Abstract: There is described a system for growing a microorganism in liquid culture, the system comprising: a driving apparatus configured to house and oscillate a microfluidic cartridge; and a microfluidic cartridge comprising at least one incubation chamber, such that when the system is in use, the incubation chamber may be oscillated back and forth along an oscillation path using a preferred oscillation protocol. There is also described a method of growing a microorganism in liquid culture, the method comprising disposing a microorganism and suitable growth medium into an incubation chamber; and mixing the microorganism and growth medium by oscillating the incubation chamber back and forth along an oscillation path using a preferred oscillation protocol. There is also described a microfluidic cartridge that may be used to grow microorganisms using the system and methods described above.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides variant Pol6 polymerase polypeptides, compositions comprising the Pol6 variant polypeptides, and methods for using the variant Pol6 polypeptides for determining the sequencing of nucleic acids, for example, by nanopore sequencing. The variant Pol6 polymerases possess decreased rates of dissociation of template from the polymerase-template complex, which result in increased processivity relative to the parental Pol6 polypeptides from which they are derived.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for treating a patient includes a shaft assembly and a body assembly. The shaft assembly includes a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and an articulation joint operable to selectively articulate the distal end portion relative to the proximal end portion. The body assembly includes a joint drive assembly, an actuator, and a joint stabilizer. The joint drive assembly is operatively connected to the articulation joint and configured to actuate the articulation to thereby articulate the distal end portion relative to the proximal end portion. The actuator is configured to actuate the joint drive assembly for articulating the articulation joint. The joint stabilizer includes a detent abutment and a detent notch configured to releasably capture the joint drive assembly and thereby inhibit articulation of the distal end portion of the shaft assembly relative to the proximal end portion of the shaft assembly.

Abstract: There is described a method for extracting a target chemical compound from a cellular material in a sample. The method comprising the steps of: subjecting the sample to mechanical lysis to cause disruption of a cellular membrane in the cellular material; contacting the sample with an alkaline material to produce a lysate composition comprising the target chemical compound; and recovering the lysate composition from the sample. There is also described a method for producing a lysate composition comprising RNA from a mammalian bodily fluid sample comprising a cellular material. There is also described a method for extracting a nucleic acid from a cellular material in a bodily fluid or an inoculant derived therefrom.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensor package, including a sensing side for sensing fingerprint information and a separate connection side for electrically connecting the fingerprint sensor package to a host device, is disclosed. The fingerprint sensor package can also include a sensor integrated circuit facing the sensing side and substantially surrounded by a fill material. The fill material includes vias at peripheral locations around the sensor integrated circuit. The fingerprint sensor package can further include a redistribution layer on the sensing side which redistributes connections of the sensor integrated circuit to the vias. The connections can further be directed through the vias to a ball grid array on the connection side. Some aspects also include electrostatic discharge traces positioned at least partially around a perimeter of the connection side. Methods of manufacturing are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer program for providing access to auto insurance information comprises a first software widget and a second software widget. The first software widget may appear on a display of a mobile electronic device. When selected by a user, the first software widget displays a first information screen that includes a phone number and a mailing address for an insurance agent of the user. The second software widget may also appear on the display. When selected by the user, the second software widget displays a second information screen that includes an image of an auto insurance card of the user. The second software widget may compare an expiration date from the second information screen with the current date and generate a first indicia if the expiration date occurred before the current date (such as if the virtual auto insurance card is out of date and needs to be updated).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides variant Pol6 polymerase polypeptides, compositions comprising the Pol6 variant polypeptides, and methods for using the variant Pol6 polypeptides for determining the sequencing of nucleic acids, for example, by nanopore sequencing. The variant Pol6 polymerases possess decreased rates of dissociation of template from the polymerase-template complex, which result in increased processivity relative to the parental Pol6 polypeptides from which they are derived.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a III-nitride power semiconductor based heterojunction device including a low voltage terminal, a high voltage terminal, a control terminal and an active heterojunction transistor formed on a substrate, and further including the following monolithically integrated components: voltage clamp circuit configured to limit a maximum potential that can be applied to the internal gate terminal, an on-state circuit configured to control the internal gate terminal of the active heterojunction transistor during an on-state operation, a turn-off circuit configured to control the internal gate terminal of the active heterojunction transistor during a turn-off operation and during an off-state.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a method is performed at an electronic device including a display device and one or more input devices. The method includes displaying, on the display device, a first graphing area including a first section presenting a plot of a first set of data points for a first variable and a second section. The method includes detecting, via the one or more input devices, a user input indicative of a path within a second section. The method includes determining, based on the user input indicative of a path within the second section, a second set of data points for the first variable. The method includes determining, based at least on the second set of data points for the first variable, a set of data points for a second variable. The method includes displaying, on the display device, a second graphing area presenting a plot of the set of data points for the second variable.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a method is performed at an electronic device including a display device and one or more input devices. The method includes displaying, on the display device, a first graphing area presenting a plot of a first set of data points for a first variable versus a first set of data points for a second variable. The method includes displaying, on the display device, an indication of a relationship between the first variable and the second variable. The method includes detecting, via the one or more input devices, a user input indicative of change to the relationship between the first variable and the second variable. The method includes determining, based on the changed relationship between the first variable and the second variable, a second set of data points. The method includes displaying, on the display device, a second graphing area presenting a plot of the second set of data points.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a method is performed at an electronic device including a display device and one or more input devices. The method includes displaying, on the display device, a first graphing area section presenting a plot of a first set of data points for a first variable. The method includes detecting, via the one or more input devices, a first user input indicative of a selection of a portion of the first graphing area section. The method includes determining, based on the first user input indicative of a selection of a portion of the first graphing area section, a portion of the first set of data points for the first variable. The method includes detecting, via the one or more input devices, a second user input indicative of a weighting of the portion of the first set of data points for the first variable. The method includes determining, based on the weighting, a second set of data points.

Abstract: A method for determining the susceptibility of bacteria in a clinical sample comprising urine or an inoculant derived therefrom to an antibiotic agent may include the steps of a) inoculating a test portion of the clinical sample in a medium containing a predetermined concentration of the antibiotic agent; b) inoculating a control portion of the clinical sample in a medium that does not contain the antibiotic agent; c) incubating the test portion for an incubation period; d) incubating the control portion for the incubation period; e) determining a quantity of RNA in the test portion and a quantity of RNA in the control portion at the conclusion of the incubation period that is less than 480 minutes after the completion of step a); and f) determining a susceptibility of the bacteria to the antibiotic agent by comparing the quantity of RNA in the test portion to the quantity of the RNA in the control portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel cleaning compositions that are substantially free of cocamide diethanolamine. In an aspect of the invention, the compositions utilize a surfactant system and coupling agents as a replacement for the rheology modifier cocamide diethanolamine. The combination of a surfactant system and coupling agents can be used as a replacement for traditional rheology modifiers and foaming agents which are under regulatory pressure while providing concentrated liquid cleaning compositions with a viscosity of 400 cps or less. In another aspect the invention relates to novel cleaning compositions such as pot and pan soaking compositions, dishwashing compositions, food and beverage foaming cleaners, vehicle cleaning and the like suitable for use in hard water, which can be solid or liquid. The invention further relates to methods of making these compositions, and to methods employing these compositions.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of treating muscle myopathy, including muscle dystrophies and cardiomyopathies, by administering stable, long-lasting vasoactive intestinal peptide therapeutic agents. These agents include one or more elastin-like peptides and can be administered at a low-dose.

Abstract: A system for providing a continuous flow of blood between two locations in a cardiovascular system of a patient is provided. The system includes a blood conduit having a proximal portion configured to be attached to an artery. The system also includes a distal portion configured to be inserted into a blood vessel at an insertion site and to be advanced there through to a location spaced apart from the insertion site. Moreover, the system includes a reinforcement member positioned at least partially about the blood conduit in at least one of the distal portion, the proximal portion, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A cutting bit assembly for a mining machine includes a holder having a first surface, a second surface, and a bore extending therebetween, and a bit having a first end and a second end. The bit further includes a tip, a shank, and a shoulder positioned between the tip and the shank. The shank is positioned in the bore of the holder and defines a shank axis. The shoulder engages the first surface of the holder. The shank includes a projection adjacent the second end. The cutting bit assembly also includes a retainer having a groove and a resilient member. The groove engages a portion of the projection. The resilient portion engages the second surface of the holder and biases the retainer along the shank axis and away from the holder.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for offloading the management of sensor data and generating custom views of sensor data. Sensor data received from a data network through a message is stored within storage managed by a computing device. A handle is generated to identify the sensor data. The sensor data within the message is replaced with the handle, and the message is transmitted to a device within the data network. The device may use handles of sensor data to request custom views of sensor data.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for offloading the management of sensor data and generating custom views of sensor data. Sensor data received from a data network through a message is stored within storage managed by a computing device. A handle is generated to identify the sensor data. The sensor data within the message is replaced with the handle, and the message is transmitted to a device within the data network. The device may use handles of sensor data to request custom views of sensor data.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensor package, including a sensing side for sensing fingerprint information and a separate connection side for electrically connecting the fingerprint sensor package to a host device, is disclosed. The fingerprint sensor package can also include a sensor integrated circuit facing the sensing side and substantially surrounded by a fill material. The fill material includes vias at peripheral locations around the sensor integrated circuit. The fingerprint sensor package can further include a redistribution layer on the sensing side which redistributes connections of the sensor integrated circuit to the vias. The connections can further be directed through the vias to a ball grid array on the connection side. Some aspects also include electrostatic discharge traces positioned at least partially around a perimeter of the connection side. Methods of manufacturing are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for the identification of viability enhancing cell features and substrate features as they relate to post-cryopreservation survival of substrate seeded cells. Embodiments of the present invention further involve identification of cell features to manufacture a supernatant that is useful for cell culturing and treatment of various diseases.