitter. The shaft further comprises a light guide extending from the optical receiver along at least a portion of the shaft toward the end effector.

Abstract: In an embodiment described herein, a method for a mechanism to turn a post processing feature in the Device Media Foundation Transform is described. The method comprises managing, at a device integration service executing on a computing device, a current setting of a feature and updating the current setting as stored in a registry in response to a changed setting of the feature and asserting a setting changed event. The method also includes applying the updated current setting to captured media samples via the Device Media Foundation Transform in response to the asserted setting changed event.

Abstract: A multilayer fluoropolymer film comprising, in order: a first layer comprising a first polymer, the first polymer comprising at least 35 mol percent tetrafluoroethylene comonomer, at least 15 mole percent vinylidene fluoride comonomer, and at least 5 mol percent hexafluoropropylene comonomer, based on the total mol percent of the first polymer; a second layer comprising a second polymer, the second polymer comprising at least 50 mol percent vinylidene fluoride comonomer, based on the total mol percent of the second polymer; and a third layer comprising a third polymer, the third polymer comprising at least 50 mol percent methylmethacrylate comonomer, based on the total mol percent of the third polymer. The multilayer fluoroplymer films are useful for example, in multi-layer film applications (e.g., traffic sign protection, commercial graphic protection, paint protection, windows, windshields, building exteriors, and photo voltaics).

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system for performing online hyperparameter tuning in distributed machine learning. During operation, the system uses input data for a first set of versions of a statistical model for a set of entities to calculate a batch of performance metrics for the first set of versions. Next, the system applies an optimization technique to the batch to produce updates to a set of hyperparameters for the statistical model. The system then uses the updates to modulate the execution of a second set of versions of the statistical model for the set of entities. When a new entity is added to the set of entities, the system updates the set of hyperparameters with a new dimension for the new entity.

Abstract: Provided is a novel beam delivery system for quantum computing applications that includes a beam delivery photonic integrated circuit on a chip and an optical relay assembly. The beam delivery photonic integrated circuit on a chip may contain one or more layers, and a layer may contain one or more inputs connecting one or more outputs. The optical relay assembly receives a beam or beams from one or more outputs from a layer of the beam delivery photonic integrated circuit. The optical relay assembly focuses each received beam on a corresponding position of an atomic object confinement apparatus.

Abstract: In an embodiment described herein, a method for a mechanism to turn a post processing feature in the Device Media Foundation Transform is described. The method comprises managing, at a device integration service executing on a computing device, a current setting of a feature and updating the current setting as stored in a registry in response to a changed setting of the feature and asserting a setting changed event. The method also includes applying the updated current setting to captured media samples via the Device Media Foundation Transform in response to the asserted setting changed event.

Abstract: A hydraulic system comprises a fluid tank and a pump, including a pump reservoir, fluidly coupled to the tank via a supply line. A valve is in fluidic communication with the pump reservoir via a pressure line. A backflow line fluidly couples the pump reservoir to the fluid tank via a timer reservoir and an orifice included in the timer reservoir. The hydraulic system transitions between a normal state and a purge state. In the normal state in which the pump is on, a first portion of the fluid is communicated from the pump reservoir to the valve and a second portion of the fluid is communicated from the pump reservoir to the tank. In the purge state, the pressure line and valve are purged followed by the backflow line and the pump reservoir such that no fluid remains in the pump reservoir.

Abstract: An accessory device receives authentication information from a host computing device connected thereto and determines whether the authentication information is valid. If the authentication information is valid, the accessory device applies a first access policy that specifies whether the accessory device can provide the host computing device with access to none, some, or all of various computing resources of the accessory device. If the authentication information is not valid, the accessory device applies a second access policy that is different than the first access policy. The accessory device can also be provisioned with access policies by a host computing device if the host computing device successfully authenticates with the accessory device. In either case, authenticating the host computing device may include verifying a digital signature of a certificate provided by the host computing device using a public key of a certificate authority that has been provisioned to the accessory device.